C2242 Unique Charm

The Beast Gods loyal to Yuan Le had fled the Beast God Temple, driven away by Yu Zhu's menacing threats. Yu Zhu, with the forces of the Phoenix Shrine in tow, pursued them relentlessly. The Astral Tiger intervened in an attempt to dissuade them, resulting in a significant decline in the number of Beast Gods present before the temple.

Now, only a handful of Beast Gods remained in the purple sea, most of whom were Zhiya's trusted confidants, having stood by her side for many years. Among them was a silver wolf, its fur glistening like snow, standing tall and solitary as it gazed upon Zhiya within the Wellspring of Creation. Zhiya's hands were bloodied, her knuckles gleaming like polished jade as she focused intently on the relentless creatures of the Abyss. Her chest rose and fell erratically, her breaths betraying the turmoil within.

In an instant, the silver wolf's form shifted, revealing a young man with a stern countenance and white fur adorning his face. Transformed, he exuded the fierce presence of a spear, sharp enough to cleave the heavens.

"It was the Hall Master's grace that allowed me to transcend my lineage and ascend to a tenth level Beast God," the silver wolf mused, his voice heavy with the weight of impending sacrifice. He glanced back at the temple and declared with resolve, "I, too, possess a drop of lifeblood. After the Hall Master consecrated the Beast God Temple, she permitted me to place it within the hall. My comrades, I hope we shall meet again."

With his decision made, he prepared to lay down his life, hoping to compensate for the loss Zhiya had suffered.

His time with Zhiya had been brief, yet through his steadfast following, he had come to recognize her as a truly enlightened and capable leader. Their arrival in the Wasteland, alongside the Phoenix Shrine, was swiftly met with an onslaught from Yuan Le's Beast Gods. Zhiya had not forsaken them, nor had she treated them as expendable. Instead, she had drawn Yuan Le away, tirelessly defending her followers.

Their survival to this point was a testament to Zhiya's willingness to brave danger on their behalf. In the face of repeated life-threatening situations, her unwavering protection had earned the silver wolf's profound gratitude.

Convinced of Zhiya's worthiness as a sovereign, the silver wolf was prepared to embrace death, if it meant granting Zhiya a few precious moments more.

"You go ahead. I'll follow in a bit."

The golden deer smiled confidently, his face showing no fear. After all, he was prepared to face death.

"We're not like Yuan Le's followers."

The tenth-level Darkgold Beast laughed and added, "Our Hall Master is different from Yuan Le. The Hall Master cares about us, and we're willing to risk everything for him!"

The Iron-winged Bird, the crow, and several other Beast Gods who remained behind also made their stance clear when they saw Zhiya encircled by enemies. They were ready to head to the Wellspring of Creation and sacrifice their own power and flesh to buy Zhiya some time.

Their decision was voluntary, not coerced by the Astral Tiger or Yu Zhu.

Their extraordinary actions took the black goat, Zhong Chichen, Yuan Lianyao, and the Great Demon God Bertain by surprise.

"The Dark Phoenix has truly earned my respect. Not to mention the Golden Elephant God and the Kylin who have been loyal to her for years. But now, even the Darkgold Beast, the silver wolf, and the Iron-winged Bird... Impressive! Ah, this phoenix is truly formidable!" Bertain exclaimed, his aged face showing a hint of resignation.

The other Beast Gods behind him were all ninth-level alien beast kings from the Star River in the Origin Realm. With the Dark Phoenix's aid, they had ascended to the tenth level.

Yet, they hadn't known Zhiya for long.

What was it about this Dark Phoenix that made these Beast Gods so willing to lay down their lives for her in such a short time?

Bertain was inwardly pained.

He had ruled the Origin Realm for many years, yet his own veteran Sky Fiends had been easily swayed by the Primal Soul and turned against him, perhaps without even a token resistance.

How long had Saca been by his side?

And the silver wolf had only been with the Dark Phoenix for how long?

Upon reflection, the Great Demon God Bertain grew enraged, muttering angrily within the All Spirits Ban, "I'm still not clever enough. Those who focus less on the soul and more on the body when cultivating are more dependable in a crisis! It's definitely not me who's wrong; it's just a matter of different species."

He steadfastly refused to acknowledge his inferiority to Zhiya in this area, instead attributing the issue to ethnic differences.

"She truly is formidable," Yuan Lianyao couldn't help but express her admiration.

Youyu, also hailing from the Everlands, gave a slight nod. Observing the Dark Phoenix, trapped within the Wellspring of Creation, who despite being grievously wounded and beyond healing, still refused to seek aid from Yu Yuan, she remarked, "She certainly has exceptional qualities. The Beast Gods and Dark Deities under her command genuinely recognize her leadership, ready to charge into battle and even sacrifice their lives for her."

