Douluo: Glory of the Unrivaled Angel

Word Count: 2,843 Words

******

"I wasn't up to anything bad. This Destiny Beast just wanted to… just wanted to…"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion glanced around, racking its brain for an excuse.

"Be good. Let's not."

Ling Bai pulled the Three-Eyed Golden Lion to his side and placed a hand on its body. "Don't give away the destiny you've painstakingly preserved to someone else so easily."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion trembled all over, knowing its little scheme had failed. Its tail drooped like a wilted feather duster.

Elemental Transfusion, Destiny Connection. The Emperor Destiny Beast had just tried to willingly offer Ling Bai the ability it once cherished most. It had wanted to see his memories, seemingly as a way to participate in his past.

"What am I going to do with you? I treat you just a little bit well, and you're ready to dig out your whole heart and give it away."

Ling Bai half-leaned against the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. "If you fall in love someday, you'll definitely be the self-sacrificing type."

"Pah!"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's fur bristled. It snapped angrily, "Is that 'self-sacrificing type' what you called a 'simp' before? You're insulting me!"

"Okay, okay, don't be mad."

Ling Bai hurriedly smoothed its fur with a smile. "The high and mighty Emperor Destiny Beast is certainly not a simp. But Di Tian and the others have been protecting you for the past ten thousand years, so your guard against the outside world is too low, and your heart is too soft. You'll have to change that in the future."

"Clearly you're the one who doesn't recognize a good thing when you see it, yet you say I'm too soft-hearted."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion grumbled, "This Destiny Beast took the initiative to offer Elemental Transfusion. You could have just pretended to be cultivating, but no, you had to refuse.

Do you even understand what destiny's protection means? Didn't you tell me before that your luck wasn't good? Sharing my destiny would guarantee you smooth sailing in the future and make you a powerhouse destined by fate!"

Ling Bai couldn't help but chuckle wryly. That had just been a casual joke one night, yet the Three-Eyed Golden Lion had taken it to heart. This feeling of being remembered was exceptionally warm. He rubbed its small head and spoke gently:

"To be 'destined' is to negate our efforts. If we are destined to be a certain way from birth, then we might as well just lie flat and do nothing. There would be no need to cultivate, as the world could self-correct and push us onto that predestined path.

I've never believed in destiny. I only believe in my hands, in the power of my palms and fingers."

He slowly clenched his fist toward the sky, as if grasping a moment of time itself. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion gazed at the figure beside it, his golden eyes clear and bright like the luminous moon, searingly brilliant as they imprinted themselves upon its heart.

"I can't bear for you to leave. A Destiny Connection would become a bond between us. We could meet again, no matter how far apart we are."

Even the darkness of the night couldn't erase the clarity in the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's gaze. The Emperor Destiny Beast had a majestic and awe-inspiring appearance, but its eyes were bright like a puppy's, suggesting that once it had chosen someone, it would never leave their side.

"I'll let you pet me longer if you stay for a few more months, okay?"

The golden-haired human had truly captured the heart of this well-behaved spirit beast girl. A single year of novel experiences had left memories far richer and more vivid than ten thousand years of unchanging life.

"I can't. There are people in the human world waiting for me to return safely." Ling Bai's tone was gentle yet firm.

"Oh…"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion lowered its head to look at its paws. For a moment, Ling Bai had the illusion that two rabbit ears had sprouted from the back of its head and were now drooping pitifully.

"Are there many humans as interesting and powerful as you in the human world? What is it really like?" the Three-Eyed Golden Lion blinked and asked, the emotion in its eyes obscure.

"No, there aren't. I'm one of a kind."

Ling Bai first boasted proudly, then pondered for a moment before continuing slowly, "Actually, the human world is much like the spirit beast world. There are clear skies and cold rains; flowers and thorns coexist.

You enjoy the reverence the spirit beast world has for you, so you must accept the boring, monotonous daily life that comes with it.

And while I've witnessed the wonderful side of the human world, I must inevitably bear its dirty side of profit-driven scheming and deceit."

"Is that so…"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion nodded absentmindedly. Ling Bai wasn't sure if this fellow had actually taken it in.

The bright moon hung high as night pervaded the Star Dou Forest. Ling Bai decided against meditating, choosing instead to chat with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and say a proper farewell.

Man and beast chatted about everything under the sun: the Star Dou Forest, Shrek Academy, the four great empires…

Eventually, they delved into emotional gossip. Miss Destiny Beast's three eyes lit up as it spoke of how the two Great Beast 'aunties,' the Emerald Swan Bi Ji and the Hell Demon Dragon King Zi Ji, both liked Di Tian. They sometimes even confronted each other head-on, forcing the Scarlet King and Myriad Demon King to intervene as peacemakers with wry smiles, while Xiong Jun, ever the troublemaker, would shout, 'Fight! Fight!' Faced with matters of the heart, the invincible Di Tian was stumped for the first time. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion seemed to empathize, angrily slapping the ground and shouting:

"The strong are revered among spirit beasts! The number one Great Beast in the world should conquer the opposite sex and pass on its bloodline! If I were Uncle Di Tian, neither Auntie Bi Ji nor Auntie Zi Ji would get away. They'd bear me a hundred dragon babies!"

