In the morning in the mixed zone, the sunlight is filtered through the layers of tree crowns into fine golden spots, and shines warmly on the thick fallen leaves.
A fluffy golden ball was curled up in the root hole of an old banyan tree. It was sleeping with its arms spread out, exposing its round, light golden belly, rising and falling with its breathing.
Suddenly, the tip of the golden ball's ears moved.
Three-Eyed Golden Lion opened one eye drowsily, the golden pupils still covered with a layer of sleep.
A front paw stretched out from under the tail and scratched its ears.
The second front leg stretched out and pushed to the side, and the whole body stretched out from curling up.
"Well... hungry."
It finally opened both eyes, got up, shook its fluffy golden hair, walked out of the tree hole on its short legs, and plunged into the morning light in the mixed zone.
It looked around blankly. The mixed area was too quiet today. Those Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that usually wandered around could not even see a shadow at this moment.
Three-Eyed Golden Lion turned around in a large circle, and everywhere he saw was an empty forest glade.
There is no breath of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
It has gone a long way.
Still not.
It stopped, tilted its head, and its golden eyes were shining. "That shouldn't be the case - usually at this time, the big guy would always be taking a nap nearby..."
It looked around, then sat down on the grass, raised its head, and shouted in a sweet voice toward the sky, "Uncle Scarlet King--! Where are you--!"
The wind passed through the treetops and carried its sound far away.
After a moment, a dark red figure silently landed in front of it.
Three-Headed Red Mastiff, covered in dark red hair, with claws drawn in and eyes lowered.
When he appeared, there was a faint burning breath in the air.
"Your Highness, are you awake?"
"Uncle Scarlet King!"
Three-Eyed Golden Lion stood up, trotted to his feet in a few steps, and looked up at him, "Why do I feel like I have been abandoned by the entire forest? Why can't I see a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast outside today? I searched around and couldn't even see the shadow of Aunt Bi Ji - where did everyone go?"
Scarlet King was silent for a moment and answered honestly.
"All... all went to the outskirts of the core area."
"Ah? What are you doing there?"
"... Two distinguished guests came to the core area today."
"Dignified guest?"
"Yes, Master Di Tian personally led the crowd to welcome him. Myriad Beast Formation was listed outside the core area, and all Soul Beast who were more than ten thousand years old went to welcome the guests."
"You look so awesome. Why are you such a distinguished guest?"
"I heard... one is the young master of Nine-Colored Dragon Valley, and the other is the new His Majesty Emerald Dragon King - said to be the creator of the Emerald Swan clan."
"Wow--"
Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes suddenly lit up, "Emerald Dragon King? Isn't that the ancestor of Aunt Bi Ji! He actually came in person?! Then why didn't I receive the invitation? Why didn't you take me with you for such a fun thing?"
Its voice rose a little higher, and its short legs gently tiptoed on the ground. Its tail swayed behind it, and the arc became wider and wider, as if it wanted to fly to the core area immediately to take a look.
Scarlet King The corners of his mouth twitched and his eyes drifted away. "... Your Highness was sleeping deeply at that time. Di Tian, Master couldn't bear to disturb your dream, so he didn't call you."
This is of course not the original words. The original words of Di Tian are: If the little ancestor goes there, the situation will be messed up by him. Let him sleep and talk about it after he wakes up.
But Scarlet King didn't want to hurt its heart, so she could only modify it tactfully.
Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared at him for two breaths and narrowed his eyes. "Uncle Scarlet King, your eyes are floating when you are talking."
"..."
"You feel guilty."
"..."
"Do you think I am too noisy and are you afraid that I will run over and chew Emerald Dragon King?"
"..."
His voice lowered a bit. "... I don't dare."
"Then let's go, take me there! Am I not Auspicious Beast? You don't ask me to greet distinguished guests when they arrive. What kind of hospitality is this?"
Scarlet King looked troubled. "Your Highness, I'm afraid this is not appropriate--"
"Is there anything wrong? Don't you love me the most? I'm sure he will be happy when I go! The distinguished guests will also like me!"
Scarlet King: "..."
Three-Eyed Golden Lion took a step back, patted the soil on the ground with his front paws, raised a small piece of dust, and then raised his head.
"No matter! Just take me there! Just go and have a look! Just take a look!"
"Your Highness..."
Three-Eyed Golden Lion had already taken a few steps out with his short legs and looked back at him. "Humph, if you don't lead the way, I will find it myself!"
