And at this moment—
"Hm?"
Liu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
Looking at the blood-soaked, dying little golden beast at his feet, his first reaction was a strange mix of laughter and helplessness.
"Have Spirit Beasts learned how to stage traffic accidents for scams these days?"
He didn't think much of it, assuming it was just some unlucky little creature that had crashed into him while fleeing in panic. In the Star Dou Great Forest, scenes of pursuit and slaughter played out countless times every single day.
Turning around, he prepared to leave, unwilling to get involved in this "accident."
However, just as he turned, the Snow Empress beside him suddenly cried out in shock.
"Wait! Liu Yuan—look at it!"
Her voice carried unprecedented disbelief. Her ice-blue eyes were locked onto the small golden beast, her delicate body trembling slightly with excitement.
Liu Yuan stopped and followed her gaze, frowning in confusion.
"What's wrong? Isn't it just a—huh?"
This time, he examined it carefully.
Its radiant golden fur looked as though it had been cast from pure gold, and faint auspicious clouds seemed to swirl beneath its four hooves. Even in its battered, blood-covered state, its noble and miraculous nature was impossible to conceal.
Most striking of all was the closed vertical eye on its forehead, brimming with an indescribable sense of mystery.
That image—
A sudden realization struck Liu Yuan.
A name that existed only in legends surfaced in his mind.
His pupils shrank violently as he blurted out, "The Emperor Auspicious Beast—the Three-Eyed Golden Lion?!"
It really was!
Shock surged through his heart.
This was the embodiment of auspiciousness on the Douluo Continent, a living condensation of luck itself. And such a mythical existence had… collapsed at his feet?
Then an even more alarming thought followed.
Who had injured it like this?
Judging from the wounds, it had clearly been struck down by overwhelming force!
Who in their right mind would dare lay a hand on the Auspicious Beast? That was no different from declaring war on the entire Spirit Beast race!
"I don't know who did it," Snow Empress said solemnly.
She closed her eyes, sensing the surroundings. As she did, her expression grew increasingly grim.
"But just now, I sensed many terrifyingly powerful auras sweeping through the Star Dou Great Forest. And that strongest dark aura… it's Di Tian. They've already realized something happened to the Auspicious Beast. Everyone has mobilized."
Liu Yuan's heart skipped a beat.
A brutally serious question was laid out before him.
Should he leave immediately?
This was practically a death-trap dilemma.
The Auspicious Beast lay unconscious and gravely injured at his feet, and he had just released Mega Rayquaza's aura without restraint. If Di Tian and the Vicious Beasts followed that aura and arrived here, what would they think when they saw this scene?
Even if he jumped into the Yellow River, he wouldn't be able to wash away the suspicion!
With Di Tian's explosive temper, Liu Yuan would be treated as the culprit without question. Forget explanations—he'd probably be torn apart before he could utter a single word.
From a rational standpoint, the best option was obvious.
Leave. Immediately. Without looking back.
Besides, even if he helped save the Auspicious Beast, what reward would he get? It wasn't like the Spirit Beasts would gratefully offer him Heaven-and-Earth treasures.
On the contrary, he might still be attacked due to misunderstanding.
Infinite risk. Almost no reward.
"Snow Empress, we—"
Just as Liu Yuan was about to make the most rational decision of his life and flee with her, a cold mechanical voice rang out in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Detected special plot character "Emperor Auspicious Beast" in a near-death state. Triggering unique mission: Save the Auspicious Beast!]
[Mission Objective: Provide immediate treatment and remove all life-threatening conditions.]
[Mission Reward: Mega Kyogre Random Ability +1!]
[PS: This mission will cause significant consequences. Host, please consider carefully!]
"…As if I don't know the consequences are significant!"
Liu Yuan felt numb.
This System really knew how to choose its timing.
Wasn't this blatantly tempting him to gamble his life?
He hesitated again.
Do it—or don't?
Doing it meant betting his life that Di Tian would arrive a little later, and betting that he'd even be allowed to explain.
Not doing it meant losing this reward forever.
And the System had even emphasized that the consequences would be "significant"…
Troublesome. Truly troublesome.
Just as Liu Yuan was locked in painful indecision, Snow Empress suddenly spoke, her voice unusually soft.
"Master… please help it."
She looked down at the Auspicious Beast, complex emotions flickering in her eyes.
"The Auspicious Beast means far more to Spirit Beasts than you can imagine."
"It's not just a symbol of the Star Dou Great Forest's luck. The auspicious qi it emits greatly enhances the growth and cultivation of all Spirit Beasts."
"Even though I'm not from the Star Dou Great Forest, I'm still a member of the Spirit Beast race… I can't watch it die."
Her words shattered Liu Yuan's final hesitation.
He glanced at her pleading expression, then thought of that irresistible mission reward.
"Damn it," he muttered, clenching his teeth as resolve filled his eyes. "I'll take the gamble."
"Thank you, Liu Yuan." Gratitude instantly appeared in Snow Empress's gaze.
"Just remember to treat me better in the future," Liu Yuan replied dryly.
He immediately crouched down and, with a thought, retrieved a special bottle from the System's storage.
Inside was a medicinal liquid emitting an intense life-rich aura.
This was the Potion he had received as a mission reward long ago—something he had never been willing to use.
But now, it was the only thing that could save the Auspicious Beast.
Liu Yuan gently pried open the small beast's mouth and poured the liquid in.
The potion melted instantly upon contact, erupting into a surge of life energy within its body.
Before their eyes, the deep wounds began to knit together at a visible pace. Its dim golden fur regained a faint glow, and its previously imperceptible breathing grew steady and strong.
Although its origin was still damaged and it hadn't awakened, its life was no longer in danger.
"It looks like we'll have to wait," Liu Yuan exhaled, carefully lifting the Auspicious Beast and preparing to move to a more concealed location.
But at that moment—
Both he and Snow Empress stiffened, snapping their heads toward the same direction.
…
Elsewhere, at the border between the Mixed Zone and the Core Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest—
"Huff… huff…"
Xuan Zi carried Huo Yuhao, pushing his speed to the absolute limit as he tore through the forest, leaving afterimages behind.
Just as he thought he had escaped, the space ahead suddenly solidified.
One towering figure after another appeared from all directions, sealing every route of escape.
To the east stood Di Tian in human form, clad in black, golden eyes blazing with apocalyptic fury.
To the west loomed the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear—Bear King—its massive body radiating brutal power.
To the south stood the Myriad Demon King, his presence as heavy as a mountain.
To the north burned the Scarlet King, the Three-Headed Hellhound, hellfire roaring across its body.
And at the center floated a woman in a jade-green dress, her features gentle and serene—the Emerald Swan, Bi Ji.
Faced with this lineup that could make even a Limit Douluo's scalp go numb, Xuan Zi and Huo Yuhao felt their hearts sink into the abyss.
Di Tian's cold gaze swept over Huo Yuhao before settling on Xuan Zi's pale face.
For a brief moment, he froze.
Then boundless rage erupted.
"It's you again!"
A roar filled with murderous intent tore through the sky.
-------------Author---------------
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