The silence in the ravaged clearing stretched, thick with unspoken thoughts and the monumental weight of Song Qing's revelation.
The Scarlet King stood motionless, its massive form radiating conflicting energies.
Rage warred with disbelief, ancient distrust wrestled with a shocking, terrifying glimmer of hope – or perhaps, shared defiance.
Its six eyes stared intensely at Song Qing, no longer just seeing a human intruder, but a potential catalyst for change so profound it bordered on insanity.
'Challenge the Gods…' The thought echoed in the central head's mind, a concept both ludicrous and deeply resonant. 'Use the Auspicious One as a weapon… no, as a symbol… a source of strength for our kind?'
'Yet… why reveal such an audacious motive?' the central head countered its counterpart's thought. 'Why mention the Asura God? Why risk further alienating me with talk of defying divinity? Simple greed for a Soul Ring could be masked far more easily. This feels… genuine. Fanatically genuine.'
'And the potential…' the right head mused. 'Awakening the Golden Dragon bloodline… nurturing the Auspicious One to its peak… If he speaks truth, the benefit to all spirit beasts could be immeasurable. A future where we are not just hunted, but truly powerful.'
The internal debate raged. Trusting a human, especially one from Spirit Hall, felt like swallowing poison. But the alternative… continuing the status quo, watching humans encroach, living under the distant, often limiting, shadow of divine powers… Song Qing offered a different path. A dangerous, almost certainly suicidal path, perhaps, but one that promised power and defiance.
The Scarlet King looked at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. The young beast, sensing the shift, had cautiously crept a little closer to Song Qing, its initial terror replaced by wide-eyed curiosity and a strange resonance with the human's underlying draconic aura. It looked back at its guardian, its golden eyes pleading, confused, yet somehow hopeful.
That look, combined with the weight of Song Qing's words and the undeniable evidence of his power, tipped the scales. With a deep, shuddering sigh that ruffled the fur on all three necks, the Scarlet King made its decision. It was a gamble of cosmic proportions, betting the future of the Auspicious Emperor Beast, and perhaps all spirit beasts, on the insane ambition of a single human youth.
"Human…" the central head rumbled, the sound gravelly, heavy with reluctance and the gravity of its choice. "Your words… are madness. Your ambition… suicidal. Also…The fact that you belong to the Spirit Hall… it is a mockery to our suffering."
It paused, fixing Song Qing with an intense stare. "But… your power is real. Your spirit… is unlike anything I have known. And the potential you offer the Auspicious One… cannot be ignored."
Its voice hardened, gaining a sharp edge. "Very well. I will permit you… to try. You may take the Auspicious Emperor Beast with you to the human territory."
Relief flickered briefly in Song Qing's eyes, quickly masked by his usual calm composure. He inclined his head respectfully. "You have made a wise decision, Scarlet King. One that will benefit all—"
"Silence!" the King interrupted sharply. "This is not an agreement born of trust, human. It is a desperate gamble, forced by circumstance and your bizarre power. Do not mistake my reluctant consent for endorsement. It comes with conditions. Strict conditions. Violate even one, and I swear upon the soul of every ancestor of my bloodline, I will hunt you to the ends of the continent, Spirit Hall be damned, and tear you limb from limb. Is that understood?"
The sheer ferocity in its voice left no room for doubt. This was not a negotiation between equals; it was a powerful guardian dictating terms for the temporary loan of its most precious charge.
"Perfectly understood," Song Qing replied calmly. "State your conditions."
"First," the central head declared, its eyes narrowed into slits. "The Auspicious One's safety is paramount. But I do not trust your human assurances alone. Once every month, on the night of the full moon, you will bring him back here. To this spot."
Its gaze swept the clearing. "I will personally inspect him. I will use my senses, my connection to him, to ascertain his well-being. Any sign of harm, neglect, coercion, or ill-intent detected by me… and our agreement is void. Instantly. And retribution will follow."
Song Qing considered this. A monthly return trip to the Great Star Dou Forest. Manageable. It would allow the King to monitor the Three Eyed Golden Lion's progress and ensure his well-being, alleviating some of the King's (justified) paranoia.
'Simple enough to achieve,' he thought. 'And it allows me to maintain contact, perhaps even build a semblance of trust over time.'
"Agreed," Song Qing stated without hesitation. "Once a month, under the full moon, I will bring him here for your inspection."
