Over four years, Gu Yunxiao's Soul Power cultivation had reached the peak of level 34, only a step away from level 35.
He had taken little time to rise from zero to level 30. Above level 30, however, even with Ice Devouring helping him, he struggled to gain a single level in several months.
Ultimate Ice, Ultimate Water, Ultimate Fire, and Ultimate Wind-the combat power these four Ultimate Attributes granted was terrifying, but they also weighed heavily on his progress.
"Young master, shall I spar with you?"
Zi JI clasped her hands behind her back and leaned down to look at Gu Yunxiao, her face wreathed in smiles.
There was none of a Ferocious Beast's imposing presence in that pose. She looked no different from a lively young woman.
Gu Yunxiao had already grown used to it.
"No."
Gu Yunxiao shook his head, his voice cool. "I'm learning the Dragon Clan's combat techniques from you, not how to control and use multiple elements."
"Young master, I can be your target."
"Another day. Let's head back to the Lake of Life first. The Auspicious Beast is probably getting angry."
"...All right."
Zi JI's eyes dimmed slightly, bitterness stirring in her heart.
She knew her place in Gu Yunxiao's heart had never matched the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's.
Although she had a chance of developing a physical relationship with Gu Yunxiao, gaining a place in his heart like the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's would be difficult.
Having a relationship is better than having none. Who can say what the future holds?
Zi JI thought to herself, with no intention of giving up.
She firmly believed affection would grow with time, even if it was only a little.
Night.
The Lake of Life.
The moment Gu Yunxiao returned, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion came charging over like a miniature sun and planted a paw on his foot.
"Gu Yunxiao, you promised to come right back, and you're late again!"
"Tell me, what did you two do?"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared straight at Gu Yunxiao, her red eyes full of suspicion.
She wasn't afraid of Gu Yunxiao going out alone. What worried her was him going out with Zi JI.
Zi JI was a bad woman who was always coveting Gu Yunxiao.
"It isn't that late, is it?"
Gu Yunxiao shook his head with a smile and reached out to stroke the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's head. "Besides, don't be so fiery-tempered. You make it sound like you're the young master."
"Hmph. You're always using that title to lord it over me."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion huffed, but she didn't keep questioning him. Instead, she caught the hem of his clothes between her teeth. "I'm hungry."
"Then eat."
"I want roasted meat."
"In your dreams. Stay hungry, then."
"Gu! Yun! Xiao!" Furious, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion immediately slammed her head hard into Gu Yunxiao's chest.
"I'm teasing. I'll roast some for you."
Gu Yunxiao smiled and walked aside to start preparing the ingredients.
Over the past four years, he and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion had grown closer and closer. Bickering, roughhousing, teasing each other, and caring for each other had become everyday fare.
"That's more like it. Since you trained so late today, I'll help." The Three-Eyed Golden Lion walked over to Gu Yunxiao's side to lend a hand.
Not far away, Zi JI watched the scene with envy in her eyes.
"Zi JI, what are you looking at?"
Suddenly, a meaningful voice sounded beside Zi JI.
Zi JI instinctively turned and gazed silently at Bi Ji.
Bi Ji smiled gently, shifting her gaze to Gu Yunxiao and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. "The young master and the Auspicious Beast are very close. It's inevitable that they'll end up together."
"Yes."
Zi JI smiled, her tone a little strained.
"..."
Bi Ji remained silent for a long while before saying, "You like the young master."
"Yes."
Zi JI didn't deny it, nodding in acknowledgment.
"The young master is so outstanding. It's only natural for you to fall for him." Bi Ji nodded, her gaze growing softer as it rested on Gu Yunxiao.
Zi JI had spent four years with Gu Yunxiao, but hadn't she done the same? In fact, she had known him even longer.
After all, ever since the day Gu Yunxiao came to the Star Dou Great Forest, she had cared for him several times.
"Bi Ji, what about you?"
Zi JI suddenly asked.
"...I want the young master to be well." Bi Ji sidestepped the question, her gaze wavering slightly.
Zi JI took it all in, but instead of exposing her, she simply smiled.
"Bi Ji, Zi JI, why are you standing around?"
"Come lend a hand, and let the other Ferocious Beasts know to bring their tribute...oh, no, to come over for a little gathering."
Gu Yunxiao called out to Bi Ji and Zi JI.
At his words, the two women exchanged glances and smiled helplessly.
Gu Yunxiao had just said the quiet part aloud.
Xiong Jun and the others would have to bleed a little again.
Over these four years, Gu Yunxiao had frequently gathered the great Ferocious Beasts at the Lake of Life for "shared meals," winning over their taste buds with his excellent cooking.
Of course, while Gu Yunxiao called them "shared meals," he was actually finding creative ways to demand heavenly treasures.
After all, when the young master of the Soul Beast Clan invited you to dinner, would you really dare show up empty-handed?
If you didn't bring something as a gesture, you had best beware of him making life difficult for you in the future.
Di Tian was an exception.
After all, Gu Yunxiao's relationship with Di Tian spoke for itself. Even with the addition of a superior-subordinate relationship, some bonds would never change.
Of course, the two women were occasionally exceptions too.
"Bi Ji, go notify Xiong Jun and the others."
Leaving those words behind, Zi JI walked toward Gu Yunxiao. "Young master, I'll help you."
The corner of Bi Ji's mouth twitched, and she felt rather put out.
She had intended to send Zi JI to notify Xiong Jun and the others while she helped Gu Yunxiao, but Zi JI had beaten her to it.
The Auspicious Beast was right. Zi JI is a bad woman, Bi Ji muttered inwardly before leaving to notify Xiong Jun and the other Ferocious Beasts.
Two hours later.
With the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and Zi JI's flustered help, Gu Yunxiao finally finished preparing that evening's roasted-meat dinner.
There was enough to fill everyone's bellies, along with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Before long, all the Ferocious Beasts had arrived.
"Young master, this is ten-thousand-year Frostdew Grass. It will aid your cultivation." Yao Ling produced a stalk of icy-white grass, the droplets on it radiating frost.
"How thoughtful of you, Yao Ling."
Gu Yunxiao smiled and accepted it without hesitation.
With this stalk of Frostdew Grass, he should be able to break through to level 35 in one go.
"Young master, this is the Red Demon Essence Gold unique to my clan. This piece is of the ten-thousand-year grade..."
"Young master, this is Ten Thousand Poisons Liquid. Dissolved in cold water, it cures ten thousand poisons; dissolved in hot water, it poisons all things..."
"Young master, Old Bear is here!"
A powerfully built man over two meters tall strode over, the bulging muscles on his body shifting like snakes and pythons, his presence weighty and domineering.
"Xiong Jun, seeing how confident you are, could it be that you've prepared a great treasure this time?" The Myriad Demon King looked over, somewhat curious.
The Scarlet King also stared at Xiong Jun, while Yao Ling remained aloof and sparing with words.
"I've always been generous, unlike you lot!"
Xiong Jun thumped his chest and widened his bronze-bell-sized eyes. "Watch carefully and learn!"
The Ferocious Beasts were inwardly amused, finding it rather laughable.
Xiong Jun, generous? What a joke!
The first time Xiong Jun came, he really had arrived empty-handed.
In the end, as he was leaving, Di Tian had grabbed him, ostensibly for a little training. In reality, it had been one-sided bullying of a man-no, a bear.
Xiong Jun's howls that day had been awfully loud.
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