The Imperial Auspicious Beast, Three-Eyed Golden Lion!

As the two walked out of the wooden cabin, the morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, scattering across the Lake of Life. The pale green surface shimmered with fragmented golden light, and the humid air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees.

Lin Yuan had just followed Gu Yue Na to the lakeside when he saw several figures standing in the clearing not far away. Di Tian, clad in a black robe, stood at the front, with Bi Ji, Zi Ji, the King of Ten Thousand Demons, Xiong Jun, the Scarlet King, and the Demon Spirit—the Fierce Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest—lined up behind him in order.

However, Lin Yuan's gaze didn't linger on them for long. Instead, it fell on the golden soul beast standing behind them. It stood eight feet tall at the shoulder, its entire body covered in brilliant golden fur that resembled translucent crystal, exuding an otherworldly texture. Its form was much like a lion's, but its four claws were as sharp as dragon claws, each stepping on a wisp of golden flame. Its snout was longer than that of an ordinary lion soul beast, and beneath its fur lay dense, fine golden scales. In addition to a pair of normal golden eyes, a strange red vertical pupil gleamed on its forehead.

Lin Yuan's steps instinctively halted, his purple eyes filled with curiosity. "Sister Nana, that glowing little lion is so pretty!"

Gu Yue Na followed Lin Yuan's gaze and saw him staring at the soul beast wreathed in golden flames. She shook her head gently and said softly, "It's not a little lion. It's the Imperial Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan, as a transmigrator, immediately understood, but a question arose: Had the current Imperial Auspicious Beast already fallen into Tang San's trap? He clearly remembered that in the original story, Tang San had implanted a wisp of Tang Wu Tong's divine consciousness into the Imperial Auspicious Beast to give his daughter a powerful bloodline and fortune.

Because of this, the Imperial Auspicious Beast later transformed into Wang Qiu Er, fell in love with Huo Yu Hao, and ultimately sacrificed herself to save him, bestowing her soul ring, soul bone, and the Power of Destiny upon him. After the sacrifice, the divine soul carrying the Dragon God Bloodline within her returned to Wang Dong Er, allowing Tang Wu Tong to become complete. Tang San's actions not only plundered the fortune of the Star Dou Great Forest but also turned the entire Douluo Continent into the "Tang Family's backyard garden."

Lin Yuan looked at the Imperial Auspicious Beast not far away, a flicker of complexity passing through his purple eyes. He knew well that the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was entangled in Tang San's massive scheme. If things followed the original trajectory, it was destined to become a stepping stone for Huo Yu Hao and Tang Wu Tong, sacrificing itself for others.

"Xiao Yuan, what's wrong?" Gu Yue Na noticed Lin Yuan's distraction and asked softly.

"Sister Nana, can I hug the Imperial Auspicious Beast?" Lin Yuan looked up at Gu Yue Na, his voice full of anticipation.

"Of course you can. But remember, Xiao Yuan, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion is the Imperial Auspicious Beast of the Star Dou Great Forest, born with fortune. Its temperament is gentle, but it's also wary of strangers. You need to approach it slowly." Gu Yue Na watched the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, which was tilting its head to study Lin Yuan, and gave him a gentle reminder.

After receiving the affirmative answer, Lin Yuan let go of Gu Yue Na's hand and slowly walked toward the Imperial Auspicious Beast. He wanted to take advantage of this brief contact to probe whether Tang Wu Tong's divine consciousness had already infiltrated its body.

Watching Lin Yuan approach, the Imperial Auspicious Beast shook its head, covered in golden crystal fur, and its vertical pupil narrowed slightly. The next moment, it actively stepped forward, rubbing its body, warm with golden flames, against the back of Lin Yuan's hand without any aggression.

Lin Yuan took the opportunity to open his arms and gently wrap them around the Imperial Auspicious Beast's furry neck. As his small hand touched its warm scales, the Dragon God's Heart within him began to circulate. Nine-Colored Flowing Light seeped slowly through his palm, probing into the depths of the Imperial Auspicious Beast's soul. There, it was completely clear, containing only the pure soul of the auspicious beast itself, with no trace of any foreign divine consciousness imprint.

After confirming that there was no Tang Wu Tong's divine consciousness inside the Imperial Auspicious Beast, Lin Yuan's hanging heart relaxed slightly. But then he thought again: Tang San's schemes were always far-reaching. The absence of traces now didn't mean he wouldn't act in the future. This auspicious beast, carrying the fortune of soul beasts, was ultimately a piece he had to control. As long as Tang San wanted Tang Wu Tong to return perfectly, he would never let go of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.

With that thought, Lin Yuan turned to Di Tian and said in a childish voice, "Uncle Di Tian, can you do something for me? It's very important, related to whether I can speed up my cultivation."

