The hum of the Spirit Connection Device gradually subsided.
The light on the crystal orb slowly receded, finally returning to stillness.
"It's over..." The manager stared at the device, unconsciously lowering his voice. "So fast?"
Based on past experience, taming an Unyielding Soul Spirit took at least half an hour.
Mental confrontations were the most dangerous. The more fiercely a Soul Spirit resisted, the longer it took.
Which of those historical failures hadn't struggled bitterly in the mental realm for hours, only to retreat in exhaustion?
But how long had it been now?
The time it took to drink a cup of tea?
The manager instinctively looked toward Leng Yaozhu, hoping to read something from the Sky Phoenix Douluo's face.
Leng Yaozhu ignored him.
Her gaze was fixed tightly on the device, a faint glimmer flashing deep within her crimson eyes.
She was sensing.
Sensing Bai Yuan's mental fluctuations.
Steady, tranquil, without any trace of struggle.
That wasn't normal.
No one understood the Unyielding Soul Spirit's wild and unyielding nature better than she did.
When the Spirit Pagoda had captured this Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff, they had lost three Title Douluos.
Afterward, so many talented youths had tried to tame it. Which one hadn't been tormented half to death?
The worst of them had suffered a direct mental backlash that shattered his spiritual power. He was still a cripple to this day.
But now...
Click.
The helmet on the device made a soft sound.
Bai Yuan slowly opened his eyes.
Those eyes were crystal clear, without fatigue or pain, even carrying a hint of... lingering satisfaction?
The manager froze.
"Young master, you..."
Before he could finish, he saw it.
A golden phantom was condensing beside Bai Yuan.
At first, it was only a vague mass of golden mist. Then it grew increasingly solid, increasingly distinct.
Golden fur, the body of a majestic lion, and those untamed vertical pupils...
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff.
It had emerged.
The manager instinctively took a step back, feeling that oppressive presence.
He couldn't withstand the pressure of an Unyielding Soul Spirit.
Yet the next moment, his expression froze on his face.
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff's phantom circled Bai Yuan once.
Then circled him again.
Its enormous head lowered and rubbed against Bai Yuan's shoulder.
Those vertical pupils that had once terrified countless people were now narrowed into slits.
A rumbling purr came from its throat, like a big cat acting cute.
The manager: "..."
He rubbed his eyes.
He hadn't seen wrong.
This Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff was... was rubbing against Bai Yuan?
That Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff that had once rammed a Soul Saint into serious injury and driven three beast tamers into mental collapse?
That Unyielding Soul Spirit that had dared bare its fangs even at a Title Douluo?
It was rubbing against someone?
And acting cute?!
The manager opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word for a long while.
The staff nearby were equally dumbfounded. The Soul Guidance Screens in their hands nearly fell to the floor.
"Th-this... is an Unyielding Soul Spirit?" a young staff member muttered. "Why does it look like a golden retriever to me?"
"Shut up!" The person beside him jabbed him, though his own voice was trembling. "You didn't see wrong... it's that one. The one that nearly killed Deacon Zhang back then."
"But now it..."
"I know. Stop talking. I can see it too."
Everyone saw it.
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff kept circling Bai Yuan again and again, its golden tail wagging like a fan.
The purring in its throat grew louder and louder. It looked as though it wanted nothing more than to leap onto Bai Yuan right then.
Leng Yaozhu stood to the side, watching the scene.
Her expression changed from initial solemnity to mild surprise, and then the corners of her lips slowly curled upward.
Was it really that simple?
She was asking herself the same question.
An Unyielding Soul Spirit that no one had been able to tame for so many years.
Yet in the hands of her disciple, it had become completely obedient in the time it took to drink a cup of tea?
It had even voluntarily acknowledged him as its master?
Could he really be a genius???
Leng Yaozhu's gaze settled on Bai Yuan, and an almost imperceptible satisfaction flashed through her eyes.
This child was even more interesting than she had imagined.
Bai Yuan was getting a little itchy from the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff rubbing against him, so he reached out and patted its big head.
"Alright, alright, stop rubbing against me."
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff gave a soft "Awoo," then obediently crouched beside him, its tail still wagging.
How did it look anything like an Unyielding Soul Spirit?
Bai Yuan raised his head and saw the manager and staff members' faces, all written with Who am I? Where am I?
Then he looked at the faint, knowing curve on Leng Yaozhu's lips.
He scratched his head and grinned.
"Um... I guess it went pretty smoothly?"
The manager: "..."
Smoothly?
This was smooth?
Were you cheating???
Leng Yaozhu gave a soft laugh and shook her head. Her tone held a hint of helplessness, but even more approval.
"Alright, stop showing off. Come here and let me take a look."
Bai Yuan obediently walked over.
