Her golden pupils held a glimmer of scrutiny, as though she were sizing something up.
Wang Dong's heart clenched. He instinctively tightened his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer and watched her warily. What exactly did this Emperor Auspicious Beast want?
He certainly did not think he had enough charm to make an Emperor Auspicious Beast see him in a different light. Drawing a deep breath, he forced himself to his feet. His legs were still trembling, but he refused to show weakness before a sovereign like her.
He stared at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, his thoughts racing. If she really attacked me, would I have any chance of escaping?
As Wang Dong watched the Three-Eyed Golden Lion approach him step by step, his nerves stretched to their limit. He gripped the Clear Sky Hammer, every muscle taut, ready to fight to the death at any moment.
To his surprise, however, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion showed no hostility when she reached him.
She tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her golden pupils, as though she were examining an interesting toy.
She lowered her head and leaned closer to Wang Dong, her nostrils twitching gently as if she were sniffing his scent.
A moment later, she actually let out a soft, low growl, a trace of warmth and goodwill in her voice.
Wang Dong froze. What was going on? This Emperor Auspicious Beast was actually showing affection toward me?
He considered it carefully, and understanding gradually dawned on him. Could she have sensed my aura and come looking for me specifically?
The thought of his Golden Dragon King Bloodline stirred something in Wang Dong's heart. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion seemed to have some connection to the Golden Dragon King.
In the original story, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion could even manifest the Golden Dragon Spear Martial Soul through a certain method. Wasn't that my future weapon?
An indescribable feeling welled up in Wang Dong, as though some invisible connection existed between him and this Emperor Auspicious Beast, woven by unseen forces.
But he did not dwell on it for now. With the three Zhongli brothers dead, the Soul Beasts restrained over there were about to break free.
He turned to look and saw the ten-thousand-year Rogue Rabbit lying on the ground, covered in wounds, her breathing faint.
Although the black chains binding her had dissipated with Zhongli Tian's death, her injuries were too severe. Blood stained the ground red, and she was clearly on the verge of death.
The thousand-year-old youngster crouched beside its mother, letting out mournful cries. Its voice was piercing, as though it were begging its mother not to leave.
Wang Dong walked over. The youngster immediately raised its head warily and stood in front of its mother, its blood-red eyes filled with apprehension and fear. Despite its terror, it continued to shield its mother, refusing to let Wang Dong approach.
Just then, the ten-thousand-year Rogue Rabbit actually lifted her head slightly and glanced at Wang Dong. There was a trace of gentleness in her eyes, as though she were expressing goodwill.
She gave a soft cry, seemingly telling her youngster that this human could be trusted. After all, she had just seen that Wang Dong had been trying to save her.
Besides, if not for Wang Dong, those Evil Soul Masters would have killed her child long ago.
The youngster hesitated, then finally stepped aside, though it continued to watch Wang Dong warily.
The ten-thousand-year Rogue Rabbit looked at Wang Dong with a hint of pleading in her eyes. She knew she was dying. Rather than let the power within her dissipate for nothing, she would give this human a helping hand.
She was willing to let Wang Dong absorb her and become his Soul Ring.
The Rogue Rabbit conveyed her intentions. Wang Dong watched her in silence, complicated emotions rising in his heart. He had never expected this Soul Beast to make such a choice.
He opened his mouth to say something, only to find that no words would come.
All he could do was crouch down and gently stroke the ten-thousand-year Rogue Rabbit's head. "Don't worry," he said softly. "I'll put your power to good use."
"I'll also help look after your child..."
The ten-thousand-year Rogue Rabbit seemed to understand. A peaceful light flickered in her eyes as she slowly closed them. A moment later, her body dissolved into motes of light and vanished into the air.
The youngster let out a piercing cry of grief and crouched where its mother had vanished, unwilling to leave for a long time. Wang Dong stood silently nearby without urging it on.
Only after a long while did the youngster slowly rise, glance at Wang Dong, and silently move aside.
Wang Dong took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and began absorbing the Soul Ring left by the ten-thousand-year Rogue Rabbit. I can't let it go to waste.
This rabbit had been a fifteen-thousand-year-old Soul Beast, and the energy contained within her Soul Ring was immense.
Fortunately, Wang Dong had a formidable physique and had also absorbed whale rubber and two immortal herbs, allowing him to just barely withstand this power.
He circulated his Soul Power, guiding the Soul Ring's power into his body. A warm current flowed through his meridians, reshaping his body.
Soul Power surged through his meridians like a mighty, rolling river, battering every corner of his body. Wang Dong gritted his teeth and endured the swollen ache.
He could feel his body transforming as his Soul Power climbed wildly. Level thirty-one, level thirty-two... level thirty-five... level forty!
His Soul Power soared all the way up before finally stopping at the threshold of level forty.
After an unknown amount of time, Wang Dong slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air. He checked the Soul Power within his body, and a delighted smile tugged at his lips.
Level forty!
He had broken through! A single Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, together with the two immortal herbs he had absorbed earlier, had sent his Soul Power soaring by ten levels. The result both delighted him and felt entirely natural.
After all, he had absorbed so many heavenly treasures. With the boost from a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring on top of that, breaking through ten levels in one go was perfectly reasonable.
He stood and stretched his limbs, feeling the surging Soul Power within him as a powerful confidence welled up in his heart.
He did not know just how strong he was now, but if he fought Zhongli Ren again, he probably would not have to run.
Yet another problem soon arose. He was now at level forty and needed to absorb his fourth Soul Ring. Things were moving fast indeed.
Before he could think any further, a savage beast's roar suddenly rang out.
Wang Dong snapped his head up and saw an enormous Soul Beast appear not far away.
It was a ferocious, three-headed Soul Beast, scarlet from head to toe, with fearsome fangs. Each head radiated a terrifying aura, as though it could spew flames that would destroy everything.
It spoke in human language, its voice seething with fury and murderous intent. "You've killed another ten-thousand-year Soul Beast of my kind, you detestable human!"
Wang Dong's pupils sharply contracted, and he braced himself against a formidable enemy. The Three-Headed Scarlet Demon Mastiff! The Scarlet King, one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts! He recognized this Soul Beast.
The Scarlet King was one of the Star Dou Great Forest's strongest ferocious beasts, his strength unfathomable. He was also the Emperor Auspicious Beast's bodyguard.
Still, that made sense. With the Emperor Auspicious Beast here, it was only natural that he would come looking for her.
I've been careless. I should have left sooner. This was a three-hundred-thousand-year-old ferocious beast. The gulf between them was utterly impossible to bridge.
Before you continue