"Amethyst Winged Lion King, come out!"
On this day, Gu Changqing arrived at the entrance of the Amethyst Winged Lion King's lair and let out a thunderous shout, his voice reverberating through the surroundings.
"Roar!"
"Who dares to disturb my cultivation?"
A deafening roar followed as a massive lion, its body engulfed in purple flames, poked its head out of the cave. However, the moment the colossal lion laid eyes on Gu Changqing, it visibly shuddered, hastily retreating into the depths of the cave.
"Curse it! Why is it this devil again?!"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King recognized Gu Changqing instantly. The commotion caused by Gu Changqing's perfect foundation establishment had been so great that nearly all the magical beasts above the fifth rank in the entire Magical Beast Mountain Range knew of him.
None of them dared provoke him. Even Scorpion Demon Lord Xie Bi Yan, who clearly had the aura of a Douzong, had fallen at this human's hands. The beasts knew confronting him was as good as offering themselves as sacrifices.
"Come out!" Gu Changqing called again, his voice calm yet brimming with authority, his eyes locking onto the Lion King.
"Ah... It's the young master. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner," the Amethyst Winged Lion King reluctantly emerged from the cave, trembling all the while. It had no idea what Gu Changqing's true name was, nor how to address him, so it resorted to calling him "young master" out of respect.
"Amethyst Winged Lion King, I have an incredible opportunity for you. Are you willing to seize this chance?" Gu Changqing asked, his expression stern, his eyes exuding a pressure so immense that it seemed the Lion King's very existence hung on its response.
"Young master... My humble self is content to cultivate peacefully in the Magical Beast Mountain Range," the Lion King instinctively felt something was wrong and attempted to refuse.
"It seems you're not interested in this opportunity," Gu Changqing's voice grew cold. "In that case, I'll offer you another path."
He raised his hand, and within a hundred meters, the surrounding energy converged into his palm. A small, radiant light shone brightly, its icy killing intent making the Lion King's heart sink into despair.
"This demon really intends to kill me!"
"Wait! Young master, I accept!"
Slash!
The moment the Lion King spoke, the colored light streaked past its head, boring a smooth hole into the rocky cliff behind it, leaving the Lion King gasping in terror.
"Please! I surrender! Spare my life, young master!"
The Lion King immediately prostrated itself, begging for mercy. Though mighty, it knew its life and its cub's survival were at stake. Resistance was futile.
"Is that so? But didn't you just say you wanted to continue cultivating peacefully in this mountain range?" Gu Changqing asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
"No! No, I pledge my loyalty! I will follow the young master, fight by your side, brave any danger, and never betray you!"
The Lion King hurriedly declared its allegiance, terrified of hesitation that might cost it its life.
"Follow me? You aren't qualified for that."
Gu Changqing looked at the Lion King with disdain. "But I do need a mount in the Jia Ma Empire. I'll give you a chance. Use all your strength to attack me. If you can so much as touch me, I'll let you go. Otherwise, you will submit to me and become my mount."
"Roar!"
"Is the young master serious?"
The Lion King raised its head, its purple eyes burning with fiery resolve. It had no desire to become a mount, but it feared Gu Changqing would go back on his word.
"You don't get to negotiate with me. Whether you believe me or not, this is your only chance." Gu Changqing's voice was cold and indifferent.
"Very well! If the young master is so confident, then I shall not hold back!"
Whoosh—
As soon as the words left its mouth, the Lion King transformed into a streak of purple light, surging forward at incredible speed. Its razor-sharp claws tore through the air, aimed directly at Gu Changqing's face.
Swish!
Gu Changqing didn't even flinch. His figure blurred, and he instantly appeared behind the Lion King. With a simple step, an overwhelming force gathered at his feet, causing the Lion King to stumble.
Furious and alarmed, the Lion King turned and lunged at him again, its enormous wings beating furiously, sending gusts of wind across the battlefield. But in the face of Gu Changqing's mastery over time, space, and otherworldly powers, the Lion King's speed seemed laughable.
Not only could the beast not touch him, but if Gu Changqing so willed it, he could flit around the Lion King without it ever sensing him.
The longer the battle dragged on, the more the Lion King's heart sank. Gu Changqing's strength was far beyond anything it had imagined. Where it once thought defeating a Douzong was Gu Changqing's limit, it now realized his speed alone placed him in a league of his own. Despite being one of the fastest among sixth-rank magical beasts, it couldn't even graze his robes.
Panting heavily, the Lion King finally stopped, defeated. "I've lost... I submit. I will be your mount."
The Lion King's surrender wasn't due to a lack of pride, but because it had witnessed just a fraction of Gu Changqing's potential. With the power Gu Changqing had shown, even Dou Emperor or Dou Ancestor wouldn't be his match. Perhaps, following him, even as a mount, wasn't the worst fate.
"Good. Open your mind. I will place a slave seal on your soul. You know what to do."
Gu Changqing, calm and composed, stood before the Lion King, conjuring a rainbow-colored Beast Control Seal in his palm.
"Young master... Is the seal really necessary?"
The Lion King's voice trembled, filled with reluctance.
"Of course."
Gu Changqing replied indifferently. But before the Lion King could breathe a sigh of relief, his next words sent it into the depths of despair.
"If you dislike the seal, I also know a method to refine flying combat techniques. All I need is your purple wings."
"No, no! The slave seal is fine! Please, master, grant me the seal!"
In a panic, the Lion King quickly bowed its head, submitting itself to Gu Changqing, allowing the seal to be placed on its soul.
As the seal entered its body, the Lion King felt a mysterious shackle tighten around its very essence. It knew all too well that a single thought from Gu Changqing could shatter its soul if it ever dared to disobey him.
Sigh "I only hope this young master isn't too cruel of a master..."
The Lion King reluctantly accepted its fate.
"Master, I have a child. Please, I beg you, don't place the slave seal on my cub. I'll bring it along and we will both serve you loyally as mounts. I swear we will never betray you."
The Lion King made one last plea, hoping to secure a better future for its offspring. Though its child was still young and weak, its potential was undeniable.