"Help... help... little... little Auspicious Beast... help me..."
The thought entering the Nine-Colored Deer's mind came in fragments and sounded incredibly weak, yet it could sense an immense aura of spiritual origin within it.
The Nine-Colored Deer's cultivation was interrupted. It opened its clear eyes and looked toward the depths of the rippling Lake of Life with a trace of confusion.
Its powerful spiritual power allowed it to follow that mental force and pinpoint its source.
But faced with this unfamiliar plea for help, the Nine-Colored Deer did not readily believe it.
Ever since it had been deceived by humans, it was no longer as trusting as it had once been.
"Who are you?"
The Nine-Colored Deer tried responding with its own spiritual power. Its thought was pure and gentle, like a clear spring.
"I... I'm Tian Meng... Sky Dream Ice Silkworm..."
Upon hearing the Nine-Colored Deer's gentle response, the thought seemed to have grasped a lifeline, and his words immediately became excited.
"I was... trapped beneath here... by Di Tian and the others... for many years... They've been draining... my power... I can't hold on much longer... little Auspicious Beast... only you can help me..."
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm?
The Nine-Colored Deer was unfamiliar with that name, but it could sense the weakness conveyed through his thoughts, as well as that immense spiritual origin.
The Nine-Colored Deer was kind by nature. Hearing that he had been imprisoned and his power drained, it could not help feeling a trace of pity.
"How can I help you?"
It was simply in its nature to help every creature that needed aid.
Yet the Nine-Colored Deer still harbored suspicions toward Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. Based on its perception of that spiritual power, it could clearly tell that no one in the Star Dou Great Forest possessed spiritual power greater than Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's.
Even Di Tian, known as the Beast God, was inferior to Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in terms of spiritual power.
"Let me... let me out! Or help disrupt the seal a little. As long as there's even the tiniest gap, I'll find a chance to escape." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's thoughts were filled with temptation aimed at the Nine-Colored Deer.
As the only Million-Year Soul Beast on the Douluo Continent, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm believed his spiritual power ranked among the top three on the entire continent. Thus, despite being trapped deep beneath the Lake of Life, he could still use his immense spiritual power to secretly learn information about the outside world.
During this time, after learning that Di Tian had brought a newly born Auspicious Beast back to the Lake of Life, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's thoughts began to stir.
Ever since being trapped, he had constantly searched for an opportunity to escape the Lake of Life, and in Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's eyes, the Auspicious Beast's arrival was an excellent chance.
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm believed that Di Tian and the others would surely not guard against the Auspicious Beast. As long as he bewitched it, he would have a chance to leave this place.
Besides, with the strength of a Million-Year Soul Beast, wouldn't bewitching an Auspicious Beast that had only been born recently be effortless?
"You are the Auspicious Beast. Di Tian and the others won't hurt you. Help me, and I can give you tremendous benefits. I can make you the strongest Soul Beast."
The Nine-Colored Deer frowned slightly.
It was kind, but not foolish.
The impatience in Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's thoughts, along with his transactional promise, instinctively made it feel that something was wrong.
Just as it was about to question him further, a terrifying pressure like heavenly might instantly blanketed the entire Lake of Life.
Boom!
The lake surface instantly became as still as a mirror. Even the slightest ripple vanished, and space itself seemed frozen.
The Nine-Colored Deer knew that Di Tian had discovered Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's little scheme.
"Hmph! Insolent creature. You actually dared to try and bewitch the Auspicious Beast."
Di Tian's cold, imposing voice rang directly throughout the entire core region.
The Nine-Colored Deer hurriedly composed itself.
It could sense that with Di Tian's arrival, the faint mental thought from the bottom of the lake let out a shrill, terrified scream.
Its connection with him was also severed by Di Tian in an instant.
"Auspicious Beast!"
Di Tian's voice turned toward the Nine-Colored Deer. Though it remained imposing, it clearly carried a trace more concern.
"Are you all right? That is a cunning and greedy Million-Year Soul Beast. It once tried to steal our energy, so we imprisoned it here and drew out its excess power to nourish the forest. Do not believe a single word it says. Cultivate in peace. Increasing your strength is what truly matters!"
Afterward, Di Tian turned to Scarlet King.
"Scarlet King!"
"My lord!"
Scarlet King's three heads immediately lifted as he answered respectfully.
Damn Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. He had actually dared to bewitch the Auspicious Beast, and even gotten Scarlet King scolded by Di Tian because of it.
"Keep a close watch on him! If this happens again, you will answer for it!" Di Tian's voice carried unquestionable authority.
"Yes!" Scarlet King lowered his three heads in terror.
That horrifying pressure receded like the tide, as if it had never appeared.
The Lake of Life regained its tranquility, with only the life energy steaming from its surface remaining.
The Nine-Colored Deer lay back down on the massive rock. Its clear eyes gazed into the lake's unfathomable depths, while turmoil churned within its heart.
A Million-Year Soul Beast, imprisoned and drained of power to nourish the forest?
Di Tian's explanation appeared reasonable, but Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's weak plea for help, along with Di Tian's swift and violent reaction, made the Nine-Colored Deer feel that things were far from as simple as they seemed.
The Lake of Life concealed a tremendous secret.
But the Nine-Colored Deer was powerless to investigate. It was still far too weak.
It closed its eyes once more and continued cultivating.
Frost City.
For several days in a row, every evening, Lin Zao would appear punctually beside the gates of Frost City Junior Soul Master Academy.
He still wore the gray fitted uniform of a Spirit Hall reserve student and smiled foolishly.
Lin Wan had long grown accustomed to it.
Whenever he finished a day of classes, he would see Lin Zao looking around at the gate, then the two of them would head together toward the Spirit Hall cafeteria.
Spirit Hall's food truly surpassed the work-study students' cafeteria by miles. Lin Wan even felt that his silver hair seemed to have become more lustrous.
However, today was somewhat different.
When Lin Wan followed the crowd out through the academy gates, he spotted Lin Zao standing in his usual place at first glance.
The setting sun outlined his figure. Unlike usual, he did not wave excitedly. He merely stood there quietly, head slightly lowered, his toes unconsciously grinding the pebbles on the ground.
A stifling gloom hung over him.
Lin Wan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he understood.
It seemed Lin Zao was about to leave for the Soul Master Academy in Spirit City.
He took a deep breath of the cold air, quickly putting on the same relaxed smile as usual before striding over.
"Zaozao! Why are you so down today? Is Spirit Hall's food not delicious anymore?"
Lin Zao raised his head and forced out a silly smile.
"No, Brother Wan. Come on, let's eat."
Lin Zao's voice was somewhat low.
Seeing this, Lin Wan took the initiative to sling an arm around his shoulders and led him toward Spirit Hall, casually chatting with him about this and that.
Before you continue