Lake of Life, lakeside.
The Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape were dozing.
Sensing a familiar aura approaching, they immediately perked up and respectfully bowed towards the lake, greeting, "Aunt Biji."
However, Biji flew out of the lake without stopping, not even glancing at them, and transformed into a streak of green light, disappearing into the distance.
The two beasts looked at each other, puzzled as to why Aunt Biji was behaving so strangely today.
Biji spread her wings and flew through the air, her mind in turmoil.
She didn't know where to go or what to do next, but instinctively flew towards her clan.
Crystalline tears slid down her cheeks, shimmering faintly in the moonlight.
She knew very well that her actions had offended the auspicious beasts, and might even affect the fate of the entire soul beast clan. What right did she have to feel wronged and sad?
But Biji had no regrets about her choice.
For the future of the soul beasts, she knew that the power of Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts alone was far from enough.
During her time with Dongfang Jing, she heard many things about the human world, becoming increasingly convinced that humanity's development far surpassed that of soul beasts, and that one day they would completely suppress the soul beast race.
For the survival of her race, she had to find a new way.
Of course, this was also mixed with personal motives.
As her master, she hoped her disciple's cultivation path would be smoother and easier, and it was these thoughts that prompted her to risk performing attribute guidance for Dongfang Jing.
She originally thought that Di Tian, with whom she had worked for many years, would understand her good intentions.
However, the reality was that Di Tian was furious, still clinging to the old ways, regarding the auspicious beast's fortune as extremely important, obsessed with resurrecting the Dragon God through his own power, and even dreaming of breaking through a million years of cultivation to achieve godhood.
Bi Ji gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She understood all these principles, yet she still couldn't help feeling sad.
Lost and confused, she unknowingly flew back to her clan's territory.
Landing before reaching them, she folded her wings and looked around, her eyes widening in surprise.
The clan's settlement, which had previously been somewhat empty with only grass and trees, now boasted over a dozen bamboo and wooden houses.
Each house contained a varying number of neatly woven grass nests, where the Emerald Swans lay comfortably, looking content.
In the very center stood an exceptionally spacious and exquisite bamboo and wooden house—undoubtedly the work of Dongfang Jing.
Biji slowly ascended the steps and gently knocked on the door. Seeing no answer, she pushed it open.
The interior was simply furnished, yet subtly warm; the clean environment prevented any sense of loneliness.
Her gaze fell on the table,where dishes were laid out, each covered with an insulated lid.
Most importantly, these were all her favorite dishes.
Suddenly, Biji's nose tingled, and her eyes reddened again.
This should have been a moment of emotion, yet the grievances in her heart grew ever stronger.
She looked around, but couldn't see her disciple, nor sense his presence. She only found an ordinary mirror against the wall.
This wasn't the first time; Bi Ji was filled with doubt.
Sometimes she would find Dongfang Jing suddenly disappear, as if he had vanished from the world completely, undetectable even by her hundreds of thousands of years of cultivation.
But he would reappear after only an hour or two.
Bi Ji understood this must be her disciple's secret, and therefore never inquired.
After all, even she herself hadn't revealed her identity as a soul beast to him.
Although the master and disciple were close, they didn't need to tell each other everything.
Just then, Dongfang Jing finished his cultivation and walked out of the Hall of Ten Thousand Mirrors.
But he froze on the spot after taking just one step, because he found Bi Ji staring at him.
'Master, why are you back?'
In the past, Biji wouldn't return all night after leaving, so he hadn't been on guard.
Dongfang Jing knew that the Hall of Ten Thousand Mirrors couldn't be kept in the dark; with his master's cultivation, he would have surely noticed something amiss long ago.
Therefore, he felt somewhat embarrassed, caught red-handed.
Their eyes met, and Dongfang Jing keenly sensed that his master seemed to have been crying.
He walked out of the Hall of Ten Thousand Mirrors and approached Biji, softly asking, "You've taken care of me for several days; haven't you eaten yet?"
He reached for the thermos lid, saying, "Let me heat up your food first."
"No need," Biji tugged at his sleeve, "Just like that, eat with your master."
At the table, Biji picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of lettuce, and put it in her mouth.
The food was still warm, and the warmth settled in her stomach.
Sadness welled up again, and she quickly turned her head away, not wanting her disciple to see her distress.
Dongfang Jing frowned slightly. Who was this ungrateful wretch, willing to make such a gentle master sad?
He was in a dilemma. He knew his master had many secrets and unspeakable difficulties, matters far beyond his current purview.
Seeing his master heartbroken, as a disciple, he felt he should offer some assistance. Unfortunately, he was utterly clueless about women's hearts and knew nothing of sweet talk.
What should he do?
Dongfang Jing's gaze fell on the mirror in the bamboo house, and suddenly an idea struck him.
He took Bi Ji's free, slender hand: "Master, come with me."
"Where to?" Bi Ji asked疑惑地, but allowed him to lead her to her feet.
Dongfang Jing led her to the full-length mirror on the wall.
Bi Ji carefully examined the mirror; it looked no different from ordinary mirrors in the human world, perhaps a gift from the little girl named Yao'er.
Then, Dongfang Jing took a step forward, leading Bi Ji into the Hall of Ten Thousand Mirrors.
The scene before them changed abruptly; Bi Ji's pupils contracted sharply, deeply shocked by the strange space of the Hall of Ten Thousand Mirrors.
Her emerald eyes darted back and forth, yet with her hundreds of thousands of years of experience, she couldn't fathom the mysteries of this space.
However, she could clearly sense that this place was completely isolated from the outside world!
Even if the Douluo Continent faced its apocalypse, this would be an absolutely safe haven.
'No wonder I sometimes couldn't sense my disciple's presence.'
Before Bi Ji could ponder this further, Dongfang Jing said softly, "Please allow me to explain later; please come with me."
He took Bi Ji's hand and led her to the Mirror Spring.
The spring water hadn't been used this week, perfect for her depressed master to soak in and dispel his bad mood.
After explaining the effects of the Mirror Spring in detail, Dongfang Jing withdrew.
Although Bi Ji was still in shock, she fully understood her disciple's intentions, and her heart warmed even more.
"My disciple is so considerate,"she couldn't help but feel grateful that the jade swan named Xiao Cui had sneaked away; otherwise, how would she have met Dongfang Jing?
"The Eastern Mirror, the Small Mirror, the Hall of Ten Thousand Mirrors—why are they all related to mirrors?"
Bi Ji smiled, her previous grievances largely healed by her thoughtful disciple.
She lightly loosened her robes, her jade-like toes touching the silvery water, creating delicate ripples.
As she slowly immersed herself in the water, she gathered her slightly damp hair, revealing her smooth neck.
Leaning against the edge of the mirror pool, just as her disciple had said, she felt indescribably comfortable; it truly was the perfect place to relax.
The grievances she suffered at Di Tian's hands had vanished.
And here at the Eastern Mirror, she was always treated with gentleness.
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(End of Chapter)