wú lùn shì tiān jiàn zōng ， hái shì lí qù de dì yī yāo shòu yī zú 。
无论是天剑宗，还是离去的帝一妖兽一族。
Regardless of the Heavenly Sword Sect or the departing Imperial One Beast Clan, no news about them ever reached Xuanhuang界 in the future.
rì hòu de xuán huáng jiè dōu zài méi yǒu tīng dào guò yǒu guān yú tā men de rèn hé xiāo xī 。
日后的玄黄界都再没有听到过有关于他们的任何消息。
In Li Fan's view, this was the least likely escape method he would consider.
zài lǐ fán kàn lái ， zhè shì tā zuì bú huì kǎo lǜ de táo tuō fāng fǎ 。
在李凡看来，这是他最不会考虑的逃脱方法。
The high walls isolated the Star Sea from the rest of the world. Once outside these walls, one might lose all contact with Xuanhuang界.
gāo qiáng gé jué xīng hǎi nèi wài 。
高墙隔绝星海内外。
Thus, whether they had escaped successfully or not could never be confirmed.
chū le gāo qiáng ， kǒng pà jiù huì chè dǐ gēn xuán huáng jiè shī qù lián xì 。
出了高墙，恐怕就会彻底跟玄黄界失去联系。
Under such a massive energy fluctuation as the裂界, failure meant no chance at all for escape.
suǒ yǐ jiū jìng táo tuō chéng gōng yǔ fǒu ， gēn běn wú fǎ zhèng shí 。
所以究竟逃脱成功与否，根本无法证实。
Neither the main body nor any of its manifestations dared to "try" the true feasibility of the裂界.
ér zài liè jiè nà zhǒng páng dà de néng liàng bō dòng xià ， yí dàn shī bài 、 kǒng pà lián hái zhēn de jī huì dōu méi yǒu 。
而在裂界那种庞大的能量波动下，一旦失败、恐怕连还真的机会都没有。
So Li Fan was always uninterested in this method.
wú lùn shì běn zūn 、 yì huò zhě shì fēn shēn ， dōu wú fǎ qù “ shì yī shì ” liè jiè de zhēn zhèng kě xíng xìng 。
无论是本尊、亦或者是分身，都无法去“试一试”裂界的真正可行性。
"The裂界is undoubtedly an ultimate escape strategy. The Great Heavenly Emperor of Xuanhuang would never support such a plan."
suǒ yǐ lǐ fán yì zhí duì zhè fāng fǎ xìng qù liáo liáo 。
所以李凡一直对这方法兴趣寥寥。
"If I were the Great Heavenly Emperor of Xuanhuang and found a group of people preparing to defect, what should I do?"
“ liè jiè ér qù ， wú yí shì chè tóu chè wěi de táo wáng pài 。 xuán huáng dà tiān zūn de kǎo yàn ， shì bù kě néng zhī chí zhè zhǒng fāng àn de 。”
“裂界而去，无疑是彻头彻尾的逃亡派。玄黄大天尊的考验，是不可能支持这种方案的。”
On his journey with Xu Ke to Nanying Mountain, Li Fan carefully pondered this.
“ ruò shì wǒ wèi xuán huáng tiān zūn ， shì jiè zhōng chū xiàn le zhè me yī pī zhǔn bèi pàn táo de rén 。 wǒ yòu gāi zěn me zuò ne ？”
“若是我为玄黄天尊，世界中出现了这么一批准备叛逃的人。我又该怎么做呢？”
The encounters along the way were similar to previous illusions.
gēn suí xǔ kè qián wǎng nán míng shān de lù shàng ， lǐ fán zǐ xì sī kǎo zhe 。
跟随许克前往南冥山的路上，李凡仔细思考着。
However, with Bai Senior's wooden sculpture protecting him, he arrived smoothly without any trouble.
yī lù shàng suǒ jīng lì de zāo yù ， gēn qián jǐ cì jīng lì de huàn jìng chà bu duō 。
一路上所经历的遭遇，跟前几次经历的幻境差不多。
Under the guidance of a human form of Imperial One, they also attended the Beast Clan's Great Assembly.
