Three-Eyed Golden Lion couldn't hold back anymore. As a soul beast, the notes she saw on the third reward of the Diary Copy were vastly different from what human females saw. The various rewards listed were unbelievably enticing for soul beasts like her.
Even though she was a divine beast, there was absolutely no way she could resist the allure of those rewards!
Though she hadn't yet reached the 100,000-year threshold, as the Emperor Auspicious Beast favored by the Douluo Plane, Three-Eyed Golden Lion could already begin cultivating as a human, completely free from the usual restrictions that bound other soul beasts.
Besides, she'd been stuck in the Star Dou Forest ever since the day she was born. Even though Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts often painted the human world as terrifying, she couldn't help but feel intense curiosity about the outside world. Now, that desire had finally reached a boiling point.
"Don't worry, My Lord. I know how important I am to the Star Dou Forest. But even among human Limit Douluos, none would be able to sense that I'm a soul beast. I'll be careful, I promise."
"Besides, who knows? Maybe I can even lure that child of destiny, Huo Yuhao, over to our Star Dou Forest. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Three-Eyed Golden Lion offered this explanation to herself—not exactly a lie. As an Emperor Auspicious Beast blessed by fate, she really was that unique. As long as she didn't expose herself, no one would be able to detect her true identity. As for bringing Huo Yuhao to the forest… even she didn't believe that one!
After she finished speaking, Three-Eyed Golden Lion looked expectantly at the Silver Dragon King, waiting for her response.
The Silver Dragon King was silent for quite a while before finally nodding. But before Three-Eyed Golden Lion could start celebrating, the Silver Dragon King spoke.
"I will allow you to leave the forest, but for your safety, I'm coming with you. If you really were to get into danger, the entire fate of the Star Dou Forest could suffer."
Three-Eyed Golden Lion: ?
She slowly raised a question mark. It wasn't that she was confused—it was that she thought the Silver Dragon King had lost her mind. Big time.
"Um… My Lord, isn't that a bit unnecessary?"
The Silver Dragon King shook her head without hesitation.
"Unnecessary? You think this is unnecessary? Do you have any idea how important you are to the Star Dou Forest? Ferocious beasts can take risks—but you can't. If you insist on leaving, then I'll be the one to accompany and protect you."
Three-Eyed Golden Lion was stunned, staring blankly at the righteously noble Silver Dragon King, grumbling internally.
'Don't think I don't know what you're up to! You're clearly eyeing the Diary Copy rewards too, acting all noble like you're just worried about me. Please. Even if I didn't bring it up, you'd have found a way to head to the Sun Moon Empire yourself!'
Unaware that she was being silently roasted, the Silver Dragon King summoned Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts to the Lake of Life and informed them that she and Three-Eyed Golden Lion would temporarily be leaving the Star Dou Forest.
Upon hearing this, Di Tian and the others were all shocked. Ignoring the gap in status, they tried to stop her immediately.
Faced with their objections, the Silver Dragon King didn't waver in the slightest and instead responded firmly:
"I've seen a chance to completely change the fate of soul beasts—a future where humans no longer need to kill soul beasts for soul rings and bones, and where soul beasts can grow faster with human assistance. I'm leaving the Star Dou Forest with the Auspicious Beast to make that future a reality."
"As the ruler of all soul beasts, this is my duty and responsibility!"
You had to admit, with her aura and her status, that one sentence about changing the fate of soul beasts hit like a sledgehammer. All the ferocious beasts were stunned speechless, unable to argue any further.
Meanwhile, Three-Eyed Golden Lion buried her head low, trying desperately to think of depressing things to keep herself from laughing out loud.
Her Lord truly is something else. That lie rolled off her tongue so naturally. If I didn't know the truth, even I'd be fooled!
Changing the fate of soul beasts, huh? More like chasing after a crush. Thinking about what Huo Yuhao said about her being lovestruck just makes it even funnier.
With things settled, Di Tian and the other beasts could only watch as the two left, holding hope in their hearts for the future the Silver Dragon King described.
Not long after they'd left the Star Dou Forest, Three-Eyed Golden Lion looked at the Silver Dragon King, who had now taken the form of a 12- to 13-year-old human girl, and drooled a little as she giggled:
"Pfft… My Lord, you're gorgeous after transforming!"
In her human form, the Silver Dragon King had long, flowing silver hair cascading down her back. The strands were not only soft but had a texture like liquid crystal. Her beauty defied description. Fair, almost pale skin, and violet eyes—she looked enchanting even in the most ordinary of clothes.
Though the compliment made her feel a bit smug inside, the Silver Dragon King kept her composure and replied coolly:
"This is what I naturally look like after transformation. Nothing to be surprised about."
When no further praise came, she turned her head and saw Three-Eyed Golden Lion staring longingly at her smooth, flowing hair.
After a moment of realization, the Silver Dragon King narrowed her eyes and warned:
"Transform honestly into your original form. Don't try anything extra."
Busted, Three-Eyed Golden Lion dropped the act and pouted:
"Why not? Why can you be a white-haired girl but I can't?"
In her mind, the only reason the Silver Dragon King chose a white-haired form was because Huo Yuhao had written in his diary that he liked white-haired girls. If that was allowed for her, why not for Three-Eyed Golden Lion?
As the Emperor Auspicious Beast, not only could she transform early, but she could also freely choose what she looked like. Knowing white hair gave her an edge and still passing on it? That'd be plain dumb.
After all, to earn the Diary Copy rewards, Huo Yuhao had to write your name ten times. If there was an easier way to make that happen, why not take it?
The Silver Dragon King shot her a glance and said flatly:
"I told you, my transformation wasn't influenced by anything. This is my natural form. As an Emperor Auspicious Beast, you don't need to do anything extra. Your default appearance already outshines any human woman."
Three-Eyed Golden Lion thought about it and realized that was actually true. Her natural form was enough to blow all human girls out of the water. Just one of the perks of being fate's chosen beast.
With that resolved, she no longer harbored resentment toward the Silver Dragon King. Instead, she asked:
"By the way, My Lord, we don't have real identities. How are we going to join the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?"
The Silver Dragon King, ever composed, replied calmly:
"That's a minor issue. We just need to find someone with status in the Sun Moon Empire to write us a recommendation letter."
And getting someone to write such a letter? Please, for the ruler of soul beasts, how hard could that be?
With her worries solved, Three-Eyed Golden Lion returned to her joyful self, ready to enjoy her last moments before fully transforming.
Watching her hop around happily, the Silver Dragon King slowly said:
"From now on, don't call me 'My Lord.' Call me Gu Yue Na."
"What about me? What do I call myself?"
"Figure it out yourself. Do you need me to name you too?"
Also, if anyone has a good name idea for the Auspicious Beast girl, feel free to drop suggestions—I'd love to see them!
(End of Chapter)