As the morning light gently poured through the window, Bibi Dong slowly awoke, stretching her hands with a soft yawn.
The warmth of the room was comforting, but the day ahead held far more significance.
Rising from her bed, she quickly began her morning routine, washing her face and preparing herself for the day.
After dressing in her Pope attire, she made her way downstairs, a feeling of anticipation settling in her chest.
Upon entering the hall, she glanced at Xuan Yan and Hu Liena, who were sitting on the couch while Hu Liena was playing with him.
Looking at them, a soft sigh escaped her lips.
With a small smile, she walked to them "Nana... Yan'er."
Both of them turned their heads toward her, and Hu Liena immediately straightened, her playful demeanor replaced by respectful attentiveness. "Teacher..."
Xuan Yan also showed a smile "Good morning, Teacher."
With a nod, Bibi Dong glanced at them, her expression softening at the sight.
She can see Hu Liena is happy, and Xuan Yan, though still somewhat reserved, seems more at ease.
Walking toward them, she sat gracefully on the couch opposite, folding her hands neatly in her lap.
She let out a soft sigh, her thoughts briefly drifting 'Nana has been alone for much of her life except for her brother. Now that she has a junior brother, it's clear she adores him. This is good for her.'
With a faint smile, she spoke "It seems you two are growing closer."
Hu Liena grinned, "Yes, Teacher. Little Brother is fun to tease." She glanced at Xuan Yan, who shook his head helplessly, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Bibi Dong let out a rare chuckle. "I see. Yan'er, I hope you're prepared for today."
Hu Liena chimed in, "Little Brother, remember to stay calm out there. The forest is unpredictable, but with Teacher guiding us, you'll be fine."
"And if small beasts came, don't worry.. Senior Sister will protect you."
...
The morning air was crisp and filled with the enticing aroma of breakfast as the three of them gathered around the grand dining table.
Bibi Dong, seated at the head, glanced at her two disciples, who were still exchanging quiet banter.
"Alright! You can spend time with each other later. Now. let's eat. We have to head to the Star Dou Forest to get Yan'er's first spirit ring."
Both Hu Liena and Xuan Yan straightened at her words, nodding in unison with a soft, "Hmm."
The maid promptly began bringing in a lavish breakfast spread.
Plates of steaming buns, fragrant soups, and perfectly roasted meats were set before them.
Xuan Yan, still adjusting to the luxuries of Spirit Hall slowly began to eat his meat.
Bibi Dong, watching her young disciple with amusement, chuckled inwardly. 'He's like a little animal eating that meat. How endearing.'
Hu Liena, on the other hand, was her usual lively self, digging into her meal with a cheerful appetite.
Between bites, she occasionally glanced at Xuan Yan, offering him advice on which dishes were the best.
Once breakfast was finished, the three of them rose from the table and made their way to the Spirit Hall's grand entrance.
Yue Quan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo and Gui Mei, better known as Ghost Douluo, stood at entrance.
As Bibi Dong approached, they both bowed deeply in respect. "Your Majesty," they greeted in unison.
Bibi Dong responded with a slight nod. "Let's proceed,"
The group moved toward the waiting carriage as Bibi Dong entered first, followed by Hu Liena and Xuan Yan.
Yue Quan and Gui Mei took their positions as silent escorts flew high in the sky to keep an eye on the carriage.
Xuan Yan sat near the window, his golden eyes reflecting the passing scenery as the carriage began to move.
Inside the carriage, the gentle rocking of the wheels on the uneven road provided a rhythmic backdrop to the conversation.
Hu Liena, seated comfortably beside Xuan Yan, noticed his quiet yet eager expression as he stared out the window.
She leaned forward slightly, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"Little Brother," she began, her melodic voice breaking the silence, "do you know much about spirit beasts?"
Xuan Yan turned his gaze toward her, "Not much, I've read a little."
Hu Liena's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Then let me educate you! Spirit beasts are fascinating creatures. They're born with innate spiritual energy and have unique abilities based on their species and cultivation."
"Their strength grows over time, measured in years. The longer they live, the stronger they become, but they also become harder to hunt."
She held up a hand, counting off on her fingers. "For your first spirit ring, you'll need a beast that's around 400–500 years old. Anything more powerful than that might be dangerous for you right now."
