Di Tian personally guarded the perimeter of Life Lake, releasing his full cultivation without reservation. The phantom form of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King stretched across the sky as he laid down the Nine-Layer Black Dragon Heaven-Sealing Barrier, confusing the auras inside and outside.
Behind him, Bi Ji led the Emerald Swan clan in laying down the Life Concealment Array. Even if a god-level divine sense swept over it, it would sense only the rich aura of life in the Star Dou Forest.
At the same time, the several divine senses converged on the depths of the Star Dou Forest, where the Silver Dragon King's aura had suddenly erupted.
At the edge of the Star Dou Forest, a man who looked to be in his twenties was slowly walking toward the forest.
He wore a black robe, and his long black hair hung loose around his shoulders. His handsome face was pale, and his eyes were dark and unfathomable.
A silver dragon appeared in his eyes, coiling around the pupils.
The man took a step, and his figure vanished.
In the next moment, he was already in the depths of the Star Dou Forest.
He glanced at the silver light that had filled the sky, then raised his hand. The light in the air quickly faded, and the Silver Dragon King's aura was entirely concealed.
"Who are you?"
The enormous silver dragon opened its eyes. Its gaze was cold and wary as it looked at the man who had appeared without warning.
"I'm Gu Yuena," the man replied.
The Silver Dragon King fell silent for a moment before saying, "You're not me."
"I am you, and you are me."
The Silver Dragon King stared at him, as though trying to determine whether he was telling the truth.
"You've finally awakened."
Gu Yuena nodded. "The time has come."
"The Divine Realm has already noticed us. Do you intend to leave now?"
"Not yet. We must first find a way to conceal our presence. Otherwise, if the gods discover us, we'll be in danger."
The Silver Dragon King's expression darkened. "The Divine Realm is still the same as before. They fear the Dragon God's return, and they'll never allow us to rise again."
"Then we'll make them regret it."
Gu Yuena turned to look at the depths of the forest. "How are the preparations coming along?"
"The Life Concealment Array has been set up. Even if a god-level divine sense sweeps over the forest, it won't discover the truth."
"Good. Keep it active at all times."
"I understand."
The Silver Dragon King closed her eyes again, her body slowly fading into the silver light.
Gu Yuena watched her disappear before turning around.
A pale green figure flew over from the distance and landed in front of him.
"Lord Gu Yuena."
Bi Ji bowed respectfully.
"You've worked hard."
"It was nothing. The array is in place, and the forest's aura is concealed. But those divine senses just now—"
"They were testing us. Don't worry. They won't discover anything."
Bi Ji nodded, though the worry in her eyes remained. "The Divine Realm is watching the Star Dou Forest. We can't afford to make any mistakes."
"We won't." Gu Yuena lifted his gaze toward the sky. "The time for the decisive battle hasn't arrived yet."
Bi Ji didn't ask any more questions.
Elsewhere, the divine senses that had swept across the Star Dou Forest gradually withdrew.
In the Divine Realm, several figures sat around a long table.
"The Silver Dragon King's aura appeared again."
"It vanished too quickly. We couldn't determine its location."
"Could it have been an illusion?"
"Impossible. That aura was unmistakable."
A man in a golden robe frowned. "The Dragon God's remnants must be hidden somewhere in the Star Dou Forest. We can't let them grow stronger."
Another god shook his head. "The forest is protected by a powerful array. Even our divine senses couldn't penetrate it."
"Then we'll send someone to investigate in person."
The gods exchanged glances, each weighing the risks.
At last, the man in the golden robe spoke. "For now, keep the Star Dou Forest under surveillance. If the Silver Dragon King shows herself again, we'll act immediately."
The others nodded.
Down in the forest, Gu Yuena stood beneath the trees, watching the last traces of silver light disappear.
The Star Dou Forest returned to silence.
Yet beneath that calm surface, an immense power was beginning to stir.
The sun rose over the forest, casting golden light between the leaves.
A young man walked along the forest path, his clothes dusty and his face pale.
He stopped beneath a tree and leaned against the trunk, breathing heavily.
"Damn it. I never thought I'd end up lost in the Star Dou Forest."
He raised his head and looked around. Towering trees surrounded him in every direction, their dense branches blocking out most of the sky.
He had no idea where he was.
A low growl came from the bushes.
The young man stiffened. He turned his head slowly, only to see a pair of blood-red eyes watching him from the shadows.
A massive wolf stepped out.
Its fur was dark gray, and a faint red glow pulsed across its body. Its sharp claws sank into the earth as it fixed its gaze on the young man.
