Chapter 305: Female Commander

"Don't worry, this request isn't difficult for you at all; you can easily do it. From now on, I want you to be my follower!"

"What did you say?"

Upon hearing this, Kao was furious and about to erupt! However, when he saw a terrifying, Asura-like glint flash in Xu Yang's eyes, he instinctively changed his mind. What was the reason? Perhaps Kao himself didn't know. There was fear, but more than that, there was a strange sense of familiarity.

"Alright, but there's a time limit. I'll be your follower for one month, and after that, you must restore my freedom!"

Xu Yang smiled, satisfied. "Very good. Just one month. That's enough! So now, as your boss, your first task is to change your name. From now on, you're no longer to be called Kao—that infuriating name."

"Oh my god, is that even allowed?" Kao felt like he had been tricked.

"Your name is Long Kun!" The feeling was remarkably similar to the one he had just experienced. A storm seemed to rage in Kao's mind.

"Fine. Do whatever you want; it's only for a month anyway."

***

As they spoke, the group began to retrace their steps. On the way, Xu Yang learned that Long Kun's true purpose in the jungle was to find a summoned beast.

"To be honest, last night I dreamed of a very large monster!"

Hearing Long Kun's description, Xu Yang immediately stopped, because the large monster Long Kun described was none other than Xu Yang's sacrificial beast, Taotie!

Only then did Xu Yang realize that Taotie was no longer within his body. Perhaps the unique illusionary laws of the Endless Tower had caused Taotie to separate from his physical form.

"Did you dream of the spirit beast's location?"

"It's right here in this jungle. If I hadn't met you, I might still be searching."

"No, I didn't say I wanted to stop you. Since you've made such an important discovery, let's continue searching. If we find something, wouldn't that be a huge gain?"

"Heh, I didn't realize you were so greedy, kid."

Xu Yang smirked, thinking, *In the real world, you wouldn't dare speak to me like that.*

Long Kun remained bewildered but didn't argue further with Xu Yang, simply following silently behind him with Xiao Hua.

Boom! A sudden, deafening roar echoed. Xu Yang's perception was incredibly sharp; he immediately pinpointed the exact direction of the sound.

"By the sound of it, a high-level spirit beast has appeared. Quick, follow me!"

With that, Xu Yang shot forward, followed closely by Xiao Hua and Long Kun. The three headed straight for the source of the sound behind the mountain.

After cresting the small mountain, Xu Yang finally witnessed a shocking sight.

It was an entire mercenary team, numbering a hundred strong, cornering and attacking a spirit beast!

The scene was truly astonishing.

All one hundred mercenaries were high-level warriors, each nearly as strong as the Duke's Mansion's mercenary leader.

Without a doubt, this mercenary group's identity seemed connected to the royalty of the Divine Kingdom.

And the colossal spirit beast they were collectively attacking also appeared to be a terrifying high-level spirit species.

"What formidable combat power! As expected of the Royal Knights!"

Long Kun exclaimed in utter shock, while Xu Yang merely chuckled softly.

"It's nothing special. Does this small-scale battle really impress you so much?"

"Heh, if you're strong enough, conquer it and show me, alright? Don't just stand there bragging!"

Xu Yang didn't reply this time. He simply took a deep breath and forcefully attacked the massive spirit beast.

In an instant, alternating black and white lights erupted, striking the massive spirit beast. In a single blow, all traces of its resistance were crushed.

"Oh my god, I can't believe this guy is so powerful! It's terrifying! Luckily, I didn't resist him; otherwise, I probably would have suffered even more!"

Long Kun took a deep, fearful breath.

At this point, Xu Yang, having finished his attack on the spirit beast, naturally became the focus of the mercenaries below.

"Who is this person? He possesses such formidable divine power? I've never seen him in the Divine Kingdom!"

Xu Yang didn't spare a glance for the mercenaries the entire time. He simply descended calmly, landing in front of the spirit beast.

"Big guy, what do you say? Become my sacrifice. How about it?"

"Kid, I didn't expect your strength to be so immense. Today, I admit defeat; you can do whatever you want."

"Alright then, I'll sacrifice you to my little maidservant!"

Xu Yang's decision startled everyone around him, even freezing Long Kun and Xiao Hua in their tracks.

Xu Yang's original intention was simple.

His little maidservant wasn't very strong, and if she could gain a powerful spirit beast as a sacrifice, it would undoubtedly give her greater self-preservation abilities.

After all, they might encounter more dangerous situations later, and it wouldn't do for her to be unprotected.

And from their previous conversation, Xu Yang knew that this little maidservant was his only kin.

Although this was merely a realm of illusion, Xu Yang wouldn't allow anyone close to him to be harmed.

The spirit beast offered no further resistance, but the little maidservant's gaze towards Xu Yang had changed dramatically.

*Young Master...*

Without another word, the spirit beast began to unleash its immense power, quickly locking its aura with the little maidservant. An endless exchange of energy occurred between them, finally completing the perilous and astonishing sacrificial process.

Xu Yang hadn't actually expected the entire sacrificial process to go so smoothly. The spirit beast was very powerful, yet his little maidservant had no cultivation foundation. He had initially worried that their powers wouldn't be compatible and had even been ready to intervene at any moment to protect her safety.

However, the smooth completion of the process also brought Xu Yang a sense of relief.

"It seems you owe us a reasonable explanation. This is a spirit beast we've been fighting for half a day, only for you to snatch it away mid-fight. Do you think that's appropriate?"

A cold voice suddenly spoke from behind him.

Only then did Xu Yang remember the mercenaries behind him. He slowly turned around, only to be shocked once again by the mercenary leader standing before him.

This person was none other than his other companion, Ling Yao.

A bewildered expression appeared on Xu Yang's face, while Ling Yao, who was glaring hostilely at Xu Yang, had no idea what he was thinking.

"Are you mocking me? Don't think that just because you're strong, you can do whatever you want in front of our Royal Mercenary Corps. This greatsword in my hand will never give you that chance!"

Xu Yang glanced at the greatsword with a wry smile. "I've just realized that this sword suits your temperament much better, Ling Yao!"

For some reason, hearing Xu Yang call out those two specific words made Ling Yao feel utterly unfamiliar. Her current name was Dilia, and her identity was the Deputy Commander of the Divine Kingdom's Royal Mercenary Corps.