“So you’re a rebel after all…”
Xiao Ran’s lips twisted into a manic grin. “I was just thinking how lucky I was to have your help in becoming a ‘Divine Beast’… What a shame. Maybe ‘punishing the traitor’ as my first act will show Qinglong how seriously I take my new position.”
Black Sheep pushed Earth Monkey aside and spoke, “I thought there was a slim chance we could still be allies… Seems I was too naive.”
“Allies?” Xiao Ran scoffed. “No. You’ve crossed a line. Now we’re mortal enemies.”
“Mortal enemies…” Black Sheep gave a bitter laugh. “Looks like I’ve got quite the challenge today… Bring it on, then. Two ‘Celestials’ and a ‘Divine Beast’… Guess I’ll go down in history.”
Xiao Ran never expected Black Sheep to be this unhinged. The moment he finished speaking, he lunged with a dagger.
But he was clearly weakened—the slash barely grazed Xiao Ran’s chest, leaving only a shallow wound.
“Ah—!!” Xiao Ran shrieked, startling everyone nearby. “You’re insane! This’ll leave a scar!”
She tugged her collar aside and saw that the fresh cut had split the words already carved into her skin—”My Queen”—ruining the once-elegant script.
“Damn it…” She hesitated. “How am I supposed to explain this to Qinglong? I was going to say I carved these for him…”
No time to dwell. She hastily refastened her clothes and barked at the ‘Mortals,’ “Are you all blind? He just attacked a ‘Divine Beast’! Get him!”
The ‘Mortals’ froze in confusion.
“Y-You’re the ‘Divine Beast’… and you want *us* to fight?” one stammered. “Can’t you just kill him yourself? He’s already half-dead…”
“You dare disobey me?!” Xiao Ran’s fury erupted. “Should I report this to Qinglong right now?”
Her threat cowed them—but facing Qinglong meant death, and fighting a ‘Terrestrial’ was just as fatal. This new ‘Divine Beast’ wasn’t giving them any real choice.
“You must be new here,” Black Sheep said coolly. “‘Mortals’ don’t take orders from ‘Divine Beasts.’ At most, they listen to their mentors.”
Earth Monkey smirked. Black Sheep’s words were clever—directed at both the ‘Divine Beast’ and the wavering ‘Mortals.’
No one had ever defined whether a ‘Divine Beast’ could command ‘Mortals,’ but Black Sheep had just drawn the line for them.
“R-Right! We answer to our mentors,” the ‘Mortals’ echoed. “And if you’re really a ‘Divine Beast,’ why not prove it by killing this Earth Sheep right now?”
“Yeah! Shouldn’t that be easy for you?”
Xiao Ran’s rage burned hotter at their defiance.
“Fine. *Fine.* You dare speak to me like this…” She gritted her teeth, but what could she do?
She had no real power—barely even understood the abilities of those eyes.
How could she punish them now?
“Just wait…”
With a final glare, she backed away—under the bewildered stares of Black Sheep and Earth Monkey—as if preparing to flee.
Every move this ‘Divine Beast’ had made defied expectations. If she ran now, she’d be humiliated in front of the ‘Mortals’ on her very first day.
Xiao Ran shot a venomous look at the ‘Mortals,’ then turned to Black Sheep and Earth Monkey. “And you two… Don’t think you’re safe just because I’m leaving. You’re my first enemies in this role. If you’ve got the guts, stay right here. Let’s see what happens when Qinglong arrives.”
“The *two* of us?” Earth Monkey shook his head, laughing bitterly. “Great ‘Divine Beast,’ can’t you see I’m a hostage? My wounds are on my back—my neck’s bleeding!”
“You think I’m stupid?” Xiao Ran sneered. “You two were chatting like old friends, standing side by side. Now that the ‘Divine Beast’ is here, now that I’m fetching Qinglong, now that the tide’s turned—*now* you play the hostage? Too late.”
Earth Monkey sighed theatrically. “Oh dear… What can I do? Our new ‘Divine Beast’ is *so* sharp, it’s terrifying. Let me think… How can I talk my way out of this?”
“Save your breath!” Xiao Ran snapped. “Qinglong gave me this authority to purge people like you. Regretting it now?”
Earth Monkey nodded. “Great ‘Divine Beast,’ if that’s the case… Is there *any* way I survive without rebelling?”
“None.” Xiao Ran cast a final glare at the crowd. “All of you—just wait.”
With that, she turned and sprinted off, ignoring the stares at her back.
Even the stoic Black Sheep couldn’t help but smile at her pitiful retreat.
He was starting to understand why White Sheep had put her on this train. In just minutes, she’d not only failed to harm him further—she’d reignited his fighting spirit, distracted him from death, and bought his battered body a little more time.
And with just a few words, she’d turned Earth Monkey into an ally. Black Sheep almost felt impressed.
“Now it’s my turn to ask,” Black Sheep said to Earth Monkey. “What’s your move?”
Earth Monkey’s face was pure resignation. “Black Sheep, if that woman’s really the new ‘Divine Beast,’ then I’ve lost all hope in Qinglong. Even if I live, under her ‘brilliant’ leadership… my future’s doomed.”
“I pity you, but think it over,” Black Sheep said mildly.
“No need. Some people hold a blade to my throat, and I know they won’t kill me. Others say a few words, and I see no future.” Earth Monkey cracked his knuckles. “We’re maybe a dozen doors from Sky Tiger. I’ll hold off the ‘Mortals.’ You go.”
The ‘Mortals’ recoiled as Earth Monkey’s aura flared.
“Make way,” he said. “Starting now, I’m a rebel—just like the ‘Divine Beast’ ordered. I’m following *her* command.”
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