A majestic roar suddenly reverberated through the Core World, causing everyone to turn their heads towards the source. It was Long Lan. A smile grew on Bai Yunfeiâs faceâit seemed Long Lan was finally done absorbing Netherâs energy into his body.
âHeâs already close to becoming a late-stage class seven soulbeast?!â Wu Dijian gasped in shock, âMy myâŚso the remnant energy of an avatar is that powerful?â
Absorbing Netherâs avatar energy did wonders for Long Lan. There was substantial growth in his strength; he was only a step away from being a late-stage class seven soulbeast now. It was likely he was also far more knowledgeable about the Law of Darkness now too.
Originally a soulbeast of the water element, Long Lan only gained an affinity for darkness after taking in the Black Dragon Kingâs blood. Having it mature in his body allowed him to become adept with this second element, though it was nowhere near the levels of his primary element. Today changed that, however. Today, Long Lan could say his proficiency with both elements was most likely equal now.
âLetâs talk more in the city, Iâve a few important matters to discuss with everyone, especially in regards to what our next plan of action isâŚâ Bai Yunfei spoke after Long Lan returned.
Waving his hand, he distorted the area around them all and teleported everyone away.
âââââââââ
In a large room within Yao City.
âWhat?! The Beast Taming School will begin to capture all the class seven soulbeasts in the Soulbeast Forest?!â
Wu Dijian was aghast by what Bai Yunfei just said. He gave the younger male a serious look. âWe all saw how many people they brought here, how do they still have the manpower for a large plan like that?!â
âThe Beast Taming School recently gained a new Soul Emperor, heâll be leading that operation. Many of their isolated Soul Kings came out from their seclusion for this along with their class seven soulbeast puppetsâŚtheir goal is the subjugation of all class seven soulbeasts in the Soulbeast Forest. If they succeed, itâll be a huge boost of power to them.â
The news Bai Yunfei received from Lin Dongxiaoâs memory fragments told him about this planâthe Beast Taming Schoolâs secret plan to capture all class seven soulbeasts in the Soulbeast Forest!
âMany class seven soulbeasts live within the depths of the Soulbeast Forest,â Dan Teng stated with narrowed eyes, âa number that would make even a Soul Emperor balk. Would it be possible for them to gain much from such an operation? Furthermore, the Bloodhowl Wolf King and the other allied class eight soulbeasts are there. If the Beast Taming School were to step into their territory, wouldnât they simply be heading to their own deaths?â
Bai Yunfei shook his head. âThe world of the high-leveled soulbeasts is just like the human world. All sorts of factions fighting there right nowâŚâ
Confused, the group looked at Bai Yunfei for why he would say something like that. It was Dan Teng who realized what Bai Yunfei was getting at. âYouâre saying thatâŚâ horrified realization dawned onto him, â war is brewing within the Soulbeast Forest? ThereâŚthere are actually soulbeasts working with the Beast Taming School?!â
âExactly. Part of the information I received talked about the clans led by the bloodthirsty wind ape and the four-winged golden roc are colluding with the Beast Taming School. I believe they are using this opportunity to have the Beast Taming School take out their enemies.â
âThe bloodthirsty wind ape and the four-winged golden roc!!â Exclaimed Wu Dijian. âTheyâre both infamous soulbeasts for their savagery! And theyâre working with the Beast Taming School?! As soulbeasts, theyâre actually working with the Beast Taming School?!â
âArenât humans the same in the end?â Bai Yunfei sighed, âweâve been fighting and killing one another since history began, when will it ever stop? I would assume the world of soulbeasts is the sameâŚâ
âIâŚâ Wu Dijian faltered in speech. He was still having a hard time understanding the situation and what this meant.
âBai Yunfei, my young friend. You mentioned before about our next course of action. CouldâŚyou be thinking about taking part in this?â Yao Wuchen asked.