bù guò zhè cì yǒu le bái xiān shēng mù diāo hù tǐ ， gèng shì wú jīng wú xiǎn ， shí fēn shùn lì de dào dá le 。
不过这次有了白先生木雕护体，更是无惊无险，十分顺利的到达了。
In the roar of "eternal support for Imperial One," the assembly concluded.
tóng yàng zài dì yī fēn huà chū de rén lèi shēn qū de dài lǐng xià ， cān guān le yāo shòu yī zú de wàn yāo dà huì 。
同样在帝一分化出的人类身躯的带领下，参观了妖兽一族的万妖大会。
At Li Fan's reminder, Xu Ke handed over the box containing Imperial Two Li.
zài zhòng yāo shòu “ yǒng yuǎn zhī chí dì yī dà rén ” de shān hū hǎi xiào zhōng ， dà huì luò mù 。
在众妖兽“永远支持帝一大人”的山呼海啸中，大会落幕。
Imperial One responded as expected, splitting into a gray ball and handing it to Xu Ke after a long, incomprehensible speech.
xǔ kè zhè shí yě zài lǐ fán de tí xǐng xià ， jiāo chū le zhuāng yǒu dì èr lì de mù hé 。
许克这时也在李凡的提醒下，交出了装有帝贰戾的木盒。
"Go now."
dì yī de fǎn yìng gēn biǎo xiàn méi yǒu chū xiàn piān chā 。
帝一的反应跟表现没有出现偏差。
Then he issued an order to leave.
shuō le yī duī huì sè nán dǒng de huà hòu ， fēn liè chū huī sè yuán qiú ， jiāng qí jiāo gěi le xǔ kè 。
说了一堆晦涩难懂的话后，分裂出灰色圆球，将其交给了许克。
"Hold on."
“ nǐ men qiě qù ba 。”
“你们且去吧。”
Xu Ke suddenly interjected.
dì yī suí jí xià le zhú kè lìng 。
帝一随即下了逐客令。
"Hmm?" Imperial One was surprised but waited patiently for him to finish.
“ màn zhe 。”
“慢着。”
"How many of these beasts truly wish to follow you? Because of some vague and unproven calamity, they are about to abandon Xuanhuang界."
zhè shí hòu xǔ kè tū rán yòu chū shēng dào 。
这时候许克突然又出声道。
The human form of Imperial One frowned: "I don't need their true loyalty. I only need them to execute orders."
“ ń ？” dì yī shòu yǒu xiē yì wài 。
“嗯？”帝一兽有些意外。
"If they refuse, I'll just devour them all!"
bù guò hái shì nài zhe xìng zi děng dài xǔ kè shuō wán 。
不过还是耐着性子等待许克说完。
Xu Ke smiled, looking old-fashioned: "You said earlier that the infinite future holds infinite possibilities. So why are you so certain that Xuanhuang界 will face this calamity and that escaping is their only chance?"
“ qián bèi rèn wéi ， zài chǎng zhè xiē yāo shòu ， huì yǒu duō shǎo zhēn xīn shí yì yuàn gēn suí nín lí qù ？”
“前辈认为，在场这些妖兽，会有多少真心实意愿跟随您离去？”
"Is there a possible future where Xuanhuang界 truly survives and remains the safest place in all time and space?"
“ yīn wèi yí gè xū wú piāo miǎo 、 mù qián háo wú zhēng zhào de suǒ wèi jié nàn ， jiù yào pāo qì xuán huáng jiè zhè ge lè tǔ 。”
“因为一个虚无缥缈、目前毫无征兆的所谓劫难，就要抛弃玄黄界这个乐土。”
"Do you not want to do anything for this possibility?"
dì yī rén lèi shēn qū zhòu le zhòu méi ：“ wǒ bù xū yào tā men zhēn xīn shí yì 。 wǒ zhǐ xū yào tā men zhí xíng mìng lìng jiù hǎo 。”
帝一人类身躯皱了皱眉：“我不需要他们真心实意。我只需要他们执行命令就好。”
Xu Ke's eyes shone with wisdom, fixing his gaze on Imperial One.
