Chapter 14: Comparable to the Lord's Aura???
It violently retracted its claws, its massive body erupting with unprecedented power. Its four paws gripped the ground as it prepared to catapult backward, desperate to flee from this terrifying existence that made its very soul tremble.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, dignity, face—none of it mattered in the face of absolute terror!
However, just as its muscles tensed and its power was about to explode—
An indescribable pressure radiated from Lin Yu without warning.
This pressure was not the crushing physical force from the previous battle, but an absolute suppression originating from the very bottom level of life, engraved deep within the bloodline!
It was ancient, vast, domineering, and noble, carrying a terrifying majesty that commanded all beasts to bow!
The Bear Lord's blood instantly froze!
It felt as if its heart were being gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand, nearly stopping its beat. Every strand of its dark-gold fur stood on end—not from rage, but from an irresistible fear and a primal urge to worship rising from the depths of its soul!
This feeling... it had only ever felt it from one person!
The existence whom Di Tian addressed as "The Lord"! That was likewise a supreme being that commanded awe and submission from the depths of one's bloodline!
But now, the aura emanating from the person before it—its level was so high and its origin so noble that it actually rivaled the Lord!
No, in some aspects, this aura was even purer and more domineering, carrying a primitive essence of destruction and creation, as if it were the source of all power, the ancestral home of all bloodlines!
This feeling... was Dragon! The most ancient, most supreme Dragon Might! And it was... Gold...?!
A name that made its soul shudder nearly burst from its lips!
The Bear Lord finally understood! It understood everything!
No wonder! No wonder the Tearing the Heavens Claw was like child's play! No wonder his physical strength was unfathomable! No wonder he dared to disdainfully view it as a mount!
This person wasn't human at all! He was... one of the Co-Lords of Soul Beasts, equal to or perhaps even more ancient and noble than the Lord! He was an existence standing at the very, very top of the entire soul beast hierarchy's pyramid!
Such an existence... such an existence actually took an interest in it? Wanted it to be a mount?!
Immense terror was instantly replaced by an absurd yet strangely flattered sense of wild joy. The towering humiliation brought by the word "mount" earlier had, at this moment, transformed into supreme glory!
To become the mount of such an existence—how was that a disgrace?
This was practically a celestial fortune cultivated over four hundred thousand years! It was an honor that countless soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest wouldn't even dare to dream of!
Its massive body came to a sudden halt; the thought of escaping vanished into thin air.
Under the dazed gaze of Huo Yuhao and the frantic shaking of Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's mental light-ball, the Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear King—whose ferocious reputation awed the Star Dou—performed an action that made everyone's jaws drop.
Its mountain-like body performed a 180-degree turn with an agility completely unbefitting its size. Its massive head lowered, and its dark-gold eyes were filled with the purest reverence and submission.
Then, its limbs bent, and with a thunderous boom, it prostrated itself on the ground. Its giant bear paws extended forward cautiously, and its entire massive frame pressed as flat as possible against the earth, revealing its broad, platform-like back unreservedly to Lin Yu.
It even carefully controlled its strength to avoid kicking up too much dust that might soil its master's clothes.
A low, thick, yet incredibly respectful voice, carrying an uncontrollable tremor, issued from the Bear Lord's mouth, echoing through the silent forest:
"Revered... Revered Master! It was Bear Lord who had eyes but could not see, offending your majesty! Since Master does not discard me and takes a liking to my clumsy legs... please... please mount my back!"
This attitude was more than just a 180-degree turn; it was like jumping directly from hell to the clouds, respectful to the absolute limit!
Lin Yu looked at the Bear Lord, who had instantly transformed from a ferocious beast into a docile creature. The trace of playfulness and disgust on his face finally dissolved, and a predicted curve formed at the corner of his mouth.
He felt a secret sense of satisfaction: Tsk, this Golden Dragon King bloodline suppression really is useful. Saved me the trouble of using my hands further.
He nodded with satisfaction and beckoned to Huo Yuhao:
"Yuhao, why are you still dazed? Come up. This big guy will be our transportation from now on."
As he spoke, he leaped lightly onto the Bear Lord's broad, flat back, which felt like dark-gold steel needles. His movements were as elegant as if he were stepping onto his own porch.
Huo Yuhao snapped out of it, looking at this perception-shattering scene, his heart still thumping wildly. He hurriedly scrambled up the Bear Lord's back using both hands and feet, sitting cautiously behind Lin Yu, feeling as though he were in a dream.
Lin Yu stood steadily on the Bear Lord's back, feeling the solidness beneath his feet. He looked at the Bear Lord's respectfully lowered head, and feeling quite good, he decided to "draw a big rice cake":
"Mhm, not bad. You have some foresight. Work hard; if you serve me well—whether it's pulling a carriage or guarding a gate—I won't treat you poorly."
He paused, his tone casual as if he were talking about what to eat for breakfast tomorrow, yet it contained a temptation that made the Bear Lord's soul boil:
"This Douluo Continent is, after all, too small a stage. In the future, when I return to the Divine Realm, I'll need a few capable subordinates to hold down the fort. A position in the Divine Realm... something like 'Sky-Propping True Lord' or 'Earth-Rending Divine General' isn't out of the question for you."
Boom!
"Sky-Propping True Lord"? "Earth-Rending Divine General"? A position in the Divine Realm?!
These words were like heavenly thunder striking the Bear Lord's consciousness! Its massive body shook violently, and it prostrated itself even lower. Its dark-gold eyes erupted with an unprecedented, fanatical light!
Fear had vanished completely, replaced only by incomparable excitement, wild joy, and the fervor of a death-vow of loyalty!
The Divine Realm! That was the ultimate dreamland for all soul beasts! It was the place to escape the Heavenly Tribulations and obtain eternal life and supreme power! And a position in the Divine Realm—this was a celestial fortune it wouldn't have dared to dream of in its wildest fantasies! It was billions of times more precious than a hundred-thousand-year soul bone or a million years of cultivation!
"ROAR!!"
The Bear Lord let out a low, intensely excited roar. It was no longer one of anger, but like the most devout oath:
"Bear Lord! Willing to follow Master for all eternity! To die for Master! Through fire or water, I shall not hesitate!"
Its massive head knocked heavily against the ground once, making the earth tremble slightly, before it stood up with extreme caution and steadiness, as if terrified of bumping the Master on its back.
"Alright, enough with the empty formalities," Lin Yu waved his hand dismissively, as if the promise he just made was a trivial matter. "Fix your direction. To the North, the core circle of the Far North. Full speed ahead."
"Yes! Master! Please sit firmly!"
The Bear Lord replied respectfully. Its massive body erupted with a terrifying speed completely at odds with its heavy appearance, turning into a dark-gold stream of light that crashed through the dense forest, charging toward the frozen kingdom of the North with the speed of wind and lightning.
Its posture was filled with power and an unprecedented sense of glory.