Chapter 9: Three-Eyed Golden Lion
Lin Yun had now settled by the Lake of Life.
With Di Tian's help, he built a small wooden hut. Though the house was modest, everything inside was anything but ordinary.
The blanket he slept on was made from the down of the Emerald Swan clan, courtesy of Bi Ji. His pillow was carved from the heartwood of a ten-thousand-year-old ancient tree, and his quilt was sewn from the hide of a tiger-type soul beast.
Even his meals were extravagant—Di Tian personally hunted different hundred-year soul beasts each day to provide fresh meat for him.
As for the rare spiritual fruits that were hard to find in the human world, they were available in abundance here, free for the taking.
With such treatment and resources, Lin Yun found himself hesitating—should he really leave this paradise to attend some backwater place like Shrek Academy?
No wonder the auspicious beasts in the original story always gave off an air of nobility—the Star Dou Forest really did raise its own in luxury.
Still, that thought was fleeting. Lin Yun knew he would have to go eventually. As good as Star Dou was, it couldn't accelerate his growth fast enough. Without going to Shrek, many of his long-term plans would remain out of reach.
Flipping a piece of roasted meat, Lin Yun leaned on one arm, eyes unfocused, lost deep in thought.
This was his third month in the forest.
Even with the forest's endless resources, his soul power had only increased by one level. The thick, viscous nature of his energy made cultivating frustratingly slow.
At this rate, he'd gain maybe four levels a year.
For ordinary or even gifted soul masters, that speed would be considered excellent—but for Lin Yun, it wasn't enough.
If he only reached level twenty by the time he was twelve, he wouldn't even break into the Spirit Elder realm by the time he enrolled at Shrek. That would be ridiculous.
"Di Tian! Di Tian! I'm back!"
A crisp, melodic voice called out just then. Startled, Lin Yun paused mid-turn with his roast and turned toward the sound.
From the trees, a stunning soul beast leapt out.
It had the body of a lion, dragon-like claws wreathed in golden flames, and semi-transparent golden fur like crystal. Beneath the fur were tightly packed scales, and on its forehead sat a single crimson vertical eye.
To Lin Yun, it looked more like a qilin than a lion.
But he immediately recognized what it was.
An imperial auspicious beast—the Three-Eyed Golden Lion!
"Ah! Who are you?" The Three-Eyed Golden Lion was startled. The Lake of Life had always been reserved for savage beasts—she was the only exception.
She had only gone out to play for a while, and now there was a stranger living in her home? Of course she was surprised.
Even more confusing was the strange, comforting aura she felt from him—it was warm, familiar… like family.
Family?
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion was bewildered.
She had always been alone until she met Di Tian and Bi Ji, who later became like family—but only emotionally, not by blood.
But Lin Yun—he made her feel a sense of bloodline intimacy.
As if guided by instinct, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion stepped closer, her three large eyes curiously fixed on him.
Lin Yun smiled gently and reached out to ruffle her head. Her crystal-gold fur was soft and silky to the touch.
She had originally intended to dodge, but the warmth from Lin Yun's presence made her freeze. When his hand touched her, her body trembled lightly, and every cell seemed to radiate joy.
A latent power buried deep in her bloodline began to awaken. Her golden fur seemed to glow with a subtle light.
"Purr... purr..."
She closed her eyes in contentment, leaning into Lin Yun's hand. Her head rubbed gently against his palm, and a soft rumbling purr escaped her throat.
Too comfortable—absolutely too comfortable!
It wasn't just the Three-Eyed Golden Lion feeling good—Lin Yun felt the same. The moment he came into contact with her, he sensed his Golden Dragon King bloodline becoming more active. Even his previously viscous soul power began flowing a bit more smoothly.
It was speeding up his cultivation!
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion could actually enhance his cultivation speed!
"Hey, Rui Beast, you're back?"
At that moment, Di Tian emerged from the spatial portal. He was startled to see the two so close together, but upon noticing their affectionate interaction, he breathed a sigh of relief.
On one side was the little ancestor, on the other, the old ancestor—if the two clashed, Di Tian wouldn't even know where to cry.
But thinking it over, it made sense. The venerable one was among the most noble of the dragon race, and the Rui Beast carried a portion of his bloodline. Why would there be conflict between them?
Their shared bloodline naturally drew them closer.
Di Tian realized he'd worried for nothing.
"Ah!"
Di Tian's voice startled the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. When she noticed she was being petted by a stranger, she leapt back like a frightened rabbit, her golden fur even blushing faintly with a tinge of red.
"Di Tian! Where did you go!" she said, hopping over to him. Peeking out from behind him, she curiously eyed the smiling Lin Yun.
"Who is he?"
Di Tian gently patted her head and spoke in a tone full of reverence, "This is the venerable one, our dragon clan's greatest leader. I had just gone to complete the task he assigned me."
"Ve...nerable one?" The Three-Eyed Golden Lion repeated in confusion.
"Yes, the venerable one," Di Tian affirmed with a nod. Then he turned to Lin Yun, and with a light wave of his hand, several strange bones appeared before them.
There were wings, sharp claws, spider legs, and other oddly-shaped bones.
Five pieces in total.
"Venerable one, these are all the external soul bones we have preserved," Di Tian said respectfully as he presented them before Lin Yun.
Since Lin Yun could absorb soul rings normally, it stood to reason he could also absorb soul bones. Di Tian had already asked him about this—Star Dou Forest had no shortage of preserved soul bones, even some at the hundred-thousand-year level. If Lin Yun wanted, Di Tian could bring them all.
But Lin Yun had declined those.
Instead, he asked Di Tian to retrieve only the external soul bones from the forest's collection, so that he could choose among them.
He didn't need large quantities—just one for each body part—but they had to be high quality, with excellent growth potential.
As for the usual six-position soul bones, Lin Yun wasn't in a hurry to absorb them. But external bones, which could grow alongside a soul master, were best absorbed early.
Hence Di Tian's offering now.
(End of Chapter)