“ rú guǒ shí zài bù tīng huà ， dà bù liǎo bǎ tā men quán dōu tūn le ！”
“如果实在不听话，大不了把他们全都吞了！”
Clearly, these were not Xu Ke's words at his age. The sleeping bird on his head...
xǔ kè xiào le xiào ， yī fù lǎo qì héng qiū de mú yàng ：“ fāng cái qián bèi shuō ， wú xiàn de wèi lái ， yǒu wú xiàn de kě néng 。 nà me nǐ yòu wèi hé dǔ dìng ， cǐ cì dà jié xuán huáng jiè zài jié nán táo 、 wéi yǒu táo lí cái néng yǒu yī xiàn shēng jī ne ？”
许克笑了笑，一副老气横秋的模样：“方才前辈说，无限的未来，有无限的可能。那么你又为何笃定，此次大劫玄黄界在劫难逃、唯有逃离才能有一线生机呢？”
Likewise, it was unlikely to be his idea.
“ yǒu méi yǒu nà me yí gè wèi lái ， xuán huáng jiè zhēn de xìng cún le xià lái ， bìng qiě hái shì suǒ yǒu shí kōng wéi yī ān quán de suǒ zài ？”
“有没有那么一个未来，玄黄界真的幸存了下来，并且还是所有时空唯一安全的所在？”
"So is that what he means?"
“ nán dào nín jiù bù wèi zhè sī de kě néng xìng zuò xiē shén me ？”
“难道您就不为这丝的可能性做些什么？”
Imperial One knew who had sent Xu Ke here and began to seriously consider the question.
xǔ kè de yǎn shén chōng mǎn le zhì huì ， fǎng fú yǒu guāng ， jǐn jǐn dīng zhe dì yī 。
许克的眼神充满了智慧，仿佛有光，紧紧盯着帝一。
Seeing this, Xu Ke pressed further: "Since Imperial Three Mo could split from the Beast Clan and choose to side with humans,"
zhè fān huà hěn xiǎn rán bú shì zhè ge nián líng duàn de xǔ kè néng gòu shuō chū de 。
这番话很显然不是这个年龄段的许克能够说出的。
"today, a part of them can also leave while some stay behind in Xuanhuang界."
ér tā tóu shàng zhèng hū hū dà shuì de shǎ niǎo ……
而他头上正呼呼大睡的傻鸟……
"This is inevitable anyway. But your words make it more formal."
xiǎn rán yě méi yǒu kě néng shì tā de xiǎng fǎ 。
显然也没有可能是他的想法。
Imperial One looked out the window at the various beasts with different expressions, pondering.
“ suǒ yǐ zhè shì tā de yì si ？”
“所以这是他的意思？”
"Interesting."
dì yī zì rán zhī dào shì shuí pài xǔ kè lái cǐ de 。
帝一自然知道是谁派许克来此的。
"You wait here and go later."
yú shì tā kāi shǐ rèn zhēn sī suǒ gāng gāng nà fān huà 。
于是他开始认真思索刚刚那番话。
With these words, the human form of Imperial One slowly vanished.
xǔ kè jiàn zhuàng ， chèn rè dǎ tiě dào ：“ jì rán dāng chū ， dì sān mò néng gòu cóng yāo shòu qún tǐ zhōng fēn liè chū lái ， xuǎn zé zhàn duì rén lèi 。”
许克见状，趁热打铁道：“既然当初，帝叁貘能够从妖兽群体中分裂出来，选择站队人类。”
Li Fan and Xu Ke watched as the assembly dispersed.
