"Roar...!"
The Scorpion Tiger let out a warning growl, its claws scraping at the ground.
The short fur along its back stood on end, and it looked extremely tense.
Liu Feng drew in a quiet breath, taking in all the scents of the world around him.
The fragrance of flowers and grass, the fresh scent of trees, the Scorpion Tiger's faint stink... and the lovely scent wafting from that figure.
More importantly, the other party meant no harm!
That's right. Liu Feng could discern someone's emotions through their scent.
He'd had this ability when he first met the Scorpion Tiger, too. He just hadn't realized it yet.
He gently stroked the Scorpion Tiger's great tail and said,
"Scorpion Tiger, don't be nervous. She means no harm."
"Roar...?"
The Scorpion Tiger looked back at Liu Feng in confusion, a puzzled expression on its tiger face.
Liu Feng nodded, confirming it once more.
Only then did the Scorpion Tiger sit down, though its big eyes remained fixed on the newcomer as it stood in front of Liu Feng.
The newcomer emerged fully from the darkness: a tall woman in a green dress.
Feathered sleeves covered her arms, and a pair of folded emerald-green wings rested on her back.
Her gentle face was striking not for its peerless beauty, but for the irresistible sense of closeness she inspired.
"Little tiger, I truly mean you no harm."
The pleasant voice came from Bi Ji.
At the sound of her voice, the Scorpion Tiger's fur smoothed out completely.
When Liu Feng saw Bi Ji, a flash of light passed through his eyes. He recognized who she was.
Bi Ji gave Liu Feng a gentle nod and smiled.
"Little one, my name is Bi Ji. May I have a chat with you?"
Liu Feng nodded eagerly. "Sure! Sister Bi Ji, would you like some grilled fish? Oh, and my name is Liu Feng!"
He knew Bi Ji was the kindest among the Soul Beasts.
Perhaps now that she'd suddenly come to him, she could help him find a way forward!
Hearing how Liu Feng addressed her, Bi Ji smiled softly. "Then I'll have to trouble you, little Liu Feng."
She walked around the Scorpion Tiger and sat down on Liu Feng's other side, curiously studying him with a pair of bright eyes.
Liu Feng had no idea what she was planning, but she still wasn't giving off any ill will.
That meant she could only help him, not hurt him.
A flash of purple light flowed out and became the Purple Star Spirit Bow. He plucked the bowstring and shot at the river.
"Whoosh...!"
A small hole opened in the water's surface, and soon a fish floated up.
As usual, Liu Feng prepared the fish and set it over the fire to roast.
As Bi Ji waited, she wrinkled her nose. Her wings flapped behind her, releasing a wash of green light that fell over the Scorpion Tiger.
The Scorpion Tiger shifted uneasily, then bared its teeth at Bi Ji again.
The next moment, Liu Feng could no longer smell the Scorpion Tiger's faint stink.
Bi Ji nodded to Liu Feng. "Just consider it payment for the grilled fish, all right?"
Liu Feng smiled too and handed her the grilled fish.
Bi Ji took a small bite and hummed in approval.
"Though there's no seasoning, you cooked it very well."
"Little Liu Feng, who taught you? How did you get here? Where are your parents?"
Liu Feng shook his head. "I don't have parents anymore."
"I escaped from human traffickers..."
Liu Feng told her about his tragic experience.
Looking at Liu Feng's pointed ears, Bi Ji gently drew him into her arms and spoke softly.
"Let's not dwell on all that awful stuff, little Liu Feng."
"To be honest, I sensed your aura, so I came all this way to meet you."
Liu Feng blinked. So that was it. He wasn't Huo Yuhao; his skill at grilling fish wasn't enough to draw people to him.
"My aura?"
"That's right. You may not have noticed, but your aura affects the lives around you. It promotes their growth and cultivation, and heals their hearts..."
"This is an ability only the Auspicious Beast possesses. But the Auspicious Beast carries the fortune of all Soul Beasts, whereas you're unique."
Bi Ji explained.
Liu Feng nodded. It must be because of his Elf King bloodline.
That put him at ease, too. He knew how the Auspicious Beast was treated in the Star Dou Great Forest.
He might not be as important as the Auspicious Beast, but there would surely be Ferocious Beasts willing to protect him.
The Scorpion Tiger must have chosen to follow him for that very reason.
"Then, Sister Bi Ji, can I live with you?"
Liu Feng asked directly.
Bi Ji chuckled and nodded. "Of course! I came here for you in the first place. Besides, I can tell you're a kind little girl, so..."
"???"
Liu Feng's eyes widened. "Sister Bi Ji, I'm a boy!"
"But you look..."
Bi Ji froze too. She raised a hand and drew a circle in front of them, making it into a mirror.
Liu Feng's little face appeared in it.
"!!!"
Liu Feng took one look and was stunned.
His face had changed a lot since daytime!
His features were softer, his violet eyes seemed to cast bewitching glances, and his red lips had taken on a peachy hue, their natural curve forming a smile.
Even he would instinctively think he was a little girl!
Liu Feng's thoughts instantly tangled into a mess.
He seemed to remember that Yuanen Huihui, who possessed the Elf King bloodline two tens of thousands of years in the future, had no defined gender before adulthood, and that his appearance changed.
But that was a special case, wasn't it? Why was it happening to him, too...?
With Bi Ji beside him, he couldn't check himself, but when he pressed his legs together, he was relieved.
Good. Perhaps because his soul wasn't pure enough, he'd taken on a feminine appearance, but at his core he was still all man!
"You're a boy...?"
Bi Ji bit her lower lip and asked dubiously.
Liu Feng nodded emphatically. "That's right, Sister Bi Ji. It's just that my race is different. Some things change at night, but I'm a man!"
Bi Ji let out a laugh, surprised.
"Then... what's your race? You're not human?"
"That's right. Look at my ears. I'm an elf."
Liu Feng twitched his pointed ears, having accepted his identity already.
Otherwise, if he went to the human world now, there was a good chance some lecherous noble would lock him in a secret chamber and keep him as a songbird!
Bi Ji's eyes brightened slightly, and she hugged Liu Feng tightly again.
Her voice carried a hint of excitement as she asked,
"Little Liu Feng, would you like to live with Sister Bi Ji?"
She'd originally planned to entrust Liu Feng to the Emerald Swan clan.
After all, the Ferocious Beasts were prejudiced against humans.
But now that she knew Liu Feng was an elf, not a member of the human race, she was confident she could keep him by her side!
Besides, Liu Feng was a little genius. The Ferocious Beasts would surely be willing to take him in!
Squeezed so tightly he couldn't speak, Liu Feng was buried in warmth. He hurriedly waved his arms, signaling that he was about to suffocate.
Only then did Bi Ji let him go. She gazed at Liu Feng with wide, expectant eyes.
"I'm willing! Of course I'm willing!"
Liu Feng answered without hesitation.
Bi Ji smiled. "Good. Then we'll set off as soon as we've finished eating!"
"Roar..."
The Scorpion Tiger lay down and caught Liu Feng's clothes in its teeth, looking at him pitifully with its tiger eyes.
Liu Feng patted its big head. "Don't worry. I won't leave you behind!"
Before you continue