The Scarlet King didn't waste a nanosecond.
The moment the Auspicious Emperor Beast – his charge, the little golden furball entrusted to him – confirmed its obedience to await the Beast God's decree, the massive, three-headed mastiff spun on his colossal paws.
'Must report this to Beast God. NOW.'
His mind wasn't processing the nuances. Not the logic the little beast presented, not the implications of Song Qing's involvement, not even the staggering power boost he'd just witnessed.
Nope.
His brain, all three parts of it, latched onto one single, terrifying command structure: Auspicious Beast wants to become HUMAN -> REPORT TO BEAST GOD.
It was like a protocol burned into his very soul. Deviation? Not an option. Pondering? A luxury for later.
WHOOSH!
With a guttural roar that ripped through the desolate landscape around his den, the Scarlet King launched himself skyward. His blood-red fur blurred against the volcanic rock as pure, unadulterated power propelled him forward.
He didn't bother with subtlety. Didn't try to minimize his energy signature. He flew like a demonic comet, a streak of furious crimson carving a path through the very air of the Great Star Dou Forest.
'Must reach the core. Must find Lord Di Tian. Must deliver the message.'
His three heads were pointed straight ahead, six crimson eyes narrowed in sheer determination. The wind whipped past his matted fur, but he barely noticed.
Trees below became a green smear. Rivers flashed by like silver ribbons. The usual ambient chatter of lesser spirit beasts fell silent as his overwhelming aura passed overhead, a wave of primal fear preceding him.
He flew straight. No detours. No sightseeing. Just pure, unadulterated speed fueled by panicked urgency.
The destination: the Lake of Life. The absolute core. The sanctuary where the true rulers resided.
Deep within the vibrant heart of the Great Star Dou Forest, beside the tranquil, mirror-like surface of the Lake of Life, an atmosphere of profound peace reigned.
Mostly.
The air itself hummed, thick and heavy with an almost visible concentration of Heaven and Earth Origin Energy. This wasn't just the usual rich life force of the core region; it was denser, purer, carrying a unique, icy undertone.
The source? A slowly dissipating core of energy left behind by the recently… departed… Skydream Ice Worm. Its sacrifice, its century of accumulated Origin Qi, was a feast for the apex predators.
And feast they were.
In the center, practically floating just above the lake's surface, coiled the undisputed ruler. The Beast God. Di Tian.
His form was terrifyingly majestic. A colossal Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King. Scales darker than midnight absorbed all light, contrasting sharply with the molten gold of his enormous eyes, which currently held galaxies of ancient power and… well, focused concentration. He was absorbing the Origin Qi with slow, deliberate inhalations, each breath causing ripples across the lake.
Nearby, partially submerged near the shore, rested an enormous Golden Tortoise. Ancient beyond measure, its shell looked like a small island overgrown with moss and time. It absorbed the energy slowly, passively, its movements measured in geological time scales.
Floating gracefully near Di Tian, radiating an aura of pure, gentle life, was Bi Ji, the Emerald Swan Empress. Her feathers shimmered with soft green light, her form the picture of elegance and kindness. She absorbed the energy delicately, like sipping fine tea.
And slightly apart, coiled on a large rock that jutted into the lake, was Zi Ji. The Abyss Dragon Demon Empress. Her form was sleek, powerful, radiating a dark, potent energy that contrasted with Bi Ji's gentle light. Her scales were a deep, abyssal purple, and her eyes held a sharp, predatory intelligence. She absorbed the Origin Qi with focused intensity, her Rank 9 power palpable.
They were all in their true, magnificent beast forms. Why bother with flimsy human shapes when you were literally absorbing the essence of Heaven and Earth?
The silence was profound, broken only by the soft lapping of the lake water and the almost inaudible hum of energy absorption.
Until…
BOOOOOOM!
A sonic boom cracked through the peaceful atmosphere, shattering the tranquility like fragile glass.
A streak of crimson fire slammed into the clearing near the lake, kicking up dirt and unsettling the very air.
The Scarlet King arrived. Not gracefully. More like a cannonball fired from hell.