“ nà me jīn tiān ， zì rán yě kě yǐ zài lí qù yǔ liú xià zhī jiān ， fēn liè chū yī bù fèn 、 liú shǒu xuán huáng 。”
“那么今天，自然也可以在离去与留下之间，分裂出一部分、留守玄黄。”
Suddenly, Imperial One called out to thirty or so beasts including Red Nine-Headed.
“ zhè qí shí běn jiù shì wú fǎ zǔ zhǐ de 。 bù guò yǒu le nín de yī fān huà ， xiǎn de gèng jiā zhèng shì bà le 。”
“这其实本就是无法阻止的。不过有了您的一番话，显得更加正式罢了。”
He said something that first caused them to look fearful, then incredulous and overjoyed.
dì yī shòu piē xiàng chuāng wài ， shén qíng gè yì de yī zhòng yāo shòu men ， ruò yǒu suǒ sī 。
帝一兽瞥向窗外，神情各异的一众妖兽们，若有所思。
Li Fan felt Imperial One's distant gaze before it quickly moved away.
“ yǒu yì si 。”
“有意思。”
Seven days later.
“ nà nǐ děng děng zài zǒu ba 。”
“那你等等在走吧。”
Above Nanying Mountain.
shuō le zhè me yī jù huà ， dì yī rén lèi shēn qū huǎn huǎn píng kōng xiāo shī bú jiàn 。
说了这么一句话，帝一人类身躯缓缓凭空消失不见。
"What? Are we supposed to listen to this little brat?"
xǔ kè gēn lǐ fán kàn xiàng shàng wèi sàn qù de huì chǎng 。
许克跟李凡看向尚未散去的会场。
Red Nine-Headed, now in human form, looked at the tiny Xu Ke with displeasure.
dì yī hū de jiào zhù le bāo kuò 【 chì jiǔ tóu 】 zài nèi de sān shí duō tóu yāo shòu 。
帝一忽的叫住了包括【赤九头】在内的三十多头妖兽。
The procession was massive, consisting of over three thousand transformed beasts. They all glared menacingly at Xu Ke.
bù zhī dào shuō le xiē shén me ， yāo shòu men xiān shì miàn lù huáng kǒng zhī sè ， suí hòu bù gǎn zhì xìn 、 xīn xǐ ruò kuáng 。
不知道说了些什么，妖兽们先是面露惶恐之色，随后不敢置信、欣喜若狂。
Xu Ke swallowed and finally nodded seriously under Li Fan's encouragement: "Though Imperial One agreed to your request to stay in Xuanhuang界, the only condition is that you follow my commands."
lǐ fán zhǐ gǎn jué dì yī yuǎn yuǎn tóu lái de mù guāng ， suí hòu hěn kuài yòu yí kāi 。
李凡只感觉帝一远远投来的目光，随后很快又移开。
"Of course, I won't ask for anything unreasonable; just be more careful on our human cultivators' territory."
qī tiān hòu 。
七天后。
Xu Ke pulled out a round disc from his pocket.
nán míng shān shàng kōng 。
南冥山上空。
The moment it appeared, the ferocious beasts immediately calmed down.
“ shén me ， yào wǒ men tīng zhè ge xiǎo wá wá de ？”
“什么，要我们听这个小娃娃的？”
At least outwardly.
yǐ rán biàn huà chéng rén xíng de chì jiǔ tóu ， kàn zhe dīng diǎn dà de xǔ kè ， dùn shí miàn lù bù mǎn 。
已然变化成人形的赤九头，看着丁点大的许克，顿时面露不满。
"Well, with the Beast Transformation Wheel, you're in charge," Red Nine-Headed said with a smile.
duì wǔ yī xíng ， hào hào dàng dàng 。 zǒng jì yǒu sān qiān duō míng huà xíng de yāo shòu 。
队伍一行，浩浩荡荡。总计有三千多名化形的妖兽。
"But little brat, we can follow your commands. But there has to be a limit? Can't we just serve you our entire lives?"
