The Star Dou Great Forest Trembles, She Awakens!

Shut up!

Bibi Dong snarled and actually slapped Qian Ren Xue across the face.

Smack!

The crisp, resounding slap echoed through the air, like a sharp blade slicing through the silence, making everyone's hearts tighten.

Qian Ren Xue's eyes widened as she stared at Bibi Dong in disbelief. Her gaze was filled with shock and confusion, as though she could not accept what had just happened. Never in her life had she imagined that Bibi Dong would hit her—and over Qian Ren Shang, no less.

Bibi Dong's face was terrifyingly grim, fury and resolve flickering in her eyes. Her hand remained suspended in the air, trembling slightly, as though that slap had drained all the strength from her body.

Qian Ren Xue covered her slapped cheek, her body trembling faintly. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere around them became extraordinarily heavy. Their gazes met in midair, as though countless bolts of lightning were flashing between them.

Bibi Dong's anger and Qian Ren Xue's grievance tangled together, forming an indescribably complicated emotion.

"Didn't Mom hate that guy Qian Ren Shang? Why did she hit me when I was taking Mom's side?"

Qian Ren Xue held her cheek, her face full of disbelief.

As Bibi Dong looked at the incredulous Qian Ren Xue, her gaze instinctively shifted away. Then she left her with a single sentence.

"He is your real younger brother... You can't talk about him like that in front of me anymore."

"I know he's my real younger brother, but... Mom, didn't you dislike him?"

Qian Ren Xue argued while clutching her face. "I was helping Mom, wasn't I? Haven't I always done that since I was little?"

"That was before... Things are different now."

"What's different?"

"Qian Ren Shang... your brother is gone."

Bibi Dong's voice was hoarse, her expression incomparably complicated.

Qian Ren Xue froze as well. "My brother is gone? What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. He's gone... He left Spirit Hall, though I don't know how he managed it."

"Ah... How is that possible? It's the Great Winter right now. How could he possibly get out of Spirit Hall by himself? And Spirit Hall is—"

"He... he'll die!"

Qian Ren Xue's little face turned deathly pale. She was only a three-year-old child, after all. Though she was somewhat mature for her age, disliking Qian Ren Shang was one thing—she did not want him to die.

"Yes, he might die... but he might also live. It's already been several days since then. It's too late to look for him now."

Bibi Dong's expression shifted uncertainly as she clenched her fists tightly, her heart a tangled mess.

"Besides, I have no way to send anyone to look for him right now... Qian Xun Ji is seriously injured, and that old man Qian Daoliu has had all his attention fixed on him. That is why, even though the three-year term has ended, he has not come to take Qian Ren Xue and the others away immediately."

"If Qian Daoliu and the others learn now that Qian Ren Shang is missing... there is no telling what might happen. When that happens, all my plans will come to nothing."

"So... we can't look for him!"

Qian Ren Xue stared at the floor with a pale face, then thought of the cake from earlier. Her feelings became a little complicated. Her younger brother had really just left like that?

That was far too sudden!

Qian Ren Xue's feelings toward Qian Ren Shang were very complicated. Since she was little, Bibi Dong had subtly influenced her view of him, making her feel that he was unnecessary and that there was nothing wrong with targeting him however she pleased.

But now that he had simply vanished, Qian Ren Xue did not know how she truly felt.

Still, she was open-minded. She knew that what was done was done, and nothing could be changed now.

"It's good that Qian Ren Shang left. He was an eyesore staying here anyway. Now that he's gone, it'll be just Mom and me!"

"Mom won't put her attention on him anymore... Mom will love me even more."

The corners of Qian Ren Xue's lips lifted as she quickly convinced herself. This time, she was sincerely grateful to Qian Ren Shang.

Meanwhile, Bibi Dong kept a grim face as she finally made up her mind. She stepped outside the room and summoned all the maids who had been searching for Qian Ren Shang in the sleeping palace. Everyone looked at Bibi Dong uneasily, not knowing what she intended to do.

Bibi Dong's imposing eyes swept over the crowd as she spoke in a low voice.

"What happened just now was only an accident. Qian Ren Shang is perfectly fine. You must not spread any news about him... Otherwise, none of you will remain in Spirit Hall. Your families outside will be included as well!"

"Did you all hear me?"

Buzz!

The voice infused with Soul Power made everyone shudder in unison.

"Understood!"

Everyone hurriedly replied. Only Aunt Mei wore a complicated expression upon hearing those words.

Based on what had happened, she knew Qian Ren Shang had most likely already left Spirit Hall—perhaps even Spirit City. She recalled how Qian Ren Shang had repeatedly asked her about the layout of Spirit Hall and matters concerning Spirit City outside!

Perhaps he had long been preparing to leave this place.

"Young Master has left... Good. A kind child like Young Master should not have spent his childhood in a place like this..."

"Young Master, after leaving this place... you must be happy every day!"

Aunt Mei's face was full of tenderness as she offered her heartfelt blessings to her child far away.

After everyone left, Bibi Dong returned to sit on Qian Ren Shang's bed, staring at the cake in the distance that had already rotted and spoiled, seemingly lost in thought.

Star Dou Great Forest!

Core Circle!

Within the mysterious and vast Core Circle of the Star Dou Great Forest, sunlight struggled to pierce through the layers of overlapping branches and leaves, scattering fragmented patches of light and shadow. Ancient trees towered all around, their massive trunks like age-old stone pillars supporting a green canopy.

The ground was covered in thick fallen leaves and moss, giving off a damp, decaying scent. The air was filled with rich life energy, making it feel as though one had entered a fantastical paradise.

Not far away, a clear lake lay as still as a massive mirror. The Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python, the two overlords of the forest, were leisurely drinking by the lakeside.

The Titan Giant Ape lowered his mountain-like body, plunged his thick arms into the water, scooped up a pool of clear spring water, and drank in great gulps. The Sky Azure Bull Python, meanwhile, elegantly lowered his head toward the surface and gently sipped the lake water.

Suddenly, as if they had both sensed an overwhelmingly powerful yet familiar aura at the same time, their eyes widened in shock.

The calm in their eyes was instantly shattered, replaced by boundless astonishment and wild joy.

Because they could clearly sense the Silver Dragon King's awakening. The aura of this Master of the Soul Beasts was like an ancient summons, stirring indescribable excitement and reverence within them.

In that instant, the entire Core Circle of the Star Dou Great Forest seemed to freeze. Only that powerful aura continued to spread, proclaiming the return of the king of soul beasts.

"She... she's awake!"

P.S.: A quick word about the update schedule. It's currently the recommendation period, so there will be a guaranteed two updates a day. There's a word-count limit during the recommendation period, so it isn't suitable to update too much!

There will be extra updates once it goes premium!

Updates are generally in the morning. Feel free to leave suggestions here as well; I'll find a fixed time to post.

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