How had he become so powerful? Just by emitting his aura, he could subdue a Divine Beast of considerable strength? But this creature was certainly tough; there wasn't a single visible wound on its body. It seemed all the rumors were true: as long as it was near the Jianmu tree, this thing was virtually immortal...

Seeing the pitiful expression on the face of the Kaifeng Beast and hearing its sorrowful voice, Ye Jingyu’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter...

At this moment, Zhurong, Tianwu, and Hanba had already surrounded them. They stared, their eyes filled with utter shock, at the Kaifeng Beast, which moments ago had been so arrogant, now reduced to the look of a wretched puppy, constantly glancing between Ye Jingyu and itself?

"My dear little brother, you’re a male, aren't you?" Hanba’s beautiful eyes settled on Ye Jingyu, her seductive voice ringing out...

Ye Jingyu immediately rolled his eyes. What did she mean, ‘you’re a male’? Just as he was about to retort, Hanba’s voice continued: "This fellow back then was also a male. Has the one now somehow turned into a female? Is that why it’s so charmed by you?"

As Hanba spoke, her beautiful eyes drifted down to the area between the Kaifeng Beast’s legs. But upon seeing a long appendage dangling there, the look of confusion on her face deepened.

Ye Jingyu, however, felt two dark lines form on his face. What kind of nonsense was this? Did he really look like someone who relied on his looks to get by? Even if he had reached the pinnacle of handsomeness, surely he wouldn't resort to seducing a mere beast? And one that looked so utterly hideous, too?

"It seems this creature is afraid of the thing above your head!" It was Zhurong, standing nearby, who pointed toward the Eastern Emperor Bell hovering above Ye Jingyu’s crown.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone seemed to understand. In the Primordial Era, the Demon Race controlled the Heavens, and the Wu Race commanded the Earth. The Eastern Emperor Taiyi was the Heavenly Emperor of the Celestial Realm, and the Kaifeng Beast was the divine guardian beast watching the Celestial Gate—in essence, Eastern Emperor Taiyi's watchdog. Now, sensing the aura emanating from the Eastern Emperor Bell, it was naturally filled with dread...

To verify Zhurong’s guess, Ye Jingyu suddenly retracted the Eastern Emperor Bell. Immediately, the Kaifeng Beast’s face contorted in rage, unleashing several beams of divine light. Startled, Ye Jingyu hastily summoned the Eastern Emperor Bell back out to intercept the beams, shielding Zhurong and Tianwu within its protection, but deliberately leaving Hanba outside...

Instantly, her body was swept away, a miserable shriek escaping her lips. Faintly, the sound of her curses could also be heard? But Ye Jingyu paid her no mind; serve her right for comparing him like that earlier. As for the Kaifeng Beast beside him, it quieted down once more...

Seeing this, Ye Jingyu and the others finally relaxed, a wave of relief and thankfulness washing over them—thankful that Ye Jingyu possessed such a powerful artifact, which allowed them to subdue the Kaifeng Beast without any real effort...

The subsequent events were straightforward. Using the deterrence of the Eastern Emperor Bell, they implanted a Soul Incantation directly into the Kaifeng Beast’s mind, completely controlling it. Dealing with a Divine Beast whose strength had reached the Zhou level, communication was naturally not difficult. From the Kaifeng Beast, Ye Jingyu learned that this Jianmu tree had grown from a seed left by the ancient Jianmu, surviving in what was once the Immortal Realm. However, after that realm merged into this current dimension, the beast revealed it was not the original Kaifeng Beast, but a descendant. Yet, over the long years, by devouring numerous Immortals, it had fully matured, evident from its nine heads. Furthermore, by borrowing the power of the Jianmu, the Kaifeng Beast could exert the combat prowess of a Yu-level master.

Hearing this, Ye Jingyu even considered the idea of moving the Jianmu tree. If he could do that, wouldn't he suddenly have a Yu-level powerhouse at his side? But glancing at the immense trunk of the Jianmu, he quickly dismissed the thought.

What a joke. If he currently possessed the strength to move the Jianmu tree, what would he possibly need to worry about?

"Should we go up and take a look?" Tianwu asked from the side, having learned the origin of this Jianmu tree.

The ancient Jianmu led to the Celestial Realm; now, this Jianmu stood atop the Celestial Realm itself. Where did it lead now? Even with the temperament of Tianwu and the others, the temptation was hard to suppress.

Ye Jingyu looked up at the Jianmu tree that seemed to stretch beyond sight. After a moment's thought, he shook his head slightly. While he desperately wanted to know where the Jianmu led, what he truly desired most right now was to rescue Ling'er and reunite his family.

"Then we're just leaving?" Having absorbed the dense Azure Wood Spirit Qi, Hanba’s injuries had completely healed. Now that she knew Ye Jingyu had subdued the Kaifeng Beast, she certainly didn't want to provoke him further. Moreover, her eyes glittered with excitement as she looked at the massive body of the Jianmu—this was absolute treasure. If she could somehow get a piece from the Kaifeng Beast through Ye Jingyu, how wonderful that would be.

Ye Jingyu looked at the Jianmu, then at the Kaifeng Beast’s pitiable expression, and nodded firmly. In any case, Hou Yi, and even Xiao Taotao and Nibai’s bodies had been healed by this Azure Wood Spirit Qi, and everyone had gained immense benefits from the Kaifeng Beast. Why linger here?

The Kaifeng Beast was now his pet; what it guarded was now his possession. Ye Jingyu had already claimed the Jianmu as his private property and had no intention of damaging it...

As for whether others might come here? That was laughable. With an almost immortal Yu-level master guarding the place, what difference would others make?

Hearing Ye Jingyu’s words, Hanba’s expression immediately darkened. It seemed that besides advancing her cultivation to the Hong level, she hadn't gained much else. This was the Jianmu, after all! Sighing, wouldn't leaving like this be a bit too wasteful?

But the thought that this place had become Ye Jingyu’s private territory—couldn't she just return later?—made her spirit perk up slightly...

Just as Ye Jingyu and his group prepared to depart, a voice suddenly echoed in Ye Jingyu’s mind. Ye Jingyu, who had been ready to leave, suddenly changed his expression and turned to look at the Kaifeng Beast...

"I need a section of the Jianmu..." Ye Jingyu stated directly.

"Wuuu..." Hearing Ye Jingyu’s request, the Kaifeng Beast’s face registered a look of distress...

Hanba, standing nearby, rejoiced. Did he finally see reason and intend to give her a piece? She didn't have any powerful weapons right now; this Jianmu would be perfect for forging one!

"I need ten thousand zhang’s worth..." Ye Jingyu continued.

Seeing Ye Jingyu’s resolute stance, the Kaifeng Beast, already bound by the Soul Incantation, could only grasp its claws together with great heartache. A section of Jianmu precisely ten thousand zhang long detached itself from the main trunk...

Seeing the Kaifeng Beast acting so miserly, Ye Jingyu let out a wry smile, but Hanba had already rushed forward with a shout of joy. Such a massive piece of divine wood—how many weapons could she forge from it?

"Little girl Hanba, get out of the way..." Just then, a resonant voice boomed from within Ye Jingyu’s Sea of Consciousness, followed by a massive spectral silhouette shooting out and plunging directly into the colossal piece of divine wood...

(Little Yezi’s journey ahead is very arduous; shouldn't he boost his strength a bit? Dear brothers, beautiful sisters, feel free to throw down your Golden Bricks and recommendation votes!)F