Stability

The halo continuously shrank, growing smaller and smaller, while its color became ever more brilliant and dazzling.

At last, when the halo had contracted to the size of a normal soul ring, the hazy mist completely transformed into a crystalline Blue-Gold Soul Ring.

Immediately afterward, the Blue-Gold Soul Ring in her palm slowly pulsed around Ah Yin's body, and everything around them seemed to fall silent.

On the ground, under the Blue-Gold radiance, the Blue Silver Grass that had grown wildly rose even higher. The crystalline glow upon them gradually receded along with the fading Blue-Gold light, yet the aura of life they emitted became even stronger.

This was the effect of the Blue Silver Emperor's aura. Under its influence, every stalk of Blue Silver Grass underwent a qualitative transformation.

Though Ah Yin had gained much from them, the Blue Silver Emperor aura within her had also nourished the people of her clan's homeland in return.

As the ritual faded away, Ah Yin's almond-shaped eyes slowly opened. Her willow brows relaxed into a lovely curve, and two streams of Blue-Gold light burst from the depths of her eyes.

"Big Sister Ah Yin, how do you feel?"

Seeing Ah Yin awaken, Dugu Chen immediately stepped forward and asked with concern in his eyes.

At that moment, both Ah Yin's temperament and appearance had undergone considerable changes.

Her deep-blue hair had gradually become crystal-clear like jade, with a faint golden glow hidden at the tips. Her snowy complexion had become even fairer and more captivating. In terms of sheer beauty, she was undoubtedly peerless.

Ah Yin raised her eyes and gazed at Dugu Chen. The next moment, a smile that eclipsed all beauty appeared on her face.

She took a light step forward, softly wrapping her arms around Dugu Chen's neck and pressing her delicate body closer into his embrace.

"I feel wonderful. I can finally catch up to you!"

Ah Yin spoke softly, her misty almond eyes looking straight into Dugu Chen's. The boundless tenderness in her eyes had nowhere to go, and in that moment, it all poured forth at once.

"So even the ruler of the Blue Silver Clan feels inferior because she isn't strong enough?"

Dugu Chen was briefly taken aback by her words. Then he broke into a radiant smile, reached out, and gently tapped her pert little nose.

Ah Yin's pretty face immediately flushed with a faint blush. She nodded softly, meeting his gaze.

"Who told Xiao Chen to be so talented? I'm afraid any genius would feel inferior standing beside you."

"Then that's a problem. A king and inferiority can't exist at the same time. Since you've become a king, that inferiority has to disappear!"

A wicked smile appeared on Dugu Chen's face as he leaned down and lightly pecked Ah Yin's fair, rosy cheek.

Ah Yin gave a coquettish snort and said with a crimson face, "You're so improper..."

After embracing each other for a while, the two slowly separated.

"Human, I hope you will treat our king well."

The Blue Silver King had understood by now that its king was deeply in love. No matter how it tried to persuade her, it would be futile, so it could only offer the pair its sincere blessings.

"Rest assured. Even if it costs me my life, I won't let Big Sister Ah Yin suffer the slightest harm!"

Hearing this, Dugu Chen looked at the Blue Silver King with a little more goodwill.

After all, the Blue Silver Forest was Big Sister Ah Yin's clan homeland, and the Blue Silver King could be considered her kin. For Ah Yin's sake, he ought to show it some respect.

The Blue Silver King nodded slightly, then asked hesitantly, "Human, you said earlier that you could help me break through and become a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. How do you intend to do that?"

"That's simple. You can change your size, right?"

Dugu Chen pointed toward the Blue Silver King's body. After recovering, its vines had risen upright again, its towering frame nearly indistinguishable from the ancient trees surrounding it.

The Blue Silver King nodded. In the next instant, its body rapidly shrank, and in the blink of an eye, it became the same height as Dugu Chen.

"Very good!"

Dugu Chen nodded in satisfaction. Ah Yin seemed to understand his intentions as well and said gently, "Xiao Chen, don't tell me you want to take it to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to absorb energy and complete its breakthrough?"

Dugu Chen nodded slightly and smiled brightly.

"Big Sister Ah Yin is truly clever. That's exactly what I had in mind."

"First, the Blue Silver King can use the energy within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to break through. Second, it can help our family tend and look after the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It's a win-win situation."

After all, although the Blue Silver King's cultivation was already very high, it was still far from becoming a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Even cultivating within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it would be impossible for it to break through in a short time. This was essentially the same as hiring a long-term gardener for free.

Ah Yin nodded, but then concern appeared in her eyes.

"If the Blue Silver King leaves, there won't be any soul beast guarding this forest. What if a powerful enemy comes?"

Dugu Chen gave a faint smile. "Isn't that simple? I can set up several Poison Formations. Although my skill with formations isn't enough to cover the entire forest, protecting the core area shouldn't be a problem."

"If we really encounter an enemy we can't defeat and the formations are broken, I'll sense it. I'll have more than enough time to return."

After all, aside from his skill with poison, Dugu Bo was highly accomplished in formations. Naturally, Dugu Chen had not escaped learning about poison and formations. Having been immersed in them since childhood, setting up several powerful Poison Formations was no difficult task.

After hearing this, Ah Yin immediately revealed a brilliant smile. "You really have thought of everything. Now I can finally rest easy!"

Dugu Chen reached out and stroked Ah Yin's cheek, smiling gently. "Then say a proper goodbye to them. I'll go set up the Poison Formations first!"

With that, his figure turned into a streak of light and flew toward the edge of the forest.

Watching Dugu Chen's departing back, a trace of emotion flashed through Ah Yin's eyes. A hazy layer of moisture gradually covered her Blue-Gold eyes as she murmured inwardly:

"Xiao Chen, thank you!"

Naturally, she knew that everything Dugu Chen had done was to ensure she had no worries left behind.

Though he had said nothing, every single thing he did was for her. Love was not empty words, but truly clearing away every obstacle for the one in one's heart.

"Your Majesty, do you truly like this human?"

Watching Ah Yin quietly reveal her feelings, the Blue Silver King spoke softly.

Ah Yin nodded. Looking at the Blue Silver King, she said, "To me, Xiao Chen is my everything... Once I am gone, the Blue Silver Forest will be entrusted to your protection."

The Blue Silver King answered firmly, its gaze becoming incomparably solemn. "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will protect it unto death!"

Ah Yin smiled. A gentle breeze stirred the ends of her hair, and her Blue-Gold locks drifted in the wind like willow branches.

In the time that followed, she wandered alone through the forest, a faint longing in her almond eyes, like a free-spirited elf.