"Wh-what exactly do you want?"
The Golden-winged Roc wore a bitter expression.
From the moment Yang Xiao had chosen to imprison him in the Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace instead of killing him outright, he knew this man who had killed his brother...
...was after something from him.
He had already resolved that no matter what, even if it meant death, he would not let this man succeed.
So, the moment he was released, he didn't hesitate to try and provoke Yang Xiao.
But he never expected…
'This guy is completely unpredictable! Isn't he afraid I'd rather die than submit?'
The Golden-winged Roc was utterly miserable.
It was also his bad luck for being released at the wrong time.
Yang Xiao was anxious and short-tempered; why would he bother using conventional methods to subdue him?
He would just use brute force.
If there was defiance, it would be beaten down.
And if that still didn't work…
...then his only option was to extract the Essence Blood and refine it directly.
'A Pure Blood Divine Beast cub like this is a Top Grade ingredient for cultivating a Supreme True Body. If this kid still dares to be arrogant, I'll just refine him and be done with it!'
The moment the thought formed, his killing intent stirred.
Yang Xiao sized up the Golden-winged Roc.
It sent a shiver through the creature's heart.
Yet, he put on a brave face, trying to maintain his dignity as a Divine Beast.
"I'll give you one choice: submit to me!"
Yang Xiao said coldly.
"Submit? You want me to be your servant? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
The Golden-winged Roc immediately shrieked.
He had thought Yang Xiao might be a little more subtle, but he never imagined he'd be so blunt.
How could the dignity of a Divine Beast allow him to yield?
Impossible.
'Besides, he killed my brother!'
With that thought, the Golden-winged Roc decided he would rather die than submit.
But when he saw Yang Xiao's icy gaze...
...his heart trembled once more.
'Just as I thought! This guy! This is too crude and brutal! He's trying to crush me to death!'
The Golden-winged Roc saw the Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace rise again.
He grumbled inwardly.
He was about to change his answer.
Unfortunately…
...because of that internal grumble…
...he was half a beat too slow.
So, with a SLAM...
...the Golden-winged Roc was slammed to the ground again.
Just when he thought it was over and that Yang Xiao would ask for his answer again...
...the Golden-winged Roc saw...
...the Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace fly up once more.
And then...
...it continued to press down.
SLAM!
SLAM! SLAM!
Over and over again.
It was just like before, but what made the Golden-winged Roc's heart race with panic was that this time, Yang Xiao's face was devoid of expression, and he showed no sign of stopping.
One time, two times, three times…
Soon…
...it had happened more than ten times.
The Golden-winged Roc was on the verge of death, unable to even twitch.
But Yang Xiao…
...still hadn't let him go.
He was still suppressing him.
It was as if he truly intended to kill him.
At this moment…
...the Golden-winged Roc was utterly terrified.
He was a Divine Beast! He had a limitless lifespan! Once he reached adulthood, he was guaranteed to become a True God! How could such a noble existence die just like this?
'So, should I really become his servant?'
The Golden-winged Roc was unwilling.
But when the Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace came crashing down mercilessly once more...
...the unwillingness in his eyes vanished.
'If this is the only way to live, then... I guess I'll choose to be a servant.'
At this moment…
...he had lost all shred of arrogance. He didn't even dare to hesitate for a second.
He shouted loudly, "I agree! I agree! Stop!"
But the Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace still came down.
SPLAT.
The Golden-winged Roc felt as if every single part of him was being crushed to pieces.
Even his Divine Soul seemed to have been wounded.
'Just one more time... and I'll probably die.'
'Was I too late? Does he really not want to subdue me anymore?'
The Golden-winged Roc felt himself drifting, his consciousness blurring.
"Since you've agreed, then swear the oath."
And at that moment, Yang Xiao's voice drifted over faintly.
The Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace had already risen.
Yet it remained hovering over the Golden-winged Roc's head, as if ready to crush him to death if he made the slightest wrong move.
"I, Jin Yan of the Golden-winged Roc Clan, swear an oath to heaven and earth. I am willing to submit to Yang Xiao of the Human Race as my master, to never betray him in this life. Should I violate this oath, may heaven and earth strike me down!"
The Golden-winged Roc's weak voice rang out.
As Divine Beast cubs, they were beloved by heaven and earth. Ordinary slave imprints and the like were impossible to place on them; only an oath sworn to heaven and earth would be binding.
That was why Yang Xiao wanted him to swear an oath to heaven and earth.
"Good. Your name is Jin Yan? That name suits me well."
Yang Xiao said faintly.
He then glanced at the Golden-winged Roc.
Seeing the creature's terrible state, he couldn't help but frown. 'I was too heavy-handed just now. In his current state, he'll need a long time to recover. What a loss.'
But Yang Xiao also knew…
...that if he hadn't been so ruthless and made the creature feel the touch of death…
...given the arrogant nature of the Golden-winged Roc Clan, it would have been impossible for it to submit to him.
Subduing it now was still a good thing.
Once this fellow recovered, he would at least have the combat power of someone approaching the Great Divine Power Realm. Furthermore, the Golden-winged Roc had been trapped on the third layer of the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion, unable to break through due to the rules of the space.
But now, he was the master of the Sword Mansion. He could directly lift that restriction and take him out to achieve a breakthrough. Once he broke through and became a Tier Seven Demon Beast…
...the Golden-winged Roc's strength would be even greater.
It could fight above its station, challenging Tier Eight Great Demons equivalent to the Great Divine Power Realm. Moreover, it would probably reach the Peak of Great Divine Power very quickly after breaking through.
It might not be any weaker than his own Fire God Clone.
"Since you're in no condition to fight, there's only one other way. Jin Yan, hand over half of your Lifebound Blood. I have a use for it."
Yang Xiao said coolly, looking at the Golden-winged Roc.
At these words…
...the Golden-winged Roc's face stiffened.
He wanted to curse Yang Xiao's mother.
But then he recalled Yang Xiao's mercilessness from before.
Besides, he had already sworn the oath to heaven and earth.
He couldn't possibly attack Yang Xiao anymore.
He could only swallow his anger.
And chalk it up to bad luck.
"Hurry up. I don't have time to dawdle with you."
Yang Xiao urged.
The Golden-winged Roc, Jin Yan, could only speed up the process, forcing out half of his Essence Blood. It formed a large, round sphere that flew toward Yang Xiao.
Seeing this large, shimmering golden ball of Divine Beast Blood, Yang Xiao felt a flicker of excitement.
'With half of Jin Yan's Essence Blood, plus all the Essence Blood from that Hairy Roc on the 2nd Layer, I can cultivate a powerful Golden Roc Clone. Its strength might not be much weaker than the current Jin Yan, and in terms of speed, with my comprehension of the void, it might even be faster.'
As the thought crossed his mind, Yang Xiao began to condense the Golden Roc Divine Blood, refining its impurities. He then merged it with all the Essence Blood from the Hairy Roc, getting rid of the dross to keep the essence.
Then, he refined it into his own body, nurturing it with his True Greater Yang Fire.
Soon…
...a shimmering, golden Golden-Winged Roc True Body instantly emerged from his body.
Its aura…
...was at the Peak of the Small Divine Power Realm!
Just then, a blood-red figure approached from a distance.
It was none other than Xue Yi, whom Yang Xiao had also subdued previously.
From the look on her face, she seemed to have a favor to ask.