Within the Void Realm, the spirit power that had been boiling like magma abruptly stalled under that cold, commanding shout.
The rolling dark clouds overhead were forcibly frozen by a surge of Extreme Ice. Snowflakes drifted down without warning beneath the oppressive black sky.
"Everyone—stop right now!!!"
At the very instant Di Tian's world-destroying pressure was about to erupt, the Snow Empress moved.
Her graceful yet frigid figure became an ice-blue aurora, crossing space in a blink and landing firmly before Liu Yuan. Her slender back faced him, but the icy aura pouring from her body condensed into an unbreakable ice curtain, forcibly carving out a pocket of space from within Di Tian's dark domain.
At once, all eyes—whether the four battered Vicious Beasts sprawled in the crater or Di Tian standing in the sky like a god—were drawn to this sudden ruler of the far north.
"Snow Empress?" Di Tian hovered midair, the colossal black dragon shadow behind him swaying as a trace of gloom flickered through his golden eyes.
"Do you intend to interfere in the internal affairs of my Star Dou Great Forest? Or does this mean the Extreme North Land wishes to go to war with us?"
The Snow Empress did not turn around. Liu Yuan could feel it clearly—her aura was cold, yet carried an unprecedented firmness.
"Di Tian, enough," she said, her voice echoing like ancient ice across the forest. "Put away your ignorant arrogance. The Auspicious Beast was not injured by us at all."
"Us?" Di Tian seized upon the word at once, his brows knitting together, his tone tinged with disbelief.
"Snow Empress, since when did you start consorting with despicable humans? To the point of calling yourselves 'us'? You are the sovereign of the Extreme North Land. Your actions are tarnishing the dignity of the Spirit Beast race!"
"Dignity?" The Snow Empress snorted coldly, disdain filling her eyes.
"If dignity means acting blindly and repaying kindness with enmity, then such dignity is better thrown away."
"Di Tian, you don't need to look at me like that. Why I'm here is irrelevant. What matters is the fact—we saved the Auspicious Beast."
The forest fell into an eerie silence.
Di Tian said nothing, his golden dragon eyes flicking between the Snow Empress and Liu Yuan.
As Beast God, rage burned within him, yet reason told him the Snow Empress had no need to lie for a human.
Xiong Jun, however, was not so easily convinced.
Dragging his still-aching body from the pit, he spat out a mouthful of blood and glared viciously at Liu Yuan.
"Saved the Auspicious Beast? Snow Empress, find a better excuse if you're going to lie!"
"That human's long dragon and strange fish nearly tore my bones apart! Someone like that would save the Auspicious Beast? In my view, the Auspicious Beast was gravely injured by this brat, and you're just putting on an act!"
The Snow Empress didn't even bother to look at him. She replied coldly,
"Xiong Jun, if there's even a shred of reason left in that muscle-filled brain of yours, look at the Auspicious Beast's current condition."
"Though she hasn't awakened yet, her Origin injuries have stabilized. If it weren't for us, I don't need to spell out what her state would be."
"If you still refuse to believe it, then wait and ask her yourself when she wakes." The Snow Empress finally turned, her gaze locking onto Di Tian as a sharp cold light flashed in her eyes.
"The only reason I'm explaining this much is because I won't be framed for something I didn't do."
"And Di Tian, let me ask you something—" Her tone rose, carrying a cutting gale.
"Is this how the Spirit Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest treat a savior? Attacking with full force before even clarifying the truth. Is this what you call Spirit Beast orthodoxy?"
The Myriad Demon King hissed hoarsely, his shattered vines writhing across the ground.
"Savior? What a joke! Snow Empress, have you been bewitched by this human? Throughout history, do you not know what humans have done to us?"
"Even if he saved the Auspicious Beast this time, who can guarantee he doesn't have a greater scheme? Humans will always be our enemies. Killing them all is the safest choice!"
"Stubborn beyond redemption." The Snow Empress's patience snapped.
She clenched her right hand, and a longsword formed entirely of Extreme Ice quietly appeared, its tip angled toward the ground.
"Since you insist on fighting, then let's fight. Today, I want to see what you so-called Vicious Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest have that can keep me here—along with the person I intend to protect!"
Boom!
Her aura surged to its peak.
With Mega Rayquaza overhead—strengthened by four Dragon Sword Dances—and the menacing presence of Primal Kyogre, this combined power was now enough to contend directly with Di Tian.
Standing behind her, Liu Yuan felt the Snow Empress's resolute intent to protect him. A warmth flowed through his heart.
He lightly patted Rayquaza's dragon horn and fixed his gaze forward, cold and steady.
He was ready. If Di Tian truly dared to act, he wouldn't mind triggering a final, all-out clash—even if it meant overturning the entire core of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Di Tian clenched his fists, black spirit power roaring between his fingers like a coiling dragon.
His pride refused to accept a human's insolence on his own territory, yet he knew—once a true battle began, even victory might come at the cost of the forest's foundation.
Just as swords were drawn and conflict was about to erupt—
A faint yet sacred golden light slowly rose from the ground behind the Snow Empress.
