Emperor Auspicious Beast, Three-Eyed Golden Lion

Deep within the Great Star Dou Forest, the Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo was still running for his life.

His cloak had been shredded by branches, and thorns had carved bloody gashes across his face, but he did not dare stop. He had no idea whether the Light Titled Douluo, Yan Jingzhe, was still pursuing him. He could only flee toward the Core Area if he wanted to live, hoping to lure its savage beasts into holding Yan Jingzhe back.

As he flew, he reached the edge of a clearing.

The clearing was not large, only several dozen zhang across. At its center stood an ancient tree of unknown age. Its trunk was so thick that more than ten people joining arms could not encircle it, while its canopy blotted out the sky. Specks of silvery-white light glimmered amid its branches and leaves.

Curled up beside the tree was a golden figure.

It resembled a lion, though it was slightly smaller than an ordinary one. Its entire body was covered in golden fur, every strand gleaming with a faint golden halo beneath the moonlight. Besides its ordinary pair of eyes, it actually had a third eye on its forehead.

Its two normal eyes shone gold, but its vertical pupil emitted an eerie crimson glow, as though it were dozing off. The tip of its tail split into three strands, swaying gently behind it.

The Evil Soul Master's footsteps halted, disbelief flashing through his eyes. Could this be...? "The Holy Spirit Cult's intelligence had mentioned a legendary Emperor Auspicious Beast in the Great Star Dou Forest's Core Area: the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. It was born with control over fortune and possessed powerful innate skills. If he could devour this auspicious beast and absorb its vitality and soul power, both his cultivation and fortune would soar."

The Evil Soul Master was tempted.

He could devour and absorb the auspicious beast now, then pin the blame on the Light Titled Douluo, Yan Jingzhe. Let the savage beasts fight him to the death while he escaped amid the chaos.

Yes, that was it. The Evil Soul Master hypnotized himself, greed nearly spilling from his eyes. He had forgotten that the Emperor Auspicious Beast never wandered alone.

He clenched his fists as soul power began to gather in his palms.

At that moment, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion sensed danger and opened its eyes.

Its two ordinary eyes were gold, like a pair of red-hot amber stones. It glanced at the scruffy, blood-covered man standing at the edge of the clearing, then slowly rose to its feet. It moved leisurely, even stretching lazily as its golden fur trembled in the moonlight, like an indolent great cat.

But it did not run, because the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff emerged from behind the tree.

The Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff was over five meters long, enormously muscular, and somewhat lion-like, except it had three identical massive heads. Each head was over a meter in diameter, and all six eyes stared at the tiny human at the edge of the clearing. Its fur was dark red, like congealed blood, every strand radiating searing heat. All three mouths exhaled hot breath carrying the stench of sulfur and scorched flesh.

The Soul Master's face instantly changed from greedy to deathly pale.

The Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff. A Three-Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, one of the guardians of the Great Star Dou Forest's Core Area and the protector of the Emperor Auspicious Beast. Anyone who dared harm the Three-Eyed Golden Lion would face its indiscriminate attack.

"Human, you dare touch the auspicious beast? Die!" A low roar erupted simultaneously from all three of Red King's heads, while intense dark-red light burst from its body. Its three heads seemed to swell larger as three enormous fireballs filled with destructive power condensed in their mouths and shot toward the Evil Soul Master.

"Seventh Soul Skill, Myriad Souls True Body! Ninth Soul Skill, Myriad Souls Annihilation!" Facing a Three-Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Evil Soul Master did not dare show the slightest carelessness. He immediately unleashed his martial soul true body and strongest killing move.

At once, black-red vengeful spirits and ghostly gods blotted out the sky, rushing forth amid endless wails. The power of Myriad Souls Annihilation carried bone-eroding resentment, shrouding the entire space in cold, deathly silence. Opposing it were three enormous fireballs brimming with destructive force.

They collided in an instant!

The massive explosion sent violent winds sweeping in every direction. Red and black torrents tore at each other, annihilated each other, and crashed violently in midair.

Moments later, the fireballs overpowered the evil soul power. The fiery torrent broke through the black mist, and the vengeful spirit demon god shattered with a boom as black smoke scattered into the wind.

A figure flew backward like a kite with its string cut, smashing heavily into the ground and coughing up blood.

The Evil Soul Master lying on the ground cursed loudly. "Fuck! I, Wan Hun, only brought someone here to hunt a Soul Ring! Why did I run into the Light Titled Douluo Yan Jingzhe first, then the Three-Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff? Why am I so damned unlucky?"

"Because heaven thinks you have committed too many evils and deserve to die."

At that moment, space at the edge of the clearing tore open, and a faint voice came from within.

Golden light shone through the rift as two figures stepped out.

The man in front had silver-white hair, his golden pupils shining in the dark night like two stars. A youth followed behind him, white light flowing through his Spirit Eyes as Spiritual Detection silently spread across the entire clearing.

They were Yan Jingzhe and Huo Yuhao.

Yan Jingzhe glanced at the Evil Soul Master lying on the ground, then at the Three-Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff, before finally looking toward the golden figure beside the great tree, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. His gaze paused slightly, and surprise flickered in his eyes.

Was Tang God-King exerting his influence? Or was Huo Yuhao, this child of fortune, simply too attractive to destiny? This was only his second visit to the Great Star Dou Forest, yet he had encountered the Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Yan Jingzhe thought to himself.

Forget it. No matter what, Huo Yuhao will not be able to link destinies with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion this time. It does not matter if Huo Yuhao has a little less destiny power; he can still become a god later. But I, Yan Jingzhe, need faith.

Twenty thousand years ago, the Sea God Poseidon unified the faith of all Sea Soul Beasts and became the First-Level God, the Sea God. Likewise, Spirit Hall unified the faith of humanity across the continent and produced the First-Level God, the Angel. If I, Yan Jingzhe, unite the faith of every living being on Douluo Continent, then surpassing a First-Level God and attaining the position of God-King would not be excessive, would it?

At that moment, the Titled Douluo Wan Hun lay flat on his back, blood flowing from wounds all over his body as he begged Yan Jingzhe for mercy.

"Yan Jingzhe! I know a great deal of Holy Spirit Cult intelligence! If you spare me, I'll tell you everyth—"

Yan Jingzhe raised a hand.

A thread-thin ray of golden light shot from his fingertip, swift as a streak of light. It entered Wan Hun's brow. His pupils abruptly dilated, the plea in his throat cut off, and his body twitched once before falling completely still.

Yan Jingzhe stood where he was and curled his lip. "I am a transmigrator. Why would I need you to tell me about the Holy Spirit Cult?"

"Humans, leave at once. You are not welcome here." All three heads of the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff turned toward them, six eyes fixing upon the uninvited guests as a low rumble came from its throat.

The middle head of the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff slowly lifted and stared at Yan Jingzhe. It had sensed the power contained in that golden ray, that pure power of light. Its three heads all lowered slightly, instinctively wary as it realized he was a peak expert.

"Red King, I originally came for this Evil Soul Master. But since I have encountered you, I need you to help me find a Millennium Nine-Colored Illusion Butterfly. Otherwise..." Yan Jingzhe said calmly as he looked at the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff.

Yan Jingzhe glanced at it, then at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion beside the great tree.

His meaning was obvious.