The morning sunlight
filtered through the towering trees of the Doldia Great Forest, their branches and leaves overlapping like a vast canopy.
It scattered countless warm, dappled spots of light across the woodland.
Today was their second day in the Beastfolk village.
Cui Ciyou and his companions were still adjusting
to this unique way of life among the towering trees, with its rustic, natural beauty.
As honored guests who had saved a chief's granddaughter,
the two enthusiastic chiefs had given them a spacious treehouse high on the village's main tree, with the most expansive view.
Carefully built from thousand-year-old timber, the treehouse was sturdy.
Its furnishings were simple, and a rugged yet cozy atmosphere filled every corner.
Through the enormous windows sealed with a special translucent, durable resin,
they could even look down over most of the village
and the endless sea of green forest beyond.
Alice was fascinated by the wooden suspension bridges and walkways hanging in midair between the treehouses.
Her desire to explore them seemed boundless.
Early that morning, she had dragged a still-drowsy, reluctant Sylphy along
and raced back and forth across the swaying bridges.
Her bright, uninhibited laughter rang like silver bells through the quiet forest.
Cui Ciyou stood on the treehouse's terrace, which offered an unobstructed view.
With one hand resting on the railing woven from tough vines,
he quietly watched the busy, orderly lives of the Beastfolk below.
Rujierd stood silently beside him.
His eyes were closed as he rested, as though he had become one with the ancient tree behind him.
The six Beastfolk girls rescued the day before
had also recovered some of their spirits under their families' care.
Seni, the shy little girl with dog ears,
spotted Cui Ciyou on the terrace from a distance and timidly waved.
Then she