Scarlet King looked at the golden fur ball that had run a short distance away, sighed, and quickly followed. The low-hanging head of the animal turned slightly sideways and drooped helplessly, as if it had given up resistance. "... Your Highness, please slow down, I will just take you there. But you have to promise me that when you get there, you can't run around, you can't jump on people, and you can't jump around at the banquet."
"Okay, it's a deal!"
Three-Eyed Golden Lion then slowed down with satisfaction.
Scarlet King Looking at its shining eyes, he felt vaguely in his heart... This girl was probably trying to trick him again.
The road from the mixed area to the outer edge of the core area is not close to the ordinary Soul Beast, but to Scarlet King it is just a gust of wind. He leaned over and gently lifted Three-Eyed Golden Lion on his shoulders, roared, and rose into the air. His figure turned into a streak of red light and passed through the forest.
Three-Eyed Golden Lion sat on Scarlet King's shoulder, his two front paws scratching the mane on his shoulder, and his golden eyes looked forward unblinkingly.
The wind whistled past its ears, and the golden fluff was blown back. It squinted its eyes, opened its mouth wide, and "ouched" at the wind.
It doesn't know what kind of person the "distinguished guest" is, but if his father can personally greet him and if the entire Star Dou Forest and Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast line up to welcome him - then he must be a very important person.
It might be even more powerful than its father, and it might be more interesting than anything it had ever seen. The more it thought about it, the more it looked forward to it, and the tip of its tail shook unconsciously, then again.
core area.
Long Jinyu looked at the dishes on the table and glanced at Bi Ji, who had returned to her gentle appearance. A flash of realization flashed through her heart. Most of the dishes with traces of human cooking were learned by her while studying under the pseudonym Medical Pavilion.
When she learned these things, she probably had no idea that one day she would use them to entertain her Creator.
The banquet officially started.
During the dinner, Bi Ji was full of energy and kept introducing Star Dou Forest's special dishes to Yu - some kind of honeydew brewed with thousand-year-old spiritual fruit, and the most tender tenderloin on a certain Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, which was cooked at the right temperature and melted in your mouth.
She got excited when she spoke, so she simply picked up the serving chopsticks, picked up a piece of tremblingly tender tenderloin, and carefully handed it to Yu's lips, breathing a little lighter.
He even refused, lowered his head slightly, bit the piece of meat, and chewed it twice.
Bi Ji's eyelashes trembled and he asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, how are you doing?"
"Well, the heat is just right."
Bi Ji couldn't hold back the corners of his mouth anymore. He picked up another chopstick and handed it over. He tasted each one one by one, occasionally nodding and commenting softly. Bi Ji's eyebrows curled up as if he had received a huge reward.
Long Jinyu turned his gaze sideways and looked at Bi Ji's attitude of wanting to pile the entire table of food into his bowl. He silently took back the chopsticks he had just stretched out, lowered his head and took a sip of honeydew, pretending that he didn't see anything.
Zi JI was sitting diagonally across from him. He noticed this small movement, curved the corner of his mouth, and whispered, "Young Master Long, don't be surprised. Sister Bi Ji has been looking forward to this moment every day these days."
Long Jinyu put down the cup. "... Well, she is... pious, understanding, understanding."
Di Tian's gaze also stopped there for a moment.
He has known Bi Ji for tens of thousands of years - she is loyal, kind-hearted, and dedicated to Star Dou Forest. But she has never looked at anyone with such eyes. Not even him Di Tian.
Zi JI also introduced to Long Jinyu a snack called "Phoenix Marrow Cake", which is made from the egg whites of some kind of spiritual bird that are repeatedly beaten and steamed.
Long Jinyu took a bite.
Sweet.
It looks unremarkable at first glance, but the entrance is extremely delicate.
A table of people eating quietly.
The atmosphere was relaxed and gentle, like an ordinary dinner party in an ordinary family - except that anyone sitting at this table could make this continent shake.
Just then--
A soft sound came from the depths of the ancient trees, rustling, getting closer and closer.
Long Jinyu paused for a moment with the chopsticks in his hand, turned his head, and moved them away.
A small golden figure emerged from the bushes.
It was a small beast with golden fur - its body was no more than two feet long, its limbs were short and powerful, and its hair was velvety, glowing with a warm gilded color in the morning light. A pair of big round golden eyes were spinning.
It was followed closely by a dark red figure, several times larger than it. It was trying to block its momentum with its body with a helpless expression. "Oh - Your Highness, we agreed to only take a look -"
But the little golden beast had already rushed to the table.