cǐ kè quán dōu shā qì chōng tiān ， miàn lù xiōng guāng de dīng zhe xǔ kè 。
此刻全都煞气冲天，面露凶光的盯着许克。
"Hahaha, I don't think that's something to worry about. This little brat won't live more than a few thousand years. We beasts can live for tens of thousands."
xǔ kè yàn le yàn tuò mò ， zuì zhōng hái shì zài lǐ fán de gǔ lì xià ， rèn zhēn de diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ suī rán dì yī qián bèi dā yìng le nǐ men liú zài xuán huáng jiè de yāo qiú ， dàn shì wéi yī de tiáo jiàn ， jiù shì nǐ men yào tīng cóng wǒ de mìng lìng 。”
许克咽了咽唾沫，最终还是在李凡的鼓励下，认真的点了点头：“虽然帝一前辈答应了你们留在玄黄界的要求，但是唯一的条件，就是你们要听从我的命令。”
"We have to keep an eye on this little brat; don't let him die early!"
“ dāng rán ， wǒ yě bú huì shuō xiē wú lǐ de yāo qiú ， zhǐ shì pà nǐ men zài wǒ men rén lèi xiū shì de dì pán shàng luàn lái 、 suǒ yǐ bì xū duō jiā jié zhì 。”
“当然，我也不会说些无礼的要求，只是怕你们在我们人类修士的地盘上乱来、所以必须多加节制。”
...
xǔ kè yī biān shuō zhe ， yī biān cóng huái zhōng tāo chū le gè yuán pán 。
许克一边说着，一边从怀中掏出了个圆盘。
The beast clan chattered in agreement.
yuán pán yī chū xiàn ， yuán běn hái xiōng qì wài lòu de zhòng duō yāo shòu men ， quán dōu dùn shí lǎo shí le xià lái 。
圆盘一出现，原本还凶气外漏的众多妖兽们，全都顿时老实了下来。
Xu Ke's face remained tense, unaffected by them.
zuì qǐ mǎ biǎo miàn kàn shàng qù rú cǐ 。
最起码表面看上去如此。
After some commotion, seeing Xu Ke not losing his temper, the beasts settled down and continued their journey.
“ hǎo ba ， nǐ yǒu shòu zhuàn lún ， nǐ shuō le suàn 。” chì jiǔ tóu pí xiào ròu bù xiào dào 。
“好吧，你有兽转轮，你说了算。”赤九头皮笑肉不笑道。
In reality, the number of beasts migrating far exceeded the three thousand visible. Each beast brought its family and used similar cave heaven treasures to carry those unwilling to leave Xuanhuang界.
“ bù guò xiǎo wá wá ， tīng nǐ de mìng lìng kě yǐ 。 dàn zǒng yào yǒu gè qī xiàn ba ? zǒng bù néng zhè bèi zi ， wǒ men dōu yào wèi nǐ zuò niú zuò mǎ le ？”
“不过小娃娃，听你的命令可以。但总要有个期限吧?总不能这辈子，我们都要为你做牛做马了？”
Throughout the journey, more beasts received news and joined them.
“ hā hā hā ， wǒ kàn dǎo shì bù yòng dān xīn zhè ge 。 zhè xiǎo wá wá zuì duō néng huó gè jǐ qiān nián ， zán men yāo shòu ， shuí bú shì néng gòu ān wěn huó gè shàng wàn nián ？”
“哈哈哈，我看倒是不用担心这个。这小娃娃最多能活个几千年，咱们妖兽，谁不是能够安稳活个上万年？”
By the time they reached the gates of the Beast Transformation Sect, the group had swelled to ten thousand.
“ nà kě dé kàn jǐn le zhè ge xiǎo wá wá 。 bié ràng tā zhè me zǎo sǐ le ！”
“那可得看紧了这个小娃娃。别让他这么早死了！”
The aura was overwhelming, like a beast army marching out to battle.
