Three days later, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, now in human form, looked at the energy membrane covering Yu Hengqing's body, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Just as expected of someone I taught! You've actually learned the basics of Mimicry in only three days! Hahaha!"
"My teaching skills are far beyond those of Di Tian and the other Soul Beasts. Maybe one day I'll even teach a god!"
As the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm spoke, he slipped into another bout of daydreaming. His last sentence, however, wasn't wrong. He really had taught a God of Emotion with the potential to become a God King.
Of course, in Yu Hengqing's eyes, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's teaching skills were truly mediocre—only a little better than those of some teachers at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The reason he'd learned Mimicry so quickly was mostly thanks to Leiyi, a true teacher who had constantly corrected and guided him.
Inside Yu Hengqing's mental space, Leiyi could sense the changes in his Soul Power and spiritual power much more clearly, allowing him to correct Yu Hengqing's mistakes right away.
However, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm didn't stay happy for long, because Di Tian came over after hearing the commotion.
"Now that he's learned Mimicry, it's time for you to go back, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. Of course, I won't forget what I promised you. We'll meet again in seven days!"
With that, Di Tian raised his Dragon Transformation arm, intending to lock the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm away again.
"Hold on. This kid is my first student, after all. I can't let him come away empty-handed."
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm raised a hand to stop Di Tian, then took out the Silkworm Slough he'd prepared earlier and handed it to Yu Hengqing.
"This is my Silkworm Slough. Take it as a memento of our brief time as master and student!"
My Silkworm Slough can not only conceal your presence, but also withstand Di Tian's full-power attack. It's absolutely a life-saving treasure!
Hearing that the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's Silkworm Slough could withstand Di Tian's attack, Yu Hengqing was delighted inside, but he kept his expression calm.
"Thank you for the gift, Teacher Tian Meng. I'll remember what you said and make good use of Mimicry!"
Di Tian didn't say much about it. In his eyes, the Silkworm Slough the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had given Yu Hengqing could at most withstand a full-power strike from Xiong Jun.
As soon as Yu Hengqing had thanked him, Di Tian trapped the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in a black sphere again. Then, with a light toss, the sphere merged into space.
Di Tian, who preferred peace and quiet, didn't want to keep listening to the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm chatter in front of him.
"Where are you going next? Back to the human world, or staying in Star Dou Forest?"
After locking away the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, Di Tian turned his gaze back to Yu Hengqing.
"I'll stay in Star Dou Forest, but not at Life Lake. I'm going to Thunder Valley to complete the Thunder God Trial."
Facing Di Tian's question, Yu Hengqing answered decisively, without a moment's hesitation.
Di Tian was glad to hear that Yu Hengqing was leaving Life Lake. Humans had no business setting foot there in the first place.
"Fine. I'll have Bi Ji take you to Thunder Valley and wait for your people to meet up with you there."
After making the arrangements, Di Tian turned and left. Yu Hengqing had shown his potential, but not yet his value, so he wasn't worth Di Tian's attention.
Only after Di Tian had left did Yu Hengqing put away the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's Silkworm Slough. He shrank it to the size of a soybean and tucked it into the pocket over his chest.
Yu Hengqing still couldn't control the Silkworm Slough's ability to conceal his presence, so all he could do was carry it with him and use it when danger arose.
Ah, if only I knew how to forge. Then I could turn this Silkworm Slough into a soft armor that fit me perfectly.
Thinking of how his sect had no powerful blacksmith, Yu Hengqing couldn't help feeling regretful.
"Yu Hengqing, have you packed your things? If you're ready, I'll take you out now."
Bi Ji's exceptionally gentle voice came from not far away. Yu Hengqing looked up and saw a silver portal slowly appear beside her.
"Yeah, I'm ready. We can go!"
As he spoke, Yu Hengqing hurried over to Bi Ji and waited for her to open the portal.
"All right. Let's leave now!"
Once Yu Hengqing had come to her side, Bi Ji raised a hand and stabilized the portal. Then she stepped through with Yu Hengqing.
They stepped out of the silver portal and left Life Lake. At last, Yu Hengqing saw Daming and Erming.
Daming and Erming were absorbing life energy. When they sensed Bi Ji's arrival, they quickly ended their cultivation and came over.
"Good morning, Lady Bi Ji!" X2
After greeting Bi Ji, Daming and Erming shifted their gaze to Yu Hengqing.
Though both Soul Beasts were curious about why this human had come out of Life Lake, they'd learned their lesson over the past few days and decisively chose to keep quiet.
Only after watching Bi Ji and Yu Hengqing leave Life Lake did Daming and Erming finally relax and return to their previous spot to resume cultivating.
However, seeing the Soul Master made Erming suddenly miss Xiao Wu, who had transformed into a human.
Sister Xiao Wu, Daming and I miss you so much! I wonder if you're doing well in the human world.
At that moment, Xiao Wu, who was walking ahead of Tang San and enthusiastically selling her wares, suddenly sneezed.
"Achoo!"
"Xiao Wu, why did you sneeze? Did you catch a chill?"
"Third Brother, I'm fine! I'm as strong as an ox!"
With Bi Ji accompanying him, Yu Hengqing didn't encounter any reckless Soul Beasts that attacked them along the way.
But because Bi Ji was with him, Yu Hengqing saw many Soul Beasts come to her for help. Most had been injured fighting one another; only a tiny number had been wounded by Soul Masters.
This wasn't because Soul Masters harmed Soul Beasts less than Soul Beasts harmed each other. If anything, it proved that Soul Masters inflicted great harm on them.
After all, most Soul Masters struck with the intent to kill. Only a few lucky or powerful Soul Beasts managed to escape alive.
Of course, Yu Hengqing wasn't suddenly overcome with compassion. He was simply considering Bi Ji's position.
If Yu Hengqing played his cards right, he might be able to bring Bi Ji over to his side. His faction was badly in need of a top-tier healer like her.
"Bi Ji, Soul Masters have to hunt Soul Beasts for Soul Rings to cultivate. Was it always that way, or did someone invent the system?"
"If it's always been that way, then as Soul Beasts disappear, Soul Masters will also fade into the dust of history. But if someone invented it, couldn't we invent something to replace it?"
At Yu Hengqing's words, Bi Ji, who had been walking ahead, suddenly paused. His question had set her thinking.
Long ago, Bi Ji had begun exploring how to resolve the conflict between Soul Beasts and Soul Masters.
But Soul Masters needed Soul Rings to break through their bottlenecks and keep cultivating. That meant they had to hunt Soul Beasts—a conflict that couldn't be reconciled.
After all, Bi Ji wasn't a god. She couldn't stop Soul Masters from cultivating their Soul Power.
"Yu Hengqing, that's a good question, but I can't answer it right now. Ever since I can remember, Soul Masters have hunted Soul Beasts for Soul Rings!"
"So I don't know how Soul Masters originated, or who began the tradition of hunting Soul Beasts for Soul Rings."
"If you truly want an answer, you can ask the Silver Dragon King the next time you meet her. With her vast knowledge, she might be able to answer your question."
Bi Ji spoke slowly, because she wanted to know the answers too. Her instincts told her that they were among the keys to resolving the conflict between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts.
"All right, we've arrived at Thunder Valley!"
Bi Ji spoke slowly, but her pace was quick. And after she treated the injured Soul Beasts, they would willingly escort the pair part of the way. Before long, Yu Hengqing and the others had reached Thunder Valley.
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