Departure

The moment the words "Sister Tian Meng" left his lips, the Sky Dream Iceworm's round, chubby face twisted into a smile even uglier than a cry.

"My Lord, please, stop teasing me." The Sky Dream Iceworm's voice was filled with utter resentment.

When Lin Shuo first met Tian Meng, it was back when the Iceworm was attempting to flee the Star Dou Great Forest, hoping to try and become a human's wisdom soul ring. Tian Meng had just detected Lin Shuo's presence in the forest, but before she could even rush up to him and utter a line like, "Young man, I see you have a unique bone structure," she had triggered the reverse scales that Di Tian and Gu Yuena had left on Lin Shuo.

The very next moment, Di Tian had torn through space and appeared on the scene.

Originally, Di Tian had intended to slap the Sky Dream Iceworm to death on the spot. However, considering that Tian Meng might still be useful later, Lin Shuo had spared her life.

But while the death penalty was commuted, the living punishment was unavoidable.

The next day, Lin Shuo had Xiong Jun perform a little surgery on Tian Meng.

That day, the entire Lake of Life echoed with Tian Meng's pig-like shrieks.

What was even worse was that as time passed, her voice had become increasingly crisp and melodious.

The Sky Dream Iceworm was beyond tears, wriggling her round, chubby body behind Lin Shuo while muttering under her breath, "I am, at the very least, the first million-year soul beast in history, and now look at me..."

"Alright, alright, it's good enough that I spared your life." Lin Shuo waved a hand, cutting off her grumbling. "The Lake of Life is just ahead. I'm going over there; you stay right here and behave yourself. Don't go anywhere."

Hearing this, the Sky Dream Iceworm immediately shut her mouth and obediently stayed under an ancient tree. Sunlight filtered through the layers of the canopy, casting dappled spots of light onto her ice-blue body. Though she was a chatterbox, she was still very obedient to this Lord of hers; if he hadn't spoken up back then, she would have been slapped to death by Di Tian long ago. After all, she had been the one to offend him first.

See, she even had to thank him.

Lin Shuo walked toward the Lake of Life alone.

At twelve years old, the boy already stood one meter seventy, his figure as straight and tall as a solitary bamboo. The roundness of his childhood had long since faded, revealing a clean, sharp jawline. He wore a silver-white martial outfit embroidered with intricate dragon patterns, and his short, jet-black hair swayed gently in the breeze blowing through the forest. In the gaps between his moving locks, a face was revealed that made everything around it pale in comparison. It was a face so exquisite it seemed unreal. His skin possessed a translucent, cold-white texture, as smooth and clear as fine mutton-fat jade. His nose was straight and refined, his lips of moderate thickness.

The surface of the Lake of Life remained as calm as a mirror, the emerald water reflecting the ancient trees that blotted out the sky. Lin Shuo used his spatial power to enter the independent space with practiced ease.

Inside the independent space, Gu Yuena stood with her back to him, her long silver hair cascading down to her waist like a ribbon woven from moonlight. She was wearing a plain white dress today, a silver chain cinched at her waist. She stood there quietly, as if she had merged with this space, or as if this space itself had extended from her very existence.

"Sister Nana," Lin Shuo called out softly.

Gu Yuena turned around, and when those purple eyes landed on Lin Shuo, a faint smile appeared on her cold, aloof face. For the past six years, she had remained the high and mighty, ice-cold Silver Dragon King in front of the other fierce beasts; only in front of Lin Shuo did her expression soften with a warmth that belonged to the mortal world.

"Xiao Shuo, come here." She beckoned.

Lin Shuo walked up to her and sat in her lap with practiced naturalness. Gu Yuena raised her hand, her cool fingertips gently brushing aside the stray hairs on his forehead that the wind had ruffled.

"Have you really made up your mind?"

"Yes, Sister Nana. I am human, after all. I don't want to stay in the Star Dou Great Forest forever, burying myself in cultivation. Besides, according to what you said, the God Realm has disappeared for some reason. Even if I leave the Star Dou Great Forest, no god will want to harm me. And," Lin Shuo paused, turning to look at Gu Yuena, "I also want to think carefully about how humans and soul beasts can coexist in the future."

Soul masters need soul rings to cultivate, and soul rings are obtained by killing soul beasts; this is a knot that has stood between the two races for tens of thousands of years. Whether it is the artificial soul spirits of the future or reducing the demand for soul rings, the existence of soul spirits is necessary. As someone who belongs to both humans and soul beasts, he must find a balance to alleviate or resolve the conflict between them. He absolutely cannot allow the tragedy of the soul beasts from the era of the Legend of the Dragon King to play out here.

"I understand." Gu Yuena looked into Lin Shuo's black eyes. "The Star Dou Great Forest will not become your cage." Gu Yuena paused.

"So, go and do what you want to do. But remember, the Star Dou Great Forest and the world of soul beasts will always be your home."

The independent space fell into a long silence.

After saying those words, Gu Yuena fell quiet. She lowered her eyes, and her face, so exquisite it didn't seem mortal, betrayed little emotion. But Lin Shuo knew her too well—the calmer she appeared, the more it meant her heart was in turmoil.

Twelve years of living together—twelve years, already half the length of Lin Shuo's previous life. To him, Gu Yuena had long since become a figure who was both mother and sister. She was the first person he had seen after opening his eyes in this world.

"Sister Nana." Lin Shuo's voice broke the silence. He hugged Gu Yuena tightly, his tone firm and earnest. "No matter where I am, I will never forget my duty. No matter what happens, this will always be my home, and you will always be the most important person to me."

After hugging for a while, Gu Yuena broke the silence. "Di Tian and I have both given you our reverse scales; if you encounter any trouble, we can reach you at any time. Everything you might need has been packed into your storage ring. If you have any other requirements later, just tell us." Gu Yuena paused. "Remember to come back to the Star Dou Great Forest to visit when you have time."

Lin Shuo looked into her eyes and nodded solemnly.

Gu Yuena said nothing more. She stood up, her long silver hair cascading down like a waterfall. She reached out and straightened Lin Shuo's collar.

"Go," Gu Yuena said, her voice as calm as water.

Lin Shuo hugged Gu Yuena tightly one last time, then turned and channeled his spatial power to leave the independent space where he had lived for twelve years.

Gu Yuena stood alone in the independent space, her long silver hair moving without a breeze. She watched the direction in which Lin Shuo had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

After a long while, she raised her hand and lightly touched her own shoulder—the warmth from the boy's embrace still lingered there.

She closed her eyes, and a curve formed at the corners of her cold, aloof lips.

"Safe travels," Gu Yuena murmured, her voice so soft that only she could hear it.