……
……
Without Imperial One's Beast Transformation Wheel suppressing their aura and Bai Senior's wooden sculpture occasionally stirring divine forces to cover them, it would have caused panic among passing cultivators.
yāo shòu qún tǐ zhōng ， bù shǎo qǐ hòng dào 。
妖兽群体中，不少起哄道。
Nevertheless, when they finally reached the gates of the Beast Transformation Sect, this terrifying army still caused the sect to be in a state of alarm.
xǔ kè liǎn jǐn bēng ， méi yǒu bèi tā men suǒ yǐng xiǎng 。
许克脸紧绷，没有被他们所影响。
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
nào le yī zhèn ， jiàn xǔ kè shǐ zhōng méi yǒu qì jí bài huài 。 yāo shòu men suí jí xiāo tíng xià lái ， ān xīn gǎn lù 。
闹了一阵，见许克始终没有气急败坏。妖兽们随即消停下来，安心赶路。
Crisp alarms spread throughout the sect as countless cultivators and their soul beasts rushed from various parts of the gate.
shí jì shàng gēn zhe qiān xǐ de yāo shòu qún tǐ ， yuǎn bù zhǐ biǎo miàn shàng kàn shàng qù de zhè sān qiān duō míng 。
实际上跟着迁徙的妖兽群体，远不止表面上看上去的这三千多名。
"Really weak, so weak!"
měi yí gè bù tóng yāo shòu ， jī běn dōu shì tuō jiā dài kǒu 。
每一个不同妖兽，基本都是拖家带口。
"I never thought that our Azure Dragon lineage would become so frail after being domesticated by humans!"
yòng lèi sì dòng tiān fǎ bǎo zhuāng zài zhe bù yuàn táo lí xuán huáng jiè de zú qún 。
用类似洞天法宝装载着不愿逃离玄黄界的族群。
"Hmph, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes; I can't believe beasts would sincerely submit to humans!"
bìng qiě yī lù shàng ， hái yǒu shōu dào xiāo xī ， tóng yàng xiǎng yào liú zài xuán huáng jiè de yāo shòu bù duàn gǎn guò lái huì hé 。
并且一路上，还有收到消息，同样想要留在玄黄界的妖兽不断赶过来汇合。
"We are many, let's..."
kuài yào dào yù shòu zōng de shí hòu ， duì wǔ yǐ jīng péng zhàng dào le wàn rén zhī jù 。
快要到御兽宗的时候，队伍已经膨胀到了万人之巨。
Seeing the atmosphere of the beast group suddenly shift, Xu Ke broke out in a cold sweat.
Regardless of the Heavenly Sword Sect or the departing Imperial One Beast Clan, no news about them ever reached Xuanhuang界 in the future.
In Li Fan's view, this was the least likely escape method he would consider.
The high walls isolated the Star Sea from the rest of the world. Once outside these walls, one might lose all contact with Xuanhuang界.
Thus, whether they had escaped successfully or not could never be confirmed.
Under such a massive energy fluctuation as the裂界, failure meant no chance at all for escape.
Neither the main body nor any of its manifestations dared to "try" the true feasibility of the裂界.
So Li Fan was always uninterested in this method.
"The裂界is undoubtedly an ultimate escape strategy. The Great Heavenly Emperor of Xuanhuang would never support such a plan."
"If I were the Great Heavenly Emperor of Xuanhuang and found a group of people preparing to defect, what should I do?"
On his journey with Xu Ke to Nanying Mountain, Li Fan carefully pondered this.
The encounters along the way were similar to previous illusions.
However, with Bai Senior's wooden sculpture protecting him, he arrived smoothly without any trouble.
Under the guidance of a human form of Imperial One, they also attended the Beast Clan's Great Assembly.
In the roar of "eternal support for Imperial One," the assembly concluded.
At Li Fan's reminder, Xu Ke handed over the box containing Imperial Two Li.
Imperial One responded as expected, splitting into a gray ball and handing it to Xu Ke after a long, incomprehensible speech.
"Go now."
Then he issued an order to leave.
"Hold on."
Xu Ke suddenly interjected.
"Hmm?" Imperial One was surprised but waited patiently for him to finish.