He landed heavily, skidding to a halt, panting slightly, his six eyes wide with frantic energy.
Di Tian's massive golden eyes snapped open fully, the peaceful absorption instantly forgotten. A terrifying pressure slammed down on the clearing, heavy enough to make the very ground tremble.
'WHO DARES?!' The Beast God's mental voice wasn't a question; it was a judgment, laced with divine fury.
Bi Ji flinched, her graceful form tensing.
Zi Ji lifted her head, purple eyes narrowing with annoyance and curiosity. 'Scarlet? What's his problem now?'
The Golden Tortoise… well, it probably blinked. Slowly.
The Scarlet King ignored the crushing pressure, his own formidable aura flaring defensively, though it felt like a candle against Di Tian's sun.
'Lord Di Tian!' he projected mentally, his thoughts laced with panic. 'Urgent news! Extremely urgent!'
Di Tian's colossal black head lowered slightly, those golden eyes fixing onto the Scarlet King with lethal intensity. 'Speak. And it had better be worth interrupting my cultivation.' The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.
Scarlet took a shuddering breath, gathering his wits. 'My Lord! It concerns the Auspicious Emperor Beast!'
That got everyone's attention. Bi Ji leaned forward slightly. Zi Ji's gaze sharpened. Even the Golden Tortoise seemed to focus a bit more.
'The little golden one?' Bi Ji's gentle thought reached them. 'Is he alright?'
'He's… more than alright, Lady Bi Ji,' Scarlet stammered mentally. 'He's… changed. Powerfully. But… but…'
He hesitated, bracing himself.
'He wishes… he desires… he requests permission… to take HUMAN FORM!'
Silence.
Absolute, deafening silence descended upon the Lake of Life.
Even the gentle hum of the Origin Qi seemed to pause.
Di Tian's golden eyes widened fractionally. Then, they narrowed into slits of pure, incandescent rage.
Bi Ji gasped audibly, her emerald form flickering. 'Human form?! For the Auspicious One?!'
Zi Ji actually recoiled slightly. 'Has the little furball lost his mind?!'
The Golden Tortoise let out a low, rumbling groan that sounded suspiciously like, 'Oh, dear.'
Then, Di Tian moved.
It wasn't a roar. It wasn't a blast of energy. It was far, far worse.
He simply uncoiled slightly, his massive black tail, easily thicker than the Scarlet King's entire body, whipping through the air with impossible speed.
WHACK!
The sound was sickeningly solid. Like a mountain hitting… well, another, slightly smaller, significantly less durable mountain.
The Scarlet King didn't even see it coming. One moment he was standing there, bracing for fury. The next, he was airborne, tumbling head over heels like a giant, three-headed tumbleweed, before crashing spectacularly into a cluster of ancient trees several hundred yards away.
CRUUUUNCH!
Wood splintered. Leaves flew. Dust billowed.
Bi Ji winced. 'Lord Di Tian! Perhaps that was a bit… hasty?'
Zi Ji, however, let out a low, throaty chuckle, a distinctly draconic sound of amusement. 'Serves him right for bringing such ridiculous news. Human form? Seriously?'
Di Tian ignored them both. His golden eyes remained locked on the cloud of dust where the Scarlet King had vanished. The terrifying pressure intensified.
From the wreckage, a dazed and significantly battered Scarlet King staggered out. One head lolled slightly, another had leaves stuck in its teeth, the third looked utterly bewildered. His fur was ruffled, twigs adorned his mane, and he was pretty sure several ribs were complaining loudly.
'Ow…' was the collective thought from his three brains.
He shook his heads, trying to clear the ringing. 'My Lord! A moment! Please!'
Di Tian's tail twitched ominously.
WHAM!
This time, the Scarlet King anticipated it slightly, tucking and rolling, but the sheer force still sent him skidding across the ground, carving a furrow in the rich earth before slamming into a large boulder.
CRACK!
The boulder developed a significant new fault line. The Scarlet King groaned.
'Okay… okay… I get it… Bad news delivery…'
Bi Ji fluttered nervously. 'Lord Di Tian, please! He's clearly injured!'