âThat is what I had in mind, yes.â
âArenât you going to go back to the Crafting School?â Wu Dijian asked, âWe can inform the Tianhun School of the Beast Taming Schoolâs plot and have them dispatch people there. Why go yourself?â
âIâm afraid they wonât get there in time. Weâre not too far away from the Soulbeast Forest, with the Core Stoneâs teleportation abilities, we should be able to get there even faster. Itâs the fastest way of stopping the Beast Taming School.
âFurthermoreâŚI canât just let the Beast Taming School have their way in this matter.â Bai Yunfei shook his head.
âOne of their goals is the wolf clan. I am friends with the Bloodhowl Wolf Kingâs adopted son, Hong Yin. His kindness to me in the pastâŚI canât forget it. Itâs time I return that kindness.â
âYou know Hong Yin?!â Gaped Wu Dijian.
âIt was before I joined the Crafting School. I was a mere Soul Warrior then.â Bai Yunfei nodded, âthere was a problem I came across when training, but it was Hong Yin that helped me become a Soul Sprite by giving me a fireseed spirit mushroom. I wouldnât be the person I am today without himâthus I wish to lend a hand to the wolf clan If I can.â
âSo there was a back story like that?â Yao Wuchen sighed in admiration, âA touching story, my young friend. If that is how you feel, then we of the Yao clan will follow you in every step along the way!â
âOh? Is your clan willing to aid me then?â Bai Yunfei smiled. Having the Yao clan was a tremendous relief to hear. That meant resolving this matter would be easier than expected.
âIt is only because of your power that our clan was able to escape calamity, my young friend. Finding safety in such chaotic times will be hard, it would be safer for us to remain in the Core World in the meanwhile where no one will harm us.â
In other words: The Yao clan would temporarily reside in the Core World. Wherever Bai Yunfei went, the Yao clan would follow.
âWe have to stop the Beast Taming School at all costs. Them grabbing hold of multiple class seven soulbeasts would be a threat to even us.â Wu Dijian sighed, âI donât see any problem if you want to go, letâs deal another blow to them.â
âItâs settled then.â Bai Yunfei nodded. âLet us rest for tonight and head for the Soulbeast Forest tomorrow morning!â
The laws of the Core World mimicked that of the real world, though there were still a few laws Xiao Fang was normally in charge of manipulating. The Core World was autonomous without him, so the cycle of day and night could progress naturally. As of right now, it was close to being night time in the Core World.
âThat works. Iâll be returning to rest first then. Todayâs battle has beenâŚmindblowing, to say the least. Rest would do me some goodâŚâ Wu Dijian chuckled. Standing up, he made way towards the outside while also giving Dan Teng and the Yao clansmen very obvious winks.
âAhâŚâ Dan Teng stood up as well with a smile. âWe should get going too then.â
âSo we are, rest well, Bai Yunfei.â Yao Wuchen stood up as well.
Once they left, Long Lan stood up himself to leave.
Bai Yunfei hadnât thought of anything at first, but the vulgar winks he saw from Wu Dijian made him suspicious. Seeing the smiles on everyoneâs faces was what clued him in on what they meant. Embarrassed, he looked to Tang Xinyun, but she had already her head buried within her arms on the table.
Dear heavensâwhen he said ârestâ, he truly did mean a proper ârestâ!
Wu Dijian only took two steps before turning back. âHey now, Xiao Qi, what are you doing there?â He asked the preening bird.
âEh?â Xiao Qi cocked his head, âwhat about me?â
âWhat do you think youâre doing sticking your head in a reunion between a young man and woman? We canât have that now, can we?!â
And so Wu Dijian took the small bird in hand and marched out from the courtyard with him. âYou say youâre close to being a class eight soulbeast,â he muttered to the bird as they left, âand yet you still donât seem to be very âknowledgeableââŚâ
âHeeheeâŚâ A white streak of light flew beside Xiao Qi as he was being carried away. It was the quickshade bird, Xiao Bai.
And just like that, Bai Yunfei was startled to see that it was only him and Tang Xinyun left in this courtyard.Â
Somehow, a gust of wind blew across the courtyard and blew the doors to it shutâŚÂ