Song Qing watched the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, a thoughtful expression on his face. This was an unexpected encounter.
'What should I do with it?' he pondered, his mind already working through the possibilities.
Just then, a familiar ethereal form materialized beside him. A'Rou, her spectral body shimmering in the dappled sunlight, had emerged from Song Qing's Dark Soul Emperor's Crown.
Despite her spiritual form lacking the solidity of a physical body, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, with the potent spiritual energy emanating from its third eye, could clearly perceive her presence. Its golden eyes widened slightly, and its red third eye pulsed with a soft light as it observed the newcomer.
"Qing," A'Rou began, her voice gentle yet carrying a note of importance, "do you realize what this creature is? It is the most noble of existences among spirit beasts. An Auspicious Emperor Beast."
Song Qing raised a hand, gently interrupting her. "I know already, Aunt A'Rou."
He turned his gaze back to the magnificent lion. "But it seems strong. Do you think you could convince it to follow me to the Spirit Hall?"
He lowered his voice slightly. "I sense a hint of Golden Dragon bloodline within it. With my resources, I could definitely help it become even stronger."
A'Rou was momentarily speechless. The audacity of Song Qing's request was, even to her, quite surprising.
'Follow him to the Spirit Hall? Just like that?' she thought, a hint of amusement flickering within her spectral eyes.
But considering it was Song Qing asking, and knowing his unique abilities and potential, she slowly nodded. "I can try, Qing."
She turned her attention to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, her spiritual voice resonating clearly in the clearing. "Honorable Auspicious Emperor Beast," she began, her tone respectful yet persuasive. "This human… Song Qing… he has made you an offer."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion tilted its head, its golden eyes fixed on A'Rou's ethereal form. It was rather startled that this spiritual body of a Soft Boned Rabbit was actually speaking on behalf of the human.
"An offer?" the lion responded, its voice a low rumble, tinged with curiosity.
"Yes," A'Rou continued. "He possesses great immortal herbs, treasures of immense power. He believes he can help you unlock the full potential of your Golden Dragon bloodline and become incredibly strong."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion considered this. The prospect of becoming stronger was undeniably appealing. But a seed of doubt lingered.
"Does this mean…" the lion asked, its gaze shifting towards Song Qing, "that I would need to go to the territory of the humans?"
A hint of reluctance colored its voice. "I do not want to go there."
"Why not?" A'Rou inquired gently.
"My guardian," the lion explained, a note of respect in its tone, "the Scarlet King… he told me that humans are very cunning and bad. He said they are the enemies of the Spirit Beasts."
A'Rou turned to Song Qing, relaying the lion's words. "He says his guardian, the Scarlet King, warned him about humans."
Song Qing listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face. He stroked his chin for a moment, considering the lion's apprehension.
"Tell him this, Aunt A'Rou," Song Qing said, his voice calm and confident. "Tell the Three-Eyed Golden Lion that I will allow it to see a part of my memories. Just a glimpse into the human territory. It can see what the human world is like."
He paused. "If it is curious, it can choose to follow me there. If not, then I will not force the matter."
A'Rou nodded, understanding his approach. She turned back to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and conveyed Song Qing's offer.
The lion's ears twitched, its third eye glowing with renewed curiosity. The idea of seeing the world of the humans… it was intriguing, despite the Scarlet King's warnings.
Song Qing then closed his eyes for a moment, subtly adjusting his mental defenses. He lowered almost all of them, allowing his surface memories to be accessible. However, he made sure to firmly seal away all his important secrets, his plans, and the more sensitive aspects of his life. He only wanted to show a general overview of human territory – the vast empires, the bustling cities, the everyday life.
He then opened himself up, allowing his mental energy to flow outwards, a silent invitation to the curious spirit beast.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, its curiosity now piqued beyond measure, focused the spiritual energy of its third eye. The red light intensified, and it delved into the stream of memories that Song Qing was willingly presenting.
What the lion saw amazed it. The sheer scale of human civilization was staggering. The towering cities, filled with countless individuals going about their lives, were unlike anything it had imagined.
The intricate networks of roads connecting these settlements, the bustling marketplaces filled with strange and wonderful goods… it was a world completely foreign to its solitary existence in the Great Star Dou Forest.
Then there was the food. The lion watched memories of humans preparing and consuming meals that looked and smelled… surprisingly delicious. It had only ever known the raw flesh of its prey. The concept of cooked food, with its myriad flavors and textures, was entirely new and strangely appealing.
The lion even glimpsed snippets of human lifestyle – families interacting, children playing, artisans crafting intricate objects.
