"Master, do not trust him," Phantom Fox Cat's anxious voice sounded. "Liu Li Zhēnrén is definitely not this kind of person."
Phantom Fox Cat had once been moved by Liu Li's charisma, which is why she chose to follow her. Having spent time with Liu Li, Phantom Fox Cat could never believe that Liu Li could be this kind of person.
"Don't worry. I would never believe him," Yun Jin comforted Phantom Fox Cat in her mind, then turned her cold gaze toward the man. "What you are saying is baseless."
Secretly, Yun Jin sent her spirit power into the communication token to contact Liu Li. She had a feeling that something serious was about to happen in the spirit beast forest. And it seemed to primarily involve the Beastmaster Sect.
She was just caught in the mix.
Her thoughts raced.
Among the four great sanctuaries, Qingxiao Pavilion was already at a disadvantage, being countered by the other three. But if the Beastmaster Sect also encountered trouble…
What if Kunlun Sword Sect and Xuandan Gate also experienced sudden upheaval?
Then Qingxiao Pavilion could take advantage of the chaos.
Yun Jin waited but received no reply from Liu Li, and her heart sank. Something must have gone wrong with Liu Li Zhēnrén. No, it was likely more than just her. The entire Beastmaster Sect could be in crisis.
The man spoke softly: "Junior Sister, have you contacted your master? Has your master explained this clearly to you? These spirit beasts are tools for human cultivation. Stop clinging to your ideals. Join me, and we can control this spirit beast forest together."
"My master did not respond," Yun Jin said, narrowing her eyes.
The man's expression remained calm. "Perhaps your master is busy with something else. But Junior Sister, can you not feel it? Our cultivation techniques are of the same lineage. This is the Soul Control Art your master taught. It is her unique skill; no one else can imitate it."
As he spoke, thin transparent lines appeared in his hands. A net woven from spirit power—the very Soul Control Art of Liu Li.
"How could this be…" Phantom Fox Cat's voice faltered in Yun Jin's mind.
It was undoubtedly Liu Li's technique. She would never mistake it. But to believe that Liu Li could be behind this was impossible. The other small beasts had no such deep feelings for Liu Li, so they waited silently, trusting Yun Jin's judgment.
No matter what, they would follow her lead.
Yun Jin's gaze was cold. Her voice carried a faint trace of killing intent. "The Soul Control Art is not handed down lightly. If it was passed to you, it was a sign of trust. You have betrayed that trust and deserve to die."
The man sighed helplessly. "Junior Sister, what must I say for you to believe me? This truly is your master's intent. We…"
Before he could finish,
"Ahhhhh!"
A horrifying, desperate roar echoed through the spirit beast forest.
The sound was so terrifying that Yun Jin's body trembled slightly. Her expression changed immediately.
Something serious was happening in the spirit beast forest.
"Junior Sister, perhaps we should…" the man began to speak,
But Yun Jin did not hesitate. She struck instantly.
The man froze, staring in shock at Tai'a Sword plunging into his chest. He never expected Yun Jin to act so suddenly, leaving him completely defenseless.
The next moment, his Yuányīng was ripped from his body.
Yun Jin collected it in a porcelain bottle.
The man's Yuányīng seemed to want to speak, but Yun Jin had no interest. She sealed the bottle and placed it in her storage ring.
She split the ceiling and soared out of the chamber.
On the hilltop, Yun Jin's expression trembled.
From the core area to the inner ring, to the outer perimeter where she stood, beastly roars filled the air.
The spirit beasts were enraged.
The entire forest shook as countless spirit beasts ran.
What had happened?
Yun Jin had no time to think.
Some beasts spotted her and charged toward the hilltop.
"Kill all humans!"
"Follow me! Kill that human!"
"How dare they harm the Tongtian Hou cub! These humans deserve to die!"
"For our fallen comrades, charge!"
Amid the roars, Yun Jin caught some information.
Tongtian Hou cub?
"Master, Tongtian Hou is a super spirit beast," Dan Dan said quickly, recalling her father's teachings and explaining to Yun Jin. "Spirit beasts have strict hierarchies. Except for the king, super spirit beasts are the apex of the spirit world. If a super spirit beast is insulted, all beasts follow in rage."
"Master, they are about to charge!" Yun Mu said, tension in his voice.
Not out of fear of combat, but because he didn't know how to intervene. If the Tongtian Hou cub was harmed, and humans were responsible, the spirit beasts' anger would be understandable.
"Do not worry," Yun Jin said without drawing her sword.
She calmly gazed at the charging beasts. Upon advancing to Divine Transformation stage with the Mystic Codex, she had gained a divine ability: Intimidation.
Once activated, all souls weaker than hers were affected.
The spirit beasts' spiritual power was far inferior. At her gaze, they all fainted.
"They will sleep for a while and naturally wake up later," Yun Jin said, disappearing from the hilltop.
She sped toward the inner ring.
Super spirit beasts only lived in the core area. She had to reach it quickly to learn what had occurred.
Even the outer ring spirit beasts seemed guided inward as she passed.
Seeing Yun Jin, each spirit beast glared at her with hatred.
Yun Jin did not wish to harm them. She had no choice but to use Intimidation to keep them temporarily asleep.
After putting one group to sleep, the next wave of angry roars erupted. "Humans! Humans!"
Yun Jin sighed, preparing to use Intimidation again.
Suddenly, a surprised voice shouted:
"Stop! Stop! This human is good!"
From the crowd, Phantom Leopard appeared.
The other little beasts she had saved were among them.
"She is truly a good person."
"She saved us before."
"Humans can be good too."
The small beasts spoke on her behalf.
"Good person? Then how do you explain the spirit beasts on the ground?" an angry roar demanded.
Yun Jin remained calm. "I only made them sleep temporarily. They were unharmed."
The beasts paused, disbelief in their eyes. "You… understand us?"
"Clearly," Yun Jin nodded.
A bold little beast checked the fallen spirit beasts and reported, "They are only asleep."
The beast scowled. "We are not unreasonable. Since you are not with them, leave the spirit beast forest immediately. I spare your life!"