My Beast Is the 12-Winged Angel

Despite the Ghost Race crowd voicing their opposition one after another, the Great Elder had no choice but to grit his teeth and fulfill his promise.

As the open leader of the Ghost Race, if he were to break his word in public, his authority would be utterly destroyed.

"Silence!"

A thunderous shout shook the entire venue.

"The Grand Tournament begins now! Qingshuang and Feiyue will officially participate!"

Having made the announcement, he immediately left with several elders, his face grim.

The urgent priority now was to strategize how to eliminate that pair of Unicorn Ghost Sisters during the competition.

According to the Ghost Race traditions, the winner of the Grand Tournament earns the right to bind with the Divine Pattern.

This rule was not his to change!

If a member of his own clan won the championship, with his power he could still intimidate or cajole them into willingly giving up the right.

But what if...

The thought of those sisters possibly winning and successfully binding with the Divine Pattern twisted the Great Elder's face horribly.

"That absolutely must not happen..."

His clenched fists bulged with veins. He had poured countless efforts into forcing the Divine Pattern binding, and now had reached the final critical moment.

If someone snatched it away at this juncture...

Absolutely unacceptable!

"Call Cang here, immediately!"

Soon after, Cang pushed the door open and entered, his whole demeanor lost and distracted.

Ever since the Divine Secret Realm incident, his confidence had been annihilated.

That "trash Unicorn Ghost," cast out by the clan, had actually crushed him with overwhelming power.

This had already cast a shadow in his heart!

Yet this disgraceful matter was too humiliating; upon his return, he and the other Ghost Race members agreed on a unified story:

They were defeated by a powerful Blood Race.

Seeing his son's slumped appearance, the Great Elder's eyes flared even hotter with anger:

"Cang! Look at yourself! Do you have a shred of dignity left as a Ghost Race member?"

Under his father's harsh shout, Cang finally managed to pull himself together somewhat:

"F...Father, you called for me?"

"Hmph!"

The Great Elder snorted coldly, then grew serious:

"Let me ask you—last time in the Divine Secret Realm, did you hear anything about Unicorn Ghost members? How strong are they?"

At the mention of "Unicorn Ghost Race," Cang's body trembled violently.

He had been shut in with his Secret Realm companions all this time, so he had no idea humans had come to the Ghost Clan's Residence.

He looked up at his father, voice shaking:

"F...Father, there was no mention of any Unicorn Ghost Race in the Divine Secret Realm."

"And the kind of Unicorn Ghost Race you're talking about—aren't they all born with an innate defect?"

He forced himself to straighten his back: "If I ever encountered one, I'd definitely be able to deal with them easily!"

Hearing this, the Great Elder finally gave him a meaningful look.

These words did have some merit...

An innate defect could not be remedied.

Among the Ghost Race, those specializing in the Path of Strength usually lacked skill in Void Power, and vice versa.

Ghosts like this usually ended up at the bottom.

Only those who cultivated both powers could reach the peak.

Since that pair of Unicorn Ghost Sisters had an innate defect, even if they were strong, there must be a limit.

"Cang, I'm giving you a chance."

The Great Elder's tone grew heavy:

"Go enter this Ghost Race Grand Tournament. Though you're only Commander Tier Three, I believe you'll achieve good results."

Cang was stunned at first, then joy surged inside him.

For every past tournament, every time he asked to compete, his father had rejected him outright.

The champions of past years were always Commander Peak at least; with his measly Commander Tier Three, he couldn't hope to make a splash.

Thus, his father had always forbidden him from entering, so as not to be shamed.

But now...

Father was actually taking the initiative to let him compete!

Though his cultivation wasn't top tier in the Ghost Race, his talent was definitely in the top five.

If he performed well, he might well shine in front of everyone's eyes.

"Yes, Father!"

Cang suppressed his excitement, his voice tremulous, "I'll go prepare right away!"

With that, he turned and hurried away.

The Great Elder watched his son's departing back and stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Letting Cang compete was just a test...

If those Unicorn Ghosts were mediocre, he'd need no further schemes.

But if they truly had extraordinary abilities...

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

No accidents would be allowed to ruin the plan he'd toiled for all these years.

...

Meanwhile.

Central Square.

The Grand Tournament had begun.

Since it wasn't yet the Extraordinary Level's turn, Gu Xing took Qingshuang and Feiyue to Lilith's viewing seats.

But seeing there were no seats next to Lilith, Gu Xing frowned.

He shot Lilith a glance:

Fix it!

Lilith shrugged helplessly and, with a wave of her slender hand, sent a blood-red beam that blasted the Monarch-level Ghost Race beside her clean off his seat.

Though both were Monarch-level, Lilith's strength clearly far surpassed these Monarch-level Ghosts.

Gu Xing laid claim to the empty seat without ceremony, swaggering down next to Lilith.

"You!"

The Ghost who'd been blasted away fumed with rage, but under Lilith's bloody gaze, he froze at once.

He had a premonition...

If he dared say a word...

That Blood Race would kill him for sure.

He stood there struggling for a long time, finally slinking off with his tail tucked.

Meanwhile, Princess Fox—Tushan Yueli—watched the whole scene in shock.

This human...

He really didn't give Ghost Race any face.

Wasn't he afraid the Ghost Race would attack him?

As she pondered in surprise, she realized Gu Xing's gaze had already locked tightly onto her.

Before she could react, a large hand suddenly reached out.

"Hello, Qingqiu Princess!"

At the same moment,

As if annoyed by Lilith blocking the way...

He actually scooped her up like a child and placed her on his lap, then shifted into Lilith's original seat.

Gu Xing's attention was completely on the Qingqiu Princess, not the least aware of what he'd just done.

Yet Lilith, sitting on his lap like a kid, froze in absolute shock.

She, the dignified Blood Ancestor...

Had just been picked up like a doll and placed on someone's lap?!

This human...

Lilith had just about raised a fuss, but was suddenly hugged around the waist by Gu Xing's unconscious, habitual movement.

Clearly, it was the usual gesture he did with Vera.

But for Lilith, being caught off guard and enveloped in human warmth...

Made her forget about getting angry, her mind blanking out completely.

Tushan Yueli took in the entire scene, a hint of intrigue flashing in her eyes.

Though she hadn't recognized Lilith's true identity, that pure blood race aura and noble lineage were unmistakable.

Such a powerful Blood Race...

Was actually this gentle in a human's arms?

She looked toward Gu Xing with a renewed sense of respect.

"Tushan Yueli, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Lilith mentioned you to me. The Qingqiu Race is indeed interested in a partnership with humans."

Lilith had mentioned the alliance with humans many times before, so Tushan Yueli readily realized this was on Gu Xing's cue.

Thus, she chose to get straight to the point.

But before Gu Xing could respond, Tushan Yueli's six fox tails gently swayed and she changed the topic:

"But before negotiations, let me see the strength of your Guardian Beasts."

If she was going to bet on this human,

She had to first evaluate the power of his Guardian Beasts.

"Of course," Gu Xing agreed readily.

Just then, a loud announcement rang out in the arena:

"Extraordinary Level match over! Now, the Commander Level first round begins—"

"Qingshuang vs Cang!"

...

...