Reverend Ecstasy

The mortals of the Dongli, Anyue, and other non-subjugated states, rubbed their eyes, struggling to accept that the subjugated mortals' lives by the mysterious beasts' side could become the utopia that they now witnessed.

At that time, a voice, as powerful as seductive, reverberated throughout the Eastern Spirit Empire, reaching all its citizens.

"For tens of thousands of years, the Eastern Continent has been exploiting the myriad beast clans, making livestock, pets, and beasts of burden out of our mortal brothers and sisters, while hunting down the mysterious beast clans for profit. Following the imperial enthronement of the Shentu clan, the situation went from bad to a complete catastrophe.

Enslavement, relentless hunts, endless abuses and routine genocides, became the lot of the myriad beast clans." Here, Zhiji Jing paused, pulled a deep breath, and snapped her fingers, projecting the memories of thousands of persecuted clans to the world.

"For 10,000 years, we've endured these atrocities -- hiding, scavenging, and struggling for survival. But now, under the leadership of our newly risen emperor, we the clans of the Eastern Continent, are determined to fight for our dignity and take back the reins of our destiny." Zhiji Jing stressed the last part, and as the declaration pealed across the East, in the energy waves rippling through her voice, the various experts could feel the aura...of a rank-ten Holy Beast Sovereign.

Even a Beast Sovereign deferred to that "emperor." Instantly, the True Martial Divine Army's early successes became meaningless, and from juniors to ancient elders, the Eastern Spirit Empire's cultivators despaired -- wondering when they'd finally be able to get the full picture of the enemy's forces.

"The initial conflicts are the regretful result of 10,000 years of accumulated grievances. But though it might be hard to accept, destruction isn't our aim. The Eastern Spirit Empire branded us as Rampaging Hordes. But Rampaging Hordes do not preserve infrastructure while leading the conquered to better lives.

In three months, we have done more for our mortal brothers and sisters than the Shentu Imperial clan in 10,000 years. Our emperor has no end of love for humanity. They believe in humanity's potential. They believe that together, we can build a world where men and beasts live in harmony. Our emperor's dream of harmonious coexistence is the driving force behind the scenes you now bear witness to.

I hereby announce to the world that, from this moment onward, the Myriad Beast Dominion only wants two things:

One, cooperate to elevate the living standards of all mortals. And two, eternal peace. Our troops will retreat back to our territories...and focus on improving the lives of mortals and mysterious beasts alike. Should any mortal wish to abandon their cruel homelands to seek better lives and opportunities in our domains, we welcome them with open arms.

But this invitation...only extends to mortals. Until we can reach a sensible agreement, cultivators are banned from stepping into beast lands. And should they prevent mortals from joining our utopia, we will set out once more, this time to liberate those...willing to give us a chance.

Until then, farewell." Zhiji Jing's announcement ended here, the holy mirror projection dispersed, leaving mortals and cultivators to ponder on the words they'd just heard.

As expected, Zhiji Jing's announcement set off new waves of turmoil. But once the Beast Hordes turned heels, marching back to the conquered domains, that turmoil ballooned into full-blown chaos.

Men questioned women, cultivators fell prey to their insecurities, mortals started dreaming, and aware that Daji was the brain behind Zhiji Jing's announcement, Tailor-Xinzi clapped in appreciation.

"Not bad. Not bad at all. This girl is more far-sighted than I gave her credit for. Terror is never a long-term solution. It can work for some time, but unjust dominion will ultimately get toppled. Without absolute and irresistible power, the only way to rule forever is to get the subjugated population's support. By getting the mortals to join of their own volition, and educating their children on mysterious beast lives, culture, and the benefits of harmonious coexistence, within a century, she can overhaul the world's view of mysterious beasts -- at least on the mortal side.

The cultivators will refuse to see the beasts in a different light and stand in the way of progress, because...they have too little to gain and too much to lose from peace," Tailor-Xinzi said, then went back to weaving his latest work.

Meanwhile, Zi Yao's face twisted into a grimace, and as she stared at Daji, terror flashed in her eyes.

Daji didn't seem to notice this, and as she raised her wine cup to ler lips, confidence, grace and an effortless elegance oozed from her every gesture.

"In Qingqiu, we split our days between fun and cultivation. Partying is in a white fox's bloodline. So, I always felt that it fell on my merry shoulders to reduce this land's sufferings. Spreading grief, rage, conflict, and hatred brings me no joy. But it was the necessary first step to show the world that, the myriad beast clans are no pushovers, and if forced to fight, can bring the East to its knees.

Now that we've established that premise, we can start seducing the mortals with a lifestyle that, under the domination of human or spirit cultivators, will always be a fantasy. Zi Yao, when the mortals decide to abandon their homelands to migrate to my domains, how will the cultivators react?

Scratch that, can cultivators accept that the mysterious beasts will elevate the mortals with no ulterior motive whatsoever? How will the fear that billions of mortal lives can become tools for that 'mysterious' beast emperor's unknown plans and secret weapons affect the Eastern Spirit Empire's warlords' treatment of their mortal subjects?" Daji rhetorically asked.

"You're going to turn the cultivators into the oppressors and the beasts into the saviors," seeing through Daji's plot, Zi Yao replied.

The fox girl's lips curved at Zi Yao's words, and with a captivating smile, she nodded in approval.

"Yes. And that, Zi Yao, is why you can call me boss."