Douluo:Peerless Tang Sect: Douluo of Peaceful Heaven

In the darkness of the forest, Zhu Ziyang rode atop the great Starlight Unicorn, the smaller one trotting playfully beside them. With the assistance of a 50,000-year Starlight Unicorn, his search radius for Zhang Lexuan and the others had expanded significantly. At this level, a Starlight Unicorn's combat ability was on par with that of an ordinary 100,000-year soul beast.

The unicorn's coat was sleek and soft—like the finest silk. Sitting atop it, Zhu Ziyang felt a rare peace wash over both body and spirit.

"Teacher, why would this unicorn want to become my soul ring?" he asked, still puzzled by the extraordinary turn of events.

"Because unicorns are beings of pure light," Electrolux explained with a chuckle. "From the moment they are born, they're devout followers of the Path of Light—not of any god of light, but of light itself, in its most essential form. In fact, they are known to reject elemental deities."

He continued,

"A unicorn's horn is formed from its light essence. It can sense the same in others. When your light source resonated with theirs, they didn't just see you as an ally—they saw you as the embodiment of the light they revere. To become your soul ring is, for them, the same as returning to the source."

"So by accepting it as my soul ring, I'm actually blessing it?" Zhu Ziyang blinked in disbelief.

"Exactly," Electrolux nodded. "Your Ultimate Light doesn't come from the elemental domain. It originates from the laws that govern this world. You're not just a wielder of light—you're a manifestation of its essence."

"Laws?" Zhu Ziyang rubbed his head, increasingly confused.

"Heh, I'm getting ahead of myself," Electrolux chuckled. "Just remember—your light transcends elemental control. That's all you need to know for now."

"…Fine."

Zhu Ziyang sighed and turned his gaze toward the young Starlight Unicorn, which had been staring at him with wide, golden eyes. When it noticed him looking, it playfully stuck out its tongue, then spun around and wiggled its tail in his direction.

He couldn't help but laugh. But then a thought struck him.

"What about your child?" he asked the older unicorn.

"There are no others of our kind left in the Star Dou Forest," the great unicorn replied softly. "My daughter is only five hundred years old—barely three thousand years of cultivation. She cannot survive here alone. I hope… you will take her with you."

"You want her to come… to the human world?" Zhu Ziyang blinked in surprise.

"Yes," the unicorn said firmly. "To serve the Child of Light is a blessing for her. By following you, she may one day evolve into the legendary Unicorn King."

"Ziyang," Electrolux interjected,

"Accept it. A young Starlight Unicorn is a rare companion. They grow quickly—and I have an idea. I might be able to draw some inspiration from her."

Zhu Ziyang considered this and nodded. "Alright. I accept."

"Thank you for your kindness!"

The elder unicorn stopped walking, turned, and affectionately nuzzled him. Then it let out a melodious cry. The little unicorn immediately turned back, bounding happily to Zhu Ziyang's side.

Her horn began to glow faintly.

Zhu Ziyang understood instinctively and reached out to touch it.

A unicorn's horn was an intimate and sacred symbol. Apart from its parents, only the most trusted companion was ever allowed to touch it. Once the connection was made, their hearts would be linked.

"Hello, dear Child of Light!"

A sweet, childlike voice rang out in his mind. The little unicorn gazed up at him, eyes bright with joy.

"Hello, little unicorn," Zhu Ziyang responded warmly. "Do you two have names?"

"Only the rulers of our kind may bear a true name," the elder unicorn explained. "Mine is Luoxing Xiyasitian Niaogusidu Younike'an. My daughter… has not yet been named."

"…"

Zhu Ziyang was briefly speechless. That was the longest name he had ever heard.

After a pause, he smiled.

"May I name her, then?"

"As her guardian, you have that right by nature," the elder unicorn replied.

"Perfect. Let me think…"

He looked at the little unicorn and grinned. "I've got it. How about… Xingcai? The 'Starlight' in her blood, and the brilliance of a 'Rainbow'. What do you think?"

"Xingcai…"

Both unicorns echoed the name.

The little one jumped in the air with delight, kicking her hooves.

"Yay! I have a name now!"

The elder unicorn—Luoxing Xiya—also beamed with joy.

"Thank you for your gift."

"You're very welcome," Zhu Ziyang said, smiling sincerely.

Their bond deepened swiftly. Luoxing Xiya and the young Xingcai grew more determined than ever to help him find Zhang Lexuan's team.

Morning mist soaked their coats, dampened their steps, and made Zhu Ziyang shiver with discomfort. By dawn, they had covered a crescent-shaped arc of nearly three kilometers.

Still—no sign of Zhang Lexuan. No clues. No marks. No traces.

They would have to continue the search.

Suddenly—

"ROAR—!"

A deep, powerful cry echoed through the trees. It was long, melodic, and impossibly loud.

Luoxing Xiya's expression shifted instantly.

Fear crept into her golden eyes.

Zhu Ziyang felt the change in her aura and grew alert. "What's wrong? That cry—what kind of soul beast was that? What could frighten someone like you?"

Luoxing Xiya opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, the roar came again—louder and closer.

Zhu Ziyang's heart raced. The cry carried a deep, authoritative pressure—wild and domineering. It didn't sound like anything he'd expect from a beast in the Mixed Zone.

Before they could even react, the creature appeared—landing boldly in their path.

A golden beast, blazing like a miniature sun, landed just ten meters in front of them. Its body radiated pure arrogance.

It was clearly a challenge.

Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened.

For a soul beast to appear so suddenly, so confidently—right in front of Luoxing Xiya—was a clear provocation. Yet the powerful unicorn held herself back. Her hooves didn't stomp. Her horn didn't flare. She stared at the newcomer with quiet fury—but no violence.

Zhu Ziyang studied the beast carefully.

It looked like a lion at first glance—but it wasn't. It had a dragon's head, dragon claws, and a dragon's tail. Its mane and fur were fiery gold, flowing like living flame. Real flames burned at each of its four ankles.

But what shocked Zhu Ziyang most was the red vertical eye embedded in its forehead—while its other two eyes were golden.

He had never seen anything like it. No records he had studied ever mentioned such a beast.

Still, he had a guess.

A Dragon-Lion.

Or rather… a Suanni.

In ancient legend, the Suanni was the fifth son of the Dragon God, said to rule over fire and light. Gentle by nature, it loved smoke and flame. Born from the union of the Dragon God and a golden lioness, the Suanni was the ancestor of all Dragon-Lions in Douluo Continent.

This beast before him looked like a modern-day Suanni in evolution. Such a path was extremely rare—and extraordinarily powerful.

Zhu Ziyang narrowed his eyes.

He suddenly thought of the Silver Dragon Wolf. Somehow… he felt a strange resonance between that creature and this one. He couldn't explain it, but he felt they shared something in their blood.

The Silver Dragon Wolf's ancestor was said to be Yazi, the Dragon God's second son—ranking just above the Suanni in ancient myth.

If the records were true, then the connection he felt made sense.

Perhaps this was fate, Zhu Ziyang thought quietly.