Xue Qinghe and the Others, Who Are Like Dog-Skin Plasters

"Crack, crack!!!"

The strike was like a knife through butter, effortlessly shattering the defenses of the Datura Snake and slicing it along with the branch it was coiled around into three pieces. Emerald-green, poisonous blood flowed from the wounds.

"Hiss~~~" The mangled body of the Datura Snake crashed to the ground. Its remaining consciousness felt the agony, causing it to writhe frantically on the forest floor.

"That's it?" Seeing the giant snake sliced into several pieces so easily, Xiao Yu was a bit surprised. It seemed he had underestimated the strength of this body.

At the same time, a system notification chimed in Xiao Yu's mind.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the weekly mission "Defeat a century-old soul beast"]

[Rewards: Cocoa Fruit *5, Flash Strike skill stone *1, Leo's memory *1, System Inventory unlocked]

[Rewards have been placed in the system inventory; the host may claim them at will]

"Yo, you've finally learned some sense. I was wondering how a grand system like you didn't even have an inventory. Turns out it just wasn't enabled yet." Xiao Yu, who had been ready to catch the rewards, brightened up upon hearing this.

Previously, the rewards had only been single items, so he hadn't minded, but the rewards for future missions would surely be more abundant. If he had to pick them up one by one, it would be a real hassle.

But now it was fine; the system inventory had arrived, making things much more convenient for him.

"Done and dusted, time to go." Glancing at the yellow soul ring rising from the carcass below, Xiao Yu prepared to leave.

He wasn't a soul master, so a soul ring was useless to him. If it went to waste, so be it; how much was already wasted in this Royal Soul Beast Forest?

Meanwhile, in a corner nearby, Xue Qinghe and his party were marveling at Xiao Yu's attack.

"What kind of soul beast is that? Its power is truly immense. That was the defense of a century-old Datura Snake, yet it broke through so easily, and it even looked like it was holding back. It's truly terrifying," a soldier exclaimed.

"Indeed. And to think this is still in its juvenile state. If it were to grow up, who knows how terrifying it would become? Since when did such a soul beast appear in our Royal Soul Beast Forest?" another soldier said, equally shocked.

Xue Qinghe snapped out of his daze at their voices and looked closely, only to find that the little beast had already flown far away.

"Stop talking, let's chase after it. I've decided, this is the soul beast I want." Xue Qinghe quickly stepped out from the bushes and pursued Xiao Yu.

Seeing the crown prince move, the two soldiers immediately followed.

Having completed his mission, Xiao Yu wasn't flying particularly fast. He was currently experiencing the skill he had just acquired—Flash Strike.

It was a skill that allowed him to strike an enemy in an instant. It was terrifying; to others, it would look as if he had suddenly vanished, and by the time they reacted, they had already been hit.

"Hmm?" Just then, his ears twitched slightly, as if he had heard something.

"Humans?" With no bushes to hide them, the figures of Xue Qinghe and his party naturally appeared in Xiao Yu's sight. Furthermore, Xue Qinghe was in such a hurry to catch up that he hadn't even thought to conceal his identity.

"Your Highness, it seems to have discovered us." The soldier noticed the little beast suddenly stop and turn its head toward them.

"No kidding," the other soldier retorted. "We're so conspicuous, and this little beast's intelligence is far beyond that of other soul beasts; how could it not notice us?"

"Are they looking for me?" Xiao Yu frowned as he watched the group's gaze remain fixed on him. He didn't think he had provoked any humans.

Unless...

"They were nearby the whole time?!" Xiao Yu guessed the truth.

"But what does that have to do with me? Are these people trying to kill me?" Xiao Yu furrowed his brow. His current appearance was Leo; in the human world, that meant he was a soul beast. Could anything good come from humans seeking out a soul beast?

"Forget it. Better to avoid trouble."

Xiao Yu shook his head. Regardless of why they were looking for him, these people were strangers to him and had nothing to do with him.

After a brief glance, Xiao Yu flapped his wings and flew upward. This was the benefit of being able to fly; he was flying so high now, how could they possibly catch him? If they were so capable, let them fly too.

"Your Highness, it's about to fly away. Should I shoot it down?" Seeing Xiao Yu about to leave, the soldier hurriedly spoke, summoning his martial soul—a longbow. It had special effectiveness against flying soul beasts like this.

"Don't." Hearing this, Xue Qinghe shook his head, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yu. "This soul beast has high intelligence. If we shoot it down, it will only harbor hostility toward us, which won't help with building a relationship later."

Pausing, Xue Qinghe stepped forward and said to Xiao Yu, "Wait! I don't know if you can understand me, but we aren't here to kill you."

Xiao Yu could naturally understand Xue Qinghe, but he didn't care for his intentions. Who cared if they weren't here to kill him? He just wanted to go home.

"Your Highness, it doesn't seem to understand us," the soldier said, looking slightly embarrassed.

Xue Qinghe frowned as he watched Xiao Yu continue on without stopping. This was tricky. He didn't want to attack if he could help it, but the little beast was flying away—was there really no other way?

"Right." Suddenly, Xue Qinghe seemed to think of something and asked the soldiers, "Do you have any food on you?"

They might not share a language, but food was universal. Perhaps he could use it to lure the soul beast.

Hearing this, the soldiers looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly.

"Apologies, Your Highness. We came in such a rush that we didn't think to bring any food."

Both soldiers had come here traveling light; they hadn't brought anything.

Xue Qinghe couldn't blame them, as he hadn't prepared anything either. He could only watch helplessly as his desired target drifted away.

"Let's follow it for now. It must have a home. We'll find its home first, and I'll figure out the rest later." That was the only plan Xue Qinghe could come up with.

The two soldiers nodded, and the three of them hurried to keep up.

"Why are you following me? Like a piece of stubborn gum." Noticing that the people below were still tailing him, Xiao Yu felt speechless. He was just an ordinary little sprite; what did they want with him? He wasn't some cute sprite king who could grant wishes.

"Whatever, follow if you want. I can fly anyway. If something really happens, I'll just fly away."

Xiao Yu stopped paying attention to Xue Qinghe and the others and flew toward the location of the giant tree.

However, Xue Qinghe and his party below began to sense that something was wrong.

"Your Highness, have you noticed that the soul beasts around here seem to be getting fewer and fewer?"