The King nodded curtly, a fraction of the tension easing, only to be replaced by the focus on the next point.
"Second," the right head spoke up, its tone gruff. "His sustenance. The Auspicious Emperor Beast requires specific nourishment to maintain its vitality and nurture its light-attribute core, especially as it grows. Simple meat will not suffice indefinitely."
It paused, its gaze sharp. "He thrives on concentrated life energy, ideally from light-attribute sources. The most potent source… is the brain matter of light-attribute spirit beasts."
Song Qing raised an eyebrow slightly. That was… specific. And potentially problematic. Hunting spirit beasts specifically for their brains, even light-attribute ones, wasn't exactly aligned with his long-term goals of fostering better relations.
'Brain matter of light-attribute beasts… Difficult, but not impossible,' he mused. 'There are ways. Perhaps specific types of spirit plants with high light energy concentration could substitute? Or maybe non-lethal extraction methods from certain beasts? Needs investigation. But for now…'
He couldn't show hesitation. "His nutritional needs will be met," Song Qing affirmed smoothly. "I have access to resources, including potent immortal herbs and treasures rich in life energy and light-attribute power. Finding suitable sustenance, even specialized brain matter if absolutely necessary and ethically sourced, will not be an issue." He subtly framed it to allow for alternatives.
The King seemed to accept this, though its eyes remained suspicious. It clearly expected him to hunt for the specific requirement.
"Third," the left head interjected, its voice still laced with suspicion. "His treatment. He is not a pet, human. He is the Auspicious Emperor Beast, holder of destiny! You will treat him with the respect he deserves. No cages, no bindings, no forceful coercion in training. His living environment must be clean, safe, and possess abundant natural light."
"Furthermore," the central head continued, picking up the thread, "while you may guide his cultivation and help awaken his bloodline, you will not impose human methods entirely. Respect his instincts, his beastly nature. Allow him freedom of movement and choice wherever feasible and safe."
"He is young," the right head added, a surprising softness entering its growl. "He needs interaction, but also periods of rest. Do not overtax him. Ensure he feels secure."
"Communicate with me," the central head demanded. "If any significant event occurs, any danger arises, any major breakthrough happens… find a way to inform me. Do not keep me in the dark."
Condition after condition piled up. Safety protocols, dietary needs, living standards, training philosophy, respect for his nature, emotional well-being, communication lines… It was an exhaustive list, covering nearly every aspect of the young lion's life.
As the Scarlet King laid out its demands, Song Qing listened patiently. He slowly began to relax his posture, letting the immense power contained within his spirit bones recede. The swirling Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor manifestation faded, leaving only the faint, inherent pressure of his aura.
The oppressive Demonic Dragon Domain dissolved, returning the clearing's atmosphere to something closer to normal, though the lingering scent of ozone, brimstone, and abyss remained.
Click.
With a soft sound, the Abyssal Void Dragon Armor retracted, flowing back into his torso bone, leaving him standing in his normal attire. It was a gesture of goodwill, lowering his defenses now that the immediate conflict was resolved.
He stepped closer to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who watched his approach with wide, unblinking eyes. The young beast didn't back away this time. Instead, it let out a soft, questioning chuff.
Song Qing smiled faintly, observing the intense, almost obsessive detail in the Scarlet King's conditions.
'He truly cares for this cub,' Song Qing realized, a flicker of understanding passing through him. 'Beyond its status as an Auspicious Beast, beyond its destiny… he sees it as his own child. Despite their vastly different bloodlines, the bond of guardianship is profound.'
The Fierce Beast, known for its savage fury, was displaying a fierce, unwavering paternal protectiveness. It made the King's earlier rage, its current reluctance, and its stringent demands entirely understandable.
Reaching out slowly, Song Qing gently placed a hand on the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's head. The fur was surprisingly soft beneath his touch. The lion flinched for a split second, then leaned slightly into the touch, its third eye pulsing with a warm, curious light. It seemed to sense the lack of malice, the genuine intent behind the gesture.
"Scarlet King," Song Qing said, his voice softer now, addressing the Fierce Beast while stroking the young lion's mane. "I understand your concerns. They are valid. And I agree to every one of your conditions."
