Chapter 59

"You're that guy from Shrek Academy." The lion-shaped three-headed soul beast actually spoke human words, but its voice was still full of anger.

Xuan Lao growled: "Red King, considering the agreement between our academy and your Star Dou ferocious beasts, I won't make things difficult for you. Step aside and hand over that golden-haired lion behind you." His anger had reached its peak; if Huo Yuhao died, how would he explain to Mu Lao? Red King roared: "Bastard. Do you know who it is? If you dare to move it, you are making an enemy of all the soul beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest."

Xuan Lao coldly stared at Red King: "I don't care who it is; I only know it killed, even ate, our Shrek Academy's most important disciple. You should understand that although you rank eighth among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, you are still no match for me. If you want to bury it with me, I don't mind. Anyway, after going back, I can't explain to the academy. I might as well kill enough to break even."

As he spoke, Xuan Lao lifted his leg and stepped forward. His terrifying aura suddenly pressed down on Red King like a mountain.

"Wait a moment." Red King was a bit anxious. Although its cultivation had broken through 300,000 years, ranking eighth among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, it was indeed no match for this human before it. Sending out a distress signal now was too late. The top experts of the Star Dou Great Forest would need time to come from the ferocious beast region, and this human in front of it would not give it that much time.

"Wait for what?" Xuan Lao said coldly.

Red King said: "Human, don't attack. What I am protecting behind me is the Star Dou Great Forest's Imperial Auspicious Beast, and also the only auspicious beast on the continent today. If it dies, the entire Star Dou Great Forest will go berserk."

Xuan Lao's heart jolted; although he had heard of the auspicious beast before, in his memory it was merely a legendary existence.

"I don't care whether you go berserk or not; anyway, I'm about to go berserk myself." Xuan Lao did not retreat; Huo Yuhao's "death" had completely thrown him into disarray.

"Listen to me finish." Red King said urgently: "The Imperial Auspicious Beast is called the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Normally, unless you humans actively attack it, it will not take the initiative to attack humans. Its food consists only of the brain matter of soul beasts with the light attribute. Wait while I ask it whether it really killed your person."

Faced with mortal danger, especially as the Three-Eyed Golden Lion faced life or death, even though it was a ferocious beast, Red King had no choice but to yield before Xuan Lao.

Three-Headed Crimson Hell Hound

At that moment, a strong and terrifying aura suddenly appeared, released from not far away; that vicious intent was clearly the aura of another ferocious beast.

Sensing this aura, both Xuan Lao and Red King froze for a moment. Red King was greatly puzzled: this was a super soul beast like himself, yet why was this icy aura so unfamiliar? It had seemed to appear just a moment ago, but before he could seek it out, it vanished in an instant.

Xuan Lao, however, after a moment of stupor, was overjoyed; this was clearly the aura of Huo Yuhao simulating a 100,000-year soul beast! He wasn't dead! Huo Yuhao certainly wasn't dead; his reaction was a bit slow because, facing the terrifying pressure released by the two powerhouses, he needed that ability to go over and inform them! Under the Ice Emperor's reminder, he managed to simulate the Ice Emperor's aura again while suppressed and unable to move, thus transmitting the news that he was still alive.

Xuan Lao understood what was going on, but Chi Wang didn't! However, in its view, having a fierce beast rush over to help it and the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni was always a good thing. With cultivation exceeding 100,000 years, a soul beast's wisdom surpasses that of ordinary humans. They would never lightly start a fight between themselves. Moreover, here there is the auspicious beast that all soul beasts must protect with their utmost; it firmly believed the newcomer would certainly aid it. Combining the strength of the two great fierce beasts, it need not fear Xuan Lao. Even if it couldn't win, guarding the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni would be no problem.

A low, deep roar burst simultaneously from Chi Wang's three heads, and an intense dark‑red light erupted from within its body. Its three heads seemed to swell a notch, exuding a scent of carnage and blood that charged straight at Xuan Lao. That roar was, in the soul beasts' common tongue, a cry: "The auspicious beast is here—come quickly to protect it!" Given sufficient strength to match the enemy, as one of the Ten Great Fierce Beasts, the canine‑type soul beast emperor, the Three‑Headed Crimson Magic Mastiff Chi Wang, how could it compromise with a human? Xuan Lao felt reassured that Huo Yuhao was still alive, and instantly formed a plan. He too let out a furious roar to the heavens, revealing his Taotie Divine Ox true form. The two powerhouses collided violently.