It raised its head, looked past everyone, and landed directly on the silver figure. Its pace suddenly slowed down.
It felt that its heartbeat was a little faster than before, as if something lightly hit its chest.
The young man noticed her gaze, and the moment the two eyes met in the air, the third eye on Three-Eyed Golden Lion's forehead, which was never exposed on weekdays, suddenly lit up slightly, and then darkened quickly.
The young man recognized these eyes and the little beast. For a moment of trance, his mind changed slightly and he whispered three words: "Little Golden Retriever..."
But no one heard it except himself.
Three-Eyed Golden Lion leaned forward, and the tip of his wet nose almost touched Long Jinyu's knuckles.
It sniffed and its little nose twitched slightly.
"Wow! You are actually... human?!"
Its voice is as clear as a bell, "You smell so good!"
"...Three-Eyed Golden Lion?" Long Jinyu laughed softly.
"Huh? How do you know my name?"
"Hmm... I guess."
"Scarlet King, why did you bring her?" Di Tian asked.
Scarlet King said weakly, "Master Beast God, my subordinates... can't stop you."
"Hello, Father~"
Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared blankly at Long Jinyu for a few seconds, then suddenly turned his head and looked at Di Tian on the main seat, "Is this the husband you specially found for your child? That's why he is the distinguished guest - the father is the best!"
"... What???"
Di Tian heard this, his hand shook, and he almost poured the whole glass of water on his robe. He put down the glass, and his temples jumped twice.
Three-Eyed Golden Lion confidently said, "If my father invites someone here so solemnly... then he must be someone very important to you. The person my father loves most is me, so he... is the husband you found for me!"
After that, it raised its two front paws and put them on Long Jinyu's knees. With a kick of its furry hind legs, the whole beast climbed up along his clothes, and found a comfortable position in his arms to lie down.
Di Tian's tone became even lower. "Who taught you to talk like this?"
"I thought of it myself! No one taught me!"
"This is Young Master Long. He is here today for important matters. He is not your... husband!"
"Then why is he so good-looking?"
Three-Eyed Golden Lion tilted his head, got close to Long Jinyu's face, looked at it carefully, and then said more firmly, "It still smells so good. Father, just admit it~"
Di Tian: "..."
Scarlet King lowered his head silently. He felt that he made the most regretful decision in his life - the one he agreed to just now.
Xiong Jun was immersed in a piece of barbecue that was as tall as half a man. When he heard this, the piece of meat in his mouth almost spit out.
"Hahaha--little Auspicious Beast has good eyesight! This boy is indeed handsome. Among both human and animal tribes, he can be regarded as the best among the best!"
Bi Ji put a chopstick of meat firmly into Yu's bowl, then turned to look at Three-Eyed Golden Lion, reminding. "Child... don't say such nonsense."
Zi JI covered his mouth and coughed lightly.
Ten Thousand Demon King remains silent.
Di Tian covered his forehead and closed his eyes, as if he was meditating.
Yes, none of them are reliable.
If I had known earlier, I should have locked this girl in the mixed area and said nothing could be done to let her out.
What did I do wrong to make it think this is a blind date?
Long Jinyu lowered his head, looked at the furry golden head in his arms, and said with a smile, "I heard that you are Star Dou Forest's Auspicious Beast. It is my blessing to see you."
Three-Eyed Golden Lion was startled by what he said. He blinked and said, "You speak very nicely. What's your name then?"
"Long Jinyu. When the fire burns out, it turns into ashes, and the ashes turn into feathers."
"Long Jinyu..." Three-Eyed Golden Lion read it again, "It sounds good and suits you very well."
Yu held a cup of honeydew, lowered her eyes and took a sip. She glanced at the little golden retriever in Long Jinyu's arms, and a thought came to her mind -
It seems that the charm of her master is greater than she expected. There is already a Fire Phoenix on the human side, and now even Star Dou Forest's Auspicious Beast cannot escape "this disaster".
"Emerald Dragon King Master! Hello!"
Three-Eyed Golden Lion leaned half of his body out of Long Jinyu's arms and waved his front paws in Yu's direction, "You are good-looking too! Just as good-looking as Jin Yu! You I am the ancestor of Aunt Bi Ji, so don't I have to respect you more? I am Three-Eyed Golden Lion, you can call me Little Golden Lion. I like your breath."
I was even more amused by what it said, "Little Golden Lion has such a sweet mouth, I like you too, you are very cute."