The Auspicious Beast is Lost, Emperor Heaven's Fury

Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, A massive, crimson figure was frantically weaving through the dense woods.

Three enormous canine heads looked left and right in agitation; wherever it passed, trees were snapped and shrubs were flattened, startling flocks of birds into the sky.

"Auspicious Beast! Imperial Auspicious Beast!"

Red King's voice echoed through the forest, shifting from initial urgency to growing panic.

It had been tricked.

For some time now, the Imperial Auspicious Beast had insisted on coming out to play.

As the guardian of the Imperial Auspicious Beast, it had followed along, neglecting to hunt that plump worm to absorb its energy.

After coming out with the Auspicious Beast, it had sensed an aura similar to a Dragon King's pressure within the forest. Just as it intended to go and investigate, the Auspicious Beast had pestered it to play hide-and-seek, telling it to close its eyes and wait on the spot.

She even told it not to secretly sense her, and made it dampen its perception.

At first, it was unwilling.

After all, it was the guardian of the Imperial Auspicious Beast.

If anything were to happen to the Imperial Auspicious Beast, it would be a disaster.

The Star Dou Great Forest would face grave consequences.

But under her relentless pestering, it had eventually dampened its perception. It, a dignified two-hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, had actually believed the nonsense of this five-thousand-year-old little one, honestly squatting in place to count for ages while suppressing its senses.

When it finished counting and opened its eyes, the Auspicious Beast's aura had vanished completely.

Red King searched like a madman for hundreds of miles, its three noses sniffing every single leaf.

Nothing, still nothing.

How could this be?

The Imperial Auspicious Beast possessed a noble bloodline; like the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, she could rival a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast at just the Ten Thousand Year level.

But she was a mere five thousand years old—how could she make it, a two-hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, unable to catch even a trace of her scent?

Red King lay on the ground, pressing its nose against the soil to sniff inch by inch, then tilted its head back to inhale sharply at the air, its three dog faces sagging simultaneously.

It was over. If it lost the Imperial Auspicious Beast, Emperor Heaven would skin it alive.

Life Lake.

Zi Ji retracted her Dragon Wing and landed by the lake. She cast a glance at the Azure Ox Python, the Titan Giant Ape, and that rabbit coiled on the shore not far away, before transforming into a streak of purple light and diving into the water.

Layers of silver ripples spread silently. As if passing through a spatial gate, she stepped into that spacious, independent realm filled with the aura of life.

"Did you see that human who possesses a trace of the newborn Dragon King's bloodline?"

A majestic voice resonated from the depths of the space.

A tall, burly man clad in black robes turned around, his pair of golden dragon eyes glowing chillingly in the dim light.

The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Emperor Heaven.

"I saw her."

Zi Ji bowed slightly.

"That human also possesses some peculiar abilities, unlike ordinary Soul Masters. She can unleash numerous Soul Skills, allowing her to continuously buff herself and significantly boost her strength."

Emperor Heaven spoke in a deep voice.

"Humans are indeed wondrous. In such a short time, they can grow to possess strength comparable to a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast. This human is even more peculiar."

His dragon eyes held a look of scrutiny. Before he could finish, a rough, booming voice erupted nearby.

"She possesses a secret technique to significantly boost her own power?!"

"Then what are we waiting for!"

"Catch her and bring her back! By then, our strength will skyrocket!"

"Plus, with the energy we've been absorbing from that big fat worm lately, our strength will surge even further!"

Bear Lord stepped out from the shadows, his dark golden fur standing on end, his bear eyes filled with greed.

He truly hadn't expected to hear about such a thing by accident.

If such a secret technique really existed, his strength would surely skyrocket, and he would definitely be able to defeat Emperor Heaven.

Emperor Heaven did not reply.

Just then, another figure stumbled in, its three canine heads bowed so low they nearly touched the ground, its voice trembling uncontrollably.

"Lord Emperor Heaven, something's wrong. The Imperial Auspicious Beast is gone."

