This was an adorable little beast, as if it had stepped out of a painting, exuding an air of noble dignity that took one's breath away.
Its fur was fine and lustrous, a soft beige color with a faint golden sheen shimmering beneath.
In the center of its forehead, there seemed to be a perfectly round golden gemstone-like vertical eye. As its eyelids opened and closed, a faint golden glow flickered within. Its two side eyes were equally bright and sparkling, like the most radiant stars in the night sky—lively yet tinged with a hint of shyness and caution.
"The Three-Eyed Golden Lion?"
Others might not recognize it, but as someone who had transmigrated, Dai Chengfeng instantly identified the soul beast before him.
Thus, he gazed at the small three-eyed creature radiating a regal aura with immense astonishment. "I never expected to randomly encounter her here?"
A flicker of fiery excitement passed through Dai Chengfeng's eyes.
It was widely known that the Heavenly Holy Spirit White Tiger governed all killing forces in the world and was also the master of innate origin metal. However, the White Tiger could also ward off evil, dispel disasters, pray for abundance, and punish evil while promoting good. Thus, the White Tiger was also the master of auspicious metal.
The power of origin metal was something Dai Chengfeng had already mastered. With the help of his first soul ring, he had successfully grasped the power of Origin metal. Later, by cultivating the Innate Qi Technique, derived from the Yellow Emperor's External Canon, he had transformed his acquired origin metal into its innate form.
In the future, as his soul power grew stronger, he could fully replenish the innate origin metal essence required by the Heavenly Holy Spirit White Tiger.
As for the power of destruction, Dai Chengfeng had already gained some mastery over it. Though it wasn't enough to fully compensate for the White Tiger's essence, he was making progress.
However,
The power of auspicious metal had been a problem that Dai Chengfeng had struggled with for a long time.
After all, he hadn't yet found a soul beast on the Douluo Continent capable of bringing good fortune, warding off evil, or dispelling calamities—except…
For the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
But the timeline for the appearance of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was supposed to be ten thousand years after the events of Douluo I. By that time, she would already be a fifteen-thousand-year-old soul beast. Logically speaking, she should have existed during the Douluo I era as well.
But Dai Chengfeng couldn't be certain.
After all, according to the revisions made by a certain author, the term "hundred-thousand-year soul beast" didn't necessarily mean the soul beast had lived for a hundred thousand years—it referred to their soul power.
Thus, the issue of finding the master of auspicious metal had long troubled Dai Chengfeng.
His eventual solution was…
To wait until he reached level 90, then take his chances at the Lake of Life. If he still couldn't find the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, he'd think of another plan.
But what Dai Chengfeng had never expected was—
The problem that had once troubled him the most now seemed to have a solution right before him?
As long as he handled things properly, all difficulties might just resolve themselves.
This was truly an unexpected surprise!
"Hah~"
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement bubbling within him. 'From what I see, even though the Three-Eyed Golden Lion could rival a hundred-thousand-year soul beast during the Douluo II era, Huo Yuhao and his group still referred to her as a fifteen-thousand-year-old soul beast…'
'She really has existed for fifteen thousand years!'
'But I wonder if she has encountered Di Tian by now and whether she has the Crimson King as her bodyguard?'
Though in Dai Chengfeng's memory, at this point in time, soul beasts like Di Tian should have been in seclusion after absorbing the soul power of the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
But Dai Chengfeng couldn't be sure.
After all, in the original story, there was no mention of whether Di Tian had encountered the Three-Eyed Golden Lion before entering seclusion or whether anyone had been left to take turns waking up and keeping watch.
'Fortunately, there's no rush for now…'
After all, the soul ring of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was unique—a rose-gold soul ring unparalleled on the Douluo Continent.
Even if its age wasn't sufficient, its soul skill, which involved the power of rules, was no less powerful than a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—in fact, it surpassed many, such as Xiao Wu's.
Thus, even if it were absorbed as the sixth or seventh ring, Dai Chengfeng wouldn't consider it a loss.
Not to mention, it could complete his essence of heavenly auspicious metal. Even as the ninth ring, Dai Chengfeng wanted her!
---
As Dai Chengfeng was lost in thought—
"Ying, ying, ying!"
At this moment, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, seeing that Dai Chengfeng hadn't left the small herb that belonged to her, let out a few soft chirps again.
Hearing the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's call, Dai Chengfeng snapped back to reality.
He looked down at the cute yet slightly fierce-looking Three-Eyed Golden Lion in the distance, whose eyes conveyed a clear message of wanting him to leave. However, Dai Chengfeng didn't choose to retreat…
Instead, he crouched slightly, attempting to appear less threatening.
At the same time, he softly said, "Little one, don't be afraid. I mean no harm."
Dai Chengfeng spoke sincerely because although he intended for the Three-Eyed Golden Lion to become his soul ring, once he surpassed godhood in the future, she too could ascend to divinity alongside him.
As the saying goes, when one attains enlightenment, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. It was as simple as that.
Such an outcome was far better than being forcibly infused with her daughter's soul ten thousand years later by Tang San…
In the end, would she be Wang Qiu'er, Wang Dong'er, or the Three-Eyed Golden Lion? No!
What remained was simply Tang Wutong, a fusion of the memories of these three identities.
After all, in the context of cultivation, wasn't this essentially a case of soul possession?!
On the other side, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's words, seemed unconvinced. Instead, she bared her tiny teeth at him and continued to emit low chirping sounds from her throat.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng felt a headache coming on.
After all, he wasn't Huo Yuhao, nor did he have Elder Xuan or Elextrolux by his side to directly exchange consciousness with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion through spiritual communication.
If he failed to leave a good impression this time, he might have to wait until his ninth soul ring to encounter her again.
However, soon, an idea flashed through Dai Chengfeng's mind.
'Since she appeared to protect this flower, perhaps…'
Thinking this, Dai Chengfeng retrieved a pill that emitted a soft glow from his soul-guidance ring.
This was the Baihua Pill that Yang Wushuang had previously given him.
"Do you want to eat it?"
As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng gently placed the Baihua Pill on the ground and then took a few steps back, signaling to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion that she could come and inspect it.
Seeing this, the little beast cautiously eyed the pill, sniffing its aroma with slight movements of her nose.
The next second, all three of her large eyes lit up.
Watching this, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Dai Chengfeng's lips. 'As expected…'
'Though the primary function of the Baihua Pill is detoxification, the materials used to create it are all top-notch. Moreover, it was personally crafted by Yang Wushuang, a master alchemist—far superior to ordinary herbs.'
However, though the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was tempted, she still hesitated, her expression conflicted…
She looked at Dai Chengfeng, seemingly pondering whether approaching him would pose any danger.
But the next second—
She couldn't resist the allure of the Baihua Pill's fragrance. Suddenly darting forward, she picked it up with her mouth and swallowed it in one bite.
"Ying~"
Instantly, all three of her eyes narrowed slightly, her expression one of pure bliss.
After a while, when she finally came to her senses and saw that Dai Chengfeng hadn't made any hostile moves toward her…
This time, the look in her eyes as she gazed at Dai Chengfeng was more complex, no longer filled with hostility as before.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng poured out three more Baihua Pills. "Little one, I have more. Do you want them?"
"Ying, ying, ying~"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion looked at Dai Chengfeng with eyes full of longing, nodding repeatedly.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng held the pills and slowly approached her with a smile.
"Here, these are all for you. But you have to let me take a look at that herb. If it's useful, maybe I can refine it into tasty pills like these…"
"Hmm?!"
Before Dai Chengfeng could finish speaking, a flicker of joy passed through his eyes. "Another surprise?!"
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