CHAPTER 31: BEAST KING MANOR

"Sword, return!"

Lu Chen once again summoned the Hunyuan Greatsword into his hand. With spirit qi enveloping the blade, he decisively swung it in an arc.

Sword qi surged forth like a soaring dragon, tearing through the air toward a mountain peak to the left. A violent gust of wind followed in its wake, kicking up a cloud of dust and debris that darkened the sky.

When the dust finally settled and the breeze carried the last of it away, the mountaintop had already vanished, leaving behind a flat, mirror-like platform.

Lu Chen gazed at the leveled mountain and said, "The Qi Regulation Realm is easily more than a hundred times stronger than the Qi Absorption Realm. Even just the ability to release spirit qi proves the stories I've heard weren't exaggerating in their recountings. The moment we step onto the path of cultivation, it's like a dragon rising into the heavens. Things that sound impossible to mortals, like moving mountains, crossing seas, or severing rivers with a single finger, truly become as effortless as brushing dust off a sleeve."

Nantian Wan'er stared at the mountain Lu Chen had sliced flat and said, "Lu-gege, you're amazing. My brother couldn't do anything like this when he first entered the Qi Regulation Realm."

Hearing Nantian Wan'er's praise, Lu Chen scratched his head with a chuckle. "It's not that amazing. Now I finally understand what people mean when they say real cultivation only begins after stepping into the Qi Regulation Realm. Absorb qi to temper the body, refine essence into qi, regulate breath to cultivate qi, and refine qi into spirit. I still have a long way to go if I want to keep improving."

Just as he finished speaking, Lu Chen sensed something different in the area around him. "Hm? What's this?"

"What's wrong, Lu-gege?"

"Wan'er, wait here. I can sense that a new area has opened up inside the small world. I'm going to check it out."

"Alright, Lu-gege. Be careful."

Nantian Wan'er gently helped adjust Lu Chen's robes, then watched as he went away.

***

With the return of the Yin Ocean Pearl, the world within the Twin-Fish Medallion had expanded dozens of times over, reaching the size of a mid-sized city.

More importantly, one of the regions Feng Tiancheng had locked was now accessible. With this, Lu Chen now had access to three different areas. In addition to the existing plains, the new region featured a forest and a lake. The three areas encircled a massive palace that towered ten zhang tall, like three stars orbiting one celestial body.

Thick mist hung heavily in the air, and though much of the scenery was obscured, Lu Chen could sense that what he saw was only a fraction. Most of the lake, forest, and plains remained hidden behind the dense fog.

As he approached the palace, his eyes landed on a plaque hanging above the main gate. Three words had been carved into the surface with bold, decisive handwriting: Beast King Manor.

Wind Dragon spoke from within the Hunyuan Greatsword, his voice thick with sorrow, "This... this was Lord Beast King's residence! It's no wonder I felt such a heavy sadness standing on those plains earlier. So that's what this place was..."

Lu Chen frowned. "Wind Dragon? What's wrong?"

From Wind Dragon's tone, Lu Chen could tell that this place had a special meaning for him. However, he couldn't understand why a mere residence would evoke such grief.

"This was the manor of the Sixth Ancestral Avatar—Lord Beast King himself. I never imagined I'd see it again. The lands surrounding the manor were the Wild Plains, the Forest of Despair, the Frozen Hills, and the Deep Sea, which were places where we demonic beasts once lived. I never thought they'd end up here."

Wind Dragon urged Lu Chen to enter the palace, "Come on, let's go. Lord Beast King must've left behind all kinds of treasures."

Contrary to Lu Chen's expectations, the interior of the palace wasn't extravagant. A single deep corridor stretched forward into darkness, lined on either side by rows of small chambers. From behind their closed doors, low beastly roars echoed nonstop.

The moment they entered, Wind Dragon dashed forward, dragging Lu Chen along as if something ahead was calling to him.

"These were the chambers the Beast King used to cage demonic beasts. Each room houses a different type of beast, raised from birth right here. It's been three thousand years, and by now, even the weakest of them should've at least surpassed the Qi Condensation Realm."

Wind Dragon released his aura and let out a thunderous roar that echoed to the end of the passage. "You lowly beasts, why haven't you come out to greet your master?"

The beasts immediately fell silent under the weight of his presence.

"Little Lu, this place has five floors in total. The first floor houses common beasts, most of which haven't reached beyond the Sunken Core Realm. But this floor has the largest number of beasts. The first five hundred rooms are filled with metal-type beasts. After that, every five hundred rooms switch to a different elemental attribute."

Wind Dragon continued guiding Lu Chen forward. As they walked, Wind Dragon opened each room for Lu Chen, explaining the beasts' characteristics and their uses in detail. Within the chambers, the beasts lowered their heads toward the door, letting out soft growls to show their submission to Lu Chen.

It took Lu Chen a full half hour to reach the end of the passage. Along the way, he had familiarized himself with the basics of common demonic beasts.

At the end of the corridor stood a spiral staircase, winding its way up to the second floor. Surprisingly, the second floor was eerily quiet. None of the howls or roars Lu Chen had expected greeted him.

"Little Lu, this floor holds a hundred chambers. Most of the beasts here are at the Sunken Core or Core Breakthrough Realm. They've developed intelligence and can speak, so don't expect them to submit easily."

The moment Wind Dragon finished speaking, all one hundred chamber doors opened at once. Massive beast heads emerged from each chamber, their eyes locking onto Lu Chen.

"Human, why have you come here?"

