Nine-Colored Deer and Sky Dream Ice Silkworm

"Help... help... Little Auspicious Beast... help me..."

The thought entering the Nine-Colored Deer's mind came in fits and starts, filled with weakness. Yet the Nine-Colored Deer sensed within it an immense aura of spiritual origin.

The Nine-Colored Deer's cultivation was interrupted. It opened its clear eyes and looked in puzzlement toward the depths of the rippling Lake of Life.

Its powerful spiritual power allowed it to trace the source of that mental energy.

But faced with this unfamiliar plea for help, the Nine-Colored Deer did not trust it easily.

Ever since it had been deceived by humans, it was no longer as trusting as it had been at first.

"Who are you?"

The Nine-Colored Deer tried responding with its 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. His words immediately became excited.

"I was... trapped beneath here by Di Tian and the others... for many years... They're 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, along with that immense spiritual power at its source.

The Nine-Colored Deer was kind by nature. Hearing that he had been imprisoned and was having his power drained, it could not help but feel a trace of pity.

"How can I help you?"

It was simply in its nature. It would help every living being that needed help.

Yet the Nine-Colored Deer still harbored doubts about 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 his.

Even Di Tian, hailed as the Beast God, was inferior to Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in terms of spiritual power.

"Let me... let me out! Or help me 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.

As the only million-year soul beast on Douluo Continent, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm believed his spiritual power ranked among the top three on the entire continent. Thus, even while trapped in the depths of the Lake of Life, he could still use his immense spiritual power to secretly learn about the outside world.

Recently, after learning that Di Tian had brought a newborn Auspicious Beast back to the Lake of Life, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's mind began to stir.

Ever since being trapped, he had constantly searched for a chance to escape the Lake of Life. In Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's eyes, the arrival of this Auspicious Beast was an excellent opportunity.

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm believed that Di Tian and the others would surely not guard against the Auspicious Beast. As long as he tempted it, he would have a chance to leave this place.

Besides, with the strength of a million-year soul beast, would it not be effortless for him to tempt a newly born Auspicious Beast?

"You're an Auspicious Beast. Di Tian and the others won't hurt you. Help me, and I can give you unimaginable 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 the transactional promise, instinctively made it feel that something was wrong.

Just as it was about to question him further, a terrifying pressure like the might of heaven suddenly enveloped the entire Lake of Life.

Boom!

The lake's surface instantly became 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 move.

"Hmph! You ignorant thing, daring to delude the Auspicious Beast."

Di Tian's cold, imposing voice rang directly through the entire core region.

The Nine-Colored Deer hurriedly calmed its mind.

It could sense a shrill, terrified scream coming from the weak spiritual thought at the bottom of the lake as Di Tian appeared.

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 still imposing, it was clearly tinged with concern.

"Are you all right? That is a cunning, greedy million-year soul beast. He once tried to steal our energy, so we imprisoned him here and drained his excess power to nourish the forest. Don't believe a single word he says. Cultivate in peace. Improving your strength is what matters most!"

Then Di Tian turned toward Scarlet King.

"Scarlet King!"

"My lord!"

Scarlet King's three heads instantly lifted, and he answered respectfully.

Damn Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. He had actually dared to tempt the Auspicious Beast, and even caused him to be scolded by Di Tian.

"Watch him closely! If there's a next time, I'll hold you responsible!" Di Tian's voice carried unquestionable authority.

"Yes!" Scarlet King lowered his three heads in terror.

That terrifying pressure receded like the tide, as though it had never appeared.

The Lake of Life returned to tranquility, with only the life energy steaming above its surface remaining.

The Nine-Colored Deer lay back down on the huge rock. Its clear eyes gazed toward the deep lakebed, but its heart was in turmoil.

A million-year soul beast, imprisoned and drained of power to nourish the forest?

Di Tian's explanation seemed 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 appeared.

The Lake of Life concealed an enormous secret.

But the Nine-Colored Deer lacked the strength 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 was still wearing the gray fitted uniform of a Spirit Hall preparatory student, smiling foolishly.

Lin Wan had long since grown used to it.

Whenever he finished a day of classes, he would see Lin Zao looking around by the gates. Then, he would walk with Lin Zao toward the Spirit Hall cafeteria.

Spirit Hall's food truly surpassed the work-study student cafeteria by far. 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 once.

The setting sun outlined his figure. Rather than waving excitedly as usual, he merely stood there quietly with his head slightly lowered, unconsciously grinding the gravel beneath his toes.

A stifling gloom seemed to hang 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 put on the same relaxed smile as always, and strode over.

"Zaozao! Why are you so listless today? Has Spirit Hall's food stopped tasting good?"

Lin Zao raised his head and forced out a foolish grin.

"No, Brother Wan. Let's go 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 about this and that in an easy tone.