"Roar, roar, roar…"Several soul beasts followed the Five-Element Qilin's decision, choosing to join the Dragon Phoenix Hall and work hard for the revival of their race.
Including the Five-Element Qilin, a total of thirteen soul beasts made this choice.
Six soul beasts chose to refine the beads but would not join the Dragon Phoenix Hall. They did not have strong attachment to the soul beast race as a whole—what they acknowledged was only their own small race, not the larger soul beast race. They preferred to live freely than under a banner.
Three others stood beside the Fire-Lin Golden Python, not expressing a stance for the moment.
"I'm willing to refine the bead."The Fire-Lin Golden Python finally gave in helplessly. Compared to staying here, it was clearly better to leave while hiding potential danger.
"Fire-Lin, once you're outside, you'd better behave yourself—otherwise don't blame me for being rude."The Five-Element Qilin warned seriously.
"Understood."The Fire-Lin Golden Python responded with clear irritation.
"Hurry and refine them."Di Tian distributed the beads as well as Transformation Pills.
The purpose was to allow all soul beasts to transform into human form. The smaller the body size, the easier it would be to travel through spatial turbulence.
Insisting on all soul beasts refining the beads and achieving complete secrecy was for the sake of the Transformation Pills. After consuming the pills, they would be no different from humans, able to blend easily into human society—and more easily expose secrets. For this reason, the pills required absolute confidentiality.
Earlier he had already mentioned Transformation Pills, and none of the soul beasts rejected the idea.
"Give me half an hour—I'm going to bid farewell to the Ancient God."The Five-Element Qilin accepted the pill and spoke to Di Tian.
"Hurry back," Di Tian nodded.
At the center of the small world, before the Qilin statue, the Five-Element Qilin returned to its true beast form and knelt on the ground.
"Ancient God, after I help restore our race to prosperity, I will return to guard your tomb to repay your grace of rebirth."
Half an hour later, all soul beasts had finished refining their beads and taken the Transformation Pills. They were now in human form.
Di Tian took out a flat giant stone, over a hundred square meters in area, carved with complex formation patterns.
"Prepare yourselves—I'm starting."Di Tian shouted, activating the formation as instructed by Yun Ze.
Outside, Yun Ze sensed fluctuations from the spatial vortex and activated the corresponding external formation. Light from the ground formation shot upward, entering the spatial vortex.
At that moment, the vortex trembled violently. Space twisted and energy roared wildly.
Boom!The entire valley shook as mountains cracked and huge rocks rolled.
Yun Ze and Gu Yuena flew into the air to avoid falling debris.
As the formation activated, the suction force within the vortex weakened, meaning they no longer risked being pulled in uncontrollably.
Inside the small space, twenty-four transformed soul beasts (including Di Tian) stood atop the stone. Golden light emitted from the formation enveloped them. The inside remained calm, while outside chaotic energies clashed against world laws.
Spatial cracks spread, and a resisting force tried to prevent the stone from rising into the vortex.
The soul beasts all tensed with hope—this had to succeed. Let them leave this place.
The stone rose slowly, closer and closer to the vortex. The beasts trembled with excitement.
The world's rules had collapsed and could no longer stop their escape. The giant stone finally entered the vortex and disappeared.
Outside, life force emanated from within the vortex, and the stone burst out.
"Success!"Gu Yuena exclaimed happily, grabbing Yun Ze's arm like a delighted little girl and shaking it.
Yun Ze smiled faintly and gently moved her hand off his arm. His heart remained calm, not excited.
Gu Yuena pouted unhappily and looked toward the landed stone not far from them.
"We're finally out—Awooo!!"A burly man covered in thick hair roared toward the sky, the wolf howl echoing across the valley.
"Haha! Finally left that damn place!"Many soul beasts flushed with excitement, breathing heavily and greedily absorbing the abundant energy around them.
Several reverted to their true beast forms, stretching joyfully. Violent energy burst everywhere.
Bang!The Fire-Lin Golden Python's massive tail, several meters thick, lashed across the mountaintop, exploding it like a watermelon.
The entire area became chaotic. Apart from the Five-Element Qilin, the soul beasts vented years of repression without restraint.
The Fire-Lin Golden Python was the worst among them. When it noticed Yun Ze and Gu Yuena, killing intent flashed in its eyes—followed by the desire to devour them.
Its hundreds-meter-long body slithered rapidly through the valley, crushing stone beneath it.
Gu Yuena's expression froze coldly. How dare he—he wants to eat us?!
Yun Ze watched calmly, making no effort to dodge. Three circular soul devices appeared before him—the beast was already sentenced to death.
"You're courting death!"Di Tian appeared in front of the two, furious.
Seeing Di Tian, the python's eyes glinted sharply, but it did not slow down at all—rather, it accelerated.
Now that he was free, he no longer needed to restrain himself. He intended to kill Di Tian.
From Gu Yuena he felt terrifying bloodline pressure—and overwhelming hunger.
His instinct told him: If I eat this woman and refine her blood, I will undergo earth-shaking transformation.
Serpents were naturally vicious and cold-blooded—after living over 400,000 years, the Fire-Lin Golden Python embodied this perfectly. Even if he suspected this woman was the Soul Beast Empress, he still chose to strike.
This was the perfect moment—the soul beasts had no relationship with their lord yet, and might not save her. They might even help him, after millions of years of companionship.
"Kill them all!"The python roared.
Three soul beasts responded and charged toward them.
Others hesitated only because of their fear of Di Tian.
Boom!Di Tian's punch smashed into the python's abdomen, the sound deafening. The massive body flew back, tail sweeping across the air.
Air burst apart, and enormous boulders struck by the tail disintegrated into powder.
Di Tian could dodge—but did not. Behind him were Yun Ze and Gu Yuena. If he moved, they would die.
Dragon scales covered his arms, transforming them into dragon claws. He charged forward, arms spreading and grabbing the sweeping tail.
Power capable of shattering mountains surged through it—Di Tian slid back several meters, arms aching, brow furrowing.
He steadied himself after retreating over ten meters. His dragon claws pierced deep into the python's scales and flesh.
With a violent pull, he tore off a huge chunk of flesh and blood.