"How many of these beasts truly wish to follow you? Because of some vague and unproven calamity, they are about to abandon Xuanhuang界."
The human form of Imperial One frowned: "I don't need their true loyalty. I only need them to execute orders."
"If they refuse, I'll just devour them all!"
Xu Ke smiled, looking old-fashioned: "You said earlier that the infinite future holds infinite possibilities. So why are you so certain that Xuanhuang界 will face this calamity and that escaping is their only chance?"
"Is there a possible future where Xuanhuang界 truly survives and remains the safest place in all time and space?"
"Do you not want to do anything for this possibility?"
Xu Ke's eyes shone with wisdom, fixing his gaze on Imperial One.
Clearly, these were not Xu Ke's words at his age. The sleeping bird on his head...
Likewise, it was unlikely to be his idea.
"So is that what he means?"
Imperial One knew who had sent Xu Ke here and began to seriously consider the question.
Seeing this, Xu Ke pressed further: "Since Imperial Three Mo could split from the Beast Clan and choose to side with humans,"
"today, a part of them can also leave while some stay behind in Xuanhuang界."
"This is inevitable anyway. But your words make it more formal."
Imperial One looked out the window at the various beasts with different expressions, pondering.
"Interesting."
"You wait here and go later."
With these words, the human form of Imperial One slowly vanished.
Li Fan and Xu Ke watched as the assembly dispersed.
Suddenly, Imperial One called out to thirty or so beasts including Red Nine-Headed.
He said something that first caused them to look fearful, then incredulous and overjoyed.
Li Fan felt Imperial One's distant gaze before it quickly moved away.
Seven days later.
Above Nanying Mountain.
"What? Are we supposed to listen to this little brat?"
Red Nine-Headed, now in human form, looked at the tiny Xu Ke with displeasure.
The procession was massive, consisting of over three thousand transformed beasts. They all glared menacingly at Xu Ke.
Xu Ke swallowed and finally nodded seriously under Li Fan's encouragement: "Though Imperial One agreed to your request to stay in Xuanhuang界, the only condition is that you follow my commands."
"Of course, I won't ask for anything unreasonable; just be more careful on our human cultivators' territory."
Xu Ke pulled out a round disc from his pocket.
The moment it appeared, the ferocious beasts immediately calmed down.
At least outwardly.
"Well, with the Beast Transformation Wheel, you're in charge," Red Nine-Headed said with a smile.
"But little brat, we can follow your commands. But there has to be a limit? Can't we just serve you our entire lives?"
"Hahaha, I don't think that's something to worry about. This little brat won't live more than a few thousand years. We beasts can live for tens of thousands."
"We have to keep an eye on this little brat; don't let him die early!"
...
The beast clan chattered in agreement.
Xu Ke's face remained tense, unaffected by them.
After some commotion, seeing Xu Ke not losing his temper, the beasts settled down and continued their journey.
In reality, the number of beasts migrating far exceeded the three thousand visible. Each beast brought its family and used similar cave heaven treasures to carry those unwilling to leave Xuanhuang界.
Throughout the journey, more beasts received news and joined them.
By the time they reached the gates of the Beast Transformation Sect, the group had swelled to ten thousand.
The aura was overwhelming, like a beast army marching out to battle.
Without Imperial One's Beast Transformation Wheel suppressing their aura and Bai Senior's wooden sculpture occasionally stirring divine forces to cover them, it would have caused panic among passing cultivators.
Nevertheless, when they finally reached the gates of the Beast Transformation Sect, this terrifying army still caused the sect to be in a state of alarm.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Crisp alarms spread throughout the sect as countless cultivators and their soul beasts rushed from various parts of the gate.
"Really weak, so weak!"
"I never thought that our Azure Dragon lineage would become so frail after being domesticated by humans!"
"Hmph, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes; I can't believe beasts would sincerely submit to humans!"
"We are many, let's..."
Seeing the atmosphere of the beast group suddenly shift, Xu Ke broke out in a cold sweat.