Farewell

When the first rays of morning sunlight spilled across the earth, Tian Meng opened his eyes to feel the morning sun. His body instinctively stretched, and a fragrant aroma wafted over. Following the scent, Tian Meng looked over and saw Huo Yuhao cooking in the Kitchen, so he wriggled over.

Tian Meng lazily asked Huo Yuhao, "Yuhao, why did you get up so early to cook?"

"You're awake, Brother Sky Dream. I couldn't sleep anyway, so I got up a little early. Do you want some?" As he spoke, Huo Yuhao handed Tian Meng a plate of food, and Tian Meng didn't stand on ceremony. He started eating right there.

When Tian Meng had finished eating, he saw that Huo Yuhao was still cooking and didn't disturb her. He planned to turn around and go back to sleep, but Ice Empress caught him. "Why are you still going to sleep? How can you sleep in your condition? Come over and cultivate with everyone."

Tian Meng was still afraid of Ice Empress. It would be more accurate to say that, apart from Evil Lord and Snow Empress, Ice Empress was everyone's big sister, and Huo Yuhao was no exception. Faced with Ice Empress's question, Tian Meng instinctively pleaded in a trembling voice, "Ice Empress, give me two more days off. I've been locked up here all these years, and I still haven't recovered."

Ice Empress looked at him as if he were beyond help. She didn't waste words, grabbing Tian Meng by his smooth skin and dragging him away. Tian Meng, meanwhile, was dragged off to cultivate with an utterly hopeless look on his face.

The little morning interlude didn't affect Huo Yuhao. The fire was still burning beneath the Stove, and Huo Yuhao ladled one delicious dish after another into the Bracelet. Time passed, and soon it was noon, with the sun high overhead. Huo Yuhao stopped what he was doing and headed into the woods.

The Auspicious Beast had secretly slipped away from Scarlet King's watch again and came to the place where they'd eaten yesterday to wait.

The Auspicious Beast said impatiently, "Did you do what I told you to today?"

Huo Yuhao smiled and said, "I did. Come and try it." Then he took the dishes out of the Bracelet one by one and set them in front of the Auspicious Beast. The Auspicious Beast said nothing and immediately tucked in, while Huo Yuhao sat beside her just as he had yesterday.

As the Auspicious Beast wolfed down the food, Di Tian, who had been following her in secret, watched everything. At first, he had only seen the Auspicious Beast eating and hadn't thought much of it. But when he saw Huo Yuhao beside her, Di Tian flew into a rage. In an instant, it was as if he'd figured everything out, and then he left.

By the Lake of Life, Evil Lord and the others were enjoying the peaceful afternoon when a black figure suddenly appeared before Evil Lord. It was Di Tian.

While everyone was still wondering what had brought Di Tian there, they heard him roar angrily at Evil Lord, "Take your people and get out of the Star Dou Forest right now!"

Evil Lord was taken aback. He wondered what had gotten into Di Tian, but still kept his composure on the surface and led Di Tian aside. Snow Empress followed them. When they reached a quiet clearing, Evil Lord asked, "Why?"

"Why? You've got some nerve asking me why! I gave you that big worm and allowed you to stay here, but you're insatiable and even want to lure the Auspicious Beast away. That's absolutely impossible."

Evil Lord understood what was going on now. At the same time, he found Di Tian rather amusing: if he really wanted to spirit the Auspicious Beast away, could Di Tian stop him? Still, Evil Lord maintained a smile and said, "You've got the wrong idea. We're just having a meal." Snow Empress, who had heard the whole thing beside them, also nodded.

"Don't give me any more nonsense. You're leaving right now."

"You're putting me in a difficult position. How about this-we'll stay for a month, then leave."

"Impossible. I won't allow you to stay here another moment."

Evil Lord was getting annoyed too. He'd already backed down, but the old fellow Di Tian was still pushing his luck. "I'd advise you not to get so cocky, or we'll fight again. Can you take it?"

Bi Ji, who had sensed Di Tian's burst of aura just moments earlier, flew over to his side. Seeing Di Tian and Evil Lord facing off, ready to fight, she asked Snow Empress what had happened.

After hearing Snow Empress explain the whole story, Bi Ji hurried to try to talk them down. Before she could get close, Di Tian stopped her. "Do you really think I'm afraid of you?" Di Tian said to Evil Lord, his face full of anger.

"You can try again. This time, I won't hold back."

"Di Tian, don't get worked up. Snow Empress is right there," Bi Ji said softly to Di Tian.

Di Tian glanced at Snow Empress, who stood beside him with a cold expression, then at Evil Lord, who looked completely calm. "Half a month. That's my limit. After half a month, you'd better get out of the Star Dou Forest."

"All right, I agree." As soon as Evil Lord had finished speaking, Di Tian and Bi Ji left.

Snow Empress said calmly, "Looks like we should get ready to leave."

"No rush. We still have half a month," Evil Lord said indifferently.

When Huo Yuhao returned, Evil Lord told him they would leave in five days. Huo Yuhao had no objection. He simply turned around and went back to his own business.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. During that time, Huo Yuhao helped Brother Sky Dream form a Soul Core, making Tian Meng overjoyed. "Haha, I have a Soul Core too! I can finally be considered a true Ferocious Beast!"

"Brother Sky Dream, I'll need to borrow your power in a little while."

Tian Meng asked in confusion, "Borrow my power? How?"

"When the time comes, you just need to pass your power to me."

"All right." Tian Meng agreed without hesitation, then happily went off to bask in the sun.

Today, Huo Yuhao brought food to the Auspicious Beast as usual, and she tucked in as she had every day for the past few days. When she had eaten her fill, Huo Yuhao took out a Necklace.

"What's this?" The Auspicious Beast had never seen one before.

"It's a Storage Soul Tool. I put all the food I've cooked these past few days inside. You just need to pour your Soul Power into it, then take the food out and you can eat." As he spoke, Huo Yuhao put the Necklace around the Auspicious Beast's neck.

The Auspicious Beast said glumly, "You're leaving? Can't you stay a few more days?"

"I have to go. I still have some things to take care of. Stay by Di Tian's side and don't run around." Huo Yuhao instinctively stroked the Auspicious Beast's bright golden fur.

The Auspicious Beast shook her fur and said, "You're just like Di Tian, always telling me this and that. If you're leaving, then go."

Huo Yuhao only smiled and said nothing.

"Will you come back to cook?" the Auspicious Beast asked.

"Probably not for a while, but don't worry. I made plenty and put it in the Necklace. It's enough for you to eat for years." Aside from helping Tian Meng form a Soul Core these past few days, Huo Yuhao had spent all his remaining time cooking; he hadn't even meditated.

"Come if you want, or don't. I'm leaving." With that, the Auspicious Beast put on an air of imperial majesty and left. It was just that this time, she didn't go as quickly as before.

Huo Yuhao watched the Auspicious Beast quietly as she left. When her figure disappeared from view, Huo Yuhao turned around and went to rejoin the others.