Chapter 128: Chapter 81: I Want the Emperor’s Soul Seal Guarded by the Tiger Clan for Generations

’Maybe I was too rash, trusting some fish I’d just met.’

"I just feel that even what you see with your own eyes isn’t necessarily true. What’s more, you didn’t even witness this yourself. Maybe there’s really more to the story."

Ming Ye replied with indifference, then closed his eyes.

’Hmph. What does any of this have to do with me?’

’Why am I getting so worked up about it?’

’Besides, Jiang Yunnuan has already gone through the Contract Termination with Jun Yao. The truth doesn’t matter in the slightest. No one cares.’

"So, Yan Chen? Did you find anything?"

Seeing Yan Chen open his eyes, Jiang Yunnuan asked eagerly.

Yan Chen shook his head. "He’s not in the Mist Forest. But according to the aquatic life, he was pulled into some kind of energy field. I’ve been to that spot many times. It’s a teleportation nexus created by a dimensional rift. If your senses tell you he’s still alive, then he was likely teleported somewhere else."

Clearly, he knew far more than Fu Yuan.

Though a wave of disappointment washed over her now that she’d confirmed Si Xie wasn’t in the Mist Forest, Jiang Yunnuan quickly composed herself.

"Since Si Xie isn’t here, let’s head back. We’ve been out for quite a while now."

’He’s not here. I’ll just have to look for him somewhere else.’

’Then I’ll sell off some of my resources and intensify the search for Si Xie.’

*

「Huan Yu City.」

Near the 21st Legion Base.

A tall, handsome, white-haired man stood atop a megastructure, gazing into the distance. Before him, rows of steel behemoths were arranged in perfect formation, exuding a chilling, oppressive presence.

A bitter wind howled, yet he remained as still as a statue.

Time trickled by. He finally moved, activating his Light Brain to place a call.

The call connected almost instantly, and a deep, urgent voice came through.

"Ah Yao, is that you? You finally decided to contact me..."

"I need to see you."

His icy voice cut the other man off ruthlessly.

The man on the other end paused for a moment before speaking again, his voice rushed. "Fine, no problem. Where are you? I’ll send someone to pick you up."

After ending the call, Jun Yao sent his location without hesitation.

In less than three minutes, a small Flying Device appeared and landed beside him. The hatch opened, and two men in military uniforms, equipped with Weapons, stepped out.

"You must be Young Master Jun Yao, right? It’s an honor, Young Master. My name is Qin Chuan. The Commander sent us to retrieve you."

"An honor, Young Master. I’m Luo Feng."

Jun Yao’s icy gaze swept over the two men. "I’m not a Young Master," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Just call me Jun Yao."

"Let’s go."

With that, he turned and strode toward the Flying Device, taking the lead.

Qin Chuan and Luo Feng froze, exchanging a look.

No wonder they’d followed the Commander for so many years without ever hearing he had a son. This Young Master was clearly not on good terms with him.

「A little over ten minutes later.」

Jun Yao was led into a fortress-like warship.

The steel doors of the vessel slid shut. A man in a Commander’s uniform strode quickly toward him. He was strikingly handsome and bore a resemblance to Jun Yao, though his features were more mature, making him appear to be in his forties.

The man froze when he saw Jun Yao, and then his eyes welled up with tears of joy.

"Ah Yao, your genes have evolved! To have already broken through to the Fourth Rank of the Deformation Stage at only twenty... Truly incredible. You are indeed my—"

But he was cut off by an icy voice before he could finish.

Jun Yao slowly lifted his gaze to meet the man’s, his eyes cold. "I’ll agree to what you proposed before. But I have a condition."

Huo Shenming paused for a moment, then readily agreed.

"No problem. Name your condition, Ah Yao. As long as it’s within my power as your father, I will do everything I can to make it happen."

"I want the Emperor’s Soul Seal that the Tiger Clan has guarded for generations."

At those words, Huo Shenming’s eyelid twitched, and his expression grew solemn. "Ah Yao, where did you hear about the Emperor’s Soul Seal?"

’That’s a secret known only to the patriarchs of the Tiger Clan throughout the generations.’

Jun Yao narrowed his eyes. "That’s none of your concern. I want the Emperor’s Soul Seal. Are you willing to give it to me?"

Huo Shenming was at a loss for words.

He sighed, looking troubled. "It’s not that I’m unwilling to part with it, my son. It’s just... the Tiger Clan is bound by our ancestors’ decree to protect the Emperor’s Soul Seal."

"Our ancestors decreed that the Emperor’s Soul Seal must never be lost. To do so would bring annihilation upon the Tiger Clan. For generations, every patriarch has guarded it with his life. I dare not defy our ancestral teachings."

’Such sanctimonious nonsense. It’s a good thing I accidentally learned the truth, otherwise I might have actually been fooled by this crap.’

Jun Yao sneered, his eyes filled with mockery and scorn.

"Guarding it with your lives? Please. That’s just an excuse because every patriarch has been too pathetic to earn the Emperor’s Soul Seal’s acknowledgment. They couldn’t assimilate it, but they were unwilling to let it fall into anyone else’s hands."

"But I’m different. I have evolved into the most perfect form of the Tiger Clan. Do you dare let me try to bond with it? If the Emperor’s Soul Seal rejects me, I won’t force the matter."

’No, that’s a lie.’

’No matter what happens today, I *must* make the Emperor’s Soul Seal accept me.’

’I have to break through to the Ultimate Venerable Stage as quickly as possible. No, that’s not enough. I must surpass even the Ultimate Venerable Stage.’

"Sigh... Alright, fine. I can take out the Emperor’s Soul Seal and let you try to bond with it. But before that, shouldn’t you first acknowledge our relationship?"

’The greatest treasure of the Tiger Clan can only be passed down to my own son.’

"Father."

Jun Yao said the word coldly, devoid of any emotion, but he received an enthusiastic response in return.

"Yes!"

After responding, Huo Shenming strode forward with a booming laugh. He gripped Jun Yao’s shoulders and looked him up and down, growing more pleased by the second. Everything about him was perfect.

"To have evolved into the supreme form of the Tiger Clan at such a young age... my son, your future is limitless!"

’He’s Huo Shenming’s son, alright.’

’Such excellent stock absolutely cannot be wasted.’

Huo Shenming clapped his hands sharply. An aide immediately entered from outside, holding a neatly folded, magnificently imposing white military uniform, and stood respectfully before Jun Yao.

"I had this uniform made for you from the day I first asked you to join the 21st Legion. To think this day has finally come... Go on, try it on. Let your father see if it fits."

Since he had already decided to make this trade, Jun Yao wasted no time. He took the uniform and changed into it without hesitation.

The tailored uniform was exceptionally flattering, accentuating his broad shoulders, long legs, and powerful, upright build. He was so handsome it was hard to look away.

Huo Shenming’s expression grew even more satisfied. He picked up the military cap, intending to place it on Jun Yao’s head.

Those in the Deformation Stage could retract their beast-like features, so he had already withdrawn his animal ears while changing. The cap would fit perfectly.

"My son is so handsome and tall. In this uniform, you are without a doubt the most dashing Beastman in the entire Empire."

"I just joined the legion, and you’re already making me a Commander?"

Jun Yao glanced at the epaulets on his shoulders, his brow furrowing.

"The 21st Legion is made up entirely of our Tiger Clan’s disciples. You are the Young Master of the Tiger Clan, you’re at the Fourth Rank of the Deformation Stage, and you’ve even awakened the Beast King Power. What’s wrong with making you a Commander?!"