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff immediately followed behind him, never leaving his side.
The scene looked exactly like a large dog protecting its master.
The staff exchanged glances, with only one thought in their minds—
An Unyielding Soul Spirit that no one had tamed for years had just... been lured away in the time it took to drink a cup of tea?
And so thoroughly at that?
Was something wrong with this world?
Leng Yaozhu stepped forward and raised her hand. A gentle current of air flowed from her palm, slowly brushing across Bai Yuan's entire body.
The current was warm and soft, like an invisible hand gently probing every corner of his meridians, bones, and Soul Power circulation.
A moment later, she withdrew her hand and nodded slightly.
"Mm, there's nothing wrong. Very good."
Before she could finish speaking.
Leng Yaozhu's gaze passed over him and landed on the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff behind him.
She took a step forward.
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff instantly bristled.
Just a moment ago, it had been lying at Bai Yuan's feet, purring and acting cute like a big cat.
Now, it abruptly rose to its feet, every strand of its golden mane standing on end like an exploding sun.
It blocked Bai Yuan's path, its massive body crouching slightly as its front claws scraped the ground and its fangs bared.
"ROAR!!!"
The roar shook the entire room.
Those golden vertical pupils stared fixedly at Leng Yaozhu. There was no fear in them, only the most primal vigilance and hostility.
Even though its instincts told it that the woman before it was powerful.
Powerful enough to crush it to death with a casual flick of her hand.
But so what?
It was an Unyielding Soul Spirit.
It possessed an ancient bloodline.
It could die, it could be defeated, it could be destroyed.
But it would never bow its head to anyone!
Golden Soul Power surged around its body, transforming into tangible pressure that spread outward.
Its imposing aura seemed ready to tear everything before it into pieces.
Leng Yaozhu: "..."
She stood where she was, looking at this golden-haired big dog that had been rolling around and acting cute just moments ago.
Now, it was baring its fangs at her as though it were a different beast entirely.
She remained expressionless and silent for two seconds.
"Why are you changing your attitude now?"
Her tone was calm, even carrying a trace of helplessness.
The corner of Bai Yuan's mouth twitched.
He looked at Leng Yaozhu, then at the bristling Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff before him.
Then he stepped forward.
He raised his hand.
Slap!
A heavy slap landed squarely on the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff's big head.
"Be polite to my teacher!"
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff: "!!!"
It was stunned by the blow.
Its enormous body stiffened in place, its golden vertical pupils widening round as it stared at Bai Yuan in disbelief.
Its master, who had been so close to it just moments ago, had hit it?
For this woman?
Bai Yuan glared at it. "Did you hear me?"
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff: "..."
It opened its mouth, wanting to roar, but didn't dare.
It gave Bai Yuan a pitiful look, then quickly lowered its head.
"Awoo."
The cry was soft and timid, utterly unlike its earlier roar.
It silently retreated two steps and shrank behind Bai Yuan, hanging its head. Even its golden tail stopped wagging.
It secretly glanced at Leng Yaozhu, then hurriedly looked away.
It looked exactly like a big dog that had been scolded.
It was dissatisfied, but didn't dare say anything.
Leng Yaozhu watched the scene, and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly.
"..."
She took a deep breath.
"You've taught it quite well."
Bai Yuan scratched his head and chuckled. "It doesn't know any better. Teacher, please don't lower yourself to its level."
Leng Yaozhu glanced at the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff cowering behind Bai Yuan, not even daring to look directly at her, and shook her head.
"Alright. Since the fusion is complete, go back and rest first."
She turned and walked out. After taking two steps, she stopped and added without looking back.
"Let it adapt properly. Don't let it roar at every little thing."
Bai Yuan quickly nodded. "Got it, got it!"
Only after Leng Yaozhu had gone far away did he lower his head to look at the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff.
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff raised its head, its golden vertical pupils filled with grievance.
Bai Yuan sighed and reached out to rub its huge head.
"Remember, she's my master. Be more polite to her from now on, understand?"
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff let out an "Awoo" and nodded reluctantly.
Bai Yuan patted it approvingly.
"Good."
The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff snuggled closer to him again, its tail beginning to wag once more.
As for the hostility it had shown Leng Yaozhu just now?
Forget it. Its master's master... was half a master too, then.
Though that woman really was terrifying.
"Prepare to fuse."
Leng Yaozhu stepped aside, leaving Bai Yuan enough space.
Bai Yuan nodded and sat down cross-legged.
The Soul Spirit phantom of the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff circled at his side.
Golden fur drifted through the air, and those vertical pupils were filled with anticipation.
It was finally going to fuse!
It had waited far too long for this moment.
Bai Yuan took a deep breath and slowly spread open his left hand.
"Worldbearing Coreflame."
Before you continue