The Master of Beasts

"Weird, weren't there actors and plots before? Why is it so straightforward this time?" Wudao Tian asked, looking curiously at the majestic and imposing mecha of Jun Linseng on the opposing side.

"Is it possible that the actors and plot crew are all competing this time?" Li Yao sighed.

Now, aside from the Old Ancestor, the Myriad Beasts Sect only had a few elders left behind to maintain the necessary Secret Realms. In the Inner Sect, only some Spiritual Beasts remained, watching the excitement. Not long ago, the Heavenly Realm had just ridiculed the Triple Sect for being breached by the Moluo Clan during a soccer match. If several prominent families from the Demon Clan were to join forces now, the Myriad Beasts Sect might also face this risk.

「On the other side」

The Third Elder rubbed his hands together and asked, "Sect Master, do we charge in directly?"

Jun Linseng looked at this unusually enthusiastic Third Elder and said, "Are you foolish? There are so many of them; almost all the Core Disciples are here. What if we suffer an unexpected defeat? Of course, we wait for them to make the first move."

Yue Shanghua, who had suffered setbacks countless times, readily agreed, "Exactly. If the enemy doesn't move, neither do we."

...

「Outside」

Tian Huo said somewhat dejectedly, "What are these people doing, just staring intently at each other? Why aren't they fighting yet?"

Tian Xing pondered, "Little Lin Sheng is probably afraid of an upset, seeing so many people on the other side."

"Heh heh heh, interesting. The last time a Sect Master suffered such an upset was when the previous-previous Sect Master was beaten by his own disciple," Tian He said, a playful smile appearing as if recalling something amusing.

"I wonder if we'll get to see such a scene this time," Tian Yue added, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

"Look, look! It's Master's super-giant scorpion!" Da Bai exclaimed excitedly.

"So ugly. Why not change it into a rabbit?" Yue Meng said with clear disdain.

"This is a battle! Of course, the fiercer, the better!" Da Bai retorted scornfully.

Watching the two Spiritual Beasts start bickering again, Black Eye felt a wave of exhaustion. Da Bai is going to get beaten again soon, he thought wearily. Thankfully, I brought Healing Medicine. I hope Yue Meng goes easy on him.

...

The battle eventually began; after all, it would be quite awkward if both sides just continued their staring contest.

Unlike the anticipated chaotic melee, this time it was a series of one-on-one duels.

The first Elder to step forward was an old acquaintance of Chen Jiuge: the Ninth Elder of Vermilion Bird Peak, Ouyang Xingwen.

A crimson mecha stood between the two armies. The giant Vermilion Bird wings on its back radiated such intense heat that the fine sand on the ground showed signs of melting. This was a formidable enemy.

Before Wudao Tian could decide whom to send out, a massive bird-like mecha automatically flew out, its pilot shouting, "Master, I'm here!"

Chen Jiuge didn't recognize this disciple, as there were too many participants. However, the cry of "Master" made it clear that this person was Ouyang Xingwen's disciple.

"Unfilial disciple! You dare to be the first one out?" Ouyang Xingwen was shocked. His usually obedient disciple was now the first to rush forward.

And what in the world is this form? Ouyang Xingwen wondered. A dual-headed little bird monster with four wings and three legs?

"Master, take this! Little Bird Impact!"

The disciple launched a high-speed head-on attack. Since combat was restricted to external mechas, both sides had to rely on their mecha's strength and their own combat experience.

Pinning down the two grotesque bird heads, Ouyang Xingwen snorted coldly and executed a back suplex. However, the four wings of the flightless little bird monster cushioned its fall.

With its snow-white belly facing upwards, exposing its asymmetrical three legs, the little bird monster kicked out with the two smaller legs flanking the large central one, shouting, "Master, prepare to die! This is the super little bird I specially designed for you!"

The crimson mecha was kicked hard twice in the chest, leaving two claw marks. "You've still got a long way to go!" Ouyang Xingwen retorted.

The disciple rammed. Ouyang threw. The disciple kicked. Ouyang retreated.

Chen Jiuge watched the seemingly repetitive battle unfold, somewhat speechless. "Does Elder Ouyang not know how to fight in close combat? He looks like he doesn't know how to fight at all."

Li Yao, in his small draconic form, crossed his arms. "Ouyang Xingwen, the Ninth Elder of Vermilion Bird Peak, is fiery-tempered and loves Artifact Refining and Fire Element Magic. His physique is his weakest point. And as it happens, his only True Immortal Disciple is a Body Cultivator. This is likely going to end badly for him."

