Chapter 97: Mysterious Voice

Could this beast's commission be… to follow them?

Aether shook his head. That didn't feel like a commission at all.

"No. We're not going to stay here for long."

"I… I'm willing to be your mount, to follow you always…"

The Flame-Maned Lion was gradually getting used to the interaction, and its speech became noticeably smoother.

"A mount…"

Aether and Paimon exchanged glances, a spark of curiosity flickering in both their eyes.

"Forget it. You can go. We don't need a mount."

After a moment's thought, Aether waved his hand dismissively.

If he'd had a mount back when he was doing heavy labor in Teyvat, that would've been a different story. But ever since arriving in this strange continent, it felt like something unseen was subtly pulling at his fate. A mount wasn't something they needed.

"My lord, please… please accept me!"

The Flame-Maned Lion panicked upon hearing that, thudding its massive head repeatedly against the ground.

"Please… take it. A gift… for the traveler."

A new voice suddenly came through the Void Terminal. Aether quickly looked to Paimon and the soul beast—but neither of them seemed to have heard the strange message.

"Who are you?"

Aether tried to establish communication.

"I am… shhhhhh…"

The mysterious voice was suddenly cut off, as if something had jammed the signal. All that came next was a soft static.

"…"

Aether looked up at the sky thoughtfully. It had been a clear night, the stars shimmering in a sea of silver. But perhaps it was his imagination—wisps of shadowy clouds now seemed to be creeping across the heavens.

"Paimon, did you just hear something strange?"

"Something strange? Nope."

Paimon was still eyeing the big lion with great interest. When she heard Aether's question, she blinked in confusion.

"Hm…"

Aether lowered his head in thought, then said, "Do you want to keep it?"

"I think it could be fun! That way we wouldn't have to walk everywhere."

Paimon gave it some serious thought.

"Mavuika and the others all have mounts, don't they? Maybe we should have one too—heehee~"

After their journey through Natlan, Paimon had developed a fondness for conserving energy. Flying all the time could get exhausting.

"Alright. Let's take it with us."

Aether nodded. There was no way this encounter with the soul beast was a coincidence.

And with that strange voice just now… one mystery after another seemed to be quietly weaving themselves around him.

Had his arrival disrupted the natural course of fate in this world?

Aether suddenly thought of Tang San and the others. Perhaps he had interfered with the designs of certain individuals—or even higher existences.

"Thank you! Thank you for accepting me, my lord!"

Hearing their conversation, the Flame-Maned Lion realized it had been accepted and immediately roared its gratitude.

"Hmm… can you shrink down a little?"

Now that he had accepted the lion, Aether gave it a once-over.

With its current terrifying appearance, it would definitely cause a panic if they walked into any town or village.

"My lord, I… I can't…"

The Flame-Maned Lion answered nervously.

It had just been accepted, and now it was already proving itself useless—it feared rejection once more.

"You seem closely attuned to fire. Can you absorb this?"

Aether raised his hand and conjured a pyro elemental force, lifting it toward the lion.

"Yes! Yes, my lord, I can absorb it!"

The lion's gaze locked onto the energy in Aether's palm, utterly captivated.

"Then here. Try absorbing it and see if you can break through your soul power."

Aether nodded and gently pushed the warm elemental energy toward it.

The lion, as if seeing a treasure of the heavens, opened its great maw and swallowed the flame whole.

"Ahhh! Traveler, it's on fire!"

Paimon pointed in alarm at the Flame-Maned Lion. Its body had begun to glow with a deep red light, and soon, a wisp of flame burst from its mane—followed by the entire neck igniting in roaring fire.

"…ROAARRRR!!!"

The lion tried to suppress the reaction, but as the elemental energy fused more deeply within it, it couldn't hold back. It rose to its feet and let out a thunderous roar.

WHOOOSH—!

The roar scattered the birds in the nearby woods, and even a few soul beasts were startled into fleeing in terror.

"What was that?!"

Such a loud disturbance naturally startled the others at the camp. The students from Skywater Academy were roused, and even Yu Keke, still half-asleep, rushed out upon noticing Aether and Paimon's absence.

"Thank you for your gift, my lord!"

The Flame-Maned Lion now truly lived up to its name.

Its mane burned like a living inferno, its tail-tip ablaze with vibrant flames. Combined with its hulking frame, it looked fierce and majestic beyond words.

What's more, it no longer needed to speak through the Akasha Terminal—it now communicated in fluent human speech.

That meant it had officially become a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!

Just as I thought…

Staring at the beast before him, Aether confirmed his suspicions.

The reason soul beasts are classified by age is because most grow stronger by accumulating years of cultivation. When their age hits a certain threshold, their soul power reaches a corresponding tier—thus the time-based system.

But this lion hadn't lived nearly long enough to be a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. It had only just acquired the strength to match one.

It was like how soul masters used immortal herbs or divine medicines to rapidly boost their power—an unconventional shortcut.

"Can you freely change your form now?"

Aether nodded, asking the question aloud.

"Yes, my lord."

The lion respectfully crouched low. As the flames flickered over its body, its size began to shrink—eventually becoming only about twice as large as a normal lion.

"My lord, is this acceptable?"

The Flame-Maned Lion asked sweetly, its massive body contrasting with its childlike voice.

Before evolving, it had already revered Aether like a god.

But now, after receiving his casual gift and breaking past the hundred-thousand-year barrier, it was even more certain—this young man was far more powerful than he seemed.

Something… something had guided it here. Being able to follow this lord was the greatest blessing of its life.

"Yeah, that works. Try to stay smaller most of the time so you don't startle anyone."

"Yes, my lord!"

The lion's adorable voice rang out, wildly at odds with its bulk.

"Brother! Paimon!"

"Your Excellency!"

The commotion had drawn everyone over. In the darkness, the fiery beast was far too conspicuous.

As the others approached, it was clear they all had questions.

"W-Wait! Is that the same soul beast from earlier?!"

The Flame-Maned Lion proved itself to be quite obedient. Upon seeing strangers arrive, it instantly shrank again—this time to the size of a house cat. It lifted its fuzzy little head and kept its eyes fixed on Aether.

The astonished cry came from the sisters. They both clapped their hands over their mouths, eyes wide.

Just moments ago it had radiated a kingly aura—now it was a little kitty?

Everyone turned stiffly to Aether. It was obvious who was responsible for this scene…

_

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