"We've only known each other a little while... but I really want a Soul Beast partner..."
"I hope we can meet again in our next lives..."
After Ji Ye finished speaking, his vision went black. His body pitched forward, and he lost consciousness.
Ice-Armored Godzilla let out a low, mournful cry. Carefully catching him with its enormous forepaw, it sheltered him beneath its body.
It raised its head and warily watched the approaching presence. Its body lowered slightly, ready to fight to the death.
Before long,
the figure emerged from the shadows of the trees.
It wasn't some gigantic creature.
It was a Soul Beast about three meters long and eight feet tall at the shoulder. Its entire body was covered in golden fur that glimmered softly in the sunlight.
Its shape resembled a lion, but its four paws were like a dragon's, each claw gleaming with a metallic chill. A red vertical eye sat in the middle of its forehead, turning slightly as it surveyed everything around it.
The Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
Ice-Armored Godzilla's pupils suddenly contracted.
It recognized this legendary being.
The Emperor Auspicious Beast of Star Dou Forest, the noblest bloodline among all Soul Beasts, the embodiment of heaven and earth's fortune.
Ice-Armored Godzilla lowered its head slightly, letting go of all hostility and wariness.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion slowly stepped forward, its golden fur rippling with flecks of light beneath the moon. Its steps were light, like a king surveying its domain.
It circled Ji Ye, then lowered its head to examine the unconscious boy. When its gaze fell on his face, its red vertical eye glimmered faintly.
This human... was more handsome than any creature it had ever seen.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion looked down at Ice-Armored Godzilla, then at the unconscious Ji Ye, and spoke.
Its voice was a clear, melodious female voice.
"Do you know him?"
Ice-Armored Godzilla shook its head, then nodded, letting out a low whine, as if to say, "I only met him recently, but he's a good person."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion fell silent for a moment, then slowly walked up to Ji Ye and lowered its head to look at him.
Its third eye radiated a gentle golden light, enveloping Ji Ye from head to toe.
"Stand guard at the perimeter. I'll save him."
Ice-Armored Godzilla let out a grateful growl, then turned and moved to the edge of the clearing. Its massive body blocked the bushes as it warily scanned its surroundings.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion lowered its head over the unconscious Ji Ye and slowly brought its third eye close to his forehead.
Golden light flowed from its vertical eye like a warm spring, seeping into the space between Ji Ye's brows.
Ji Ye's body trembled slightly, and his eyes shifted beneath his lids.
Ji Ye slowly opened his eyes, his vision gradually sharpening from a blur.
Suddenly, he felt a warm weight pressing against his chest.
He looked down.
A little golden lion was lying on his chest, its fluffy head resting over his heart. Its breathing was even, and it looked as if it were asleep.
Its fur shimmered with a soft golden glow. The red vertical eye on its forehead was gently closed, but a faint trace of light still swirled between its brows.
Ji Ye froze.
A great many memories that weren't his own had appeared in his mind.
In the depths of Star Dou Forest, golden sunlight streamed through the canopy and fell upon a running young beast; walking alone beneath the moon, the third eye atop its head sweeping over the silent forest; time and again, brushing past powerful Soul Beasts and watching them regard it with reverence.
Those were the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's memories.
She had traveled to every corner of Star Dou Forest and seen countless Soul Beasts, not one of whom dared treat her with the slightest disrespect.
Those scenes surged into his mind like a tide, intertwining with his own memories until he could no longer tell which were his and which were hers.
Ji Ye looked at her sleeping on his chest. He was silent for a few breaths, then gently reached out and rubbed her head.
Her golden fur felt warm and soft, like a golden cloud.
Ji Ye spoke, his voice a little hoarse.
"Was it you who saved me?"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion didn't open her eyes, but her tail moved slightly, as if answering him.
A great deal of information about her had appeared in Ji Ye's mind.
The embodiment of heaven and earth's fortune, the darling of Star Dou Forest, the only Emperor Auspicious Beast in the world.
And she had given him half of her destiny's power.
That meant that from now on, an invisible bond connected them. He could sense her feelings, and her safety was bound up with his.
Ji Ye opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
Gaining half of Star Dou Forest's fortune would naturally benefit him greatly, but it also meant he had taken on a responsibility.
Ji Ye gently rubbed the top of her head again.
"Thank you."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion finally opened her eyes and raised her head to look at him.
Her golden eyes were clear and bright, carrying a hint of scrutiny and a touch of curiosity, faintly concealed.
"You're called Ji Ye?" Her voice was still ethereal, clear, and melodious.
Ji Ye nodded.
"That's right. Thank you, Three-Eyed Golden Lion."
"I saw your memories..."
She tilted her head.
"Imprisoned for six years, taken by Qian Renxue to the Worship Hall, meeting those Worshippers, going to Star Dou Forest to capture Xiao Wu, going to Sunset Forest to look for Immortal Herbs, and that Ghost Douluo who wanted to kill you."
Her tone was flat, as if she were recounting a story.
"You human... you've certainly had an eventful life."
"The outside world really is interesting."
Ji Ye looked at her and fell silent for two seconds.
"You gave me your memories too."
"Mm." The Three-Eyed Golden Lion didn't deny it.
"Our fates are already linked."
Just as Ji Ye was about to speak, a deafening rumble of running suddenly came from deep within the forest.
The ground shook violently. Fallen leaves pattered down from the canopy, and even the air began to hum.
A roar came from the distance, filled with undisguised fury and pressure, as if something were charging toward them at incredible speed.
Ice-Armored Godzilla let out a low whine and shrank behind a large tree. Its massive head hung low, as if it had encountered something that terrified it.
Ji Ye braced himself against the ground and sat up. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion jumped down from his chest and stood beside him.
She was unbothered, but Ji Ye was panicking.
Watching the direction from which the presence was approaching, he slowly uttered a name.
"...Scarlet King."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's guardian.
The ninth-ranked of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.
The two-hundred-thousand-year-old Three-Headed Red Demon Mastiff!
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion stood lazily in front of Ji Ye and glanced at him.
"Don't be nervous. It's my uncle, Scarlet King."
Ji Ye didn't know what to say.
Of course I know he's your uncle, Scarlet King. He's just not my uncle!
Sure enough, a few breaths later, a massive crimson figure burst out of the trees and landed three zhang in front of Ji Ye, kicking up a cloud of dust.
PS: The second heroine, the Emperor Auspicious Beast, Di Qiu'er! For her appearance, refer to Qian Renxue.
Before you continue