Star Dou Great Forest, core region.
The air was thick with moisture.
From time to time, the low growls of unknown Soul Beasts drifted in from afar.
Xiao Wu sat on a thick branch, her gaze passing through layers upon layers of leaves toward the direction beyond the Star Dou Great Forest.
Where was Third Brother now?
Was he all right?
Three years and four months!
She had not seen him for so long.
Whenever she thought that he might be hurt, that he might be in danger—
Xiao Wu's chest felt especially tight.
She always wished someone could knead it for her.
"Sister Xiao Wu, you're thinking about that Tang San again."
Er Ming's enormous body was half-crouched on the ground. His huge eyes looked up at her, filled with obvious concern.
"I am not."
Xiao Wu turned her face away, though the tips of her ears flushed faintly red.
"Every time you say you aren't, you make that exact expression."
A humanlike look of curiosity appeared on Er Ming's face.
"Er Ming, are you asking for a beating?!"
Xiao Wu angrily tore off a leaf and threw it at Er Ming.
"Stop messing around."
"You have not reached maturity yet. If you rashly leave the Star Dou Great Forest, you will only bring enormous trouble upon yourself and Tang San."
The Sky Azure Bull Python slowly slithered out from the shadows.
Its azure scales scattered a cold gleam through the forest.
"I know."
"But I just can't stop worrying about him."
Xiao Wu lowered her head, her voice so soft it was nearly inaudible.
"The human world is far more dangerous than you imagine."
"Especially in the current situation, when every faction is being reshuffled."
"If you go out there, you will not be helping him. You will