"Young master, what this old bear brought you this time is worth more than all their gifts combined. Take a look!"
Xiong Jun turned his palm over, revealing a dark gold Soul Bone before Gu Yunxiao.
The Soul Bone had an unusual shape. Though it was only at the ten-thousand-year level, it was the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear clan's most precious Right Palm Bone.
"An external soul bone."
The sight of the Right Palm Bone immediately brought Dark Gold Dreadclaw to Gu Yunxiao's mind.
The most terrifying thing about the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear clan was their rending attacks. Xiong Jun, in particular, could wound even Di Tian with his Sky-Rending Claw.
And this external Right Palm Bone could grant a Soul Master the rending attack, Dark Gold Dreadclaw.
"Young master, what do you think? Are you satisfied?"
Xiong Jun gazed at Gu Yunxiao with eager anticipation, a hint of anxiety in his eyes.
Truthfully, parting with this Soul Bone pained him dearly.
But if he did not offer something truly valuable, Di Tian would almost certainly chop off his bear paws.
"Yes, very good."
Gu Yunxiao nodded and casually accepted it.
The Soul Bone was excellent, but unfortunately, he could not fuse with it. The Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon bloodline within him would reject it.
Otherwise, he would have equipped himself with a full set of Soul Bones long ago.
Still, it was a heartfelt offering from Xiong Jun. Accepting it was enough.
"Phew..."
Xiong Jun immediately breathed a sigh of relief, inwardly rejoicing that his bear paws were finally safe.
Whoosh-
Just then, light flashed, and Di Tian stepped out.
Seeing Di Tian gave Xiong Jun a fright. Though towering fury raged in his heart, he dared not show it and could only sulk.
Di Tian ignored Xiong Jun entirely and bowed to Gu Yunxiao. "Young master."
"Uncle Tian."
Gu Yunxiao smiled faintly.
He had grown accustomed to calling him "Uncle Tian," so he could not be bothered to change it.
Di Tian had tried to dissuade him a few times at first, but Gu Yunxiao was the young master, after all. If he insisted on using that address, Di Tian could hardly refuse.
"This is monkey wine from the White-Faced Monkey clan." With a sweep of Di Tian's hand, several large jars of monkey wine landed on the ground.
In an instant, an intoxicating aroma spread in every direction.
Gulp...
The sounds of swallowing rang out one after another. Every ferocious beast craved a taste.
"Everyone, let's eat first." Gu Yunxiao smiled and invited the ferocious beasts to begin their meal.
Then he picked up a piece of roasted leg meat and handed it to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who was gazing longingly beside him.
Delighted, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion immediately began taking great mouthfuls.
Gu Yunxiao began eating as well.
Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts then dug in without ceremony, devouring meat and taking hearty swigs of wine.
Though the great ferocious beasts competed with one another, once they set that rivalry aside, they were all members of the Star Dou Great Forest, all one family.
"Good wine."
Gu Yunxiao tasted the monkey wine, and his eyes lit up.
Not only did the wine pack a punch, it also nourished every limb and bone, slightly strengthening his physique.
Seeing his expression, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion immediately leaned closer. "I want some too."
Gu Yunxiao poured a little for her.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion immediately began sipping it. She was not quite used to it at first, but the more she drank, the more enthusiastic she became.
"Hey, hey, slow down. You'll get drunk." Gu Yunxiao reached out to stop her.
"No."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion shook her head in refusal and continued drinking in great gulps.
At the sight of this,
Gu Yunxiao shook his head with a smile, but said nothing more.
If she got drunk, so be it. Here in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, no creature was foolish enough to dare cause trouble.
"The Divine Realm..."
Gu Yunxiao raised his head, drinking as he admired the starry sky, images flashing through his eyes.
As the Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon grew more heads, he had seen many fragments of memories, most of them concerning the Divine Realm.
Carried here by a turbulent current of spacetime, heavenly tribulation slaughtered the gods, a remnant soul was reincarnated, and the Divine Realm was sealed... this is my chance to grow stronger quickly!
A gleam flashed in Gu Yunxiao's eyes as he pondered inwardly.
Though the memories were fragmented and hazy, he had still managed to piece them together.
First, he had traveled to this world and been born in Dragon Valley.
Second, the remnant soul of the God of Heavenly Tribulation had landed upon him and become one with him. Heavenly tribulation was him, and he was heavenly tribulation.
Finally, the power of heavenly tribulation had devoured the Dragon God's power, turning him into the Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon.
The Divine Realm had been sealed by the power of heavenly tribulation. The gods' consciousnesses could not extend beyond it, and they had lost all contact with their divine wills in the lower realm.
For him, this was undoubtedly good news!
The only uncertainty was how long the remaining power of heavenly tribulation could keep the Divine Realm sealed.
Perhaps, as I grow stronger and my memories become more complete, I'll learn more, Gu Yunxiao thought.
"Young master, a toast to you."
Just then, Zi JI's voice drew Gu Yunxiao back from his thoughts.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've given you these past four years." Gu Yunxiao chuckled and clinked cups with her.
"Young master, you're treating me like an outsider."
Zi JI looked at him reproachfully, not wanting him to be so overly polite with her.
Yet Gu Yunxiao's next words filled her with unexpected delight.
"Since I've already troubled you for four years, I'll have to trouble you for a few more."
"It's no trouble. Even a lifetime would be fine," Zi JI blurted out.
As soon as she said it, silence fell over the gathering.
Zi JI also realized what she had said. Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she grew a little embarrassed.
"Hmph!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion snorted, glaring at Zi JI with hostility in her eyes.
Bi Ji smiled gently and watched Zi JI in silence.
Di Tian raised his brows slightly, but said nothing and continued savoring his wine.
Xiong Jun and the other ferocious beasts hesitated briefly, then buried their heads in their food as though they had heard nothing.
"A lifetime is a long time..."
Gu Yunxiao clinked his cup against the one in Zi JI's hand, his smile unchanged.
Zi JI took a small sip as well, unconsciously glancing at Gu Yunxiao as she thought, Young master, even a lifetime would be fine!
What had just happened made little difference.
The "family" of the Star Dou Great Forest continued eating meat and drinking wine in cheerful harmony.
An hour later, Xiong Jun and the other ferocious beasts left.
Only Di Tian, Bi Ji, and Zi JI remained.
"Young master, it's time to take you to meet someone. She... has been waiting for you all this time." Di Tian approached Gu Yunxiao.
"Mm."
Gu Yunxiao nodded slightly, knowing whom Di Tian meant.
Di Tian and the others were somewhat surprised by his response, but not overly so.
After all, Gu Yunxiao had lived here for more than a decade and possessed a mind far beyond those his age. It was only natural that he could guess who she was.
"Mmm... Gu Yunxiao, where are you going?" Drunk and dazed, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion caught the hem of his clothes between her teeth and refused to let go.
"I'll be back soon."
Gu Yunxiao soothed her softly, then gave Bi Ji and Zi JI a meaningful look.
The two women understood at once. They stepped forward, drew the Three-Eyed Golden Lion away, and took her aside to look after her.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion was drunk, and under Bi Ji and Zi JI's care, she soon fell asleep.
"Young master, let's go."
Di Tian led Gu Yunxiao into the depths of the Lake of Life. With a casual gesture, he opened a swirling spatial passage.
Then the two stepped inside.
The spatial passage was pitch-black, with only a glimmer of light ahead to guide them.
Gradually, they reached the light and stepped into it.
Before you continue