In an instant, a destructive dragon might exploded in the space.

Emperor Heaven's golden dragon eyes stared directly at Red King, his voice devoid of any emotional fluctuation, yet as cold as the Ten Thousand Year ice of the extreme north.

"What did you say?"

All the fierce beasts present turned their gazes to Red King.

Red King felt as if he were being crushed by several pressures simultaneously. His three canine heads bowed even lower, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

"Your subordinate... your subordinate is incompetent. The Auspicious Beast said it wanted to play hide-and-seek and told your subordinate to close its eyes and wait.

When your subordinate opened its eyes after waiting for a long time, the Auspicious Beast's aura had... had completely vanished.

Your subordinate dispatched all his subordinates and searched the entire northern region, but still couldn't find the trace of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.

I beg Lord Emperor Heaven to give me a little more time—"

Before he could finish speaking, Bear Lord stepped forward, his massive body blocking Red King. His bear eyes were filled with indignation and undisguised schadenfreude.

"Heh! Emperor Heaven, this is the result of your trust!

Such an important Auspicious Beast, handed over to a dog that only knows how to wag its tail?

The lifeline of the Soul Beasts, the fortune of the forest, lost just like that by it?"

He turned to Emperor Heaven, fanning the flames without concealment.

"What are you still hesitating for? Such an incompetent piece of trash, why not let me clean house directly, lest we lose face for the fierce beasts!"

"Enough."

A gentle yet firm voice rang out.

Bi Ji slowly walked out from the shadows, her emerald eyes filled with compassion and worry.

She looked at the enraged Bear Lord and spoke calmly.

"Now is not the time to blame anyone. Red King didn't wish for this either. The priority is to find the Auspicious Beast."

She turned to Emperor Heaven, using her unique gentle power to soothe the agitated emotions around them.

"Emperor Heaven, the Auspicious Beast is blessed by destiny and will not be in danger easily. Punishment can wait until after we find the Auspicious Beast."

From the shadows, Ten Thousand Demon King also spoke slowly, his voice deep and hoarse.

"Bi Ji is right. The priority is to find it."

As his voice fell, he sank back into silence. The strange demon eyes around him flickered, showing little interest in this farce.

"Hmph, it's just the Imperial Auspicious Beast being playful and hiding."

Zi Ji swept her gaze coldly, her eyes lingering on Bear Lord for an extra moment, full of warning, before turning to Emperor Heaven.

"There's no time to delay. Your subordinate will go personally. As long as that little one is still in the Star Dou Great Forest, your subordinate can bring her back."

Emperor Heaven closed his eyes, and his overwhelming spiritual power spread throughout the Star Dou Great Forest, centered on Life Lake.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, and the suffocating dragon might slowly receded a bit.

"The Auspicious Beast is still within the Star Dou Great Forest. She used her own Power of Destiny to conceal her aura."

Emperor Heaven paused, a complex dark glint flashing in his golden dragon eyes.

"But she is with that human."

The entire space fell silent.

"What?!"

Bear Lord exploded first.

"That human kidnapped the Imperial Auspicious Beast?!"

The fierce beasts present were filled with shock and uncertainty.

The Imperial Auspicious Beast, the carrier of the Star Dou Great Forest's destiny, had concealed her whereabouts with the Power of Destiny and left with that human.

Emperor Heaven ignored Bear Lord's roar and spoke in a low voice.

"Zi Ji, come with me. The rest of you remain in the core circle and continue to watch that Ice Silkworm. Without my command, no one is to act without authorization."

He took a step forward, his figure disappearing into a silver ripple.

Zi Ji unfurled her Dragon Wings and followed closely. As she skimmed over the lake, she glanced again at the two unaware Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts.

On the lakeshore, the Azure Ox Python lazily rolled over, and the Titan Giant Ape scratched its belly.

The Soft Bone Rabbit perked up its ears, glanced towards the center of the lake, and then continued gnawing on its carrot.