Taking the Hawksbill Away

Dai Huabin turned to look at Bi Ji.

"Sister Bi Ji, thank you for your help."

Bi Ji sighed.

She raised her hand, and emerald green light flew from her palm, landing on the Hawksbill.

The Hawksbill's body stiffened instantly, then slowly sank into the water.

Bi Ji withdrew her hand.

"It's already unconscious. You can take it with you."

Dai Huabin nodded and raised his right hand.

Black light surged from his palm, transforming into a jet-black crack.

The entrance to the Undead Semi-Plane.

The crack widened, swallowing the unconscious Hawksbill whole.

Di Lingxi stared wide-eyed from the side.

"Wow, what's this?"

"The Undead Semi-Plane"

Dai Huabin answered casually, then closed the entrance.

Bi Ji looked at Dai Huabin, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"You really are hard to read."

Dai Huabin smiled.

"Sister Bi Ji, you flatter me."

Bi Ji shook her head and said softly:

"It's not an overstatement. You hold more secrets than any human I've ever met."

She paused for a moment.

"But I won't ask any more questions. You're good to Ling Xi and have no ill intentions towards the Star Dou Great Forest, that's enough."

Dai Huabin nodded his thanks and continued:

"Sister Bi Ji, I'll be returning to the Shrek Academy in a few days, and I'll be taking Ling Xi with me then."

Upon hearing this, Di Lingxi immediately jumped up.

"Yes, yes! Wherever Huabin goes, I'll go!"

She ran to Dai Huabin's side, grabbed his sleeve, and her golden eyes were filled with excitement.

Bi Ji smiled gently.

"Alright, I'll leave it to you to take care of Ling Xi."

She paused, then added.

"Although Ling Xi is Auspicious Beast, she is simple-minded and doesn't understand some things. Huabin, please take good care of her."

Dai Huabin nodded.

"That's natural."

Zhu Lu stood to the side, watching Di Lingxi gripping Dai Huabin's sleeve, and said softly.

"Huabin treats Ling Xi very well, Sister Bi Ji, don't worry."

Bi Ji glanced at Zhu Lu, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.

"You're a good girl too."

Ice Empress snorted coldly from the side.

"Alright, stop dawdling and hurry back."

After she finished speaking, she turned and walked back.

Snow Empress followed behind, her long white dress gently brushing against the moss.

Dai Huabin led Di Lingxi and Zhu Lu, following Bi Ji towards the Lake of Life.

Di Lingxi skipped and hopped along the way, occasionally pointing at the small animals by the roadside and calling out to them.

"Huabin, look! That rabbit is so fat!"

"That bird's feathers are so beautiful!"

Ice Empress couldn't stand it anymore and turned to glare at her.

Can you please be quiet?

Di Lingxi pursed her lips.

"I'm just happy."

Ice Empress rolled their eyes.

"You don't need to shout all the way if you're happy."

Di Lingxi pouted.

"Bing'er, you're just jealous of how good my relationship with Huabin is."

Ice Empress's face darkened.

"I'm jealous of you? Dream on!"

Di Lingxi chuckled.

"Then why do you always stare at Huabin?"

Ice Empress's face instantly turned red.

When did I stare at him?

Di Lingxi tilted her head.

"Just last night, you sat on the tree root, staring intently at Huabin as he cultivated."

Ice Empress gritted their teeth.

"That was me protecting him!"

Di Lingxi smiled even more broadly.

"Does the Dharma protector need to stare at the face?"

Ice Empress was completely devastated.

"Di Lingxi!"

She raised her hand to grab Di Lingxi's head, Di Lingxi screamed and hid behind Dai Huabin.

"Huabin, help! Sister Bing'er is going to hit me!"

Dai Huabin was both amused and exasperated.

He raised his hand and pressed it against Ice Empress's wrist, gently squeezing it.

"Alright, stop fooling around."

Ice Empress's movements froze instantly.

She looked up and stared at Dai Huabin, her face still flushed.

"She started it all!"

Dai Huabin released her hand, smiled, and patted her hair.

"Yes, I know."

Ice Empress's face turned even redder.

She shook off Dai Huabin's hand, turned around, and walked quickly forward.

"Don't touch me!"

Zhu Lu watched this scene from the side and smiled softly.

She leaned close to Dai Huabin's ear and whispered.

"Sister Bing'er is shy again."

Dai Huabin nodded without saying anything.

The group quickly returned to the Lake of Life.

The lake water remained clear, and the spiritual plants at the bottom of the lake shimmered with a faint green light under the sunlight.

Bi Ji stopped by the lake.

"You can rest here for a few days. Just let me know whenever you want to leave."

Dai Huabin responded.

Bi Ji turned and left, leaving the five of them alone by the lake.

Di Lingxi immediately threw herself at Dai Huabin.

"Huabin, I'm hungry!"

Dai Huabin patted her head helplessly.

"Didn't we just have breakfast?"

Di Lingxi with righteous indignation.

But I'm hungry!

Ice Empress said coldly from the side.

"You're just craving barbecue."

Di Lingxi chuckled.

"Sister Bing'er, are you craving it too?"

Ice Empress's expression froze.

"I didn't!"

Di Lingxi blinked her golden pupils.

"Then don't come and steal my barbecue later."

Ice Empress remained silent for two seconds.

"I just don't want to waste it."

Di Lingxi laughed even harder.

Snow Empress whispered from the side.

"Bing'er, just tell me."

Ice Empress glared at Snow Empress.

"Xue'er, you've gone astray too!"

Snow Empress smiled but did not reply.

Dai Huabin took out the Soul Beast from his soul guide storage bag and began preparing the grill.

Zhu Lu squatted down beside her to help, her movements practiced and efficient.

Di Lingxi sat next to Dai Huabin, her hands supporting her chin, her golden pupils fixed on the grill.

Ice Empress stood at a distance, pretending to look at the lake.

But her gaze kept drifting towards the grill.

Snow Empress sat down next to her and said in a low voice.

"Bing'er, come and sit down."

Ice Empress shook their heads.

"I'm not going."

Snow Empress sighed.

Why would you do this?

Ice Empress pursed their lips and remained silent.

Soon, the aroma of roasted meat wafted through the air.

Di Lingxi's mouth was practically watering.

"Huabin, are you done yet?"

Dai Huabin smiled.

"Soon."

He flipped the meat skewers on the grill, golden fat dripping onto the charcoal and sizzling.

Zhu Lu handed over a small bowl containing a prepared sauce.

Dai Huabin took it and brushed it on the meat skewers.

The aroma is even stronger now.

Di Lingxi couldn't help but swallow.

Ice Empress stood at a distance, its nose twitching slightly.

Snow Empress looked at her and said softly.

Let it go.

Ice Empress bit her lip.

"I'm not going."

Snow Empress didn't try to persuade her any further.

Dai Huabin grilled the first batch of meat skewers and handed them to Di Lingxi.

"Eat this first."

Di Lingxi took it and immediately took a big bite.

"Tasty!"

She spoke indistinctly, her cheeks puffed out.

Dai Huabin grilled a few more skewers and handed them to Zhu Lu.

Zhu Lu took it and ate it in small bites.

Snow Empress walked over, Dai Huabin handed her a string of skewers.

"Sister Xue'er, you should try some too."

Snow Empress took it and took an elegant bite.

"Mmm, it's delicious."

Dai Huabin grilled another skewer and looked up at Ice Empress in the distance.

"Bing'er, come and eat."

Ice Empress turned their head, their faces still showing arrogance.

I'm not hungry.