Soon, powerful Magical Beasts would be drawn here and devour their relatively weak group!

Ling Xiao was stunned for a moment, then his heart filled with elation. ’An expert whose strength is comparable to a Sword Emperor... If Tiger had continued his attack just now, I wouldn’t have even had a chance to fight back!’

’Even though Tiger looks battered, he hasn’t actually taken much damage! From this alone, it’s clear that Tiger is far stronger than the Sword Sect expert I repelled with a single strike that day! Although my own power has fundamentally improved, I still haven’t managed to inflict any serious injuries on Tiger. This proves that when it comes to physical constitution, Beastmen are indeed far superior to humans!’

Just then, the High Priest’s gentle voice drifted over. Her soft tones instantly quieted the Beastmen who had started to grow noisy.

"Tiger, are you truly willing to follow him?"

the High Priest asked, her voice as soft as water. "You must understand that the human world is different from the lands of the Beast Race. Brute strength alone isn’t enough to secure your place."

"High Priest... I want to see what the human world is like!"

Still kneeling, Tiger said in a low voice, "I ask for the High Priest’s blessing!"

The High Priest sighed softly. "Tiger, are you trying to help me? I admit I need your help, but... I do not wish for the Beastman Tribes of the swamp to fall into decline because of it."

Tiger said gravely, "The High Priest will make the proper arrangements."

The High Priest smiled faintly, her eyes filled with the same affectionate indulgence one would show their own child. She shook her head with a hint of resignation before turning to Ling Xiao. "Powerful human with your own domain, can you give them a place to live? You can rest assured they will have absolutely no contact with any other humans. This... I can guarantee you!"

Ling Xiao was more than willing.

He knew that the Magic Beast Crystal Cores these Beastmen had accumulated over thousands of years were actually enough for them to live a more lavish lifestyle than any human millionaire. However, the mutual hostility between the Human Race and the Beast Race, which had existed since ancient times, meant that cooperation between them was pitifully rare.

A large part of the Southern King Li Wutong’s fame, after all, came from guarding Penzes Swamp and fending off these very Beastmen.

’If I bring a large number of Beastmen back to Penzes City, won’t that be tantamount to making an enemy of everyone? Forget about others—my own father, General Ling Tianxiao, would probably be the first to refuse!’

In the minds of humans, the Beast Race was forever synonymous with danger.

Although, in Ling Xiao’s opinion, the Beast Race was far more endearing than many nobles.

Seeing Ling Xiao’s silence, the High Priest sighed and said, "I know this is a difficult request. If you were to only take Tiger with you, I believe no one would discover he’s a Beastman. But if the entire Beast Race were to migrate to your domain, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar. I’m certain that both His Majesty the King and that self-righteous Southern King at the swamp’s edge would want to destroy us at all costs to establish some unprecedented, immortal achievement. When that time comes... even you will be implicated."

Still kneeling, Tiger said, "If a powerful human is willing to help the Beast Race escape its plight in the swamp, I... am willing to pledge eternal loyalty!"

The four bald, burly men behind Tiger suddenly all knelt in unison. They said nothing, but their actions clearly showed their intent to advance and retreat as one with their leader.

The High Priest said softly, "Tiger possesses the physical strength of a human Tier Two Sword Emperor and the Spiritual Power of a Tier Six Sword Sect. Combined, he has the power to fight even a human Tier One Sword Emperor! The four men behind him all possess the physical strength of a Tier Three Sword Sect and the Spiritual Power of a Tier One Sword Sect. They... are my greatest support. Ling Xiao, if you can help the Beast Race this time, I guarantee that they will obey you until my revenge is complete. If... we all return alive, then they will remain your loyal subordinates!"

’In the Imperial Palace, His Majesty the King has only two Sword Sect experts by his side. The Southern King has one. It’s unclear for now if the Crown Prince has anyone at or above the Sword Sect level backing him. But all in all, the Lanyue Empire’s official power isn’t all that great. So, His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince... Hmph. If I control a force on my own fiefdom several times stronger than theirs, what can they do, even if they’re displeased?’

’The only real concern is whether such a large group of Beastmen suddenly appearing on my territory will alert those hidden clans and sects. If those people decide to intervene, it’ll be a headache.’

By the same token, Ling Xiao didn’t believe the two Sword Sect experts at His Majesty the King’s side were simple members of the Royal Family. If they also came from hidden clans and sects, things would be tricky.

Therefore, the most important thing right now was to gain His Majesty the King’s approval. Even a simple promise not to interfere would make Ling Xiao very happy. After all, those hidden clans and sects weren’t necessarily fond of meddling. They wouldn’t act rashly in matters that didn’t concern their own interests.

With that thought, Ling Xiao raised his head, his gaze firm as he looked at the High Priest. "High Priest... will you be returning with me as well?"

The High Priest hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I cannot appear in human territory. If they discover me... Ling Xiao, don’t be fooled by the fact that you possess a strength that surprises even me. To those people, annihilating you is as simple as lifting a finger! At that point, your kingdom, your family... no one would dare to stand up for you. In the face of such overwhelming power, even the Royal Family of the Lanyue Empire seems insignificant! Fortunately, Ye Zi has not been exposed to them, and they probably don’t suspect she’s in the Lanyue Empire. So, Ling Xiao, you must be careful in the future. Don’t let Ye Zi be exposed to others too often!"

Ling Xiao asked, "Then when I go back, what should I tell Ye Zi?"

The corners of the High Priest’s mouth curved up. "Just knowing she is well makes me very happy. So... don’t mention me to her for now."

As she spoke, her eyes grew moist. "I will give you one year. You can take Tiger with you first. I also need a year to recover from my injuries. After one year, if you’ve managed to lead the Beast Race out and settle them down, have Tiger bring you back here to take the rest of the Beastmen. If... if you can’t do it, Tiger will return on his own. By then, he will have at least seen what the human world is like. Ling Xiao, what do you think?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

For Ling Xiao, there was no reason to refuse the High Priest’s terms. No matter what, for the next year, he would have a Sword Emperor-level enforcer by his side. It was a deal so good he’d laugh in his sleep, especially since he was currently drawing the attention of many hidden clans and sects.

Having such a High-level Martial Artist suddenly appear by his side would also make many people even more wary of him. Moreover, it wouldn’t seem too abrupt. When the time came, the rumors that the Ling Family was backed by a powerful hidden clan or sect would be truly solidified.

Thinking of this, Ling Xiao nodded. "High Priest, I accept your terms. And I will do my best to secure a true paradise for the Beastmen!"

"Young man, you must remember your promise!"

the High Priest said, her voice gentle as she looked at Ling Xiao.

"Hah... Me go! With humans!"

A child of the Leopardman Race with big, round eyes suddenly and bravely shouted.

He was yanked back by Mad Leopard, who looked at Ling Xiao with embarrassment. "My child... not listening!" He glared at the little Leopardman, but the child nimbly wriggled out of his grasp and darted away to the back.

Ling Xiao smiled faintly, walked up to Tiger, and said, "I will keep my promise. I hope you will do the same!"

"Beastmen value promises above all else!" Tiger declared loudly.