Yun Jin's heart skipped a beat.
The Beast Summoning Order!
According to the ancient records, the last time such an order was issued, it was when the Beast King signed a treaty with the high elders of the Beastmaster Sect. From then on, man and beast coexisted in long-lasting peace.
But now…
This was the second Beast Summoning Order. For what purpose this time?
Yun Jin recalled the angry roars she had heard earlier, and her heart sank.
"The Spirit Beast Forest belongs to the spirit beasts, not to humans!"
"All humans must leave the Spirit Beast Forest!"
The hatred in those voices was undeniable. Were they being guided by some higher will? Could it be… the Beast King intended to tear up the treaty?
If it was merely that, then perhaps things could still be salvaged.
But if the next step was for spirit beasts to declare all-out war on humanity, then the consequences would be disastrous. Piecing the information together, Yun Jin's pace did not falter. She pushed forward swiftly until she reached the boundary between the inner region and the core.
Her expression shifted as she halted.
Ahead of her stood five enormous figures.
A Red-Winged Tiger.
A Jade-Eyed Beast.
A Taishan Giant Ape.
A Soul-Devouring Demon Spider.
And a Hellfire Bull.
Five mighty Super Divine Beasts blocked her path.
"Human," the Taishan Giant Ape spoke, his voice like rolling thunder. "Your hands carry no blood of our kind. If you turn back now, I will spare your life."
"Take one more step forward, and do not blame us if we act," the Red-Winged Tiger growled coldly.
Considering the upheaval, they had shown remarkable restraint. If this human knew her place, fine. If not, they would not hesitate to show her what the wrath of Super Divine Beasts meant.
Against their massive forms, Yun Jin's figure looked as small as an ant.
She let out a soft sigh and said, "Honored seniors, I have no malice in coming here. I heard that a Tongtian Hou cub was gravely injured. I happen to be well-versed in healing. Take me to it—perhaps I can save its life."
Her tone was sincere.
In truth, these spirit beasts had already shown her great leniency. They sensed she had killed no spirit beasts, and so had chosen to let her leave rather than attack outright. But if she left now, the tension between humans and beasts would truly spiral beyond repair. The Beastmaster domain would plunge into chaos.
Yet her words only enraged the five.
The Taishan Giant Ape roared, "How do you know of the cub's injury? Are you with those humans who harmed him?!"
With fury in his eyes, he slammed his giant palms down from the sky, intending to crush Yun Jin where she stood.
Yun Jin sighed softly.
She raised her hand.
In her palm appeared a small yin-yang disk. The spinning disk met the giant palms, dissolving their terrifying might into nothingness.
The Taishan Giant Ape's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't even unleashed his full strength, yet this human had casually unraveled his strike.
"Good, very good. So the humans came prepared after all!" The giant ape's roar shook the forest. "If you wish to force your way in, you must first pass through us five!"
The five Super Divine Beasts encircled her.
Yun Jin looked helpless, her expression calm as she explained, "I know of the cub's plight because I can speak the language of beasts. I overheard their voices. Moreover, I walk the Primordial Wood, which allows me to hear the whispers of plants and trees. From them, I pieced the truth together."
But her words found no belief.
"Beast speech? And mastery of the Primordial Wood? Do you take us for fools, cut off from the outside world?" the Red-Winged Tiger sneered.
"Among humanity, those who have truly mastered an entire Primordial are rarer than phoenix feathers. Every one of them is a peak existence. Do you claim you are one of those?"
"Enough nonsense. This human is surely plotting something. Strike with me!"
The Soul-Devouring Demon Spider spat a spray of white silk at Yun Jin.
Yun Jin had no choice. Fire flared at her fingertips, instantly burning away the threads.
The spider froze. Her voice rose sharp and shrill. "My webs cannot be undone by common flame. Your fire is not ordinary!"
Yun Jin scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Ah… yes. By accident, I also mastered the Primordial Fire. Once you do that, fire becomes just a little… stronger."
The clearing fell silent.
"You dare lie further!" The Taishan Giant Ape rumbled darkly. "A moment ago, you claimed only the Primordial Wood!"
Yun Jin lifted one hand, flame dancing at her fingertip, while her other hand summoned green Wood energy.
Looking earnest, she said, "Is it not possible I mastered both? For healing the cub, fire is of little use, so I did not mention it. But wood… that is the key."
She spread her hand. The green light rippled outward. All the plants and trees around them bent toward Yun Jin in reverence.
The Jade-Eyed Beast narrowed its eyes. "The grass and trees bow… this does resemble the Primordial Wood."
Yun Jin's eyes lit up. "Senior, your vision is keen. As you know, Wood energy is peerless in healing. With my mastery, the effect is doubled. That cub is gravely wounded, but if you let me try, I may yet save him."
The five Super Divine Beasts hesitated, glancing at one another.
At last, the Taishan Giant Ape spoke. "But he was forcefully contracted. Unless that contract can be undone, even if his life is saved, his pride will not allow him to endure enslavement. He will resist again."
For Super Divine Beasts, death was preferable to forced servitude.
Yun Jin's eyes sharpened. "Perhaps I can even break the contract."
"Absurd!" the Red-Winged Tiger scoffed. "Not even the King can accomplish that, yet you—a mere human—dare boast so wildly?"
Yun Jin answered gravely, "Your King is indeed mighty, but he has not mastered the Primordial Wood. With my strength, there is a chance I can both dissolve the contract and preserve his life. And with you seniors standing guard, do you truly fear I will make trouble?"
The five Super Divine Beasts exchanged glances once more, their thoughts unspoken.
Then, the Soul-Devouring Demon Spider shot out a coil of silk. Yun Jin did not resist as it bound her tightly.
The spider hissed coldly. "Human, since you insist, we will take you to our King. If you can truly save the Tongtian Hou cub, we will apologize and honor our word. If you fail, you will pay with your life."
Her voice dripped with killing intent.