A gleam of light flashed in Di Tian's eyes, and the fervor he had been deliberately suppressing in front of Lin Yuan resurfaced. He stepped forward, almost instinctively dropping to one knee, but then remembered Lin Yuan's instruction not to be called master. He forced himself to change the gesture into a bow with clasped hands. "Xiao Yuan, just give your orders! Even if it means walking through fire or treading on blades, I won't hesitate for a moment!"

Lin Yuan quickly waved his hand. "Uncle Di Tian, no need to be so serious. It's not dangerous. Originally, I planned to awaken my martial soul and then attend an auction to bid on an engraving knife. But plans changed. The commotion I caused when awakening my martial soul was too big. Star Luo City is still tracking me, so I can't go to the auction. But that knife is really important to me."

Hearing this, Di Tian's tense body relaxed slightly, but the urgency in his eyes didn't diminish. "An engraving knife? May I ask where the auction is being held?"

Lin Yuan reached up and took off the necklace around his neck. It was a Black Jade Soul Guide Storage Ring with an antique design, its surface carved with dense dragon patterns. It was a relic left by his parents and the only keepsake he carried with him.

As his soul power poured into the ring, two items appeared in his palm out of thin air. One was a gilded invitation shimmering with faint golden light, and the other was a pitch-black metal card edged with fine silver patterns.

Handing the invitation and the metal card to Di Tian, Lin Yuan's childish voice took on a note of seriousness. "This invitation grants direct entry to the largest auction house in Star Luo City, the Starlight Auction House. The other black metal card is a Black Gold Card with over two billion Gold Soul Coins inside—more than enough to bid on the Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife, which is worth no more than a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. Uncle Di Tian, remember, no matter how much others bid, you must get that knife."

Di Tian nodded in agreement. "Xiao Yuan, rest assured. I will bring the Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife back intact and won't let anyone take it." Then he couldn't help but ask, "But since this knife is only worth a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, why do you value it so much?"

A slight smile curled at the corner of Lin Yuan's mouth, and a mischievous gleam flashed in his purple eyes. "When you bring the knife back, I'll tell you what it's for. If I say it now, there won't be any surprise."

Di Tian nodded slightly, and the next moment, his figure flickered and vanished, leaving only a faint black shadow that disappeared at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest in an instant.

Lin Yuan withdrew his gaze and turned to meet Gu Yue Na's smiling eyes. His fair little face flushed slightly, and he quickly ran to her side, explaining in a soft voice, "Sister Nana, I wasn't trying to be mysterious on purpose. I just need to have the Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife in hand to demonstrate its use clearly."

Gu Yue Na pinched Lin Yuan's fair cheek and said softly, "Sister Nana knows. Our Xiao Yuan has his own sense of measure. Alright, it's time to meet everyone. Let's start with your Sister Bi Ji to introduce the foundation of our Star Dou Great Forest."

Lin Yuan nodded lightly. As a transmigrator, he was already familiar with the names of these Fierce Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest. But seeing these soul beast powerhouses, who only existed in his memories, in person still sparked some curiosity.

Jade Swan Bi Ji, Hell Demon Dragon King Zi Ji, Dark Gold Claw Bear Xiong Jun, Demon Eye Demon Tree King of Ten Thousand Demons, Three-Headed Red Demon Mastiff Scarlet King, and the Demon Spirit. To be called Fierce Beasts, their cultivation had to be at least two hundred thousand years. Each one was a presence that could make even a Titled Douluo tremble in fear.

After going through the introductions, the initial awe and distance gradually gave way to a bit more closeness. After all, Lin Yuan didn't put on any airs of the Dragon God. His childish voice, paired with his earnest little expression, instantly made these Fierce Beasts, who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, unconsciously drop their formality.

"I want to ask you something. How are soul bones born from soul beasts?" Lin Yuan asked, stroking the Imperial Auspicious Beast's fur as he turned his gaze to the group of Fierce Beasts.

Bi Ji spoke first, her voice gentle. "Xiao Yuan, the birth of our soul beasts' soul bones is related to the soul beast's age, bloodline, and the state of its death. Low-age soul beasts, like those of ten or a hundred years, almost never produce soul bones. For thousand-year soul beasts, the probability is only about one in a thousand."

She paused and continued, "To form a soul bone, a soul beast must first condense a Soul Core, which is a crystallization of soul power and mental strength. Generally, soul beasts over ten thousand years old have the ability to condense a Soul Core on their own. After they die, the Soul Core solidifies into a soul bone corresponding to the body part most aligned with the beast's strongest ability."

"There are even more special cases!" Xiong Jun interjected in a deep, rumbling voice. "If a soul beast dies particularly violently—say, from a powerful external impact or by unleashing all its power right before death—the Soul Core undergoes intense shock, and the chance of forming a soul bone is higher! For soul beasts over fifty thousand years, the probability of producing a soul bone reaches thirty percent. For hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, it's a guaranteed one hundred percent!"

