Chapter 14: The Sovereign’s Defiance

I. The Moment of Truth

Xiao Chen's demon-arm trembled, his claws inches from Xiao'er's throat. The child's void-black eyes brimmed with tears, its tiny fingers clutching his robes.

"Daddy," it whispered, "you wouldn't hurt me, right?"

The camp was silent.

Leng Xueyi's frost coiled protectively around the group, her brand pulsing as she stepped forwardMei Ling's venom-drenched fingers twitched, ready to strike. Luo Ying's crimson phoenix let out a warning cry, while Shā and Lian stood guard, their loyalty unbroken.

And Lin Ya

The Hollow Saint's golden eyes locked onto Xiao Chen, her voice a blade of clarity.

"It's not a child, Xiao Chen. It's a parasite."

Xiao'er whimpered, its body shuddering

—then its face split into a grin too wide for its skull.

"Oops," it giggled.

II. The Fiend God's True Face

The transformation was instant.

Xiao'er's body ruptured, its skin sloughing off like rotten fruit, revealing a writhing mass of black tendrils and gnashing teeth. Its voice deepenedsplintering into a chorus of screams.

"FINE. NO MORE PRETENDING."

Leng Xueyi reacted first, her frost surging forward

—but the Fiend God child swatted her aside like a gnat, sending her crashing into the ruins.

Mei Ling lunged, her venom-tipped nails aimed at its eyes

—only for Xiao'er to grab her wrist and snap it like a twig.

"Auntie Venom," it crooned, "you're too slow."

Xiao Chen roared, his demon-arm surging with power

—but the Heavenly Demon's voice slithered into his mind.

"50% CONTROL," it offered. "AND I'LL LET YOU SAVE THEM."

III. The Rebellion

Xiao Chen looked at his womenbloodied but unbroken—and made his choice.

"No."

He wrenched his demon-arm back, the obsidian claws retracting.

"I don't need you," he snarled at the Heavenly Demon. "I am the Sovereign of Beasts."

Then he turned to Xiao'er, his voice shaking with fury.

"You toyed with my family," he said. "Now burn."

His Abyss-Shell Predator erupted from his inner space, now SS-rank, its spiked shell blazing with Fiend-runes. It crashed into Xiao'er, its jaws clamping down on the monstrosity's core.

Xiao'er screeched, its body thrashing

—but Xiao Chen didn't stop.

He plunged his hand into its chest and ripped out its still-beating black heart.

"This," he hissed, crushing it to pulp"is for daring to wear my child's face."

IV. The Aftermath

The Fiend God child collapsed, its body dissolving into ash.

Silence.

Then—

Leng Xueyi limped forward, her frost-serpent battered but alive.

"Took you long enough," she muttered.

Mei Ling giggled, cradling her broken wrist. "Husband, next time, punch first."

Luo Ying's phoenix let out a triumphant cry, while Shā and Lian exchanged rare smiles.

And Lin Ya?

She nodded, her golden eyes softening"You chose them over power. That's why you'll win."

Xiao Chen looked at his haremalive, fierce, unbroken—and knew.

No Heavenly Demon, no Fiend God, no prophecy mattered more than this.

Chapter 14 End