The Beastman Tribe lived mostly in tribal settlements across the nation, surviving by hunting magical beasts.
Yet their capital was a magnificent city of exquisite architecture—not tents like ordinary tribes—renowned worldwide.
Now, inside one of the city’s most splendid palaces, a nearly two-meter-tall middle-aged man stood on an observation platform. His muscular, imposing frame radiated such restrained power that the very air around him trembled.
He was the Beast King!
But he had snow-white hair and a pair of fluffy... cat ears. They twitched slightly, giving him an almost adorable appearance at first glance.
His gaze rested on his Little Princess’s residence in the distance. Many young ones had gathered there—young beastmen like himself who mostly resembled humans except for their beast ears and tails, and others whose heads were fully beast-like yet walked upright on two legs.
His daughter shared his snow-white hair, large cat ears, and a lovely face. If Yan Yi were here, he’d surely pounce on her despite the Beast King’s presence, shouting, “Catgirl!”
Watching his daughter and her friends, he pondered. Ever since she’d reached the S Realm, he’d wanted to pave her path toward the Realm of Magic.
But he still had no idea how. His own strength came from endless battles, and he was terrible at scheming. Governing the tribe fell almost entirely to his wife and the Elder Wolf.
“Bailu!”
Frustrated, he called out. A petite girl barely 1.5 meters tall appeared—golden-haired with dog-like ears and tail.
This canine loli beastman looked utterly cute, yet the energy radiating from her was at the Demon Ascension realm. A monster, in every sense.
“Your Majesty?” Her voice was soft and sweet. She served as the Little Princess’s guardian.
“Bailu,” the Beast King said, wearing the expression of a lonely patriarch craving connection. His wife was buried in state affairs, and his daughter had grown distant with age. He felt utterly alone. “I want to grow closer to my daughter. Now that she’s in the S Realm, I wish to prepare her for the Realm of Magic... but I don’t know how.”
Bailu’s face twisted in exasperation. *This king is a genius in battle but hopeless at everything else.* After a pause, she suggested:
“Ahem. The Soul Luring Lotus in the human world should bloom soon. You could gift it to the Little Princess.”
“The human world?! No, no! The Elder forbade it!”
The Beast King recoiled. The Elder Wolf had warned him sternly: *Bring up anything about the human world without consulting me, and start planning your funeral.* Just remembering her threat made him shudder.
Bailu frowned inwardly. *Why does the Elder fear humans? They’re weak. I’d be the strongest there.*
She pressed on: “The Five Academies Grand Competition is approaching in the human world. We could send a diplomatic delegation for ‘friendly exchanges.’ As neighboring nations, it should be acceptable.”
The Beast King wavered between the Elder Wolf’s terrifying glare and his daughter’s smile.
Daughter won. He nodded firmly.
“Good. I’ll ask the Elder Wolf for her opinion right now.”
He vanished instantly. Bailu stared at the empty space, sighing.
“Sigh... How can someone so powerful act like a child in every other way?”
Shaking her head with a wry smile, she too disappeared to resume guarding the Little Princess.
The Beast King’s approach was characteristically blunt. He materialized unannounced in the Elder Wolf’s office and bellowed:
“Elder! I want to send an envoy to the human world!”
The Elder Wolf—a stunning beauty with wolf ears—had been reviewing documents. Her temple throbbed visibly, her lovely face darkening as she smiled sweetly at the idiot king.
“Your Majesty,” she murmured, “had enough of life?”
Sovereign-level pressure crashed down. She was the only one in the palace who dared unleash her aura so freely—not even the Beast King dared, not with her and his wife around.
Sweat beaded on the Beast King’s forehead. The Elder Wolf inherited ancient beastman techniques; fighting her would be suicide. He stammered an explanation.
Slowly, her pressure eased as she listened, though her expression remained icy.
“...In short,” he finished, “I just want to bond with my daughter!”
The pressure vanished. The Elder Wolf’s stern face softened with pity.
“Truly, no one lives as cluelessly as you do.”
She weighed his words. Their ancestors had forbidden interfering with humans—a rule even the Elf Kingdom dared not break. But... could friendship bring benefits?
She’d never considered it before. Now, she saw potential.
Finally, she nodded. “Send only one Demon Ascension expert and two Magic Realm guardians—all below Heaven Defying level. Let the Little Princess and her friends join for experience.”
Her voice turned grave. “And be *exquisitely* friendly. Do *not* provoke the human world. *Ever.*”
The cost of defying that rule was unthinkable. Even the Elf Kingdom couldn’t survive it—let alone their tribe.
The Beast King beamed. His daughter! The Elder’s approval! Joy flooded him.
“Wait. Don’t move.” The Elder Wolf eyed him distrustfully. She adored the Little Princess too. “I’ll arrange everything myself.”
The Beast King protested—then instantly wilted under her glare. “Ah... Elder,” he mumbled, shoulders slumping like a scolded child, “just... make sure to mention me.”
The Elder Wolf sighed. She gave his shoulder a reassuring pat and vanished.
