Inside the Tian Clan hall, Rien sat lazily on a carved chair, his chin resting on his palm.
"I'm getting bored," Kuto muttered, rolling his eyes.
Rien glanced at him calmly.
"We have to wait until Tian Master returns with the Shuan Clan's decision."
Miss Yin nodded.
"Rien is right."
At that moment, Tian Master entered the hall along with several elders who had just returned from the Shuan Clan.
Miss Yin stood up slightly.
"So? What did the Shuan Clan Master say?"
Tian Master smiled faintly.
"They agreed to fight against the Soul Organization… but there is a condition."
Rien's expression didn't change.
"Beast Valley," he said calmly.
Tian Master nodded, his tone turning serious.
"The eastern side of their territory is blocked by Beast Valley. If we help them eliminate the cosmic beasts there, they will stand with us."
Miss Yin sat back down, her face grim.
"Beast Valley is extremely dangerous. And the only route to reach it passes through Zhuo Sect."
Kuto grinned, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Then why don't we just go there and wipe out all the beasts?"
Lan Xia crossed her arms sharply and glared at him.
"Idiot. Beast Valley is ruled by the Legendary Beast Master. He's among the top five strongest cultivators of the Eleventh Universe. He broke through the Xu Di Rank before you were even born."
The room fell silent.
Rien stood up slowly.
"I'll go."
Tian Master stiffened.
"Rien, even you are at Xu Di Rank, but the Beast Master has centuries of combat experience. He's extremely aggressive. You can't defeat him alone."
Miss Yin looked up at Rien, her eyes steady and confident.
"You can go."
Rien smiled faintly at her — then vanished into the air.
Lan Xia clicked her tongue and looked at Kuto.
"This guy never misses a chance to impress me. And you—" she rolled her eyes, "—are still useless."
Tian Master turned to Miss Yin, clearly worried.
"Why did you let him go alone? You know how dangerous the Beast Master is."
Miss Yin stood and walked toward her chambers.
"Don't worry. He can handle everything."
Lan Xia followed her, glancing back once.
"The Beast Master should be worried — not us."
Kuto jogged after them, pausing to pat Tian Master's cheek.
"He may be strong, but Rien is a monster."
Tian Master remained standing, caught between fear and hope.
One of his wives sighed softly.
"If Miss Yin is that confident… then perhaps we shouldn't worry."
On the other side, Rien walked calmly through the peaceful streets near Zhuo Sect.
"This sect is surprisingly quiet," he murmured.
Suddenly, a boy sprinted toward him at full speed.
"Move aside, uncle!"
Before they collided, Rien vanished — reappearing behind the boy.
"Don't run so recklessly, kid," Rien said.
He felt a strange, powerful essence… but ignored it and continued walking.
Soon, Rien reached the eastern boundary of Zhuo Sect. Ahead lay a forest drowned in thick mist.
"This place feels dark."
He clapped his hands once.
The mist instantly vanished.
"…Interesting."
There were no trees — only jagged rocks and countless caves.
"I don't have time to waste," Rien said calmly.
"My Emperor is waiting."
Footsteps echoed from all directions.
"Looks like I have an audience."
Massive beasts emerged, their bodies overflowing with cosmic energy.
"Just animals," Rien said flatly.
A towering, muscular man stepped forward through the beasts.
"A kid?" the man scoffed.
Rien looked up at him.
"I came here to defeat you."
The Beast Master burst into laughter.
"You think a child can defeat me?"
Rien walked to a massive rock and sat down casually.
"I don't have much time. I need to present your head to my Emperor."
The Beast Master's smile vanished.
He punched the air.
A terrifying pressure surged toward Rien — but the force split in two and passed harmlessly beside him.
"Not bad," Rien said calmly.
The Beast Master rose into the air, looking down at him.
"Then let's fight properly."
Rien stepped into the sky, meeting his gaze.
"So you won't give me your head willingly."
The Beast Master snapped his fingers.
Flying cosmic beasts swarmed Rien.
"Let's see if you survive them."
Rien weaved through their attacks effortlessly. He flicked one beast — and it vanished from existence.
The remaining beasts froze… then fled back into their caves.
"They're intelligent," Rien noted.
The Beast Master gritted his teeth and teleported in front of Rien, throwing a punch.
Rien punched back.
BOOM—!
A massive shockwave shattered the surrounding mountains.
The Beast Master stared at his arm — bones completely shattered.
"You're strong," he said through clenched teeth.
Rien grabbed the broken arm.
"Not anymore."
He ripped it off.
The Beast Master screamed as blood poured out.
"You can't regenerate it," Rien said coldly, tossing the arm away.
"What did you do to me?!" the Beast Master roared.
Rien grabbed his head.
"Now… give it to me."
With a brutal pull, the Beast Master's body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
Rien landed, holding the severed head, and sat calmly on a rock.
Another Rien appeared before him.
"Did you complete the task?"
The kneeling Rien transformed into a massive blue blazing dragon.
"Yes, my Emperor."
The dragon placed the Beast Master's head on the ground.
Rien smiled and patted the dragon's head.
"You're as reliable as ever, Axier."
Back at the Tian Clan court—
Rien walked in, holding the Beast Master's head.
"Here," he said casually, tossing it at Tian Master's feet.
"The fifth strongest cultivator. Anyone want a selfie?"
Everyone gasped.
Miss Yin and Lan Xia turned away in shock.
"That's disgusting!" Lan Xia shouted.
Kuto laughed, kicked the head against the wall.
"Rien, let's play football."
Tian Master stared in disbelief.
"You're… unbelievable."
Rien sat down calmly.
"That was easy."
Rien looked at Miss Yin and winked at her before calmly closing his eyes.
"You are very strong," he said casually.
All of Tian's wives immediately exchanged looks, their expressions filled with clear admiration and barely hidden excitement.
Tian quickly cleared his throat—loudly—and shot his wives a sharp warning glance.
They all rolled their eyes in perfect sync, clearly unimpressed, before gracefully but reluctantly leaving the court.
Miss Yin turned toward Rien, trying very hard to ignore the wink.
"You could've just killed him there," she said flatly.
Rien smiled, slowly opening his eyes and looking at her.
"That would be boring," he replied calmly. "This is simply evidence of my victory."
Meanwhile—
Kuto suddenly kicked the Beast Master's head, sending it rolling across the floor until it stopped right in front of Lan Xia.
She froze.
Then she screamed in rage, her face turning red as she kicked the head straight out of the court.
"KUTO, YOU STUPID IDIOT!"
She spun around, glaring at him with murderous intent.
Kuto scratched his head awkwardly.
"…At least it didn't hit you?"
Lan Xia raised her foot again.
Kuto ran for his life.