With the Scarlet King's reluctant permission secured, Song Qing wasted no time in leaving the vicinity. He gently scooped up the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who, despite its size, felt surprisingly light in his arms.
He unfurled his Ancient Void Dragonbone Wings, the dark, ethereal appendages catching the first rays of the rising sun. With a powerful thrust, they soared into the sky, leaving the territory of the formidable Scarlet King behind.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, nestled comfortably in Song Qing's embrace, was practically vibrating with excitement.
"We are really leaving!" it mentally exclaimed, its thoughts bubbling with childlike glee. "We are actually going to see the human world!"
Song Qing chuckled softly, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "Indeed, little one. We are."
"Your spirit was so strong!" the lion continued, its mental voice filled with admiration. "And your abilities! You actually fought against the Scarlet King for so long! And you were so… controlled!"
'He really is like an overexcited child,' Song Qing thought, a warmth spreading through him. He gently rubbed the top of the lion's head, his touch careful and reassuring.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion leaned into his touch, its golden fur soft against his hand. Its third eye pulsed with a happy, contented light.
"The Scarlet King is very powerful," Song Qing mentally replied, his tone gentle. "But sometimes, even the strongest beings can be reasoned with."
"He seemed very angry at first," the lion mused. "But then… he seemed… different. Like he was thinking very hard."
"He was," Song Qing confirmed. "He cares about you very much."
"He does," the lion agreed, a hint of affection in its mental tone. "He has always looked after me."
They flew in comfortable silence for a few hours, the vast expanse of the Great Star Dou Forest stretching beneath them like a verdant carpet. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion occasionally piped up with more questions about the human world, its excitement showing no signs of waning.
Finally, through the gaps in the dense canopy, Song Qing spotted the familiar, calming aura of the Blue Silver Grass Forest. He descended gracefully, landing softly within the protective embrace of the towering blue silver plants.
As they entered the heart of the forest, a wave of hushed reverence rippled through the very vegetation. Ah Yin, who had been tending to a patch of particularly vibrant blue silver grass, looked up, her emerald eyes widening in astonishment.
But it wasn't just Ah Yin. All around them, the countless strands of blue silver grass, even the massive, sentient Blue Silver King at the forest's core, were swaying gently, their tips lowered in a silent bow. The numerous spirit beasts that resided within the forest also adopted postures of deep respect.
Their focus was entirely on the small, golden lion nestled in Song Qing's arms. The aura of the Auspicious Emperor Beast, even in its youth, was unmistakable – a mark of nobility and destiny that resonated deeply with all other spirit beasts.
Ah Yin, however, her loyalty and subservience solely directed towards Song Qing, remained standing, though her expression was one of profound surprise.
"Holy Son," she began, her voice soft with curiosity, her gaze fixed on the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, "what is this noble beast doing here?"
Song Qing smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes at the sheer awe radiating from the surrounding forest.
"A bit of an adventure happened, Ah Yin," he explained, gently stroking the lion's head. "This little fellow is now under my… custody."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion looked around, its golden eyes wide with wonder at the bowing vegetation and respectful spirit beasts. It seemed to sense the reverence directed towards it.
"Custody?" Ah Yin repeated, her head tilting slightly in confusion. "But… its aura… it feels… incredibly noble."
"He is," Song Qing confirmed. "He is an Auspicious Emperor Beast."
Ah Yin's eyes widened further, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise. "An Auspicious Emperor Beast! Holy Son, how did you…?"
Song Qing chuckled. "It's a long story. One I will tell you later. For now, know that he will be staying with us for a while."
He looked down at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who was now looking up at him with an expectant gaze. "And eventually," Song Qing added, turning back to Ah Yin, "I will be taking him back to the Spirit Hall."
Ah Yin simply stared at him for a moment, her expression a mixture of shock and utter bewilderment. Then, with a slow, dumbfounded nod, she replied, "Understood, Holy Son."
