T/N: Many thanks to EnderMLT for contributing 2 power stones. You are the 2nd person to contribute a Power Stone to this fanfic, so I am posting a bonus chapter because of this. Enjoy.
{Note: Every time a new person ranks 1st in the Top Fan ranking, I will post 2 bonus chapters for him and mention him in those chapters.}
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Chapter 23 — Silver Dragon King: I'll Go Myself
"Sacred Beast, what's wrong?"
As the Three-Eyed Golden Lion turned her gaze toward the edge of the forest, a deep, commanding voice echoed beside her. Space itself rippled and distorted, and from that distortion stepped out a tall man clad in black robes, his long hair as dark as midnight.
"Di Tian," the Three-Eyed Golden Lion murmured, her tone filled with confusion. "I... I think I just sensed the aura of Fate. It came from the outskirts of the forest."
"The aura of Fate? Another of your kind?" Di Tian's eyes flickered in surprise. But before he could ask further, a clear, ethereal voice resonated from every direction, as if the air itself were speaking.
"I sensed it too."
"Master—you're awake!"
At that familiar voice, Di Tian's expression changed instantly. His stern features softened with joy as he dropped to one knee in reverence. Beside him, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion bowed her head respectfully but did not kneel.
Though she was the Star Dou Great Forest's Auspicious Beast, her rank was still beneath that of Di Tian, the Beast God. The only reason she was spared from kneeling was that the master they both served favored her deeply.
"Mhm," the voice replied calmly. "Two years ago, I sensed a new aura—similar to the Auspicious Beast's—emerging within this plane. I awoke then. The presence she just mentioned… it lies now beyond the Star Dou Forest."
Di Tian's brows furrowed. "How could this be? Did a deity from the God Realm meddle with our plane?"
The voice paused in thoughtful silence before answering with quiet resolve. "Auspicious Beast, remain within the forest. Do not wander for now. I shall go and see for myself."
"You'll go personally?" Di Tian asked in shock. "Master, have your injuries… recovered?"
"Not yet. And they won't heal anytime soon. But this matter cannot be ignored."
There were things she did not voice aloud.
Two years ago, she had not only sensed that strange aura—she had also felt the faint remnants of two divine presences. Though their essence carried the rank of gods, their strength was weak, almost negligible. Had they not existed within the same plane, she might never have sensed them at all.
The only plausible explanation she could think of was that two deities from the Divine Realm had perished, leaving behind mere wisps of fragmented souls that, by some twist of fate, descended into this world.
Whether friend or foe, that was yet to be determined. But if her suspicion proved correct, then this could be her only chance to learn what had become of the Divine Realm.
Suddenly, the entire Star Dou Forest began to tremble. The ground split open with thunderous cracks, and from the depths below burst a colossal dragon claw, every scale glimmering with argent hexagonal light.
A vast silhouette rose from the abyss. Dazzling silver radiance burst forth, dimming even the sunlight itself.
An indescribable, transcendent aura swept across the land. From high above, one could see a faint silver glow enveloping the entire forest. The outlines of trees, beasts, and mountains all blurred, swallowed by the sacred light.
All across the Star Dou Great Forest, soul beasts sensed the call. One by one, they dropped low in reverence, pressing their bodies against the earth in trembling submission.
All except one.
Deep underground, a plump, snow-white silkworm was frantically digging toward the outskirts of the forest. The instant that dreadful aura washed over it, the creature's small golden eyes went wide with panic.
"Why?! Why is it always me?!" it wailed miserably as it burrowed faster. "I just reached a million years—barely escaped that Beast God's claws alive—and now some even scarier monster shows up!"
"Someone save me—huh?"
The desperate cries suddenly stopped. The silkworm blinked its gleaming eyes in confusion.
"That aura… It's fading? Doesn't seem like it's coming after me."
"Phew—scared me half to death! This cursed forest really isn't meant for silkworms. I'm outta here!"
Still trembling, the creature let out two faint whines and kept wriggling forward for its life, determined to escape the Star Dou Forest once and for all.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the forest—the land of the Lake of Life—Di Tian and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion stood before a newly manifested figure.
It was a young woman, garbed in a long gown of pure white. Her hair, silver as liquid crystal, cascaded like moonlight to her waist. Her features were exquisite beyond mortal beauty—ethereal, divine, utterly flawless.
"Master… you're so beautiful!" the Three-Eyed Golden Lion exclaimed, eyes wide with awe.
It was her first time seeing the true form of the ruler of all soul beasts—the Silver Dragon King. Unable to help herself, she moved closer and affectionately rubbed her head against the woman's arm.
The girl looked down, her expression calm and unreadable. After a brief glance at her own new form, she raised a hand and gently patted the Auspicious Beast's head before turning to Di Tian.
"While I'm away, the Star Dou Forest remains under your care."
"Yes, my lord," Di Tian replied solemnly.
——
Beyond the Star Dou Great Forest.
Huo Yuhao stood bare-chested in a shallow creek, scooping water with a wooden basin and pouring it over himself.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, tracing golden patterns across his toned muscles. Two years of relentless training had sculpted his body into lean strength.
After rinsing off, he retrieved a small jar of strange-smelling ointment from his storage ring and began to apply it carefully over his skin.
Since he intended to venture deep into the Star Dou Forest, he had made thorough preparations. The ointment, of his own creation, could mask his scent and reduce his presence—a form of camouflage against soul beasts.
It wouldn't deceive those with keen senses, of course. But it was the best he could manage. If misfortune truly struck, he could only accept it. And with the Eye of Destiny, he could perceive danger before it struck.
"To grow stronger… You have to take risks."
He murmured quietly to himself as he dressed again. Gazing toward the forest's distant core, his eyes flickered with complex emotion—then hardened into resolve.
"Not yet," he whispered. "It's not time."
With his aura suppressed and guided by the Eye of Destiny's premonitions, Huo Yuhao advanced swiftly through the wilderness. Rather than move cautiously, he traveled with firm purpose—knowing that lingering longer in the forest only invited greater peril.
When he finally reached the place where, in his previous life, he had met the Skydream Ice Silkworm, he paused briefly. After waiting in silence and hearing no familiar voice echo in his mind, he sighed lightly and continued onward.
Time flowed quickly when one was focused. As the sky dimmed toward dusk, Huo Yuhao arrived at the boundary of the Mixed Region—the domain where ten-thousand-year beasts roamed freely.
Spirit beasts in the forest's outer ring were weak; even thousand-year ones were rare. But here, danger lurked everywhere. A single misstep could turn any intruder into fertilizer for the forest floor.
Having traveled all day, Huo Yuhao decided to set up camp. Nighttime was when the Spirit beasts grew most aggressive—it was far wiser to rest and move again at dawn.
After scouting the area, he found a wide, open area perfect for a temporary base.
He dared not light a fire so deep in the forest, but that didn't bother him. He had prepared ample food beforehand, and ever since unlocking the Sin of Gluttony, hunger was no longer something he tolerated lightly.
After scattering a ring of beast-repelling powder around the perimeter, he was just finishing his tent when faint footsteps reached his ears—accompanied by muffled voices.
"There's an open space up ahead. Let's check it out."
The sounds drew closer. Within moments, a group of twelve people emerged from the trees—men and women alike, all seemingly in their early twenties.
But when Huo Yuhao's gaze landed on the woman at the front, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhang Lexuan.
His senior from the Inner Court of Shrek Academy. Someone he knew very well in his past life.
As for the others, none looked familiar. They must have been Inner Court disciples accompanying her.
(End of Chapter)