Watching the two soul beasts leave, Jing Shaoyu and his team finally relaxed.
"Could the absence of other soul beasts in this forest be because of those two?" Xu Xiaoyan asked.
Jing Shaoyu nodded thoughtfully. "Not necessarily both—likely just one. This valley is probably the territory of one of them, which explains why other soul beasts avoid it. Apex predators usually don't tolerate other soul beasts near their domain. The other might have been here to challenge for the territory or simply to hunt."
"That makes sense," Xu Xiaoyan agreed with a nod.
"Which one do you think owns this territory?" Gu Yue asked.
"It's hard to say, but I hope it's the Three-Eyed Golden Lion," Jing Shaoyu replied, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Me too!" Xu Xiaoyan's eyes lit up as she added excitedly, "If it's the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's territory, there must be treasures here. Didn't Elder Xun say that anything we find in this test is ours to keep?"
Hearing this, both Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue exchanged exasperated glances. Xu Xiaoyan's excitement was so transparent that it was almost endearing—her knack for spotting opportunity was truly impressive.
"Instead of guessing, why don't we go check it out ourselves?" Jing Shaoyu suggested. "There must be signs of their presence in the valley. Once we find some clues, it should be clear whose domain this is."
"Yes, let's go!" Xu Xiaoyan said eagerly, her face glowing with anticipation. "Even if it's dangerous, this is a virtual test, right? We won't actually die. If I miss this chance, I'll regret it forever!"
Jing Shaoyu turned to Gu Yue, who gave a calm nod.
"Let's move!" Jing Shaoyu said, his eyes sharp with resolve. He took the lead, followed closely by the excited Xu Xiaoyan and the composed Gu Yue.
The trio embodied the spirit of fearlessness as they ventured into the lair of a soul beast—specifically, one with a cultivation of over ten thousand years. Few others would even entertain such a reckless notion.
That said, Jing Shaoyu's team was far from ordinary. Even without his divine wood guardian ability, their collective strength was sufficient to confront a soul beast with a cultivation of less than twenty thousand years.
Descending the valley's slope, Jing Shaoyu activated his Wings of Origin, carefully carrying Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue. They glided silently toward the valley floor, both women on high alert for potential threats.
The valley floor stretched before them, wide and eerily quiet. The battle between the two soul beasts had left the area in utter chaos—deep gouges crisscrossed the ground, and splintered trees and shattered rocks lay scattered everywhere. Some fissures exuded a faint golden glow, while others pulsed with dark, menacing energy.
"This is insane," Xu Xiaoyan muttered, gripping her staff tightly.
"Look over there!" she suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward a shadowy area ahead.
Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue followed her gaze to see a massive cave mouth, about five meters tall. It loomed silently, its interior pitch-black, giving no hint of what lay beyond.
"It must be the den of one of the two soul beasts," Jing Shaoyu said, a spark of excitement in his voice. "Judging by the size of the entrance, it's likely the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's lair. The Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear is far too large to fit."
"That makes sense!" Gu Yue said with a nod. She then sniffed the air and added, "And there's a faint musk—almost like sandalwood."
"Sandalwood scent?!" Xu Xiaoyan tilted her head, puzzled.
Gu Yue explained, "Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears have a foul, musky stench, and they're not exactly known for cleanliness. This cave is dry and neat, with a pleasant scent—definitely the work of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion."
"Let's go in!" Xu Xiaoyan clapped her hands excitedly. "I can't wait to see what treasures are inside!"
"Alright, but stay alert," Jing Shaoyu said firmly. "We don't know when the owner might return. Move quickly and carefully."
The trio entered the cave, their steps cautious but determined. The narrow entrance soon gave way to a surprisingly spacious interior, illuminated by glowing crystals embedded in the walls. Each step forward brought them into brighter surroundings, with the cave's height and width expanding dramatically.
Finally, after traversing a sharp bend, the tunnel opened up into a massive chamber. It was breathtaking. The walls glittered with gemstones of every hue, casting kaleidoscopic reflections throughout the cavern.
"Wow, these are beautiful!" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed.
"Leave them," Jing Shaoyu said, pulling her along. "I doubt we can take these out of the simulation."
"Who cares about the gems? I want to see what's deeper inside!" Xu Xiaoyan replied, practically pushing him forward.
Jing Shaoyu chuckled and let her enthusiasm guide him as they ventured further into the cavern.
Turning one final corner, the space opened into an enormous hollow with a flat floor. But just as they began to take in their surroundings, a sharp cry pierced the air.
A golden figure shot toward them like a streak of lightning.
"Careful!" Jing Shaoyu shouted, raising his Star Staff. A towering wave of water surged forward, intercepting the golden figure mid-charge. The impact sent the assailant skidding backward, landing on all fours in the center of the cavern.
"What is that?" Xu Xiaoyan asked, gripping her staff tightly.
"It's another Three-Eyed Golden Lion!" Gu Yue said, her hands glowing with icy fire as she prepared for a fight.
The trio stared in shock. They hadn't expected to encounter a second Three-Eyed Golden Lion in this cavern.
This test was turning out to be far more dangerous—and far more intriguing—than any of them had anticipated.
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