Cloudia paused, a deep, throaty growl rumbling from her chest—a sound that resonated with confidence and authority. She tilted her head slightly, acknowledging his complint with a flicker of her expressive eyes.
Then, with an elegant grace, she settled beside him, her presence a comforting warmth against the cool air of the forest.
Reon couldn't help but smile at her, sensing the unbreakable bond that had ford between them. They sat side by side, basking in the warmth of their newfound strength, a silent understanding passing between them.
Reon suddenly heard a sound of system notification.
[Ding! The bond between the Host and his companion Beast has deepened.]
[Ding! Proficiency in the Soulbound Beast Command Technique has increased. The Host has now reached the Advanced Stage of the Soulbound Beast Command Technique.]
As the ssage resonated in his mind, Reon felt an inexplicable shift—a deeper, almost instinctive connection to Cloudia.
It was as though he could feel each rise and fall of her breath, the pulse of her heartbeat, and the subtle energy coursing through her.
The bond was no longer just one of loyalty; it felt like an extension of his own spirit, an unbreakable link that united their strengths and senses.
Reon took a slow breath, and to his amazent, he felt Cloudia's energy flow alongside his own, as if her strength now mingled with his in a shared reservoir of power.
Their connection had transford; he knew without a doubt that he could now call upon more of her strength than before, tapping into her fierce prowess with just a thought.
Reon looked at Cloudia, who t his gaze with a look of calm but powerful resolve. He nodded in silent acknowledgnt.
However, Hunger had begun to gnaw at Reon, a subtle reminder that, while cultivators and powerful beasts could sustain themselves on energy, a good al still had its own kind of strength.
Food, after all, was transford into raw energy within their bodies, absorbed entirely without waste—a distinct advantage of their refined, superior nature compared to mortals.
Though he hadn't eaten in five days, choosing to match Cloudia's dedication to training rather than indulging himself in comfort, he now felt it was ti as both of them worked hard.
Reon rose, brushing off the dust, and glanced at Cloudia, who watched him with an eager gleam in her eyes. It was clear she was just as ready to enjoy sothing delicious he had prepared.
Reon gathered ingredients and began preparing a al with swift, practiced hands.
The earthy scent of herbs mixed with the warmth of the fire, creating an aroma that cut through the tension lingering from their training.
Soon, the rich scent of roasted bear at and simred spices wafted between them.
Both Reon and Cloudia felt a sense of relaxation as they sat down to eat, savoring each bite of the warm, flavorful al.
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In the Mystic Evergreen Forest, a small group of disciples trudged onward, exhaustion clear in their movents.
Their clothes were dirt-streaked, and their expressions betrayed a mixture of frustration and fatigue.
For days, they had been scouring the forest, maybe searching for soone elusive.
One of the younger disciples finally broke the silence. "Big Brother, what should we do? We've been searching for that bastard for days and still haven't found a single trace."
The oldest of the group, frowned deeply. His patience was wearing thin. "Young Master Niu tasked us with taking care of that wretch in the Mystic Evergreen Forest. We've already scoured the entire Outer Rim for nearly half a month. And yet... nothing."
Another disciple nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "When we heard he couldn't even stand against Yang Lie, we assud he'd be hiding sowhere in the Outer Rim. Figured he'd never venture further, where he'd face beasts beyond his level."
"Exactly," the leader replied, irritation flashing in his eyes.
"At first, I thought it was overkill for Young Master Niu to send us Inner Sect disciples to handle a small fry.
But then we heard he has a pet of Demonic Beast Rank—a threat on its own—and that he managed to steal the Eclipse Orb from those spineless Outer Sect disciples.
He planned everything from the start, acted weak only to betray Young Master Niu. He really deserves to die."
Another disciple scoffed, his lip curling. "The rumors about him sound exaggerated, but... if he's got a beast companion of that level, maybe he thought he could outwit us."
"Still, to head toward the Whispering Grove?" their leader pondered aloud, eyes narrowing as he considered the implications.
"I doubted he'd be reckless enough to go there. Only an idiot would seek refuge that deep in the forest, but... if that's where he's headed, then he must be desperate and was aware that we would co."
"So... what now, Big Brother?" asked one disciple, looking around the forest's darkened edges. "We're close to the edge of the Whispering Grove, but going in too far risks attracting beasts we're not equipped to handle."
The leader glanced at each of his companions. "We'll stick to the outskirts of the Whispering Grove. Even if we can't go deeper, we can still cover enough ground to flush him out or catch a trace. If he's truly hiding there, he's cornered himself. Let's move."
With nods of agreent, the group started to move towards the ominous tree line of the Whispering Grove.
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