Di Qiuer: They were chatting so well, and you want to kill me now, aren't you just causing trouble!

BOOM--!

Dark red hellfire surged instantly, the surrounding air crackling as it was scorched by the heat.

Chi Wang was truly panicked; his three massive dog heads bared their ferocious fangs simultaneously, and his gargantuan body blocked the space between Su Chen and the Auspicious Beast, shielding her tightly behind him.

"Auspicious Beast! Do not believe a single word of this human's lies!"

Chi Wang's three pairs of eyes locked onto Su Chen, filled with vigilance and murderous intent.

"Humans are the most cunning and despicable creatures! I don't know what sorcery you used to lure the Auspicious Beast here, but as long as I, Chi Wang, am here, you won't touch a single hair on her head!"

"Get lost while you still can! Otherwise, this King will reduce you to ashes!"

He had only one thought in his mind: if he didn't tear this human to shreds, the Auspicious Beast would be snatched away!

If the Auspicious Beast were lost, there would be no point in Chi Wang living either.

If Lord Di Tian found out that he had lost the Auspicious Beast... the thought of that fate worse than death made the fur all over Chi Wang's body stand on end!

"Even if I have to throw away this old life, I will never let you take the Auspicious Beast! Even if I have to self-destruct, I will drag you down with me!!"

Chi Wang roared, his muscles coiled tight, the pressure of a 300,000-year-old fierce beast erupting without restraint as he prepared to pounce and fight to the death.

However...

At this critical juncture.

The Three-Eyed Golden Ni, shielded behind Chi Wang, appeared unusually calm, perhaps even... enjoying herself?

Within her spiritual sea, there was total peace.

Because of the connection through the attribute of fate, she and Su Chen were engaged in a deep exchange on a soul level.

The pleasure brought by that soul resonance made her squint her eyes in comfort.

Just as the conversation reached a delightful point, Chi Wang's grating, trumpet-like roar suddenly shattered the tranquility.

Di Qiu'er was very displeased.

She opened her bright, golden eyes, cast a look of disdain at the raging Chi Wang, and spoke sharply:

"Uncle Chi Wang, can you be a little quieter?"

Her voice was crisp and melodious, yet carried an innate majesty of a superior being.

"I was having a perfectly good chat with Su Chen, and you suddenly start shouting and talking about killing people. How annoying! Aren't you just trying to cause trouble on purpose?"

"Gah?"

Chi Wang's fierce, ready-to-strike offensive was abruptly halted in mid-air.

His three large heads froze simultaneously, his six eyes filled with confusion and grievance.

Cau... causing trouble?

I'm trying to save you! My little ancestor! Why are you speaking up for an outsider?!

"Uncle Chi Wang, put away your fangs."

Di Qiu'er extended a paw and gently poked the ferocious Three-Headed Red Demon Mastiff in front of her, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.

"I know you hate the greed and cunning of humans, but Su Chen... he is truly different."

When she mentioned that name, the girl's originally cold voice softened unconsciously, and the corners of her mouth curled into a sweet arc she hadn't even noticed herself.

Those eyes, originally full of wildness, now seemed to be filled with starlight.

In her mind, those heart-pounding scenes flooded back like a tide.

Especially that moment of despair—

Facing that terrifying power capable of destroying everything, when the shadow of death loomed over her, that fool hadn't hesitated for a second.

He had shielded her beneath his body, using his own back—not particularly broad—to block all the damage for her.

Fresh blood had stained his clothes, but the hands that held her had never loosened their grip.

How could a fool who was willing to throw away his own life for her have any bad intentions?

Di Qiu'er's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a soft huff in her heart.

"Hmph, at most... he's just greedy for this girl's body."

However, considering he was easy on the eyes and had fought so hard, letting him be a little greedy... didn't seem entirely out of the question?

The atmosphere at the scene was somewhat bizarre.

Aside from Du Busi, who knew the truth and was watching the show from the sidelines, Zhang Lexuan's worldview was undergoing a massive earthquake.

She widened her beautiful eyes, her gaze shifting back and forth between Su Chen and the golden soul beast before her.

This... what was going on?

Could it be that Little Chen had... a special preference for soul beasts?!

"A forbidden cross-species romance?!"

Zhang Lexuan gasped, her mind instantly conjuring up an eighty-episode soap opera.

No! This is absolutely not okay! He is still just a child! This kind of thinking is dangerous and must be corrected!

Meanwhile, Su Chen watched the ever-changing expressions on Zhang Lexuan's face, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

Although he didn't know what Zhang Lexuan was thinking, it certainly wasn't anything proper.

He couldn't hold it in anymore and directly connected to the massive Three-Eyed Golden Ni before him through his spiritual power.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, Your Highness."

Su Chen's voice echoed in the mind of Di Qiu'er, carrying a hint of exasperated helplessness.

"What on earth are you doing running all the way out here?"

"Running around in your full Auspicious Beast form like this, aren't you afraid of being slaughtered by a passing Titled Douluo for your spirit bones?"

Speaking of which, Su Chen subconsciously glanced at the aggressive Chi Wang and couldn't help but retort:

"Also, I suggest you find a more reliable bodyguard next time you go out."

"That guy Chi Wang... tsk tsk, his combat record is touching, losing time and time again. Relying on him to protect you is like expecting a sow to climb a tree."

(Chi Wang: Are you being polite?)

"Hmph! None of your business!"

Di Qiu'er's haughty voice came through, her tone filled with a sense of righteous indignation.

"Who told you not to come to the Star Dou Great Forest to find this young lady for so long?"

"If the mountain won't come to me, I will go to the mountain! I came to find you myself, and you're still not happy about it?"

Su Chen rubbed his forehead: "Fine, fine, you win, Your Highness. What I mean is, can you turn into human form next time you go out?"

"The way you look right now, you're basically a walking 100,000-year spirit bone gift package. It's too flashy! What if you get tricked by bad people?"

"Oh..."

Hearing the concern hidden within Su Chen's reprimand, Di Qiu'er's originally held-high lion head lowered slightly, her tone softening instantly, even carrying a hint of grievance.

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

"After all, when we first met, I was in this form. I was afraid that if I turned into a human, you wouldn't know who I was..."

"..."

Hearing this reason, the bellyful of lectures Su Chen had prepared instantly got stuck in his throat.

Looking at the majestic yet somewhat endearing Di Qiu'er before him, a ripple stirred in the depths of Su Chen's heart.

This silly girl...

"Right, right! I almost forgot the main point!"

Di Qiu'er looked as if she were presenting a treasure, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I had people... had beasts collect a lot of high-quality spirit bones in advance, along with mountains of rare treasures! They're all in my vault!"

"Su Chen, do you want me to take you to pick some out right now? Take whatever catches your eye, you can even take them all!"

That heroic display was practically writing the words "I'm a rich woman, come eat soft rice" all over her face.