The Blue Silver Grass Forest, usually a place of serene tranquility, now buzzed with a quiet excitement and a sense of profound respect in the presence of the young Auspicious Emperor Beast. The arrival of this noble creature, under the care of their Holy Son, was an event that would surely be remembered for a long time to come.
~~
"Ah Yin," Song Qing said gently, turning his gaze towards his beautiful maidservant. Her long blue hair cascaded down her back, framing her exquisite face and accentuating the curves of her voluptuous body. Her blue eyes, usually sparkling with playful affection, held a hint of surprise.
"We will be leaving in a few hours," Song Qing informed her, his left arm still gently holding the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. The young beast was still looking around with wide, curious eyes.
Ah Yin nodded gracefully, her gaze flickering between Song Qing and the noble spirit beast. "Understood, Holy Son." Her voluptuous form moved with an inherent elegance.
"Please bid farewell to your subordinates here," Song Qing continued. "Inform them that you will visit them again next week."
A soft smile touched Ah Yin's lips. "Of course, Holy Son." Her blue eyes held a hint of reluctance at leaving her kin, but her loyalty to Song Qing was absolute. Her every movement was a subtle display of her seductive charm.
She turned towards the surrounding blue silver grass, her voice soft yet carrying authority. The spirit beasts of the forest, including the ancient Blue Silver King whose massive form pulsed with gentle light at the forest's core, seemed to listen intently.
There was a moment of quiet acceptance. While they would miss their Empress, they understood her bond with the Holy Son. The Blue Silver King sent a gentle wave of mental energy towards Ah Yin, a silent blessing for her journey.
A few hours later, as the sun climbed higher in the sky, Song Qing stood ready. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion was now sitting calmly beside him, its initial excitement having settled into a state of eager anticipation.
Song Qing held the young lion securely in his left arm. With his right arm, he gently wrapped it around Ah Yin's waist, his fingers brushing against the soft fabric of her dress, acutely aware of the seductive curves of her body pressed against his side. Her long blue hair swayed gently in the light breeze.
"Ready?" Song Qing asked, his gaze meeting Ah Yin's blue eyes, which held a hint of playful anticipation.
Ah Yin nodded, her lips curving into a subtle, alluring smile.
Without another word, Song Qing activated his Void Anchor ability. A ripple of spatial energy enveloped them, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished from the Blue Silver Grass Forest.
They reappeared in the familiar comfort of Song Qing's private chamber within the Spirit Hall. The sudden shift in scenery made the Three-Eyed Golden Lion blink in surprise.
"We are here!" it mentally exclaimed, looking around the opulent chamber with renewed curiosity.
Song Qing gently placed the lion on the floor. "Ah Yin," he said, turning to his maidservant, his gaze lingering on her voluptuous figure. "Would you please go to the herbal garden and tend to the Immortal Herbs there?"
Ah Yin nodded obediently, her long blue hair swaying as she turned to leave. Her every step was graceful, a subtle sway in her hips that hinted at her seductive nature. 'The Holy Son has brought such an interesting creature,' she thought, her blue eyes glancing back at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion with curiosity before she gracefully exited the chamber.
Meanwhile, Song Qing turned his attention to the young lion. "Come," he said gently. "Let's go meet my teacher."
He led the Three-Eyed Golden Lion out of his private chamber and towards the main halls of the Spirit Hall. The lion walked beside him, its golden eyes taking in the grandeur of the Spirit Hall with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
Song Qing headed straight towards the Pope's Palace, his steps confident and purposeful. He soon stood before the familiar doors leading to Bibi Dong's private chambers.
He entered without waiting for an invitation, knowing his teacher would be expecting him. Bibi Dong sat on her throne, her majestic presence filling the hall.
"Teacher," Song Qing greeted respectfully.
Bibi Dong's gaze, sharp and insightful, fell upon Song Qing, then widened slightly as she noticed the Three-Eyed Golden Lion standing beside him.
"Qing'er," she said, her voice calm yet laced with a hint of surprise. "What is this?"
