The Great Star Dou Forest—the largest soul beast habitat on the continent of Douluo—was home to an incredible variety of soul beasts, ranging from ten-year to even hundred-thousand-year levels.
At this moment, just outside the entrance to the forest in a nearby town, Bibi Dong was happily walking at the front of the group, while Gu Han followed behind with a helpless expression.
"I mean, Senior Sister… why did you insist on dragging me along?"
"Besides, didn't Master say he could just have someone catch a soul beast for you? You could've just waited—why go through all this trouble?"
Bibi Dong turned around, wagging her finger playfully.
"Junior Brother, even though our identities are special, we can't just sit around waiting for everything to be handed to us. We're growing up—it's time we saw the world for ourselves."
Gu Han sighed as he looked at Bibi Dong's serious expression. It wasn't that he didn't want to come. The real issue was that throughout the trip, this girl had stopped to look at everything—spending a few days playing here, a few days wandering there—completely forgetting their actual purpose.
The worst part was, every time she went out to have fun, she insisted on dragging Gu Han along, wandering the streets from morning till night.
It was bearable at first, but after a while, Gu Han started to panic. He honestly couldn't understand what was so fun about window shopping. Wouldn't that time be better spent cultivating?
"'She got the right idea. You, kid, should learn a thing or two from her," came a teasing voice.
Gu Han's lips twitched as he glanced at one of the two people traveling with them—Yue Guan. The other was a tall figure in a black robe who had barely said a word the entire journey. No doubt, that was Ghost Douluo.
With two Soul Douluo escorting them, there was no need to worry about safety—as long as they didn't venture into the forest's core area.
"Yes, Senior Yue Guan. Your guidance is appreciated. I'll do my best to learn from my senior sister."
Gu Han didn't bother arguing and obediently nodded.
"Don't be grumpy, Junior Brother~ Here, I bought these in Spirit City—candied hawthorn sticks!"
Bibi Dong cheerfully pulled out two sticks from her soul tool, handing one to Gu Han while keeping the other for herself.
"Thanks."
Gu Han didn't refuse. He took it, thanked her, and bit off a piece. Sweet and tangy—it actually tasted pretty good.
"Junior Brother, look! The Great Star Dou Forest is just up ahead. Do you think we'll find any cute little rabbits inside?"
She was thinking back to when they had read about the Soft Boned Rabbit in the library. The adorable creature had melted Bibi Dong's heart at the time—she'd even said that if she ever got the chance, she'd catch one to keep as a pet.
"There should be some in there," Gu Han nodded. "This is the Star Dou Forest, after all. You'll probably find hundred-year, even thousand-year-old ones. Maybe even a hundred-thousand-year version."
Gu Han didn't mind her wanting a pet rabbit. As long as she was happy, he was fine with it. Personally though, he preferred to eat them.
After all, soul beast meat was rich in energy and could greatly strengthen the body.
"Hahaha, what are you thinking, kid?" Yue Guan laughed. "A Soft Boned Rabbit that's a hundred thousand years old? You're dreaming. Even finding a thousand-year one is rare, let alone that."
Yue Guan found it amusing. This kid was usually sharp—how had he become so silly on this trip? A hundred-thousand-year Soft Boned Rabbit? What a joke!
"Uh, I was just saying," Gu Han scratched his head awkwardly. "The forest's been around for a long time, hasn't it? Who knows what might be hiding in there?"
"Besides, never say never, right?"
He wasn't the type to argue over something so pointless. Even if he managed to convince Yue Guan, what would it change?
It's not like they could just stroll over to the Lake of Life and capture one.
Please—he wasn't suicidal.
"A hundred-thousand-year rabbit…"
Bibi Dong's imagination suddenly conjured the image of a giant, pink, fluffy rabbit the size of a small mountain. She quickly shook her head to dismiss the thought.
"Never mind… pets are cuter when they're small."
"Senior Sister, are you hungry?"
Gu Han hadn't been hungry earlier, but after imagining the taste of soul beast meat—and remembering how long he'd been dragged around town—plus the sour candy he'd just eaten, his stomach started grumbling.
"Not really—"
Growl.
Right after she said that, Bibi Dong's stomach betrayed her with a loud rumble. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"Hehe… I guess I'm hungry now."
"Hahaha! You two are hilarious," Yue Guan chuckled warmly at the scene. Even the usually silent Ghost Douluo allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips.
"If you keep laughing, I'm never talking to you again!"
Bibi Dong puffed out her cheeks and turned away in a huff. The expression was so adorable it made it hard to take her seriously.
"Alright, alright, I won't laugh anymore!" Yue Guan waved his hands apologetically. As she turned her head away, he looked to Gu Han and Ghost Douluo for help.
Ghost Douluo simply turned his face slightly, indicating his reluctance to speak.
"Ahem, Senior Sister, don't be mad. There should be a tavern nearby. Let's go grab something to eat—your Junior Brother's about to pass out from hunger."
Gu Han subtly shifted the focus, speaking with a sincere tone. In doing so, he both diffused the tension for Yue Guan and gave Bibi Dong an easy way to let the matter go—he placed the blame entirely on himself.
Sure enough, Bibi Dong's pout vanished, replaced with a radiant smile.
"Well, since Junior Brother said so, I guess I'll forgive Senior Yue Guan. Let's go eat!"
And with that, she happily led the way again.
"Whew…"
Yue Guan let out a sigh of relief, giving Gu Han a thumbs-up. "Kid, you've got skills."
"It's nothing. Senior Sister is pretty easy to get along with—once you know a few tricks."
Gu Han replied just as quietly. He had his own way of dealing with tsundere types.
"Oh? What kind of tricks?" Yue Guan asked curiously.
"Junior Brother, Senior Yue Guan—what are you two whispering about back there? Hurry up!"
Bibi Dong had turned around, pouting once more as she saw the two of them chatting instead of catching up. They were hungry, weren't they? Then why were they dawdling?
"Ah, nothing, Senior Sister. I was just asking Senior Yue Guan about plant and herb knowledge," Gu Han replied smoothly.
"Yes, yes, exactly!" Yue Guan nodded quickly. "Just giving him a little lesson about plants and herbs."
"Oh, alright then. Let's hurry—I'm starving too."
Bibi Dong, preoccupied with food, didn't press further. Her thoughts were already on what to eat.
Before long, the group arrived at a modest tavern within the town. The decor was plain, wooden, and old-fashioned—far from luxurious.
"Waiter! Bring us your best dishes, two jugs of wine, and some fruit juice!" Yue Guan called out in his distinctive voice the moment he sat down.
"Roast chicken for me," Ghost Douluo followed up calmly.
As for Gu Han and Bibi Dong, they didn't need to say anything—Yue Guan had already ordered enough. They just waited to eat.
~~~
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