Beast Taming: Slaughter Atlas-Chapter 555 - 499: Core Team (Part 1)

Lei Yao’s single strike annihilated three Emperor-level Guardian Beasts, an achievement that stunned everyone present.

Li Mochen and his companions spat out a mouthful of blood, their faces turning deathly pale.

The spitting of blood was due to emotional turmoil, while their pallor was caused by the soul contract’s rupture, heavily damaging their souls.

The Cyan Dragon, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird were the strongest Guardian Beasts of the three, and with their deaths, their strength was reduced by more than seventy percent.

However, the three had reached high positions in the Alliance, so they weren’t fools.

Without Chu Chen’s prompting, they picked up the Soul Suppression handcuffs from the ground and put them on voluntarily.

Seeing their cooperation, Chu Chen had no intention of making things difficult for them, as they were now practically useless, and he needed to use them to exchange for Zhao Wudi.

After removing Li Mochen’s Communication Bracelet, Chu Chen handed the three over to Wang Chengyu for safekeeping, as this was his area of expertise.

Chu Chen tapped a few times on the Communication Bracelet and dialed Sun Wenshan.

After the call connected, Sun Wenshan’s voice came through.

"How did it go?"

"It went fairly well, everything’s quite smooth," Chu Chen said calmly.

"You’re Chu Chen," Sun Wenshan said coldly.

"The Grand Elder is indeed clever. Li Mochen and his companions have been captured by me. In one month, we’ll exchange hostages."

"Fine, where will it be?" Sun Wenshan asked coldly.

Chu Chen shook his head and said, "No rush, I’ll notify you then. It’s best you don’t do anything drastic in the meantime, or I can’t guarantee their safety."

"Hmph! You dare threaten me?"

"How could I? I’m merely reminding you."

"Hmph! I hope you don’t come to regret it."

"Rest assured, I’m a man of my word, so we’ll get in touch in a month." With that, he crushed the Communication Bracelet.

Sun Wenshan listened to the busy tone coming from the Communication Bracelet and slammed a palm on the table.

The mahogany desk was shattered.

"Damn it, a bunch of useless trash. Just a month, and you can’t stir up much trouble. By then, I’ll make you wish you were dead," Sun Wenshan cursed through gritted teeth.

"Sir, isn’t a month too short? With your potential, just wait a few more years, and Sun Wenshan would have to bow to you," the elder Bai urged anxiously.

Chu Chen shook his head and said, "A month is enough. If we delay any longer, they’ll definitely prepare. Besides, the Alliance has been left in tatters by him. If we let his antics continue, it’ll crumble. By then, bringing people back together will be almost impossible."

"But..."

Old Bai was about to continue but was interrupted by Chu Chen, "There’s no ’but.’ If I dared to make a one-month appointment, I naturally have confidence. Next up is the matter of your allegiance."

Without waiting for Old Bai’s reply, Shi Feng stepped forward with a firm tone, "Sir, my life belongs to you. I care not for others, but I swear to follow you to the end."

Chu Chen nodded with satisfaction and said, "Brother Shi, no need for such formality. Are you interested in reaching the Emperor level?"

Shi Feng was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly nodded, "I have two dreams in life. First, to avenge my family, which you have already done for me. Second, to one day reach the Emperor level, which is every Beast Master’s lifelong dream."

Chu Chen nodded with satisfaction and said, "Within a year, I will help you reach the Emperor level."

"What?"

"What?"

The first ’What?’ was Shi Feng’s reaction.

The second ’What?’ was from Old Bai.

"Don’t be surprised; I always keep my promises."

Shi Feng shook his head, "Sir, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not doubting your ability, only that I’m too shocked."

Old Bai finally couldn’t hold back and came to Shi Feng’s side to express his loyalty, "I, Bai Shi, am willing to serve my master and follow you to the end."

Chu Chen shook his head, "Old Bai, we’ve known each other for quite some time, and we understand each other well." He then looked at him quietly.

Chu Chen understood Bai Shi and Shi Feng very well.

Shi Feng was sincere, loyal, and valued promises highly. Once he believed in a cause, even at the risk of death, he would pursue it without hesitation.

Therefore, Chu Chen accepted him and made him a promise.

Of course, Chu Chen made this promise publicly to set an example. He wanted everyone to see that, by following him, they would have the chance to reach the Emperor level.

Because no one is foolish; if you don’t offer adequate benefits, no one would risk their life for you.

Bai Shi, on the other hand, was shrewd and cautious, befriending Chu Chen for a chance to escape the Soul Suppressing Abyss. As for loyalty, he hadn’t fully decided. However, faced with huge benefits, he could compromise.

Sadly, Chu Chen didn’t accept his compromise.

Old Bai’s face showed a complex expression as Chu Chen stared at him expectantly.

He was clever and understood what Chu Chen wanted. After some thought, he seemed to make a decision.

Old Bai dropped to one knee, cupped his fists, and said, "I, Bai Shi, am willing to follow you, my lord. Please grant me your permission."

Chu Chen looked at the sincere Bai Shi and didn’t immediately respond but asked, "Do you know what you will face by following me?"

Old Bai nodded, "I understand."

Chu Chen sighed, "I’ll give you one last choice. If you don’t wish to follow me, you can leave, and I won’t trouble you. But if you choose to follow, you mustn’t waver, or I won’t spare you."

Old Bai showed no hesitation and responded promptly, "I am willing to follow, even unto death."

"Good, Old Bai, rise. My promise to Brother Shi applies to you as well."

Old Bai’s face lit up with joy, and he quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for your guidance."

Chu Chen nodded and then turned his gaze to Wang Chengyu.

"With the Alliance changing hands, what are Brother Wang’s plans?"

Wang Chengyu kneeled without hesitation, "I am willing to follow you."

Chu Chen sighed, "Brother Wang, you flatter me. Breaking through to the Emperor level isn’t easy."

Having been in the officialdom for years, Wang Chengyu understood Chu Chen’s undertone.

He immediately stated, "I understand, please give me the opportunity to follow you. I will break through the Emperor level bottleneck with action."

Chu Chen nodded with satisfaction, "Good. Since Brother Wang feels this way, I won’t refuse you."

After helping Wang Chengyu up, Chu Chen couldn’t help but smile, feeling accomplished at having secured three Emperor-level peak powerhouses.

He just needed to spend some Slaughter Value to help them break through to Emperor level within a year. By then, he’d have three Emperor-level subordinates, a feat unmatched in Gaia’s entire Alliance.

Acquiring other followers became easy, as everyone chose to follow Chu Chen without hesitation.

Chu Chen expected no less.

"Brother Wang, gather the information on Zhao Qingzhu and others. Weed out those who are irredeemably vicious."

"Yes, my lord."

Soon after, Wang Chengyu handed a stack of dossiers to Chu Chen, "Here is the information you requested, totaling 437 files. Eighty percent of them are wrongfully accused but performed well in the Soul Suppressing Abyss. The remaining twenty percent have committed past errors but have reformed."

Chu Chen nodded, "Very good. What’s Zhao Qingzhu’s situation?"

Wang Chengyu sighed, "This woman is quite unusual, her origins mired in mystery. Even I don’t know her background, but judging from her behavior, I don’t think she’s a bad person. There must be hidden reasons for her being in the Soul Suppressing Abyss."

Chu Chen frowned in thought. It seemed he needed to meet Zhao Qingzhu.