Horace Valerius gave Luna Sutton a complicated look and said in a deep voice, "The Dragon Clan may not have a tradition of live sacrifice, but we will fully support the Divine Envoy in carrying out the Divine Oracle."

Luna nodded in satisfaction and then ’listened’ to a bit more of the Beast God’s ’teachings’.

Only then did she wave her hand and say, "With respect, we bid farewell to the Beast God."

Honestly, she was really just estimating that the ten-minute mark had arrived.

The golden beastly apparition slowly faded, the dark clouds retreated, and sunlight once again poured over the land.

Throughout the entire process, Corbin Crowley and the others stayed kneeling on the ground, the corners of their mouths twitching.

They knew Luna all too well—her act of playing god was just way too skilled.

At the same time, they realized none of this was really the Beast God showing up.

They had no idea how she’d pulled it off, but it was definitely some special trick.

But they had to admit, the effect was shocking.

Soren Phoenix bowed his head, shoulders trembling as he desperately tried not to laugh.

Mael Valerius stared at Luna, eyes ablaze with pride.

His Luna really was the most special one of all.

Once the Beast God had ’left’—

Luna turned to the crowd, her voice chilly: "Get up. And remember today’s Divine Oracle. If anyone dares to defy it..."

She deliberately drew out her words, scaring High Priest Verus so badly he dropped right back to his knees: "Wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare."

Willow and Diane Snow’s faces turned so ashen they looked about ready to crawl into the earth itself.

This whole farce ended with Luna’s crushing victory.

One by one, everyone present began to disperse.

Afterwards, Mael Valerius brought Luna back to Amethyst Palace.

Soren, along with Corbin, Rhys Blackwood, Kian Sterling, and the rest, followed right along, blatantly ignoring Mael’s sour expression.

As soon as they entered the palace, Soren waved the female slaves out with casual ease—more comfortable here than in his own home.

"Luna, that was absolutely amazing just now! How did you do it?"

After the doors closed, he couldn’t wait to ask—peach blossom eyes filled with curiosity.

Corbin and the others all looked at Luna too. Even though they were certain the so-called Beast God apparition was a sham, they still wanted to know how exactly she pulled it off.

Faced with the curiosity of all seven Beast Husbands, Luna’s eyes sparkled: "That’s a secret."

No way was she letting them know she’d gone into high-interest debt just to put on that act.

She just glared daggers at the seven of them. "What? Didn’t I perform well enough for you?"

"You did. You were brilliant."

Mael Valerius laughed and pulled her down to sit beside him on the couch. "I just have one question: When will ’Lord Beast God’ be manifesting again?"

The rest of the men struggled to keep straight faces, their expressions full of teasing amusement.

Malachi Arcanus and Soren Phoenix were nearly doubled over with laughter.

Luna’s face went black. "What are you all laughing at? Laugh anymore and I’ll turn one of you into a frog."

Mael Valerius raised a brow: "Hmm? A frog?"

Corbin Crowley, Rhys Blackwood, Kian Sterling, Zeke Veridian, Malachi Arcanus, Soren Phoenix: "..."

The beast husbands all looked blank, completely at a loss.

Clearly, they had no idea what she meant.

Turn into a frog?

None of their beast forms were frogs. How would that even happen?

She realized she’d let something slip and quickly changed the subject: "Um... Ancestral rites are done. When are we heading back to the Lower Domain? Spring planting’s waiting."

Mael Valerius knew there were things on Luna’s mind; since she didn’t want to talk, he dropped it and went along, "Let’s stay in Aetheria a few more days. It’s rare for us to come back—besides, it doesn’t set us back much time."

Luna nodded lightly—no objections there.

While spring planting was urgent, a few days wouldn’t make any difference.

The kids rarely got to visit; no reason not to let them play and have fun.

Corbin and the rest had no objections either.

Soren and company didn’t head back, instead taking up arrangements to stay with the Dragon Clan.

That night, Luna had a dream.

She dreamed she’d become a frog, squatting on a lotus leaf and croaking away.

Her seven Beast Husbands were all gathered at the pond, barely able to stay upright from laughter...

"Ribbit..."

Luna shot awake from her dream, sitting bolt upright, face pale as a ghost.

She lifted her hand to touch her cheek, then looked down at her body—still human, not a frog. Only then did she let out a long breath of relief.

She didn’t know if it was a prophetic dream or just some random nonsense.

Either way, it left a solid psychological shadow.

Just the thought that she might turn into a frog from debt, only to be ridiculed by her seven Beast Husbands—that sent chills down her spine.

"Nope. I have to figure out a way to earn those Faith Points and pay my debts off, fast."

Luna thought silently to herself.

She glanced out the window and saw the sun was already up.

Mael Valerius was getting dressed at the bedside. He looked over and asked, "What’s wrong?"

She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and forced a couple of laughs, "N-nothing... it’s nothing..."

Clearly, she had to hurry and earn those Faith Points, or the frog transformation would become real.

Mael Valerius didn’t think much of it, assuming she’d just had a nightmare. He came over, bent down, and kissed her forehead: "It’s still early. Go back to sleep a bit."

She shook her head, signaling she was done with sleep, just as she was about to say something—

The system suddenly bounced into her mind, cheery as ever.

"Ding! Host’s fame among all clans in Aetheria has skyrocketed. You’ve reaped 2,568 Faith Points. Debt plus interest has been auto-deducted—congratulations, Host, you are officially debt free! Remaining Faith Points have been deposited in your Faith Points balance."

Luna froze on the spot, barely believing her ears.

Debt free?

She hurriedly opened her system panel, and sure enough, her previously negative Faith Points had become positive.