"Teacher, this is a Three-Eyed Golden Lion I brought back from the Great Star Dou Forest," Song Qing explained. "It will be my partner from now on."
Bibi Dong's gaze intensified as she sensed the strangely noble and powerful aura emanating from the young beast. It was unlike anything she had sensed before.
"Partner?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued despite her outward composure.
"Yes, Teacher," Song Qing affirmed. "I would be grateful if you could issue a decree throughout the Spirit Hall to ensure its protection. I wish for it to be guarded as much as I am."
Bibi Dong studied Song Qing's earnest expression, then glanced at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, whose golden eyes were fixed on her with a silent intensity.
'Qing'er seems quite serious about this,' she thought. While she sensed the beast's unusual nobility, she trusted her dear disciple's judgment.
"Very well, Qing'er," Bibi Dong said, her voice regal. "If this is your wish, it shall be done."
She raised her hand and issued a mental command. Within moments, a Pope Order, carrying her supreme authority, would be disseminated throughout the Spirit Hall, declaring the protection of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. She didn't press Song Qing for details about the beast's origins or its unique aura. She trusted him to reveal what he deemed necessary in his own time.
Meanwhile, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who had remained silent since entering the hall, felt an immense pressure emanating from Bibi Dong. It was a power that dwarfed even that of its guardian, the Scarlet King.
'She is… incredibly strong,' the lion thought, a shiver running down its spine despite its inherent nobility. It remained still, its golden eyes fixed on Bibi Dong, sensing the raw, untamed power that resided within her.
With the matter settled, Song Qing turned to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. "Come, little one," he said gently. "Let me show you your new home for now."
He led the lion out of the Pope's Palace and towards the Spirit Hall's extensive herbal garden. He wanted to introduce it to the many rare and potent Immortal Herbs he had cultivated there. He knew some of them would be particularly beneficial to the young beast, aiding in the awakening of its Golden Dragon bloodline.
As they walked through the Spirit Hall, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's head swiveled constantly, its golden eyes taking in every detail of the magnificent structure.
"What is this place?" it mentally inquired, its curiosity boundless. "It is so… big! And there are so many… humans!"
Song Qing chuckled. "This is the Spirit Hall, little one. It is where I live and where many powerful Soul Masters reside." He patiently answered all of the lion's questions, explaining the purpose of different areas and the roles of the people they encountered.
Soon, they reached the entrance to the herbal garden. The air here was thick with the fragrant scent of countless rare plants.
Ah Yin was already inside, her voluptuous form moving gracefully amongst the rows of herbs. Her long blue hair flowed behind her as she gently tended to the plants, her Blue Silver Empress spirit manifested as a soft, ethereal glow around her hands. Even her Blue Silver Domain was subtly active, ensuring the optimal growth and maintenance of the precious herbs. While her skill was considerable, Song Qing noted the difference compared to when he used his Primordial Life Tree Spirit – a level of mastery that Ah Yin was still striving to reach.
"Stay here, little one," Song Qing said to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, gesturing around the lush garden. "This will be your home from now on. A place where you can rest and feel safe."
The lion looked around, its golden eyes wide with wonder at the vibrant array of plants, the rich spiritual energy permeating the air, and the gentle presence of Ah Yin.
"This place… feels good," it mentally commented, a sense of peace settling over it. "The plants feel… alive."
"They are," Song Qing confirmed. "And Ah Yin here will take good care of them, and of you."
He turned to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion with a smile. "Later, I will take you for a walk and show you Martial Soul City. We can find all sorts of delicious things for you to eat, and I will introduce you to some of my close friends."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of exploring the city it had glimpsed in Song Qing's memories. "Really? We can go to the city?"
"Of course," Song Qing replied. "You will see it all for yourself."
The lion nodded eagerly, its tail giving a little thump against the soft earth of the garden. It seemed quite content with its new surroundings.
After leaving the Three-Eyed Golden Lion exploring the wonders of the herbal garden under Ah Yin's watchful eye, Song Qing decided it was time to seek out Qian Renxue.