Worry

A year later, as he stepped into the Star Dou Forest once more, Dongfang Yu still felt uneasy. Even a Title Douluo was not enough to make him feel truly safe.

"Follow me," Yue Guan said over his shoulder. Dongfang Yu immediately followed close behind.

The two gradually moved from the outskirts toward the center. Along the way, Dongfang Yu cautiously surveyed his surroundings, afraid that some ferocious tiger might suddenly leap out at him.

The cold wind howled, and the surroundings were desolate. The deeper they went, the more uneasy he became. A mere 1,700-year Soul Beast actually dared to live this deep inside?

Dongfang Yu could not help asking, "Uncle Yue, how much farther is it?"

Without slowing down or looking back, Yue Guan replied, "Soon."

Dongfang Yu's mouth twitched. They were practically entering the center already, yet they still had to go farther in?

He had no choice. For the sake of his Soul Ring, Dongfang Yu could only steel himself and keep walking. As long as they did not approach the Azure Bull Python's territory, Yue Guan should still be able to take him and escape from the Titan Giant Ape alone.

The Azure Bull Python rarely showed itself, and very few people knew of it. Yue Guan was one of them, though he probably did not know its exact location.

Before long, Yue Guan led Dongfang Yu into hiding near a lake. "This is the place. Strange, isn't it? A thousand-year Soul Beast like the Sky-Steed actually appears in the center of the forest, and no other Soul Beasts dare approach this place."

"Could it be..." Yue Guan muttered, frowning slightly.

"Uncle Yue, could it be... what?"

"Could this be the nest of an overlord-level Soul Beast?" Yue Guan slowly voiced his guess.

Dongfang Yu glanced at the lake, and his expression turned rather grim.

The center of the Star Dou Forest, a lake?!

Good heavens!

"Uncle Yue, th-this... how about we leave?" Dongfang Yu surrendered without a shred of dignity. Yue Guan did not know what was in the lake, but he certainly did!

"You're scared?" Yue Guan looked at him in confusion, then added, "It's fine. It's broad daylight. As long as we aren't surrounded, even if we encounter the King of the Forest, I can still take you away."

"We had no choice but to come here. This is the only place in the Star Dou Forest where Sky-Steeds appear, and you need this Soul Ring badly. We just need to be careful."

Even after hearing Yue Guan's reassurance, Dongfang Yu could not feel any better. He had not been too worried before, but he had never expected this old man to bring him straight to this lake in the center of the forest!

This lake was located in the heart of the forest. There were no Soul Beasts around it at all—not even the sounds of insects or birds. And with such a vast expanse... apart from the Azure Bull Python's residence, Dongfang Yu truly could not think of any other Soul Beast nest that fit the description.

"Isn't this... too risky?" Dongfang Yu asked tensely, terrified out of his mind.

"Fortune is sought amid danger. How can those who accomplish great things avoid taking risks?" Yue Guan said with a smile.

Dongfang Yu inwardly groaned. This was not taking a risk. If they really disturbed the Azure Bull Python, it would be no different from courting death.

Because of Little Bunny's mother, the Azure Bull Python hated Spirit Hall deeply. If the two of them were caught by it, it would be a miracle if anything good came of it.

"Uncle Yue... do you know about the Azure Bull Python?"

"Little Yu, where did you hear of it?" Yue Guan's eyes were full of curiosity. Not many people knew of it. He only knew that the Azure Bull Python was somewhere in the Star Dou Forest; he truly had no idea where exactly.

"Don't worry about where I heard it from. Uncle Yue, do you know where it is?" Dongfang Yu decided to persuade Yue Guan to retreat. But even if he said that the Azure Bull Python was in the lake, Yue Guan might not believe him. There was no evidence at all.

"I really don't know that." Yue Guan shook his head, then suddenly froze. His eyes widened as he stared at Dongfang Yu. "You mean... it's here?"

Dongfang Yu shook his head slightly. "I don't know. I'm only guessing."

"What basis do you have for that guess? The Star Dou Forest is enormous, and it still hasn't been fully explored," Yue Guan said solemnly with a frown.

"But... this is the center, and that lake is bottomless. What if there's a Soul Beast inside?" Dongfang Yu continued trying to persuade him.

Yue Guan nodded slightly and muttered, "You're right. This place is far too unusual."

"So..." Dongfang Yu intended to press the advantage.

"Shh!"

"Little Yu, look!" Yue Guan lowered his voice and pointed at the lake.

Dongfang Yu looked in the indicated direction, and his pupils constricted.

My life is over!

Fine, if I really have to die young, then please just send down a bolt of annihilating lightning and get it over with.

The Soul Beast had a snow-white body. It was a horse-type Soul Beast, yet it did not quite look like one, because a red horn rose from its forehead. Calling it a horse, it looked more like a unicorn.

It was three to four meters long and nearly two meters tall. It was larger and sturdier than an ordinary horse-type Soul Beast.

It was beautiful. If this world were a field of snow, it would undoubtedly be an elf amid the snow.

At that moment, it was lowering its head by the lake to drink, seemingly unconcerned about any danger. That made sense. In the Azure Bull Python's territory, who would be blind enough to come here and hunt?

Yue Guan sighed softly. "Around 2,000 years. It isn't suitable for you."

Dongfang Yu fell silent upon hearing that. Right, he had no cheat, and he did not dare take the Immortal Herbs for the time being.

He truly did not dare casually attempt to absorb a Soul Ring beyond his level. He was not like Tang San, with cultivation techniques and such, nor did he have a god's favor. If absorbing a Soul Ring blew him apart, who could he complain to?

"Let's wait a little longer," Yue Guan said softly. Since they had already found a Sky-Steed, there was no way he would consider retreating.

Dongfang Yu looked at Yue Guan and said nothing more. Forget it. This was all for his sake. Yue Guan was wholeheartedly trying to help him, so what was the point of him constantly holding them back?

Now, he could only hope the Azure Bull Python would not come out. But... since the Sky-Steed dared come here to drink, did that mean the Azure Bull Python approved of it?

If it really was a Soul Beast protected by the Azure Bull Python, Dongfang Yu did not even dare imagine the consequences.

That Sky-Steed soon left. Yue Guan ultimately did not make a move, and afterward, his gaze remained fixed on the area around the lake.

Dongfang Yu kept praying inwardly, Don't come out! Don't come out!

But heaven did not grant his wish. Soon, another Sky-Steed came to the lakeside. It looked thinner than the previous one.

Yue Guan said helplessly, "Around 1,850 years. Let's wait a little longer."

Dongfang Yu stared fixedly at the center of the lake and sighed inwardly. If it really comes out, I can only fight to the death and use everything I've learned!

Gradually, half an hour passed, and no more Sky-Steeds appeared. This made Dongfang Yu relax slightly.

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