Chapter 95: Divine Beast

In the Great Chu, Han, and Ming kingdoms, a major event unfolded simultaneously! The imperial observation offices of the three nations all predicted that a divine beast would soon emerge. Since ancient times, the descent of auspicious divine beasts from heaven had always foretold the rise of a wise ruler and a prosperous era under one sovereign rule. Yet this time, three divine beasts appeared, each destined to manifest separately in the three kingdoms. There would be no need for disputes or competition; each of the three emperors would claim one.

The imperial observation office forecast that within at most ten days, the divine beasts would descend into the mortal realm. In the Great Chu imperial palace, Xiang Chong paced back and forth with excitement. "I have just ascended the throne, and now divine beasts descend from heaven? Is this not the approval of the heavens, that I shall surely become a sage emperor of this generation?"

Empress Dowager Li nodded repeatedly. "My son is destined to receive the heavenly mandate; this is no falsehood." The palace maids, eunuchs, and guards standing nearby listened but harbored private doubts. Divine beasts would descend in all three kingdoms—was every emperor of the three nations a true sage?

"Your Majesty, capturing divine beasts is extremely difficult," Eunuch Chen kindly reminded.

"Since ancient times, there have been at least dozens of records of divine beasts descending into the mortal realm. Among them, the powerful leaders who subdued divine beasts indeed forged great achievements. Yet there have also been failures, where one lost the divine beast and suffered declining fortune, mishaps, and ultimate downfall."

Xiang Chong flew into a rage at these words. "Eunuch Chen, what do you mean by that? Are you cursing me?!"

"Hmm... Your Majesty, this old slave merely advises caution. Subduing a divine beast demands utmost preparation; do not rejoice too hastily..."

Eunuch Chen sighed inwardly. This new master was truly difficult to handle; how could he fail to heed good counsel?

It was Empress Dowager Li who remained patient, urging, "Your Majesty, do not rush. First hear what Eunuch Chen has to say. He possesses vast knowledge; many matters are unknown even to this dowager, and he is often consulted."

"Oh, I understand."

Xiang Chong restrained his anger and cast Eunuch Chen a displeased glance. "What else do you know about divine beasts? Speak it all."

Eunuch Chen sighed. "Yes, Your Majesty. Since ancient times, two points have proven most difficult in subduing divine beasts: strength and morality. That is to say, one must either defeat the divine beast in strength or compel its submission through morality. Either approach may serve as a method."

Xiang Chong furrowed his brow. Morality? What manner of thing was that? Invisible and intangible, how could it subdue a divine beast?

He asked directly, "How strong are these divine beasts? Can I defeat one?"

Eunuch Chen had anticipated the question. "Divine beasts descending from heaven are mostly juveniles, their strength may not be formidable. The weakest recorded divine beast is likely only first rank of the Nascent Soul realm, while the strongest reaches first rank of the Great Complete realm. This depends primarily on the beast's race and grade..."

"What?! You old rascal mocks me? The weakest is still Nascent Soul realm first rank—how am I supposed to tame such a beast?!"

Xiang Chong possessed only Nascent Soul realm cultivation and lacked the courage to face the Nascent Soul realm. He suspected Eunuch Chen had either grown senile or wished him dead!

Eunuch Chen's mouth twitched. "Beast?" Divine beasts possessed spirits. If this word spread and the divine beast overheard, it would likely refuse to acknowledge Xiang Chong as master even at the cost of its life.

"Your Majesty, speak carefully... Please hear this old slave's explanation. Divine beasts descending into the mortal realm acknowledge their masters. As long as they find a person they deem suitable, they will initiate a [Master Recognition Battle]. This battle is protected by the Heavenly Dao, forming a special space accessible only to the two combatants. Once the emperor and the divine beast enter the space, their strengths will be adjusted by the Heavenly Dao to the same realm, measured by the stronger party. Thus, upon engaging, your strength will temporarily rise—at least to Nascent Soul realm first rank, or even directly to the Great Complete realm."

Eunuch Chen could not suppress his envious expression. "Your Majesty, this is a heavenly boon. Regardless of victory or defeat, you will experience a realm you have never reached before. This offers immense benefit for your future cultivation, shortening many detours."

Xiang Chong was filled with delight. "So that is it. I shall surely defeat the divine beast, and my cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds!"

Eunuch Chen respectfully continued, "Your Majesty, what the divine beast values most when choosing a master is actually potential. It does not object if the master is weaker, provided the master possesses infinite future. This is why the same-rank [Master Recognition Battle] exists. Defeating the divine beast grants acknowledgment as master, making one an undefeatable peer."

Xiang Chong's face flushed red with excitement. "An undefeatable peer? Exactly—I am an undefeatable peer! Since advancing to Nascent Soul realm, I have never been matched by any brother in the same realm within the Li Huo Sect!"

Eunuch Chen gaped, unable to reply for a long moment. Li Huo Sect? That sect which had fought alongside the Blood Phoenix Saint Lord, perished with it, and was subsequently wiped from existence? Only hard to match among its disciples; it was hardly worth boasting.

Especially since Eunuch Chen knew that Empress Dowager Li quietly provided substantial "stipends" to Li Huo Sect each year to ensure Xiang Chong received preferential treatment within the sect. Eating from another's hand softens the mouth; taking from another's hand shortens the arm. God only knew how much water or even seawater had been poured into the matches by his brothers during intra-sect bouts for Xiang Chong.

"Cough! In summary, Your Majesty would do well to practice diligently and prepare for war without delay. The Master Recognition Battle cannot employ divine weapons or artifacts; it must rely entirely on personal strength."

......

Within Jiangshan Pavilion, Fan Li was handling state affairs. "The Ming Kingdom plans to acquire large quantities of Chu Kingdom's specialty spiritual iron mines at a price nearly double last year's. Should the spiritual iron mines be permitted massive export to Ming?"

Fan Li directly endorsed with two words: Not permitted!

"Is the Jiajing Emperor acting deliberately?" he muttered to himself. "Great Chu is preparing to replace its outdated military equipment this year and urgently requires vast amounts of spiritual iron. If the ore is sold to Great Ming, Chu soldiers will lack new gear for replacement. Once war erupts between the two nations, the military disparity alone would tip the scales of victory and defeat. Moreover, Xiang Ning is trapped in Fan Yin Pure Land, and Chu is a pseudo-emperor in ascension—sending troops is even less advisable."

"If I greedily seize temporary small profit, I would grant the Jiajing Emperor an opening. Only by refusing the transaction would Ming know Great Chu still stands on guard, forcing them to act with caution and sparing the people of both nations from the ravages of war."

Fan Li handled state affairs alone and had grown accustomed to conversing with himself. He was muttering when a small creature wandered over from somewhere unknown.

Fan Li looked down to inspect it, revealing a snow-white kitten, adorably charming in appearance. "Could this be a new pet raised by Yue Hua? Wandering from her separate residence to my Jiangshan Pavilion?"

He reached out to pet it, but the little fellow showed no concern. It permitted the strokes, its eyes instead fixed intently on the official documents spread across the desk.

"Oh? Can you read?" Fan Li chuckled.

"Woo~!"

The creature responded with a meow that was neither quite feline nor canine, yet irresistibly adorable.

Fan Li laughed even louder. "I am handling state affairs; you little rascal are not permitted to cause mischief, or military law shall prevail!"

He spoke half in jest. The white kitten glanced back at Fan Li, then took the initiative to shift aside, clearing a broad expanse on the desk—truly unhindering his work.