The Master of Beasts

As a world that had been conquered, its highest commander was naturally someone from the Myriad Beasts Sect.

Although the Spirit Void Realm was a world blending science with mystical elements, it still operated under a feudal system of nobility. Chen Jiuge's current appointment was as the Duke of the Northern Territory. He hadn't yet received the various articles and symbols of his new office, but Huanghuang City had already dispatched the official notification of his appointment to the Northern Territory.

「Beiyuan City, City Lord Mansion.」

"Miss, the appointment for the Duke of the Northern Territory has been issued. We should return," said Eisen, the impeccably dressed old butler, his gaze filled with worry as he watched the young lady hurry towards the City Lord Mansion.

"What Duke of the Northern Territory? I am the sole legitimate heir to the Duke of the Northern Territory! Why should they arbitrarily appoint someone I've never even heard of as Duke? I refuse to accept it!" Lulena declared defiantly.

By the Heavenly Realm's reckoning, only several decades had passed since the Spirit Void Realm was brought under the dominion of the Myriad Beasts Sect. However, thousands of years had already elapsed within the Spirit Void Realm itself. This duration was neither excessively long nor brief; at the very least, the common populace had completely accepted the rule of the Myriad Beasts Sect.

"And why would you not accept it?"

Perched atop the Silver King, Chen Jiuge regarded Lulena—a young woman with rather comely Western features—and posed the question.

"Miss, be careful! This eagle is Sequence Two!" Eisen warned, Spiritual Energy flaring around him as beads of sweat formed on his brow. He stared at the young man before them, unable to gauge his true depth.

Lulena, her expression stubborn, retorted, "I am the sole daughter of the Duke of the Northern Territory, the legitimate and only heir!"

Chen Jiuge chuckled. "I don't recall having such a grown-up daughter."

With that, he paid no further heed to the teary-eyed Lulena or the profusely sweating Eisen.

The arrogant Spiritual Beasts swaggered into the City Lord Mansion behind Chen Jiuge, their gait utterly disdainful. The Ming Snake, bringing up the rear, shot Eisen a cold glance.

That terrifying gaze rooted Eisen to the spot. He murmured, "Sequence One... it's actually Sequence One! He's from the Heavenly Realm!"

Lulena overheard Eisen's hushed words and asked in confusion, "What is the Heavenly Realm?"

Eisen looked at Chen Jiuge's retreating figure with a complex expression before turning to Lulena. "Miss, please come back with me first. I will explain everything. If you continue to be this willful, even the Andre family could face annihilation."

Frightened by the old butler Eisen's grave words, Lulena obediently turned back.

The layout of the City Lord Mansion was straightforward. A short walk from the main gate led to the reception hall. Two guards in armor stood at the entrance, but they were so cowed by the unrestrained might emanating from the Spiritual Beasts that they couldn't utter a word, let alone try to stop them.

Behind a screen in the reception hall lay a garden, and at its far end stood the administrative hall where official matters were handled.

Observing the officials seated idly, joking amongst themselves, Chen Jiuge felt a flicker of resignation. It seemed that no matter the place, these so-called officials always had it the easiest.

Upon the arrival of Chen Jiuge and his retinue, a potent aura instantly suppressed everyone present. Among the officials were a few Spiritual Ability Users of notable strength, but they were insignificant compared to Chen Jiuge and his followers.

"I am Chen Jiuge, the newly appointed Duke of the Northern Territory. Whoever is currently in charge of the City Lord Mansion, step forward," Chen Jiuge announced, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the stunned crowd.

"That would be me, Your Grace!" A somewhat disheveled Anderson rose and bowed.

"Very well. Take me to the Duke's study."

Wiping sweat from his brow, Anderson respectfully led Chen Jiuge to a study.

Seating himself in a large chair draped with a white tiger skin, Chen Jiuge issued his commands, "I have two tasks for you. First, summon all nobles and city administrators within the Northern Territory. Have them bring records of their respective populations, military forces, and family statuses."

"Second, bring every Spiritual Ability User from the entire Northern Territory to Beiyuan City."

Sweat streamed down Anderson's face as he stammered, "Your Grace, this is... this is simply impossible! My capabilities are far too limited for such a task."

"I will arrange for people to accompany you," Chen Jiuge said casually. "Your only task is to persuade them. For those you cannot persuade, others will deal with them."

"But..." Anderson began to protest.

Chen Jiuge cut him off sharply. "If you are incapable, your deputy can do it."

Feeling the chill in Chen Jiuge's tone, Anderson immediately changed his tune and agreed.

Hearing the affirmative, Chen Jiuge nodded in satisfaction. He then turned to his Spiritual Beasts, who had shrunk in size. "Whichever of you wishes to go... what was your name again?"

"Anderson, Your Grace."

"Go with that Anderson."

Seeing the Spiritual Beasts eagerly volunteering, Chen Jiuge simply waved his hand, permitting them all to go. After all, even the weakest among them possessed Returning to Void Cultivation. The natives here would pose no threat, and their involvement would only expedite matters.

In contrast to Chen Jiuge's relatively gentle methods, the other three were far more brutal. They directly confronted the most powerful nobles in each domain, thrashed them soundly, and then issued their orders. Any who disobeyed were annihilated, instantly turning them into obedient children.

Under such violent suppression, although Chen Jiuge was a step behind, he hadn't lost much time. He successfully summoned all the nobles and the leaders of the various Spiritual Ability User factions from across the territories.

Gazing at the diverse assembly of peculiar Spiritual Ability Users in the reception hall, Chen Jiuge had no desire to waste time. He unleashed the full pressure of his Mahayana Realm cultivation and addressed the astonished, disbelieving crowd, "You have one month to gather all Spiritual Ability Users from your respective lands and bring them to Beiyuan City. Those who fail to arrive by the deadline shall die."

Having spoken, Chen Jiuge vanished in a flash.

It was over before the leaders of the various factions had even fully processed his words.

The nobles from families with long-established heritages all wore somber expressions. This domineering style, this different cultivation system—it was reminiscent of the beings from the Heavenly Realm who had appeared long ago.

The lesser factions, lacking such deep roots, watched Chen Jiuge's departure with unconcealed resentment, muttering incessantly, "Does this Duke even comprehend what he's demanding? How can he expect us to comply with such an outrageous order? What a waste of our time!"

Regardless of their dissatisfaction or fear, the directive had been issued. Chen Jiuge was concerned only with the outcome: failure to appear within a month meant death. Of course, this approach seemed somewhat wasteful. Perhaps I should form a dare-to-die squad?

After all, he had briefly reviewed the Jade Scroll given to him by Lun Shan. The Demon Clan possessed an abundance of cannon fodder: vast Slave Armies equivalent to the Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment levels, and endless hordes of Demon Worms.

As the saying goes, 'Even ants can bite an elephant to death.' While it was unlikely I would die, it would consume a lot of Spiritual Energy, which would be quite troublesome.

While Chen Jiuge was contemplating these matters, the leaders of the factions had already departed for their respective territories.

The more astute leaders of smaller factions were quite compliant. Upon returning to their domains, they immediately began summoning their subordinate Spiritual Ability Users, intending to proceed to Beiyuan City. It was, after all, an order from the Duke, who was effectively the king of the Northern Territory and could easily annihilate them. However, such obedient individuals were in the minority.

Many others, leading such small forces, believed the Duke would never notice them. Clinging to this vain hope, they planned to send only a few token individuals. Some even harbored darker thoughts: if their rivals dispatched their forces, it would be an opportunity to seize their territories.

Then there were the cunning ones, who chose to observe the actions of the major noble families, intending to follow their lead.