The first update of the day! Jun Mo Xie’s mighty frame shuddered, leaving him frozen like a statue.

He licked his lips only to find them terribly dry, managing to rasp out, “W-what?” He cursed inwardly; whatever he feared had arrived… Great heavens, what was he to do now? Wasn’t this going to cost him his life?

But to Miao Xiao Miao’s eyes, his expression and movements were naturally interpreted as being overwhelmed with joy. Look at him, so shocked by her agreement that he couldn't even speak properly.

Just moments ago, when he fought Zhan Qing Feng and Zhan Yu Shu, his speech had been flawlessly fluid! Raising her head, Miao Xiao Miao shot him a glance that was half shy, half coquettish, before quickly turning her face away.

Her delicate toes unconsciously traced circles on the floor as she murmured softly, “Idiot, you truly are an idiot…” Little did she know that the instant those words left her lips, Young Master Jun felt an urge to surrender! The Zhan family had poured immense manpower, resources, fortune, and effort into something that had proven nearly impossible.

Yet, Young Miss Miao had almost achieved it with just a few simple sentences! Young Master Jun now appeared to have genuinely turned into an idiot… His eyes were glazed over, though not because the sight was delectable—after all, the Young Master wasn't so desperate as to choose just any meal—it was purely due to extreme shock.

“Could this be the legendary… the most unbearable grace bestowed by a beauty that brings ruin? At this moment, Young Master Jun felt an urge to weep without tears…” I swear, I really didn't come here to build a harem.

My original goal was simply to acquire some Seven-Colored Sacred Fruits. Now, even if I’m a bit greedy and want a whole Seven-Colored Sacred Fruit Tree, that's all there is to it.

I truly have no other intentions. Must I really turn ‘greed’ into ‘poverty’?

After a thousand days of chasing geese, I’ve finally been pecked by one. I wonder if Young Master Jun, at this moment, counts as having gained an advantage while still feigning modesty?

Just as Miao Xiao Miao locked onto Jun Mo Xie with her gaze, burning with fervor and expectation, and just when Jun Mo Xie was utterly at a loss for what to do—his savior finally arrived… “Mo Jun Ye, Great Genius Mo, the Xuan Beasts for the arena battle have been delivered! How much longer do you intend to stall?” Zhan Qing Feng’s announcement actually gave Jun Mo Xie an urge to hug him tightly and plant a kiss on him… Heaven knows, someone had finally come to rescue him from this predicament… Zhan Qing Feng and Zhan Yu Shu watched the man and woman standing opposite each other with eyes full of jealousy.

Especially Zhan Qing Feng, whose heart was so enraged it felt like it would burst through his chest! Miao Xiao Miao was the woman he had set his sights on years ago!

Others might not know what the beauty beneath Miao Xiao Miao’s veil looked like, but he was an exception. Of course, the exception, Young Master Zhan, also didn’t know what Miao Xiao Miao looked like today, but Zhan Qing Feng remembered vividly: eight years ago, Miao Xiao Miao, then eleven, already exhibited a dazzling, astonishing beauty!

At that time, Miao Xiao Miao was enough to cause a stir! Although she was still somewhat immature, Zhan Qing Feng firmly believed that within the entire Misty Illusory Abode, there would absolutely be no other maiden more beautiful than Miao Xiao Miao!

The rumor that Miao Xiao Miao was the number one beauty in the Abode was, in fact, spread by Zhan Qing Feng after that brief encounter back then… Now, Miao Xiao Miao had grown into a woman. Just looking at her autumn-water eyes was enough to topple kingdoms and enchant the populace!

The reason Miao Xiao Miao was ranked third—untouchable—in the Illusory Abode wasn't entirely because of the Miao Family backing her, nor was it because she was inherently spoiled and willful. The biggest reason was this: once provoked, the gentle Young Miss Miao herself might not do anything, perhaps not even bother to care, but her many suitors absolutely possessed the means to make the life of the provocateur more miserable than death in an instant, possibly even swallowing whole the entire family and all background connections of that person, like a whale consuming plankton… How could the Princess of the Illusory Abode be taken lightly?

How could such peerless allure be allowed to fall into another man’s embrace when she was before him? No!

Absolutely not! Although Zhan Qing Feng’s household was already filled with wives and concubines, with children already playing at his knees, this did not diminish his ambition for Miao Xiao Miao, nor his many subtle pursuits.

In fact, one could say that before today, all his calculated efforts had been quite successful… Furthermore, although the Miao Family was still a leading power in the Illusory Abode, their foundation was subtly showing signs of decline. For the Zhan Family to replace them, given the current situation, was by no means an impossible prospect… At that time, wouldn’t Miao Xiao Miao be entirely at his disposal?

The flames of jealousy burned fiercely within Zhan Qing Feng, which is why, as soon as he heard the sound of carriages outside the door, he immediately spoke up, interrupting the intimate exchange between Jun Mo Xie and Miao Xiao Miao. Although this was an extremely impolite act, he could no longer afford such courtesies in this moment.

He had already claimed Miao Xiao Miao as his private possession; anyone attempting to lay a hand on her was an enemy who might very well be handing him a cuckold’s horns. His younger brother, Zhan Yu Shu, was one such enemy, and Mo Jun Ye before him was another.

Against such foes, there was only one course of action: eliminate them swiftly! Or, at the very least, completely sever any potential future developments between him and Miao Xiao Miao!