A situation that left Chi Wang utterly vexed occurred—the aura of the fierce beast that had just appeared, which was somewhat stronger than its own, flickered and vanished, leaving no trace. When it tried to speak to Xuan Lao again, Xuan Lao gave it no chance.

Without doubt, before Xuan Lao's overwhelming power, even as a fierce beast Chi Wang could barely defend itself, retreating step by step in its defense.

However, aside from Xuan Lao's full‑force strike in his fury, both he and Chi Wang restrained themselves. Given their strength, if they went all‑out, it would be an absolute disaster for the Star Dou Great Forest—something nobody wanted to see, Xuan Lao included.

Thick yellow light, viscous like liquid, condensed into a prison of earthly power that suddenly rose, tightly locking Chi Wang inside.

Chi Wang's three heads roared madly, black streaks surfacing on its dark‑red fur like a volcanic eruption, striving to break the prison.

"Stop."

Chen Qiye had already placed his sword on the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni's neck.

With its three heads and six eyes glaring, Chi Wang roared, "You dare! You dare kill the auspicious beast? We, belonging to the Star Dou, will surely bring calamity upon the human world!"

Chen Qiye said lightly, "Who said I wanted to kill it?"

Upon hearing Chen Qiye say he wouldn't kill the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni, Chi Wang calmed a bit; being highly intelligent, it asked in a low voice, "What do you intend?"

Chen Qiye replied calmly, "Nothing much. Find me a top‑quality spiritual‑type soul beast with around fifteen thousand years of cultivation and exchange it for this one."

Chi Wang stared, "What kind of condition is this? Compared to the auspicious beast, a fifteen‑thousand‑year spiritual soul beast is like a firefly beside the bright moon! It even doubted it had heard wrong. If Xuan Lao had asked for a mere hundred‑thousand‑year soul beast, it wouldn't be surprised."

Xuan Lao said coldly, "What? Don't you understand Qiye's words? I give you two hours. No extensions. I think this Three‑Eyed Golden Ni also has over ten thousand years of cultivation; I wouldn't mind making it my disciple's soul ring."

Chi Wang urged, "Impossible. The Three‑Eyed Golden Ni is the present auspicious beast; its power cannot be absorbed by humans, and it brings them no benefit. Fine, I accept your condition—but how do you guarantee the beast's safety? How can I trust you?" Xuan Lao sat heavily on the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni's back, the yellow light growing even more intense: "Chi Wang, know this: you have no choice, and no right to bargain with me. I'll wait for you at the northern outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest. Remember, you have only two hours. All I can tell you is that the Star Dou Great Forest borders Shileke Cheng; absent absolute necessity, neither side wishes to wage war—though we do not fear it."

The eyes of Chi Wang's three heads shifted as it regarded Xuan Lao's stern face, its sharp canine teeth twitching. "Alright, I'll trust you once." With those words, it wasted no time, flashing and vanishing as a dark‑red beam of light.

However, at that moment, within Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, the Ice Emperor was about to clash with the Ice Silk Worm, and the spiritual sea was violently churning.

"You dare try any idea—if something goes wrong, I'll be killed here by you!" The Ice Emperor really wanted to give the Ice Silk Worm a beating.

The Ice Silk Worm also said helplessly, "This isn't my fault—I just felt a soul beast was very suitable for Huo Yuhao, so…" After both sides reached a stalemate, Huo Yuhao walked out from not far away.

With Xuan Lao's perception, it was impossible not to notice Huo Yuhao, though his fury could cause a slight deviation; meanwhile, Chi Wang opposite him was also being suppressed by Xuan Lao.

As Huo Yuhao appeared, the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni began to stir.

"Detestable humans, get off me at once—if you harm me, I'll make you suffer endless misfortune!"

"Threatening us? Don't think that because this is the first time I've seen an auspicious beast like you, I don't know a thing about your kind. You're merely carrying a strange ancient bloodline that can, via its aura, affect the local spiritual qi—those so‑called omens are nonsense. Still want to bring us bad luck? Believe it or not, I can now torture you half to death. The beasts in the fierce‑beast region treat you as a treasure, but that's all you are—a treasure. If I killed you, they might indeed fly into a rage and launch a beast tide against the human world. But you're alive and well; don't think yourself too grand. Those fierce beasts cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years may treat you well, but they still see you as just a precious jewel, not an emperor. Your title of 'Imperial Auspicious Beast' is just a pleasant sound. Whether as a human or a soul beast, you need some self‑awareness."