It was a life filled with a kind of vibrancy and social interaction that was absent from its own somewhat monotonous routine in the forest. It spent its days hunting, sleeping, and occasionally sparring with other spirit beasts.
This human world, with all its strangeness, seemed… interesting. Perhaps even… exciting. The boredom it often felt in the vast emptiness of the Great Star Dou Forest suddenly seemed even more pronounced in comparison.
Despite the captivating glimpse into the human world, a sense of caution still lingered within the young Auspicious Emperor Beast. Its inherent instincts, coupled with the warnings of its guardian, were not easily dismissed.
"But…" the Three-Eyed Golden Lion began, its voice hesitant as it addressed A'Rou, "what if the humans try to kill me? To take my Soul Ring?"
A'Rou, her spectral brow furrowed slightly, relayed this concern to Song Qing. "He's worried about humans trying to kill him for his Soul Ring, Qing."
Song Qing smiled, a confident and reassuring expression spreading across his face. "Tell him," he instructed A'Rou, his voice firm and unwavering, "that I can swear upon my very soul that I will fight to my last breath to prevent such a thing from happening. I will protect him."
A'Rou conveyed Song Qing's solemn vow to the young lion. The earnestness in her spiritual voice carried weight.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, its red third eye glowing softly, focused its spiritual gaze intently upon Song Qing. It delved into the depths of his mental state, seeking any hint of deceit or falsehood. What it found was a resolute determination, a genuine sincerity in his promise.
'He… he means it,' the lion thought, a flicker of trust beginning to ignite within its heart.
However, another worry still gnawed at its young mind. "But…" it said again, its voice tinged with concern, "my guardian… the Scarlet King… he would be very angry if I went to the human territory. I do not wish to make him unhappy by leaving like this so suddenly."
A'Rou informed Song Qing of this new apprehension. "He says his guardian, the Scarlet King, would be angry if he left without permission."
Song Qing's smile faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful frown.
'The Scarlet King…' he mused. He had a strong feeling that trying to reason with a Great Fierce Beast about allowing an Auspicious Emperor Beast into human territory would be an exercise in futility. In fact, there was a significant chance that the Scarlet King would view his intentions as hostile and react accordingly.
'He might even attack me,' Song Qing realized, a hint of anticipation mixed with caution stirring within him.
He let out a soft sigh. 'Perhaps I was being too eager, too greedy, to try and claim this auspicious creature as my own pet.'
But the allure of the Auspicious Emperor Beast, its potential to benefit all spirit beasts, and the intriguing prospect of its Golden Dragon bloodline were difficult to ignore. His ambition, once awakened, was not easily quelled.
'No,' he thought, a determined glint returning to his emerald eyes. 'I won't let this opportunity slip away so easily.'
He decided to take the risk. He would meet this Scarlet King.
'Just how powerful is this Great Fierce Beast?' he wondered, his mind calculating the possibilities. With an age of at least 200,000, perhaps even 300,000 years, it would be a formidable opponent.
A thrill of excitement, mingled with a healthy dose of caution, coursed through him.
'How would a fight against such a being go?' he mused, his thoughts drifting towards the potential clash. 'If I were to use all my abilities… including the full power of my domain…'
A small, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. The prospect, while dangerous, was also undeniably enticing.
Thus, Song Qing made his decision. "Tell him, Aunt A'Rou," he instructed, his voice firm once more, "tell the young lion that I understand his concern for his guardian. I will wait here. I will wait for the Scarlet King to appear, and I will personally request permission."
~~
Song Qing settled down near the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's den, the night air cool against his skin. He knew that waiting for a Great Fierce Beast like the Scarlet King could take time.
'Might as well make good use of it,' he thought, turning his attention to the young lion.
He focused his mental energy, utilizing the Dark Soul Emperor's Crown as a conduit to reach out to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's mind.
"Are you willing to try something new?" Song Qing projected his thoughts, his mental voice clear and gentle.
The young lion, a bit startled by this direct mental address, looked at Song Qing with wide golden eyes. A'Rou, sensing the lion's hesitation, offered her assistance, mentally reassuring the young beast.
With A'Rou's gentle encouragement, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion cautiously relaxed its spiritual defenses, allowing Song Qing's mental presence to connect with its own.
'This is… strange,' the lion thought, a curious sensation tingling in its mind.
"Now you can understand me directly," Song Qing projected, a hint of a smile in his mental voice.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes widened in amazement. "You… you are speaking in my head!" it mentally exclaimed, its surprise evident.
"Indeed," Song Qing replied mentally. "Now, what other questions do you have about humans?"
