Soul Beasts and Humans

At the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest, far from the terrifying deathtrap described in rumors outside, towering trees stood everywhere, and green grass spread like a carpet. At its center lay a lake as green as emerald. Huo Yuhao gazed at the lake for several seconds before finally looking away.

"Di Tian, I'm back!" the Auspicious Beast called to a black-robed man beside the lake.

The man was tall. Although he did not look particularly muscular, he gave an impression of tremendous strength. His long black hair hung loosely down his back, with a single lock of gold at his forehead. His features were rugged yet noble, and he possessed a natural air of leadership that inevitably inspired respect.

Hearing her voice and seeing the Auspicious Beast, Di Tian's expressionless face broke into a faint smile before he put on a stern look again.

"Didn't I tell you not to go out lately? Those humans are dangerous!" Di Tian sounded quite helpless. Then he noticed Huo Yuhao, and his voice turned cold and furious. "Human, who gave you permission to come here?" As he spoke, he moved to kill Huo Yuhao.

"Don't!" The Auspicious Beast hurriedly stepped in front of Huo Yuhao.

"Di Tian, I brought him here! I want him to be my cook." The Auspicious Beast sounded somewhat flustered. She did not want this friend she had just met to be killed.

A woman in green beside Di Tian also gently urged him, "Don't get angry, Di Tian. He's only a human with rank-ten Soul Power. What could he do? Since the Auspicious Beast likes him, let him stay."

Di Tian paused, as though he had heard something, then slowly lowered his hand and said coldly, "Since the Auspicious Beast wants you as her cook, prove your worth. Scarlet King, come with me."

With that, he walked away. The Scarlet King hung his head and slowly shuffled after him, casting resentful looks at the Auspicious Beast as he went. She merely turned her head away in embarrassment, not daring to look at him.

Watching this, Huo Yuhao could not help smiling faintly. He turned to the Auspicious Beast and asked, "Is that Di Tian a Soul Beast too?"

"Yes!" Having managed to save Huo Yuhao, the Auspicious Beast's voice grew cheerful. It was all thanks to her!

"There are Soul Beasts in human form too? Are they Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts that transformed?"

"Of course there are, but this isn't transformation." The woman in green walked over and answered in the Auspicious Beast's place. "It's no secret. Once Soul Beasts survive the 200,000-Year Tribulation, they have both a beast form and a human form."

Huo Yuhao turned to look at the woman in green. She was very beautiful, with fair skin and delicate, elegant features. Her long emerald hair was gathered behind her head, and her eyes were green as well. She radiated a gentle, welcoming air.

"My name is Huo Yuhao. I'm this Miss Auspicious Beast's friend," Huo Yuhao introduced himself with a trace of respect.

"Just call me Bi Ji. You're very different from other humans."

"So are you. As far as I know, humans have to hunt Soul Beasts to grow stronger. From that, I inferred that humans and Soul Beasts should be mortal enemies, yet you don't show the slightest killing intent toward me. Instead, you radiate an affinity for all living things."

"You're very perceptive. I don't wish to see Soul Beasts and humans slaughter one another, but the rules of this world are simply that cruel."

"Then could you clear up a few questions for me?"

"Wait!" The Auspicious Beast suddenly interrupted their conversation from beside them. "It's so late already. Isn't it time for dinner? I'm hungry."

"Haha, the Auspicious Beast said you're her cook. I'd like to taste this human's cooking too. Let's talk while we eat."

"All right."

Before long, Huo Yuhao had set up a simple barbecue stand. Di Tian and the Scarlet King had also returned, each carrying several Soul Beasts; Bi Ji had sent Di Tian word earlier. The Scarlet King had taken human form as well. He was tall and muscular, with rugged features, long scarlet hair, and scarlet eyes. He looked rather miserable, though.

As Huo Yuhao prepared the ingredients, he asked Bi Ji, "Don't you intervene when Soul Beasts prey on one another? Aren't these your own kind too?"

"We don't interfere with normal predation unless it threatens the survival of an entire species. We only eliminate Soul Beasts that kill for pleasure or devour other Soul Beasts to increase their cultivation.

"As for our own kind? Until they develop a certain level of intelligence, they're no different from wild animals. In fact, only a few species of Soul Beasts can ever grow intelligent."

So they divide them by intelligence? Huo Yuhao rapidly processed this information. "In other words, aside from the Soul Master System, you're no different from humans?" Looking at Di Tian and the Scarlet King, Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly. What fine warriors!

"You could put it that way, but ultimately, we're still Soul Beasts."

Huo Yuhao fell silent. Although he had only spent a few hours with these Soul Beasts, he had already reached a judgment. Soul Beasts were not Xenos. These creatures-no, these people-could communicate normally and possessed the same values and emotions as humans. Transformed Soul Beasts had rounded skulls, looked no different from ordinary people, and had no reproductive barrier with humans! Even under the Imperium's laws, they could be called human. They should not suffer such treatment!

"What's that smell? It smells wonderful." A rough voice, rumbling like thunder, interrupted Huo Yuhao's thoughts. A gigantic bear several dozen meters tall walked over. His dark-gold fur looked full of murderous menace in the setting sun, and his eyes resembled two golden moons. They were not beautiful, however, but extremely dangerous.

"A human? Di Tian, why did you let a human come here? Is he an extra meal for me?"

"Shut up, Xiong Jun. He's the Auspicious Beast's cook. If you upset her, watch out, or I'll beat you!" Di Tian told the giant bear coldly.

The giant bear glanced at Huo Yuhao. Just a mortal!

"This human made all of this? It does smell pretty good."

"Turn into a human first, or this won't even fill the gaps between your teeth!" the Auspicious Beast scolded, somewhat angry.

"Oh, right." As he spoke, he shrank, slowly taking on a human appearance. He too had the distinctive looks of a Soul Beast and was even more muscular than the Scarlet King.

"Here, it's ready." Huo Yuhao handed the first skewer to the Auspicious Beast, then the second to Bi Ji, followed by Di Tian. Before he could continue, Xiong Jun impatiently snatched one.

"Human, your cooking really is impressive. You can settle down here from now on." Xiong Jun patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder, but Huo Yuhao did not answer.

"Enough, Xiong Jun. He'll be staying here. It's getting late. Human, go find somewhere to rest."

"Come stay at my place!" the Auspicious Beast suddenly interjected. Several gazes instantly stabbed toward Huo Yuhao like sharp swords, especially Di Tian's and Bi Ji's.

"I'd better not." Huo Yuhao noticed those looks too. "I'll just enjoy the scenery by the lake tonight."

"What's so interesting about it? Forget it. Once you've stayed long enough, you'll get tired of looking at it anyway." With that, the Auspicious Beast returned to her little den.

Seeing this, the others withdrew their gazes and dispersed, leaving Huo Yuhao alone beside the lake.

After a long while, Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke. "Aren't you coming out? I saved this for you." As he spoke, he took out the roast meat he had secretly set aside.