'He'll live,' Zi Ji commented dryly, watching with predatory interest. 'Toughen him up a bit.'
Di Tian finally spoke, his voice echoing not just mentally, but physically, a low, terrifying rumble that vibrated through the very ground.
"SCARLET."
The Scarlet King flinched, scrambling to his paws, trying to look dignified despite the debris clinging to him. 'Yes, my Lord! Present!'
"YOU WILL EXPLAIN." Di Tian's tone left no room for argument. It wasn't a request. "EVERYTHING. FROM THE BEGINNING. AND YOU WILL NOT OMIT A SINGLE DETAIL."
His golden eyes bored into the Scarlet King. "WHY DOES THE BEARER OF OUR RACE'S LUCK SUDDENLY HARBOR SUCH... IDIOTIC NOTIONS?!"
The Scarlet King gulped, a sound surprisingly audible from his massive frame. This was it. Time to spill the beans. And hope he didn't get smacked into next week again.
'Right… explanation… Deep breaths…' He shook his heads again, trying to organize his thoughts amidst the throbbing pain.
'My Lord,' he began, his mental voice significantly more subdued now, tinged with residual pain and a healthy dose of fear. 'It… it began nearly a month ago.'
He paused, glancing nervously at Di Tian's still-twitching tail. Seeing no immediate incoming impact, he continued.
'As you know, my Lord, you tasked me with investigating the energy fluctuations near the western border. While I was away…'
He hesitated again. This was the tricky part.
'A human… found his way into my territory. Near the Auspicious Emperor Beast's usual resting spot.'
Di Tian's eyes narrowed further. A low growl rumbled in his chest. "A human? Near the Auspicious One? And you allowed this?!"
'No, my Lord! Of course not!' Scarlet hastily clarified. 'When I returned, I found him there. He was… interacting… with the little one. Playing, almost.'
Bi Ji tilted her head. 'Playing? What sort of human?'
'He called himself Song Qing, my Lord,' Scarlet replied. 'He claimed to be the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. And the personal disciple of their Pope, Bibi Dong.'
Zi Ji snorted. 'Spirit Hall filth. Should have eaten him on the spot, Scarlet.'
'I… considered it, Lady Zi Ji,' Scarlet admitted sheepishly. 'He was only a Soul Sage, after all. Rank seventy-something.'
Di Tian remained silent, but the intensity of his gaze demanded continuation.
'This human, Song Qing… he had a proposal,' Scarlet went on. 'A preposterous one! He wanted to take the Auspicious Emperor Beast with him. To the human cities!'
Another collective gasp, this time louder.
'Unacceptable!' Bi Ji exclaimed.
'The audacity!' Zi Ji hissed.
Di Tian's growl deepened. "And your response, Scarlet?"
'I engaged him immediately, my Lord!' Scarlet puffed up his chest slightly, despite the aches. 'I told him his request was impossible, an insult! I prepared to… discipline him severely.'
He faltered slightly. 'But… there was something unusual about him. His spirit.'
Zi Ji leaned forward, suddenly very interested. 'His spirit? What was it?'
'It felt… draconic, Lady Zi Ji,' Scarlet explained, choosing his words carefully. 'Dark. Immensely powerful. Like… like your own Abyssal Demon Dragon, perhaps, but… different. Stronger. Almost… divine, in a way I can't quite describe. A mutation, he claimed.'
Zi Ji's purple eyes flashed. 'Stronger than mine? A Soul Sage?' Her tone held skepticism, but also intrigue.
'His control over it was… remarkable, my Lord,' Scarlet pressed on. 'When I attacked, intending to subdue him quickly, he activated his Domain.'
Di Tian's attention sharpened. "A Domain? At Rank 70-something?" That was unusual, though not entirely unheard of for truly exceptional talents or those with specific inheritances.
'Yes, my Lord. A Domain tied to his draconic spirit. He called it… the Demonic Dragon Domain.' Scarlet shivered slightly, remembering the feeling. 'And… my Lord… forgive my incompetence, but… his Domain… it directly clashed with my own Domain of Scarlet Fury.'
He braced for another blow.
