Jiang Jue's eyes grew ever deeper, a flash of madness crossing within them, while the Spirit Eye at his brow flared with emerald brilliance.
At the same time, he discovered that his spiritual sea was undergoing earth-shaking change. The originally green spiritual sea was gradually being coated with a layer of radiant gold.
His vast, boundless sea of spirit was being condensed under this golden glow, as though purified, pushing toward a new peak.
And within it lingered a faint, indescribable aura.
The process of fate-connection, also called attribute-connection, was the ritual of bonding with an auspicious beast. It refined one's attributes. The Three-Eyed Golden Lion did not only possess Ultimate Light and Ultimate Fire—it also carried spiritual attributes.
And Jiang Jue's Soul-Refining Banner likewise held spiritual attributes. At this moment, it too was being refined.
Jiang Jue's spiritual realm had already reached the stage of Form Without Substance. The next step was a higher realm: Form With Substance!
"Mm!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's three eyes trembled slightly. It was startled to sense a rich life force flowing out from the human before it, a breath strikingly similar to that of the Lake of Life it often resided in.
Bathed in that vitality, its body felt oddly comfortable—more satisfying than devouring the brain of a light-attribute beast. It even let out two low murmurs of delight.
As the golden halo spread wider and thicker, the glow encircling Jiang Jue and the lion became ever denser.
The Spirit Eye at Jiang Jue's brow gradually shifted from green toward blazing gold, as though ink was seeping into clear water.
"Hm? What's this?"
Inside the Spirit Eye's inner realm, Electrolux gave a faint cry. A strange energy surged in—and directly threw him out of the Spirit Eye.
"My home was stolen?"
Electrolux looked around Jiang Jue's spiritual sea, stunned at the rapidly changing landscape.
Just a moment ago, he had been closely watching Jiang Jue's condition, wary of accidents. He sensed the strange energy, but he hadn't expected it to eject him outright.
Though he could have resisted with his power, to avoid interrupting Jiang Jue, he had no choice but to yield to it.
"…?"
Jiang Jue was astonished to find that the third eye at his brow now felt completely like a part of himself—fully under his control.
And within this third eye surged a wondrous force, a power reigning above all.
That power was—Fate!
His Spirit Eye had evolved—into the Eye of Destiny!
Immediately after, an immense flood of information poured from the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's vertical eye into him, mixed with a terrifying suction.
"Memory exchange? That won't do."
Jiang Jue's eyes lit up coldly, a fleeting deathly stillness in his gaze.
As that information-sphere carrying suction entered his spiritual sea, it collided head-on with the Soul-Refining Banner, which had long lain in wait.
The banner belched violet-black mist. At the sight of the glowing sphere, it trembled like a starving wolf spotting plump prey.
In an instant, chains wreathed in eerie light shot out, lashing onto the sphere.
The information sphere jolted in shock, trying to retreat, but was instantly bound. Its resistance was futile—it was dragged into the Soul-Refining Banner.
Once swallowed, the banner quivered faintly, as if satiated. Scarlet patterns upon it gleamed briefly, then dimmed.
Jiang Jue's memories were tied to his future. There was no way he would ever allow them to be exchanged with the lion's.
So he had long since devised his countermeasure—the Soul-Refining Banner.
The one item from his past life that he had brought with him, and which had never vanished even during his trial in the Hall of Comprehension.
Just as he expected, the information was devoured by the banner, and the suction vanished with it.
"The Soul-Refining Banner… I must explore it further. This trump card is too important—and too mysterious."
Jiang Jue resolved inwardly.
Time flowed on.
Buzz!
A golden burst suddenly erupted from the point of contact between Jiang Jue and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. The surrounding golden halo vanished in an instant, as if nothing had ever happened.
Jiang Jue's body was jolted back, but his control was precise—he only staggered two steps before steadying himself.
Opening his eyes slowly, dazzling golden brilliance flickered deep within them, radiating majestic authority—like the gaze of a sovereign.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion swayed dizzily, stumbling several steps back.
Its third eye flickered from gold to black, then swiftly back to gold with a trace of emerald.
It appeared weakened, its gaze vacant.
When its eyes met Jiang Jue's, its third eye opened involuntarily. A crimson light flickered within, its spirit quivering, as a strange feeling welled up.
It felt as if its fate had become intertwined with this human youth's—from this moment on, inseparably so.
"…But something seems off."
The lion shook its head, muttering inwardly.
"My memories went over… but why didn't his come to me? Don't tell me they were devoured?"
Jiang Jue smiled faintly at the confused lion, reaching out to pat it.
"Grr! Human, take your filthy paw away!"
The lion roared at him. Yet it hadn't noticed that deep down, it no longer truly loathed him.
Last time Jiang Jue touched it, it bared its teeth. This time, there was only irritation.
"Kid Jiang, how is it? Any gains?"
Poison Undying asked urgently.
During the golden halo's spread, he had felt the bottleneck that had trapped him for so long suddenly loosen—the threshold to humanity's pinnacle: Limit Douluo.
If just being near the halo had such an effect, then what Jiang Jue had gained within must be unimaginable.
"Patriarch, yes."
Jiang Jue nodded lightly, winking at him.
"Good. We'll discuss when we return."
Poison Undying's heart leapt, though his face remained calm. He understood Jiang Jue's silent message.
"Little golden mane, don't sulk. Here, take this."
Jiang Jue, noticing the lion's sulky look, took out a roasted lion's head from his storage ring. A savory aroma spread instantly.
He remembered—the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, like the Masked Douluo, had a peculiar taste for brains. Only, it would eat only the brains of light-attributed beasts.
Conveniently, the Bright Golden Lion he had slain was just that.
The lion snorted, turning its head away.
"This beast doesn't eat handouts."
"Don't be like that. Think of it as my treat—my thanks. After all, I understand you."
Jiang Jue tapped his brow, then pointed at the lion's vertical eye.
"You… you know."
The lion froze, realizing what he meant. This human had accessed its memories. But why hadn't it gotten his in return?
"Well? Go on, eat."
Jiang Jue pushed the roasted brain closer, the fragrance growing richer.
"Th-then fine. Human, this will count as your atonement."
The lion hesitated, sniffed lightly, and finally succumbed to temptation.
"No matter. This is his apology. I'll eat it. Better me than let it go to waste."
"Yes. No problem at all."
It convinced itself inwardly.
It let Jiang Jue leave the whole grill with it, planning to eat later. Its pride would not allow it to be seen feeding.
Jiang Jue suddenly recalled an old saying:
Beasts will never be slaves—unless provided food and lodging.
Weina walked up beside him and whispered:
"This lion head's a bit overdone, isn't it? Feels tough."
Indeed, with their earlier standoff against the Red King, the dish had been neglected.
Before Jiang Jue could reply, the lion's voice rang out:
"Who says it's overcooked? This brain is perfect!"
Just then, noises sounded from the forest—Red King had returned from hunting.
(End of Chapter)