Exile

Ja Sun didn't consider himself a maniac scientist but as he made plans on how to make the best use of the unconscious beast in front of him, he certainly felt so. The list was based on the priorities and how devouring each aspect of the beast would retain the integrity of other aspects still left.

So, the first and foremost aspect Ja Sun found noteworthy was the beast's memories. To be honest, Ja Sun still felt woozy after delving into the memories of another individual and this was even after having divine intent. So, even if he planned to form proper arrays that made this vile ability more mainstream just for himself, Ja Sun had no time to pursue such a goal right now. So, after forming an appropriate mission that was ranked C, Ja Sun delved into the memories of the pitiful million-year-old spirit beast.

Much to Ja Sun's surprise, the memories of this 'Skydream' Iceworm was... lackluster when it came to the memories of the Death Spider Emperor who could transfer its consciousness into its offspring due to a method given by the King of the Beasts. Ja Sun would have gotten to know more if he hadn't been interrupted by an apparition of Asura.

Compared to that... this worm's memories were just eating, hiding, and sleeping that formed large blanks in the memory reels of the beast. Realizing how... lackluster this beast was even compared to Petals, Ja Sun found it a right decision to make a more practical use of this beast since the only thing valuable about the worm was its accumulation.

Pulling himself out of the memory vault, Ja Sun rubbed his head as a slight moment of exhaustion caught him in a daze. Huffing softly, Ja Sun then turned to the next thing to harvest about the beast— Its spirit soul.

Killing the beast outright would make his location known to others but extracting and refining a spirit soul was not only a taxing but a more discreet accomplishment. Even the refinement of the Soul Origin of 10000-year-old beasts caused Ja Sun to sweat so he wasn't deluded that this worm's accumulation would be easy to process just because of its cowardly nature.

Silently, Ja Sun began to draw runes that eventually shifted into an array that soon dug deeper into the worm's body under Ja Sun's intent.

---

Surrounded by every beast with a sentient of their own not far from a breathtaking emerald lake, Bi Ji silently observed a particular golden orb next to the lake with fine but faint golden dragon scales glimmering on the sphere of gold within which slept a beautiful golden-furred beast.

"They all deserve to know who that human is. I believe that your intentions were something along the line to keep the forest safe but the conclusion of that human's actions have caused... for the lack of a better term, many major factions to move." The clamor of spirit beasts and the constant movement of spiritual intent settled as deep voice reverberated from the throat of a tall, dark-haired man who sported a single lock of gold falling over his face.

His deep golden eyes observed Bi Ji's every movement, every shift in her expression while the aura he subconsciously released made others feel too heavy to breathe. Within the group of beasts, only a few adopted their human appearances, Zi Ji being one of them since her size was not well-suited to appear in such a cramped location. Most notable of other spirit beasts present was a giant bear with dark-golden fur and terrifying claws that seemed to tear the space even when still.

"As you wish, Beast G—" Bi Ji was interrupted as the man waved his hand in response, "Enough with the titles."

"Of course, Di Tian," Bi Ji replied and added, "A younger generation of my species met with a human almost a week ago due to a strange breath found on him. Unlike what could have been expected, Greeny was only stripped off of his fur and kept his life. Maybe it was the fact that humans understood that ours is a species endangered or the fact that to him, hunting of spirit beast isn't a matter of sport but rational necessity similar to how other spirit beasts treat one another.

Once I caught wind of it, I made my way to the human's temporary residence. He is a boy, his age still unconfirmed but from his body's natural vitality, I assume it to be between 23-26. And his cultivation is bottlenecked at rank 70, or what we usually consider, the Spirit Block for True Avatar."

Bi Ji let her words sink in. The reactions were not hard to expect as she already heard a few dissatisfied growls but then again, Ja Sun had caused quite the ruckus.

"Continue," the strange man called the King caused the surroundings to go silent once again as Bi Ji nodded and did as was commanded of her.

"I sensed a minuscule aura of Life Gold from that human and wished to trade for it. Life Gold is a material that has a great allure to me and my species and thus, I acted out of selfishness. The human wished for a trade based on the quality of materials I can gain from other beasts. For this, I did not think it twice to use the favors the various spirit beasts thought they owed me while keeping my domain active so as to not inconvenience them," with an impassive expression that seemed devoid of any glimmer of hope that Bi Ji usually had, the woman reported everything honestly.

"In the end, the human managed to trick me. I believe his mental energy is far superior than my own. Hearing about the situation, Zi Ji felt obligated to help me and thus we began to give chase to the human. We came across various spirit beasts. None of them were fatally harmed but they were stripped off of their more valuable external body parts that identify these beasts."

"And during all this, you did not feel responsible enough to report everything that had already happened?" Di Tian frowned, "And was Zi Ji aware of the trade, and did she help you in covering up this fact?"

Without missing a beat and words that caused Zi Ji to ball her fists in frustration, Bi Ji responded, "No, she only helped me in chasing the human but did not have any hand in the trade. I wished to peacefully remove the human, believing that even if his mental energy is superior to my own, his cultivation and physique would fall short in terms of overall might.

