The Cloud Dragon Empire—one of the most prominent nations on the Rehn Continent.
Because of its proximity to the Magical Beast Mountains, the empire was renowned for selling magical pets and Beast Crystals.
This continent strictly limited the number of Tier 9 powerhouses: only nine could exist at a time.
Once that quota was filled, no matter how hard a Tier 8 worked, they could not ascend.
That's part of why this land was called the "God-Forsaken Continent."
It wasn't just because no one could break into Tier 10—
but because the number 9 was the absolute limit.
There were only two ways for a Tier 8 to rise.
Either wait for a Tier 9 to die of old age after thirty years…
Or challenge and kill one to forcibly take their spot.
And yes—this had happened many times.
Though Tier 9 was the peak, it didn't mean they were invincible.
A group effort could bring them down.
With enough manpower—say, twenty Tier 8s—one could kill a Tier 9.
That's why those who reached Tier 9 tended to be very pragmatic.
Before aging caught up with them, they either cooperated with empires or willingly "stepped down."
There were three great empires in this world, each housing three Tier 9 powerhouses.
The last one wandered in seclusion, whereabouts unknown, impossible to track.
The one who had brought Fang Chen back earlier was one of the three Tier 9s from the Cloud Dragon Empire.
Coincidentally, the Cloud Dragon Empire's flag featured a white dragon spiraling through the sky.
Pure white—much like Fang Chen himself.
And now…
"Get up! Beast! Know your place! From now on, you are the magical pet of the Cloud Dragon Empire's First Princess!
What kind of lazy behavior is this?!"
Before him, the purple-haired girl shouted with righteous fury, her expression radiating boldness and pride.
Fang Chen rolled his eyes.
Sure, she might become a fierce general someday—
but right now, she was just a brat.
Snort—!
He snorted from his nose, sending a gust of air straight into her face.
The girl winced, her eyes narrowing in irritation.
Clearly displeased.
Fang Chen's nonchalant attitude only made it worse.
"Damn you! Stand up! Fight me face-to-face!!"
She raised a longsword and pointed it straight at him.
"……"
Fang Chen tilted his head, wondering if this girl had lost her mind.
Seriously?
He looked like a full-grown Tier 7 Earth Lizard—
And she was barely a Tier 2 rookie.
Sure, she was a prodigy among humans…
But wanting to duel him now?
Seeing the mocking look in Fang Chen's eyes, the girl realized her absurdity and quickly sheathed her sword.
"Ahem! Just you wait!!!!"
She bellowed defiantly.
Fang Chen scratched his back lazily with a claw, unfazed.
Then the Tier 9 powerhouse who had been watching finally spoke.
"Your Highness, do you need me to discipline it for you?
This magical beast has always been... peculiar."
Fang Chen turned and recognized the speaker—it was the same guy who had brought him here.
"No need… That would mean I've already lost.
You! Just wait! One day, I will tame you!"
The princess puffed up her chest proudly, then ran off toward the beast equipment area.
She began searching for a suitable beast saddle for Fang Chen.
Glancing at the Tier 9 man, Fang Chen suddenly opened his mouth—
and spat out a massive wad of saliva.
The man dodged instinctively.
Fang Chen didn't mind.
He'd only meant to disgust him anyway.
Then, slowly, Fang Chen stood up.
He sniffed the air and squinted his eyes.
The Tier 9 warrior's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword.
But Fang Chen just flicked his tail and ambled toward another direction.
He didn't care about the wary guards tailing him.
The princess noticed and called out.
"Hey! Where are you going?! Come back and try this saddle! Let me ride you!"
But Fang Chen completely ignored her and kept walking.
"Hmm? What's over there?"
She frowned, watching him leave.
"It seems to be the bathhouse…"
The Tier 9 knight muttered.
Yes, Fang Chen just wanted a bath.
He was a neat freak, but could only find the occasional pond in the wild.
After going nearly two years without bathing, he'd come straight here.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!! A magical beast broke in!!!!"
Screams erupted from the bathhouse.
Fang Chen strolled right in and sank into the hot spring,
sending all the warriors fleeing in panic.
They weren't scared—
but facing a magical beast stark naked and unarmed?
No thank you.
"Uhh… maybe you should check on this. I'm heading back."
The princess turned beet red as naked men dashed past her out the door.
"Ahem! Your Highness… shall I kill these indecent creatures who have sullied your eyes?"
The Tier 9 knight stood in front of her, sword drawn, face darkening.
"No need! It's my fault anyway! I'm leaving!"
She ran off, flustered.
Once she was gone, his face darkened further.
He roared:
"REGROUP!!!!"
The panicked knights finally snapped back to order.
"What's there to be shy about?! Haven't you ever looked in a mirror?!
Back to your posts! NOW!"
The warriors blushed and reflexively covered themselves,
looking aggrieved as they shuffled off.
When the Tier 9 knight returned with his furious team,
they found Fang Chen floating in the hot spring,
soaking leisurely, clearly enjoying himself.
Even more absurd—
he casually picked up a tiny towel.
Compared to his three-meter-long body, it looked comically small.
Then he carefully folded it, placed it on his head,
and continued his soak—
just like a human.
"……"
The knight captain furrowed his brows.
After this incident, he was now certain of one thing.
He walked up to Fang Chen, sheathed his sword, and narrowed his eyes.
"You… can understand human speech, can't you?"
His expression turned grim.
This wasn't a mere beast—
This was an intelligent lifeform,
possibly smarter than a human.
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