A cracking sound burst out from the bones of The Amethyst Winged Lion King, its face twisting into grimace as its massive body found no opportunity to resist.
"Your Excellency, I only accidentally entered this place. Please show mercy..."
As the only rank six magical beast in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, it was acutely aware of the vast difference between a Dou Ancestor and a Dou Emperor.
Moreover, the person before it had just subdued three rank five magical beasts without even lifting a hand. Such control and power were beyond the capability of most beings in the world.
"This place is under my protection. Understand?"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King nodded repeatedly, repeating three times, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing. "Understand, understand, understand."
"However, this one only leapt up and didn't actually set foot here. Could we just say this one were never here?" it pleaded.
Linglong responded coldly, "The airspace here is also part of Heaven Ascending Pavilion's territory."
"Where beasts tread, they leave their skins; where birds fly, they lose their feathers. My place, my rules—do you refuse to follow them?"
The three rank five magical beasts wailed in agony, their bones and meridians already disrupted. Running away was out of the question; their survival was now in doubt under this overwhelming pressure.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King couldn't care about anything else and tried to flee, thinking the opponent wouldn't abandon the Heaven Ascending Pavilion's protection just to chase it down.
However, Linglong merely smiled faintly. "You think you can escape from me? You don't have that capability."
With a mere wave of her hand, The Amethyst Winged Lion King crashed to the ground, its limbs and bones instantly shattered, and its horn on its head was pulverized.
The terrifying energy spread outwards, affecting the entire eastern region of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. The shockwave from a Dou Ancestor-level expert was so fearsome that it instantly killed all beasts below the rank four, leaving flesh and blood scattered everywhere, the thick smell of blood filling the air, making one want to retch.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's eyes widened in terror, fully realizing the horror of this woman. Words could no longer describe its fear.
Niu Meng picked up the now terrified Amethyst Winged Lion King and said, "Linglong, your methods are too brutal. The master specifically instructed not to dirty this place."
"Know."
Linglong replied calmly, and with a slight movement of her fingers, the flesh that had started attracting flies disappeared into thin air, even the blood vanished, as if nothing had happened.
Niu Meng dragged The Amethyst Winged Lion King back to the first floor of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. To prevent it from retaliating in its dying struggle, he used a special method to suppress it.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King roared in defiance, "Humans, release me, or I'll eat you!"
"You're facing death and still dare to be stubborn? Kneel before the master!" Niu Meng punched it hard, shattering its teeth. The intense pain gradually quieted its protests, realizing these people responded better to submission than defiance.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King finally calmed down.
Li Xiao stepped forward, pretending to wipe the broken horn on its forehead. "Interested in having a deal with me?"
"What?"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King raised its head in confusion.
"Become my mount and join Heaven Ascending Pavilion, and you will reap unexpected benefits."
These words utterly infuriated The Amethyst Winged Lion King, who roared, "Human, what makes you think you can make me your mount? I am a rank six beast, a ruler in the eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range. You'd better kill me instead of humiliating me like this!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King shouted. "A warrior can be killed but not humiliated. This king will never become a human's mount!"
Hearing this, Li Xiao felt a tinge of disappointment and wiped the blood off his right hand. He turned to Niu Meng, saying, "Take care of him. Do whatever it takes to make him agree. If he's too stubborn, kill him and go to his lair to capture the young Amethyst Winged Lion King."
"Wait! Human!" Hearing that his cub was threatened, The Amethyst Winged Lion King broke down. "Human, our hatred shouldn't involve the child. He is still young!"
"What does that have to do with me?" Li Xiao retorted. "When you magical beasts preyed on humans, do you consider their age? Especially those filthy hyenas that show no mercy."
The hyenas in the Magic Beast Mountain Range were only first or second-tier beasts, but they were fearsome because they would prey on defenseless women, using them as tools to satisfy their desires. Humans despised these creatures the most.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King looked grave, but its pride wouldn't let it surrender. It was the overlord of the north; becoming a human's mount would destroy its reputation.
Seeing its stubbornness, Niu Meng lifted it and smashed it to the ground, dazing it and filling its vision with stars.
Niu Meng then placed his palm on The Amethyst Winged Lion King's head, causing soul-wrenching pain that made it scream.
"Ah... it hurts! Stop, stop! You can't do this to me..."
Niu Meng remained silent, continuing to apply pressure, ignoring its cries. Even as it lost control of its bodily functions, Niu Meng didn't stop.
"Stop! I was wrong, I agree, I agree!"
In less than five minutes, the supposedly mighty sixth-tier magical beast had completely surrendered.
This was Niu Meng's special ability, torturing his victims by attacking their souls. Everyone knew that the soul was the most fragile and precious part of a being. If someone captured it, the consequences were dire.
Niu Meng exploited this, instilling fear in anyone who crossed his path. Those targeted by him, whether human or beast, met grim fates.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King lay with vacant eyes, limbs twitching, and foam at the mouth. It was on the brink of death.
Hearing the commotion, Li Xiao stepped out of his room, a bit disgusted. "Niu Meng, next time don't make such a mess."
"Understood, master." Niu Meng replied with a simple, honest smile, then slapped the unconscious Amethyst Winged Lion King awake.
Its pupils dilated in fear, tears streaming down its face.
"Human, I accept your terms."
"Hmm?"
"No, no, I agree to your conditions."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King had lost all its former arrogance, now filled with endless humiliation.
No matter what, it was still a powerhouse on its own, but it had nearly died helplessly in front of its subordinates.