That was truly more than he could ask for.
Though the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was only five thousand years old, she represented the will of the Star Dou Great Forest.
In the Douluo III timeline, Bai Chen had to scheme and maneuver just to bring Na'er home in hopes of gaining the Star Dou faction's backing.
Yet here in Douluo I, he had done nothing—
And Star Dou's little princess had delivered herself to him.
From that angle, he should feel delighted.
But to say he had no complaints at all… wouldn't be accurate.
He really had been prepared to die.
She had stormed out of Star Dou in the middle of the night, invaded his village, and forcibly taken him away. If he hadn't stepped forward voluntarily, who knew how many villagers would have died?
Of course, condemning a soul beast for killing humans using human morality was laughable. Bai Chen had no intention of moralizing.
Still—
After being tossed around like this, if he didn't tease her a little in return, he'd feel shortchanged.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion shifted under his unwavering stare.
"What? Human, are you unwilling?"
"Not at all," Bai Chen smiled. "As you said, there are only benefits for me. I have no objections."
He paused.
"But I do have a name. Stop calling me 'human.'"
"Oh? And what is it?"
She sounded curious.
Bai Chen said calmly,
"Onii-chan."
"Understood."
She nodded casually and continued,
"Then, Onii-chan, are you ready for Fate Convergence?"
"Say my name again."
"Onii-chan. What?"
"Sorry," Bai Chen replied solemnly. "That wasn't actually my real name."
Seeing she hadn't caught on, mischief bubbled inside him.
Her voice truly was pleasant. If some of his past-life otaku friends heard her say that, their bones would melt.
Opportunities like this were rare.
He continued with a straight face:
"My real name is Goshujin-sama."
"Go—Goshujin… Goshujin-sama?"
She stammered slightly.
"Your name is strange…"
He nearly burst out laughing but persisted.
"Actually, I lied again. My name is Hoooh-oh-oh-oh."
"Hoo—wait. No human would have such a ridiculous name! Are you playing with me?!"
Just as she was about to repeat the nonsense sound, she finally caught on.
What a shame.
He had to stop now.
Returning to seriousness, he said,
"My real name isn't odd like those. But if you truly want to know, isn't there a more direct method?"
"…Hmph."
She calmed down.
The method he referred to was precisely her purpose tonight—
Fate Convergence.
Once completed, their memories would intertwine. She would naturally know his true name.
Without further words, she stepped forward and lowered her head before him.
Bai Chen released his martial soul.
The third eye on his forehead opened quietly.
Her vertical golden eye drew closer.
Until—
They touched.
In that instant—
A tremor erupted from the deepest part of Bai Chen's soul.
A vast torrent of spiritual power, carrying fragments of five thousand years of memory, flooded into his mind.
Scenes flashed before his eyes in blinding succession.
Under that overwhelming influx, his spiritual sea expanded at a terrifying rate—multiplying several times over in mere moments, far exceeding what a newly awakened Soul Master should possess.
In the original timeline, Huo Yuhao had gained immense benefits from Fate Convergence with her.
Bai Chen's compatibility with her was even more outrageous.
Within one minute—
He underwent a complete rebirth.
As the spiritual influx slowed, the golden light binding them began to fade.
Then—
A powerful repulsion force exploded outward.
They were blasted apart.
Bai Chen rolled across the ground twice before stopping.
When he looked up, he found her staring at him.
Unlike his calm expression—
Her eyes were filled with shock.
"You—you… you're living in three different eras at the same time?!"
Ah.
So she didn't see his transmigrator origin.
Before the ritual, Bai Chen had already considered possible outcomes.
Fate Convergence involved memory exchange.
For others, simple.
For him?
Complicated.
His past-life memories, his memories from the other timelines, and his current memories—how would they combine?
Judging from her reaction, she had likely received memories from all three timelines—
But not his life before transmigration.
Not the worst-case scenario.
He relaxed inwardly and replied evenly,
"Of course. Otherwise, how could a six-year-old be this mature?"
"Th-this…"
She stuttered, at a loss for words.
Though Bai Chen was six—
Across three timelines, she had just absorbed eighteen years' worth of memory.
More than what Huo Yuhao had offered her in the original story.
And unlike Huo Yuhao's single tragic life—
Bai Chen had lived in three drastically different eras.
The impact was immense.
Her little brain would need time to process it.
Bai Chen stood, dusting himself off.
"Let's go. Take me to see Di Tian. I have something to discuss."
She opened her mouth as if to object—
Then closed it.
Silently, she stepped forward, picked him up by the collar again, and dashed toward the depths of Star Dou.
Being carried like prey once more, Bai Chen felt helpless.
He would much prefer riding her.
But they weren't close enough yet.
She would never agree.
Just wait.
One day, you'll willingly be my mount.
As he endured the bumpy sprint through the forest, Bai Chen gritted his teeth internally.