Hiss—

Ling Bai sucked in a cold breath at such fierce words. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion then seemed to ask casually:

"Hey, being so powerful, you must be very popular in the human world, right? Are many females pursuing you? Do you already have a partner?"

If Ning Tian, Han Ruoruo, or the others had asked, it would have been a deadly question. But the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was a spirit beast, after all, and Ling Bai had no need to hide anything. He answered straightforwardly:

"Spirit Masters prioritize talent when choosing partners, too. Countless girls have confessed to me in Shrek's Inner and Outer Courtyards, but I only have one partner with whom I've done everything."

So you really fucking have one!

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes darkened. A cross-shaped vein faintly bulged on its forehead as it took a deep breath, barely suppressing the nameless anger in its heart. Through gritted teeth, it asked, "Will you be staying at Shrek Academy forever?"

"Three years from now, I'll participate in Shrek Academy's graduation examination."

Three years.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion firmly memorized this timeframe and continued, "Then what about these three years?"

"I have quite a lot to do."

Ling Bai narrowed his eyes and counted on his fingers. "I need to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to get Ultimate Fire and resolve the issue with my Martial Spirit. I also have to make a trip to the Sun Moon Continent to kill some people. Those people have a feud with the Star Dou Forest; they once formed a group, entered the forest, and killed seven 100,000-year spirit beasts, forcing you all to unleash a beast tide."

"The Body Sect!"

Di Tian had mentioned that group's origins, and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion hated them so much its teeth itched. "Kill them mercilessly! Kill seven Titled Douluo to avenge Star Dou!"

"I'll do my best…"

"Oh, right. You just mentioned using Ultimate Fire to resolve an issue with your Martial Spirit?"

"Yeah. You've seen my Second Martial Spirit, the Death Abyss Spider Emperor. It's a God-level Evil Martial Spirit on par with the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. I need Ultimate Light and Ultimate Fire to advance my first Martial Spirit, the Seraphim, in order to completely eliminate the hidden danger posed by the Death Abyss Spider Emperor."

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion suddenly realized. "So that's why you ambushed me and took my Ultimate Light bloodline!"

Ling Bai said apologetically, "Sorry. I really had no choice. I couldn't find Ultimate Light anywhere on the entire Douluo Continent, so I had to resort to underhanded tactics against you."

"Forget it. I'm magnanimous; I forgive you!"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion snorted lightly. Ling Bai hadn't taken the Ultimate Light for nothing; he had given Life Gold as compensation. Later on, he had also hunted a large number of 10,000-year light-attribute spirit beasts and the 100,000-year spirit beast Sacred Sun Heaven Spirit Tiger. All their brain matter had gone into its stomach. The loss of its Ultimate Light bloodline had long since been made up for, to the point that it was even more vigorous than before.

Chatting back and forth, man and beast spent their last night together in laughter, until dawn broke and a new day was born.

"Remember, this Destiny Beast will never owe you anything!"

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion declared, bidding farewell with a smile as bright as the sun and a lighthearted tone.

"See! You! Again!"

With that, it transformed into a golden streak of light and shot into the depths of the Star Dou Forest.

"See you."

Ling Bai watched it leave, then headed to the Tortoise Clan's habitat to pick up the Golden Tortoise.

As he neared the pond, he heard the Golden Tortoise delivering a resonant speech:

"People of the Tortoise Clan, your king is leaving!

Do not be sad, do not be anxious. Believe!

In ten thousand years! Your king will return in glory with his turtle sons and grandsons!"

Ling Bai smiled helplessly and waited quietly for the Golden Tortoise to finish its speech. Then, together they crossed the Star Dou Forest toward the outside world.

The Golden Tortoise chattered non-stop along the way, asking whether Ling Bai's pond at home was large, whether Miss Spirit Tide Sea Turtle was beautiful, and whether its own dark gold shell was handsome…

Rustle… rustle…

Just as the two were about to step out of the Star Dou Forest, a man with a sinister aura suddenly appeared ahead of them. He walked slowly in their direction, and as he advanced, trees frantically sprouted branches, forming multiple blockades. An eerie, yellow-green eye grew on the trunk of each large tree.

Ranked fifth among the Ten Great Beasts: the Monster Eyed Tree, Myriad Demon King.

The timing of the Myriad Demon King's appearance was too deliberate. Ling Bai's eyes narrowed slightly, while the Golden Tortoise reacted as if facing a formidable enemy. Having restored its 100,000-year true form, it had no fear of the Monster Eyed Tree, which was not known for its offensive power, but it instinctively became vigilant.

"Let's cut the pleasantries. I'm here for two matters."

The Myriad Demon King said, getting straight to the point. A branch curled around a crystal-clear ruby and presented it to Ling Bai. Without even touching it, Ling Bai could sense the surging heat emanating from within the gem.