She even had 1,180 Faith Points left over.

"Hahaha, this is great! I don’t have to turn into a frog!"

She couldn’t help laughing out loud in delight, feeling as if a giant weight had been lifted.

This must be what people meant by ’living light with no debts’.

Mael Valerius watched her laugh and declare she wouldn’t turn into a frog, thoroughly confused.

But seeing her so happy, he couldn’t help but smile too.

"A frog? Did you dream about frogs just now?"

Luna’s laughter cut off abruptly—she realized she’d spoken her mind out loud. She quickly waved a hand to deny it, "No... nothing, really, I just thought of a funny joke."

No way was she telling Mael Valerius she almost got turned into a frog over debt. She’d die of embarrassment.

He didn’t press further and took it as her just remembering something amusing.

"Since you’re up, let’s go. I’ll take you somewhere."

He took her hand, helping her get dressed and sliding her shoes on properly.

Luna asked curiously, "Where are we going?"

"You’ll see when we get there."

Mael grinned mysteriously, leading her out of the bedchamber.

No sooner had the doors opened than Corbin, Rhys, Kian, Zeke, Malachi, and Soren were all already blocking the doorway with a trail of little ones in tow.

As soon as the pair emerged, Corbin and the others’ gazes shot straight to Luna, their eyes full of mischief.

"Well! Finally willing to come out, are you?"

Soren’s peach blossom eyes narrowed, feather fan waving lazily: "We thought Luna was going to favor her cousin exclusively."

Luna’s face flushed instantly as she glared at them, "Cut the nonsense! I treat you all the same—I’ve never played favorites!"

It wasn’t Mael’s turn last night, but since they were with the Dragon Clan, she naturally stayed with him anyway.

She couldn’t possibly bunk with another Beast Husband while in Dragon territory, right?

Otherwise, where would the Dragon Clan put their face?

"Of course, of course. Luna’s the fairest of them all."

Soren’s eyes sparkled with teasing, "But... where are we off to play today?"

"Vyrdian Marsh," Mael replied.

Mael Valerius picked up Goldie, who was trying to scale Luna’s skirt, his dark gold eyes sweeping the crowd. "That’s the most beautiful spot in Aetheria. Solly and Auri haven’t seen the thousand-foot waterfall yet."

The little ones, hearing they’d get to go out, immediately writhed excitedly in the arms of the female slaves.

The little fox Zora leapt out of Kian Sterling’s arms and grabbed Luna’s sleeve, tail wagging like mad.

Eight serpent babies climbed all over Rhys Blackwood, two of them even making their way up to Luna’s shoulders, their childish voices lisping, "Matron, we wanna play... take us to play."

Luna laughed and patted Azure and Aurelius’s little heads, "Alright, Matron will take you to play."

Then she looked at Mael Valerius. "Where is Vyrdian Marsh? Is it far from here?"

Mael squeezed her palm. "Not far. Right at the edge of Dragon Clan territory, at the border with the Aethel Serpent Clan and the Phoenix Clan."

As he spoke, Little Golden Dragon—Aurelius Valerius—had already leapt onto his shoulder, thumping his tail excitedly against Mael’s cheek.

Soren swished his Fiery Red Feather Robe and leaned in with a grin, "The golden-scaled fish from Vyrdian Marsh are to die for—especially grilled!"

The little ones went wild at the mention of "grilled fish"—Barrett and Fintan Arcanus shot out toward the yard, only to be snatched up one-handed by Malachi Arcanus.

"What’s the rush?"

Rhys Blackwood scowled as he pried the two serpent babies off Luna’s neck. "Pack up first."

Soon enough, everyone set off.

Mael Valerius transformed into a hundred-meter golden dragon, carrying Luna and the two dragon cubs at the lead.

Soren followed close behind with Corbin, the other beast husbands, and the parade of kids.

Flying through the sea of clouds, Kael clung to Corbin’s wing and peeked down, suddenly speaking in a childish voice, "Daddy, there are tons of snakes down there—just like Uncle Blackwood."

Corbin looked down. There really were a lot of Aethel Serpents slithering through the forest below, though none as large as Rhys Blackwood.

"Those are your Uncle Blackwood’s kin."

He spoke with a complicated expression, offering a brief explanation.

Kael nodded like he sort of understood.

Rhys, of course, noticed too. His gaze cooled, and frost leaked from him unconsciously.

The blood feud from twenty years ago had been avenged—he’d killed most of those who deserved it.

Still, suddenly seeing Aethel Serpent kin inevitably brought up memories of his grandfather being gutted for his Snake Gallbladder, and the way his mother and father had died so tragically.

"That’s a patrol from the Aethel Serpent Clan."

Soren lightly waved his Phoenix Feather Fan, peach blossom eyes narrowed, "Do we bend around them?"

He’d heard the rough details of Rhys’s history later on—such things weren’t uncommon between tribes.

When power changes hands, you always have to clean out a bunch of old relics who won’t get with the program.

Just like the Phoenix Clan... he’d wiped out a few old fossils himself when he took over.

Still, last year something huge went down with the Aethel Serpent Clan—it shook all of Aetheria.

The Clan Leader, elders, Priest, and nearly all the top brass died in one night.

They never even figured out who did it. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The entire Aethel Serpent Clan erupted in chaos—their strength plummeted, and they dropped from elite status right into second-tier ranks overnight.

The new Clan Leader is a young guy with little clout. He still hasn’t stabilized the clan.

So right now, the Aethel Serpent Clan is hands-down the most messed-up tribe in Aetheria.

Rhys heard him and reined in the chill, his expression returning to normal. "No need."