"Hmph? Where did this piece of trash come from, daring to offend the great me? Get over here."

The Rock Python would never have been hit by such an attack, but the rock wolf’s actions instantly enraged it. It unleashed a terrifying Soul Thought aura, bearing down on the rock wolf.

Profound Beasts possess an innate ability to dominate Demon Beasts. Normally, under the Soul Thought suppression of a Profound Beast, lower-tier Demon Beasts would be completely paralyzed.

But to the Rock Python’s fury, this rock wolf showed no fear of its Soul Thought suppression. Instead, it let out several defiant roars and snarls.

"Hmph? You damn little thing."

The Rock Python’s heart filled with rage, and it immediately commanded the flying eagle in the sky to kill the creature.

SKREEE!

The flying eagle let out a long cry from the sky, its eyes icy as it dove toward the rock wolf.

The rock wolf appeared startled and hastily turned to flee.

The flying eagle pursued it relentlessly, rapidly closing the distance. One chasing and one fleeing, the two Demon Beasts vanished into the forest in an instant.

A mocking expression crept onto the Rock Python’s face.

’It just offended me. It’s simply seeking death.’

The Rock Python gave a scornful laugh. In its mind, that rock wolf was already dead. Hunted by a Tier Five flying eagle, it had absolutely no hope of escape.

Its gaze then fell on the battered Armored Dragon, and it gloated internally. ’Lord Jin Lin issued a command this time, and it was I, Kuidi, who proved most capable by finding the traitor for him. Heh heh, if His Lordship is pleased, perhaps he’ll even reward me with some treasure.’

The Rock Python was already imagining the satisfied look in its master’s eyes when it returned with the captured Armored Dragon.

「In the mountain forest.」

The rock wolf fled with the flying eagle in hot pursuit.

Hidden in the bushes, Ye Xuan saw the flying eagle streaking toward him like an arrow. His Devouring Martial Soul instantly spread out and locked onto the bird.

The moment the flying eagle sensed Ye Xuan’s aura, it was so terrified it began to tremble all over. It dropped from the sky with a THUD, crashing into the forest below. It tumbled for a good while before coming to a stop, a pathetic sight.

TWEET TWEET!

The flying eagle staggered to its feet and stared in terror at the Devouring Martial Soul above Ye Xuan’s head. The formless, terrifying aura made its body tremble uncontrollably.

It prostrated itself tremulously before Ye Xuan, looking up at him with a heart full of dread. ’Such a terrifying aura... this being must be a Profound Beast Demon King! But why is it in human form? Could it be one of Lord Jin Lin’s enemies?’

Even though it was one of Jin Lin’s subordinates, it didn’t dare move a muscle in the face of Ye Xuan’s aura.

’A Flying Eagle Demon Beast?’

Ye Xuan hadn’t expected that the first of the three Demon Beasts he would attract would be the flying eagle. ’This is good, though. The Flying Eagle Demon Beast has the best eyesight. Subduing it will make things much safer from here on out.’

’Besides, while this Flying Eagle Demon Beast’s combat power is a little weak, its mobility is unparalleled. It would be an excellent subordinate to have. Its incredible flight speed will also be extremely useful for gathering intelligence.’

With this in mind, Ye Xuan released a wisp of his Devouring Martial Soul and sent it into the Flying Eagle Demon Beast’s body.

Just as he expected, an extremely powerful cluster of Soul Thought resided in the Flying Eagle Demon Beast’s mind. But Ye Xuan’s Devouring Martial Soul consumed it swiftly, imprinting his own Martial Soul’s power in its place.

TWEET TWEET!

The Flying Eagle Demon Beast stood there obediently, not daring to move without a command from Ye Xuan.

After subduing the Flying Eagle Demon Beast, Ye Xuan immediately sent it back to rejoin the group.

’Looks like that little thing is dead,’ the Rock Python sneered. It then frowned, sensing that something was off about the Flying Eagle Demon Beast, but it couldn’t quite place the feeling. It soon dismissed the thought.

Under the assault of the three Demon Beasts, the Armored Dragon was forced to retreat continuously.

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

Suddenly, three streaks of light shot out from nearby, aimed directly at the Rock Python’s eyes.

The Rock Python blocked the three streaks of light with a single swing of its tail. They were human weapons.

The Rock Python was discovering that capturing the Armored Dragon was fraught with difficulties. First, it was ambushed by a rock wolf, and now there were humans in the vicinity.

"Lightning Leopard, go kill that human for me."

The Rock Python frowned. The flying eagle and the great bear were currently engaged with the Armored Dragon, leaving only the Lightning Leopard to patrol the perimeter. The Rock Python knew that many powerful humans had been in the forest recently. To avoid attracting more of them, it decided to immediately kill the human who had just ambushed it.

The Earth Bear’s attacks were powerful, but it was too slow. In comparison, sending the Lightning Leopard was a much better option.

At the Rock Python’s command, the Lightning Leopard quickly dashed into the forest.

Before long, the Lightning Leopard returned. The Rock Python sneered. ’These humans and Demon Beasts are idiots for daring to provoke me.’

But the thought had barely formed when it saw the Lightning Leopard and the Black Eagle, who had been attacking the Armored Dragon, suddenly change their target and lunge toward it.

