The Great Yi Dynasty was the first fate dynasty (yunchao) under the heavens. Naturally, it earned the acknowledgment of Heaven and Earth, gaining the supreme honor of being praised across the Eternal Territories and the endless void. No matter where one went, the name "Great Yi" would be heard. The Myriad Beasts Royal Court, however, had not earned such prestige. After all, only the first is remembered—who ever remembers second place?
Its influence, therefore, could not compare to the founding of Great Yi.
That said, the shockwaves it caused within this realm were undeniably explosive.
The entire Myriad Beasts Plains had now been fully brought under the rule of the Myriad Beasts Royal Court.
One could see strands of flame rising from across the plains, flowing continuously into the central fire altar. This was the regional fate energy (地运) of the Myriad Beasts Royal Court. The larger the territory under its rule, the more fate energy it would accumulate.
"Myriad Beasts Royal Court! Myriad Beasts Royal Court!!"
"Good! From now on, we too are part of the Royal Court. So what if the Great Yi Dynasty exists? We no longer need to fear them—we are no longer a scattered mess!"
"That's right! What are humans anyway? They're just relying on their powerful weapons. In true combat, head-on, they're not necessarily stronger than us!"
Across the Myriad Beasts Plains, countless beastmen laughed loudly, their hearts full of joy.
Clearly, they were ecstatic about the establishment of the Royal Court. Only with a centralized authority could the scattered beastman tribes be united, their combined strength amplified many times over. The synergy between the various races would unleash a power that far exceeded the sum of its parts.
However, in contrast to the jubilation on the plains, the surrounding regions held very different sentiments.
In a pitch-black underground cavern…
Its entrance was incredibly well hidden—without a guide, no one would easily find it.
Within this underground world was a tribe belonging to a very peculiar race. These beings moved without making a sound. Their bodies, at times, seemed to melt directly into the shadows.
This was a settlement of the Shadowfiend Clan (影魔族).
A terrifying and eerie race, the Shadowfiends were assassins of the dark, masters of lurking and striking unseen. Their assassinations were legendary—once targeted, one couldn't even sleep or eat in peace for fear of being decapitated. Most races regarded them as they would venomous snakes, avoiding them at all costs. No one dared offend them lightly.
In the heart of the settlement, a figure cloaked entirely in black looked up toward the sky, as if his eyes could pierce the boundaries of the world to observe distant events.
"A fine move by the Behemoth King. So, the beastmen actually went ahead and established a Royal Court. Though merely symbolic, it grants them the power to mobilize all the beastman tribes. Clearly, this is a response to Great Yi's growing strength—a move made out of desperation."
"Where a fate dynasty rises, the race behind it will grow strong. If it falls, that race faces decline… or even extinction. Great Yi, Myriad Beasts Royal Court… Hmph. The days ahead won't be dull, that's for sure."
The Shadowfiend leader spoke with a half-smile, still watching coldly from the sidelines.
"Patriarch, with the founding of the Myriad Beasts Royal Court, they will inevitably clash with the Great Yi Dynasty. Our intelligence confirms that Great Yi continues to construct immortal cities—these cities are like war bastions, each suppressing an area of a thousand kilometers. Should we make a move?"
Another shadow-cloaked figure appeared silently behind him, asking respectfully.
"There's no rush," the patriarch said with a shake of his head. "Chaotic times are our best hunting grounds. Neither the Royal Court nor Great Yi is easy prey. We've already lost agents within Great Yi's borders. The real victors will be those who endure the chaos. Let's wait and watch."
Elsewhere in the wilderness…
In a bizarre region stood a monstrous, towering tree—hundreds of meters tall. Its trunk was thick and gnarled like a banyan tree, but its branches bore no leaves. Instead, countless vine-like tendrils dangled from the branches—each as thick as a man's thigh and covered in barbs.
At its roots lay piles of bones—beasts, monsters, birds of prey—all stripped clean. The stench of blood hung thick in the air.
This was a Serpent-Hair Tree, a terrifying organism.
Under its canopy stood a horde of troll—grotesque and savage in appearance. Their eyes glinted with cruelty as they looked toward the Myriad Beasts Plains.
The largest among them stood over ten meters tall, like a walking fortress. His cold gaze swept across the void—it was none other than Moro, chieftain of the troll Tribe.
"Hmph. So the beastmen form a Royal Court. What of it? They're still prey to us trolls."
He sneered. The number of beastman corpses strewn beneath this tree alone was already staggering.
To ogres, every race was prey—beastmen, humans, it didn't matter.
Still, the founding of a Royal Court meant future hunts would require caution. Once marked, the ogres might find themselves hunted in turn. Better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Moro was well aware of the Behemoth Clan's terrifying power—nearly invincible in land warfare. Their warriors fought like madmen and were anything but easy opponents.
Caution grew in his heart.
"First the Great Yi Dynasty, now the Myriad Beasts Royal Court… The Eternal Continent is growing more chaotic by the day. This isn't petty squabbling anymore—it's full-scale power clashes. Small tribes may be wiped out by a single ripple."
His thoughts drifted to the ruthless ruler of Great Yi and the image of that sword piercing his body—an image that still haunted him.
"That man is not to be trifled with. Beastmen won't act without provoking Great Yi."
A flash of savagery lit his eyes.
Regardless, he now regarded the beastmen with a wary gaze.
At that moment, in the valley where the ruins of the ancient Jixia Academy Palace once lay…
The entire valley was shrouded in thick, poisonous mist—so dense that even divine sense could not penetrate it.
Within the mist, hordes of Serpentfolk occupied the land. Their numbers were vast.
They were half-human, half-snake—males and females alike. The women were seductive and stunning, while the men bore a chilling air. Their eyes gleamed with menace.
They held an array of weapons—bone swords, bone knives, spears, bows—each exuding a sinister aura. They were assassins in their own right, capable of melting into their surroundings. Few races were willing to engage with them.
At the valley's heart stood a woman in a violet palace gown, her icy demeanor unable to mask her breathtaking beauty.
This was none other than the Serpent Queen.
"Your Majesty, with the Myriad Beasts Royal Court established, what should our people do? Before this, the Behemoth King sent envoys to invite us—and even declared his wish to make you his queen. Now that the Royal Court is founded, if we don't respond, I fear he will not let the matter rest. They will surely seek someone to make an example of."
A female attendant stood before the Serpent Queen, her face filled with concern.
The Serpentfolk could technically be classified as a branch of the beastmen. The Serpent Queen's beauty was well-known across many races—so much so that even the Behemoth King had taken notice. He had once publicly declared in Golden City his intention to make her his consort.
"Hmph. Who I, the Serpent Queen, choose to marry is not for the Behemoth King to decide. So what if he's the king? I've never feared anyone. If he has the guts, let him come to Serpent Valley himself."
Her voice was cold and disdainful, filled with contempt.
"But according to reports, the Behemoth King is determined to claim you. He has already deployed the Skyhawk Tribe to watch over our valley. Shouldn't we make preparations?"
The attendant's worry deepened.
"No need. Let's see what tricks he can play."
The Serpent Queen shook her head, but her right hand unconsciously brushed her lower abdomen before quickly withdrawing.
Her gaze shifted toward the direction of the Great Yi Dynasty—her eyes revealing a trace of conflicted emotion.