"Ugh…"
A soft groan rang out, startlingly clear within the deathly silent forest.
Everyone froze.
The previously unconscious Auspicious Beast—the mystical creature glowing faintly gold, bearing three eyes—slowly opened her eyes.
The vertical eye on her forehead shimmered with destiny's light. Her once-dull fur regained softness and vitality.
"Auspicious Beast!" Bi Ji cried out in delight, rushing forward.
The Auspicious Beast looked around blankly. When her gaze settled on the Snow Empress and Liu Yuan, clarity returned to her eyes, followed by lingering fear and unmistakable gratitude.
She pushed herself upright and used her innate telepathy, sending a clear message to all present:
"Stop… Di Tian, everyone, stop…"
Di Tian landed beside her at once, concern evident.
"Auspicious Beast, how do you feel? Did this human harm you? Don't be afraid—I'm here. No one will hurt you!"
The Auspicious Beast shook her head. Her voice resonated within the minds of every Spirit Beast, carrying undeniable sincerity.
"They were the ones who saved me. After I was attacked by that Shrek Spirit Master, I fled with all my strength… and then lost the ability to move."
"At that time, it was this human who rescued me. He didn't strike me while I was down or take advantage of my weakness. He helped me—together with the Snow Empress."
She looked at Di Tian, her eyes filled with plea.
"So… Di Tian, please don't make things difficult for them. They are… my saviors."
Silence fell so completely that even a pin drop could be heard.
Xiong Jun stood frozen, his space-rending claws hanging awkwardly in midair.
The Myriad Demon King and the Scarlet King exchanged glances, their murderous intent stiffening instantly.
Di Tian's expression shifted repeatedly.
As a Beast God who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, he had insisted moments earlier that all humans should be killed—only to be immediately proven wrong.
The discomfort was worse than being struck by Rayquaza's Extreme Speed.
After a long silence, Di Tian finally snorted coldly, filled with unwillingness.
He shot Liu Yuan a vicious glare, as if carving his face into memory, then waved his hand sharply.
"Go!"
He offered neither apology nor thanks—that was his final stubbornness as Beast God.
Shrouded in black mist, Di Tian swept up the resentful Xiong Jun, the Myriad Demon King, and the injured Scarlet King, transforming into plumes of darkness that vanished into the depths of the forest.
Only Bi Ji, the Emerald Swan, lingered long enough to bow gently toward Liu Yuan and the Snow Empress in gratitude before departing.
With the Vicious Beasts gone, the suffocating pressure finally dissipated.
Yet the Auspicious Beast remained.
She walked lightly toward Liu Yuan, her golden eyes reflecting his figure, all three eyes glowing softly.
"I'm sorry, human," she said, lowering her proud head. Her clear voice echoed within Liu Yuan's heart.
"Though you saved me, I brought this unprovoked calamity upon you. Di Tian… he was too worried about me, and that made him extreme."
Looking at this creature who symbolized the fate of the Star Dou Great Forest, Liu Yuan's cold expression softened.
He withdrew Mega Rayquaza and Primal Kyogre. The two divine beings turned into streams of light and merged back into his body, and the forest gradually regained its natural hues.
"It's nothing," Liu Yuan said calmly. "Before saving you, I'd already anticipated the danger. Besides, I was helping the Snow Empress."
The Snow Empress quietly took note of his words.
The Auspicious Beast studied Liu Yuan with curiosity. She sensed that the destiny surrounding him was a mist—one that even her Eye of Destiny could not see through.
"To show my gratitude—and my apology—please accept this humble gift."
As she spoke, the third eye on her forehead released a holy golden beam that descended directly upon Liu Yuan.
It was the Blessing of Destiny—capable of enhancing luck and even turning peril into safety at crucial moments.
Liu Yuan felt his body grow lighter as a profound, mysterious sensation merged into his mental sea. His previously overtaxed mental force was instantly restored, and his perception sharpened further.
"This blessing will keep your luck prosperous," the Auspicious Beast said softly. Then she paused, curiosity flickering.
"I haven't asked yet… what is your name?"
"Liu Yuan."
"Liu Yuan…" She repeated it slowly, as though engraving it into her soul. She nodded solemnly.
"I will remember it. I will always remember you. For saving my life, the future is long—if fate allows, the Star Dou Great Forest will surely repay you."
With that, she took one final look at Liu Yuan and the Snow Empress, then transformed into a golden stream of light, following Di Tian's aura as she disappeared into the forest's core.
Only Liu Yuan and the Snow Empress remained, standing side by side.
A gentle breeze passed through, carrying away the last traces of scorched earth.
At that moment, the long-awaited, emotionless mechanical voice finally echoed within Liu Yuan's mind:
[Ding! Detected that the Auspicious Beast has returned safely. The Host has successfully resolved the Vicious Beast crisis in the Star Dou Great Forest.]
[Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission: Rescue the Auspicious Beast and retreat safely.]
[Distributing mission rewards…]
[Congratulations to the Host! Obtained a random Ability reward: Primal Kyogre Random Ability ×1]