"Ultimate Fire…" Ling Bai murmured.

The Myriad Demon King said indifferently, "The Destiny Beast stripped away her Ultimate Fire bloodline and asked me to deliver it to you. She said the flames of the Emperor Destiny Beast are unmatched by any other spirit beast and hoped this would leave you completely without worry."

"Please thank her for me."

Ling Bai accepted the ruby containing the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's Ultimate Fire bloodline. This was her purest intention.

"Now for the second matter."

The Myriad Demon King stood before Ling Bai and the Golden Tortoise, its eerie eyes fixed on Ling Bai. "Evil Spirit Beasts are very useful to you, aren't they? Are you willing to accept a bounty?"

"A bounty on whom?"

"The Demon Eye Evil Tree. You could consider it my child."

The Myriad Demon King said. "Ten thousand years ago, I had a sudden whim to nurture an offspring.

We Monster Eyed Trees can split off roots to cultivate descendants that perfectly inherit our bloodline, and my child was created this way.

Three thousand years ago, I discovered that it had degenerated into an Evil Spirit Beast. It devoured countless plant-type spirit beasts in the Star Dou Forest and rapidly broke through to a 100,000-year cultivation, awakening evil abilities specifically designed to restrain its own kind. Even when I personally took action, I couldn't kill it. In the end, it escaped from the Star Dou Forest.

The bloodline connection between the Demon Eye Evil Tree and me still exists, which means it is still alive, just very far from here. It seems to be on that continent that collided with ours."

"The Sun Moon Continent?" Ling Bai asked.

"Yes. That is the territory ruled by the Evileye Tyrant Emperor."

A hint of wariness appeared in the Myriad Demon King's eyes. "If any of the Ten Great Beasts sets foot on the Sun Moon Continent, we will suffer the Evil Emperor's merciless attacks. But if the Demon Eye Evil Tree is allowed to grow unchecked, there's no guarantee it won't one day return to threaten the plant-type spirit beasts of this forest.

These past few days, I've been observing your two Martial Spirits, one holy, one evil. I've heard of the Seraphim's talent, how it can convert a portion of spirit power for its own use after killing Evil Spirit Masters and Evil Spirit Beasts. And your Evil Martial Spirit also needs spirit rings.

The Demon Eye Evil Tree has transformed into an evil and spiritual dual-attribute spirit beast. Its spirit ring and spirit bone would surely be suitable for you.

If you kill it and bring me proof here in the Star Dou Forest, I can give you a spirit bone left behind by a 100,000-year plant-type spirit beast after it passed its heavenly tribulation…

Human, are you interested in my bounty?"

The Myriad Demon King gazed at Ling Bai, a hint of anticipation in its eyes. The Demon Eye Evil Tree restrained plant-type spirit beasts and lived in the territory of the Evileye Tyrant Emperor. Given the growth rate of Evil Spirit Beasts, it had likely already broken through to a 200,000-year cultivation.

In a few more tens of thousands of years, when its cultivation surpassed its nominal father's, its threat would rival that of the 100,000-year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. This was because high-level plant-type spirit beasts possessed the ability to instantly assimilate low-level ones!

The Myriad Demon King felt as if it were sitting on pins and needles. It knew it could not allow the Demon Eye Evil Tree to grow unchecked. Ling Bai's appearance offered a glimmer of hope, so it had decisively offered a 100,000-year spirit bone to entice him to travel to the Sun Moon Empire and kill its wayward child.

"All profit and no cost. I have no reason to refuse."

Another item was added to his task list: Demon Eye Evil Tree = 100,000-year spirit ring + two 100,000-year spirit bones + Myriad Demon King's favor. Who could possibly turn down this deal!

"Straightforward!"

The Myriad Demon King laughed heartily. It chopped off its own pinky finger with a palm strike. Not a single drop of blood flowed. The finger instantly regenerated, while the severed digit turned into a piece of dry wood.

"This is my root tendril. Even if you are ten thousand miles apart, you can use it to sense the Demon Eye Evil Tree's location."

"Okay."

Ling Bai put away the section of the Myriad Demon King's main body, a being with over 500,000 years of cultivation. This item alone was a supreme treasure coveted by every plant-type Spirit Master in the world.

"I look forward to your good news."

The Myriad Demon King dispersed its iron chain-like branches, allowing Ling Bai and the Golden Tortoise to leave the Star Dou Forest.

…

Meanwhile, at the Lake of Life, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, having voluntarily stripped away her Ultimate Fire bloodline, gazed into the distance. Her eyes were calm, without a single ripple.

"The bloodline of the Emperor Destiny Beast isn't so easily obtained."

She murmured softly. Light enveloped her golden body, which slowly transformed into a large cocoon. From within, the sound of resonant dragon cries could be heard.

She was never the gentle and mild type.

Destiny is something you decide for yourself!

Since you're unwilling to connect our destinies, then I will simply barge into yours!

The one to form a bond with you…

Shall be me!