This Is the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff That Knocked Down the Golden Dragon King???

The humming of the Spirit Connection Device gradually subsided.

The glow on the crystal orb slowly receded, eventually returning to calm.

"It's over..." The steward stared at the device, his voice unconsciously lowering. "So quickly?"

Based on past experience, taming an Unyielding Soul Spirit took at least half an hour.

Clashes on the spiritual level were the most dangerous. The more fiercely a Soul Spirit resisted, the longer it took.

Among the failed cases in history, which one had not struggled bitterly in the spiritual realm for hours before finally retreating from exhaustion?

But how long had it been now?

The time it took to drink a cup of tea?

The steward instinctively looked toward Leng Yaozhu, wanting to glean something from the face of this Sky Phoenix Douluo.

Leng Yaozhu ignored him.

Her gaze remained fixed on the device, a faint glimmer flashing deep within her crimson eyes.

She was sensing.

Sensing Bai Yuan's spiritual fluctuations.

Steady, tranquil, without the slightest trace of struggle.

This was abnormal.

She knew better than anyone how unruly the Unyielding Soul Spirit was.

When the Spirit Pagoda had captured this Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff back then, three Title Douluos had been lost.

Afterward, countless talented youths had tried to tame it. Which of them had not been tormented half to death?

The worst one had suffered a direct spiritual backlash that shattered his mental power. Even now, he was still a cripple.

But now...

Click.

The helmet on the device made a soft sound.

Bai Yuan slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were clear and bright, without fatigue or pain, even carrying a hint of... lingering satisfaction?

The steward froze.

"Young Master, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw it.

At Bai Yuan's side, a golden phantom was condensing.

At first, it was only a blurry mass of golden mist, but it became increasingly solid and distinct.

Golden fur, the body of a male lion, those unruly vertical pupils...

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff.

It had emerged.

The steward subconsciously took a step back, instinctively sensing that oppressive presence.

He could not bear the pressure of the Unyielding Soul Spirit.

Yet the next second, his expression froze on his face.

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff's phantom circled Bai Yuan once.

Then circled him again.

Its massive head lowered and rubbed against Bai Yuan's shoulder.

Those vertical pupils that had once made countless people tremble with fear had now narrowed into two slits.

A rumbling purr came from its throat, like a large cat acting spoiled.

The steward: "..."

He rubbed his eyes.

He had not seen wrong.

This Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff was... rubbing against Bai Yuan?

That Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff that had once rammed a Soul Saint into severe injury and driven three beast tamers into mental collapse?

That Unyielding Soul Spirit that even dared bare its fangs at a Title Douluo?

It was rubbing against someone?

And acting cute?!

The steward opened his mouth, unable to utter a word for a long while.

The several staff members nearby were equally dumbfounded, their Soul Guidance Screens nearly slipping from their hands.

"This... 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 circled Bai Yuan again and again, its golden tail wagging like a fan.

The purring from its throat grew louder and louder. It looked as though it wished it could leap onto Bai Yuan right then.

Leng Yaozhu stood to the side, watching the scene.

Her expression shifted from initial gravity to slight surprise, before the corners of her lips slowly curved 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 her disciple's hands, it had become 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 fell on Bai Yuan, and a nearly imperceptible trace of satisfaction flashed through her eyes.

This child was even more interesting than she had imagined.

Bai Yuan was tickled by the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff rubbing against him, so he reached out and patted its large head.

"Alright, alright, stop rubbing against me."

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff let out an "Awoo," then obediently sat beside him, its tail still wagging.

How did it resemble an Unyielding Soul Spirit in the slightest?

Bai Yuan raised his head and saw the faces of the steward and staff, all of them clearly asking, "Who am I? Where am I?"

Then he looked at the faint, half-smiling curve on Leng Yaozhu's lips.

He scratched his head and grinned.

"Um... I think it went pretty smoothly?"

The steward: "..."

Smoothly?

You called this smooth?

Were you cheating???

Leng Yaozhu chuckled and shook her head. Her tone carried a hint of helplessness, but even more approval.

"Alright, stop showing off. Come over 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, only one thought remaining in their minds—

An Unyielding Soul Spirit that had not been subdued for years had just... been whisked away by someone in the time it took to drink a cup of tea?

And it had been won over so thoroughly?

Was there something wrong with this world?

Leng Yaozhu stepped forward and raised a hand. A gentle current flowed from her palm, slowly brushing over Bai Yuan's entire body.

The current was warm and delicate, like an invisible palm gently probing every corner of his meridians, bones, and Soul Power circulation.

A moment later, she withdrew her hand and nodded slightly.

"Mm, nothing's 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 exploded.

Just a moment ago, it had still 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 golden mane standing on end like a blazing sun bursting open.

It blocked Bai Yuan's path, its enormous body lowering slightly, front paws scraping at the ground as its fangs were fully bared.

"ROAR!!!"

The roar shook the entire room.

Its 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 gesture.

But so what?

It was an Unyielding Soul Spirit.

It possessed an ancient bloodline.

It could die, be defeated, be destroyed.

But it would never bow its head to anyone!

Golden Soul Power churned around its body, turning into tangible pressure that spread outward.

Its aura seemed ready to tear everything before it into pieces.

Leng Yaozhu: "..."

She stood in place, looking at the golden-furred big dog that had just been rolling around and acting spoiled.

Now it was baring its fangs at her as though it were a completely different creature.

She remained expressionless and silent for two seconds.

"Why are you changing your attitude now?"

Her tone was calm, even carrying a hint of helplessness.

The corner of Bai Yuan's mouth twitched.

He looked at Leng Yaozhu, then at the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff bristling before him.

Then he stepped forward.

He raised his hand.

Slap!

A heavy slap landed squarely on the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff's massive head.

"Be polite to my teacher!"

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff: "!!!"

It was stunned by the blow.

Its huge body froze in place, its golden vertical pupils widening round as it looked at Bai Yuan in disbelief.

Its master, who had just been so close to it, 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 did not dare.

It gave Bai Yuan a pitiful look, then quickly lowered its head.

"Awoo."

The cry was soft and timid, completely different from its previous roar.

It silently retreated two steps and shrank behind Bai Yuan, head hanging low, its golden tail no longer wagging.

It secretly glanced at Leng Yaozhu, then hurriedly looked away.

It looked exactly like a large dog that had been scolded.

Unconvinced, but too afraid to say anything.

Leng Yaozhu watched the scene, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.

"..."

She took a deep breath.

"You've trained 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 hiding behind Bai Yuan, too afraid to even look directly at her, and shook her head.

"Alright. Since the fusion is complete, go back and rest first."

She turned and walked outside. 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 hurriedly nodded. "Understood, understood!"

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 rubbed its huge head.

"Remember this: she's my master. Be more polite to her from now on, understand?"

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff let out an "Awoo," then nodded unwillingly.

Bai Yuan patted it approvingly.

"Good."

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff snuggled closer to him, its tail beginning to wag again.

As for the hostility it had shown Leng Yaozhu earlier?

Forget it. Its master's master... could be considered half a master too.

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.

Its golden fur drifted through the air, and its vertical pupils were filled with anticipation.

It was finally time 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."