Chapter 135

"Xiaotu, I feel Qu Yi wants to come with us." On the Lansing, Qi Qi Xinyue couldn't help speaking up.

Ding Huan fell silent for a long time; he only realized this after asking Qu Yi if she needed his help. If he had understood sooner, he wouldn't have asked.

So he explained why he was grateful to Qu Yi.

"Xinyue, how do you think our chances are of surviving in the universe after leaving Earth?"

Qi Qi Xinyue finally understood Ding Huan's meaning—the same as when they left Zhan Shen Continent.

Except for her, no one had any control over their own fate; everyone else left with the certainty of death.

Every person who left Zhan Shen Continent to seek the Divine Clan's ruins received great compensation.

Because even if they couldn't return, they could still send word back.

The reason later Zhan Shen Continent war saucers found Earth was that one warship had come to Earth and used some method to transmit the message back.

In other words, if we take over Earth and return to Zhan Shen Continent, our chances are still slim.

"These people really aren't afraid of death." After grasping this logic, Qi Qi Xinyue couldn't help saying.

Ding Huan chuckled:

"Not afraid of death? They're more afraid of death than anyone else."

Qi Qi Xinyue was puzzled:

"Then why did they come to Earth, and expend so much? 【16】 From what I know, the number of Zhan Shen crystals and the two energy veins are probably the accumulated reserves of the Rhea Empire over countless years."

From what I know, whether it's the quantity of Radiant God Crystals or the two energy veins, they're probably the accumulated reserves of the Rhea Empire over countless years."

"The Rhea Empire? Were all the ones I killed from the Rhea Empire?" Ding Huan asked.

Qi Qi Xinyue answered:

"Yes, the Rhea Empire was founded by the Rhea Clan, one of the three major races of Zhan Shen Continent, whose influence spans the entire continent. 【20】 Anyone who could bring two war saucers and two warships to Earth is definitely a noble of the Rhea Empire. 【21】 If they couldn't return, logically they wouldn't have come here so openly."

Someone who can bring two war discs and two warships to Earth must absolutely be nobility of the Rhea Empire.

If they couldn't return, logically they wouldn't have come here in such a grand, conspicuous manner."

Ding Huan explained:

"Because they believed your warship had already found the Divine Clan's habitat, so they came openly. 【24】 In their eyes, the war saucer and the Immortal Spider's strength were enough to rule the entire Divine Clan."

In their eyes, the power of those war discs and the Undying Spiders is enough to rule the entire God Race."

Qi Qi Xinyue grew confused:

"That doesn't make sense—I'm certain our warship never sent out a message that it found the Divine Clan."

"Not your captain—it was the dung beetle. 【28】 The dung beetle not only pushed all of you out as sacrificial pawns, but also transmitted the message that the Divine Clan's habitat had been found."

The Dung Beetle not only pushed all of you out as sacrificial pawns, it also sent out the information that the God Race's habitat had been found."

Ding Huan explained.

Qi Qi Xinyue finally understood.

Ding Huan continued:

"If I'm not mistaken, another warship came out with yours."

Qi Qi Xinyue shook her head: "No, only ours—the captain's surname is Wu."

"You wouldn't know, because you're the sacrifice, the one sent to find the Divine Clan's habitat, and even destined to be used by these beasts for their pleasures—they certainly wouldn't tell you this."

"Why?"

"Because once the Divine Clan's habitat is found, your warship will transmit its coordinates back. 【37】 The other warship's purpose is to receive that message—it must be waiting near the Cosmic Transit Vortex for news of Zhan Shen Continent's habitat being discovered."

The purpose of the other warship is to receive the message; they must certainly be waiting beside the cosmic transmission vortex for news that the Radiant God Continent's habitat has been discovered."

Seeing Qi Qi Xinyue still confused, Ding Huan had to explain again:

"If I'm not mistaken, Zhan Shen Continent and our Earth aren't even in the same star system. 【40】 Even if Zhan Shen Continent's civilization is highly advanced, I doubt it can transmit a message back in one go. 【41】 So they need a relay—once the Divine Clan's habitat is found, they send the message to the relay warship. 【42】 That warship, upon receiving the message, immediately returns through the Cosmic Transit Vortex and transmits it back to Zhan Shen Continent."

No matter how advanced the civilization of the Radiant God Continent is, I estimate they still can't send the message back all at once.

So they need a relay; as soon as they find the God Race's habitat, they send the message to that relay warship.

Once that warship receives the message, it immediately returns through the cosmic transmission vortex, and then sends the message back to the Radiant God Continent."

"So that's how it is." Qi Qi Xinyue now understood just how lucky she was to have landed on Earth.

The Zhan Shen crystals aboard her warship were few—indeed, it was a suicide fleet.

In time, once energy and power ran low, as Xiaotu said, the crew would descend into beastly madness. She would be violated, and finally, even her corpse would be eaten.

In extreme situations, people will do anything.

"We're here." Ding Huan stopped the Lansing outside the cave of the Great Wilderness Jin Yuan.

Lao Liu rushed out immediately, followed by the Great Wilderness Jin Yuan.

Ding Huan saw Lao Liu: "Lucky you—not only did you grow a spiritual root, but you've also reached Level Three ferocious beast."

"Master Huan, it's because of you I'm where I am today. From now on, my life belongs to you, Master Huan."

Lao Liu skillfully pulled out paper and pen and wrote.

Ding Huan pulled out a leather pouch and handed it to the Great Wilderness Jin Yuan:

"Ah Huang, last time I took one of your herbs—here's a hundred Zhan Shen crystals. Consider this compensation."