"Ten-thousand-year soul beast?"
The young man's heart sank.
He was only a Soul Elder. There was no way he could fight a ten-thousand-year soul beast.
The wolf lowered its head and charged.
The young man rolled to the side, barely dodging the attack. The wolf's claws struck the tree behind him, tearing a deep gash into the trunk.
He scrambled to his feet and ran.
The wolf pursued him, its massive body crashing through the undergrowth.
The young man's breathing grew ragged. His legs were growing heavier with every step, and he could hear the beast closing in behind him.
Just as the wolf leapt at him, a streak of silver light flashed through the air.
The beast's body froze in midair, then crashed heavily to the ground.
A woman in a silver dress appeared beside it.
Her long silver hair fell to her waist, and her eyes were as clear as amethysts. Her features were breathtakingly beautiful, but her expression was cold.
The young man stared at her in shock.
"Who are you?"
The woman glanced at him. "You don't need to know."
She lifted her hand, and the soul beast's body vanished.
The young man swallowed. "You saved me. Thank you."
"I didn't save you. I simply happened to be passing by."
She turned to leave.
The young man hurried after her. "Wait! Can you tell me how to get out of the forest?"
The woman stopped but didn't look back.
"Follow the path south. You'll find the road."
"South? Which way is south?"
She pointed in a direction.
The young man looked where she indicated, then turned back to thank her. But the woman was already gone.
He stood there for a moment, then let out a breath.
"What a strange woman."
He followed the direction she had pointed out, unaware that the woman was still watching him from the treetops.
Her eyes lingered on him briefly before she turned and disappeared into the forest.
Several days later, in a small town near the Star Dou Forest, the young man sat in a tavern, staring at the bowl of soup in front of him.
He had finally made it out of the forest, but he had spent nearly all his money on food and lodging.
"Hey, kid. You look like you're in trouble."
A burly man sat down across from him.
The young man frowned. "What do you want?"
"Don't be so tense. I just want to make a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
The man leaned in and lowered his voice. "I heard you came from the Star Dou Forest. Did you see a silver-haired woman in there?"
The young man's heart skipped a beat.
"Why are you asking?"
"Because she's worth a fortune."
The burly man's eyes gleamed with greed. "Help me find her, and I'll give you enough gold coins to live comfortably for the rest of your life."
The young man stood up. "I'm not interested."
The man reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Don't be so quick to refuse. You haven't even heard—"
The young man slapped the man's hand away.
"I said I'm not interested."
The tavern fell silent.
The burly man's face turned red with anger. He stood up and raised his fist.
"Kid, you're asking for trouble!"
Before his fist could fall, a sharp gust of wind swept through the tavern.
The burly man staggered backward, clutching his wrist.
A silver-haired woman stood in the doorway.
Her gaze was cold as she looked at the man. "Leave."
The burly man's face paled. He turned and fled without another word.
The woman walked over to the young man.
"You should leave town."
The young man stared at her. "Why?"
"Those people aren't the only ones looking for me."
She turned away. "Come with me if you don't want to get caught up in this."
The young man hesitated, then followed her out of the tavern.
As they walked through the streets, he asked, "What's your name?"
The woman didn't answer.
"Can't you at least tell me that?"
She stopped and looked at him.
"Gu Yuena."
The young man repeated the name in his mind.
"Then I'm—"
"I know who you are."
The young man froze. "You know me?"
"I know your soul power. I also know what you're carrying."
His expression changed. He reached for the object tucked inside his clothes.
"Don't worry. I'm not interested in it."
"What do you want from me, then?"
"Nothing." Gu Yuena turned and continued walking. "I'm simply curious."
The young man followed her in silence.
That night, they camped beneath a rocky outcrop.
The young man sat beside the fire, staring at Gu Yuena.
She sat with her eyes closed, seemingly unaware of his gaze.
"Why are you traveling alone?" he asked.
"Because I prefer it."
"You don't seem like an ordinary person."
"I'm not."
He waited for her to elaborate, but she said nothing more.
The young man sighed. "You really don't talk much."
Gu Yuena opened her eyes. "Neither do you."
"I'm trying to make conversation."
"You don't need to."
He looked away, then poked at the fire with a branch.
"Fine. I won't ask."
Gu Yuena closed her eyes again.
The fire crackled softly between them.
Far away, in the Star Dou Forest, the Life Concealment Array shimmered beneath the moonlight.
Bi Ji stood at its edge, watching the forest in silence.
A faint disturbance rippled through the array.
She looked up, her expression turning grave.
Someone had entered the forest.
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