As for characters like the Blood Wolf Clan, they obviously wouldn't enter the original organization's line of sight, or rather, they wouldn't attract their attention for the time being. So, if Yu Huan truly harbored resentment towards Yuan Shisan, it would mean a wild pawn, eager to lash out, would appear on the otherwise stable chessboard, scouting ahead in Wang Zhan's stead. Even if Yu Huan won or was appeased, it wouldn't matter. After all, to Wang Zhan, he was just a minor Blood Wolf King, not a Wolf Emperor.

Secondly, even if Yu Huan couldn't be provoked, his remaining rational would be more in line with Wang Zhan's wishes. The more rational Yu Huan was, the weaker his emotions would be. In that case, whether the Blood Wolf Clan still existed or was completely annihilated was irrelevant. As long as Yu Huan lived, the Blood Wolf Clan that had vanished under his rule would one day return to Heaven and Earth. After all, he was the king of a clan, and that was his true Fate. In this process, the degree of rationality dictated the potential for breakthroughs, for weighing options, and for negotiation. If so, what was the big deal about investing a young descendant to serve as Wang Zhan's mount?

Of course, these giant wolves wouldn't understand Wang Zhan's intentions. They still thought Wang Zhan was continuing to provoke them, attempting to trample the dignity of the Blood Wolf Clan into the dirt.

So, even though they were somewhat intimidated by Yu Huan's accumulated authority, they couldn't help but turn and bare their teeth, trying to intimidate Wang Zhan.

"HISS..."

Before it could fully hiss, a swift tail struck its head.

"HOWL, HOWL..."

"Fool! So what if you're drooling? Can he even see it? Why didn't you offer yourself up for death just now?"

Yu Huan's gaze was grim, the full aura of a wolf king emanating from him.

For a moment, this giant wolf... actually looked somewhat aggrieved.

Then, Yu Huan's gaze swept over the surroundings. Flames once again ignited on his body, golden at their base and white at their tips. Seemingly exhausted, drained of all Essence Energy and vital energy, he once again stood tall and imposing before all the giant wolves. From afar, Yu Huan appeared majestic and solemn, his eyes slightly narrowed.

It appeared the Wolf King had adopted a hunting stance, resolved to fight his way out of the encirclement.

"Come out! Do I need to invite you?"

Previously, many onlookers and predators, greedy for high-tier flesh and blood, had already perished. But Yu Huan knew that was merely a prelude; the real danger began now.

Behind him, feeling their king's vigilance, all the subordinate giant wolves tensed abruptly. Their tails drooped low, their claws dug into the earth, and their fierce eyes scanned their surroundings warily.

Indeed. A figure suddenly swung through the jungle; the treetops swayed, and the silhouette was indistinct. It was a giant ape with red eyes and bronze fur, over three meters tall, with exceptionally long arms.

A Half-Step Martial King, the Iron-Arm Ape, one of the top Lord-level beasts.

The rustling sounded again, as if something had brushed the canopy overhead. Only the Blood Wolf King, squinting, could discern the brilliant patterns, the enormous eight legs, and a monstrous, twisted human-like face.

A Half-Step Martial King, the Man-Eating Ape, another one of the top Lord-level beasts!

In just a few short minutes, a total of five Half-Step Martial King beasts had appeared before Yu Huan, surrounding him. Even the wolf pack behind Yu Huan felt an immense, terrifying pressure that rendered them immobile.

But Yu Huan paid it no mind. He merely glanced at the spider overhead before focusing on the few beasts before him—whose strength was nearly identical to his own—his brow furrowing slightly.

"You want to hunt me? Don't forget the rules of the starry sky! I just fought the Human Race and am gravely injured. If I die here, and you dare to lay a hand on me, you will undoubtedly be held accountable! Besides, don't you want a taste of that human's flesh and blood?

I can assure you, his flesh and blood are exceptionally pure, rich in vital energy and spirit. It might even enable you to break through your current threshold and step into the true Martial King Realm.

It was for this very reason that most of the giant wolves under my command perished, leaving only the last seeds of my Blood Wolf Clan."

Hearing Yu Huan's words, one or two of the beasts were clearly tempted, their gazes turning crafty.

But...

"Don't try to fool us. The Blood Wolf Corps wiped out in your ancestral land? Hah! What a joke. You, Yu Huan, are powerful and meticulous, always advancing and retreating with measure. How could you possibly lead the entire Blood Wolf Corps out?

Besides, even if they were all wiped out, that's just a small fraction of your numbers. Did you really think we didn't see the 'seeds' you planted in the human city? Don't try to change the subject. We didn't come here today to kill you. Of course, if the King weren't here, perhaps we might have tried."

The Iron-Arm Ape sneered, arms crossed over its chest, leaning against a large tree, silently watching Yu Huan's eyes suddenly narrow.

