Next came a three-headed Mastiff, its fur fiery red all over, with what seemed to be an aura of flame swirling around its body.
Though its aura fell short of the bear and tree ahead of it, it was still tremendously intimidating.
The last to arrive was a woman whose beauty rivaled Bi Ji's.
Her purple hair draped over her shoulders, her skin was fair and delicate, and her waist could be encircled with a single hand. The fullness of her bosom was enough to leave anyone gaping.
Her long legs, pale, slender, and soft, were irresistibly enticing.
Where Bi Ji was gentle as flowing water, she was fiery and seductive.
"Little Yunxiao~"
Seeing Gu Yunxiao, Zi JI waved with a smile, a teasing look on her face.
The corner of Gu Yunxiao's mouth twitched, and he chose to ignore her.
"Hmph!" The Three-Eyed Golden Lion snorted in displeasure, stepping in front of Gu Yunxiao and glaring at Zi JI.
"Hehehe~"
Zi JI giggled, her fragrant shoulders shaking.
"Zi JI."
Just then, Di Tian spoke coldly, a hint of warning in his eyes.
Zi JI's heart trembled slightly. She promptly put away her playful expression and grew serious.
"Has Yao Ling not arrived yet?"
Bi Ji asked.
Before Zi JI or the other ferocious beasts could answer, however, a figure appeared in the surrounding space, aloof in demeanor and almost entirely silent.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin."
Di Tian came to stand behind Gu Yunxiao and swept his gaze around, his voice indifferent. "From this day forward, Yunxiao is the Young Master of the Soul Beast Clan."
"Every one of you must serve him well, without the slightest neglect."
As his words fell silent.
Xiong Jun and the other ferocious beasts immediately turned their gazes toward Gu Yunxiao, a measure of scrutiny in their eyes.
Before they came, Di Tian had already informed them that Gu Yunxiao was the reincarnation of the Dragon God, a being of exalted status.
Still, they harbored some doubts.
Di Tian took it all in without getting angry. Instead, he looked at Gu Yunxiao. "Yunxiao, use your Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon martial soul."
Gu Yunxiao nodded slightly and activated his Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon martial soul with a thought.
"Roar!"
As an ancient roar rang out from Gu Yunxiao's body, every ferocious beast felt the oppressive might of a superior being.
Di Tian and Zi JI felt it most clearly, as both belonged to the Dragon Clan.
Under the gazes of Xiong Jun and the other ferocious beasts, Gu Yunxiao's purple eyes turned cold, and the phantom of a strange "lizard" appeared behind him.
Then the phantom vanished, and dark purple dragon scales emerged across Gu Yunxiao's right arm, spreading all the way to his neck before stopping.
In an instant, two powers swirled around Gu Yunxiao.
One was the power of heavenly tribulation, and the other was the Dragon God's power.
The former left the ferocious beasts bewildered. They only knew that it was extraordinarily powerful and involved some form of destructive power, yet was also somewhat different.
The latter caused their expressions to change drastically, an instinctive urge to submit rising in their hearts.
"Hum!"
An aqua-blue Soul Ring descended, adding an aura of the water element to Gu Yunxiao's body-and it was ultimate water at that.
With his Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon martial soul active, the most terrifying thing about Gu Yunxiao was not his power, but his utterly emotionless eyes.
Beneath the coldness in those purple eyes lurked a trace of horrifying destruction.
"Now, does anyone still object?"
Di Tian swept his gaze around once more, then took the initiative to approach Gu Yunxiao. He dropped to one knee and cupped his hands in salute. "Your subordinate, Di Tian, greets the Young Master!"
"Whatever the Young Master requires, I am at your command!"
"Tian..."
Gu Yunxiao instinctively moved to help Di Tian up.
But Di Tian immediately sent him a voice transmission. "Young Master, you are the hope of our Soul Beast Clan, and our future leader."
