The very first step caused the entire void to tremble; with the second, fissures actually began to spiderweb across the emptiness. The little pony's face contorted in agony as its obsidian body could no longer contain the berserk power raging within, tearing apart inch by inch, golden blood weeping from the rents. When it took the third step, the dragon claw transformed from Xiao Tao Tao was instantly shattered. The recoil threw Xiao Tao Tao backward, spewing a torrent of crimson into the ground as it fell, though the little pony’s body exploded simultaneously, crashing heavily to the earth in a gruesome smear of flesh and hide…
This state of affairs left Ye Jingyu and the others momentarily stunned. They had all felt the surge of energy from the pony’s steps; not merely the others, but even Ye Jingyu himself felt incapable of resisting such terrifying might…
What in the world was this battle technique?
“Aow! Aow! Aow…” At this juncture, the Gluttonous Beast (Taotie) struggled to its feet. Though grievously wounded internally, it still managed to rise, lifting its proud head and walking step by deliberate step toward the little pony…
The little pony, despite being covered head to toe in wounds—its exterior utterly burst open, golden ichor flowing freely—held an expression of sheer defiance in its eyes; a look that spoke of refusing subjugation even unto death…
Witnessing that formidable fighting intent, Ye Jingyu’s heart jolted. Just as he was about to project a mental wave to warn Taotie not to harm the little creature, he felt an intense spiritual surge emanate from the depths of Taotie’s mind…
“Kid, are you convinced now?”
Uh…
Sensing Xiao Tao Tao’s mental pulse, Ye Jingyu felt as if his head were twice its normal size. It had gone through all this trouble, even summoning so many savage wolves and acting as if ready to perish, all just to make this little pony submit? This… this was simply unbelievable!
The little pony sent no mental feedback, yet its eyes remained ablaze with fighting spirit. Its ravaged body strained, desperate to rise again, but the backlash from executing that maneuver was too severe; its physical form was nearly annihilated, making standing impossible…
“Stop struggling. While your Seven Steps of Defiance are formidable, they couldn't defeat me. From this moment on, you are my subordinate. If you ever feel capable of defeating me again, I’ll grant you a rematch, but starting now, you listen to me…” Xiao Tao Tao, speaking with absolute ruthlessness…
He stomped a foot down onto the little pony’s head, asserting his dominance… all done through mental projection, of course…
“Aow, aow, aow…” The little pony continued to roar, but the fighting intent in its eyes gradually faded. Its head drooped, clearly accepting Xiao Tao Tao’s proposal… becoming Xiao Tao Tao’s immediate, albeit temporary, lackey…
“That’s more like it. Until you challenge me next time, you’ll be Little Ye Zi’s mount. Remember, him,” Xiao Tao Tao then glanced toward Ye Jingyu…
The little pony turned its head to look at Ye Jingyu, its gaze filled with undisguised contempt, followed by a cold snort…
“Don’t be reluctant. You must listen to me now, as you agreed just moments ago: lose to me, and I decide your fate,” Xiao Tao Tao stomped on the pony’s head again, clearly displeased with its attitude…
“Hmph. One day, I will utterly defeat you,” the little pony finally managed to send a mental transmission…
“Relax, that day will never arrive. Never mind you, even your cheap old man might not be my match,” Xiao Tao Tao replied dismissively…
Yet, he released his pressure. Instantly, faint streaks of pale gold light began to emanate from the little pony’s body. Its wounds started knitting themselves together at a visible rate. In just fifteen minutes, all the gashes on its body had faded into mere scars…
Such potent self-healing capability caused Ye Jingyu and the others renewed astonishment…
Although its injuries healed, the pony had expended too much strength. It struggled for a good while before it could stagger back onto its feet, shaking unsteadily, before reluctantly making its way before Ye Jingyu…
“Human. Due to my agreement with it, I am now your mount. But remember this: the day I defeat it, is the day I will kill you,” a fiercely rebellious voice pierced directly into Ye Jingyu’s mind…
Ye Jingyu had initially admired the little pony’s indomitable fighting spirit and felt considerable goodwill toward it. However, upon hearing such a declaration, his expression darkened instantly. Since cultivating the Bā Yuán Jué (Hegemonic Origin Art), the tyrannical aura within him had grown exponentially stronger. Especially after completely grasping the essence of the Bā Yuán Jué and refining the Sky-Rushing Soul (Tian Chong Po), his inherent dominance had magnified. Hearing such flagrant words, he could not possibly remain impassive…
“Is that so?” A terrifyingly powerful aura erupted directly from Ye Jingyu’s body. The Hegemonic Origin Power (Ba Yuan Li) within him circulated wildly, and his eyes shot forth two blinding beams of light…
The immense pressure forced Bi Li and Ye Longyi to stumble backward. They still had no idea what had happened, only that Ye Jingyu was suddenly radiating an overwhelming, crushing might…
Both showed expressions of utter horror…
Sensing the overwhelming dominance emanating from Ye Jingyu’s body, along with the world-crushing battle intent, the little pony’s eyes betrayed a flicker of very human surprise. Its head lowered once more, but it uttered no further words, its inner thoughts unknowable…
“Alright, now you can tell me exactly what you are,” Seeing the little pony lower its proud head, Ye Jingyu knew that while his power might not have fully subdued the creature, at this moment, it was enough to silence it…
“Him? Just a mongrel…” Before the little pony could reply, Xiao Tao Tao projected a mental wave from the side…
“Aow…” Seemingly insulted, the little pony let out another fierce roar…
“Don’t argue. Others may not know your origins, but I do. Your father was a Qilin, your mother was an Ancient Bó (bō sound). What else are you but a mongrel?” the Gluttonous Beast sneered, its eyes brimming with disdain…
Though both shared Dragon Clan blood, how could this creature compare to him? The Gluttonous Beast ranked high among the Nine Dragon Sons in terms of combat strength; even a Qilin might not be its match, let alone some mixed-breed…
“I am a Nì Bó (Contrarian Bó), not a mongrel,” Despite Taotie exposing his lineage, the little pony managed to transmit a fierce spiritual fluctuation…
Nì Bó? Contrarian Bó, a heaven-defying divine Bó. Feeling the strong spiritual wave from the little pony, Ye Jingyu’s face broke into a satisfied smile. He had been searching for a worthy mount, and here one was!