It didn't come. Di Tian merely stared, waiting.
'And?' Zi Ji prompted impatiently.
Scarlet swallowed hard. 'His Domain… overpowered mine, my Lord.'
Silence again. But this time, it was stunned silence.
'WHAT?!' Zi Ji exclaimed, disbelief clear in her mental voice. 'Scarlet, your Domain is fueled by your hundred-thousand-year cultivation, your bloodline! How could a mere Soul Sage overpower it?! Were you holding back?!'
'No, Lady Zi Ji!' Scarlet insisted vehemently. 'I swear on my ancestors, I was not holding back! I recognized the threat, the strange power he wielded! I unleashed my Domain fully! But his… it felt ancient, primal… it suppressed mine. Pushed it back.'
Bi Ji looked concerned. 'That sounds… deeply unnatural. A power that defies the usual rules?'
The Golden Tortoise made a low rumble. 'Domains… reflect the soul… and lineage… Strange indeed…'
Di Tian's golden eyes seemed to blaze brighter. "Overpowered your Domain? A Soul Sage?" His voice was dangerously quiet now. "Continue, Scarlet. What happened then?"
'The battle continued for some time, my Lord,' Scarlet recounted. 'Despite the Domain suppression, my raw power and cultivation were still vastly superior, of course. But he was incredibly agile, his spirit abilities potent and unpredictable. He fought me to a stalemate.'
'A stalemate?!' Zi Ji sounded incredulous again. 'You, Rank 8 Great Ferocious Beast, stalemated by a Soul Sage?! Scarlet, are you feeling alright? Did you hit your heads before Lord Di Tian helped you?'
'It's the truth, Lady Zi Ji!' Scarlet protested, sounding genuinely aggrieved. 'He was slippery! And that Domain gave him an edge I couldn't easily overcome. Eventually… he stopped fighting. He explained why he wanted to take the Auspicious One.'
This was the crucial part. Scarlet focused, relaying Song Qing's words as accurately as possible.
'He said… he didn't mean harm. He respected the power of spirit beasts. He believed the Auspicious Emperor Beast held immense potential that wasn't being fully realized.'
He paused, taking another breath.
'He claimed he had methods, unique resources… inherited, he implied… that could rapidly accelerate the little one's growth. Strengthen his bloodline, awaken his true potential far faster than nature intended.'
Bi Ji frowned. 'Tampering with the natural growth… that can be dangerous.'
'That's what I thought, Lady Bi Ji!' Scarlet agreed. 'But then… he explained his ultimate goal.'
He lowered his mental voice slightly, sensing the gravity.
'He said… he wanted to make the Auspicious Emperor Beast strong. Unimaginably strong. Not just him, but eventually… all spirit beasts who allied with him.'
Zi Ji scoffed. 'An alliance? With Spirit Hall? Ridiculous.'
'It wasn't about Spirit Hall, Lady Zi Ji,' Scarlet corrected quickly. 'His goal… was war.'
That caught everyone off guard again.
'War?' Bi Ji echoed, confused. 'Against whom?'
Scarlet looked directly at Di Tian, his six eyes serious.
'Against the Gods, my Lord.'
The air crackled. Di Tian's immense form went utterly still.
'He spoke of… resentment. Hatred, even,' Scarlet continued, relaying the memory. 'Towards the Divine Realm. Towards the Gods who rule it, who interfere with the mortal world, who suppress potential.'
He hesitated, then added the key detail.
'He specifically mentioned… his profound hatred… for the Asura God.'
A wave of palpable shock emanated from Di Tian. It wasn't rage this time. It was something deeper, colder. An ancient, simmering resentment mirrored in the human's reported words.
Bi Ji looked startled. 'The Asura God? Why him specifically?'
Zi Ji's eyes widened slightly. 'Asura… one of the God Kings… He interferes more than most…'
The Golden Tortoise let out another slow rumble. 'Asura… His blade… caused much sorrow… long ago…'
Di Tian's mental voice cut through their reactions, sharp as obsidian. "The Asura God? This human… Song Qing… hates the Asura God? And seeks to wage war on the Divine Realm using strengthened spirit beasts?"
