In the pitch-black forest, Zhu Ziyang rode atop the large Star Radiance Unicorn, with the smaller unicorn trailing beside them, continuing their search for Zhang Lexuan and the others. With the help of a powerful fifty-thousand-year Star Radiance Unicorn, the range of his search expanded significantly. A unicorn of that age already possessed combat power comparable to that of an ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
The unicorn's fur was incredibly smooth, soft to the touch like the finest silk. Sitting atop its back, Zhu Ziyang felt both his body and mind relaxed immensely.
"Teacher, why would this Star Radiance Unicorn want to become my soul ring?" he asked Electrolux, still puzzled by the encounter.
"Because unicorns are pure beings of light. From the moment they're born, they are devout believers in the path of light," Electrolux explained with a smile. "But their faith is in the pure essence of the Dao of Light, not in any deity who merely controls the element of light. In fact, they are even hostile toward the so-called Light Element Gods. A unicorn's horn is formed from the condensation of its light origin. It allows them to sense the light origins of other beings and determine if they are friend or foe. You, as a Child of Light, possess a light origin closest to the Dao of Light. To them, you are the embodiment of light itself. Becoming your soul ring, becoming a part of you, is no different from them merging with light."
"So, by accepting it as my soul ring, it really is a blessing for it?" Zhu Ziyang smacked his lips thoughtfully before asking.
"Exactly," Electrolux replied with a chuckle. "From what I understand, your light attribute as a Child of Light comes from the Dao of Light, not from the elemental Light God. It's already transcended the realm of mere elements and stepped into the domain of Laws."
"Laws?" Zhu Ziyang grew increasingly confused.
"Haha, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. You don't need to fully understand it right now. Just remember, your ultimate light is not merely elemental." Electrolux gave a mysterious smile.
"Fine!" Zhu Ziyang waved helplessly. He had no way of prying more out of Electrolux's cryptic words.
His gaze shifted toward the smaller unicorn beside them. The little creature was looking at him with large pale-golden eyes full of curiosity. When it saw him looking back, it stuck out its tongue playfully and then dashed ahead, pointing its tail back at him cheekily.
"What about your child?" Zhu Ziyang was amused, then suddenly thought of a serious question and asked.
"There are no other Star Radiance Unicorns left in the Star Dou Forest," the large unicorn replied. "My child is only five hundred years old and has a cultivation of barely three thousand years. She can no longer remain here. I hope you'll take her in."
"This..." Zhu Ziyang was stunned for a moment before replying in surprise, "You want her to follow me into the human world?"
"Yes," the unicorn answered firmly. "To serve the Child of Light is her blessing. By following you, she may have the chance to evolve into the legendary King of Unicorns."
"Ziyang, you should accept her," Electrolux said. "Star Radiance Unicorns grow quickly. I also have an idea—perhaps I can draw inspiration from her."
Zhu Ziyang thought for a moment and realized there was no harm in gaining the companionship of a three-thousand-year Star Radiance Unicorn. He nodded. "Alright, I agree."
"Thank you for your kindness!" the unicorn said gratefully. It came to a halt and turned its head to nuzzle against Zhu Ziyang. Then it let out a melodious call. The smaller unicorn stopped and returned to him.
The little unicorn's horn began to glow. Zhu Ziyang instinctively reached out and grasped it.
A unicorn's horn was a deeply private part of its body. Aside from its parents, only the closest companions were allowed to touch it. Once touched, a connection of shared thoughts would form.
"Hello, Honored Child of Light!" A sweet, youthful girl's voice rang in Zhu Ziyang's mind. The little unicorn looked up at him joyfully.
"Hello, little Star Radiance Unicorn," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. "By the way, do you two have names?"
"Honored Child of Light, among us unicorns, only the king may possess a true name. My name is Luoxing Xiyasidianie Augustus Unicorn," the large unicorn said proudly. "My child has not yet received a true name."
