Yi Wan let out a cold laugh. "So, Ping Mei, you were certain I would just let you get away with your nonsense?"

Ping Mei stiffened her neck. "That’s right. That little female has been dead for ages. Are you really going to do something to me over a dead person? I’m the female who bonded with you. I’m the one who’s going to bear you a litter of cubs.

I’ve already thought it all out. When the time comes, I’ll make a wish to the Thousand-faced Saintess. As long as I’m sincere and willing to pay the price, I’ll definitely be able to bear your cubs... You like Zhi Le so much, don’t you want to have cubs of your own?

The reason I didn’t want to have cubs before was because I was afraid you only bonded with me to have them, and that you’d ignore me once you did... I was wrong..."

Si Shuo asked, "What price? What are you prepared to sacrifice?"

At this point, Ping Mei was speaking without thinking, blurting out whatever came to mind. "I have so many Beast Husbands at home. Can’t I just pick one or two to sacrifice? Then I can just find a few more young, strong ones to sustain me...

Even Liwa’s talent was something I had the Thousand-faced Saintess take from Zhi Le..."

Everyone was stunned by her casual words. Even her own Beast Husbands were furious. ’So in her eyes, we’re just tools for her to climb the social ladder and show off, to be used and discarded at her whim?’

Zhi Le stood frozen, never imagining his own family could be even more shameless and greedy than he’d thought. ’It’s my own fault for being as foolish as my Father, always investing my feelings in these people. I nearly paid for it with my life!’

Yi Wan’s lips twitched into a sneer. "Then let’s sever the bond. The thought of having any connection to you now disgusts me."

Ping Mei’s eyes widened. "Yi Wan, have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea what you’re saying? Without the Beast Mark, your power will be drastically reduced! How can you be the High Priest?"

"The High Priest of Golden Lion City! You manage so many people! Even the City Lord bows and scrapes before you..."

"Not everyone is like you, obsessed with power and status. You want me to be the High Priest so you can enjoy the benefits. Heh, that won’t work on me!" Yi Wan said coldly. "I’d much rather enjoy the miserable sight of you falling from your position as the High Priest’s wife. For a vicious female like you, the only fitting punishment is to crush your spirit!"

Ping Mei was livid. "Are you insane? Why are you doing this to yourself? Zhi Li and that little female are already dead! Can’t we just live our own lives in peace?"

"No," Yi Wan said, then turned to face the Beast God and knelt. "Beast God above, your servant Yi Wan requests to sever the Beast Mark with the female Ping Mei. From this day forward, we shall no longer be partners. Our lives and marriages shall be separate and unrelated!"

"Yi Wan, you dare! I don’t agree!" Ping Mei tried to lunge forward but was yanked back by Zhi Le.

"Zhi Le, let me go! I’m your Mother!" Ping Mei shrieked, trying frantically to scratch Zhi Le, but the extending Si Teng vines wrapped around her, binding her together with Yu Jiao and gagging them both.

Some of their Beast Husbands wanted to step forward, but they were pinned in place by the oppressive auras of Gong You and Xu Chi, unable to get close.

Yi Wan was willing to sacrifice his own lifespan and power to dissolve his partnership with Ping Mei. His mind was made up, so he was naturally able to destroy the Beast Mark on her, resulting in mutual injury.

Feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion and pain wash over his body, he wiped away a trickle of fresh blood from the corner of his mouth. His face was pale but resolute, without a trace of regret. Instead, he felt an unprecedented sense of relief and calm.

Ping Mei, having the bond forcibly severed, felt her body grow weak without the nourishment of Yi Wan’s Beast Mark. A searing pain burned where the mark had been removed, and she glared at Yi Wan with hatred.

He was truly a stone that couldn’t be warmed. After a partnership of one or two decades, she couldn’t even get a single shred of pity from him!

Yi Wan continued to kneel before the Beast God. "Forgive me, Lord Beast God. Your servant Yi Wan’s power has been greatly reduced, and I may no longer be qualified for the position of High Priest. Please appoint another capable Beastman in my place."

Si Shuo slipped a Bone Marrow Cleansing and Vein Cutting Pill into Zhi Le’s hand.

Zhi Le squeezed her hand and gave her a grateful smile. He then walked over to Yi Wan, knelt halfway, and held out the elixir. "Father, this is a Bone Marrow Cleansing and Vein Cutting Pill. I’ve already taken one; this one was saved for you.

Father, the Beast God didn’t choose you to be the High Priest for no reason. More than just your power, it’s your character, your reputation, and the way you handle matters that command respect.

Can you bear to see so many Beastmen controlled and influenced by those with wicked intentions?

The rainy season and the coldest season are almost upon us. Everyone needs to hurry and prepare, or even fewer females and cubs will survive until next year..."

Yi Wan pressed his lips together, looking up silently at Zhi Le.

Zhi Le smiled. "Father, we all need you. My father and that auntie have already gone to report to the Beast God. You have to pull yourself together and continue on your own path.

They would want the Yi Wan they remembered to be full of spirit. When you go to report to the Beast God yourself one day, you can tell them all about your great deeds..."

Yi Wan managed a small smile and patted Zhi Le’s shoulder. Without a word, he took the elixir and put it in his mouth, savoring the rush of vigorous Spiritual Power.

The crowd below was getting restless. What on earth was going on? There was one twist after another.

Si Shuo stepped forward and said with a smile, "Everyone, please believe that our Beast God has always been silently protecting us. Even when we sometimes do terrible things and suffer the consequences of our own actions, he will never abandon you. He diligently maintains the balance of the entire Beast World Continent...

I trust that last year’s major and minor Beast Tides taught you a profound lesson. You will no longer foolishly dream of perfectly replicating the Central Continent’s way of life and planting the seeds of disaster.

As a Servant of the Beast God, I am here to announce to you all that any Beastman from the Southern Continent—so long as they are of good character, have decent talent, and are willing to work hard—can sign up to participate in the Secret Realm trial, which the Beast God has specially prepared to enhance your abilities!"

Hearing the two words "Secret Realm," everyone’s attention was immediately captured, their hearts thrumming with excitement.

"Si Shuo Divine Female, could you tell us more about it?"

"Si Shuo Divine Female, we were foolish just now. We were deceived and misunderstood you. Please, be the bigger person and don’t hold it against us. For the sake of the prosperity and development of us Southern Continent Beastmen, please don’t trouble yourself with our mistakes.

We will work hard to improve ourselves and protect this land..."

Si Shuo watched as the fair-weather crowd swayed back to her side. She smiled and nodded. "There are many Beastmen in our Southern Continent, and the Beast God is willing to give us a chance to increase our power and protect our home.

Of course, it’s impossible to accommodate everyone, so for every one hundred males, one will be chosen to participate in the trial. To keep things fair, the selection will be decided through fighting tournaments. Furthermore, these victors must guarantee that after the trial is complete, they will become Guardians of the Southern Continent..."

After speaking, she turned her head to the City Lord below and said with a smile, "As for the matter of the tournaments, I hope City Lord Xinba can help with the preparations."

Xinba could feel the goodwill she was extending. He nodded with a solemn expression. "Rest assured, Si Shuo Divine Female. I will personally oversee the process and strive to select responsible and powerful Warriors!"