Zi Ji nodded in agreement and added, "But there are exceptions. For Fierce Beasts like us, our bloodlines are stronger than ordinary soul beasts, and our Soul Cores are more stable. Even if our age hasn't reached a hundred thousand years, our chances of producing a soul bone are much higher than those of our kind. And the skills attached to our soul bones are also stronger than ordinary ones."

"Then can I condense my own soul bone?" Lin Yuan asked, a hint of confusion in his purple eyes. "Ever since I awakened my martial soul, I've found that I can't seem to absorb soul bones. I can clearly feel a strong rejection."

Gu Yue Na patted Lin Yuan's shoulder and explained softly, "Xiao Yuan, it's not that you can't absorb soul bones. It's that you, as the Dragon God, inherently reject external soul bones. The essence of a soul bone is the condensed power of a dead soul beast. To an ordinary soul master, it's an opportunity, but to you, it's impurities. Your Dragon God Bloodline carries the supreme laws, and your body instinctively rejects power that doesn't belong to it. Forcibly absorbing it would disrupt the purity of your bloodline and even affect the operation of your Divine Core."

"Then will I never be able to have a soul bone?" Lin Yuan lowered his head, a trace of disappointment hidden in his voice.

Gu Yue Na slowly crouched down to meet Lin Yuan's eyes, her purple eyes full of tenderness. "Xiao Yuan, why would the Dragon God need to borrow someone else's soul bone? When your soul power is stronger, let the Dragon God Power flow through your limbs and bones, tempering them. Your skeleton will naturally condense into Dragon God Bones. They are divine bones a hundred times stronger than a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. They can not only bear your authority but also advance with you as you become a god. Ordinary soul bones can't compare."

"If Sister Nana isn't mistaken, the bones in your body might have already started condensing when you were born. If I had to set a time frame, it should be similar to the age of your soul rings, except there are no so-called soul bone skills. Your Dragon God Bones will increase all your body's attributes by a percentage—things like mental strength, strength, Physical Strength, speed, and so on. If they reach the hundred-thousand-year level, they should increase the base by ten percent, and so on from there."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan's eyes lit up. His drooping head shot up, his purple eyes full of surprise. "Really? The Dragon God Bones can increase all attributes? Then if they reach a million years, wouldn't they increase by a huge amount?"

Gu Yue Na was amused by Lin Yuan's expression and reached out to pinch his soft cheek. "Of course it's true. When your Dragon God Bones are fully formed, you yourself can be considered an indestructible divine artifact. However, your cultivation speed will be slower, even slower than an ordinary soul master with Innate Full Soul Power."

"After all, tempering the Dragon God Bones and fully mastering the Dragon God Bloodline require vast amounts of heaven and earth's primal energy and time. The soul power you need to advance one level is ten to a hundred times that of a soul master at the same level. But Xiao Yuan, you need to understand that being slow is for walking more steadily and farther. An ordinary soul master's soul power is like a stream, but yours is like a vast ocean. It may seem like you're advancing slowly, but every step you take is solid enough to shake heaven and earth. When you truly grow up, those who were once faster than you will only be left in the dust."

Lin Yuan nodded lightly. So what if his cultivation speed was slow? He had expected this. Compared to Lan Xuan Yu, who was also the Dragon God in the original story, he had held the complete Dragon God inheritance since birth—one hundred percent pure Dragon God Bloodline, an undivided Divine Core and authority, and a fused Quasi-Supreme Artifact. Lan Xuan Yu needed to gradually awaken his bloodline and piece together Dragon God fragments as he grew. What Lin Yuan had to do was simply let this innate supreme power fully return to its place, turning possession into mastery.

So what if cultivation was slow? When his Dragon God Bones were tempered to a hundred thousand years, a million years, when the Nine-Colored Dragon God Spear truly advanced to a Supreme Artifact, and when he could freely mobilize the Divine Authority of creation and destruction, not to mention the soul masters of the Douluo Continent, even the gods of the divine realm—how many could stop a fully awakened Dragon God?

Gu Yue Na looked at Lin Yuan, who showed no sign of wavering, and said with a hint of relief in her voice, "I'm glad Xiao Yuan understands. Cultivation is never about who runs faster, but who can stand until the end. This steadiness of yours is more precious than any talent."

"Sister Nana, teach me how to become stronger, okay?" Lin Yuan looked up, his purple eyes full of seriousness.

Gu Yue Na nodded slightly, took Lin Yuan's hand, and walked toward the shore of the Lake of Life. "Alright. From today on, Sister Nana will personally teach Xiao Yuan how to cultivate. But your path of cultivation is completely different from an ordinary soul master's. You need to be prepared to endure hardship."

"As long as I can be with Sister Nana every day, no matter how hard the training, Xiao Yuan isn't afraid!"