With matters having come to this, Mu Bai could no longer turn back the heavens. He strolled upstream along the great river. Azure Ox was now a half-beast youth, but he remained a man of few words as he followed Mu Bai upriver.
"Brother Azure Ox, do you plan to venture out into the world and earn the rank of Demon General among the Beast Race?"
"Having this homeland is enough for me. Now that I have strength, I'll use it to protect my home."
"What do Spirit Monkey and Gray Bear think?"
"They want to go out. They say the world outside is rich and colorful, and they want to carve out a place for themselves."
"This place is wondrous. There must be a supreme treasure here. Tell them to remember never to mention it to outsiders."
Anyone with intelligence would know this place was extraordinary. Otherwise, why would exotic flowers and rare herbs cover the ground? Why would this place alone enjoy spring when the whole world was cold? There had to be something here with exceptionally powerful life energy.
"I'll warn them. And I'll spend my whole life protecting this place!"
"Send me a voice transmission if anything happens. If I'm still in the Beast Territory, I'll fight shoulder to shoulder with you."
"I believe you will."
Azure Ox and Mu Bai embraced. What each felt from the other was trust and reassurance.
In the Everlasting Spring Valley, Mu Bai put all distractions aside and devoted himself to sensing the wonders of heaven, earth, and nature. He breathed in the fragrance of plants, flowers, and fruit, stroked every blade of grass, greeted the cattle, sheep, and deer, and drank the monkey wine Spirit Monkey brought him. Every moment, he felt life's rhythm and pulse.
Three days later,