For the time that followed, everyone’s attention was fixed on the arena tournament. Each match was more exciting than the last. The crowd stood below the stage, observing and learning, each person imagining themselves fighting the Beastman currently on stage.

The males in her family were all quite strong. They were considered top-tier even on the Central Continent, to say nothing of the Southern Continent.

Even while suppressing their cultivation, they easily passed the arena matches and earned the opportunity to participate in the Secret Realm trial.

Following the High Priest’s instructions, the Beastmen who passed the competition pressed their thumbprints onto Beast Skins one by one. Yi Wan then tossed the skins into a bonfire, burning them to ashes to deliver them into the hands of the Beast God.

Si Shuo watched the ceremony on the platform, her eyes shifting slightly as she silently called out to the Beast God in her mind. ’Lord Beast God, have you decided how the Beastmen will undergo their trial?’

While looking over the list, the Beast God replied, "I’ll just follow your previous model. I’ll have them teleport from the plaza to nearby areas that need Wild Beasts cleared out. They can take home the Wild Beasts they hunt to use as supplies for the rainy season and the coldest season... As for the time dilation between the Secret Realm and the real world... how about thirty times? If each person stays inside for a full day and night, only one Beast Hour will have passed outside...

There are too many Wild Beasts on the Southern Continent. We’re in a race against time, so a thirty-fold difference should barely be enough..."

The two were quite familiar with each other by now, and the Beast God had immense faith in Si Shuo, so he laid out his entire plan.

Si Shuo laughed. "Lord Beast God, you’re a little too earnest, aren’t you? By nature, Beastmen are more or less selfish. Forget them—even I can’t be completely selfless.

We have a saying, ’The pit of desire is impossible to fill,’ which means a person’s wants can never be truly satisfied. You should be a little more restrained with your kindness toward the Beastmen. Don’t give them everything all at once.

Lest they start taking your goodwill for granted..."

The Beast God sounded a little lost. "Does it have to be so complicated?"

"Of course. Whether it’s you or us, we’re not just helping them increase their strength. We’re also culling large numbers of Wild Beasts to prevent a massive Beast Tide in the autumn.

But if we micromanage everything, they’ll either become dependent on us or lose all perspective and start thinking they’re incredibly powerful.

We need to make them understand that every achievement requires their absolute best effort. Naturally, their rewards will be just as significant..."

The Beast God nodded and followed her line of thought. "What’s the plan?"

Si Shuo sighed helplessly. "For instance, when they offer the resources from their hunts to you as tribute, you shouldn’t just accept them—you should take seventy or eighty percent. After all, you’re the one who made all this possible."

"These supplies are useful to you, but they’re completely useless to me. What would I do with them?" the Beast God asked, sounding amused.

"Oh, they have plenty of uses! If you collect a high ’fee,’ the Beastmen will have to fight that much harder to gather enough supplies for the rainy and coldest seasons. They’ll also learn to be grateful and to cherish what they have, which will make them remember your benevolence.

Once you’ve collected the supplies, you can periodically distribute them to the Beastmen who are truly in need. This will make them feel the protection of the Beast God!

Essentially, Lord Beast God, you gain the power of secondary distribution. You’ll achieve twice the results with half the effort..."

Si Shuo’s words opened a door to a whole new world for the Beast God. ’So you can play it like that?’

The Beast God’s voice was tinged with delight. "That sounds pretty good. So, I’ll take eighty percent of their supplies... Is that too much? Maybe sixty percent?"

"Not at all! Consider your status. There are countless people who would dream of the chance to make offerings to you; it’s their good fortune to be able to. Stick with eighty percent!

And the time dilation doesn’t need to be so extreme. A five-fold difference is more than enough. You’re already saving them all that travel time, after all. This way, they can even return home frequently to drop off supplies and then get back to the fight in peak condition."

The Beast God nodded. "Alright! We’ll do it your way."

Si Shuo smiled, pressing her lips together. "Then I’ll let Father Yi Wan know."

When she opened her eyes again, she beckoned to Zhi Le and whispered something in his ear. Zhi Le nodded, smiling as he pinched her cheek. He remained standing in place, but his clone, Zhi Qi, had already applied an Invisibility Talisman, put on a rootless flower, and silently flown to Yi Wan’s side to relay the message.

Yi Wan listened intently. Though surprised at first, he quickly understood. He turned around with a strange expression. Seeing all the Beastmen and Beast Soldiers staring at him with burning anticipation, he cleared his throat and announced, "Beastmen and Beast Soldiers of Golden Lion City, I have just submitted the list of our arena victors to the Beast God.

The Beast God is greatly pleased by everyone’s enthusiasm for participating in the Secret Realm trial. This is a rare opportunity, and as such, any Beastman who participates will be able to take home twenty percent of their hunt.

Furthermore, many surprises await you in the Secret Realm trial—strength, supplies, and Merit. You won’t miss out on a single one..."

Hearing this, Si Shuo couldn’t help but pull Zhi Le close to whisper in his ear, "Father Yi Wan is really something else. He completely flipped the message around, and now everyone will be nothing but grateful to the Beast God.

Having to turn over eighty percent of your hunt versus getting to keep twenty percent... it’s the same amount, but the mindset it creates is completely different!

The second way implies that anything they get to keep is pure profit."

Zhi Le nodded with a smile. "That’s just how Father Yi Wan is. If it hadn’t been for his diplomacy and maneuvering, the Luoni Tribe would never have become one of the most powerful tribes on the Southern Continent.

Unfortunately, the tribe was divided. Father Yi Wan eventually grew disheartened, and that, combined with the impact of the Beast Tides, led to the Luoni Tribe’s decline."