76: Peaceful coexistence between humans and soul beasts

Mentioning Tang Hao's name, Mo Yuhan's gaze turned a few shades colder, "Their actions stem from greed, from desire, and from an arrogance that places themselves above all else in the World."

"This isn't a flaw unique to humanity; any race with intelligence and power can breed this kind of malignancy. Just like in the forest, there are ferocious Spirit Beasts that devour weaker plants and hog all the sunlight and dew."

"As for the opposition between Spirit Beasts and humans..."

Mo Yuhan withdrew his gaze, looking back at Ah Yin, his eyes sincere and serious, "The root lies in resources for survival, and even more so... in fear and ignorance."

"Spirit Masters need spirit rings to advance; this is the core rule of their power system, an instinctive pursuit etched into their bloodlines. And spirit rings can only be obtained from Spirit Beasts. This is like wolves needing to eat sheep, and sheep needing to avoid wolves; it's the cruel reality dictated by the food chain itself."

"From the Spirit Beast's perspective, humans are plunderers, butchers; from the human Spirit Master's perspective, hunting Spirit Beasts to obtain spirit rings is their necessary path to becoming stronger, surviving, and even protecting their clan. This is a conflict of survival instincts, a tragedy set by the power system itself."

"And on a deeper level, it's a lack of understanding of each other, a deeply rooted fear."

Mo Yuhan's voice carried a hint of helplessness, "Humans fear the powerful strength and savage nature of Spirit Beasts, viewing them as monstrous floods, as aliens threatening their survival."

"Spirit Beasts also fear the endless hunting of human Spirit Masters, fearing their cunning and destruction of their forest homes. Long-standing bloodshed and hatred have built an insurmountable wall. Suspicion and fear have blinded the eyes that could see into the other's heart and seek the possibility of coexistence."

Ah Yin listened quietly, the confusion in her eyes not entirely gone, but the deep sorrow seemed to be slightly diluted by Mo Yuhan's clear and logical analysis.

She murmured, "So... is this an unsolvable dead end? Can we only remain in opposition forever? Is an encounter and understanding like mine and Xiao Han's just an insignificant accident?"

"No, Ah Yin," Mo Yuhan denied emphatically, his eyes becoming exceptionally bright, "Absolutely not unsolvable! And certainly not an accident!"

He took a step forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ah Yin, looking together at the vast starry sky and the boundless forest sea below, his voice carrying a power that seemed to pierce through the mist:

"Your encounter with me proves that barriers can be broken! It proves that Spirit Beasts and humans are not inherently enemies! Our trust, our friendship, is the first brick in tearing down that wall of fear!"

"This problem is difficult, but it's not unsolvable. The key lies in—understanding and choice."

"Understanding each other's positions, understanding the difficulties and fears of each other's survival. Humans need to realize that Spirit Beasts are not just valuable for their spirit rings; they are guardians of the forest, an indispensable part of ecological balance, and they also have intelligence, emotions, and the right to exist."

"Spirit Beasts also need to understand that not all humans are greedy hunters; there are also humans who yearn for peace and respect life."

"And choice..."

Mo Yuhan's voice deepened, yet became more powerful.

"The choice is in the hands of every individual. Is it to choose to be blinded by hatred and continue the endless cycle of killing? Or is it to choose to lay down prejudice, try to communicate, and seek a path of coexistence?"

"Tang Hao and his brothers' choice was one of despicable possession and tyranny; their eyes saw only desire, not respect."

"But their choice does not represent the choice of all humans. Similarly, for those Spirit Beasts in the forest who retaliate wildly against humans because their loved ones were hunted, their pain is sympathetic, but their revenge does not mean all Spirit Beasts desire to destroy humanity."

"The path to peaceful coexistence is destined to be long and arduous. It requires more enlightened individuals to push for changes in rules, to explore the possibility of spirit ring alternatives; it requires time to eliminate hatred, to sow the seeds of understanding. This might take several generations, or even longer."

Mo Yuhan turned, looking at Ah Yin with burning eyes, his gaze seemingly piercing through time, seeing a future full of hope:

"But I believe, as long as there are Spirit Beasts like you, Ah Yin, who are kind-hearted and willing to understand. As long as there are wise humans who are willing to lay down their soul-hunting blades and seek a path of coexistence..."

"That seemingly unbreakable high wall will eventually be torn down! Spirit Beasts and humans don't have to be mutually exclusive. This vast World is spacious enough to accommodate different intelligent life forms, to jointly compose a harmonious symphony belonging to this World! What is needed is courage, wisdom, and that undying yearning for peace in the hearts of countless individuals!"

