Our eyes were recently opened, and my siblings and I were, by my calculations, around one week old. We were still too weak to venture outside and needed the careful attention of Mother Lion.
**One Month Later**
I discovered something different about the lions here compared to the lions on Earth: here, lions are nocturnal creatures. During the day, my siblings and I felt an instinctual urge to go outside and bask in the sunlight. However, under the watchful eye of Mother Lion, we were limited to just the area outside our cave. As we lay down, I could feel the warm solar energy slowly seeping into my body, providing nourishment and gradually strengthening it. It was as if I had entered a state of meditation, and my breathing naturally changed to a slow and rhythmic pattern. Consequently, after just two weeks, we stopped receiving breast milk, and under the influence of the sun, we experienced rapid growth and development. So, during the day, we absorbed solar energy while sleeping, and at night, most of the lionesses went hunting, leaving the safety of the cubs in the care of Father Lion and a few other females. There were about ten females in the pride, with Father Lion being the only adult male. Additionally, there were seven cubs, including my brother, my sister, and me, all born to Mother Lion who was the dominant female in the pride. My brother and I were the only young males. In total, there were eighteen lions in the pride.
After my first experience absorbing solar energy, I woke up at dusk and heard a soft sound resonate in my mind.
**Ding!**
"Congratulations! You have successfully absorbed solar aura and taken the initial step on the path of aura cultivation."
**Ding!**
"Congratulations! You have successfully absorbed solar aura and taken the first step on the path of aura cultivation."
Suddenly, a floating blue screen appeared before me, displaying the option to "Open System." I lifted my paw to touch the panel, but it passed right through. "It's intangible, but that's alright; I can still operate the panel with my mind. At least, I hope so." I focused on the system panel again and thought about selecting "Open System." Instantly, the panel expanded to display my information.
Name: None
Race: Golden Lion (Normal Beast)
Elemental Affinity: Fire and Light
Race Element Affinity: Fire
Cultivation Base: None (Continue to absorb solar aura)
Cultivation Techniques: None
Special Physique: None
Skills: Flame Lord (Unique) (Locked), Swordsmanship (Basic III Tier)
"Hahaha! Would you look at that? The system exists! This is what I've been talking about. I did not waste my time in my past life after all. All that preparation and training at least counts for something in this life, no matter how small. The proof is in my Basic Swordsmanship III tier skill. I remember spending as long as I can recall being obsessed with the katana, even convincing my affluent and somewhat eccentric parents to hire a martial arts teacher to teach me the way of the sword using custom-made wooden and metal katanas."
"Ahhh, even though my parents eventually thought I was crazy, they did love me and provided for me, fully supporting my unusual hobbies. I realize now that I messed up, causing our relationship to sour when they were just trying to help me get my life together. After all, I was a grown 23-year-old who was too obsessed with training myself to the peak of humanity to actually do anything productive with my life. Looking back, I see that they meant well. If they were like other normal parents, they surely would not have indulged me for so long, even if they had the means. Honestly, Lulu was the odd one for loving a guy like me and looking past all my quirks. She really is the only woman for me. If I ever have the opportunity to return to Earth, I will make sure to make things right with my mother and father and ensure that Lulu and the little ones enjoy the best life."
"I lost myself in thought there for a bit. Ahem, back to the panel now."
"So unique skills, huh? That seems self-explanatory. Perhaps all those red particles I absorbed in the void were related to the fire element and had something to do with the development of this fire-related unique skill. However, I'll have to learn more about this later since the skill is currently locked, likely because I haven't fully stepped onto the path of aura cultivation yet. No cultivation base, no techniques, no special physique, and no name either—that all makes sense. Overall, everything looks good. I'm quite satisfied."
After dismissing the system panel, I looked around and noticed my siblings staring dazedly as if they were seeing something that I couldn't. They were even growling and trying to hit something in front of them. "Hmm, could it be that the system has appeared to them as well? It's not unique to me, but accessible to any being that meets the conditions for aura cultivation. If this is true, then things just got a whole lot more exciting."
For the rest of the month, there wasn't much to do during the nights, so I used that time to play around with my brother and sister. We engaged in playful fighting, chased each other, jumped over rocks in the cave, and helped each other get used to our growing bodies, significantly improving our coordination. They also grew quite attached to me, always following me around, and I unknowingly became the leader of the group.
**Back to the present**
We have officially left our cave home on the hill and started living in the open grassland nearby. It seems that the caves on the hill are primarily used by the females to have and raise their young for a time before bringing them down to live with the rest of the pride on the flatland.
It was dawn when Father Lion made his way to the center of the gathered lions. As soon as the sunlight began to shine, we all lay down on the ground, basking in its warmth and absorbing its aura. During the night, my group and the other cubs interacted and started to play together, growing closer as friends. As we were playing, Father Lion approached us with his large, imposing stature and striking golden mane. With a low growl, he communicated to us, "Get ready; you'll be joining the hunting team on their hunts starting tomorrow night. Pay attention and learn well; this grassland is more dangerous than it seems, you young ones need to learn how to defend yourself and the pride."