As dusk settled, a massive bonfire blazed at the center of the plain.
Tens of thousands of spirit beasts gathered here, all coming to attend this grand feast. Among spirit beasts, the sense of hierarchy was far more rigid than among humans. More than cultivation, what they valued most was bloodline.
A super spirit beast, even if newly born, had the right to sit in the central area and receive the best treatment. Meanwhile, those whose cultivation was high but whose bloodline was weak found their status still beneath those with superior bloodlines.
Yun Jin found this rather unfair.
But from what she observed, the spirit beasts themselves accepted it without complaint. Bloodline suppression seemed to be a rule etched into their very souls. At this banquet, the seats closest to the bonfire still belonged to the super spirit beasts.
The most central position was left empty, clearly reserved for Di Xiao.
Even if Di Xiao did not appear, the seat had to be there.
Because she had saved Xiao Bao, Yun Jin was also invited to sit within the central zone.
Gun Gun, just like Yun Jin, was a bold and sociable one. He scurried over to greet the super spirit beasts.
Some of them returned a perfunctory nod, but most simply turned their heads away.
Gun Gun, oblivious, went back after greeting them, happily joining Huan Huan to swing on Mu Mu's branches.
Dan Dan soon followed, and Xiao Bao, step by step, tagged along as well.
Dan Dan cast him a disdainful look but did not chase him away.
"Senior Rong, my Xiao Bao seems to like Dan Dan quite a lot," Sang Qing said with a smile.
Rong Zhou snorted with a proud air. "Of course. Look at who her grandfather is."
Such an outstanding granddaughter—how could she remain bound to a human?She ought to return to her own kin!
In the Lava Dragon clan, only he remained awake now. This responsibility naturally fell upon him.
"Senior Rong, Senior Sang," a red-haired super spirit beast who took human form suddenly spoke, "that Yun Jin saved Xiao Bao and is a guest at the king's seat. With her presence, we are all convinced. Dan Dan is a super spirit beast and belongs here naturally. That wood spirit is a born aberrant, and its cultivation is rare enough that we have no objections either. But Yun Jin's other two beasts… judging by their level, they are hardly fit to sit in this place, are they?"
His tone grew increasingly resentful.
Among spirit beasts, bloodline was everything.
Super spirit beasts only mingled with other super spirit beasts—that was the mark of their status.
Yet now…
Two upper-grade spirit beasts suddenly appeared here. Especially that panda-like Gun Gun—he had even come up earlier, calling them brothers. That was simply too presumptuous!
And it was not just him who felt this way.
Several other young and proud super spirit beasts immediately voiced their agreement.
Upper-grade spirit beasts and super spirit beasts—though only a rank apart, in the world of spirit beasts that gulf was unbridgeable.
That iron-eating beast clan was originally a mere mid-grade race. For one to break through into an upper-grade was surely some stroke of fortune, but no more than that.
Just an upper-grade beast who had gotten lucky—how could he dare to stand as their equal?
Sang Qing's brows knit together. "Yun Jin is Xiao Bao's lifesaver. She is the benefactor of my Tongtian Hou Beast clan. If you wish to drive out her beasts, are you trying to oppose us outright?"
Her gaze softened slightly as she looked at Xiao Bao playing happily in the distance. That was her long-lost, most precious treasure. Yun Jin had saved him, which meant Yun Jin had saved her life and the future of the Tongtian Hou Beast clan.
"Senior Sang, that is why we never objected to Yun Jin's presence here," the red-haired man pressed on. "But she could put away those two upper-grade beasts, or at least send them to the outer circle. Otherwise, how could we accept it?"
"That's right. That's only proper."
"A spirit beast of what rank should remain in its proper place."
Several super spirit beasts voiced their agreement one after another.
Sang Qing's face darkened, and she was about to speak again—
When a voice, light and mocking, suddenly sounded.
Yun Jin had walked over at some point. "Apologies. My ears are sharp, and I heard every word you said."
"Sect Master Yun, forgive me, I will silence them," Sang Qing hurriedly said.
Yun Jin arched a brow. "Silence them? And why would you?"
Sang Qing froze.
Even Rong Zhou's expression turned uncertain as he looked at Yun Jin.
Yun Jin smiled faintly and turned toward the red-haired man. "So you believe my two beasts' bloodlines are unworthy of standing alongside you?"
The man hesitated, but since Yun Jin had asked so directly, he lifted his head with pride. "Exactly. You are human, you may not understand our spirit beast kind. Among us, bloodline reigns supreme. High-grade bloodlines naturally suppress lower ones. Look for yourself—when have weaker beasts ever dared approach us?"
Yun Jin nodded, her eyes glinting. "Since such suppression is natural, have you thought about why Gun Gun does not fear you? Why he dares greet you as an equal?"
Her words made the gathered super spirit beasts pause.
Indeed—why?
Among spirit beasts, rank was absolute. Lower beasts naturally quailed before higher bloodlines. Even when a lower beast had superior strength, it would still hesitate to strike against a superior.
This was the innate weight of bloodline.
But that iron-eating beast…
From the way he swaggered earlier, there was not the slightest sign of fear.
"Just a shameless iron-eating beast, that's all," the red-haired man said coldly.
Yun Jin's smile deepened. "Super spirit beast Red-Winged Tiger, is it?"
The man stiffened. "I only speak the truth."
He had acknowledged Yun Jin's strength, after all. He had personally seen her cut down those on the execution stage without hesitation. A flicker of unease crept into his chest.
"Young man, don't be afraid," Yun Jin said in a mock-elderly tone. "Am I the sort who lashes out over nothing?"
The gathered super spirit beasts: "…"
Was she not exactly that?
Had they not all just been briefed on Yun Jin's ruthless style?
Yun Jin cleared her throat softly. "I am someone who values reason above all."
Her smile widened as her gaze locked onto the Red-Winged Tiger. "So why not this—have a bloodline duel with Gun Gun and Huan Huan."
The man froze.
A bloodline duel?
Between upper-grade beasts and a super spirit beast?
Was this human insane?
Sang Qing quickly interjected, "Sect Master Yun, perhaps you do not understand. Bloodline duels do not compare strength, only the power of lineage. They are usually fought between beasts of the same grade. Between ranks this far apart, such duels are meaningless!"
She tried to persuade tactfully.
Upper-grade beasts—
How could they possibly compare with a super spirit beast?
It would be nothing but self-humiliation.