Chapter Eleven: The Terror of the Violet Thunder Lion

"Human brat, are you ever going to let up? Don't think for a second that this King is actually afraid of you!" Looking at Su Yang, who was still in hot pursuit behind it, the Violet Lightning Mad Lion felt frustrated to the point of despair. It could not help but regret ever provoking this reckless human boy.

Su Yang ignored the beast’s words entirely, his speed underfoot instead quickening. This was the marvel of the Sacred Art of Combat. It not only allowed the practitioner to elevate their combat power to its peak instantaneously but also granted a multi-fold increase in speed for a short duration. Otherwise, given Su Yang’s actual cultivation level, he would have been left in the dust by the Violet Lightning Mad Lion long ago.

The man and beast had already covered nearly a hundred miles. Seeing that it was about to reach the depths of the mountain range, the Violet Lightning Mad Lion planned to lure this human brat toward its archenemy; that way, it wouldn’t even need to lift a claw to ensure the boy’s death.

However, Su Yang knew that dragging this out would only work against him. Who knew what other terrifying beasts lurked in the depths of these mountains? Gritting his teeth, he forcibly channeled the power of his Supreme Blood. Ignoring the massive backlash wreaking havoc on his body, he doubled his speed once more and, in the blink of an eye, arrived right behind the Violet Lightning Mad Lion.

Sensing the presence closing in behind it, the Violet Lightning Mad Lion cried out in desperation, "Damn it all! Where did this freak of a kid come from?"

*Whoosh!*

As the words left its mouth, two flashes of light erupted, and both Su Yang and the Violet Lightning Mad Lion vanished from the void. Only a small, black stone fell rapidly through the air... but then again, who would ever notice that?

The two figures plummeted directly into the star-filled world within the stone. The Violet Lightning Mad Lion happened to crash right next to the Great Sage’s stone statue. Dizzy, it struggled to rise, muttering, "Damn it! Where is this King? What did that wretched boy do to me?"

When the Violet Lightning Mad Lion saw the scene before it, it shuddered violently. It stood rooted to the spot, eyes wide as copper bells, its mouth agape in bewilderment.

"This kid is truly ruthless; even I, the Great Sage, am somewhat impressed. To forcibly circulate the power of the Supreme Bloodline regardless of the backlash—it truly makes me look at him in a new light." The voice of the Great Sage resonated throughout the star-filled expanse.

Still reeling from the shock, the Violet Lightning Mad Lion heard the voice and hurriedly looked around, alert and wary. "Who? Who is speaking? Show yourself to this King at once!"

"Little kitty, I am right beside you. What? You don't kneel when you see me?"

As the voice fell, a formidable pressure emanated from the stone statue. Simultaneously, a tremor born from bloodline suppression forced the Violet Lightning Mad Lion to its knees, where it began to tremble uncontrollably.

The Violet Lightning Mad Lion felt an indescribable sense of terror in its heart. What was happening today? It had finally caught a human youth, only to find he was no ordinary boy—he was a lunatic who didn't fear death. Now, it had inexplicably arrived in this mysterious space, and this feeling of dread stemming from bloodline suppression... what could it possibly be?

"Little kitty, you have only two choices before you: either perish in body and soul right now, or submit to the unconscious human boy beside you."

"Of course, I know you are a mutated sixth-rank beast, but you can see for yourself that this human boy is no ordinary person; he might even be your future benefactor. I will not force you. I give you three breaths of time. Whether you live or die, that is for you to decide."

Upon hearing this, the Violet Lightning Mad Lion, already shaking, trembled even more violently. It did not doubt the owner of this voice for a second. To possess such powerful bloodline suppression, this must be a beast senior of at least the eighth rank, perhaps even the very King sleeping within these mountains...

Within those three short breaths, the Violet Lightning Mad Lion’s brain couldn't even process the situation.

"Hmm? It seems you don't value your life very much," the Great Sage’s voice sounded again.

The soul-shaking pressure made the Violet Lightning Mad Lion’s fur stand on end. Its proud head was pressed against the ground as it replied in a trembling voice, "I... I am willing to submit!"

"Heh, at least you, little kitty, know what's good for you. I suspect you will be grateful for this decision in the future."

The pressure dissipated. The Violet Lightning Mad Lion, which had been cowering on the ground, stood up instantly but kept its head bowed, not daring to look directly at the Great Sage’s statue.

"Might I ask, Senior... what must this junior do?" The Violet Lightning Mad Lion had never imagined it would one day submit to a human cultivator, so it naturally didn't know what was required, asking weakly.

"First, offer up some of your essence blood. That boy is extremely weak right now; he won't be waking up for at least half a month without help. If he can absorb your essence blood, he will recover rapidly. Once he wakes up, I will have you both sign a soul contract. From then on, you will follow him forever unless he chooses to release you and voluntarily dissolves the contract. Only then will you be free to leave."

"Do you understand?"

"This junior understands, this junior understands."

The Violet Lightning Mad Lion dared not doubt the words of this mysterious senior. As for its essence blood, what was that worth? Soon, its very life would belong to that young human...

Without hesitation, the Violet Lightning Mad Lion walked over to the unconscious Su Yang, extended its right paw, and sliced its palm. Several drops of essence blood dripped out and fell into Su Yang’s mouth.

As Su Yang swallowed the essence blood, his previously weak aura began to recover slowly. The injuries on his body also began to heal at a visible rate. Such was the potent effect of a beast's essence blood; had it been from a beast of the ninth rank or higher, Su Yang likely would have exploded from the sheer energy.

Seeing the Violet Lightning Mad Lion so obedient, the Great Sage said nothing more, as if waiting for Su Yang to gradually awaken.

The Violet Lightning Mad Lion looked at the human youth, wondering if he was the reincarnation of some beast senior. Yet, it felt no bloodline suppression from him, meaning he was just an ordinary human boy, albeit with blood somewhat different from others.

Could this be what made him special?

The Violet Lightning Mad Lion naturally knew nothing of the Supreme Bloodline, nor could it understand why such a powerful beast senior would take such an interest in the human boy lying on the ground.

"Cough, cough!"

Two coughs rang out, and a spray of blood mist was expelled. Su Yang slowly opened his eyes, blinking repeatedly until his vision cleared, and then he propped himself up.

When he saw the massive lion crouching beside him, he was nearly startled out of his wits. Fortunately, Su Yang reacted quickly, recalling what had transpired, and let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, that was close. I almost thought I was going to kick the bucket again..."