“Oh, they’re here already? Young Master Zhan’s subordinates certainly handle matters efficiently.” Jun Mo Xie turned around with perfect compliance, the expression on his face instantly regaining its vitality.

At this moment, a voice sounded from the entrance of the main hall: “Young Master, the people from the Xuan Beast Grounds have arrived. May I ask if they should be brought in now?” “Everyone has been waiting impatiently; bring him in immediately!” Zhan Qing Feng frowned and barked.

The pent-up pressure and agitation in his heart had pushed the usually calm and composed Young Master Zhan to the very brink of an explosion; he could no longer concern himself with grace or demeanor. Following a commotion of noise, several carriages made their way into the interior of the Fragrant Pavilion.

A plump, middle-aged man, beaming with a smile, approached Zhan Qing Feng, bowing and scraping obsequiously: “Young Master Zhan, hehe, since this humble one didn’t know precisely which Xuan Beasts you required, I brought five or six of every type of Tier Three and Tier Four Xuan Beast suitable for arena fighting. I hope this will satisfy you, my lord…” “Mm, you’ve done well.

But you didn’t need so many. Just leave all the Tier Four Xuan Beasts, the Cat-Body Tigers.” A sharp glint flashed in Zhan Qing Feng’s eyes as he issued the calm command.

“Cat-Body Tigers?” Jun Mo Xie frowned. He had spent a considerable amount of time in the Heavenly Punishment grounds, but he seemed never to have heard of a Xuan Beast called the ‘Cat-Body Tiger.’ Was this perhaps a specialty of the Misty Illusory Abode?

“Brother Mo came from the outside world into the Abode, so you might not know the Cat-Body Tiger. Allow me to explain it to Brother Mo, so you can get a general concept of this Xuan Beast.” Zhan Qing Feng smiled faintly.

“The Cat-Body Tiger is an animal that looks very cute; it is a unique species of Xuan Beast exclusive to the Illusory Abode. Its size is only that of an ordinary kitten, but it possesses the traits of a tiger: ferocious, bloodthirsty, and extremely territorial.

Although its rank rarely exceeds Tier Four, its combative nature far surpasses that of common Xuan Beasts. For instance, the Green-Haired Tiger, also a Tier Four Xuan Beast, is subdued by it…” “I see, thank you for the enlightenment, Young Master Zhan.” Jun Mo Xie nodded, showing utmost courtesy, but in his heart, he thought: I don’t care if it’s a cat-body tiger or a dog-body tiger; under this Master’s command, every Xuan Beast is the same.

Following Zhan Qing Feng’s order, several burly men from the Beast Fighting Grounds each carried in a small cage, placing six small cages in the center of the arena. Inside each cage was an animal with patchy fur, resembling a calico cat.

Once placed together, these small creatures, previously lying lazily and comically inside their iron cages, instantly sensed the presence of their own kind! Instantly, the fur on their entire bodies bristled!

They sprang up with a “whoosh,” arching their backs, their eyes shooting out abnormally fierce light. A set of sharp teeth was prominently displayed, and a low growl rumbled in their throats—a clear show of aggression.

Their hind legs were also stomping forcefully, as if ready to spring out at any moment to attack these kinsmen who dared to enter their territory! Each of these Cat-Body Tigers weighed no more than ten catties, but on their foreheads, a ring of fur clearly formed the character ‘King.’ Though small in stature, their kingly aura was palpable!

“Truly worthy of being called the fiercest of the Tier Four Xuan Beasts. They certainly live up to their name,” Jun Mo Xie mused inwardly, genuinely surprised.

“To ensure fairness, Brother Mo, please select first,” Zhan Qing Feng said generously. In truth, the fighting power of these Cat-Body Tigers was largely similar; the result wouldn't differ much regardless of who picked first.

The crucial factor, however, was this: no matter which one Zhan Qing Feng chose, once he circulated his unique Xuan Beast Art technique and injected his mystic energy into that Cat-Body Tiger, its combat strength would instantly double! The battle-beast infused with the special Xuan Qi would have its strength elevated from Tier Four to Tier Five.

A difference of one rank constituted an insurmountable, massive gulf! This was the greatest capital of Zhan Qing Feng, and indeed, the entire Zhan Family, in their undefeated reign within the Xuan Beast domain of the Illusory Abode!

“Brother Zhan is so courteous; I shall not refuse then,” Jun Mo Xie smiled and slowly walked over. Seeing a person approaching, the six Cat-Body Tigers in the cages all let out low roars, baring their teeth as if warning the newcomer not to approach, threatening that any attempt to draw near would be paid for in blood.

In reality, Cat-Body Tigers were inherently ferocious, and a presence like ‘Great Genius Mo,’ with his low level of profound energy, was completely beneath their notice. Zhan Qing Feng feigned generosity by letting Mo Jun Ye choose first, partly to mock him.

If Mo Jun Ye accidentally got bitten or scratched by a Cat-Body Tiger, the fun would truly begin! Unfortunately, Jun Mo Xie seemed entirely oblivious to the Cat-Body Tigers’ intimidation.

He skipped the selection process entirely and simply chose the one nearest to him. He glanced at it briefly: “I’ll take this one.

I find this one quite cute. Beast gambling is much like cockfighting or dog fighting; since their strength is roughly equal, it should come down to individual luck.

I still trust my intuition, and my luck for windfall gains is quite strong right now!” (To be continued, for more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)