"Lord Dragon God, these three soul beasts who followed the Fire-scaled Golden Python do not deserve death. Please… give them one more chance."The Five-Element Qilin made his final attempt.
Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes slightly.This answer was not the one she wanted to hear.
"And if I choose not to give them a chance—what then?"Gu Yuena asked forcefully.Not only those three—she planned to kill several of the other soul beasts as well.
These creatures had been far too bold just now—They had genuinely harbored the intent to kill her.If she didn't execute some of them, how would she maintain her authority as leader?
"I…"The Five-Element Qilin's words stuck in his throat.He didn't know what to say and felt truly torn.
Di Tian silently shook his head.This Qilin was too sentimental.A good trait, but in times like this, it was not a blessing.
Right now, siding with the soul beasts who had accompanied him would only anger the young lady.He wanted both sides to step back—But clearly, the situation allowed no such compromise.Blood had to be shed.
After thinking for a moment, the Five-Element Qilin gave a long sigh and finally stopped insisting:
"Lord Dragon God… do as you wish."
He wasn't foolish.He knew that if he continued pressing the matter, Gu Yuena's response would not be concession—it would be wrath.
That would lead to a total falling-out.No matter who won or lost, it would not benefit the soul-beast race.
Gu Yuena stared deeply at him, then pointed toward the Netherworld King Snake and several other beasts.
"Kill them all."
"Yes."Di Tian moved instantly, appearing in front of the Netherworld King Snake and striking with a palm.
"NO—!"The Netherworld King Snake screamed in terror, struggling desperately, but still could not withstand the blow.
Its head exploded.The massive serpent body collapsed, and a deep-red soul ring drifted upward.
The other soul beasts Gu Yuena had singled out were terrified to the core.Ignoring the trembling of their bloodlines, they immediately tried to flee.
Di Tian showed no mercy.They were soul beasts, yes—but they were also guilty and deserved death.
Fast, vicious, efficient—He dispatched each one with a single strike.
"Aooo—!"A tragic wolf howl echoed.The gray giant wolf collapsed with a snapped neck, twitching on the ground before a soul ring rose.
The Five-Element Qilin couldn't bear to watch.He closed his eyes and sighed softly.
"…Why make this necessary?"
Di Tian was like a god of slaughter.These powerful soul beasts stood no chance.Within moments, he had killed seven.
Any beast who had survived in that small space up to now was undoubtedly strong—each with cultivation surpassing one hundred thousand years.
Eight soul rings rose—Seven red, one orange—A magnificent, shocking sight.
If any human soul master saw this scene, they would be dancing with joy, unable to contain themselves.
The beasts who were not targeted felt relief but also pity.Had they known this would happen, they'd rather have stayed in the sealed space.
Gu Yuena then said calmly:
"Those willing to serve me stay.Those who are not—leave immediately.I won't stop you."
"I am willing to serve you,"the Five-Element Qilin said firmly.
He came out precisely to help rebuild the race; he would not leave now.
Several other soul beasts also expressed their allegiance—Three fewer than before.One had been killed; two had changed their minds after seeing what happened.
Five unwilling beasts fled in different directions.
Gu Yuena swept her gaze over the ten who remained.Her expression was solemn and regal—an aura befitting a ruler.
Her eyes finally landed on the Five-Element Qilin.
"The hostility you felt toward me earlier… I felt it."
The Qilin trembled but stayed silent.
"If this were before,I would have killed you without hesitation for that hostility."
"But now… the race is on the brink of extinction.To rebuild, we need experts like you."
"Killing you here would not benefit the soul-beast race.So I will endure it… and forget this incident."
"As long as you obey from now on, I won't trouble you.We can coexist peacefully."
Her tone suddenly sharpened:
"But if you ever stand against me again—I will settle old and new debts together."
Her violet eyes turned icy—killing intent unmasked.
"Thank you for your mercy, Lord Dragon God.From this day forward, I will obey all commands and never defy you,"the Five-Element Qilin said solemnly.
Gu Yuena nodded, satisfied.
"Good.I don't need your service for long—just twenty years."
"After twenty years, you may regain your freedom.By then, I can improve this small dimension…so you and the Qilin Ancient God may be together again."
She spoke this for his sake—The improvements were truly meant for the Qilin Ancient God, not for him.But if the Qilin was grateful, he would serve more loyally.
Not punishing, not rewarding—Twenty years of service would count as repayment for his earlier hostility.
Hearing this, the Five-Element Qilin was overjoyed.
"Thank you, Lord Dragon God!"
If the small space could be perfected, he could fulfill the Ancient God's wish and turn it into a sanctuary for soul beasts—A dream come true.
Di Tian smiled inwardly.
The young lady's tactic is brilliant.First the stick, then the sweet date—The Qilin will be loyal for sure.
"You all, take human form,"Gu Yuena ordered.
She was satisfied; even the weakest among them was equivalent to a level 93–94 soul master.
Apart from the Qilin, the strongest was the Dragon Turtle—450,000 years of cultivation, comparable to a level-98 soul master.
"Yes."The soul beasts transformed into human form immediately.
"Eight of you—go extract the soul bones from those corpses."
Soul bones of this level could be used in mecha.She would not waste eight hundred-thousand-year bones.
She would never disturb the dragon bones in Dragon Valley—Those were the heroes who died in the Divine Realm war and deserved burial.
But these beasts who had tried to kill her?Their bones did not deserve such honor.Let them contribute to the soul-beast race one last time.
Eight figures flew out to begin searching the corpses.Some quickly found the soul bones; others were slower.
Seeing things stabilizing, Yunze began his own task, flying toward the Fire-scaled Golden Python's soul ring.
Gu Yuena followed closely.She did not trust the newly subjugated beasts yet—If any attacked Yunze, she would not allow even the smallest accident.
(End of Chapter)