After they left, a golden figure slowly emerged from the depths of the forest nearby.
Its entire body was covered in golden fur, appearing as if made of translucent crystal, full of a strange texture.
Its overall shape resembled a lion, but its four claws were like those of a dragon, each stepping on a ball of golden flame.
Besides its normal eyes, it had a third eye.
Its two eyes sparkled with gold, while the vertical pupil emitted a somewhat eerie red glow.
Behind it followed a Spirit Beast over five meters long, extremely robust.
The beast looked like a lion but had three identical large heads, all six eyes staring in the direction where Lin Yaoyang and Snow Empress had disappeared.
Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
The Emperor Auspicious Beast, the darling of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Her nose twitched slightly as she sniffed the lingering scent in the air, a complex glimmer passing through her golden eyes.
“It’s him again.”
Her voice was crisp, yet carried a coldness not belonging to humans.
This was not the first time she had seen this human youth.
Last time, also in this forest, he was absorbing a spirit ring.
She had watched from afar but did not reveal herself.
Because she noticed the white figure beside him, Snow Empress.
She didn’t want to be taken away by Snow Empress.
The Red King stood behind her, his three large heads all gazing at the sky, six eyes full of confusion.
He was truly curious in his heart.
As the Snow Empress of the Extreme North, how could she personally hunt souls for a human?
And judging by her attitude, it was almost like…
raising a child?
He had lived for over a hundred thousand years, yet this was the first time he had seen such a thing.
After a moment of silence, the Red King spoke, “Let’s go.
We should head back.”
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion did not move.
She still gazed in the direction where Lin Yaoyang had disappeared, her golden dragon eyes narrowing slightly.
That youth’s aura…
was so warm.
Just like…
the sun.
“Hmph.” She snorted lightly, then turned and disappeared into the depths of the forest.
The Red King quickly followed.
…
Shrek City.
When Snow Empress and Lin Yaoyang flew out of the Star Dou Great Forest, a magnificent city appeared in the distance on the plain.
The high city walls stretched left and right, extending beyond sight.
Shrek City had land routes extending in all four directions, with transportation radiating in all directions.
This place was not only the location of Shrek Academy but also the most important commercial city at the junction of the three Empires originally belonging to the Douluo Continent.
At the city gate, people came and went in an endless stream—merchant caravans, travelers, and Spirit Masters.
Various sounds of hawking, shouting, and haggling mixed together, creating a lively atmosphere.
Snow Empress brought Lin Yaoyang down into a small grove not far from the city gate.
“Yaoyang.” Snow Empress turned around, looked at the youth before her, and reached out to straighten his collar.
Her movements were gentle and slow, as if performing an extremely important task.
“You must be careful and stay safe.”
She extended her jade hand and gently touched his head.
His orange-red short hair slipped through her palm, carrying a warm sensation.
Her eyes were full of tenderness and reluctance, her sky-blue eyes glistening slightly.
“Don’t focus only on Cultivation; remember to rest well.
Eat on time…”
She rambled on, as if wanting to cover everything she could think of.
Lin Yaoyang obediently listened without interrupting.
He knew this was Snow Empress’s way of expressing her reluctance.
In her seven hundred thousand years of life, she had never cared so much for anyone.
He nodded: “I understand, Sister Xue’er.”
Snow Empress patted his head again, then, as if suddenly remembering something, she withdrew her hand, extended a jade finger, and poked his forehead, her tone carrying a hint of subtle jealousy.
“You’re not coming here for that Jiang Nannan, are you?”
Lin Yaoyang grasped her jade hand and shook his head with a smile: “How could that be?
I just thought it would be convenient to have an acquaintance.”
A few years ago, they had met Jiang Nannan in Lingdou City.
Lin Yaoyang had encountered her at a pharmacy.
At that time, her mother was seriously ill, and she had gone to fetch medicine.
She stood at the counter, clutching the few spirit coins she had, her face pale as paper.
The pharmacist impatiently waved her away.
Her eyes reddened, but she stubbornly held back her tears.
After learning the situation, Lin Yaoyang, using the excuse that he needed help managing his house while living in Lingdou City, paid for her medicine and had the mother and daughter work for him.
Actually, there wasn’t much work—just cooking and cleaning every day.
Later, Jiang Nannan became familiar with him.
That stubborn and strong girl only showed her soft side in front of him.
Snow Empress gave a delicate snort: “You’d better be!”
Though she said that, the jealousy in her eyes noticeably diminished.
There was a moment of silence.
Snow Empress suddenly took a deep breath, as if making a major decision.
Light flickered around her, and her three-meter-tall figure gradually shrank to about 1.8 meters.
Her white dress was still like snow, her long white hair reaching her waist, her delicate features breathtakingly beautiful under the sunlight.
Before Lin Yaoyang could ask what she was going to do, Snow Empress reached out, wrapped her arms around his waist, and gently pulled him into her embrace.
Then, she kissed him.
It was a deep, lingering kiss.
The coolness of ice and snow intertwined with the warmth of the sun.
After a long time, their lips parted.
Snow Empress’s pretty face was tinged with a faint blush, spreading all the way to her ears.
She slightly turned her head away, not daring to meet Lin Yaoyang’s eyes, her voice soft as if talking to herself.
“Don’t let other girls lure you away.”
Lin Yaoyang was stunned for a long moment before coming back to his senses.
He reached out and touched Snow Empress’s waist, feeling its slender delicacy, and said without thinking: “Sister Xue’er, what if I can’t help myself?”
Snow Empress abruptly turned her head and glared at him, her eyes both shy and annoyed.
“How dare you?!”
She pinched his waist, but her strength was as light as a tickle.
The two lingered for a good while longer before Snow Empress reluctantly let go.
She stepped back two paces, took a deep look at Lin Yaoyang, as if to etch his image into her memory.
Then she turned around, and with a flicker, transformed into a streak of white light, flying northward.
Lin Yaoyang stood in place, watching the white figure gradually disappear into the sky.
After a long time, he took a deep breath, composed himself, turned around, and walked along the main road toward the city gate.
At the city gate, people came and went, bustling with activity.
Lin Yaoyang mingled with the crowd, walking at an unhurried pace.
He looked up at the magnificent city.
On the city wall, the three characters “Shrek” gleamed brightly under the sunlight.
A glint of golden light flashed in Lin Yaoyang’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, forming a meaningful curve.
See you in the next one!