The Answer

Dugu Chen set up concealed array nodes in the core region of the Blue Silver Forest. The most crucial formations were the Concealment Formation and the Poison Formation.

The outermost Concealment Formation could cause any humans or soul beasts who accidentally entered it to lose their bearings, leaving them only able to wander around outside the core region.

But there were always exceptions. Should someone fortunately break through the Concealment Formation, the Poison Formation behind it would activate, providing a second layer of protection to ensure the clan grounds remained completely safe.

Once everything had been arranged, Dugu Chen clapped his hands, satisfaction appearing on his face.

"Looks like my mastery of formations hasn't declined to the point where I can't use them!"

Dugu Chen grinned. Then, with a flash of his body, he swiftly headed back.

At that moment, in the core region of the clan grounds, Ah Yin was continuously releasing the aura of her Blue Silver Emperor, helping her people achieve a bloodline ascension.

Under the influence of her aura, the Blue Silver Grass closest to her became even more crystalline and translucent. In the future, they would have a slight chance of evolving into the bloodline of a Blue Silver King.

When she saw Dugu Chen return, a bright smile appeared on Ah Yin's face.

Her movements abruptly stopped. Rising to her feet, her pale green embroidered shoes lightly tapped the ground. Her delicate ankles, exposed beneath her long dress, gleamed like jade as she fluttered into Dugu Chen's embrace like a butterfly.

Ah Yin gently rubbed against his chest, a blissful smile on her face.

"What's wrong?"

Dugu Chen seemed to sense the change in Ah Yin's state of mind and asked softly with concern.

Ah Yin shook her head. She merely stared at his face, smiling foolishly, her gaze carrying a faint trace of infatuation.

Dugu Chen chuckled softly and did not press her further. When water was full, it overflowed; when the moon was full, it waned. Sometimes, not asking was also a silent form of respect.

"I've already set up the formations. Do you need me to accompany you on another walk around the clan grounds?"

Dugu Chen looked at Ah Yin with a smile and asked gently.

Ah Yin lightly shook her head, one slender hand resting over her heart. "I've already stored everything in my heart!"

Dugu Chen was briefly stunned, then smiled. "All right. Then we'll leave shortly."

Next, Dugu Chen took Ah Yin to the Blue Silver King and said to it,

"Blue Silver King, your body is still too large. Shrink yourself down to the size of an ordinary Blue Silver Grass. I'll take you away later."

The Blue Silver King glanced at Ah Yin. Seeing her smile and nod, it did not hesitate any longer and immediately compressed all its power into a single mass.

Its body shrank again. In the blink of an eye, it was only a few centimeters tall, no different from the surrounding Blue Silver Grass.

The next moment, Dugu Chen removed the Ruyi Treasure Pouch from his waist. With a shake of his right hand, his entire arm became covered in golden dragon scales. He dug out a patch of ground along with the grass and soil, then stored it in the Ruyi Treasure Pouch.

After finishing everything, Dugu Chen turned to Ah Yin with smiling eyes. "Sister Ah Yin, shall we return to the Star Dou Great Forest?"

Ah Yin smiled and nodded, tucking the blue-gold hair before her forehead behind her ear. Her tender gaze rested on him like water.

Dugu Chen wrapped an arm around Ah Yin's slender waist. As soul power surged, the two shot into the sky and flew toward the distant Star Dou Great Forest.

"How should I choose?"

Within the Star Dou Great Forest, A Rou watched Xiao Wu playing in the distance, chasing butterflies, and murmured to herself.

Her eyes were filled with worry, as well as confusion and helplessness toward the future.

At that moment, A Rou could not help recalling the words Dugu Chen had spoken to her on the night he and Ah Yin left. They had sounded utterly sincere, without the slightest hint of pretense.

"Sister A Rou, since you've already taken human form, you've completely severed all ties with soul beasts. Like Sister Ah Yin, you can enter the human world and live as your true self."

Just as she was considering where her future path should lead, a golden beam swiftly streaked over from afar and stopped before her.

Seeing that it was Dugu Chen and Ah Yin, A Rou smiled gently. But when she noticed the changes in Ah Yin, intense ripples suddenly appeared in her eyes.

"Ah Yin, your appearance and aura?" she said softly, profound shock appearing on her face.

"I returned to the clan grounds and used the strength of my people to help myself achieve a breakthrough."

Seeing the shock on A Rou's face, Ah Yin smiled faintly, her voice as soft as a spring breeze brushing across one's face.

A Rou's pupils trembled, and she was unable to calm herself for a long while.

"Big Brother, Big Sister, you're back?"

Xiao Wu ran over from afar and arrived before them. Her large eyes stared straight at Ah Yin, revealing a trace of confusion.

A hint of motherly affection flashed through Ah Yin's eyes. She crouched down and stroked Xiao Wu's head, two soft dimples appearing on her fair cheeks.

"Sister A Rou, have you made up your mind?"

Dugu Chen quietly watched the heartwarming scene at the side. Then he turned to A Rou and smiled brightly.

"I..."

A struggle flashed across A Rou's face, and her eyes gained a measure of hesitation.

"Sister A Rou, even if you don't consider yourself, you should consider Xiao Wu, shouldn't you?"

Dugu Chen's voice was earnest as he gazed at A Rou and spoke softly.

"Besides, you and Xiao Wu are too conspicuous living in the Star Dou Great Forest. It would be easy for someone to set their sights on you. So I truly think you should consider it."

"That way, Sister Ah Yin will have a friend by her side and won't be so lonely!"

A Rou slowly raised her eyes and looked seriously into Dugu Chen's. His eyes were exceedingly clear, without any sign of schemes or calculations. A faint smile hung on his face, making him seem confident and carefree.

For some reason, A Rou's resolve gradually began to waver.

Perhaps it was because of his sincere gaze, or perhaps because of his warm, brilliant smile.

After a long while, A Rou took a deep breath. The confusion in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a touch of gentleness and softness.

She looked at Dugu Chen, a mild smile appearing on her face. "It seems you've moved me. I hope you won't disappoint me!"

Joy rose in Dugu Chen's heart. Determination shone in his eyes as he looked at her intently.

"Don't worry. Please believe in me, and believe in Sister Ah Yin as well. We definitely won't disappoint you."

"Mm. Since I've made my decision, I won't go back on my word."

"It's just that I still have a few friends in the forest. I want to go say goodbye to them."

A faint blush appeared on A Rou's face as she spoke gently.

"All right, then we'll wait for you here!"

Dugu Chen smiled brightly, and inwardly he let out a small sigh of relief. But immediately afterward, another joyful worry arose.

How was he supposed to explain this to his father and older brother when he returned?

Just as he was troubled by it, a pair of soft, fair little hands suddenly wrapped around his waist, followed by a warm, soft body pressing against him.

Ah Yin tilted her head and looked at him with a radiant smile.

"Resolved?"

Dugu Chen pinched her cheek and smiled. "Of course. When I step in, what could possibly fail?"

"From now on, you and Sister A Rou can live at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Once both of you enter the mature stage, no one will be able to discover your identities!"