'Yes, my Lord,' Scarlet confirmed. 'He proposed a partnership. He would nurture the Auspicious Emperor Beast using his methods. Prove his ability. And if successful, he hoped for… future cooperation. An alliance against the heavens.'
He finally got to the conclusion.
'I… I was skeptical, my Lord. Deeply skeptical. But his power was undeniable, his Domain strange… and his hatred for the Gods felt… genuine. And the chance to rapidly strengthen the Auspicious One… it was tempting. So… I agreed. Conditionally. I allowed him to take the little one, under strict promises of safety and return.'
He braced himself again.
'And today, my Lord… he returned. As promised.'
He paused for dramatic effect, letting the anticipation build.
'The Auspicious Emperor Beast… its cultivation… it leaped directly from five thousand years… to thirty thousand years.'
Another wave of shock, bigger than before.
'Thirty thousand?!' Bi Ji gasped. 'In less than a month?! How is that possible?!'
'Impossible!' Zi Ji declared flatly, yet her eyes betrayed her astonishment. 'What resources could achieve that?!'
'The results speak for themselves, my Lord!' Scarlet insisted. 'It's vitality is immense! Its potential feels boundless! Its mental energy is vast, coherent! The Golden Dragon bloodline within it is purer, stronger, far more awakened! And its soul power… it's simply incomparable to before! It feels like it could rival beasts of one hundred twenty thousand years old beast, maybe even more already!'
He finally finished, panting slightly from the lengthy explanation and the residual aches. 'He fulfilled his promise, my Lord. Magnificently. But this rapid growth… it seems to have unlocked the potential, the desire, for transformation within the little one. Hence… his request.'
Silence descended once more. But this time, the fury had vanished from Di Tian's aura. The rage directed at the Scarlet King had evaporated, replaced by intense, calculating thought.
The mention of the Asura God. The impossible results with the Auspicious Beast. A human Soul Sage with a Domain stronger than Scarlet's, harboring divine hatred…
It was… intriguing. Highly intriguing.
Di Tian's colossal head lifted slightly. His golden eyes surveyed the clearing, the other powerful beasts, the battered but informative Scarlet King.
His anger had indeed calmed. Replaced by profound curiosity and strategic consideration.
"Thirty thousand years…" Di Tian mused, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. "Purer bloodline… Hatred for Asura…"
He focused back on Scarlet.
"This human… Song Qing… Where is he now?"
Scarlet visibly relaxed. The danger seemed to have passed. Mostly.
'He awaits near my den, my Lord,' Scarlet reported promptly. 'He escorted the Auspicious One back personally. He said he would await my return after I consulted with you.'
Di Tian considered this. Meeting this anomaly seemed… necessary.
"Very well," the Beast God decided, his voice regaining its commanding tone, but without the earlier rage. "This requires direct assessment."
He turned his massive head towards the others.
"Bi Ji. Zi Ji."
'Yes, Lord Di Tian?' Bi Ji responded gently.
'My Lord?' Zi Ji acknowledged, her curiosity piqued.
"You will accompany me." Di Tian declared. "Scarlet."
'My Lord?'
"Lead the way."
Di Tian began to rise, his immense form unfolding from the lake's edge, water cascading off his midnight scales. The sheer power radiating from him was awe-inspiring.
Bi Ji gracefully took flight, her emerald form cutting through the air.
Zi Ji gave a predatory grin, stretching her sleek purple body before launching herself upwards. 'Finally, some excitement. Let's see this god-hating human brat.'
The Golden Tortoise watched them go, then settled back down with a soft sigh, presumably deciding this excursion was far too fast-paced for his liking. He'd get the summary later.
Scarlet King, despite his aches and pains, felt a surge of relief mixed with anticipation. He quickly took the lead, flying back towards his domain, the Beast God and two of the most powerful female spirit beasts in existence following close behind.
'Okay,' Scarlet thought, wincing as a particularly sharp pain shot through his ribs. 'Survived the report. Now… let's see what happens when the Beast God meets the Holy Son…'
He had a feeling things were about to get very interesting.