Chapter 30: Administering Family Discipline-Um sopro vital por segundo, evoluindo para a Ancestral Fênix, reinando soberano por toda a eternidade.(Fortuna do barco)

"Ahem."

"Have you all calmed down yet? Can we talk properly now?"

"I said it clearly enough just a moment ago: we will be heading to the Eternal Domain soon, so stop worrying about things that don't concern you."

"The point is, your worrying is useless. After all, you cannot defeat me."

The words were blunt, but they held truth. When your fists are strong, your logic is sound. Jiang Xuan had spared them from total annihilation; that alone was an act of mercy. Resources are renewable, and as the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood. Jiang Xuan understood this well.

The situation had reached this point entirely because of his foolish younger siblings. Cleaning up this mess was a burden Jiang Xuan found truly exasperating.

"We cannot defeat you, but do you think you can handle the entire Outer Domain if we unite?!"

"Do not forget, the Outer Domain has the shackles of the Heavenly Dao!"

The Tyrant Tiger roared these words hysterically. Jiang Xuan knew, of course, that once an entity reached the second tier of the Great Demon level, they could no longer remain here. This was not in the inherited memories from Mother Eagle; it was something Jiang Xuan had learned later.

"Is there really any need for that, everyone? I haven't lied to you."

"You can rest assured that from this day forward, such an incident will never happen with my Eagle Clan again!"

Jiang Xuan raised his hand to swear, looking remarkably sincere.

"Hmph! We shall believe you for now!"

"If this happens again, we will definitely unite the other beast clans of the Outer Domain to wage war against you!"

An eighth-tier mantis leaped forward, brandishing its two giant, scorched, and brittle scythes.

"You're just going to believe this guy? You changed your tune way too fast!"

"Exactly! And what about my kin? Did they just die for nothing? Their remains are still in the underground caves!"

The Bold Mountain Leopard was stunned. The change in attitude was just too damn fast. Were they really going to forgive their atrocities just like that?

The Cloud Spirit Sheep was still seething with rage, looking ready to stir up trouble again. Ninety percent of its clan had been slaughtered; no one could let that go easily. Even though the various beast clans were often at each other’s throats and occasionally turned on their own, such cases were rare. After all, when a true crisis struck, you ultimately had to rely on your own kind, didn't you?

"What other choice do we have? Can you beat him?"

"This guy is so formidable. Even after unleashing such powerful supernatural abilities, he didn't even look like he’d used half of his strength. Even if we gathered a dozen more clans, we wouldn't necessarily be his match!"

Jiang Xuan was in no hurry. Let them chat; he was the absolute truth here. Just as the Demon Ox had said, he hadn't even used his full strength yet. If they wanted to fight, he was ready; he had never been one to back down.

***

In the current situation, his underlings could not yet survive in the Eternal Domain, so they wouldn't be going there for a while. However, Jiang Xuan had come to a realization. Keeping these underlings around to trigger system-issued tasks and earn rewards—they were valuable resources in their own right!

"Then... then we will take our leave."

"You're leaving already? You guys are so fickle!"

"What’s the use of staying here? We can't beat him, brothers!"

"True. Well, if you're all leaving, we’re going too."

"Wait for me..."

Good grief. Jiang Xuan was still listening to their whispers when, unexpectedly, the once-dense crowd of beasts began to thin. Were they really just going to walk away like that? In just a moment, only the ninth-tier Tyrant Tiger and a few other powerful demons remained.

"Hmph! I hope you remember what you said!"

"Even if I leave today, this grudge is set in stone!"

"If we meet again, it will be in the Eternal Domain. When that day comes, I will tear you to pieces!"

What the hell? They were slinking away like cowards, and yet they were still throwing out threats? After the Tyrant Tiger finished speaking, it vanished in the blink of an eye. The hulking Demon Ox and the treacherous Moon-Slaying Wolf followed suit, fleeing in haste. Before long, Jiang Xuan was left standing in a clearing that was completely empty.

"Big Brother is mighty! Big Brother is peerless!"

"So fierce, Big Brother! You drove back seven great clans single-handedly! Simply incredible!"

"Big Brother, you are my god!"

Once the beast herd had dispersed, the underlings swarmed around Jiang Xuan, laying on the flattery thick. Jiang Xuan jumped onto the back of the Flower-Beaked Eagle and sat cross-legged, his expression stern.

"Head home!"

"You damn lot, you've really gone too far! Everyone is getting disciplined when we get back! Damn it!"

***

On the cliffside, inside the cave.

Giant eagles, their bodies already massive, lined up neatly, standing obediently in their nests. Thanks to the Spirit Gathering Array, the Empress and the Demon Lord had already recovered most of their strength. They had already learned of what transpired through the other underlings.

Jiang Xuan stood before his followers, holding a ball of terrifying flames in his palm.

"Empress, Demon Lord, do you know your mistake?"

"I have done nothing wrong! The weak are prey to the strong; the victor reigns supreme!"

"They were nothing but our rations. They weren't as strong as me, so they deserved to be killed. It is only natural!"

"Ah!"

Before the Demon Lord could even finish, the ferocious ball of fire slammed into him, blasting him into the deepest part of the cave. The other underlings bristled with terror—good heavens, that flame was way too terrifying! If that hit them, they’d be black and blue for sure!

"Empress, what about you?"

"I... I... I agree with the Demon Lord's sentiment, but I was indeed wrong."

"I should not have slaughtered indiscriminately, nor should I have committed such heinous sins."

"I am willing to accept my punishment!"

Jiang Xuan snorted coldly. At least the Empress had some sense! A moment later, the Empress was sent flying just the same. From the depths of the cave came a chorus of gasps and whimpers.

"Big Brother, Big Brother, we were forced into it! Isn't this a bit much?"

"Yeah, Big Brother! Under the pressure of power, we had no say in the matter!"

"If we hadn't listened to them, we would have suffered for it too!"

"Forced? Forced my foot! Stop acting! You greedy little brats! All of you, stand still for me!"

"Anyone who dares to dodge, I'll pluck your feathers out!"

"Don't! Big Brother, I... Ah!"

Screams echoed through the cave, and the space was filled with the glow of fire. The dozen giant eagles were pelted by fireballs, begging for mercy as they flapped their wings in agony! They huddled together, trying to resist as a group, but that only made Jiang Xuan attack more fiercely.

"We know we were wrong! We'll never do it again! Big Brother, stop hitting us!"

"We were wrong! Big Brother, we will never make this mistake again!"

"Please, I've almost lost all my feathers!"

"I... I will never do such things again..."

"Neither will I..."

The cave was filled with pleas for mercy, accompanied by harrowing cries of pain. Jiang Xuan panted, his chest heaving, his anger still burning.

"Listen to me, all of you!"

"From now on, if you cause trouble outside, you have only two choices!"

"One! Get as far away from here as you can and never return!"

"Two! Come crawling back, and face the house rules!"