Indeed, Elder Ouyang was in a tragic situation. After enduring the little bird monster's relentless attacks, the highly durable crimson mecha was also about to buckle.

"Unfilial disciple, take a taste of your Master's 'love'!" the nearly defeated Ouyang Xingwen declared through his mecha, its chest suddenly opening wide to reveal a hollow interior.

What's this? Chen Jiuge was shocked as he saw the nuclear warheads nestled within the mecha's chest. No way! This is a Cultivation world, and he's using nuclear bombs?

PEW! PEW! PEW!

Dozens of nuclear warheads flew towards the little bird monster, who let out a strange laugh. "Master, I knew it! You're done for!"

Just then, the little bird monster's third leg detached, revealing a dark cannon muzzle, which then rapidly fired its own nuclear warheads.

Countless nuclear explosions erupted in mid-air, emitting a dazzling light.

Shielding his eyes for an instant, Chen Jiuge couldn't help but roast them internally, They're truly master and disciple, thinking alike even down to this!

After the brilliance faded, everyone on both sides gasped.

On the field, the little bird monster stood arrogantly upon the crimson mecha's chest, letting out a series of eerie laughs. "Heh heh heh, Master, now you've fallen into my hands! You're finished!"

"Unfilial disciple, what are you going to do?" Ouyang Xingwen asked in panic through his mecha.

"Obviously, I'm going to beat you up!" The little bird monster began to furiously pummel the crimson mecha.

"You always called me an idiot!"

"You always made me swing the hammer!"

"I'm a Body Cultivator, not some laborer!"

The little bird monster's litany of complaints slowly faded as it continued its assault on the battered crimson mecha. Finally, looking up at a forty-five-degree angle, it said, "Master, I'm sorry I couldn't inherit your legacy, but I have my own path to walk. Farewell, Master."

"Farewell..." came the reply from the crimson mecha.

With that response, the little bird monster delivered a final, devastating blow—one that completely shattered the poignant atmosphere of the preceding moment.

One of the bird monster's heads began to spin rapidly, then launched a deadly drill attack aimed squarely between the crimson mecha's legs.

"UNFILIAL DISCIPLE!!!"

Everyone present felt the sheer anguish and fury in Ouyang Xingwen's cry. This little bird monster was truly ruthless!

...

「Outside the arena」

The eliminated Ouyang Xingwen didn't even greet the Ancestors. Covering his face, he departed. It would probably be a good hundred years or so before he could show his face in public again.

"This... this disciple is really quite... quite something, eh?" Tian Xing struggled to find the words.

The other three Ancestors shared strange smiles, chuckling softly.

"That was way too cruel."

"Definitely a bit much. That's a vital spot."

"I heard Elder Ouyang doesn't have a Daoist couple yet, right?"

"Well, he's doomed now! How will he ever find one after this?"

...

While the discussions buzzed outside, the little bird monster triumphantly returned to its group's ranks. At that moment, it felt like a god, completely oblivious to the troubles it would inevitably face once it left this place.

"Master, are you lot any good? Losing the very first match?" Wudao Tian was currently very excited, fantasizing about the scene of him pinning his own Master down and giving him a sound thrashing.

Jun Linseng's face darkened. "Which of our fellow cultivators will step up and teach those little brats a lesson?"

Shu Yiming, the rather irritable Peak Master of White Tiger Peak, immediately stepped forward. "Let me. It's a good chance to see if Jin Xiao has made any progress lately."

A mecha with a tiger's head and a humanoid body, its back bristling with eight large spears, appeared in the center of the field. Shu Yiming roared, "Jin Xiao, you brat! Get out here and let me see what progress you've made!"

Countless eyes turned towards a small blue cat-like mecha at the front of the opposing group.

I really don't want to participate, Jin Xiao thought wearily. But opting out would make me stand out. I'd hoped to just blend in during a melee, but now I'm being called up. I'm really no match for the Peak Master.

Under everyone's expectant gaze, Jin Xiao's creation, a large three-tailed blue cat mecha, slowly padded into the arena.

"Junior Brother Jin is in a bad spot," Li Yao said, shaking his head.

"The fight hasn't even started yet!" Wudao Tian complained, annoyed that Li Yao was dampening their own side's morale.

Li Yao immediately fell silent. The Peak Master of White Tiger Peak isn't someone to be taken lightly, he thought. I just wonder if Junior Brother Jin Xiao can manage to injure him significantly, or at least wear him down a bit.

Chen Jiuge also sighed softly. Senior Brother Jin Xiao is indeed in a tough spot, he mused. How did my once aloof Senior Brother end up like this? When did it all start?