Before Lu Chen could respond, Wind Dragon's aura burst forth. "From today onward, he is your new king. Why haven't you come out and greeted him?"

As Wind Dragon's words rang out, a fiery serpent slithered from the first chamber. Its presence made it clear that it was the strongest beast on the second floor.

It circled Lu Chen twice, its sharp gaze fixed on the Hunyuan Greatsword in his hand, tongue flicking in and out.

"Lord Wind Dragon? Our only king is the Beast King. You expect us to serve a mere human in the Qi Regulation Realm?"

The serpent opened its maw wide, lunging straight at Lu Chen with the intent to swallow him whole.

However, Lu Chen didn't even flinch at the sight of the bloodied, gaping maw. The vines of the Green Sovereign Divine Tree emerged behind him and wrapped around the serpent beast. At the same time, Lu Chen raised his greatsword and pressed the blade firmly between the beast's eyes.

Just as the serpent beast was about to struggle, a smaller Green Sovereign Divine Tree appeared above its head. A phoenix circled above the tree, its presence radiating a powerful bloodline suppression that immediately subdued the beast.

The serpent beast had long served the Sixth Ancestral Avatar and immediately recognized both their bloodlines. "Green Sovereign Bloodline? Phoenix Ancestor Bloodline?"

Lu Chen stepped forward, eyes locked on the serpent's. "Then... can I be your king now?"

He wasn't sure why Nantian Wan'er's bloodline had appeared within him, but he figured it must have resulted from the earlier fusion in the Heavenly Pool, where their innate talents merged. Regardless of the reason, it came in handy for subduing the beast in front of him.

"Y-Yes... You are our king."

A beast behind the serpent let out a thunderous roar. "What are you waiting for? Greet your king!"

All the beasts on the second floor lowered their heads toward Lu Chen, letting out low growls in submission. "All hail the king!"

Seeing the young human getting the strongest among them to submit, they dared not make another move.

Lu Chen withdrew the Green Sovereign Divine Tree. The serpent now walked beside him, acting as a guide as it introduced the strength and hierarchy of the beasts on this floor.

"My king, you carry the Green Sovereign bloodline within your body. You must be a descendant of the Beast King. But I do not understand why the Phoenix Ancestor bloodline also flows within you."

Before the words had even finished leaving its mouth, Wind Dragon's aura burst out from the Hunyuan Greatsword, pressing down hard on the serpent's body. "A king's secrets are not yours to question. Just do your job and explain the spirit beasts to him."

The serpent beast quickly lowered its head. "Yes, yes! I overstepped."

Lu Chen said. "It's fine, Wind Dragon. They used to follow the Sixth Ancestral Avatar. That makes us one family now."

He turned to the serpent. "As for the bloodline issue... I haven't figured it out either. Just think of it as a mutation."

"Thank you, my king," the serpent turned and shouted to the other beasts, "You all heard it. Our king carries both the Green Sovereign and Phoenix Ancestor bloodlines. Just like the Beast King, he is our rightful ruler!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding beasts once again roared in unison, "Hail the King!"

***

The serpent beast continued explaining things as he led Lu Chen forward, "My king, there are currently one hundred beasts on this floor. Seventy are in the Sunken Core, and thirty are in the Core Breakthrough. Once we reach the Earth Core Realm, we are eligible to ascend. That's why the distribution here is a bit complicated."

As Lu Chen walked in front of each beast's chamber, an emblem shaped like the Green Sovereign Divine Tree appeared above the beasts' heads, linking them to him.

In just ten minutes, Lu Chen reached the end of the floor. Another spiral staircase lay before him. This time, the serpent didn't follow.

"My king, from here on, you must proceed alone. I haven't reached the Earth Core Realm yet and don't have the right to ascend."

After a moment's thought, the serpent added, "My king, I know you plan to keep going, but be careful. The beasts above can already take on human form. Without true strength, they won't bow to you."

Lu Chen looked at the spiral staircase, already sensing the pressure coming from above. "I understand. You can go back now."

After staring at it for a while, he put the Hunyuan Greatsword on his shoulder. "Wind Dragon, let's go."

As Lu Chen stepped onto the stairs and entered the third floor, the second floor burst into chatter.

A burly monkey beast approached the serpent. "Old Snake, do you really believe he's strong enough to be our king? He is much weaker than us, and he is only at the Qi Regulation Realm. Compared to the Beast King, he's nothing."

The serpent turned and stared at the monkey. "Put away those childish thoughts. If you can think of it, do you think Lord Wind Dragon wouldn't? It was Lord Wind Dragon who ordered me to test his strength just now. That alone was a warning to me. Otherwise, with my level of cultivation, how could I even get close to Lord Wind Dragon? The new king's strength is far beyond that of ordinary cultivators in the same realm."

The monkey still looked doubtful. "Seriously?"

"Why would I lie to you? Go train and raise your cultivation. We've been stuck here for three thousand years. Maybe when the new king comes back down, he'll let us go outside."

The serpent's voice carried a tinge of longing. Without another word, it turned and headed back into its chamber.

As the monkey listened to the serpent's words, everything clicked into place. Lu Chen's current cultivation was only at the Qi Regulation Realm, so in the outside world, he'd need strong followers. That meant they'd likely be summoned for battle and get a rare chance to stretch their limbs.

With that realization, the monkey rushed back to his room and began cultivating, determined to be the first one chosen.

The smarter beasts nearby also figured it out and quickly returned to their rooms to train. Only a few who had just developed basic intelligence kept wandering aimlessly around, asking the others what was going on.