Xiaobai answered honestly. The problem was, the Sacred Beasts weren’t going to believe him.

Your expression was exactly the same as last time—and you answered even faster.

Who’d believe that?

So the Purple Thunder Lightning Leopard and the other beasts, who’d now heard Xiaobai’s decisive refusal twice, all looked thoroughly displeased.

“Lord Sacred Dragon Emperor, this kid clearly has no intention of cooperating.”

At some point, countless purple bolts of lightning had begun coiling around the Purple Thunder Lightning Leopard, giving it a terrifying presence.

“One slap could settle this. Why bother talking about reasonable deals and fair negotiations? That human way of doing things is useless. Why make it so complicated?”

The Netherworld White Tiger stood up too, flexing its razor-sharp claws.

“If he won’t talk, then we’ll just have to make him pay for what he’s done.”

The Shadowlight Serpent, known as the ‘Jungle Assassin’ in the last war between humans and magical beasts, was eager to join in as well. It loved nothing more than a good slaughter.

The fear in its prey’s eyes when they were cornered filled it with delight.

The more arrogant an enemy had been, the more delicious their despair was in the end.

“Oh, I’ll sit this one out. With you three taking on a one-star, you’re already giving him plenty of respect. I’ll just wait here.”

The Infernal Demon Phoenix had no interest in fighting. It quietly continued preening its feathers.

“Yeah, we may have signed the Beast Treaty, but this is the Demon Beast Mountain Range—our own turf. And that Shameless Old Man was the one who started this, while this kid deliberately kept things from us. We’re in the right here, so go ahead and do what you like. Don’t worry about it.”

“This is a simple matter. You can handle it. I don’t think I need to step in.”

The Black Sacred Dragon Emperor looked at its three battle-loving subordinates with trust.

They’d never let it down before.

Once they’d finished discussing it, the three Sacred Beasts headed straight for Xiaobai.

They were a whole lot less friendly than before.

The other magical beasts within the area felt the three Sacred Beasts’ terrifying auras and promptly dropped to the ground, trembling.

“Kid, you chose not to answer. Now die.”

Of the three Sacred Beasts, the Purple Thunder Lightning Leopard had the worst temper.

It fired a bolt of lightning straight at Xiaobai, who was still trying to process all the information he’d just been given.

“Zzt, zzt, zzt.”

A bolt of lightning blazed with purple light. With a piercing whoosh, it shot toward Xiaobai.

It was about to hit him.

Still lost in thought, Xiaobai frowned and leaned slightly to one side. The lightning struck the ground behind him.

With a deafening boom—

a terrifying force erupted. The ground where the lightning struck was reduced to dust, everything within the surrounding area obliterated.

“Hah. I didn’t expect the kid to dodge that. No wonder he dares act cocky in front of us Sacred Beasts.”

“But that was just a warm-up. There’s no way this human kid can dodge my eight-star ultimate technique, Sixfold Lightning Flash!”

“Zzt, zzt, zzt!” “Zzt, zzt, zzt!”

Six bolts of lightning came hurtling toward him. They were thicker and faster than the last one.

Xiaobai didn’t move. Moving wouldn’t necessarily help him dodge them anyway.

The bolts struck Xiaobai.

In an instant, a sea of purple lightning spread out around Xiaobai.

For a long while, nothing could be heard but the crackle of lightning. Everything else was silent.

“Leopard, you and that short fuse of yours! Your ultimate technique comes out so fast, and hits so hard. I haven’t even had my turn yet. Couldn’t you have waited a little?”

The Shadowlight Serpent was a little annoyed. Where was the despair it had been promised? It hadn’t even gotten a taste.

“Sigh. Let’s go back. This is no fun.”

White Tiger’s excitement sank in an instant.

Might as well go lounge around in the den. What a tiring day.

But just as the three Sacred Beasts turned to leave—

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A steady round of applause rang out behind them.

The beasts stared in astonishment.

A figure slowly emerged from the sea of lightning.

Even tiny arcs of electricity still danced on his fingertips.

“This electric therapy is pretty great. That sleepy, worn-out feeling I had vanished in an instant. I stayed in there a little longer—maybe I’ll get the old man to try it sometime. It works really well.”

“I’ve wanted to fight you all for a long time.”

“Whether it was interrupting my sleep or picking a fight with me for no reason…”

“I don’t know why you think I’m weak.”

“I clearly told you I’m the Sword God.”

“Since you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it with my strength.”

Xiaobai rubbed the black sword beside him and continued, his voice brimming with excitement.

“But let me make one thing clear: in the eyes of this Sword God, every one of you is trash.”

“So, go ahead and put on a show.”

“I’m… really… looking forward to it.”