"As for types of beasts, they vary widely. Some specialize in speed, others in strength, and some even have elemental affinities."
Xuan Yan nodded, absorbing her words. "How do we know which beast is the right one for me?"
Hu Liena tapped her chin thoughtfully. "That depends on your martial spirit. Teacher will help guide us to a suitable match. Your martial spirit and the beast's abilities need to complement each other for the best results."
She leaned in slightly, "The Star Dou Forest is home to some of the rarest and most powerful spirit beasts in the continent. But it's also extremely dangerous. You'll see things there that you've only read about in books. It's thrilling... and terrifying."
Xuan Yan smiled faintly at her enthusiasm. "It sounds incredible,"
Hu Liena grinned. "It is. But remember, Little Brother, spirit beasts are not to be underestimated. Even the weaker ones can be cunning. Always stay alert and follow Teacher's instructions."
Their conversation continued, with Hu Liena sharing tales of her own experiences in the forest.
Eventually, the carriage began to slow, and the dense outline of the Star Dou Forest loomed ahead.
The towering trees stretched high into the sky, and the air was rich with the earthy scent of moss and foliage, and the faint cries of distant beasts echoed in the distance.
As the carriage came to a halt, Bibi Dong spoke, "We've arrived."
The doors opened, and the group stepped out onto the forest's edge.
Gui Mei and Yue Quan were already scanning the surroundings, their sharp eyes alert for any potential threats.
Xuan Yan took a deep breath, the fresh forest air filling his lungs.
The sheer size of the Star Dou Forest was overwhelming.
Hu Liena placed a hand on his shoulder, "This is it, Little Brother. Welcome to the Star Dou Forest. Stay close, and remember everything I told you."
As the group ventured deeper into the Star Dou Forest the calls of spirit beasts echoed in the distance.
Hu Liena walked slightly ahead of Xuan Yan, as she scanned their surroundings.
She seemed at ease, her gaze darting from one tree to another as if she were searching for something specific.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Wait here for a moment," she said, holding up a hand to stop Xuan Yan.
Without waiting for a response, she dashed into the underbrush, disappearing among the trees.
Xuan Yan blinked in surprise, but before he could ask what she was doing, Hu Liena's voice rang out. "Got you!"
Moments later, she emerged, cradling a small spirit beast in her arms.
The creature was no larger than a house cat, with soft, fluffy fur that shimmered faintly with a silvery sheen.
Its large, curious eyes blinked up at Xuan Yan, and its long tail flicked playfully.
"Look at this little one." Hu Liena said, her voice filled with excitement.
She walked over to Xuan Yan, holding the creature out for him to see. "It's a Silver-Tail Sable. They're harmless and quite playful, especially when they're young like this."
Xuan Yan tilted his head, looking at the creature. "It's cute,"
Hu Liena chuckled. "Isn't it? They're not strong enough to be used for spirit rings, but they're very agile and clever. Watch this."
She gently set the sable down on the ground.
It looked up at her with a curious chirp before darting around her feet, running between the folds of her robe.
Hu Liena crouched down, holding out a small piece of dried fruit from her pouch.
The sable sniffed the air before eagerly snatching the treat, nibbling on it with tiny, delicate bites.
Xuan Yan couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "It seems to like you, Senior Sister."
Hu Liena nodded, her expression softening. "Most spirit beasts this young are more curious than afraid. They haven't learned to see humans as a threat yet."
The sable finished its treat and looked up at Hu Liena, its tail swishing back and forth.
She reached out to scratch behind its ears, and it leaned into her touch, letting out a contented purr-like sound.
"grr..."
Xuan Yan crouched down beside her and she picked up the sable again, cradling it gently. "Alright, little one," she said softly.
"Time for you to go back." She set the creature down, and it chirped once before scurrying off into the underbrush.
Standing up, Hu Liena dusted off her hands and turned to Xuan Yan.
Seeing this, Bibi Dong smiled gently, as it seemed like Hu Liena wanted to show her experience as the Senior Sister and guide him.
The rustling of leaves and the faint sound of pawsteps caught Xuan Yan's attention,
*woosh* *woosh*
Bibi Dong's gaze squinted slightly and she turned towards the rustling bush...
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