"The Divine Realm forbids Soul Beasts from becoming gods because its gods are afraid another Dragon God will rise among them and overthrow them."
Ye Yuan watched the shaken Snow Empress. A glint flashed in his eyes as he smiled.
"But I have never cared for their rules."
"They fear the Dragon God. I don't!"
"To the gods of the Divine Realm, you are livestock they keep penned up. To me, every living thing has a spirit."
"Even an ant that submits to me can be raised to Godhood."
The ancient bronze bell in Ye Yuan's palm gave a clear hum.
"Through my Primordial Chaos Bell, I can form a contract with you. That is what makes a Soul Spirit."
"As my Soul Spirits, you will retain everything you have and grow alongside me."
"You will be my Soul Rings, but you will also be Divine Officials bound to my soul."
Ye Yuan fixed his gaze on the Snow Empress's wavering eyes and spoke each word clearly.
"When I unite the Divine Realm, I will forge true Divine Beast bodies for you. You will live as long as heaven and earth and share in the glory of the heavens."
"Snow Empress. Ice Empress."
Ye Yuan's smile faded. His deep gaze held them both.
"One path is certain to make you servants of humans. Will you keep bowing to the Divine Realm's rules like obedient dogs, or fight beside me until the Divine Realm is united?"
"Which will you choose?"
His words rang with conviction, leaving every Soul Beast present reeling.
Beside the carriage, Xiao Wu bit her lip. Tears gathered in her eyes, and her expression was conflicted.
Ye Yuan's words were harsh. He had stripped bare the truth she had hidden from herself across both her lives.
But she