Chapter 725 - 476: Beast Taming and the Awakened Lion

Inside Awakening Lion Valley, within the lion’s den, the dialogue between their souls continued.

After the One-armed Nascent Soul asked what emotion the Old Lion had sensed, the Old Lion fell silent for a moment before expressing it.

"At first, I couldn’t understand it. This emotion was clearly making me uncomfortable, yet I couldn’t grasp it, couldn’t identify it. Was it anger? It seemed so. But what was I angry about? Why was I angry?"

"What were you angry about?" The One-armed Nascent Soul knew the other had already found the answer.

"After reading these human books, I finally understood. Anger actually stems from fear."

"As powerful as you are, what could you possibly fear?"

In the One-armed Nascent Soul’s view, this Old Lion’s combat strength was absolutely at the peak of this world. Could there really be anyone who could make him feel fear?

"A power greater than my own. A power that threatens my life."

"Who?" The One-armed Nascent Soul’s thoughts raced. "The Master of Qiyun Heaven and Earth Peak? The Beast Taming Sect’s guardian Spirit Beast? They aren’t stronger than you, are they?"

"I have crossed hands with the Master of Heaven and Earth Peak, and he did not stir fear in me. My fear does not come from a single person or a single beast."

"Then what is it?"

"For example, the death of that female elephant to the north."

"The war to open up the depths of White Mountain?" The One-armed Nascent Soul understood. "What you actually fear is our human ability to unite and cooperate, to use our collective strength to kill powerful individuals like you."

"That’s close. Because of fear, I feel anger. Anger at your strength, and anger at myself for recognizing my own fear."

As he spoke of this anger born from fear, the Old Lion’s face showed no other emotion. He seemed quite calm.

"To face one’s own heart is a very difficult thing, but I have learned. As powerful as I am, there is still a possibility that I can be defeated by the weak."

In the pure white Spiritual World, the Old Lion’s humanoid apparition nudged the scattered books beside him with his foot. "Because of fear, I chose to learn. Perhaps this is a path that those you humans call the ’Ancient Beasts of the Wilderness’ would never have chosen."

The One-armed Nascent Soul looked at the Old Lion’s humanoid apparition. In the Old Lion’s eyes, he saw a wisdom like that of his own master.

’That’s it. An Old Lion with only martial strength, no matter how powerful, is just that. But when martial strength is paired with sufficient wisdom, that becomes a source of change capable of shaking the very foundations of this world.’

’This world has already decayed. The stench of a sewer emanates from all corners. The oily film on the surface still looks presentable, but stir it just a little, and deadly pathogens will emerge. All of this urgently needs to change.’

The One-armed Nascent Soul, his mind filled with such convictions, was now ecstatic after witnessing the Old Lion’s true awakening.

"The strong are all good learners. Once you’ve completed your studies, you will be able to defeat them, defeat humanity, and eliminate this fear."

"Learning? That is for later. Right now, my instinct tells me that this anger I feel needs to be vented."

Within the lion’s den, the Old Lion’s enormous body trembled slightly—a prelude to his awakening.

"Instinct? If you still act on instinct, how will your fate be any different from that female elephant’s? Now that you’ve awakened, you must rely on wisdom, not continue to rely on instinct!"

The One-armed Nascent Soul shouted excitedly. Before this opportunity to change the world, he didn’t want the Old Lion to do anything irrational. ’Even if the Old Lion is powerful, if he relies only on instinct, can he withstand the combined forces of the entire Cultivation Realm?’

"Instinct has been with me my entire life; it’s the primary reason for my strength. Even if I choose to learn, it doesn’t mean I will abandon my instinct. Right now, for instance, my instinct tells me to return, to fight! To defeat any enemy who dares covet my territory! The conclusions from my learning, however, suggest the exact opposite."

In the outside world, the Yuanhou Lion Dance’s eyes slowly opened. A formidable and pure willpower erupted forth, seeming as if it could overwhelm everything between heaven and earth.

"Learning human knowledge does not mean I must lose my instinct. If I lose this thing that brings me satisfaction, that brings me pride, what meaning would my life have left?"

Seeing the Old Lion say these words, the One-armed Nascent Soul was stunned. ’You’re an Ancient Beast of the Wilderness, what are you doing talking about pride and satisfaction? I told you to learn, not to learn this kind of hollow nonsense!’

With the One-armed Nascent Soul’s disposition, he of course couldn’t understand the Old Lion’s baffling insistence. He had spent his life lurking in the dark corners of the world; how could he possibly comprehend the Old Lion’s existence?

And now, the Old Lion’s declaration continued:

"I am familiar with every mountain here, every river. I know every one of my subjects who grovels at my feet—those you humans call ’Nascent Soul Ancient Beasts.’ Faced with my undeniable power, they can only carefully swallow their pride in exchange for the right to survive, territory, and... my generous protection, all of which I bestow upon them."

"I must go to battle! So as not to betray my pride..."

"Why have you suddenly become so stubborn!?"

The One-armed Nascent Soul’s spiritual body emitted violent spiritual fluctuations, revealing his extremely turbulent heart.

"Even if you can defeat the humans for now, you can’t possibly protect Awakening Lion Valley forever. You’re not so blind that you don’t understand this! Why are you so intent on throwing your life away? Have you read so many of those books that you’ve fried your brain? An Ancient Beast, suddenly spouting words like ’pride,’ ’generosity,’ ’protection’... It’s utterly ridiculous! Wake up! This decision will be the death of you!"

"In my eternal life, I have never been so clear-headed."

Inside the lion’s den, the Yuanhou Lion Dance’s body shot to its feet. He resolutely raised his head, his silver-white mane rippling like an ocean wave.