Ice Soul's Protection could not only be activated at will, but also protect its wielder automatically.
Moreover, aside from its once-a-day limit, Ice Soul's Protection could rapidly recover by consuming precious ice-attribute natural treasures through the Extreme Dust Ice Bow's Ice Devouring ability.
In theory, with enough precious ice-attribute natural treasures, no one could harm Gu Yunxiao's soul.
"Looks like this worm is good for something after all."
"All four Soul Skills are excellent, especially the last one. It's an absolute lifesaving trump card."
Even Di Tian was surprised when he heard what Ice Soul's Protection could do.
Gu Yunxiao nodded, then put away the Extreme Dust Ice Bow and asked, "Uncle Tian, can you really erase the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's memories by cutting away half his soul?"
"Yes."
Di Tian nodded, but then changed tack. "However, there's no way to control how much of his memory gets erased. Cutting away half is the safest option."
"He won't just have no memory of you. He'll forget this place, too."
There were indeed powerful psychic Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest, as well as Soul Beasts capable of erasing the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's memories of Gu Yunxiao.
But Di Tian couldn't be bothered.
Sparing the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's life had already exhausted his patience.
"Mm."
Gu Yunxiao gave a quiet acknowledgment.
"Yunxiao, was it your Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon Martial Soul that repelled that strand of the worm's soul just now?" Di Tian asked.
"...Yes."
Gu Yunxiao had intended to pin it on the Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon anyway.
In truth, it wasn't the Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon that had repelled the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, but the Ice God's lingering soul fragment.
Though she was asleep, that didn't mean she was completely unaware of what happened outside.
The Ice God disliked being disturbed, and disliked having too many people know her identity even more, so she had placed a barrier within Gu Yunxiao's sea of consciousness.
That barrier also offered a certain degree of protection.
"It's just as well that he was repelled."
"Though that fragment of the worm's soul could no longer threaten you, having him reside in your sea of consciousness would still pose a slight risk."
"Still, this shows that the Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon Martial Soul has some awareness of protecting its master and can stand guard over your soul..."
Di Tian continued explaining as he led Gu Yunxiao out of that space.
"Phew..."
Beside the Lake of Life, Gu Yunxiao took a deep breath and stretched.
Di Tian had already headed to the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest to find a suitable host for the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's soul fragment.
As for how that would turn out, there was no way to know.
Gu Yunxiao didn't care, either. All he cared about was his upcoming cultivation plan.
Di Tian had said he had arranged a "teacher" for him.
"I wonder which Ferocious Beast it is?"
Gu Yunxiao knew that the "teacher" Di Tian mentioned had to be one of the Ferocious Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Yunxiao!"
Just then, a gentle, melodious voice sounded behind him.
Hearing that familiar voice, Gu Yunxiao knew who had arrived without even turning around.
"Senior Bi Ji."
Gu Yunxiao smiled faintly and turned to face the lovely figure in green before him.
The woman wore a long aqua-green dress. With delicate features, fair skin, and a slender, fragile figure, she exuded a gentle grace.
Beside her stood an unusual Soul Beast, covered in golden fur, with four dragonlike paws and a pair of uncanny red eyes.
Most striking of all was the vertical mark between the Soul Beast's brows-another eye, radiating a peculiar aura.
Only one Soul Beast in the entire Star Dou Great Forest possessed such features.
The Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion!
"Big golden retriever."
Gu Yunxiao greeted the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
Because of his identity, age, and other factors, he had few friends in the Star Dou Great Forest. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion counted as one.
He was quite fond of this "big golden retriever," too.
For one thing, her tragic fate in the original story, having caught a certain God King's attention, had truly been rotten luck.
For another, he had spent six years with her. There was genuine affection between them.
"Gu Yunxiao, you're the golden retriever!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's fur bristled at once, a trace of irritation creeping into her clear voice.
The first time Gu Yunxiao had called her a "golden retriever," she hadn't known what it was and had innocently assumed he was complimenting her.
Until one day, Gu Yunxiao had let it slip.
That day, she had been too angry to eat. She had wanted to eat a person... to eat Gu Yunxiao!
Though Gu Yunxiao had later explained the creature called a "golden retriever" to her in detail, that still couldn't change the fact that a golden retriever was a dog.
"Golden retriever is pretty good. It paints a vivid picture."
Gu Yunxiao stepped forward, preparing to reach out and stroke the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's fur.
"Hmph!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion gave a petulant snort and backed away, refusing to let him touch her.
"Fine, I won't call you golden retriever anymore."
Gu Yunxiao chuckled helplessly, then withdrew his hand and looked at Bi Ji. "Senior Bi Ji, Uncle Tian sent you, didn't he?"
"Mm."
Bi Ji smiled and nodded, then shifted the subject, saying meaningfully, "Yunxiao, there's no need to call me senior. Just call me by my name."
She knew something of Gu Yunxiao's identity as well.
If her guess was right, Di Tian would soon arrange a gathering of the Ferocious Beasts, where Gu Yunxiao would face them all with an entirely new identity.
As for what that identity would be, she knew perfectly well.
That was why Bi Ji dared not style herself as Gu Yunxiao's "senior."
"All right, Bi Ji."
Gu Yunxiao didn't object and addressed her directly by name.
Since he had inherited the Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon bloodline, he would face his own identity squarely.
Bi Ji smiled faintly and said gently, "Yunxiao, starting tomorrow, I'll guide your cultivation and teach you theoretical knowledge."
"Once you've built a foundation in theory, someone else will teach you practical combat."
"I came today to let you know in advance, so you can prepare."
"Someone else will teach me practical combat? Who?" Gu Yunxiao asked curiously.
"Zi JI."
Bi Ji spoke the name softly, making no attempt to hide it.
Upon hearing that it was Zi JI, Gu Yunxiao's expression gradually grew strange. He seemed to recall something, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
Bi Ji keenly noticed his reaction and asked in puzzlement, "Yunxiao, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Gu Yunxiao shook his head.
"Zi JI is a bad woman. She'll bully Gu Yunxiao," the Three-Eyed Golden Lion suddenly said, her tone tinged with jealousy.
The corner of Gu Yunxiao's mouth twitched. He had no reply.
"Bully?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Bi Ji's eyes, followed by a peculiar look. The Auspicious Beast probably means teasing him.
Given Gu Yunxiao's status, if any Soul Beast or Ferocious Beast dared to bully him, Di Tian would bare his dragon claws at once.
Besides, knowing Zi JI's temperament, she was probably flirting with Gu Yunxiao.
"Golden... Auspicious Beast, you've bullied me plenty yourself."
Gu Yunxiao reached out and patted the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's large head.
"Nonsense! I was afraid you'd be bored on your own, so I kindly kept you company!" The Three-Eyed Golden Lion bumped Gu Yunxiao with her head. "You bad person! You don't appreciate it at all!"
"Really? Are you sure it wasn't just because you wanted to play?"
Gu Yunxiao smiled, looking as though he had seen right through her.
"I didn't! I'm not! Don't make things up!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's gaze wandered, and her voice sounded distinctly guilty.
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