"Had she and Yuan Le been born simultaneously in the Wasteland rather than in the Everlands of the Origin Realm, it's possible that the Primal Blood refined by Yu Yuan would have chosen her first. Such a scenario would have undoubtedly altered the destiny of the Primal Blood," Zhong Chichen reflected with a sense of poignancy.

At that moment, he realized that his deep-seated hatred for the Dark Phoenix was gradually diminishing.

As lost memories resurfaced, he remembered his true identity as the ancient Seven-Colored Dragon. Recalling the Nagas' history, his animosity towards the Dark Phoenix grew as intense as Loong Jie's.

To all Nagas, the Dark Phoenix was a betrayer, an ally to foreign entities that had conspired to dethrone them.

Initially, both he and Loong Jie were determined to obliterate Shadow's Keep and eliminate the Dark Phoenix, who reigned supreme over the Everlands' might.

Yet, with an increasing number of experiences and growing knowledge, he traced back to discover that not only Bertain but also Yu Yuan, the former Lord of the Abyss, were responsible for decimating their Naga lineage.

The current turmoil across the Three Realms and the drastic upheavals made it challenging for him to continue seeing Zhiya as the primary foe.

Upon reflection, he could see that the purple phoenix, born in the Everlands, possessed many admirable traits.

Despite her phoenix lineage, she was not considered exceptionally gifted among the Phoenix of the Everlands.

She was not particularly beautiful nor distinguished within her tribe, but it was her unyielding will and frenzied determination that enabled her to rise above the thirty-six ancient evilkind of the Everlands.

It was she who had vanquished the favored Dragons, ascending to become the ruler of Shadow's Keep.

Not long ago, she had vanquished Yuan Le, the Lord of Ruin, and had taken over the Beast God Temple.

Her ranks of Demon Gods and Beast Gods, from ancient beings like the Kylin and Golden Elephant God to the newly subdued Iron-winged Bird and Silver Wolf, all genuinely recognized her authority.

She was undoubtedly a formidable leader of her time.

Deep within the Wellspring of Creation.

Zhiya, battered and her body riddled with ghastly wounds that marred her once flawless features, lay exposed. Her waterfall-like hair stirred without a breeze. Her vitality was ebbing away, and she was in agony from the lack of replenishment, unable to reach the purple sea.

She watched as the black-scaled demon and the venomous green lizard slowly emerged from the mass of colorful flesh.

Her once radiant eyes now flickered with resignation.

She had long realized that due to Yu Zhu's threats and the change in leadership at the Beast God Temple, the Beast Gods who had sworn fealty to her were now deserting her.

She also heard the Silver Wolf, Golden Deer, Iron-winged Bird, Darkgold Beast, and other Beast Gods' declarations.

They were prepared to die for her.

With a touch of solace in her heart and seeing the Silver Wolf about to enter, she abruptly demanded, "What exactly do you want to know?!"

Her expression was stern, as if she were challenging Yu Yuan rather than conceding.

But Yu Yuan, who understood her well, knew this was her way of yielding—the most she could muster.

"Come inside, then we'll talk."

Yu Yuan refrained from taunting or ridiculing her at this moment. Instead, he tossed the Dragon Slaying Stage toward her, saying, "I'm not sure if the Dragon Slaying Stage can protect you, but it's worth a try."

Without hesitation, Zhiya leapt into the Dragon Slaying Stage as it approached.

She was acutely aware that if she didn't want to perish here, her only option was to heed Yu Yuan's advice.

She had no other alternatives.

...

"Hall Master!"

"The Hall Master has entered the Dragon Slaying Stage!"

The silver wolf, resolute in its decision to face death, along with the newly risen Beast Gods, let out a piercing scream upon noticing her sudden disappearance into the Dragon Slaying Stage.

"We won't be needed anymore. The Hall Master... she doesn't want us to die for her."

Having loyally followed Zhiya for many years, the golden deer, who had once refused even Yuan Li's extended olive branch and the offer of a Life Keychain, spoke softly, "There's no need for anyone to enter. Let's just wait here for news."

The Beast Gods gradually regained their composure.

They stood before the Beast God Temple, gazing into the void that had swallowed Zhiya, their eyes brimming with genuine respect and affection as they watched her enter the Dragon Slaying Stage.

The golden deer believed that should the Hall Master emerge, these Beast Gods would willingly lay down their lives at her command.

Whomever she wished to strike down, these faithful Beast Gods would answer her call with fervor.

Even against a deity, even against the Primal Blood, the very creator of the Beast Gods, they would follow her into battle!

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