First Encounter

Huo Yuhao, who had been hurrying along, suddenly stopped. After moistening his dry lips, a hint of delight appeared on his face.

After traveling nonstop for several days, he was already covered in dust. The sticky sweat clinging to his body made him rather uncomfortable.

He was merely poor and unable to afford new clothes; that did not mean he did not care about cleanliness. Naturally, Huo Yuhao would not refuse the chance to take a comfortable bath.

The reason Huo Yuhao stopped was simple: he had heard the sound of running water.

That meant there was a stream nearby.

For someone who often went out to catch extra food and supplement his nutrition, easy-to-catch prey was Huo Yuhao's favorite—especially Soft Bone Rabbits and fish. Of the two, he preferred grilled fish.

"There's actually a stream nearby? This is great! Not only can I wash up, I can catch a few fish to fill my stomach!" Without the slightest hesitation, Huo Yuhao turned and headed toward the stream.

Hunting Soul Rings could wait. Getting plenty of rest and restoring his energy before entering the Soul Beast Forest was the right decision.

With the excellent eyesight of his Spirit Eye, Huo Yuhao easily caught quite a few Green Fish using nothing more than a fish spear whittled from a branch.

After catching enough fish, Huo Yuhao casually drew the dagger at his waist and prepared to clean the ingredients. Yet when he saw the cold gleam of the dagger in his hand, he could not help but pause, gazing at it with sorrowful eyes.

It was a level-five close-combat Soul Tool, the only keepsake his mother had left him. It was also the token of love Duke White Tiger Dai Hao had given his mother.

"Mom..."

High above, Lin Yun and Di Tian concealed themselves within space. When they saw Huo Yuhao draw the dagger from his waist, Lin Yun nearly burst out laughing.

White Tiger Dagger...

That name was just too ridiculous.

Di Tian tilted his head in confusion, unable to understand what his Honored One had thought of this time.

"Honored One, why are we observing such a weak and insignificant human?" Di Tian asked, thoroughly puzzled.

"Di Tian, you are still not strong enough! That is why you cannot see what is unusual about him. I do not blame you!" Lin Yun smiled mysteriously.

Huh?

I'm still not strong enough?

Di Tian was dumbfounded.

"If it were Three-Eyed Golden Lion instead, perhaps she would be able to see what is extraordinary about this human boy," Lin Yun said.

"However, I have no intention of letting Three-Eyed Golden Lion come into contact with this brat. I do not know what you and she have been hiding from me, but remember this, Di Tian: as long as you remain in the Star Dou Great Forest, never let the Auspicious Beast come into contact with this human. Otherwise..."

Those final two threat-laden words made Di Tian nod hurriedly. "Rest assured, Honored One. I will certainly keep a close watch on the Auspicious Beast!"

After saying that, Di Tian hesitated, opening his mouth as though he wanted to speak but stopping himself.

"If you have something to say, say it. Why are you hesitating? What kind of behavior is that?" Lin Yun frowned.

"Honored One, may you tell me why?" Di Tian finally asked after hesitating for a long while. The instant he finished, he quickly added, "Of course, if it concerns your plans and is inconvenient to tell me, then you need not say anything!"

"It is nothing that cannot be said, but you had best not spread it around. The fewer people who know, the better." Lin Yun shook his head and spoke gravely.

"Yes. I guarantee I will keep my lips sealed!" Di Tian nodded firmly.

Lin Yun pointed at Huo Yuhao, who was grilling fish below, and said softly, "Though he is weak, human fortune has gathered around him. Just as Three-Eyed Golden Lion is the Emperor Auspicious Beast of the Star Dou Great Forest, humans likewise have their own Child of Fortune."

Di Tian's pupils abruptly contracted as he looked at Huo Yuhao in shock.

Three-Eyed Golden Lion's importance to the Star Dou Great Forest went without saying. She could not only accelerate the growth of Soul Beasts, but also increase the success rate of tribulations for Fierce Beasts like them.

Without Three-Eyed Golden Lion, the quality of the Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest would likely have fallen several more levels by now.

That weakling was actually humanity's Child of Fortune?

No wonder the Honored One had said the Auspicious Beast could not approach him! If humanity's Child of Fortune and the Star Dou Great Forest's Emperor Auspicious Beast met, who knew what might happen when fortune collided with fortune?

Moreover, in this era, humanity's fortune was stronger than that of the Soul Beasts. If something went wrong, the Soul Beast fortune carried by the Auspicious Beast might be viciously bitten away by humanity's fortune.

Perhaps...

Completely devoured.

Di Tian suddenly understood, and deep wariness appeared in his eyes.

"Honored One, if that weak human below poses a threat to the Auspicious Beast, then why don't we...?" Di Tian's face filled with killing intent as he flattened his hand like a blade and drew it across his throat.

"You think I do not want to? This brat has already been watched by someone else!" Lin Yun rolled his eyes, then raised a finger and pointed toward the sky.

Lin Yun's gesture interrupted Di Tian's private thoughts.

For one brief instant, Di Tian had truly wanted to rush down and slap Huo Yuhao to death with Dragon God Claw.

Humans had already surpassed Soul Beasts by far, and now a Child of Fortune had appeared among them in this era. If Lin Yun had not existed, Di Tian might truly have killed Huo Yuhao at all costs, buying the Soul Beast Clan some breathing room.

Furthermore, Di Tian had a premonition that, without Lin Yun, Huo Yuhao would very likely become the reason for the Soul Beasts' extinction!

It was precisely because of that premonition that Di Tian had wanted so badly to kill him!

Huo Yuhao had no idea that he had nearly started life over. Having already taken a trip through the gates of hell, he was still happily grilling fish.

"Wow, it smells so good!"

A bright and pleasant voice rang out. A slender, agile figure sprang from the bushes, her flawless and lovely face brimming with surprise.

Tang Sect Master Tang Ya—has arrived!

"Little brother, are you selling those grilled fish? They smell so good! How did you make them?" Tang Ya eagerly hurried to Huo Yuhao's side. Her beautiful eyes remained fixed on the fish beside the fire, and a few drops of drool even slipped from the corner of her mouth.

Behind Tang Ya came another youth about her age. He carried an elegant air, his expression lazy and his hands clasped behind his head.

After Mu En came Thunderbolt Beibei!

Huo Yuhao jumped in fright, watching the suddenly appearing beautiful girl with wary eyes. However, once he clearly saw Tang Ya's face, his little face immediately flushed bright red.

A devastating beauty strike!

How could the inexperienced Huo Yuhao have ever seen a girl as beautiful as Tang Ya? What was more, he was extremely close to her right now and could even smell the delicate fragrance emanating from her body.

Overcome by her beauty, Huo Yuhao stammered, "I-I'll treat you both to some!"

Flying in the sky above, Lin Yun watched this historic scene with a meaningful expression.

Something was fishy!