Chapter 40: This Is My Promise as the Beast God, Di Tian!

She paused for a moment before continuing:"My mother once warned me that when female soul beasts take on human form and enter human society, they will encounter unspeakable dangers. She told me never to reveal my true appearance as a woman."

"So, in human society, I have always disguised myself as a man and acted under a male identity."

"Only today, when you, Senior, summoned all the sea soul beasts upon entering the deep sea territory, did I come forward with my true appearance, representing our faction."

After finishing her explanation, she fell into silence.

Di Tian did not respond immediately. He wasn't being silent—he was just waiting. Waiting for Lan Fozi to continue asking about the Demon Empress' situation. That way, his explanation would seem more genuine.

It didn't take long before Lan Fozi finally spoke first.

"Senior, how has my mother been lately?"

"When I left the Holy Spirit Cult back then, I could sense that my mother was suffering greatly due to a mysterious formation of the Holy Spirit Cult. Even though she tried her best to hide it, I could still feel it."

"Over the years, I've also heard that the evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Cult have been constantly collecting spiritual suppression-type drugs, which I fear are meant for my mother. I wonder if they have harmed her?"

Now that the moment he had been waiting for arrived, Di Tian finally spoke.

"You don't need to worry. Your mother's relationship with the Holy Spirit Cult is purely one of mutual interest. And besides, those people alone aren't strong enough to harm your mother, who possesses immense cultivation."

"One more thing." Di Tian turned his gaze to Lan Fozi, who was listening intently, and said,"Your mother's cooperation with the Holy Spirit Cult is about to come to an end. When that time comes, the Holy Spirit Cult will be destroyed, and you won't have to keep avoiding your mother anymore."

"Really?!" Lan Fozi's head snapped up, her bright eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at Di Tian.

It wasn't her fault for doubting. She had heard similar words from the Demon Empress countless times before.

Phrases like "soon," "not much longer," "I'll take you away from the Holy Spirit Cult very soon," and so on.

But they had all been lies—lies a mother told because she didn't want to be separated from her daughter.

It was only natural. Lan Fozi wouldn't have parted ways with her mother over just one moment of dissatisfaction. It must have been years of accumulated lies that had shattered her trust.

Seeing those eyes filled with both disbelief and suppressed excitement, Di Tian couldn't help but inwardly complain: No wonder she asked me to explain—her trust points in her own child's heart were completely depleted.

"Of course," Di Tian affirmed firmly.

"Believe me this once, and I promise you a satisfying outcome."

"Within ten years, your mother will definitely leave the Holy Spirit Cult and sever ties with the human evil soul masters for good."

This was Di Tian staking his reputation as the Beast God—a promise that held absolute weight in the soul beast world!

"Within ten years..." Lan Fozi murmured.

It wasn't that she was dissatisfied. Having waited all these years, she finally received a definite timeframe, along with the Beast God's guarantee—she couldn't be happier.

It was just that, with the time now so near, she could no longer suppress the yearning in her heart. She wanted to see her mother immediately, but the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters...

Sensing her hesitation, Di Tian dispelled her final worry.

"Rest assured, your mother is no longer inside the Holy Spirit Cult."

"Once everything is settled, come with me to see your mother. She truly misses you."

"Alright."

With just that one word of response, Lan Fozi's voice already carried an uncontrollable quiver of emotion.

Fortunately, she had only said one word. Otherwise, in the midst of this grand banquet, she might have broken down in tears. Instead, she tightly grasped Di Tian's arm, using every last bit of her rationality and self-control to suppress her emotions.

The rest of her feelings and words were released through spiritual transmission, echoing only within Di Tian's consciousness.

As their conversation concluded, the Sea Princess signaled to him that all known hundred-thousand-year sea soul beast kings and the leaders of various sea soul beast clans had arrived.

Having resolved Lan Fozi's issue, Di Tian still had matters to attend to.

Sweeping his gaze over all the gathered sea soul beasts, his voice, though not particularly loud, rang clearly in the ears of every single one of them.

"I'm sure all of you are curious as to why I have come here and summoned you."

"Now that everyone is present, there is no need to keep it a secret."

"For years, our soul beast race has been in decline, with our living spaces shrinking by the day. On land, only the core regions of the Great Star Dou Forest and the Extreme North remain. In the sea, all near-shore, shallow-water, and swamp habitats have been lost. The ocean surface, including shallow-sea regions, has been entirely taken over by human maritime routes and hunting grounds. Only the deep-sea domain remains in our possession."

Having spoken this much, it was clear to everyone present. Whether they were hundred-thousand-year sea soul beast kings or clan leaders, if they still couldn't guess Di Tian's intent, they might as well go drown themselves in the shallows.

As expected, Di Tian's next words confirmed their suspicions.

"The soul beast race has reached its most perilous moment. As the Beast God, I, Di Tian, intend to unify all surviving soul beasts. In a few years, we will go to war against humanity to reclaim the living space that belongs to our kind, and I vow to protect our race for the rest of my life."

His voice echoed through the vast palace, stirring up both excitement and deep-seated fury among the gathered sea soul beasts.

Tell me, how many soul beasts had not suffered persecution from humans?

How many soul beasts did not harbor blood-deep hatred for the slaughter of their kin?

Even though sea soul beasts had been relatively less affected, that was only in comparison to land soul beasts.

However, rather than responding with immediate declarations of loyalty, the sea soul beasts simply let out deep, guttural growls—sounds of agreement, yet tinged with hesitation.

It wasn't that they didn't want to fight back. Finally, there was someone willing to lead them in rebellion. Rather than being slowly suffocated under human oppression, wasn't it better to risk everything in one decisive battle?

But many of them had their concerns. What if this rebellion ended in vain? Humanity's strength was clear for all to see—what if they weren't even capable of putting up a fight?

More importantly, the de facto ruler of the ocean, the Sea Princess, had yet to express her stance.

Di Tian couldn't stay in the ocean forever. If he left, and they had acted on their own, who could stop the Sea Princess from retaliating against them?

Understanding their apprehensions, Di Tian made his stance unmistakably clear.

"Once the war begins, I will personally hold off humanity's top experts and their most powerful soul tools!"

"This is my promise as the Beast God, Di Tian!"

"An oath sworn until death!"

At those words, every sea soul beast's gaze toward Di Tian changed.

Their eyes burned with fervor, admiration, and utmost reverence.

The palace was filled with the heavy sounds of soul beasts' labored breathing, resonating deeply.

Even the grief-stricken Lan Fozi couldn't help but collect herself, staring at him in astonishment.

After all, humanity's most advanced soul tools were things even the strongest soul beasts couldn't easily contend with.

For Di Tian to make a promise as the Beast God, pledging to take on humanity's entire force alone, was equivalent to staking his very life on his oath.

How could they not revere him? How could they not follow him?

"ROAR! ROAR!"

The assembled sea soul beasts erupted in thunderous cries, their voices filling the palace.

They even distanced themselves from the mermaid clan, casting cold gazes at the Sea Princess, as if awaiting only a single command from Di Tian to eliminate any obstacles in their path.

(End of Chapter)