The girls were all trying to persuade Dongfang Jing to leave.
Looking at their sincere faces, Dongfang Jing felt a warm current welling up in her heart.
He remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
"Disciple," Bi Ji said, "Although the assessment requires you to kill the target alone, the search process is not restricted. Therefore, I can also help you."
She paused, then continued, "Remember that Dark Demon Evil God Tiger we encountered in the Star Dou Great Forest? It perfectly fits your assessment requirements. How about we make it our first target?"
Dark Demon God Tiger!
Dongfang Jing's eyes lit up, and he nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to Master."
That's how it was settled.
After everyone dispersed, Biji quietly pulled Dongfang Jing to a corner.
"Disciple," she lowered her voice, her expression grave, "you must be mentally prepared. If we enter the Star Dou Great Forest, Di Tian will sense it, and then..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but Dongfang Jing understood what she meant.
Di Tian, that guy, hates me to the bone just by thinking about how he kidnapped Bi Ji and the auspicious beast.
Once he discovers it, a major battle is inevitable.
"Don't worry." Dongfang Jing held Biji's hand. "I will protect you. If all else fails, we can use spatial teleportation to escape. He won't be able to catch us."
Feeling the warmth from her palm, Brigitte smiled slightly and nodded, feeling much more at ease.
With his disciple by his side, even the greatest danger seemed less frightening.
...
the next day.
At the entrance of the Zixing Academy villa.
Dongfang Yao, Wang Qiu'er, and a group of other girls bid farewell to Dongfang Jing and Bi Ji with reluctance.
"Brother, you must be careful!" Dongfang Yao tugged at Dongfang Jing's sleeve, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Don't worry, when have I ever suffered a loss?" Dongfang Jing smiled and ruffled her hair. "But you guys, during the competition, you mustn't underestimate your opponents or act recklessly. Safety is the most important thing, understand?"
"I know, I know, you've said it eight hundred times already."
...
The interplay of light and shadow.
When they felt solid ground beneath their feet again, Dongfang Jing and Biji were already in a dense primeval forest.
This is the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
The fresh air was filled with the fragrance of earth and grass, and the sounds of insects and birds filled the air, creating a wonderful atmosphere.
However, Dongfang Jing dared not relax in the slightest.
Because Di Tian's attribute is darkness, he immediately activated the Exorcising Domain, enveloping himself and Bi Ji within it. At the same time, he highly concentrated his mental energy and vigilantly scanned his surroundings.
"Master, can you feel it?" Dongfang Jing asked in a low voice.
Brigitte closed her eyes, carefully sensed the surroundings, and then slowly opened them, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"No? That's strange..."
Dongfang Jing also frowned.
According to what Bi Ji had said before, as long as they stepped into the Star Dou Great Forest, Di Tian would definitely be able to sense Bi Ji's presence immediately.
When the Black Dragon King discovered that Brigitte had eloped with a human boy to his territory, shouldn't he have rushed over with murderous intent immediately?
But now, everything is quiet, and there is no sign of Di Tian at all.
That's strange.
Or is it that Di Tian is in seclusion cultivating and has no time to deal with them?
Filled with questions, Dongfang Jing and Biji decided not to linger and to continue their journey.
Throughout the journey, Dongfang Jing remained on high alert.
Even so, they waited for a long time, but apart from the sound of the wind rustling through the grass, there was still no movement.
Not only was Dongfang Jing puzzled, but Biji also became increasingly confused.
Logically speaking, if Di Tian sensed my presence, even if he didn't come in person, he should have sent Xiong Jun or the Wan Yao Wang and other ferocious beasts to check the situation.
But now, nothing has happened.
Something unusual must be going on.
The two exchanged a glance, quickened their pace, and soon arrived at the location of the Lake of Life.
However, when they approached the lake, they discovered that the Azure Bull Python and Titan Ape, who were supposed to be guarding the area, had also disappeared.
"Da Ming and Er Ming are gone too?"
The two searched around the Lake of Life and finally found Daming and Erming dozing off by another, smaller, ordinary lake.
The environment here is tranquil, and the lake water is clear. This is the home they used to live in with Xiao Wu and her mother.
"Da Ming, Er Ming," Bi Ji called softly.
The two giant beasts, who were dozing by the lake, opened their eyes upon hearing the familiar voice.
When they saw Brigitte and the familiar human youth beside her, their enormous eyes showed surprise.
"Aunt Brigitte? Why are you back?" Titan Giant Ape Erming scratched his huge head and asked in a muffled voice.
"Dongfang Jing? You're here too?" The voice of the Azure Bull Python Daming sounded much calmer.
Its enormous bull head emerged from the water, its lantern-like eyes scanning back and forth between the Eastern Mirror and Brigitte, as if confirming something.
Since Xiong Jun and the Demon King and other ferocious beasts awakened ahead of schedule, these two relatively weak 100,000-year-old soul beasts were no longer qualified to stay in the treasure land of cultivation, the Lake of Life, and had to move back here.
"Long time no see, Daming, Erming," Dongfang Jing greeted them with a smile.
After exchanging a few greetings, Brigitte got straight to the point and asked the question that had been bothering her.
"Where is Emperor Tian of the Great Ming Dynasty?"
Upon hearing this question, both Da Ming and Er Ming wore strange expressions.
Da Ming shook his head and said, "Brother Di Tian left the Star Dou Great Forest a few days ago."
"They've left?" Both Biji and Dongfang Jing were taken aback.
"Where did you go?"
"I don't know." Da Ming shook his head again. "He didn't say, and we didn't dare to ask. But judging from the direction he left, it seemed like he was heading out of the forest."
After hearing this, Brigitte fell into deep thought.
Could it be... that Di Tian went to the human world?
What does he want to do? Take Qiu'er and himself back? Or...?
Seeing that Brigitte was deep in thought, Dongfang Jing gently patted her shoulder, signaling her not to think too much about it.
"Master, we can consider Di Tian's matter later. If there's any trouble with Qiu'er, I can get there as soon as possible. The most urgent thing is to complete the Divine Trial."
Brigitte came to her senses, nodded, and felt that her disciple made sense.
Even if Di Tian really goes to the human world, there's still Xue Di to keep things in check.
Even Di Tian might not be a match for Xue Di now.
Having figured this out, Biji stopped worrying and turned to ask Daming and Erming about the important matter at hand.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, do you still remember that Dark Demon Evil God Tiger from before?"
🔥 Read Ahead!
Unlock 40+ advanced chapters on Patreon.
👉 patreon.com/Ficthoria
(End of chapter)