"Dean, is it true? Has the Beast God truly appeared?"
"The Beast God has always been protecting us, guarding the Beast God Mountain Range, hasn't He?"
"Those who claim the Beast God doesn’t exist must be wrong, right?"
"Dean, is that so?"
The notion that the Beast God did not exist had been circulating in secret for many years. No one knew when or where these rumors had originated.
Though the people of Beast God Province revered the Beast God with utmost devotion, the persistent whispers had inevitably sown seeds of doubt in some.
But today!
Just moments ago!
The terrifying aura and overwhelming bloodline suppression displayed by Da Huang had forced every beast in Beast God Province to prostrate in worship.
This alone convinced many that the Beast God was indeed real.
Now, they simply sought confirmation from the Old Dean—one of the few who had actually laid eyes on the Beast God.
"That’s right. The Beast God… has indeed appeared."
"For the sake of Beast God Province, He has annihilated all who dared invade."
"You may all return now. I still have matters to discuss with the Beast God."
Boom!
The Old Dean’s words sent the beast tamers into a frenzy!
The Beast God truly existed—He had always been there, silently watching over them, caring for their every need.
Seeing the excitement on their faces, the Old Dean knew he owed Chen Chang'an and Da Huang an enormous debt.
Not only had they resolved the external crisis, but they had also indirectly quelled the hidden turmoil within.
The Beast God’s manifestation would solidify the faith of Beast God Province’s people.
Even if others tried to stir dissent in the future, it would no longer be so easy.
After handling these affairs, the Old Dean returned to the Beast God Mountain Range and found Chen Chang'an and Da Huang.
"Follow me."
Chen Chang'an nodded and followed the Old Dean deep into the heart of the mountain range.
"This place…"
"Interesting."
"Have you always lived here?"
Upon reaching the depths of the Beast God Mountain Range, Chen Chang'an sensed something extraordinary.
A naturally formed barrier stood here, much like the one at the Heavenly Pool.
Chen Chang'an suspected the Heavenly Pool’s barrier had been created by the presence of the Immortal Spirit Tree.
But here, he couldn’t yet discern the reason.
"This barrier has no effect on beasts, but humans cannot pass through."
"It’s as if it was designed solely for the beasts of the Beast God Mountain Range."
"But you… how did you enter so effortlessly?"
The Old Dean stared at Chen Chang'an in confusion. He had been wondering how to bring him inside, yet Chen Chang'an had strolled in as if the barrier didn’t exist.
"Are you not human either?"
"You’re the one who’s not human—oh, right, you really aren’t."
"I can enter because I’m just that impressive. Got it?"
Chen Chang'an shot the Old Dean an annoyed glance before surveying the surroundings.
The spiritual energy was dense, the scenery serene—truly an ideal place to live.
Flowers and plants flourished everywhere, and a small lake shimmered nearby. With a modest cottage, life here would be pure bliss.
"Shape-Shifting Grass!"
"That’s Shape-Shifting Grass, isn’t it?"
Da Huang’s eyes gleamed as he fixated on a spirit herb in the distance.
"Yes, that is indeed Shape-Shifting Grass."
"But you… cannot use it." The Old Dean frowned.
Cannot use it?
Why not?
Was this old man discriminating against him?
Da Huang glared at the Old Dean. "Why so stingy? You’ve got plenty of it here!"
"What’s wrong with giving me one?"
The Old Dean sighed. "You’re a divine beast, a qilin. You don’t need such things."
"Besides, transforming offers no real benefit. Little Qiqi is proof of that."
No benefit?
How could there be no benefit?
If he transformed, he could visit brothels without begging for help!
"Everything comes at a cost."
"After consuming Shape-Shifting Grass, Little Qiqi could assume human form without any trace of her beastly aura."
"But the price was that she could never advance beyond a tenth-tier beast."
"I’m not lying. Think of it like humans—breaking through naturally versus relying on pills. The results are different."
"Too many pills, and a person’s potential is exhausted."
Chen Chang'an agreed with this. The Divine Transformation Pills he had left for the Chen Clan allowed immediate breakthroughs, but at the cost of halting further progress.
Yet he hadn’t realized Shape-Shifting Grass carried such severe side effects.
Wasn’t transformation a natural ability? How could it drain potential?
"That doesn’t make sense. Beasts at certain levels can transform naturally."
"Though for some reason, assuming human form isn’t easy."
"Even forced transformations only mimic human appearance, with beastly traits remaining."
"But beasts possess this ability. Shape-Shifting Grass should merely assist in unlocking it—why would it consume potential?" Da Huang asked, puzzled.
"I don’t know. I once thought the same."
"That’s why I let Little Qiqi take it."
"But she told me afterward that after consuming the grass, she felt as if a door had been tightly locked, barring further advancement."
Seeing the Old Dean’s solemn expression, Da Huang grew frustrated. Did this mean he could never transform?
"You’re a divine beast. Once you reach the tenth tier, you’ll naturally gain this ability. Why the rush?" the Old Dean asked.
"He’s just eager to—"
"Ahem, never mind. Let’s talk about how you reached the tenth tier and became like this."
"A tenth-tier beast choosing human form and being so friendly to humans—there must be a story here." Da Huang swiftly changed the subject.
"Actually, this goes back fifty thousand years."
Fifty thousand years?
Damn, that’s ancient.
This old man had lived even longer than Mu Yunyao?
"You’ve been alive for fifty thousand years?" Da Huang asked curiously.
"Longer than that, but the story begins fifty thousand years ago."
"Will this take a while to tell?"
"Perhaps."
"Hold on."
Chen Chang'an quickly pulled out reclining chairs and some fruits from his spatial ring.
He and Da Huang lounged comfortably, munching on fruit as they watched the Old Dean.
"Alright, begin whenever you’re ready."
"Take your time—we’ll listen at our leisure!"