Qian Daoliu explained the true meaning of soul spirits; Xiong Jun furiously demanded assurances of safety

"What exactly is this cooperation you speak of?"

Di Tian drew a deep breath. The rage toward the Divine Realm in his chest was like suppressed magma-though it had yet to fully erupt, it still filled the surrounding air with searing tension.

His enormous golden vertical pupils remained fixed on Qian Daoliu. His dragon scales rose slightly in utmost vigilance, and even his dangling whiskers pulled taut, as though he might attack at any moment.

"If you intend to make soul beasts subservient to humans, to raise and slaughter us at your whim and use our blood essence as 'raw material' for mass-producing soul spirits, then there is nothing more to discuss-the soul beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest would sooner perish together with humanity than become livestock at your mercy."

His voice carried the weight of countless millennia, each word striking everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer. Humanity's past plunder and slaughter of soul beasts had long since made "cooperation" synonymous with "plunder in disguise" in his eyes.

The five great ferocious beasts tensed as well:

Bi Ji tightened her grip on the Vine Jade Staff, the vines coiled around it trembling slightly as her soul power surged; the Myriad Demon King's branches quietly spread, a faint, deep-purple light flowing through them; Xiong Jun's dark-gold claws gouged deep cracks into the ground, sending sparks flying with the shattered stones. Clearly, they were all ready to strike at any moment.

Qian Daoliu gently shook his head at the scene of drawn swords and taut bows before him. His tone remained calm, yet carried an unquestionable certainty:

"The cooperation I speak of is entirely equal, not the 'captivity' you fear. Spirit Hall will send its most professional team of soul masters to coordinate with you. The blood essence extracted will