Chapter 215: Beast Alliance

"Welcome to the Beast Alliance, Fang Qi." Zhu Zhu suddenly stepped forward, offering Fang Chang a friendly handshake.

"Huh?" Fang Chang's mind froze for a moment before he realized that the so-called Beast Alliance must be the organization they were currently in.

He reached out, shook her hand twice, and said, "Why didn't you tell me about this place earlier?"

"Well, I was worried you weren't trustworthy." Zhu Zhu sounded a bit helpless. "Our Beast Alliance prioritizes secrecy above all. Even if we have to give up potential members, we absolutely can't risk exposure."

Fang Chang blinked and immediately understood what she meant.

A group of hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts in human form—if their existence were exposed to the human Soul Master world, it would undoubtedly provoke intense jealousy.

After all, hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings were something all Soul Masters dreamed of. Not to mention, these beasts would also drop hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones upon death.

Zhu Zhu explained that this organization, known as the Beast Alliance, was formed by several hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts who had taken human form. It existed to protect their kind.

At the same time, they shared a common dream: that one day, they could resist human Soul Masters and carve out a safe habitat where Soul Beasts could live without fear.

Their goal filled Fang Chang with a sense of admiration. If he could leverage this force, it would undoubtedly become a powerful ally.

Just then, a graceful figure slowly descended from the upper floor. The Soul Beasts in the room all bowed respectfully.

"No need for that. We're all one of a kind." Her voice was crisp and clear. As she spoke, she turned her gaze toward Fang Chang, a look of contemplation surfacing in her eyes.

A Sea Emperor Spider… Fang Chang's expression unexpectedly softened. This young one was likely the closest to him by blood in the room.

Probably only a hundred generations apart or so.

"That's odd… who are you?" She walked up to him and studied him for a long while. "Why do I feel something strange about you? It's like… a sense of instinctive submission from deep within my blood."

The entire room froze in shock. This Lady Zhu Jing had already reached the level of Title Douluo and was a guardian of Soul Beasts.

And now she claimed to feel a bloodline-level submission to this mysterious man Zhu Zhu brought back? Could his bloodline surpass even Lady Zhu Jing's?

Fang Chang didn't say much. He simply shook his head and said, "Don't overthink it. You must be mistaken. I'm just a Soul Emperor. How could I make a Title Douluo submit?"

Though he said that, he was very clear in his heart: as the progenitor of these spider-type Soul Beasts, he naturally exerted a form of bloodline suppression over them.

This suppression would weaken over generations, and most of the other spider Soul Beasts here were separated from him by over a thousand generations, so the effect was minimal.

But Zhu Jing's bloodline was much closer to his, which made the effect far more noticeable.

"Is that so…" Zhu Jing pursed her lips, half convinced. "Then how about becoming my husband? I happen to be short one."

Pfft— Her words nearly made Fang Chang spit blood. Zhu Zhu immediately grew tense, and a rare flash of killing intent appeared in her eyes.

Even the other Soul Beasts in the room were stunned. The ever-distant Lady Zhu Jing had actually just said something like that?

"That's probably not appropriate…" Fang Chang replied awkwardly. "Lady Zhu Jing, you're already a Title Douluo, and I'm just a lowly Soul Emperor. I wouldn't dare presume to be your equal."

"Ugh, can't even take a joke?" Zhu Jing said, though a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.

With her strength far surpassing everyone else present, she could tell that Fang Chang was different. He clearly had many secrets, and his potential went far beyond what it seemed.

She turned to Zhu Zhu. "By the way, Zhu Zhu, you're in Sun-Moon City this time to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, right?"

"Yes." Zhu Zhu nodded and—rather possessively—looped her arm through Fang Chang's. "Fang Qi is too. We're in the same academy now, representing Spider God Academy in the tournament."

Caught between the two, Fang Chang felt a little helpless. Compared to Zhu Jing, Zhu Zhu definitely seemed more reliable.

At least she shared no blood relation with him.

Zhu Jing, whether playing dumb or unwilling to lose, brushed up next to Fang Chang and reminded them, "You two better be careful during this tournament. A lot of big names will show up."

"And… I've spotted traces of the Spider Hunters in the city lately. They might have a way of seeing through your disguises."

"Spider Hunters?" Fang Chang and Zhu Zhu gasped simultaneously.

"Yes, them." Zhu Jing's expression turned dark. "The ones I've seen so far are just small fry, but I don't know if there'll be any big fish coming later."

"But don't worry. If I get the chance, I'll try to be at the tournament grounds. If something really happens, I'll help you escape." Her eyes flicked toward Fang Chang, as if trying to score favor with a subordinate.

"Then we'll count on you, Sister Zhu Jing." Zhu Zhu clasped her hands in thanks. Having a Title Douluo like her as backup would definitely reduce the risks they faced.

After some conversation, Fang Chang was officially inducted into the Beast Alliance and gained a general understanding of their situation.

Surprisingly, this organization housed more than thirty hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts in human form, scattered across the new continent.

Sun-Moon City was their largest sanctuary. Aside from Zhu Jing and Zhu Zhu, most of the others spent their time hiding within it.

About an hour later, Fang Chang and Zhu Zhu bid farewell to the others and returned to Sun-Moon City, heading back toward their rendezvous point outside the city.

They were a little late. By the time they arrived, the rest of the group was already there.

The academy instructor in charge was about to scold them when he saw it was Fang Chang and promptly swallowed his words.

He did a quick headcount, then said, "In a bit, Teacher Jiang and I will take you to your accommodations in the city. You'll rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, we'll visit the Great Soul Arena."

His meaning was clear. Since they had arrived in Sun-Moon City a month early, the host—Shrek Academy—was likely still preparing, so they would stay in the city for now.

In the meantime, they would probably use the Great Spirit Arena to train, as a way to acclimate to the local combat environment.

It was clear that Spider God Academy placed great importance on this tournament.

"Yes!" the eight students responded in unison. Then, they followed the two instructors back into the city and checked into a hotel near the Great Spirit Arena, awaiting the battles that would begin the next day.