In a deserted spot, Gu Yuena casually waved her hand, and a table and chairs made of ice appeared before them.
"It's a little plain, but that shouldn't bother you, should it?"
"Silver Dragon King, I'm not nearly as delicate as you think."
"Delicate? I thought you were different from other women. You even have a foxlike air when you speak." Gu Yuena teased her, then said no more.
Ye Yunxi sat across from Gu Yuena and placed the Silver Dragon Nirvana Crystal in her hand on the table.
"What is this? Why do I feel it could greatly aid my recovery?"
Gu Yuena asked curiously.
"This is called the Silver Dragon Nirvana Crystal. It can nourish your source and heal damage to your divine soul. For you, Silver Dragon King, it will greatly shorten the time needed to recover from your injuries."
"Not a bad item. Tell me, what do you want?"
Gu Yuena rested her arms on the table, propped her chin on her hands, and watched the woman before her with a teasing smile.
"Simple. I only want Sky Dream Ice Silkworm—the rather plump Ice Silkworm Di Tian captured."
"Oh? You mean that fellow? I'd planned to have him help me recover, but if you want him, this Silver Dragon Nirvana Crystal is certainly a fair exchange."
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm simply wasn't as important to Gu Yuena as the feeling the Silver Dragon Nirvana Crystal gave her.
Still, why did this human woman know so much? She even knew about Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.
"Why not tell me what you want him for?" Gu Yuena asked.
"Hehe, I'm afraid that's classified, Silver Dragon King. I naturally have other plans for him."
Ye Yunxi blinked her limpid, bewitching eyes, a hint of mystery in her expression.
"How disappointing."
Then Gu Yuena's gaze fell on the thin veil covering Ye Yunxi's face, and a teasing glint flashed in her eyes.
"If we're partners, there ought to be some trust between us, shouldn't there? You keep wearing that veil, so I have no idea what you look like. I'm not at all satisfied with your sincerity."
At her words, the smile faded from Ye Yunxi's face. She looked troubled, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the edge of her veil.
"That won't do."
"Oh?" Gu Yuena raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you don't dare to do?"
"It's not that I don't dare." Ye Yunxi sighed helplessly, her peach-blossom eyes curving with a hint of resignation.
"Someone specifically told me not to take off my veil whenever I pleased, lest I invite unnecessary trouble. So, Silver Dragon King, I'm sorry."
The more Ye Yunxi said, the greater Gu Yuena's curiosity grew.
Someone specifically told her? In the Star Dou Great Forest, who would even know if she took it off?
She'd dared to enter the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest alone and bargain with me, yet she wouldn't take off her veil just because someone told her not to?
She just doesn't want me to see her.
Gu Yuena couldn't be bothered to waste words with her. A hint of impatience flashed in her eyes.
"Then I'll do it myself."
Before the words had even left her mouth, she lunged forward, reaching for Ye Yunxi's veil.
Ye Yunxi was ready for her. She lightly tapped the ground with her jade foot and swiftly retreated. Her red dress billowed, leaving behind an afterimage, and her voice held a hint of smugness.
"You won't have it so easy if you want to take off my veil!"
"What incredible speed!"
A look of surprise flashed through Gu Yuena's eyes. She was already fast, yet Ye Yunxi had managed to dodge her surprise attack.
But who was Gu Yuena? The Silver Dragon King's strength was no ordinary thing!
She let out a cold snort and vanished in an instant. When she reappeared, she was already standing squarely in Ye Yunxi's path.
Before Ye Yunxi could react, Gu Yuena had precisely caught a corner of the veil and given it a gentle tug.
"Whoosh!"
The veil came loose and drifted lightly to the ground.
In that instant, Ye Yunxi's peerless beauty was laid bare before Gu Yuena.
Her brows were like distant mountains brushed with dark pigment, her eyes like rippling autumn waters. Her peach-blossom eyes held a natural bewitchment, yet also a lively spark.
Her skin was fairer than snow, her lips red as cherry blossoms. Even standing quietly, she radiated a breathtaking beauty—born with an alluring charm, yet never vulgar.
Gu Yuena's heart gave a sudden thump. She stared blankly at Ye Yunxi, momentarily lost in a daze.
She had seen many Soul Beasts in human form, but never a woman like this—so boldly beautiful, so utterly captivating.
Ye Yunxi bent to pick up the veil and leisurely brushed the dust from it. She looked up at the still-dazed Gu Yuena, her peach-blossom eyes curving into crescents as she gave her a teasing smile.
"Well? Silver Dragon King, have you had your fill of looking?"
"Not yet. I can't get enough. I even want to tie you up at my side and look at you day and night." Gu Yuena gave her a teasing smile.
"That won't do. I already have someone, and besides, how could I stay in the Star Dou Great Forest forever?" Ye Yunxi smiled faintly and put her veil back on.
Silver Dragon King, dragon?
In the end, Gu Yuena was still a dragon.
Everyone knew what dragons were like.
"Are you saying I'm not good enough for you?"
"There's no need to sell yourself short, Silver Dragon King. Besides, you're a woman. We could never be together."
Ye Yunxi had no desire to keep talking about this with Gu Yuena. She still needed Sky Dream Ice Silkworm to offer himself as a sacrifice.
Why are we flirting now?
Gu Yuena was deeply annoyed. She was the Silver Dragon King, yet this human woman had dismissed her so completely.
Even so, she had to keep her word.
Gu Yuena dropped the subject and took Ye Yunxi back to the Lake of Life.
"Di Tian, bring that lump of an Ice Silkworm over."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Di Tian turned and left.
Seeing Ye Yunxi return, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion immediately leapt into her arms and asked curiously:
"What did you and My Lord talk about?"
"Just a few small matters. I'm trading the Silver Dragon Nirvana Crystal for Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's life."
As she explained, she noticed the Silver Dragon King's greedy gaze again, and a chill ran down her back.
Seriously, we've already settled the deal. Why are you still looking at me like you want to eat me?
Bi Ji and Zi JI stepped forward.
"What's your name? You have the same aura as the Auspicious Beast."
"I'm Ye Yunxi. Remember it. We might meet again someday." Ye Yunxi smiled at Bi Ji and Zi JI.
"Ye Yunxi."
Bi Ji and Zi JI committed the name to memory.
A human who could move freely among the Ferocious Beasts was likely the first—and the only one.
If she hadn't shared the same aura as the Ferocious Beasts, perhaps she wouldn't have ended up here by such a coincidence, able to awaken My Lord.
"Hey! What are you taking me for?"
A scream rang out.
Di Tian came back, carrying a lump of an Ice Silkworm in his hand, and tossed it straight onto the ground.
The instant he hit the ground, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm tried to run.
Gu Yuena's gaze turned cold. She flicked a finger, pinning Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in place.
"Little Ice Silkworm, why are you running? If I hadn't saved you, you wouldn't be seeing me now."
"You? A human saved me?"