Zhang Heng trembled.
Even when he was hunted by the Earth Demon Bear, betrayed by his brothers, and cuckolded by his wife, he had never felt despair like this.
The unknown, fear, and helplessness were like invisible tendrils licking every inch of his skin, a coldness piercing to the bone.
When he saw his son knocked down by the Gale Dog, the two of them tearing each other apart, he finally broke down.
"My lord, I have a... secret about you."
His voice was hoarse.
He silently prayed that this secret could ensure his son's safety.
"What secret?"
Chu Yi gripped Zhang Heng's throat with one claw. He found this spot much softer than the head.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the scythe hanging high above, already numb to it.
The special effects were at maximum, yet nothing had happened. The judgment was still pending.
However, it was almost over.
His little Bika was also trying to help, its Fierce Claws grazing Zhang Heng like a mere scratch.
"The one who stole your Pet Beast... it was me... I was entrusted by someone..."
Zhang Heng rasped out this truth.
This time, it was Chu Yi's turn to be surprised.
He stared into Zhang Heng's dull eyes, his own nebula-like pupils shimmering. "You're telling the truth. Tell me, who is it?"
Zhang Heng was immediately captivated by these beautiful, brilliant pupils. His mouth moved slightly, and he murmured, "It's, it's... No!"
At this point, Zhang Heng's Silver-level Spiritual Power asserted itself. His eyes filled with blood, making him look as ferocious as a beast. "Release my son, and I'll tell you!"
"I don't like bargaining," Chu Yi said calmly. "However, your request isn't unreasonable. I can agree."
With those words, he used his Pupil Technique to manipulate Zhang Han, who swiftly ran off in a certain direction.
Seeing this, Zhang Heng breathed a sigh of relief. His breathing was shallow, like a candle flickering in the wind. "Okay, come closer. I'll tell you."
Chu Yi, unsuspecting, leaned in a little closer.
"He's from a major Beast Taming Family in Yaoguang City, one that monopolizes the potion industry..."
BOOM—
At that moment, Zhang Heng suddenly erupted, using a Secret Technique.
Pure white Spiritual Energy breached the confinement, pouring into his Pet Beast like a tidal wave.
In the night sky, a bright moon emerged from behind the clouds. Moonlight spilled down, and everything went silent.
"AWOO!"
The Moon Worship Wolf King bathed in the moonlight, a mark on its forehead shining brilliantly.
Special skill, [Moon Descendant].
This was the exclusive skill of the Moon Worship Wolf King. By worshiping the moon and praying to the lunar deity, it gained immense power.
Where the moonlight flowed, it was immune to any control.
The next moment, the Moon Worship Wolf King transformed into a streak of radiant moonlight and merged into Zhang Heng's body. His entire form was enveloped in silver-white fur, and his limbs and torso grew immensely large.
An advanced battle technique of Beast Tamers: Man-Pet Union.
"Trash! You enjoyed beating me up before, didn't you?!"
Under the moonlight, Zhang Heng broke free from his bonds. His strength surged, and he crushed the nearby Chu Yi with a single paw—blood and flesh flew everywhere!
This scene unfolded in a flash. In a frenzy, he clawed and tore, shredding the opponent's flesh and blood until he had utterly killed this evil cultist.
"HAHAHA! I won!"
Zhang Heng was drenched in blood, relieved.
This demon was defeated due to his own carelessness, allowing me to counter-kill him!
Don't underestimate humans, you bastard!
"Right, Han'er."
Zhang Heng disregarded the subordinates who had died, finding Zhang Han not far away.
Father and son embraced and wept upon meeting.
After that, they set off to return. He would need to recruit new members to replenish the Wolf Fang Mercenary Corps.
「In the off-road vehicle.」
The evening breeze, carrying a hint of a Demon's roar, swept quickly past.
"Dad, you were amazing! You actually turned the tables and counter-killed him!"
Zhang Han looked at him with admiration, though his eyes soon dimmed. "It's a shame about my Gale Dog and that Red Fox. Otherwise, I too would have a War General-level Pet Beast like you, Dad."
Zhang Heng smacked his son on the head and snorted. "Don't worry about it. I've gotten you a better Pet Beast."
"Huh?"
Zhang Han was stunned. His pupils reflected a hint of a strange light as he asked curiously, "What kind of Pet Beast? Where did you find it?"
"Ha, you'll find out eventually anyway." Zhang Heng exhaled a puff of smoke, a smile playing on his lips. "It's from the Shen Family."
"Oh, so it's the famous Shen Family!" Zhang Han clapped his hands in feigned surprise and smiled.
"Yes!"
At that moment, Zhang Heng was suddenly startled as he realized something.
His son, despite going through such a traumatic event and witnessing so many deaths, remained cheerful and lively. This was very odd.
Instantly, as he turned his head, his vision twisted.
Under the dim moonlight, he was still kneeling on the ground. Everything around him was a blur of blood and gore.
He could also see... his own son, Zhang Han, lying dead in a pool of blood.
The faint roars from before had been the Moon Worship Wolf King trying desperately to rouse its master.
"The Shen Family? So, the person who took my spot was from the Shen Family," Chu Yi murmured, then casually snapped his fingers.
[Judgment Successful!]
"Spare me..."
In that instant, Zhang Heng realized he had been trapped in an Illusion Realm, toyed with by this evil cultist, and had even revealed his innermost secrets.
So powerful it was despairing.
In the presence of such a formidable being, fleeing or counterattacking was meaningless. His only option was to beg for mercy, hoping for a shred of pity, praying that he still held some value to his captor.
Only the opponent's benevolence offered a glimmer of hope.
SWISH!
The ghostly figure opened its blood-moon eyes, lifted its scythe, and gave it a gentle shake.
A startling arc of the blade flashed across Zhang Heng's throat, hooking out a soul wracked with agony.
"AHHH!"
The pain was excruciating, as if his skin were being flayed from his flesh.
Zhang Heng's soul screamed silently as it was pulled into the shadows by the ghostly figure's tendrils and obliterated into nothingness.
"See that? This is the Mighty Power of the God Lord!"
The leader's twelve-petaled lotus head swayed, its many eyes full of reverence.
"Incredible!" The gray-robed man put on a look of disbelief, playing along.
Creating illusions, toying with people's minds, using a scythe to rip out souls... such incredible power!
"He's clearly capable of slaying all living beings in one blow, yet he chooses to toy with this crowd of fools. The God Lord is enjoying himself!"
The leader was full of pride. He patted his subordinate's shoulder and said, "Alright, the God Lord's interest is likely fading. It's our turn. Let's not trouble His Lordship with this little wolf."
With that said, his head returned to normal, and his figure flickered out of sight.
The Moon Worship Wolf King glared angrily at Chu Yi.
Its contract with Zhang Heng was broken, but its memories could never fade. Hatred seethed in its heart, and flames of fury burned brightly.
BOOM—
The next moment, the ground beneath its feet cracked open. A massive tendril enveloped in purple light emerged, splitting into twelve sections like petals. It encased the Moon Worship Wolf King and quickly closed in.
BAM!
Without its Master, the Pet Beast was already weak. It erupted into a mist of blood from this killing blow.
Chu Yi: "!!!"
"EEK!"
Bika's fur stood on end with fright as it hid behind Chu Yi.
The next second, two gray-robed figures descended before Chu Yi and knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, God Lord!"
Chu Yi: "???"