"..." Zhu Ziyang was briefly speechless. After a long pause, he asked, "Then may I give her a name?"
"She is now your follower. It is your right by nature," the large unicorn answered.
"Good, let me think for a moment," Zhu Ziyang said, delighted. He looked at the smaller unicorn and smiled. "I've got it. I'll call you Xingcai—Star Radiance and rainbow light. How's that?"
"Xingcai?!" both unicorns instinctively repeated the name. The little one immediately leapt high into the air in excitement, shouting, "Yay! I have a name now!"
She was clearly thrilled. Luoxing Xiya, the large unicorn, also looked overjoyed. She turned to Zhu Ziyang and said, "Thank you for the name you have bestowed."
"You're welcome!" Zhu Ziyang replied cheerfully.
Just like that, the bond between the boy and the two soul beasts deepened rapidly. Luoxing Xiya and the now-named Xingcai became even more diligent in helping Zhu Ziyang search for Zhang Lexuan's group.
Night gradually faded. Morning dew dampened the unicorns' fur, and Zhu Ziyang's clothes were soaked as well, leaving him feeling quite uncomfortable. After traversing nearly three kilometers in an arc-shaped path, he had yet to find any signs or traces left behind by Zhang Lexuan or the other inner courtyard disciples.
There was nothing to do but keep searching.
"Roar~" A deep and resonant roar echoed through the forest. At that moment, Luoxing Xiya's expression shifted drastically. A wave of panic surged in her heart.
Zhu Ziyang immediately sensed her unease and asked in surprise, "What's wrong? That roar just now—what soul beast is it? What could make you feel so alarmed?"
"It's..." Luoxing Xiya had just opened her mouth to answer when the roar came again—this time, clearer and closer.
"Roar~" Zhu Ziyang also heard it loud and clear. The roar carried a domineering presence that brooked no challenge. His curiosity only deepened. 'Such a beast still exists in the mixed region of the forest?'
Before Zhu Ziyang or the unicorns could react, the owner of the roar appeared directly in their path.
A golden figure shot forward like a running sun, landing arrogantly less than ten meters in front of Luoxing Xiya! That distance was nothing short of a direct provocation. Yet, despite this audacity, Luoxing Xiya did not retaliate. Instead, she suppressed her instincts and narrowed her gaze, barely concealing her anger.
Zhu Ziyang studied the golden creature carefully. A strange feeling stirred in his heart—an urge, as if some instinct within him was pushing him to claim the beast before him.
The creature resembled a lion in form, but to mistake it for one would be a grave error. Though lion-like in body, it had a dragon's head, claws, and tail. Its golden mane shimmered like flames, and real fire burned around its ankles. But what surprised Zhu Ziyang most was the crimson vertical eye at the center of its brow, while its two regular eyes gleamed gold—an extraordinary sight.
Zhu Ziyang had never seen a beast like this before. None of the books he'd read contained any mention of it. But that didn't stop him from making a reasonable guess.
A Dragon Lion.
Or more specifically, a Suanni.
According to legend, the Suanni was the eighth son of the Dragon God, ranked fifth among the Dragon God's nine sons. It held dominion over fire and light, had a gentle temperament, and loved smoke and flame. Said to be born from the Dragon God and a Golden Lion, it was the origin of the Dragon Lion race on the Douluo Continent.
The beast before him closely resembled a Suanni. Clearly, it had chosen an evolutionary path toward becoming one—a very rare direction for any soul beast to take.
Zhu Ziyang's eyes narrowed. He thought of the Silver Dragon Wolf and felt a strange connection between the two creatures—something familiar he couldn't quite place.
The ancestor of the Dragon Wolf was Yazi, the second son of the Dragon God, ranked second among the nine. Yazi and Suanni were brothers.
If the rumors he had read about the Dragon God's nine sons were true, that might explain why he sensed this strange similarity between the Silver Dragon Wolf and this Dragon Lion.
Zhu Ziyang pondered in silence.
(End of Chapter)
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