Yu Huan's heart sank. The King... is actually here? Then what was that whole battle for earlier? Just a show for others to watch? Does this mean if I had defeated Yuan Shisan, the King would have snatched him from me, making Yuan Shisan his prey?

Fortunately, a formidable aura suddenly swept in from a distance, brazenly intruding upon their domain. All the Half-Step Martial King beasts, including Yu Huan, lowered their heads at this moment.

"The King!"

"The King!"

"King!..."

The newcomer paid them little heed, directly rebuking the Iron-Arm Ape.

"Shut up! If you dare stir up trouble again, I will annihilate your Iron-Arm Ape Clan right now and divide your territory!"

"King..."

The Iron-Arm Ape nearly collapsed, its face filled with terror and dismay. Look at me. I thought I was just watching a show, but why do I now find myself the ridiculous actor on stage?

The other beasts, untouched by this, wore expressions of schadenfreude. Their thoughts were inscrutable as they looked at the Iron-Arm Ape with a hint of anticipation. Stand up, Iron-Arm Ape! You can do it! Stand up and kill the King... cough, knock him down, and this territory will be yours! Of course, they were just 'small' beasts; what wicked thoughts could they possibly harbor? At worst, they merely wanted to see what fate befalls a troublemaker, or perhaps witness if the Iron-Arm Ape dared to challenge the King, thereby allowing them to carve up its territory and gain substantial benefits for their own powerful clans.

Among them, Yu Huan was the sole exception. If it were before, Yu Huan might have been interested in territory. But now, no matter how much territory was offered... his Blood Wolf Corps was nearly extinct. He might as well let them scheme as they pleased.

After the warning, this King finally turned his gaze to Yu Huan.

"Yu Huan, swear an oath! From this day forward, you are to guard your territory for five hundred years. During this period, no matter what happens, if any of your subordinates enter the territory of another clan without permission, everyone present shall pursue and exterminate your Blood Wolf Clan!"

Yu Huan jerked his head up, staring fixedly at the King's consciousness projection before him, his gaze somewhat fierce. Five hundred years? In another five hundred years, he, Yu Huan, would long have turned to dust. He was on the verge of breaking through to the King-level beast realm, yet the King, to maintain balance and his own status, was suppressing him so ruthlessly!

At this moment, not only Yu Huan felt the chill of the King's decree; the other five beasts, who had been watching the spectacle, also suddenly felt the weight of the King's imposing pressure. Thus, the potential of a top Lord-level beast to advance was effortlessly stifled! Yu Huan's territory, once the most stable area in this region and the true ancestral land of the Blood Wolf Clan, despite being previously besieged, had now become his death sentence. No matter which direction he might try to flee, unless he could lead his clan away when the King wasn't paying attention—taking them by surprise and risking pursuit and annihilation—his only option was to sit and wither, awaiting death for five hundred years.

"What, are you defiant?"

The voice suddenly turned colder, and the other beasts felt a pang of shared sorrow, like a fox grieving for a dead rabbit. They had been wrong. While watching others' misfortunes, one could easily become the fool in the play. This time, it wasn't just Yu Huan's tragedy, but theirs as well. Once the King suppressed Yu Huan—the most troublesome and most talented among them—everyone else would either live without a care or stagnate completely.

So, Yu Huan slowly lowered his noble head.

"Yes! My respected King!"

The King chuckled lightly. "Very good. That's my trusted general. Don't worry about that human brat, and don't even think about gifting your descendants to him. I sensed the aura of a Martial King near him. After I achieve my grand design, I will be sure to leave you the tenderest piece of his thigh meat... HAHAHAHA!"

His wish granted, he departed, content.

At this moment, all fell silent. The remaining five Half-Step Martial King beasts looked at Yu Huan with complex expressions before turning and departing.

What a waste! This useless coward! He was just one step away, and in his own clan's ancestral land! He could have risked it all, but he chose to yield...

Yu Huan's gaze was somber as he slowly rose. He gazed into the distance, in Wang Zhan's direction, his thoughts unreadable.

The aura of a Martial King? So that means... two Martial Kings...

In truth, how could that King know? Yuan Shisan, the human who had fought such a tremendous battle with his favored general, had, like Yu Huan, never truly revealed his trump card from start to finish. Everything was merely for the sake of a spectacular show, for the thrill of it. One could say they were both probing each other, yet each held back their ultimate limits. Alternatively, one could say that both man and beast harbored an immense wariness in their hearts, having long anticipated this very outcome.

So... Yu Huan mused, Could two Martial Kings kill the King? Or... if I were included, that would be three Martial Kings against one at the intermediate stage...

However, before Yu Huan could make a decision, a violent and untamed aura erupted from that direction. He didn't know what had happened. Within his perception, he could only vaguely sense that a battle had erupted. Both sides exuded powerful and chaotic auras. It seemed someone was trying to flee the battlefield but had been intercepted.

Yu Huan shook his head.

Too late!

Whatever the outcome over there, it no longer concerned him.

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