As everyone had feared, the escaped African lion did indeed appear in the zoo.
However, what no one had expected was that in addition to the escaped African lion, there was another male lion.
If the escaped lion evoked a strong sense of fear, then this massive golden-maned lion exuded an indescribable majesty.
It was as if it were not a beast, but a noble king.
Compared to it, the African lion was like a common mongrel, not even belonging to the same species.
Beyond the difference in appearance, their auras were also worlds apart.
Although the distance prevented everyone from clearly seeing the expressions on the lions' faces, the slight trembling of the African lion's body suggested fear.
Yet, its kingly pride wouldn't allow it to prostrate itself before this new king like other animals.
This scene was invisible to the crowd, but Yang Lin, standing behind the lion king, saw it all clearly.
He had to admit that, at that moment, he felt a sliver of admiration for the African lion.
Even under the influence of the king's aura, it was still holding on, its will at least incredibly strong.
It was just that its body seemed to betray it, its four powerful legs trembling as if it had a fever.
Seeing it like this, Yang Lin couldn't help but mock:
"Weren't you quite fierce earlier? What's with the sudden cowardice?"
"Come on, hurry up, don't make me look down on you."
Hearing Yang Lin's words, the African lion, which had already been struggling to suppress its fear, erupted in fury.
"Damn it, what did you do to it? Why is it like this? You're not human, are you? You're a god."
"Don't get too smug. Even if I die today, I will not yield to it!"
With that, it let out a powerful roar!
Perhaps this roar dispelled its inner fear, for its eyes instantly became resolute.
The next second, the former lion king from the African savanna launched an attack towards the elder lion king in front of Yang Lin.
Seeing this, the onlookers in the distance let out gasps of astonishment.
When had they ever had such an opportunity to witness a battle between two lions up close, outside of animal documentaries?
"Look, they're fighting!"
"Could the golden one be the lion that West Hong Zoo keeps?"
"It must be, but I heard that the lion at West Hong Zoo is already ancient."
"Can you believe everything you hear online? Someone even complained online that the animals at West Hong Zoo were listless and sickly."
"Indeed, if the animals at West Hong Zoo are sickly, then there are no lively animals in the world."
"Those marketing accounts trying to gain traffic are probably just stirring up trouble online."
"What is this today? A lion king's battle for supremacy?"
"Quick, quick, film it! A scene like this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Which lion do you think will win?"
"Do I even need to ask? The outcome is already clear. How could that African lion possibly defeat this golden lion?"
"But it has the courage to attack a stronger opponent, worthy of being the king of beasts."
While the onlookers were in a heated discussion, the battle between the old and new lion kings had begun.
At this moment, the African lion leaped with all its might, its pale yellow eyes filled with intense fighting spirit.
The elder lion king, having been reborn, didn't even bother to move in response to its attack, its pair of golden eyes filled with indifference.
Just as the African lion's sharp claws were about to strike its face, it finally moved.
With a sudden swing of its right forepaw, thicker than Yang Lin's thigh, it directly swiped at the African lion's neck.
Still airborne, the African lion felt a massive force strike from its side.
Before it could even react, it was slammed to the ground.
The immense impact nearly shattered its spine.
**Boom!**
With a ground-shaking roar, the African lion, fierce just moments ago, was now pinned to the ground.
The searing pain rendered it immobile, while the elder lion king appeared as if nothing had happened.
Only its golden eyes were fixed intently on the African lion below.
The next second, under the terrified gaze of the African lion, the elder lion king, having won effortlessly, opened its gaping maw towards the sky.
**Roar!**
A roar even louder than before instantly echoed through the heavens and earth.
From then on, there was only one lion king in the world, and the one lying on the ground was merely a defeated contender.
Realizing this, the once defiant African lion struggled to its feet.
Just as Yang Lin thought it would try to fight again, it abruptly lowered its proud head.
Seeing this, the onlookers and the action team fell into a stunned silence.
At this moment, they felt as if they were witnessing a special coronation ceremony, observing the transition from an old king to a new one.
It took nearly a full minute for them to finally snap out of their ineffable shock.
"That was incredible. I never expected to witness the birth of a lion king in a zoo today."
"I feel like it's not just a lion king, but a king of all beasts."
"A scene like this might not happen even once in a hundred years. It's thanks to the zoo director that we could see it here today."
"No, this scene is too magnificent. I feel a surge of inspiration bursting in my mind."
"Me too. Just from this scene, I've already imagined a two-hour-long animal blockbuster."
"I've even thought of a title: 'The Lion King'."
"That title might be a bit risky. Be careful of legal warnings, my friend."
"As expected, none of the animals in West Hong Zoo are ordinary. First the tiger king, now the lion king."
"That African lion was really unlucky. It escaped to the worst possible place, running into West Hong Zoo."
"The moment the lion king struck earlier was just too cool. The entire movement was fluid and seamless. It felt like the African lion's head hadn't even hit the ground yet, and the lion king was already miles away."
"I've filmed the entire process. I have a feeling this video of mine is going to go viral."
.....
With this, the ominous cloud that had enveloped Ningnan dissipated.
The defeated African lion, having lost all will to resist, allowed the staff to cage it.
From the moment it was defeated, its spirit had died.
Just as Yang Lin was about to wipe the cold sweat from his brow, a system prompt suddenly sounded.