"You—you're talking nonsense." The Three‑Eyed Golden Ni's voice rose noticeably in pitch.

Xuan Lao snorted coldly, "Nonsense? I've already been quite polite. If you had no use, or if eating your flesh could grant immortality, just see how those fierce beasts would treat you."

At that moment, a certain deity of mirth suddenly intervened.

Chen Qiye happened to slip off the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni's back. The instant his forehead touched the beast's upright eye, both his and the beast's bodies shuddered violently.

The Spirit‑Life Eye on Chen Qiye's forehead was instantly sparked by the strange power contained in the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni's upright eye, quietly opening. But because his forehead was pressed against that eye at the moment, Xuan Lao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao could not see it.

Rings of strange, distorting light haloed Chen Qiye and the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni, making their bodies appear almost translucent, the light flickering in and out. With each shift of the light, their bodies trembled slightly.

The vast life force of the Spirit‑Life Gold stored in the Spirit‑Life Eye surged out wildly, pouring into the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni. Its previous wounds healed at astonishing speed. Centered on Huo Yuhao and the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni, the entire Star Dou Great Forest seemed to stir, as intense life energy invisibly rushed toward them, continuously infusing their bodies.

The distorting light grew stronger and stronger, enveloping the human and beast, while a peculiar force flung Xuan Lao outward.

Wang Dong frowned, golden light intermittently flashing in his eyes. For some reason, looking at that twisting light ahead, he felt a strange sensation, as if something of his own were being split away—but it was so faint he could hardly tell.

And an invisible force drew that power away.

Chen Qiye's blank consciousness gradually recovered, his spiritual sea reappearing in his awareness. He was astonished to find that his spiritual sea seemed to have gained something, its volume at least doubled, and a faint, elusive presence existed within. His Spirit‑Life Eye also changed accordingly.

The Spirit‑Life Eye, normally brimming with life force, usually emitted a green light; to him it was merely the dwelling place of the Ice Jade Empress, also preserving a thread of his spiritual power—his second consciousness sea. The Spirit‑Life Guard Blade also resided there, ready for his use at any time.

"Hum—"

A layer of golden light burst forth from where Chen Qiye and the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni touched, launching his body upward; he spun twice in the air before stabilizing.

The Three‑Eyed Golden Ni staggered dazedly, stepping back a few steps. Its third eye turned from gold to black for an instant before returning to gold—a shift witnessed clearly by Xuan Lao, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao.

The Three‑Eyed Golden Ni looked somewhat weak, no longer struggling, merely gazing dully at Chen Qiye, whom Xuan Lao had set on the ground, his own eyes equally vacant.

Chen Qiye also seemed to sense something; his gaze met the Three‑Eyed Golden Ni's in midair, and both felt a faint tremor in their hearts, especially a slight numbness in their third eyes—a strange sensation arose.

Chen Qiye felt as if his spirit had crossed ages, his consciousness appearing in a vast, dense forest.

Suddenly, everything around turned gold; the brilliant hue even made the plants touched by the light become the same color. These plants grew wildly at astonishing speed, and on the ground appeared an egg with a golden base and variegated colors.

A clear cracking sound rang out; a crack appeared on the golden egg's surface, quickly extending. With a "click," a tiny claw poked out of the shell, followed by a small head.

Its golden fur was slightly damp, resembling a little puppy as it struggled out of the shell, then turned and ate its own shell bite by bite.

"Crack, crack" crisp sounds kept ringing, and on the body of this puppy-like little beast also began to appear a faint golden light.

Suddenly, a brilliant golden light descended from the sky, like a pillar connecting heaven and earth, directly enveloping the "puppy" that had just finished eating the eggshell.

The slime on the puppy's body gradually disappeared in the golden light; in an instant, its body grew from one chi long to one meter long, its golden fur turned transparent like crystal, and the dazzling golden light transformed into rippling halos that spread outward.

Looking up to the sky, it let out a somewhat sharp and thin roar: the "puppy"'s forehead suddenly split open, and an eye that seemed able to see through heaven and earth appeared.

And the three-eyed golden rhinoceros also saw a story completely of this world, bringing him only two words: shocking!!!

(End of chapter)