Divine Steed Colt, Named Red Hare

Ban Shu got to his feet and looked around, but when he saw no strange shadows, he had no choice but to give up searching.

Crouching down, Ban Shu did his best to keep his voice gentle. "Little one, don't be afraid. I'm not a bad person. Are you hurt?"

Perhaps sensing that Ban Shu meant no harm, the foal gradually stopped trembling and let out a few soft whinnies.

Seeing that it was no longer so wary, Ban Shu tentatively reached out, hoping to stroke the foal's head.

As Ban Shu's hand reached toward it, the foal instinctively tried to pull back. But in the end, it stopped itself and obediently let Ban Shu pet it.

Only then did Ban Shu get a clear look at the foal. It was still very young, but he could tell that it seemed to be some kind of Soul Beast.

That didn't matter, though. Ban Shu didn't care whether it was a Soul Beast or not. With the Spirit Hall at his back, whatever he said it was, that was what it would be.

"By the way, little one, where's your mother?"

Ban Shu gently stroked the foal's head as he asked. He didn't know whether it could understand him, but he could only give it a try.

After a long while, the foal let out two soft whinnies, though Ban Shu couldn't be sure what it meant.

"Don't know?"

Ban Shu scratched his head, looking a little troubled. Since that was the case, why not just take it in?

The Painted Halberd had guided him here to find this foal in the first place. It must have been to solve his mount problem.

After all, as Ban Shu, the wielder of the Divine Steed Ban Martial Soul, how could he not have an unbelievably powerful warhorse?

Though, since he already had the Divine Steed Ban Martial Soul himself...

"Um, little one, how about... you come with me?"

Ban Shu held out a hand and asked tentatively, "You don't have anywhere else to go, so why not come with me? I promise I'll feed you until you're nice and plump."

"If you agree, whinny twice. If you don't, stand on your head and do a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree Thomas spin."

"..."

"Fine, since you're not answering, I'll take that as a yes."

Grinning, Ban Shu scooped the foal into his arms and gently patted its head. "Little one, stick with me from now on, and you'll live like a king."

Though it couldn't understand what Ban Shu was saying, the foal didn't resist in his arms. It even licked his hand, looking quite affectionate.

Maybe the foal had already started to think of Ban Shu as its mother?

"Xiao Ban! Xiao Ban! Where are you!"

Just as Ban Shu was happily cuddling the foal, Bibi Dong arrived with Qian Xunji and Golden Crocodile Douluo.

"Sister Dong'er, Teacher, Grandpa Golden Crocodile, I'm over here!"

Ban Shu summoned the Painted Halberd, then channeled his Soul Power. Countless bolts of lightning burst forth, turning it into a brilliant light tube.

Following the glow, Qian Xunji came to Ban Shu and carefully examined him from head to toe. Only after confirming that nothing had happened did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Then Qian Xunji clasped his hands behind his back, his expression stern. "Xiao Ban, you have no sense of discipline at all! You just ran into the forest without thinking. What would you have done if something happened?"

"Even if there weren't any Soul Beasts, what if you'd been hurt by a poisonous insect or a demonic plant? The Star Dou Great Forest is no place to fool around!"

Ban Shu knew he'd acted rashly, so he quickly lowered his head and admitted his mistake. "Teacher, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone wandering off alone."

Seeing how sincere Ban Shu was, Qian Xunji's tone softened. "Xiao Ban, remember that you went out with Dong'er. If something had happened, would you want Dong'er to feel guilty for the rest of her life?"

"I'm sorry, Teacher. I was wrong."

Seeing that the lecture had gone on long enough, Golden Crocodile Douluo stepped in to smooth things over. "Ji'er, I think Xiao Ban knows he was wrong. Let it go this time."

At that, Qian Xunji gave a quiet sigh, turned around, and headed back.

Seeing that Qian Xunji had relented, Ban Shu breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, a warm feeling rose in his heart.

Qian Xunji truly cared about him. Whether or not it was because of his talent, he had treated him well.

In all these six years, apart from Bibi Dong, this was the first time anyone had cared so much about his safety. It felt pretty good to have someone looking out for him.

"You..."

Seeing Ban Shu standing there grinning foolishly, Bibi Dong helplessly grabbed him by the ear and dragged him back. "Come on, what are you standing there for?"

"Ow! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!"

Watching the two youngsters bicker and play around, Golden Crocodile Douluo stood with his hands behind his back and a smile at the corners of his mouth. Coming along this time had really been worth it.

After dragging Ban Shu back to camp, Bibi Dong finally noticed the foal in his arms.

"Ban Shu, where did this come from? It's so beautiful."

Bibi Dong asked curiously and reached out to pet it. Unfortunately, the foal was afraid of everyone but Ban Shu, so she had to give up.

"Oh, this is what I found when I went out earlier."

Ban Shu lifted the foal to show everyone. "The Painted Halberd suddenly reacted, and I followed its guidance to find this little one."

"Why did your Martial Soul suddenly want you to find this horse?" Bibi Dong asked curiously. Did Martial Souls come with after-sales service now?

"Well..."

Ban Shu thought it over for a moment before answering, "My Martial Soul grows stronger when paired with a warhorse. That must be why it guided me here."

"But aren't ordinary horses unsuitable for Soul Masters?"

Bibi Dong reached out to tease the foal. "Can this little one really do it?"

"Don't underestimate it. It's a bona fide Soul Beast."

Ban Shu ran his hand through the foal's coat. It looked like flames, and felt warm to the touch. "I'm going to name it Red Hare, after the mount of a legendary hero from long ago."

"Red Hare..."

Bibi Dong rubbed her chin and nodded. "It sounds pretty good. Let's go with that."

Just then, Qian Xunji appeared before them with a cold expression. "It's late. Hurry up and get some sleep."

"Yes, Teacher."

Ban Shu quickly got up and returned to the tent. Bibi Dong followed close behind.

Watching them walk away, the coldness faded from Qian Xunji's face. He could only sigh.

He had just been putting on an act for Ban Shu. He was the boy's teacher, after all, and had to maintain a certain air of authority.

"Heh heh heh."

Golden Crocodile Douluo smiled and stroked his beard. "Ji'er, was all that really necessary?"

"Second Uncle, no matter what, I'm his teacher. I have to maintain some authority, don't I?" Qian Xunji let out a deep sigh.

Seeing that Golden Crocodile still looked ready to tease him, Qian Xunji hurried over. "Second Uncle, you should get some rest too. I'll keep watch."

"Hahaha, all right."

Golden Crocodile nodded with a laugh, giving up on poking fun at him, then turned and went back to his tent to rest.

Only then did Qian Xunji breathe a sigh of relief and sit down by the campfire to rest.

There was no helping it. The younger ones couldn't be made to do it, and the older ones were even less an option. That left Qian Xunji, a middle-aged man stuck between the two, to shoulder everything.