He looked up, meeting the King's intense gaze. "I will ensure his safety. I will provide the best possible nourishment and environment. I will respect his nature and treat him not as a pet, but as a partner, a future pillar of strength for his kind. I will bring him back for your inspections. And I will endeavor to keep you informed."
His sincerity, combined with his earlier display of power and the gentle interaction with the Three Eyed Golden Lion, seemed to finally soothe the worst of the King's immediate hostility. The massive beast let out another deep sigh, the sound like grinding boulders.
"See that you do, human," the central head grumbled. "The fate of many may rest on your adherence to this promise."
There was one final piece of information, a warning cloaked as a condition.
"One last thing," the Scarlet King stated, its voice regaining a measure of its previous authority. "This agreement… it is between you and I. But I am not the ultimate authority in the Great Star Dou Forest."
Song Qing waited attentively.
"The true leader, the one acknowledged as Beast God by the most ancient and powerful among us," the Scarlet King explained, a note of deep respect in its tone, "is Di Tian. The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King."
The name sent a subtle ripple through the forest's ambient energy.
"He, along with several other ancient Fierce Beasts, resides in deep seclusion within the forbidden core region of the forest," the King continued. "They rarely interfere in the outer workings, but a matter of this magnitude… involving the Auspicious Emperor Beast leaving the forest with a human from Spirit Hall… I must inform Di Tian."
Its gaze was sharp, pinning Song Qing. "What his reaction will be, I cannot say. He holds no love for humans, and even less for Spirit Hall. If the Beast God Di Tian objects to this arrangement, if he deems your presence or your plans a threat… then you must deal with him yourself. I will not, and cannot, shield you from his judgment."
It was a clear warning. This agreement bought Song Qing passage out of the forest with the Three Eyed Golden Lion, under the Scarlet King's reluctant watch, but it did not guarantee peace with the true apex power lurking in the core.
Song Qing nodded slowly, absorbing the information. Di Tian. The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King. He knew the name from ancient texts and Spirit Hall records. A true dragon lineage, said to be descended directly from one of the nine sons of the original Dragon God. A being whose age likely rivaled or even surpassed the Scarlet King's, potentially nearing the million-year mark, placing him firmly among the most powerful beings on the Douluo Continent.
'Di Tian…' Song Qing mused internally. 'Far stronger than the Scarlet King. His Golden-Eyed Black Dragon bloodline is likely comparable in purity, perhaps even superior in raw destructive power, to my own Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor's, though different in nature. My Emperor of the Beasts suppression might be less effective, or perhaps ineffective entirely, against such a direct Dragon God descendant.'
It was a daunting prospect. Facing Di Tian would be significantly more dangerous than facing the Scarlet King.
Yet, Song Qing's expression remained calm, almost serene.
'However,' his thoughts continued, a familiar confidence settling within him, 'power is not solely measured in bloodlines or age. Di Tian may be ancient and powerful, but he is still bound to this continent. He knows the world outside the forest.'
'He must know of Spirit Hall's true might. He must know of my Master, Bibi Dong, Level 99 Extreme Douluo, wielder of twin apex spirits. And he must know of the Spirit Hall's other pillar, the Grand Elder Qian Daoliu, another Level 99 Extreme Douluo with the Seraphim spirit.'
'Two Extreme Douluos, both with god-tier potential. Even the Beast God Di Tian, ruler of the Great Star Dou Forest, would have to think very carefully before provoking such a force. Attacking the Holy Son, especially one capable of challenging the Scarlet King, would be tantamount to declaring war on Spirit Hall itself. A war that, despite his power, Di Tian likely cannot win.'
His personal strength might not be enough to confront Di Tian directly yet, but his backing was immense.
"I understand," Song Qing replied aloud, his voice steady. "If the Beast God Di Tian has objections, I will address them when, and if, he raises them. I appreciate the warning, Scarlet King."
He gave the Three-Eyed Golden Lion one last gentle pat. The young beast looked up at the Scarlet King, then back at Song Qing, a hesitant understanding dawning in its eyes. It seemed to grasp that it was leaving, going with this powerful, strange human.
The Scarlet King let out a low rumble, a complex sound of farewell, warning, and lingering worry. It took a step back, giving them space.
The agreement was made. The conditions were set. The future remained uncertain, overshadowed by ancient powers and divine conflicts. But for now, Song Qing had achieved his goal. The path forward, however perilous, was open.