The Rock Python was stunned. With no time to think, it whipped its coiled body away, evading the two Demon Beasts’ attack. Despite this, several large gashes were torn into its body, and blood began to flow.

THUD THUD THUD.

The Lightning Leopard and the Black Eagle attacked relentlessly, forcing the Rock Python to retreat again and again.

"Lightning Leopard! Flying Heaven Eagle! What are you doing? Are you rebelling against your superior?" The Rock Python was both shocked and furious. It unleashed its formless Soul Thought, trying to suppress the two Demon Beasts. But the moment its Soul Thought touched their bodies, the Rock Python’s expression changed dramatically.

"Something’s wrong... Why can’t I feel Lord Jin Lin’s Soul Thought aura on you anymore?"

The Rock Python finally realized what had felt so wrong earlier. It was the change in the auras of the Lightning Leopard and the Flying Heaven Eagle.

’Who was it?’

’Who could erase Lord Jin Lin’s aura and take control of the Lightning Leopard and the Flying Heaven Eagle? Could it be the same one who controlled the Armored Dragon?’

The Rock Python was both terrified and enraged. Without its Soul Thought suppression, it, a Tier Five Profound Beast, was not that much stronger than the Lightning Leopard and the Flying Heaven Eagle.

And the thought of a being nearby who could erase Lord Jin Lin’s Soul Thought aura filled the Rock Python with absolute terror.

In its mind, any being capable of erasing Lord Jin Lin’s Soul Thought had to be a Demon Beast even more powerful than Lord Jin Lin.

In a panic, the Rock Python abandoned the fight, called to the Earth Bear, and turned to flee.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a massive black mountain peak materialized out of thin air and crashed down upon it.

’So, it’s finally making its move.’

The Rock Python was terrified. Its stony body writhed frantically as the sharp horn on its head glowed with an earthy yellow light and rammed viciously into the black peak.

RUMBLE!

The rocky hide covering the Rock Python’s body shattered on impact. Its entire form swayed, and blood trickled from its gaping maw.

The Rock Python was scared out of its wits. That last strike had been its most powerful attack, yet it had been utterly crushed. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"My lord, spare me! Spare my life, my lord!"

The Rock Python gave up on fleeing and groveled on the ground, crying out in terror.

From the bushes, Ye Xuan, who was controlling the Zhenyuan Stone, paused. He had been worried that the Chaotic Heaven and Earth Grinding Disc wouldn’t be enough to suppress the Rock Python, so he had used his strongest move, the Zhenyuan Stone, right from the start. It had clearly paid off.

Hearing the Rock Python’s terrified pleas for mercy, an idea sparked in Ye Xuan’s mind.

He remained hidden in the bushes, but he released the oppressive aura of his Devouring Martial Soul and snorted coldly, "You want me to spare you? Hmph. Then tell me why you attacked my subordinate."

Ye Xuan’s tone carried a hint of anger, and the pressure from his Devouring Martial Soul bore down on the Rock Python’s head.

The Rock Python’s expression changed dramatically. As a Tier Five Profound Beast, it felt its breath catch and a wave of faintness wash over it from the pressure of this being’s aura. Its terror intensified.

’Such an oppressive aura... and the ability to erase Lord Jin Lin’s Soul Thought and so easily control the Armored Dragon, Lightning Leopard, and Flying Heaven Eagle... This being is definitely on the same level as Lord Jin Lin. It must be a Profound Beast Demon King!’

"No, my lord! This lowly one would never dare offend you! It’s just... this Armored Dragon used to be under Lord Jin Lin. Since you, my lord, took away his subordinate, Lord Jin Lin ordered us to bring the Armored Dragon back."

"Lord Demon King, spare my life, I beg you!"

The realization that it was likely facing a Profound Beast Demon King terrified the Rock Python out of its wits, and it began begging for its life repeatedly.

It couldn’t understand it. Why would another Demon King suddenly appear here? Just what was this being’s background?

It could wrack its brain and never find the answers. How laughable that it had been so determined to capture the Armored Dragon just moments ago. If it had known it was meddling in a conflict between two Demon Kings, it wouldn’t have dared, not even with a hundred times its courage.

Ye Xuan’s thoughts stirred. ’So, the one controlling these Demon Beasts is a Demon King. No wonder the Soul Thought in their minds was so powerful.’

Ye Xuan was no stranger to the concept of a Demon King. Only Demon Beasts and Profound Beasts at Tier Seven or above could earn that title. Profound Beasts, in particular, could take human form and even walk the continent after reaching the Tier Seven Lord Level.

’I can’t believe this Rock Python has mistaken me for a Demon King.’

"This king roams this forest. I don’t care if this Armored Dragon belongs to Jin Lin or some silver-scaled nobody. I have taken a liking to it, so I will claim it as my own," Ye Xuan declared in an incredibly domineering tone, his performance flawless.

"Yes, yes! Lord Demon King, please spare me! It was this lowly one who was reckless," the Rock Python said in terror.

"You may leave. Also, where is this Jin Lin you mentioned? When I have the time, I will be sure to pay it a visit."

"Thank you for sparing my life, Lord Demon King! Lord Jin Lin is at Celestial Peak Mountain, six thousand li from here!"

After speaking, the Rock Python hastily slithered away, its body limp with relief and fear.

It swore to itself that it would never again dare to meddle in a clash between Demon Kings.