The young lion, now able to communicate directly, peppered Song Qing with inquiries. It asked about human customs, their cities, their strange tools, and, of course, their food.
Song Qing patiently answered each question, providing a balanced perspective, explaining both the good and the bad aspects of humanity. He spoke of their creativity, their advancements, but also their capacity for cruelty and conflict.
As their mental conversation flowed, A'Rou, sensing that her presence was no longer needed as an intermediary, quietly returned to the Dark Soul Emperor's Crown, her spiritual form fading from view.
The entire night passed in this manner, with Song Qing and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion engaging in a silent exchange of thoughts and ideas. The young beast's initial apprehension slowly began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of curiosity and even a hint of excitement.
It was only as the first rays of dawn painted the sky with hues of orange and gold that a powerful, earth-shaking roar echoed through the forest. The very ground seemed to tremble.
'That must be him,' Song Qing thought, his senses immediately locking onto the source of the immense power.
The aura that followed the roar was immense, a suffocating pressure that spoke of a spirit beast with at least three hundred thousand years of cultivation. And it was rapidly approaching their location.
The Scarlet King.
As the powerful aura drew closer, Song Qing could sense a wave of pure, unadulterated rage emanating from it. The Scarlet King had undoubtedly sensed the presence of a human near his protected Auspicious Emperor Beast.
Within moments, a massive, three-headed creature burst through the surrounding foliage, its scarlet fur bristling with fury. It was a Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff, its three pairs of eyes blazing with incandescent rage as they locked onto Song Qing.
The Scarlet King skidded to a halt as it reached the clearing, its three heads swiveling, taking in the scene before it. It was momentarily taken aback. Instead of finding a terrified human attempting to harm its charge, it saw Song Qing sitting calmly near the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, the younger beast even nudging the human playfully with its head.
The two seemed to be interacting in a surprisingly friendly manner.
But the Scarlet King's initial surprise quickly morphed back into fury. A human was here, in its territory, interacting with the Auspicious Emperor Beast under its protection. That was unacceptable.
"Human!" the central head of the Scarlet King roared, its voice a thunderous bellow that shook the trees. "What is the meaning of this? What are you doing here?"
The other two heads snarled, their sharp teeth bared in a menacing display. The air crackled with their immense soul power.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, startled by the sudden arrival and the Scarlet King's enraged roar, whimpered innocently and took a step back, its golden fur slightly ruffled.
Song Qing, unfazed by the immense pressure emanating from the Great Fierce Beast, simply stood up, his emerald eyes calmly meeting the blazing gaze of the Scarlet King. The sheer size of the mastiff was impressive, but it held no fear for him.
"Scarlet King," Song Qing said, his voice surprisingly calm and even in the face of such overwhelming power. "My intentions are not malicious. I came here to speak with you about the Three-Eyed Golden Lion."
The Scarlet King's central head scoffed, its eyes narrowing into slits. "Speak? What could a lowly human like you possibly have to say about my charge?"
One of the other heads snapped, its voice a guttural growl. "And why is the Auspicious One interacting with you? Have you bewitched him, you vile creature?"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion whimpered again, looking from the enraged Scarlet King to the calm human.
Song Qing ignored the Scarlet King's hostile tone. "I wish to bring the Three-Eyed Golden Lion with me to the human territory," he stated plainly. "I can offer it my protection and help it grow stronger."
The Scarlet King's three heads erupted in a chorus of enraged roars. "Protection? From you, a mere human? I would sooner trust a viper! I will never allow my charge to fall into the hands of your treacherous kind!"
The situation was rapidly deteriorating. Song Qing knew he needed to tread carefully, but he also wouldn't back down.
"With all due respect, Scarlet King," Song Qing said, his voice still calm but now carrying a hint of steel, "it would be beneficial for the Three-Eyed Golden Lion to learn about humans firsthand. Otherwise, it might face unforeseen dangers in the future, at the hands of those it does not understand."
The Scarlet King was beyond reason. It had heard enough. "Foolish human!" the central head bellowed, its voice dripping with contempt. "To come here alone, thinking you can take what belongs to me! I will bury you here and end this pathetic attempt!"
As the words left its maw, the Scarlet King's aura flared violently. An immense wave of soul power, a pressure that could crush mountains, erupted from its massive body. The surrounding trees swayed violently, their leaves rustling like a storm.
At that moment, Song Qing's demeanor shifted. The calm facade vanished, replaced by an aura of ancient power. His emerald eyes glinted with an unholy light as his Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor spirit manifested, swirling around him like a vortex of darkness. He stared directly at the enraged Scarlet King, a primal power awakening within him. He was not afraid of a fight. Not in the slightest.