Augustine’s smile remained fixed as he met Black Mingba’s full-force palm strike with one of his own, unleashing the entirety of the demonic energy surging within him. His giant wolf companion seemed to read Augustine’s intent, its fur instantly bristling.

With a thunderous boom, the collision of violet flames and silver radiance resulted in a massive explosion, the sheer force of which made the surrounding fires writhe violently, yet astonishingly, it caused no further destruction to the scene.

Augustine was sent reeling backward by the impact, and Black Mingba, too, was forced into a rapid retreat. On the surface, they appeared perfectly matched.

“I knew you were being so brazen for a reason—your cultivation has advanced significantly. But do you truly believe that level grants you the right to be so presumptuous in my presence?” Black Mingba sneered.

Seeing that Black Mingba had been shoved back by the force of the collision, a flicker of rare light shone in Augustine’s eyes. The gap between him and his opponent had finally narrowed considerably. With the aid of this clone, he should be able to firmly suppress Black Mingba, or at the very least, fight him to a standstill.

This thought brought a faint, triumphant smile to Augustine’s lips. No one knew that the silver giant wolf was, in fact, one of his clones—one that had been condensed tens of thousands of years ago.

“Heh, Black Mingba, I am not being presumptuous. I am merely here to demand justice for my son…” Augustine retorted with a cold laugh.

“Justice? Where in this world is there any justice? Yan Senxu, head immediately to the Panbulasi Great Grasslands and bring me that little girl. I will hold up my end of the bargain!” Black Mingba chuckled, speaking to Yan Senxu at his side.

“Understood!” Yan Senxu agreed instantly, transforming into a streak of firelight and hurtling towards the northwest.

“Think you can leave? Not a chance!” Seeing this man disregard him so utterly despite lacking the power of a Demon Lord ignited a spark of fury in Augustine. He raised his hand to snatch at Yan Senxu.

Black Mingba made no move to intervene as Augustine attacked. Yan Senxu was already on the cusp of the Demon Lord realm; if he couldn't even evade Augustine in front of him, what right did he have to ascend?

Facing the gigantic, illusory hand conjured by Augustine, Yan Senxu didn't even glance at it. He unleashed the full torrent of demonic power within him, crimson flames soaring skyward. In the blink of an eye, he vanished without a trace, leaving Augustine’s grasp to close only on a wisp of fading fire.

Staring blankly at the receding figure of Yan Senxu, Augustine remained silent for a full quarter of an hour before regaining his composure.

“Very good, Black Mingba. I did not realize your Yan Demon Clan harbored such a powerful young expert. But do you truly think he alone is enough to recapture Black Ming Shi Xuan? To be honest, I have also dispatched that fellow, Long Zimu!” Augustine sneered, then with a sudden thought, the massive silver wolf beneath him turned and bolted toward the territory of the Werewolf Clan.

Upon hearing the name Long Zimu, Black Mingba’s expression shifted subtly. He watched the direction Yan Senxu had flown, then gently beckoned with one hand. Immediately, an ancient, stooped figure slowly materialized beside him.

It was a man completely bald and toothless, with deep-set eyes and a face mapped with wrinkles, resembling a skeleton.

“Kill Long Zimu, and then you are free!” a chilling voice issued from Black Mingba’s lips.

The moment the word ‘free’ reached the stooped man, his hunched posture straightened abruptly, and a power that scorned the world emanated from him—though it vanished instantly, leaving no trace.

“I will return!” the man stated simply.

“Even if you return, you will never be my match. However, if you truly wish to challenge me, I will certainly grant you that opportunity!” Black Mingba replied calmly.

The man said no more, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing into the horizon. Watching where the man flew, Black Mingba murmured to himself, “Yu Luosha. The world believes you perished by the hands of that youngster Xuanyuan Jue, but who knows that you never died? After three centuries of endurance and forbearance, how much have you improved? I truly look forward to it!”

Having finished his quiet monologue, Black Mingba turned and walked back into his Demon Palace…

The Panbulasi Great Grasslands, home to the Minotaurs.

Ye Jingyu, clad in black combat gear, sat astride Ni Bo, gazing up at the distant horizon. Black Ming Shi Xuan was held securely in his arms in front of him.

Beside Ni Bo stood a snow-white, winged tiger—Yingzhao, the mount of Jiu Feng. Jiu Feng herself, dressed in a black gauze skirt, was perched on Yingzhao’s back, her eyes fixed entirely upon Ye Jingyu.

Liang Xiaoke, from some unknown source, had procured a dark, rhinoceros-like demonic beast bearing seven horns as his steed, fitting it with black armor. He actually managed to look rather dashing—no, rather uniquely valiant.

Gongsun Lu stood respectfully behind him, her eyes, which should have been devoid of emotion, occasionally flashing with strange light.

Monique rode a giant black wolf, clinging tightly to Liang Xiaoke, as if only proximity to this man ensured her safety.

Behind them, Hu Yanzhi and Hu Yanmeng also rode demonic beasts resembling fine horses, each clad in armor.

Even Lin Xiaoyi donned a set of armor, riding a Tyrannosaurus Beast close to Ye Jingyu, though his eyes constantly drifted toward Gongsun Lu.

Behind them were thousands of Minotaurs and over a thousand Sky Wolf Giants, lined up in disciplined ranks. An unspoken, chilling aura permeated the air…

This time, they were leading the Minotaurs into battle. According to Ye Jingyu’s plan, he intended to seize dominion over both the Panbulasi Great Grasslands and the Tianjue Forest in the shortest time possible. He desperately needed a force truly his own; relying solely on the Minotaurs was insufficient. Neither Augustine nor Fang Zhentian were opponents he could handle currently. He had to rapidly establish his own power base—a force capable of standing against these giants.