You Refined the Divine Beast The Grand Exchange Begins

A moment later.

Xiaobai couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Huh? What had she just heard?

Master Qin actually said they’d known about the evil creatures’ invasion all along??

And the Great Thousand Exchange in a few days was deliberately set up to lure them in?! But the most shocking part was—

"This…?!"

Xiaobai’s cat ears shot straight up, and the fur on her tail bristled.

Her eyes widened as she stared fixedly at the "mini figurine" in Qin Luo’s hand, which was emitting wisps of black smoke.

The thing was palm-sized but had the shell of the Mystic Turtle, the wings of the Mystic Phoenix, the claws of the Mystic Dragon, and the head of the Mystic Tiger—a grotesque, misshapen lump that looked like a ruined clay figurine molded by a mischievous child.

But the most horrifying part was…

"Th-this… isn’t this the Four Guardian Beasts of the Realm?!"

Xiaobai’s voice cracked as her trembling paw pointed at the figurine. "How did they end up like this?!"

Qin Luo shrugged innocently. "Oh, this? I just found some stones lying around and refined them. No one seemed to want them."

Xiaobai: "???"

Found them? Refined them casually?!

Those were the Four Divine Beasts that safeguarded the fate of the Great Thousand World!!

And besides…

She opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but the words got stuck in her throat.

After a long pause, Xiaobai finally managed to stammer, "B-but… weren’t they petrified by the evil creatures? Shouldn’t we be purifying them instead?!"

"Purify?" Qin Luo blinked, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Refining them counts as purification, doesn’t it? Look how cute they are now."

He even poked the figurine’s shell, causing it to let out an indignant "grr" and spew more black smoke.

Xiaobai: "…"

She slowly turned her head toward Su Muwan, who was munching on chips nearby, her eyes screaming, "Master, do something about him!"

Noticing her gaze, Su Muwan tilted her head in thought, then nodded. "Mm. Qin Luo’s right."

Xiaobai: "…"

Great, now even her master was corrupted!

Was this reasonable?

Was this acceptable?

This wasn’t right!

Her face stiffened, but in the next second, a memory flashed through her mind—

The Immortal-Demon Era, when her master, the Immortal Venerable Su, stood atop the clouds, defying heavenly laws with unrivaled arrogance.

Back then, too, she had scoffed at all rules, breaking shackles without fear.

And now…

Xiaobai’s eyes welled up. Suddenly, she clenched her fists and declared loudly, "Fine! If Master and Qin Luo have decided, then Xiaobai will fight with everything she’s got!"

Qin Luo nodded approvingly. "Good. That’s the spirit."

He pocketed the figurine, his expression turning serious. "But your job isn’t to fight. It’s to protect the Young Miss."

"Huh?" Su Muwan immediately protested, tossing aside her chip bag. "What’s that supposed to mean, Qin Luo? You think this Young Miss needs protection?"

Qin Luo sighed. "Young Miss, I suspect you’re the enemy’s target."

"Me?" Su Muwan blinked. "Why?"

"Because of your destiny’s nature."

Qin Luo’s gaze deepened. "Even though most of your ‘villainous aura’ has been cleansed, you’re still a ‘special existence.’"

"The Nether River, the evil creatures, and the Heavenly Dao Space all setting their sights on the Great Thousand World at once—that can’t be a coincidence."

"In other words—"

He paused, enunciating each word. "You might be the ‘key’ they’re fighting over."

Su Muwan: "…"

After two seconds of silence, she suddenly slapped her thigh. "Got it!"

Qin Luo: "?"

Su Muwan declared with conviction, "So, they’re jealous because I’m too strong!"

Qin Luo: "…Sure, let’s go with that."

Close enough.

Now, all that was left was to upgrade their internal defenses.

They had to ensure Su Muwan was well-protected. At this point, Qin Luo was almost certain—she was the target.

Otherwise, none of this made sense!

Unless… they were after him instead?

Now that would be weird.

Time passed.

Two days later, at the border of the Netherfrost Divine Domain.

Dawn broke, painting the sea of clouds in golden light.

The border’s grand formation was fully activated, with 100,000 cultivators standing in formation, their silver armor gleaming under the sun.