"Ah Yin, do you know? Humans hunting Spirit Beasts for spirit rings, Spirit Beasts attacking humans to protect their territory... such hatred and slaughter have lasted for too, too long."

"Every flash of a spirit ring signifies the demise of a Spirit Beast's life, and it also plants deeper hatred from Spirit Beasts towards humans. It's like... an unsolvable knot."

Ah Yin sat beside him, listening quietly, a tumultuous wave rising in her heart.

She had never imagined hearing such direct, core-hitting words, such... understanding of the Spirit Beasts' plight, from a human child's mouth.

This was not just sympathy; it was more like a profound reflection.

"But... Spirit Masters need spirit rings to become stronger, that's the rule of the continent..." Ah Yin said softly, her tone complex.

"Rules can be broken!"

Mo Yuhan turned his head, his dark, bright eyes gleaming with an almost scorching light in the setting sun, filled with undeniable determination.

"I once read about a concept in a very ancient text... a concept that could change everything, and that is 'Artificial spirit rings'!"

"Artificial spirit rings?"

Ah Yin heard this term for the first time, her blue eyes filled with astonishment.

"Yes!"

Mo Yuhan's voice carried an excitement and sense of mission beyond his age, "Using special energy, formations, or simulating the principles of Spirit Beast spirit ring formation, artificially creating spirit rings that can carry Spirit Abilities and enhance a Spirit Master's power! No need to hunt Spirit Beasts!"

"If this concept can be realized, the way humans obtain power will be completely changed. Spirit Beasts will no longer be killed for spirit rings, and humans will no longer have to venture into dangerous places and pay the price of life to obtain spirit rings. Humans and Spirit Beasts will then have the possibility of peaceful coexistence!"

Peaceful coexistence... Artificial spirit rings.

These four words, like a clap of thunder, rippled deep within Ah Yin's soul.

In her hundred thousand years of long life, she had witnessed too much bloodshed and hatred between humans and Spirit Beasts.

This hatred, like a poisonous vine, was Binding the two races, with no end in sight.

And this child before her, this weak yet incredibly determined child, had actually painted a future picture that she dared not even imagine.

A future without senseless slaughter, where humans and Spirit Beasts might share this World.

At this moment, Ah Yin felt her soul tremble.

An indescribable, intensely strong spiritual resonance, like a surging tide, instantly engulfed her.

She looked at the pure, unadulterated light of idealism in Mo Yuhan's eyes, as if seeing a ray of dawn piercing through endless darkness.

"Xiao Han..."

Ah Yin instinctively reached out, gently stroking Mo Yuhan's soft hair, her movements filled with a tenderness and cherish that even she had not anticipated.

"Do you... truly believe this concept can be realized? This path... will be very difficult, even... hopeless."

"I know it's difficult."

Mo Yuhan's gaze didn't waver in the slightest; instead, it grew even brighter, "But someone has to try, to take the first step."

"Ah Yin, believe me, give me time, I will definitely overcome this difficulty, I will definitely find a way to create artificial spirit rings. For the innocent Spirit Beasts who died, and also for the humans who perished in soul hunts!"

His small fists clenched tightly, as if holding the weight of the entire World.

This promise at this moment, like the most sacred covenant, was engraved in Ah Yin's heart.

The figure of this human child grew immeasurably tall in her eyes.

The night wind seemed to soften considerably, swirling around their clothes, Binding them together. Above Star Dou Cliff, moonlight shone like water.

Mo Yuhan's words, like stones dropped into a calm lake, stirred increasingly larger ripples in Ah Yin's heart.

The deep confusion and sorrow, in the youth's firm and powerful words, began to melt and dissipate like ice and snow meeting warm sunlight.

She looked at this youth, still with a touch of childishness, yet with eyes as firm as a rock, looking at the conviction and expectation for the future in his eyes.

Ah Yin's lips finally curved upwards again, blooming into a smile clearer and warmer than the moonlight.

In that smile, the light of hope reignited.

"Thank you, Xiao Han."

Ah Yin's voice was soft and sincere, like a nightingale's whisper, "Hearing you say that... my heart feels less heavy. Yes, the World is so big, the future is so long... Perhaps, there really will be such a day."

She extended her slender, fair hand and gently held Mo Yuhan's hand.

Her hand was cool, yet carried a reassuring strength.

"At least, I know that on this difficult path, I am not alone."

Ah Yin's blue eyes reflected the moonlight and the youth's figure, gentle as water, "Xiao Han, it's truly good to have you here."

The wind on the cliff also seemed to become gentle, encircling her, as if whispering the same expectation.