Liu Feng discovered another new trait: he could slightly alter the way plants grew.
He stroked two neighboring trees, then linked some of their branches together, weaving them into a treehouse suspended in midair!
It was shaped like a pebble, its surface covered in leaves and brimming with life.
He had even made sure to leave a door and windows, and had fashioned a bed, a cabinet, a table, and more inside.
There was even a small skylight in the roof.
Once he had finished, he also made a little wooden boat and a fishing rod.
"Scorpion Tiger, are you back from hunting?"
Liu Feng wiped away his sweat and jumped down the treehouse ladder.
He turned around to see a gleaming golden Soul Beast tilting its head and staring at him curiously.
Its body was covered in fluffy fur, with the frame of a lion and the claws of a dragon. Golden flames burned beneath its four paws, and a third eye glowed red in the middle of its forehead.
The Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion!
Beside her, an even larger Ferocious Beast was also staring at Liu Feng in confusion.
This was the Core Region, so it was indeed strange for Liu Feng to be here.
But the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was clearly more curious about the treehouse than about Liu Feng.
She leaped into the air, rapidly shrinking as she went, then entered the treehouse.
"This is my home. My name is Liu Feng, and Sister Bi Ji brought me here."
Liu Feng immediately introduced himself.
A glimmer of understanding flashed in the six eyes of the Three-Headed Scarlet Demon Mastiff, and it regarded Liu Feng with a little more warmth.
"I am the Scarlet King, leader of the Scarlet Demon Mastiff clan."
"And the one up there is our Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion."
The Scarlet King's voice was deep and his appearance fierce, but his manner was warm.
Liu Feng could sense that the other party seemed to have traits of the canine bloodline. He wasn't as unreasonable as Xiong Jun.
He turned to look at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, and his expression immediately darkened.
She had circled the room a few times, then actually curled up on his wooden bed!
To make it comfortable to sleep on, he had carefully woven several layers into it. It was soft and pleasant, with good airflow.
He hadn't even slept in it yet!
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion certainly wasn't shy!
"This place... I'm taking it."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion spoke in a clear, melodious voice.
She looked around with satisfaction, nodding as she went. She seemed to admire Liu Feng's handiwork quite a lot.
"..."
Liu Feng was so angry he laughed.
If she'd asked nicely, he wouldn't have minded building a treehouse for the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, too.
But she'd barged in and claimed his home without a shred of courtesy.
"That's my treehouse. I never said I'd give it to you."
Liu Feng refused to budge.
At his words, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion bared her sharp teeth.
Her fierce side emerged, and she said imperiously, "I said I want it! You're not allowed to refuse!"
"I won't agree!"
Liu Feng snorted and activated his natural affinity, directly controlling the branches to untangle. The treehouse in midair immediately fell apart.
As the treehouse vanished, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who had been lying inside, dropped to the ground.
She lay on her back, all four paws pointing skyward, her lively eyes staring blankly at the sky.
She actually looked a little silly and cute.
"Heh, heh..."
The Scarlet King chuckled, letting out three distinct laughs.
"Roar...!!!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion came to her senses and immediately flipped over, lunging at Liu Feng.
The Scarlet King hurriedly raised a paw to shield Liu Feng.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion crashed into it and bounced right back the way she'd come.
She rolled several times. When she got back up, she was even more furious, letting out an irritated growl.
"Scarlet King! Move aside! I'm going to—"
"Your Highness, he was brought back by Bi Ji. If you hurt him, you'll make Bi Ji unhappy."
The Scarlet King explained.
"..."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion growled repeatedly, scraping at the ground with her paws as she glared at Liu Feng, deeply displeased.
As the Emperor Auspicious Beast, she was never bullied by even the Ferocious Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Yet when she took a liking to the treehouse, Liu Feng had refused her?
He'd even tricked her and made her fall to the ground!
Nothing like this had ever happened to her before!
But...
She was very close to Bi Ji and thought of her as half a mother. She didn't want Liu Feng to make Bi Ji angry.
Just then, space rippled around them.
Several figures appeared at once. They were the Ferocious Beasts, including Bi Ji, transformed into human form.
"Big Sister Bi Ji!"
Liu Feng ran over to Bi Ji and hugged her around the thigh.
"Roar!!!"
"Bi Ji is mine!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion shot up from the ground like a cannonball and crashed into Bi Ji's arms.
Bi Ji staggered, nearly falling over.
"You really are too impatient..." Bi Ji said helplessly.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion made a few little grunts, looking smugly at Liu Feng as she did.
Liu Feng rolled his eyes and ignored the childish creature, curiously studying Di Tian and the other Ferocious Beasts.
Di Tian and the others were studying Liu Feng, too. Among them was a woman in a purple dress, with fair skin and striking features. Scales were faintly visible on the skin at her chest.
"He has an ability similar to the Auspicious Beast's, but his essence is completely different."
Di Tian nodded.
He came to stand in front of Liu Feng and placed a hand on his shoulder. "He has a powerful affinity with nature and the world. Soul Beasts feel closer to the world when they're near him."
The Ferocious Beasts all looked delighted at this.
It had the same effect as the Emperor Auspicious Beast's, but came from a different source.
That meant they could enjoy the effects twice over!
Even Xiong Jun was looking at Liu Feng with a hint of eagerness now.
"Then he can stay here from now on. There's no danger in this area, as long as you don't go deep into the Lake of Life."
Di Tian spoke calmly.
Bi Ji nodded gently in thanks.
The Ferocious Beasts exchanged a few glances. They had nothing to say, unlike humans, who were always looking for something to talk about.
They took another look at Liu Feng, committing him to memory.
Then they all disappeared.
"Big Sister Bi Ji, this guy's a little tyrant! He tried to take over my house!"
Liu Feng pointed at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and immediately tattled.
"???"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared at Liu Feng in confusion, unable to understand what he meant by "little tyrant."
In the Star Dou Great Forest, she had always gotten whatever she wanted.
After hearing him out, Bi Ji smiled gently and pinched the Three-Eyed Golden Lion under the chin.
"Little Auspicious Beast, you and Liu Feng are friends now. Friends aren't allowed to bully each other."
"You were in the wrong, so you need to apologize to Liu Feng."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes widened. She raised a little paw and rubbed her ear, as if she hadn't understood.
She... the mighty Emperor Auspicious Beast, had to apologize to a little bug?
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion snorted and turned her head away from Liu Feng, throwing a little tantrum.
Liu Feng pursed his lips. As if he cared about her apology!
"My treehouse doesn't welcome rude guests!"
As he spoke, Liu Feng pointed at the two trees.
The next moment, countless branches wove together again, forming the treehouse.
Bi Ji's eyes lit up slightly at the sight. "That's an incredible ability."
A flicker of envy passed through the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes. She secretly watched, but refused to come out and say anything.
"Big Sister Bi Ji, how about I roast you some fish?"
Liu Feng suggested.
Before you continue