Return to Star Dou, Ten Thousand Beasts Kneel in Welcome, and Bi Ji Appears

The campfire died down just as dawn was breaking.

Dai Huabin covered the last bit of ashes with soil, then turned to look at the few people who had already stood up.

"The Soul Power has been suppressed?"

Snow Empress nodded, her white hair tied into a simple ponytail, looking much more casual than usual.

"Yes, suppressing it to just over level 60 is just right at the Soul Emperor level, so it won't stand out."

Ice Empress crossed their arms, looking somewhat reluctant.

"When I press down on you to this extent, it feels like I'm going out naked; I feel extremely uncomfortable."

Zhu Lu, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Sister Bing'er, isn't your analogy a bit inappropriate?"

"How is it inappropriate? That's exactly what I meant." Ice Empress retorted, refusing to back down.

Dai Huabin shook his head, not taking up the topic, afraid that things would get more and more outrageous.

Di Lingxi couldn't wait any longer and grabbed his sleeve, heading towards the forest.

"Hurry up, hurry up, I haven't been back in ages."

"What's the rush? The forest isn't going anywhere."

"What if someone takes over my territory inside!"

Dai Huabin was both amused and exasperated, and followed her forward.

The four followed behind, their steps unhurried, except for Di Lingxi, who jogged along, her long golden hair swaying behind her.

After entering the Star Dou Great Forest, the temperature was much lower than outside, and the ground underfoot became soft, covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves.

Ancient trees provide ample shade, and sunlight filters through their branches and leaves, creating dappled patterns.

After walking for less than half an hour, there was a sudden rustling in the bushes ahead.

A sizable gray wolf darted out of the woods, its four hooves stomping on the ground with a dull thud.

The wolf had just shown its head when it twitched its nose, as if checking for scent.

The next moment, its entire body suddenly went limp, its front legs buckled, and it lay directly on the ground, its head bowed low.

Di Lingxi watched this scene with a smug look on her face.

"See? I'm awesome!"

Dai Huabin looked at the gray-striped wolf lying on the ground, and then at the childlike, boastful expression on Di Lingxi's face, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Okay, you're good."

Zhu Lu also found it interesting and went over to take a look at the wolf.

"Ling Xi, is it too scared to get up while lying like that?"

"That's right, it smelled my scent and knows who I am." Di Lingxi crossed her arms, looking proud. "Any Soul Beast with a brain around here would have to bow to me."

Snow Empress chuckled softly from behind.

"So the status of Auspicious Beast in the forest is not much different from mine in the Far North."

"That's different," Di Lingxi retorted immediately. "You achieved that through sheer strength, while I... I..."

She was speechless, unable to think of a way to describe it for a moment.

Ice Empress added from the side.

"She's just lucky."

Di Lingxi glared at her, but they didn't start a fight. As they walked forward, two more Soul Beast of different sizes poked their heads out from the forest. After seeing who it was, they lowered their heads in unison.

One was a giant deer with antlers, and the other was a four-legged lizard python covered in scales.

They remained silent and did not flee; they simply lay quietly in place, waiting for the group of people to pass by.

Dai Huabin walked in the middle, watching this scene, and was actually a little touched.

In the original novel, Di Lingxi is a taciturn, aloof, and domineering older sister. When she unleashes her power, no one dares to get close to her.

The little girl in front of him, who clung to his sleeve complaining of hunger and proudly showed off whenever she saw Soul Beast kneeling before him, was almost a completely different person from the original character.

But he prefers Di Lingxi as she is now.

"Dai Huabin, what are you thinking about?" Di Lingxi noticed his silence and leaned closer to ask.

"It's nothing, I just think you're doing great the way you are."

Di Lingxi was stunned for a moment, then smiled so hard her eyes crinkled.

"Of course, I've always been fine."

The group continued deeper into the forest. The further they went, the denser the towering ancient trees became, and the thicker the layer of fallen leaves beneath their feet grew.

The number of Soul Beast they encountered along the way increased, and they grew larger and larger.

A giant tortoise, as big as a small mountain, was lying on the riverbank. When it saw Di Lingxi, its four legs went weak and it buried its head in the mud.

Dai Huabin looked at the giant tortoise and casually asked a question.

"Ling Xi, what kind of Soul Beast is this?"

"The Mysterious Pattern Spirit Turtle has a cultivation period of approximately 30,000 years. It is simple-minded but has a fierce temper; most people wouldn't dare to mess with it."

"Then why is it so well-behaved when it sees you?"

"Because I'm fiercer than when it's docile," Di Lingxi replied seriously.

Zhu Lu, who was listening from behind, laughed and whispered something in Dai Huabin's ear.

"Ling Xi's personality is becoming more and more like Sister Bing'er's."

Ice Empress happened to hear this, stopped in their tracks, and turned around to glare at them.

"What do you mean by that? What's wrong with my temper?"

"No, no, I meant Ling Xi is lively." Zhu Lu quickly waved her hand.

The group walked and chatted along the way, turning what should have been a dull and depressing trip into a lighthearted one thanks to their banter.

After walking for about two hours, the terrain ahead gradually opened up, the density of the ancient trees also decreased, and a wide expanse of water could be vaguely seen in the distance.

Di Lingxi suddenly stopped, her nose twitched a few times, and her expression suddenly became focused.

"What's wrong?" Dai Huabin immediately noticed her unusual behavior.

"The aura of Sister Bi Ji." Di Lingxi's voice was filled with excitement. "It seems she already knows we're here."

As soon as the words were spoken, a streak of emerald light shot through the air from the direction of the distant waters. The light drew closer and closer, its emerald wings shimmering in the sunlight, and in the blink of an eye, it was upon them.

It was a woman dressed in a green gauze dress, her waist-length emerald hair billowing in the wind, her wings half-open, and as she landed, a few shards of light scattered on the ground.

Her gaze fell on Di Lingxi, and before she could even stop, Di Lingxi had already rushed over.

"Sister Bi Ji!"

Di Lingxi threw herself into Bi Ji's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around the other's waist, burying her face in her shoulder, her voice muffled.

Bi Ji paused for a moment, then reached out and hugged her, gently patting her back with her palm.

"Ling Xi, you're finally back."

Her voice was soft, with a natural gentleness, like the morning dew in the forest.

"I missed you all so much." Di Lingxi looked up, her eyes shining brightly. "Sister Bi Ji, have you missed me?"

"Of course I missed you." Bi Ji laughed, her fingertips smoothing Di Lingxi's wind-blown golden hair. "You've been away from the Core Circle for so long, and the Scarlet King always grumbles about it during his inspections, saying that you've gone out to play wildly."

"He's the one who talks too much," Di Lingxi muttered, but the smile on her face didn't diminish at all.

Bi Ji then raised her head and turned her gaze to Dai Huabin and the others who were standing not far away.

Her emerald green eyes looked over, a hint of inquiry in them, which quickly melted into a gentle smile.

"Huabin, we meet again."