The ancient trees in the depths of the forest stood tall like titans, and here, night always fell earlier than it did beyond the treeline.
Though the sun still lingered above the mountain ridges, twilight had already blanketed the forest in deep shadow.
"From what you've just described, the reason you feel like your soul power has reached its limit without breaking through is likely because your physical constitution lags behind your spiritual strength."
"There may be certain body-tempering herbs or techniques scattered across the continent… You really are desperate for a second awakening, aren't you~"
Aether was explaining to Gui Mei when flickers of blue light suddenly shimmered into view, converging into a familiar blue sigil that hovered over Gui Mei's head.
His tone abruptly shifted as he sighed with veiled amusement.
"Please, grant me your blessing, my lord!"
Gui Mei bowed deeply once again, sincerity etched in every movement.
As a Soul Master, his thirst for power was unshakable—how else could he have cultivated to the rank of Titled Douluo?
Now, hearing that he still had a chance to break through his bottleneck, his heart surged with waves of emotion. His desire to grow stronger had never burned brighter!
Aether gave a slight nod but said nothing. He simply glanced at the small blue sigil glowing above Gui Mei's head—yet another commission…
He hadn't received any commissions while wandering aimlessly with them earlier, but now? One had practically dropped from the sky—fresh, glowing, and right in front of him.
He didn't even need to ask. Anyone with half a brain could guess what the mission entailed.
"Fine, take this. Absorbing it should be enough to break through."
Since fate had brought them together, Aether casually formed a glowing Dendro orb and handed it to Gui Mei.
"This is…"
"What a pure and potent energy!"
Gui Mei hesitated to reach out, while Yue Guan stared at the orb with awe.
"It will enhance your Martial Soul and physical attributes. As for whether it'll help you achieve your second awakening—I'm not entirely sure."
"…Thank you, my lord. But I can't accept this."
Gui Mei forcibly withdrew his eager hand, throat dry with restraint.
At their level, he understood all too well the value of such an item.
A divine treasure capable of improving one's Martial Soul and body—he'd be lying if he claimed he wasn't tempted. But precisely because of its worth, he dared not take it lightly.
"…What's wrong?"
Aether's brow twitched slightly. This was the first time someone had refused a power-up.
He hadn't expected someone as desperate as Gui Mei to turn away from something within easy grasp.
"This treasure is far too precious. I have nothing of equal value to exchange with you…"
Gui Mei's already hoarse voice sounded like it was rasping from a broken bellows—eerily strained.
"I don't want anything from you. Since fate brought us together, just accept it without worry."
Aether chuckled lightly. His memory of Gui Mei was vague at best, but this reaction had certainly caught him off guard.
"…Still, I cannot accept it."
Afraid he might cave to temptation, Gui Mei lowered his head and refused to look at the orb in Aether's hand.
"My lord, is there perhaps anything you need help with? My brother and I would gladly—uh, though if even you can't handle it, I doubt we…"
Yue Guan grew flustered, his words stumbling to a halt as he realized neither of them could possibly assist someone of Aether's caliber. Embarrassed, he fell silent.
"There isn't anything right now. But how about this—you two help me with something in the future, and this can be your reward."
A spark of inspiration lit Aether's eyes as he spoke.
"My lord, what would you have us do?"
Gui Mei looked up, eyes alight with eager anticipation.
"I haven't thought of it yet. But don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything against the rules. Just absorb this first—I'll call on you when I figure it out."
Before Gui Mei could argue further, Aether simply pushed the orb forward—whoosh!—and the green energy slammed straight into Gui Mei's chest.
Given what had happened back in Heaven Dou City with She Long and Ci Xue, two Titled Douluo who'd gone berserk mid-absorption, Aether quickly summoned a barrier to shield Yu Keke and Zhu Zhuqing, who was still absorbing her soul ring.
Better safe than sorry.
Yue Guan watched nervously as Gui Mei's body began to absorb the dense energy. He opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing, his gaze fixed on the storm of soul power rapidly surging within his brother.
Though he had heard rumors of this mysterious lord and his divine artifacts, seeing one used on his brother with his own eyes—it was impossible not to worry.
But based on this man's reputation… surely, the old ghost would succeed.
He could only comfort himself with this thought, praying Gui Mei would achieve his heart's desire.
—
Elsewhere, Fire Meow Meow darted and weaved through the woods, pausing now and then to sense something in the air before continuing toward the heart of Star Dou Great Forest.
Boom—rumble—
At the center of the forest, a tranquil lake rippled with concentric waves under the thunderous crash of approaching footsteps.
A massive silhouette of an ape thundered toward the lakeside and came to a sudden halt. The moment it stopped, the trembling of the lake stilled.
"Big bro! There's news of Sister Xiao Wu!"
The enormous beast opened its bloody maw and bellowed toward the lake.
"Big bro, hurry up and come out!"
Seeing no reaction from the lake's surface, the ape shouted again.
Splaaaash—
At last, spurred by the ape's insistent cries, ripples spread outward from the center of the lake. The disturbance grew until an enormous bull's head slowly emerged from the depths.
"Quit your howling. What news of Xiao Wu?"
The bull's cavernous nostrils sprayed twin jets of water onto the lake's surface as its mouth moved and it spoke in human tongue.
"I just sensed Sister Xiao Wu's aura from another direction!"
The giant ape said, eyes gleaming with joy.
"This time it's real? Not just another recent bloodline descendant with a similar aura?"
The bull's lantern-sized eyes blinked slowly as it sought confirmation.
"It's real this time! I didn't see Sister Xiao Wu, but I found a mark she left behind!"
The ape scooped up a handful of lake water and drank deeply before continuing:
"She left a message and a map. It points to a location I've never seen before."
As he spoke, the ape extended a massive hand. Resting within it was a small stone.
The bull shifted toward the lake's edge, waves rising in its wake.
Shriek!
At that moment, a sharp beastly cry pierced the air. A lightning-fast figure burst toward the ape, trembling as it looked back in fright.
"You've got some nerve—daring to intrude here!"
The ape roared, snatching the spirit beast up with a massive paw and holding it aloft.
"Hm? That aura… familiar, but it shouldn't be this strong…"
The bull's lantern eyes narrowed as it stared into the forest—where the powerful presence of a beast king was rapidly charging toward them.
_
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