Sacrifice, A New Trial

Inside the Luminous White Space, Su Zhen sat cross-legged on the ground, cultivating.

Suddenly, a wave of air formed by black lightning surged from within Su Zhen's body, spreading throughout the entire space.

Su Zhen opened his eyes, a wisp of electric arc flashing across his pupils, and he exhaled before standing up.

"One month. Finally, I've broken through to level sixty."

If Su Zhen's words were heard by the soul masters in the outside world, they would likely collapse on the spot. A twelve-year-old Soul Emperor, taking only one month to break through from level fifty-nine to level sixty—this was something they wouldn't even dare to imagine. This could no longer be described as genius; even a peerless monster could barely keep up with Su Zhen's pace.

"Not bad. A twelve-year-old Soul Emperor. If those major powers outside knew about you, they would likely assassinate you at any cost."

Gu Yuena walked over from the side, her gaze filled with shock as she looked at Su Zhen; even a transformed soul beast did not possess such a cultivation speed.

"I am merely a Soul Emperor. I am still far from having the strength for revenge."

"I like your humble and unpretentious attitude. Now, it is time to unfold the first step of our cooperation."

"Di Tian."

Gu Yuena called out to the side, and Di Tian appeared in response, bowing to the Silver Dragon King.

"My Lord, what are your orders?"

As Di Tian bowed, his gaze secretly sized up Su Zhen. This little fellow he had personally brought in had actually broken through to a Soul Emperor in just one month.

"Go and bring the Three-Eyed Golden Lion here."

"My Lord, this..."

"Hmm?"

"Yes, My Lord, I will go at once."

Di Tian had originally wanted to say something more, but after one glance from Gu Yuena, he hurriedly lowered his head in agreement and vanished from the spot.

Not long after, Di Tian appeared in the space carrying a brilliant golden soul beast.

"My Lord, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion has been brought."

"Very well, you may withdraw."

"Yes."

Before leaving, Di Tian took a deep look at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, wanting to etch it into his memory. Ever since the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was born, he had regarded it as his own daughter. Now that Gu Yuena had ordered him to bring it before Su Zhen, who had just broken through to a Soul Emperor, its fate was self-evident. But for the future of the soul beast race, he had to unconditionally comply with this matter.

"Three-Eyed Golden Lion, I need you to sacrifice yourself to him."

After Di Tian left, Gu Yuena walked up to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and pointed at Su Zhen, her tone carrying unquestionable majesty.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion cast its gaze toward Su Zhen. The moment it arrived here, it had felt an extremely intense sense of intimacy from this human.

You are also an Auspicious Beast, aren't you? So, I am not the only lonely beast in this world. I have kin after all.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared intently at Su Zhen, its large golden vertical pupils wanting to see through everything about him.

Su Zhen did not speak; he instantly completed his Martial Soul Possession. The Thunder Prison Qilin, wreathed in black lightning, appeared within the Luminous White Space, staining the flawless white expanse with a blemish.

The moment the Thunder Prison Qilin appeared, light erupted from both it and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Black and golden light entwined and merged within the space.

"What a beautiful martial soul. It's almost catching up to me. Truly, you are my kin."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared burningly at the Thunder Prison Qilin behind Su Zhen, the sense of intimacy in its heart erupting uncontrollably at this moment.

"Merging with such a beautiful martial soul is a good choice."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion whispered, then slowly walked toward the Thunder Prison Qilin.

"What!"

Su Zhen exclaimed in shock at this moment. He could no longer feel the existence of his martial soul; his Thunder Prison Qilin had slipped out of his control.

The moment the Three-Eyed Golden Lion took a step forward, the Thunder Prison Qilin behind Su Zhen also took a step forward. At this moment, the martial soul had come to life.

Seeing the step taken by the Thunder Prison Qilin, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes turned fiery. It took another step forward, and the Thunder Prison Qilin followed suit. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion quickened its pace, and the Thunder Prison Qilin did the same.

The two massive beasts ran toward each other within the luminous space. The black light and golden light drew closer, entwining and weaving together in the next instant.

The Thunder Prison Qilin and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion collided. The moment they made contact, the latter transformed into specks of golden light, surging madly into the body of the Thunder Prison Qilin and dyeing its black frame with a layer of gold.

At the moment of impact, Su Zhen seemed to sense something; he sat cross-legged and began to circulate the Lightning Heart Meditation Method with all his might. The moment he closed his eyes, a white soul ring slowly emerged on his body, nesting outside the previous five soul rings.

The color of the soul ring gradually changed as Su Zhen cultivated, shifting from white to yellow, then after a while, from yellow to purple. The purple deepened, and after another period of time, the purple-black ring completely transformed into a black ten-thousand-year soul ring. Six soul rings—purple, purple, purple, black, black, black—slowly hovered around Su Zhen.

The Thunder Prison Qilin and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion had also completed their fusion. A brand-new Qilin martial soul appeared in the Luminous White Space. Its originally black body was now covered in brilliant golden lightning patterns. Its two dragon horns and lion mane had changed from black to gold, and its four beast claws trod upon golden flames. The blood-red lightning pattern on its forehead bloomed completely, transforming into a third golden eye that complemented its two black beast pupils. The black lightning around its body turned blood-red, coiling around the Thunder Prison Qilin's massive frame.

"Ang~ woo~"

The Thunder Prison Qilin let out a long roar toward the sky. Having become a complete Auspicious Beast, it possessed intelligence the moment the fusion was finished—the intelligence of a child comparable to a ten-thousand-year soul beast, though it could not speak like the Three-Eyed Golden Lion once did.

The Thunder Prison Qilin trod on golden flames and came to lie down behind Su Zhen, guarding him while he meditated.

A martial soul with intelligence? Interesting.

Gu Yuena stared at every move of the Thunder Prison Qilin, as if she had discovered a fun new toy.

A quarter of an hour passed, and Su Zhen finally ended his meditation. The sixth soul ring on his body had completely settled as a black ten-thousand-year soul ring.

Su Zhen stood up, turned his head to look at the martial soul lying behind him, and gazed at the lively-eyed Thunder Prison Qilin before him; he had the illusion that he was looking at a pet.

My martial soul is a part of myself, yet I view it like a pet. Am I my own pet?

Su Zhen shook his head violently, casting this bizarre thought from his mind. As he reached out to stroke the head of the Thunder Prison Qilin, it actually nudged its head against his hand.

"That's enough. How long do you intend to play with your own martial soul?"

Gu Yuena's icy voice rang out from the side. The interrupted Thunder Prison Qilin cast an indignant glance at her before transforming into a streak of black light and diving into Su Zhen's body.

"How do you feel? Having absorbed the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, you are now the only auspicious beast on the entire Douluo Continent."

"I feel complete. There are many new things in my mind, my spiritual power has been elevated to the level of a Titled Douluo, and most importantly, I can now restrain my aura."

As Su Zhen spoke, his entire aura retracted, instantly turning him into an ordinary person; not a shred of soul power fluctuation or auspicious beast aura could be detected.

"Since the goal has been achieved, let us begin your cultivation. This time, Di Tian and the others will instruct you personally. With the resources of the entire Star Dou Forest at your disposal, you will be able to grow at the fastest possible speed."

Gu Yuena decreed the course of Su Zhen's actions for a considerable time to come.

Su Zhen stepped out of the Luminous White Space, where six massive, mountain-like beast shadows surrounded the exit, waiting for his appearance.