The sunset turned red, a slanting afterglow piercing through the crimson maple leaves, fell on Little Nian Beast’s face. A wind blew over the high treetop.

"Thank you." Little Nian Beast said while patting the Lantern Demon with its paw, "I can only sleep well where there are lights."

After a short while, a rustling sound suddenly came from the forest, followed by heavy footsteps.

Little Nian Beast raised an eyebrow, glanced sideways, and saw a purple-red giant lion approaching from afar.

At this moment, the Year Beast Monarch had also reduced its size considerably, only four or five meters long, seemingly to move conveniently through the forest without disturbing other demons.

It paced over, slowly raising its purple-red eyes, gazing at the Little Nian Beast on the tree.

"Want to go for a walk with me?" After a long silence, the Year Beast Monarch asked. Its voice was still as majestic as before, commanding respect without anger.

Ten years is not very long for the lifespan of a Nian Beast, not enough to cause such an old lion to undergo earth-shattering changes. The Great Monarch still looked as Little Nian Beast remembered, but it could vaguely see that something had changed.

Little Nian Beast nodded silently and then spun around, descending from the branch.

The Year Beast Monarch glanced at it, then moved into the forest, heading toward Spirit Heart Lake.

Father and son, one in front of the other, Little Nian Beast quietly followed behind the Year Beast Monarch.

The forest was tranquil, colorful leaves dancing in the air, with the most striking being the maple and banyan trees.

In Hai Fan Mountain, there were trees that bloomed in spring and those that bloomed in summer... even in unsuitable climates or seasons, they could survive, thanks to the protection of the Year Beast Monarch. Wherever the ruler of each generation of Nian Beasts passed, withered flowers would bloom again, and withered trees would grow once more.

Everywhere was lush and vibrant, filled with flourishing flowers and trees.

Little Nian Beast seemed to recall the scene from that year vividly; back then, they walked on the same path, with crimson maple leaves swirling down, forming a bright red path.

Only at that time, the Great Monarch used to carry its body, walking it through the forest.

When crossing Spirit Heart Lake, the Great Monarch would use its paw to press Little Nian Beast onto a lotus leaf, fearing it would fall into the water.

But things were different now, Little Nian Beast just quietly followed its father, slowly passing through the forest to the edge of that clear, blue lake.

The Lotus Leaf Demon came riding the waves, rushing over with an expression so tense it was almost contorted.

The Great Monarch glanced at the Lotus Leaf Demon, then looked back at Little Nian Beast, before stepping onto the giant lotus leaf.

The father and son sat silently on the huge lotus leaf, slowly drifting across Spirit Heart Lake, where ripples spread across the water, blurring the reflections of the two lions, one large and one small.

After crossing Spirit Heart Lake, the Year Beast Monarch led Little Nian Beast through a tunnel composed of flowers and thorns. The sunset came directly, and from the cliff, they saw a maple forest swaying in the wind, rising and falling like fiery red waves.

At this moment, the sunset slanted to the west, the setting sun slowly descending below the horizon, forming a complete circle with the half-sunken sun reflected on the sea’s surface.

The Year Beast Monarch lay down on the high cliff, and Little Nian Beast silently curled up beside it, a sea breeze blew over, their fur gently swaying.

Silent stillness enveloped them along with the afterglow of the setting sun for a long time until the hoarse voice of the Year Beast Monarch came out.

"Tell me, where have you been, and what have you done all these years?"