The Body Sect's Concerns...

"Auspicious Beast!" In a flash, Di Tian appeared beside the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, scooped her up, and carefully checked her condition. His expression was extremely grim.

Bi Ji hurried forward as well, emerald light flowing from her hands and into the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's body, stabilizing her collapsing origin.

Only after a long while did Di Tian raise his head and look at Dai Tu—at the tightly shut, pale-golden third eye on his brow. His eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

There was anger, resentment, helplessness, and also... a trace of relief.

"The Eye of Destiny..." Di Tian murmured hoarsely. "The Auspicious Beast actually shared the Eye of Destiny with you..."

He paused, drew a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.

"So be it. Since this was the Auspicious Beast's choice, I have nothing to say." Di Tian looked at Dai Tu and spoke with great solemnity.

"Dai Tu, remember this. This eye is not merely power; it is also responsibility. The Auspicious Beast has shared half of her destiny with you. From this day onward, your life and death, your glory and disgrace, your future—all of it will be tightly bound to hers. If she dies, you will suffer grave injury. If you are in danger, she will sense it as well."

Dai Tu touched the shut eye on his brow, feeling rather strange.

It did not hurt or itch, nor did it cause any discomfort. Instead, a... truly wondrous connection had formed deep within his brow, between the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and him.

He could vaguely sense the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's current condition. She was weak and exhausted, but her life was not in danger.

He could also sense her emotions—wronged, unwilling, and a trace of... dependence?

Moreover, he could feel that the Eye of Destiny had formed some strange resonance with his Mangekyō Sharingan.

It was as though they had always been one, as though they were meant to be together.

"I understand." Dai Tu nodded and answered seriously.

"I will protect her. As long as I live, I will not let her be harmed."

Di Tian stared at Dai Tu for a long time before finally nodding.

"Remember what you said." Di Tian waved a hand, his tone somewhat impatient. "All right, get lost. If you stay any longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from slaughtering all of you."

Du Busi chuckled and said nothing further. He grabbed Dai Tu with one hand and Long Aotian with the other, then turned and left.

"Di Tian, until we meet again! Next time, I'll bring you some good wine!"

The three of them quickly vanished into the depths of the forest.

Only after they had completely disappeared did Di Tian withdraw his gaze. He lowered his head to look at the weak Three-Eyed Golden Lion in his arms, a trace of heartache flashing through his eyes.

"Silly child... why go this far?"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion gave a weak cry and rubbed her head against Di Tian's hand before closing her eyes and falling into a deep sleep.

Bi Ji sighed softly. "Di Tian, the Auspicious Beast..."

"I know." Di Tian cut her off, his voice heavy. "This was her choice. Since she chose it, let her continue down this path. Perhaps... this is also part of fate."

He raised his head and looked in the direction Dai Tu had vanished, a profound gleam flickering in his pitch-black eyes.

"Dai Tu... I hope you will not disappoint the Auspicious Beast. And I hope that you... can change some things that were meant to happen."

Within the forest, Du Busi led Dai Tu and Long Aotian onward at full speed.

Once they had put Di Tian's territory far behind them, Du Busi could no longer hold it in. He threw back his head and burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha! Awesome! Fucking awesome!"

His booming laughter made the leaves around them rustle and tremble.

Long Aotian grinned as well and gave Dai Tu's shoulder a hard pat.

"Junior Brother, you're practically the lucky star of our Body Sect! This trip was an absolute jackpot! Not only did we settle the soul ring issue, we also screwed over Shrek and established ties with Di Tian! Hahaha, once we get back, Teacher's going to be over the moon!"

Dai Tu said nothing. He merely touched the shut Eye of Destiny on his brow.

He could feel the eye slowly "falling asleep," merging with his body.

Once the fusion was complete, he would be able to initially grasp the Eye of Destiny's power: see through fate, communicate with fortune, and even... to a certain extent, foresee danger and alter the future.

He knew that from this day forward, he carried another responsibility.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's fate was bound to his.

The friendship of the Star Dou Great Forest was a resource he could use, but also... karma he had to bear.

"My disciple." Du Busi suddenly stopped laughing. He turned to Dai Tu and spoke with great seriousness.

"Teacher won't ask why you knew so much about the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, nor will I ask what that eye of yours is about. Everyone has secrets, and Teacher respects yours. But remember this: no matter what happens, no matter what you become, you are my disciple and a member of the Body Sect. If the sky falls, Teacher will hold it up for you. Understand?"

Dai Tu looked at Du Busi, at those jade-green eyes filled with sincerity and dominance. Something deep in his heart was fiercely stirred.

He nodded, his voice soft but resolute.

"I understand."

"Good, as long as you understand." Du Busi grinned and vigorously ruffled Dai Tu's head, turning his spiky short hair into a complete mess.

"Let's go, back to the sect! Teacher will treat you to a drink so we can celebrate!"

The three of them did not linger and sped toward Heaven Dou City.

After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest and setting foot on the official road back to Heaven Dou City, the smile on Du Busi's face gradually faded.

He walked slowly with his hands clasped behind his back, his dark-green hair fluttering gently in the evening breeze. Those jade-green eyes, usually full of dominance and mockery, gazed at the blood-red setting sun on the horizon. For once, they revealed a trace of... heaviness.

Long Aotian and Dai Tu followed behind him. They both noticed the change in their teacher's mood and silently slowed their steps, not disturbing him.

"Aotian, Dai Tu." Du Busi suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat low. He did not turn to look at them.

"Teacher." Long Aotian promptly answered.

Dai Tu also raised his head and looked at Du Busi's back.

"After what happened today, what do you think of our Body Sect...?"

Du Busi asked calmly, but beneath that calm seemed to lurk something deeper.

Long Aotian froze, not understanding why his teacher had suddenly asked this, but he still answered without hesitation.

"Is that even a question? We're fucking awesome! Teacher, when you stood there today, even Di Tian had to give you face! That old bastard Xuan Zi got shut down so hard by a few words from you that he didn't even dare fart! Our Body Sect is all backbone!"

Du Busi said nothing and simply continued walking.

After taking a few more steps, he asked again, "Dai Tu, what do you think?"

Dai Tu fell silent for two seconds before answering, "Teacher was very imposing today."

"Imposing..." Du Busi repeated the word, then gave a self-mocking smile.

"Yeah, quite imposing. Cursing Xuan Zi to his face before Di Tian, forcing Shrek Academy to leave with their tails between their legs, and even making Scarlet King personally catch soul beasts for us... It does sound rather imposing."

He stopped and turned to look at Long Aotian and Dai Tu. The usual sharpness and flamboyance had vanished from his jade-green eyes, leaving only a profound, nearly weary helplessness.

"But can being imposing put food on the table?"