Watching Xiao Yu's expression change again and again, so much like a human's, Xue Qinghe found it fascinating. Were these really the mindless Soul Beasts everyone said they were?
"I appreciate the thought, but I'll have to pass." Xiao Yu shook his head at Xue Qinghe.
Seeing that, Xue Qinghe understood what Xiao Yu meant and could only sigh helplessly. "All right. If you're turning me down, I won't force you."
Xiao Yu nodded, letting Xue Qinghe rest a hand on him as he began to "battle" the pile of fruit in front of him.
Time flew by.
"Your Highness, it's time to go." The soldier glanced at the sun, which was about to sink below the horizon, and reminded him. They had already been here long enough. If they didn't return soon, people might start asking questions.
"Hmm." Xue Qinghe came back to himself and looked at the yellowing sky. "Has that much time already passed? I didn't even notice."
"Then let's go." Xue Qinghe rose to his feet, then looked down at Xiao Yu. "We'll come again tomorrow. Goodbye."
Xiao Yu casually raised a little paw and waved, as if saying farewell. Xue Qinghe smiled at the sight. It seemed that after spending all this time together, the Soul Beast had grown quite fond of him.
After Xue Qinghe and the others left, Xiao Yu was alone here once more.
"I've eaten about enough. Time to get down to business." Xiao Yu stood up and walked toward the fallen tree trunk.
There was no way he could use the trunk as it was. Aside from its weight, securing it would be a hassle, and it would easily fall down.
Following the idea in his head, Xiao Yu activated his manifested Gale Phantom Wings and set to work on the trunk.
"Whoosh—" Wood chips flew everywhere in the rushing wind. Before long, the trunk had been cut into many long strips.
"Phew, all done." Xiao Yu gazed at his handiwork and let out a long breath. But this still wasn't nearly enough.
He would evolve in the future. He had to plan several steps ahead, so there was no way he would build a house suited only to Leo's size. If he was going to build one, he might as well make it big.
Taking the vines and wooden strips, Xiao Yu flew up into the treetops and began considering where to start.
Meanwhile, back at the palace, Xue Qinghe hadn't even made it to his chambers before a young man blocked his path.
"Xue Beng? What is it?" Xue Qinghe was surprised to see the "younger brother" who rarely spoke to him seeking him out today.
"Elder Brother." Xue Beng smiled, then said, "It's nothing important, really."
"I heard you found a pet you liked in the Royal Soul Beast Forest, Elder Brother, and have been going there every day these past few days. I was curious about what kind of Soul Beast could win your favor so completely." Xue Beng put on a look of astonishment.
"I happened to find a Soul Beast I like yesterday, too, so I was hoping to go with you tomorrow and have a look. What do you think?"
Xue Qinghe's expression turned inscrutable as he listened. He honestly couldn't figure out why Xue Beng had suddenly brought this up.
After thinking it over, Xue Qinghe shook his head and feigned helplessness. "Sorry, Xue Beng. To be honest, that Soul Beast still hasn't accepted me."
After a pause, Xue Qinghe added, "And it doesn't like strangers. If I brought you along, I'm afraid all the rapport I've built with it would go to waste."
But Xue Beng paid no attention to what Xue Qinghe said afterward. His mind was fixed on the first part.
He laughed inwardly. I can't believe Elder Brother is so useless. It's just a beast, and he's still waiting for it to accept him? Why not just beat it up and give it some food?
"Elder Brother, you're really too kind." Xue Beng didn't say the words aloud, but his gaze grew scornful.
"Oh, come on, Elder Brother. It'll be fine. I'm just curious about what kind of Soul Beast it is. I won't do anything to it." Xue Beng sounded impatient. "Besides, Father has already agreed. Just say yes, Elder Brother."
Xue Qinghe's brow furrowed at that. He studied Xue Beng. So Xue Beng had thought to ask Xue Ye first. He wasn't as foolish as he seemed.
Without Xue Ye's approval, Xue Qinghe would never agree to go with Xue Beng. But with Xue Ye's backing, it was different.
Xue Ye had given him time off, so he couldn't get involved in political affairs for the time being. He would have to find another way to make his plans.
Xue Qinghe could guess why Xue Ye had agreed to this request.
Most likely, Xue Ye hoped the brothers' relationship would improve. After all, Xue Ye had only these "two" children now.
"So this is what it means to be brothers, supporting one another?" Xue Qinghe murmured. Looking at Xue Beng, he said, "Since you asked Father, I assume you really are curious. In that case, you can come with me tomorrow."
Then Xue Qinghe added, "But Xue Beng, once we get to the Royal Soul Beast Forest, you must listen to me. Don't go causing trouble like you do in Heaven Dou City."
Xue Beng agreed on the surface, but he didn't take the warning to heart at all. Come on, wasn't he going there to reinforce his reputation as a spoiled wastrel? What kind of wastrel didn't cause trouble?
After leaving, Xue Beng returned to the area near his residence. But instead of heading straight inside, he took a detour and went directly to a warehouse behind it.
"Your Highness, Fourth Prince."
The two Soul Ancestor guards on duty weren't surprised to see Xue Beng. It seemed they had been expecting him.
"Mm. Open the door. How is the Soul Beast I asked you to 'take care of'?" Xue Beng nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness." The guards opened the door, revealing a cage inside the warehouse. And inside that cage was a Soul Beast.
Its entire body was covered in bright-red fur, though it was also covered in wounds. It was hard to tell whether the blood had stained its fur red or if that was its natural color. The enormous beast lay inside the cage, its massive lion head licking its wounds as it let out a low growl from time to time.
It was none other than a thousand-year-old Scarlet Mad Lion.
This was the Soul Beast Xue Beng had found in a Soul Beast forest the day before. To ordinary people, it was a thousand-year-old Soul Beast to be avoided at all costs. To the royal family, it was no more than a wild animal they could capture at will.
"After the 'care' we've given it, the Soul Beast can now obey us for short periods," one of the guards said disdainfully as he looked at it.
"Oh?" Xue Beng raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll have to try it for myself."
"Get up," Xue Beng ordered the Scarlet Mad Lion.
At his words, the Scarlet Mad Lion let out a low growl, then reluctantly struggled to its feet.
Seeing this, Xue Beng felt even more confident about what would happen tomorrow.
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