The reason I also did not explain that his martial soul was a variant of the Auspicious Emperor was to avoid having unnecessary blood on my hand.

Now I have a brief evaluation of that human.

His martial soul seems to have a bit less potency when it comes to increasing the pace of cultivation when compared to her," saying so, Bi Ji regarded the sleeping golden lion with a gentle look in her eyes, "However, he makes up for it with his shrewd nature. That human is adept in arrays including commendable spatial talent and he seemed to have entered the King's Lair by making use of this talent.

Given how he could make the fool of me and Zi Ji, his combat strength is needed to be assumed at a level of a pinnacle Titled Douluo similar to the one with an Angel Martial Soul who once wished to kill the Auspicious Emperor."

"I remember that brat," the dark-haired man with deep golden eyes scoffed with a hint of displeasure, "Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"No, there isn't," Bi Ji shook her head.

"Hmm, Bi Ji, your contributions and gentle nature has been what kept the King's Lair so peaceful despite our innate way of life that revolves around killing and consuming others." Di Tian remarked while emphasizing each word, "However, your actions have also cost us not only Life Gold, necessary for things far beyond your own growth, but also a Demi-divine Spirit Beast lucky enough to reach that level without facing tribulation. That beast could have been used to nurture us all. Not to mention the fact that the beasts of various regions must have sensed that human's aura."

"Yet, you may not understand this," Di Tian's tone turned gentle, "His strength isn't limited to a simple rank 99 Douluo. That man wields Divine Intent at the very least and that's why he could turn himself into a beacon for the spirit beasts. Your and Zi Ji's loss... is understandable."

Bi Ji blinked in surprise, not expecting such a revelation.

"You may choose between leaving the King's Lair for thousand years or having yourself locked in the prison for 100 years that will stun your growth for that period."

Although Bi Ji expected this, she couldn't help but smile sadly. No, she never thought she'd get killed. Her contributions were simply staggering for that. However, the feeling of longing she had seemed to be drastically retracted when she heard her punishment. Exile or imprisonment. But what was worse was something entirely else.

"I request for my punishment to be postponed until the tribulation the King's Lair is going to encounter passes. I can support everyone without issuing any complaint at the cost of my—"

"No," Di Tian closed his eyes, "Exile in solitude or imprisonment in solitude. You won't help any being, not so much as helping heal a single scratch. The members of your race are competent enough to do so." Each of his words felt like a dagger as Bi Ji gently took off her glasses.

Although thousand or hundred years meant nothing to her, this punishment and the refusal of her assistance meant an irreparable blow between the trust she had built with others. Walking towards Zi Ji, Bi Ji handed her the glasses and smiled, "I will always remember this gift. But I want you to keep it. Remember why I did, what I did."

Bi Ji had her words compressed. The meaning of her words was clear— to not throw herself under, too. Only one of them needed to face the punishment and despite her abilities, Bi Ji felt that Zi Ji was just too valuable of a powerhouse to be lost on King's Lair. She could understand that Di Tian had a reputation and a majesty to uphold so he didn't mind exiling or imprisoning one of the core individuals to show he, or the King's Lair was not to be messed with even by his own.

Zi Ji's lips trembled as she listlessly looked at the pair of green-rimmed glasses in her hands and bit her lips in angst.

"I'm fortunate to have met all of you," Bi Ji issued a bow, to which, all the beasts whether in human form or their natural form except for Di Tian lowered their heads in respect and admiration for Bi Ji. Just because she wouldn't be with them doesn't mean they would forget her. She is one of the reasons why all of them could form the King's Lair! Casting a glance at the Golden Lion, Bi Ji refrained from waking her up and then issued a deep bow towards the Silver Pole in the middle of an Emerald Lake.

"My deepest apologies for acting out of self-interest regarding Life Gold. I always considered myself above the need to consume other spirit beasts but when pressed with the opportunity to step to the stars... I could not help myself but indulge my selfishness."

Curious as to who Bi Ji was talking to, many beasts cast a glance towards the lake yet seeing not so much as a ripple forming, they eventually ignored it once again.

With that, a pair of beautiful emerald wings emerged from Bi Ji's back and she silently flew away.

Only after a short period of silence did Di Tian begin, "I don't mind beasts interacting with humans until it doesn't affect King's Lair. All of you are here and know that there is another Auspicious Emperor. As a martial soul, even if its effects are weaker... I am willing to believe that the ability is also effective on humans. For that reason, this human must not leave this forest alive."

Part of the reason why Bi Ji's punishment was so... 'simple' was due to her being honest about almost everything except Zi Ji's involvement. Di Tian could detect deceitfulness when facing one but he appreciated the fact that he wouldn't have to make an example out of Zi Ji.

Understanding how crucial Ja Sun would be in any faction, every sentient spirit beast spread out and the result shocked Di Tian to his core.

After all, not even three hours had passed when...

"I found a human hut!"

A gruff voice traveled through the forest followed by a massive—

*Booooooommmmmmmmm*

***

Shoutout to Luis Cornelio and Nero!

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