"You are still growing. I must take the lead so Xiong Jun and the others understand your importance."
"Besides, proper courtesy cannot be abandoned."
Di Tian placed great importance on hierarchy and order, especially where the Soul Beast Clan and the Dragon Clan were concerned.
Although Gu Yunxiao was still young, he not only possessed the Heavenly Tribulation Demon Dragon bloodline, but was also the Young Master personally appointed by Gu Yuena.
Thus, Di Tian's respect came from the bottom of his heart.
"Well... all right."
Gu Yunxiao hesitated for a moment before replying through a voice transmission.
Di Tian's actions could indeed help him indirectly keep all the ferocious beasts present in line, especially the most rebellious one, Xiong Jun.
Even Beast God Di Tian had to kneel and salute him. That alone was enough to demonstrate his importance.
Gu Yunxiao was certain that if Xiong Jun dared utter even a single "no," his punishment would be far more than a beating from Di Tian.
"Your subordinate, Bi Ji, greets the Young Master!"
Bi Ji put away her gentle smile and likewise knelt on one knee before Gu Yunxiao, saluting him respectfully.
"Your subordinate, Zi JI, greets the Young Master!" Unlike Di Tian and Bi Ji, Zi JI's gaze burned with particular intensity, as though she wanted to devour him.
Di Tian, Bi Ji, and Zi JI had all paid their respects.
The other four ferocious beasts did not hesitate either, immediately following suit.
"Your subordinate, Xiong Jun, greets the Young Master!"
"Your subordinate, Scarlet King, greets the Young Master!"
"Your subordinate, Myriad Demon King, greets the Young Master!"
"Your subordinate, Yao Ling, greets the Young Master!"
In the blink of an eye, all seven ferocious beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest were kneeling before Gu Yunxiao.
If the Soul Masters outside had witnessed this scene, their jaws would surely have hit the floor.
Not far away, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion stared with wide eyes, utterly dumbfounded.
She had never seen Di Tian and the others show such respect.
Wait, Gu Yunxiao's status is higher than mine! The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's heart lurched, and she immediately realized she was in serious trouble.
With Gu Yunxiao's scheming nature, he might well use his position as the Soul Beast Young Master to bully her.
The days ahead of her... looked pitch-black.
Gu Yunxiao, if you dare bully me, I'll... I'll stop talking to you! the Three-Eyed Golden Lion silently vowed.
Meanwhile.
Gu Yunxiao knew nothing of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's thoughts.
Looking at the seven great ferocious beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest kneeling before him, he felt momentarily dazed, as though none of this was quite real.
But he quickly recovered.
"Please rise, everyone. From now on... I hope you'll look after me."
Gu Yunxiao smiled. Though his face was still somewhat youthful, he had already gained a trace of the bearing unique to those in authority.
As Gu Yunxiao's words fell, the seven great ferocious beasts rose to their feet.
Di Tian turned around and fixed his gaze on the assembled ferocious beasts. A touch of majesty surfaced in his already oppressive golden eyes.
"Now that you understand the Young Master's status, there is one more matter."
"Once you return, notify your respective clans, as well as the other clans of Soul Beasts over ten thousand years old, and keep your members in line."
"If any blind fool offends the Young Master, I will not concern myself with who was right or wrong."
Soul Beasts over ten thousand years old had all developed intelligence.
Those under ten thousand years old also possessed some intelligence, but not much. Most acted on instinct.
Expecting all of them to remember Gu Yunxiao was unrealistic.
Besides, with Gu Yunxiao's talent, he would surely attain strength surpassing that of a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast after just a few years of cultivation.
At that point, there would be no need to worry.
Barring special circumstances, rank and status among Soul Beasts were determined by strength in its purest form.
As long as Gu Yunxiao was strong enough, he would have no need to fear those Soul Beasts failing to recognize their betters.
"Yes!"
The ferocious beasts answered, not daring to raise any objections.
Before you continue