Li Mingyuan adjusted his glasses, fingers flying across a holographic screen. "Defense matrix online. Spatial anchors locked. Dimensional interference field deployed across the domain."

Huo Feng rested her blazing spear on her shoulder, grinning. "Tech squad’s ready. Anyone who starts trouble gets a faceful of firepower!"

Nearby, Xiao Tian and Wang Yong were calibrating the latest "Spirit Cannon," its muzzle flickering with ominous blue light.

"The Dean’s orders—today, we blast anyone who acts up!"

"Blast ‘em to bits!"

"Hey, Xiao Tian, do you even know how to use that thing?"

"Heheh, I-I played Immortal-Demon 5v5 Arena! Should be kinda similar, right?"

"…Not even close!"

Meanwhile—

Netherfrost Divine Domain, Grand Plaza.

"Wow, it’s so lively today!"

"Of course! Rumor has it all the Sacred Domain Lords are coming for the exchange!"

"Seriously? Weren’t they at each other’s throats before?"

"Pfft, that was before our Domain Lord Su and Master Qin beat them into submission. Now they’re all about cooperation!"

The streets buzzed with excited chatter.

Since the end of the Great Thousand War, the Netherfrost Divine Domain’s prestige had skyrocketed, cementing its place as the foremost world.

And now, with all the Sacred Domain Lords gathering here, the entire realm was electrified!

Su Muwan stood atop a high platform, arms crossed, looking smug. "Hmph, see that? This Young Miss is worshipped by thousands now!"

Qin Luo smiled. "Yes, yes. The Young Miss is the most impressive."

Then—

As if sensing something, his eyes flicked skyward.

"They’re here."

The next instant—

BOOM!

The heavens trembled as a radiant golden pillar tore through the clouds!

Then a second, a third… Dozens more followed, weaving an enormous teleportation array across the sky!

"Look! That’s… the emblem of the Central Heaven Sacred Domain!"

"Netherfrost Sacred Domain’s here too!"

"And the Linglong Heavenly Domain!"

Amid the gasps, figures emerged from the light.

At the forefront stood a man in violet-gold battle robes, his presence imposing—Lei Zhentian, Lord of the Nine Heavens Sacred Domain!

Hands behind his back, his voice boomed: "The Nine Heavens Sacred Domain has arrived as promised!"

Before the echoes faded, the Linglong Empress stepped from another beam, her gown fluttering like frozen petals. "The Linglong Heavenly Domain pays respects to Netherfrost!"

One after another, the lords of the Blazing Heaven Sacred Domain, the Tianji Sacred Domain, and more materialized, their auras vast, their pressure suffocating the plaza.

"Tch… So these are the Sacred Domain Lords? Their presence is overwhelming!"

"Duh, they’re all Eternal Realm existences!"

"But… why do they look kinda stiff?"

Someone in the crowd muttered.

Qin Luo narrowed his eyes, scanning the "lords."

Just as he’d guessed.

These "lords" had long been possessed—or replaced—by the evil creatures.

In the depths of their eyes, a faint crimson glow flickered, and the smiles on their lips carried a trace of eerie stiffness.

Yet on the surface, they maintained the dignified demeanor of domain lords, even stepping forward to clasp their hands and bow respectfully to Qin Luo and Su Muwan.

"Domain Lord Su, Master Qin, it’s been a long time," Lei Zhentian said in a deep voice.

Su Muwan gave a light hum, her tone haughty. "Hmph, at least you know your place, coming to pay your respects to me."

Qin Luo smiled faintly and took a step forward. "Since you’ve traveled so far, the Netherfrost Divine Domain naturally extends its hospitality."

With a wave of his hand, he declared, "Please, take your seats!"

—Boom!

At the center of the plaza, a massive white jade platform slowly rose, adorned with celestial fruits and spiritual wines, their fragrant aroma filling the air.

The various "domain lords" exchanged glances before seating themselves.

Outwardly, host and guests were merry.

But beneath the surface...

"Father, I’ve successfully infiltrated," Lei Zhentian murmured, his lowered eyes flashing with a fleeting crimson light.

"Good... Find the 'King' and bring him back!"

"Do not forget to stay vigilant against the others. There must be no mistakes!"

"As you command."