Chapter 319: A Name Carried by This Seat

“Blue Lion, come here for a chat.”

A glint of curiosity flickered in Chen Xun’s eyes as he pointed a finger forward. The Beast King found itself moving uncontrollably toward him, shivering as it spoke in a low, trembling voice, “S-Senior!”

The Beast King now stood before Xiao Chi, its gaze filled with both excitement and deep-seated fear. It had realized that this human had likely ascended to the fabled Deity Transformation Stage, a level that could dominate the current cultivation world with a single hand.

“Moo~” Brother Ox grinned, remembering that night when the Beast King had dared to challenge Big Brother. Now, it was finally at their mercy.

“There’s no need to be afraid,” Chen Xun said, seated cross-legged atop Xiao Chi’s head, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “I came to have a little chat with you Northern Border spirit beasts. And if we can’t talk sense…”

He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. “Well, Nascent Soul beasts should be reasonable, right? Perhaps I’m overthinking it.”

The Beast King, feeling a chilling dread settle in, quickly lowered its head in respect. In the distance, spirit beasts everywhere bowed in submission, as tales told of a Deity Transformation expert who could wipe out entire realms with one strike.

“Did you and the others escape from Heaven’s End Ravine? And some of you traveled here from Da Li, correct?”

“Replying to Senior… it seems… that is the case…”

“Moo moo moo~~”

“Senior, the resources of the Northern Border are essential for our survival. Please don’t take them from us!”

The Beast King lifted its gaze to the hulking form of Brother Ox, its face contorted with worry as it cried out, “These sacred stones have been passed down to us through generations!”

Brother Ox let out a low, amused moo. He hadn’t actually intended to take anything.

Chen Xun chuckled, waving a hand. “Those Extinguishing Spirit Stones are of no interest to us. You don’t need to worry.”

In the depths of the Northern Border lay a strange mountain made entirely of Extinguishing Spirit Stone—a silent tomb for Nascent Soul cultivators who had perished here, their divine senses obliterated. The spirit beasts, with Xiao Chi’s innate knowledge among them, clearly knew how to use it well.

But the Beast King’s bloodline was clearly muddied; over time, the spirit beasts that had fled to the North had become a mixed multitude.

“Roar!” Xiao Chi let out a low growl, his eyes cold and unyielding.

Brother Ox watched Xiao Chi’s expression carefully, his large eyes blinking before he set aside his thoughts.

“Ancestor… do you not remember us?”

The Beast King’s eyes filled with emotion as it met Xiao Chi’s gaze. “We are of the Flameglow Ancient Lion Clan, hunted to the ends of the earth by humans.”

Its bloodline trembled in Xiao Chi’s presence, recognizing his as the truest and purest of the Flameglow Ancient Lions.

Silence fell, broken only by the howling wind carrying flurries of snow. Amid the frozen landscape, the spirit beasts could feel a deep sense of reverence and trepidation.

Xiao Chi took a step back, his voice steady, “I know. Brother Xun won’t harm any of you.”

At that moment, several small lion cubs scampered over, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Xiao Chi, hope gleaming within them.

The Northern Border was harsh and bitterly cold, unsuitable for spirit beasts to cultivate. Yet they had stayed here, generation after generation, honoring a long-standing debt owed to the Bai Li Clan.

“Ancestor, with your return, does this mean the humans in the distant cultivation world will finally stop hunting us?”

The Beast King’s claws dug into the ice, its face a mix of emotions. “Could we… perhaps… return to our original clan?”

Its voice broke as it spoke, its body lowering to the ground, casting aside any semblance of the Beast King’s pride.

“I…”

Xiao Chi was stunned, watching as more spirit beasts gathered, bowing in submission. For a moment, he found himself lost for words, unsure of how to respond.

“Roar~” Xiao Chi let out a low, uncertain growl, taking a few steps back. Even if they returned to Da Li, things wouldn’t be easy. The Flameglow Ancient Lion Clan was no longer a true clan, scattered across the lands, hiding and fleeing. Xiao Chi’s own kin had perished one by one before his very eyes.

Xiao Chi’s eyes wavered, his heart heavy as he struggled to convey the reality to the spirit beasts here.

The Beast King’s expression dimmed, understanding everything from the look in Xiao Chi’s eyes. The dream of returning to their true clan was nothing more than that—a dream. It had merely let its emotions get the better of it and spoken without thinking.

Still, seeing their Ancestor return brought them comfort. With a difficult smile, the Beast King lowered its gaze, preparing to speak again.

Suddenly—

“Of course, the Flameglow Ancient Lion Clan is under my protection now. The cultivation world of Da Li is vast—you are free to go where you please.”

Chen Xun’s powerful voice echoed through the sky, carrying an undeniable force as even the falling snow seemed to pause.

“Moo moo!”

“Brother Xun!”

“...Senior?”

Roar!

Roar!

The entire Northern Border shook as the spirit beasts looked skyward toward the gray-clad figure who spoke, his aura filling the heavens.

Chen Xun stood with one hand clasped behind his back, his gaze unwavering. “You need not worry. The name of the Flameglow Ancient Lions will be carried by this seat. Who would dare oppose it?”

His mighty voice resonated for miles, leaving every spirit beast in awe. Barbarians emerged from their caves, mouths agape in shock.

A brilliant display of flying ice crystals filled the air, sparkling against the frigid sky.

Xiao Chi’s massive head turned to look at Chen Xun, his towering form radiating strength. His body quivered, overcome with emotion.

Brother Ox gazed at Chen Xun with admiration in his eyes, his expression filled with nothing but awe. Big Brother would always be Big Brother.

Xiao Chi took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling, then let out a resounding roar. “That’s right! This is Brother Xun! What are you waiting for—pay your respects!”

“Greetings, Brother Xun!”

Roar!

Roar!!

…

An earth-shaking chorus filled the air as spirit beasts across the Northern Border let out triumphant roars, bowing deeply, the Beast King’s voice booming above the rest and leaving Chen Xun’s scalp tingling.

“And this,” Xiao Chi added with pride, “is Brother Ox!”

“Greetings, Brother Ox!”

Roar!

Roar!!

…

The glaciers trembled as roars came from every direction, an awe-inspiring spectacle. Brother Ox let out a deep breath, his head swiveling to soak it all in.

His gaze grew fervent. At last, the day had come when thousands would bow in homage, just as Big Brother had once envisioned. Although it was beasts and not men, the moment was no less grand.

“Moo~~~!”

A tremendous moo echoed through the Northern Border, and every spirit beast and barbarian cultivator heard the call, the land erupting into a frenzy.

Xiao Chi’s eyes were filled with complex emotions as he looked down at the Northern Border’s Beast King.

Chen Xun turned his gaze to the ground and spoke in a calm tone:

“Blue Lion, take me to your lair for a talk.”

“Yes, Senior.”

The Beast King growled lowly, radiating a dignified presence, and at a glance seemed even mightier than Xiao Chi.

With a commanding presence, it dispersed the surrounding spirit beasts, leading a few barbarian elders to its lair, where they offered Chen Xun rare Northern Border spiritual herbs as a sign of respect.

For five days, Chen Xun and his companions remained in the Northern Border. Brother Ox worked on establishing a hidden, large-scale teleportation array.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chi transported materials, occasionally conversing with the Beast King, though he often appeared heavy-hearted afterward.

Chen Xun, however, enjoyed lively conversations with the barbarian cultivators, who gifted him a dozen ancient books on their cultural history, which he cherished deeply.