Hearing "a hundred Zhan Shen crystals," the Great Wilderness Jin Yuan's eyes glowed with excitement; with these hundred Zhan Shen crystals, it might even become a true demonic beast.

Recently, staying with Lao Liu, it wasn't some ignorant ferocious beast anymore.

But Ding Huan didn't hand the crystals directly to the Great Wilderness Jin Yuan—he wouldn't kill two demonic beasts only to raise a third.

He trusted no promises, especially since he was about to leave here.

Seeing Ding Huan not handing her the Zhan Shen crystals, the Great Wilderness Jin Yuan immediately turned to Lao Liu and let out a series of cries.

Lao Liu pulled out paper and pen and wrote:

"Master Huan, Ah Huang says, don't worry—anything you ask, she will do."

Ding Huan was highly satisfied with Jin Yuan's quick understanding and said:

"I have three things requiring your agreement, Jin Yuan. First, you must not harm humans, but you may rule all ferocious beasts on Earth.

Second, I have a friend named Seeing Qu Yi—if one day she comes to you for help, you must aid her.

Third, if any other demonic beast appears, kill it immediately."

Ding Huan had written in Seeing Qu Yi's notebook: if one day Earth's ferocious beasts grow too powerful, bring the notebook to Qianluo Mountain and seek Jin Yuan.

Lao Liu relayed Ding Huan's words to Jin Yuan, who immediately agreed.

Seeing Lao Liu's writing, Ding Huan said coolly:

"Whether you agree or not doesn't matter—what matters is that you swear a Soul Blood Oath."

Ding Huan had not previously understood Soul Blood Oaths; he learned them only after subduing Lao Liu, learning the ferocious beasts' Soul Blood Oath.

Ferocious beasts swear using their heart's blood, forming a Blood Oath Mark—a mark carved deep into the soul.

Just as Lao Liu surrendered his soul imprint, should he break the oath, his heart and soul would shatter and retaliate, killing him instantly.

Ding Huan was not afraid Jin Yuan would cause trouble—he gave Jin Yuan Zhan Shen Crystals precisely to accelerate its power growth.

If Jin Yuan refused to swear, today would be its last day.

Lao Liu relayed Ding Huan's words to Jin Yuan without omitting a single word.

Jin Yuan hesitated—wouldn't swearing this oath bind it for life?

Lao Liu saw Jin Yuan's hesitation and sneered:

"Jin Yuan, don't think I'm mocking you. What loss does this oath bring you? Does it prevent you from becoming a demonic beast? Does it stop you from leaving Earth?

Since you never intended to oppose humans, this oath imposes zero restraint on you.

If one day you truly become a demonic beast, helping humans is no burden.

Besides, by becoming a demonic beast and killing the others, you're helping yourself.

You wouldn't allow another demonic beast like yourself to roam Earth, would you? How many demonic beasts can this tiny planet sustain?

Besides, without Master Huan's hundred Zhan Shen Crystals, you'd never become a demonic beast in a million years."

"Having talent and potential is one thing—but without resources, it's entirely another."

Jin Yuan realized: yes, this oath bound it in no way—why hesitate?

If one day it truly cultivated to the point of leaving Earth, why remain in this barren backwater?

The only discomfort was being forced to swear a soul oath—it rankled.

Lao Liu pressed further:

"Jin Yuan, don't blame me for warning you—Master Huan only gave you this great opportunity because he holds a favorable impression of you.

Otherwise, with Master Huan's patience, he'd have already cut you down with a wind blade. Do you think you could survive even one breath before him? He gives you a chance, and you dare to act arrogant?"

Jin Yuan instinctively shuddered—yes, Ding Huan could kill it as easily as swatting a fly.

So Master Huan truly offered it a chance—and it had the audacity to act proud? It was asking for death.

"Master Huan, I am willing to offer my heart's blood and swear the Soul Blood Oath."

After grasping the gravity of the situation, Jin Yuan agreed to Ding Huan's demands swiftly and decisively.

Lao Liu quickly wrote down Jin Yuan's words.

Ding Huan nodded after reading them: "Then begin—offer your heart's blood and swear."

After receiving Lao Liu's confirmation, Jin Yuan immediately slapped out a drop of heart's blood and swore upon it.

Ding Huan wove a series of hand seals—these rapidly formed a talisman, which merged with Jin Yuan's heart's blood to create a clear, floating imprint.

When Jin Yuan finished swearing, Ding Huan slapped the floating imprint into Jin Yuan's third eye.

Jin Yuan felt something new within its soul—but the sensation vanished quickly.

"Master Huan, Jin Yuan's oath was entirely truthful—exactly as you instructed," Lao Liu had written.

Ding Huan, highly satisfied, handed the leather pouch to Jin Yuan:

"Go train immediately. I've killed the few demonic beasts on Earth—once you become a demonic beast, you may rule all ferocious beasts. Just remember your oath."

Hearing Ding Huan had killed several demonic beasts, Jin Yuan instinctively felt a chill at the back of its neck.

Good thing it listened to Lao Liu.

"Lao Liu, I'm leaving Earth. If you…"

Ding Huan planned to make Lao Liu swear again if it refused to come—but Lao Liu cut in swiftly and decisively:

"Master Huan, I am your beast pet. Wherever you go, I go."

Ding Huan was unsurprised—it was only natural for Lao Liu to accompany him.

For this creature, death was not terrifying—only the inability to cultivate further was.

"Then get aboard the Blue Star. We'll buy a few things and leave." Ding Huan waved his hand and boarded the Blue Star.