Di Qiu'er: We Were Having a Nice Chat-Why'd You Have to Go and Ruin It by Trying to Kill Him?!

Boom—!

Dark red Hellfire surged upward in an instant, and the air around them crackled as it burned.

The Scarlet King was truly panicking. All three of its massive heads bared their fearsome fangs as its enormous body planted itself between Su Chen and the Auspicious Beast, shielding her firmly behind it.

"Auspicious Beast! Don't believe a word this human says!"

The Scarlet King's three pairs of eyes were fixed on Su Chen, brimming with wariness and Killing Intent.

"Humans are the most deceitful and despicable creatures! I don't know what sorcery you used to lure the Auspicious Beast here, but as long as I, the Scarlet King, am here, you won't lay a finger on her!"

"Get lost while you still can! Otherwise, I'll turn you to ash!"

It had only one thought now: if it didn't tear this human apart, the Auspicious Beast would be whisked away!

If the Auspicious Beast disappeared, there'd be no point in the Scarlet King staying alive.

If Lord Di Tian found out it had lost the Auspicious Beast... The thought of that punishment, worse than death, made the Scarlet King's fur stand on end.

"Even if it costs me my life, I won't let you take the Auspicious Beast away! I'll self-destruct if I have to—I'll take you down with me!"

The Scarlet King roared, its muscles tensed as it unleashed the full pressure of a three-hundred-thousand-year Ferocious Beast. It looked ready to charge in and fight to the death.

And yet...

At this critical moment,

the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, protected behind the Scarlet King, seemed remarkably calm—almost... as if she were enjoying herself.

Within the Spiritual Sea, all was peaceful.

Drawn together by their shared Destiny attribute, she and Su Chen were engaged in a deep exchange on a spiritual level.

The pleasure that came from their souls resonating made her close her eyes in contentment.

Just as they were getting along so well, the Scarlet King's grating roar shattered the tranquility.

Di Qiu'er was annoyed.

She opened her lively golden eyes and cast an exasperated glance at the raging Scarlet King before speaking irritably:

"Uncle Scarlet King, could you be quiet for once?"

Her voice was clear and sweet, yet carried the innate authority of someone born to rule.

"Su Chen and I were having such a nice chat. Why'd you suddenly have to get so loud and start talking about fighting? You're ruining the mood! Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Huh?"

The Scarlet King's poised attack froze in midair.

All three of its heads went blank at once, six eyes filled with confusion and wounded indignation.

R-Ruining the mood?

I'm trying to save you, my little princess! Why are you taking the outsider's side?!

"Uncle Scarlet King, put your fangs away."

Di Qiu'er reached out a paw and gently poked the fearsome Three-Headed Red Demon Mastiff before her, her tone carrying a hint of playful affection.

"I know you hate human greed and deceit, but Su Chen... he really is different."

As she said his name, her usually cool voice softened without her realizing it, and the corners of her mouth curled into a sweet smile she herself didn't notice.

Her wild, pink-and-blue eyes seemed to be filled with starlight.

In her mind, those heart-stopping scenes came rushing back like a tide.

Especially that desperate moment—

When faced with a terrifying force powerful enough to destroy everything, with death's shadow looming over them, that fool hadn't hesitated for a second.

He had shielded her beneath him, using his not-so-broad back to take every blow for her.

Blood had stained his clothes, but the arms holding her had never loosened.

How could a fool willing to give up his life for her have any bad intentions?

Di Qiu'er's cheeks flushed, and she gave a soft snort to herself.

Hmph. At most... he's just lusting after this young lady's body.

Still, considering he was easy on the eyes and had fought so desperately for her, perhaps... there was no harm in letting him admire her a little?

The mood around them had turned rather strange.

Aside from Du Busi, who knew what was going on and was watching from the sidelines, Zhang Lexuan's entire worldview was being shaken to its core.

Her beautiful eyes widened as she looked back and forth between Su Chen and the dazzling golden Soul Beast before them.

W-What was going on?

Did Xiao Chen... have a thing for Soul Beasts?!

"A forbidden romance between different species?!"

Zhang Lexuan drew in a sharp breath, instantly imagining an eighty-episode melodramatic saga.

No! Absolutely not! He was still just a child! This was a dangerous line of thought. She had to set him straight!

Meanwhile, as Su Chen watched Zhang Lexuan's expression change by the second, the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

He had no idea what Zhang Lexuan was thinking, but it definitely wasn't anything decent.

He couldn't hold back anymore and used his spiritual power to connect directly with the enormous Three-Eyed Golden Lion before him.

"Hey, Miss."

Su Chen's voice rang out in Di Qiu'er's mind, tinged with helpless exasperation.

"What on earth did you come all the way here for?"

"You're running around in your Auspicious Beast form, making yourself this conspicuous. Aren't you worried some passing Titled Douluo will kill you and take your Spirit Bone?"

As he spoke, Su Chen glanced at the aggressively poised Scarlet King and couldn't help adding,

"And next time, I suggest you bring a more reliable bodyguard."

"The Scarlet King... tsk, what a record. It loses every battle it fights. You'd be better off betting on a sow climbing a tree than expecting it to protect you."

(Scarlet King: Is that any way to talk?)

"Hmph! What's it to you?"

Di Qiu'er's haughty voice rang out, carrying an entirely justified note of reproach.

"You're the one who hasn't come to the Star Dou Great Forest to see me in ages!"

"If the mountain won't come to me, then I'll go to the mountain! I came all the way to find you myself, and now you're unhappy about it?"

Su Chen pressed a hand to his forehead. "All right, all right, you're right, Your Highness. I mean, next time you go out, could you turn into a human?"

"You're basically a walking Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Bone gift basket like this. You're way too conspicuous! What if some bad person tricks you?"

"Oh..."

Hearing the concern beneath Su Chen's scolding, Di Qiu'er lowered her head slightly, her voice suddenly growing soft and even a little hurt.

"I... I was just afraid you wouldn't recognize me..."

"After all, I looked like this the first time we met. I was worried that if I turned into a human, you wouldn't know it was me..."

"..."

At that reason, all the lectures Su Chen had been about to give caught in his throat.

Looking at Di Qiu'er, so mighty yet somehow adorably clumsy, he felt a faint stirring in his heart.

That silly girl...

"Oh, right! I almost forgot the important part!"

Di Qiu'er's golden eyes lit up as if she were presenting him with a treasure, her voice brimming with excitement.

"I had people—I mean, Soul Beasts—gather a whole bunch of high-quality Spirit Bones and mountains of rare treasures! They're all in my treasury!"

"Su Chen, want me to take you there to pick something out? Take whatever you like—even take everything!"

She looked so magnanimous that she might as well have written I'm rich, come live off me across her face.