Chen Xin and Gu Rong Stunned! Who Knew Such a Paradise Existed?

At the mention of Xiao Yao, the Clouded Deer's eyes filled with tenderness, like a snowbound lake thawing at the first touch of spring.

She reached out a trembling paw and gently stroked her daughter's head, her voice soft.

"This child is all I have left. If I hadn't been protecting her, Spirit Hall's people wouldn't have hounded me for so long."

Xiao Yao nestled against her mother. Feeling her warmth, she gradually relaxed.

She looked up at Xiao Shenghe with wide, admiring eyes.

"Big brother, what's your name? Your flames were amazing! That stone wall stopped the bad people in an instant!"

"I'm Xiao Shenghe."

Xiao Shenghe scratched his head and smiled bashfully, his cheeks turning faintly red.

"My Soul Skill is the Six Seals of Primordial Yellow. That was an extension of my first Soul Skill. Your comb is beautiful. Did your mother make those special patterns?"

At the mention of her antler comb, Xiao Yao's face lit up with pride. She held it high, showing it off like a treasure.

"Yes! Mom made it from Dad's antler. He was the strongest stag in the forest, but... but human Soul Masters killed him last year."

Her voice faded. Her eyes reddened again, and tears as big as beans rolled down her cheeks onto the comb.

Xiao Shenghe's heart ached. He crouched down and comforted her gently.

"Don't cry, Xiao Yao. I'll protect you and your mother from now on! I won't let the bad people bully you again."

The Clouded Deer watched the two children's innocent exchange, then glanced at the two Titled Douluo beside her. They were gentle, without the slightest air of superiority. The last trace of wariness in her heart vanished like smoke.

She could clearly feel that none of the three meant any harm. Their eyes were clear and sincere, nothing like those greedy, brutal Soul Masters of Spirit Hall who coveted nothing but Soul Rings and Soul Bones.

"Young friend Xiao, Senior Chen Xin, Senior Gu Rong."

The Clouded Deer drew a deep breath and spoke solemnly, her voice brimming with gratitude.

"I will never forget what you did for us today. If you don't mind, please come rest at Spirit Creek Valley up ahead. It's my home and relatively safe. Let me offer you some hospitality and repay you for saving our lives."

Xiao Shenghe's eyes lit up. He turned to Sword Douluo and Gu Rong. When they exchanged a glance and nodded, he smiled at the Clouded Deer.

"Sure! Sorry for the trouble, ma'am."

Some time later.

The entrance to Spirit Creek Valley lay hidden behind a lush bamboo grove. As they passed through layer upon layer of green bamboo shadows, the view suddenly opened before them.

A clear stream wound through the valley, its waters murmuring. Strange flowers and grasses grew along its banks, releasing a fragrance that refreshed the heart. Rich, pure Soul Power filled the air, leaving them at ease from head to toe.

Before they could take in the paradise-like scenery, urgent cries rang out from within the valley, bursting with unrestrained joy and anxiety.

"Chief! Young Chief!"

Before the echoes had faded, dozens of figures surged out from the grass by the stream and from behind the trees.

Xiao Shenghe and his two companions stopped short, their pupils contracting.

They were Soul Beasts of every shape: a lion-like giant covered in ice crystals, a long-necked spirit bird with shimmering wings, a pitch-black mammoth with legs thick as pillars, and even an enormous python with a long tail and scales gleaming like metal.

They dwarfed ordinary Soul Beasts. The waves of Soul Power around them were mighty and dense, each carrying the pressure unique to a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Though they had not fully taken human form, they were plainly intelligent.

At their head stood a snow-white White Spirit Deer. Her antlers branched like coral, and her eyes were full of worry.

When she saw Gu Rong supporting the Clouded Deer, whose blood had yet to dry, she hurried forward, her voice trembling.

"You—you're both all right!"

The other Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts crowded around, their gazes fixed on the Clouded Deer and Xiao Yao, full of concern and lingering fear.

The once-quiet Spirit Creek Valley erupted with noise. Beast roars and birdcalls rose and fell together, carrying no hostility, only the joy of reunion after disaster.

"Thank goodness! The chief came back safe!"

"We sensed a fierce clash of Soul Power outside the valley. We were worried sick!"

"Was the Young Chief hurt? Those Spirit Hall scum didn't lay a hand on you, did they?"

The Clouded Deer shook her head gently. Her voice was still hoarse, but relief had entered it.

"We're fine. Thanks to these three human friends. Otherwise, Xiao Yao and I might have..."

Before she could finish, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts noticed Xiao Shenghe and his companions.

Every sound stopped at once.

The joy in their eyes turned to wariness and scrutiny. Powerful currents of Soul Power stirred and closed around the three, bearing down on them. Yet the beasts did not attack, evidently mindful of the Clouded Deer's attitude.

Xiao Shenghe marveled inwardly as his gaze swept over the Soul Beasts surrounding them.

That's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Azure Sky Bull Flood Dragon, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Titan Diamond Ape, and...

There are a hundred Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts here!

At a rough count, there were nearly a hundred of them. Every one radiated Soul Power unmistakably at the hundred-thousand-year level. Such a gathering would have been exceedingly rare even in the heart of a Soul Beast forest.

Beside him, surprise flickered through Sword Douluo Chen Xin's eyes, and the fingers resting on his sword hilt paused.

Gu Rong's smile faded as well. His gaunt brows rose slightly, his eyes filled with wonder.

The two men exchanged a glance and saw the same shock in each other's eyes.

Spirit Creek Valley held this many Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts that had not taken human form!

Xiao Shenghe drew a deep breath and calmed the surge in his heart. His smile remained warm, without a trace of panic.

He could sense the beasts' caution but no malice. They were simply protecting their own.

Xiao Yao peeked out from behind her mother. Seeing her familiar clansfolk, she broke into a happy smile and raised her antler comb toward the White Spirit Deer at their head.

"Uncle White Deer, Brother Xiao and the others saved Mom and me! The bad people from Spirit Hall were so scary, but Brother Xiao stopped them with his flames!"

At Xiao Yao's words, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts eased their guard a little. Their eyes remained fixed on the three visitors, however; their distrust of humans had not vanished.

The Clouded Deer patted Xiao Yao's head, then turned to her clansfolk and spoke firmly.

"Everyone, these three saved my life."

"Young friend Xiao, Senior Chen Xin, and Senior Gu Rong are not villains greedy for Soul Rings and Soul Bones. Without them, Xiao Yao and I would already have died at Spirit Hall's hands."

She paused, her gaze passing over every Soul Beast.

"We cannot protect the peace of Spirit Creek Valley by ourselves. Today has also shown me that not all humans are our enemies."

"Please set aside your wariness and treat our three benefactors well."

The White Spirit Deer at their head pondered for a moment. The caution gradually left her eyes. She dipped her head to Xiao Shenghe and his companions, her voice deep.

"Since you saved our chief, you are honored guests of Spirit Creek Valley. Please forgive our earlier discourtesy."

At her words, the other Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts withdrew their Soul Power. Curiosity replaced scrutiny in their eyes as they gathered around the three and murmured among themselves.

"These humans don't look like the Soul Masters who hunt us."

"That boy looks so gentle. He isn't scary at all."

"The white-haired grandfather has such a powerful aura. Is he even stronger than the chief?"