Chapter 181: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

The sudden appearance of another Three-Eyed Golden Lion in the cave startled Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan.

"Retreat!" Jing Shaoyu yelled after using Water Surge to repel the creature. He immediately summoned his martial spirit, with mysterious energy gathering in both hands.

"No need." Gu Yue's voice was firm as she declined. Her eyes locked onto the swaying figure of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, her expression filled with surprise. "This seems to be a juvenile Three-Eyed Golden Lion!"

"A juvenile Three-Eyed Golden Lion?!" Jing Shaoyu was momentarily stunned. The realization made him even more certain that this virtual world's Three-Eyed Golden Lions were fabricated. The real Three-Eyed Golden Lion would never have offspring.

Still, Jing Shaoyu didn't let his guard down. The Crown of Nature on his head emitted a faint glow, and green willow branches extended from it, ready to strike if necessary.

As the juvenile Three-Eyed Golden Lion came into full view, its small stature evoked a strange sense of amusement. Unlike its majestic adult counterpart, this lion's body was less than 1.5 meters long, and it stood only about six feet tall. It looked more like an oversized dog than the fearsome creature it was supposed to be. The third eye on its forehead remained tightly shut.

Baring its fangs, the juvenile tried to appear menacing. However, its small size and lack of aura made it look more adorable than intimidating, causing Xu Xiaoyan's inner child to explode with joy.

"Oh my! It's so cute!" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed.

"Yeah, it is," Jing Shaoyu agreed, observing it with curiosity.

Gu Yue, however, seemed thoughtful. "We're lucky to have encountered a juvenile Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Its cultivation level is probably less than a hundred years, and its Eye of Destiny hasn't even opened yet."

"The Eye of Destiny?" Jing Shaoyu's gaze shifted to the creature's tightly closed third eye.

"Yes." Gu Yue nodded. "The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's greatest strength lies in its Eye of Destiny. Without it, it's just a standard soul beast. This juvenile's Eye of Destiny hasn't awakened, so it's no stronger than a typical century-level soul beast."

"Jing Shaoyu, do you want its skull bone? If you do, we can easily take it down," Gu Yue asked, her eyes fixed on him.

Jing Shaoyu chuckled. "Didn't I already say I wouldn't take the soul bone of such a noble creature? Besides, this Three-Eyed Golden Lion is just a projection. It wouldn't produce a real soul bone anyway."

Gu Yue's expression softened, her lips pursed as she murmured, "Alright."

Despite her seemingly indifferent response, Gu Yue felt a wave of warmth in her heart.

"So, what should we do next?" Xu Xiaoyan asked, holding Jing Shaoyu's hand.

Jing Shaoyu thought for a moment before replying. "Let's leave the lair before the adult Three-Eyed Golden Lion returns and catches us."

"Alright!" Both Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan agreed without hesitation.

As they began to retreat cautiously, the juvenile Three-Eyed Golden Lion watched them intently but made no move to stop them. Perhaps it realized its limited strength and chose not to provoke them further.

Once out of the lair and back at the cave entrance, the trio saw the night sky above. Stars sparkled brightly, and the valley air felt moist and heavy with the onset of evening.

Just as they stepped into the open, three glowing eyes—two golden and one crimson—suddenly appeared in their path. Time and space seemed to freeze. Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue found themselves immobilized, their consciousnesses the only part of them still functioning.

They saw the adult Three-Eyed Golden Lion open its massive jaws and unleash a torrent of golden flames that engulfed them completely.

So unlucky! Jing Shaoyu thought as his consciousness faded into darkness.

Xu Xiaoyan shared his sentiments. Though she regretted lingering too long, she also found solace in knowing they hadn't harmed the juvenile. Surely, the adult lion would be pleased to find its offspring safe and sound.

Gu Yue, meanwhile, felt a strange calm. Her mind and heart were entirely at ease, as if she were merely observing a dream.

When light replaced darkness, the trio woke up in their simulation pods. They sat up simultaneously and saw the room's large monitor displaying events inside the cave.

The adult Three-Eyed Golden Lion had returned to find its child unharmed. A golden light emanated from its body and enveloped the juvenile. The smaller lion, rejuvenated, leaped into its parent's embrace, both radiating a warm golden glow.

Watching this scene, Jing Shaoyu and his team couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

Jing Shaoyu helped Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan out of their pods, then said with a wry smile, "This scene makes us look like the villains."

"Exactly!" Xu Xiaoyan agreed, her face puffed with indignation. "I'm such a kind and loving girl. How can I be the bad guy?"

"To soul beasts, we are the villains," Gu Yue remarked flatly.

At that moment, applause broke the silence. The trio turned to see Elder Xun, Shen Yi, and two other instructors approaching with smiles.

"Wonderful! Truly wonderful!" Elder Xun praised as he clapped, his face brimming with approval. "I've overseen this test for over a decade, and it's rare to see examinees who resist the temptation of a Three-Eyed Golden Lion's soul ring and bone."

"Elder Xun, Instructor Shen!" the trio greeted respectfully.

"No need for formalities," Elder Xun said with a wave of his hand. "This so-called survival test is actually a test of character. It assesses whether you can remain true to yourselves when faced with extraordinary temptations. You all did well. Even after realizing the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was a projection, your earlier remarks showed your integrity.

'A beast with feelings.' A fine sentiment, Jing Shaoyu. Where did you hear the story of the Ice Spirit Douluo and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion?"

Elder Xun's gaze was intense, almost as if he intended to recruit Jing Shaoyu as a disciple.

"From a book I read," Jing Shaoyu replied.

"Good, very good. A well-read young man," Elder Xun said, his satisfaction evident. "Your performance in this test is excellent. I'm giving you full marks. With this, you're essentially official Shrek Academy students. Now, prepare for the final test!"

"Thank you, Elder Xun!" the trio exclaimed joyfully.

"Ha! Go on, then," Elder Xun said, waving them off. "Jing Shaoyu, come visit me sometime!"

"I will, Elder Xun," Jing Shaoyu promi

sed. Though he had no idea where Elder Xun's quarters were, it seemed wise to agree.