To the side, the Old Beaver watched in breathless silence, its eyes wide with shock and its heart pounding a frantic rhythm of disbelief.

The spectacle of Wu Yuan unleashing his innate [Spirit Gathering] had been nothing short of earth-shattering. The sheer purity of the Spiritual Qi and Lunar Essence cascading down made the Old Beaver feel as though it had been transported directly beneath the moon itself, bathed in its celestial glow.

Despite the Old Beaver’s sharpened perception, it could only grasp the surface ripples of the Lunar Essence and Spiritual Qi. It remained completely oblivious to the trace of Creation Power hidden within the flow.

Even so, the visible display was enough to send its thoughts spinning into a whirlwind of speculation.

To condense such pristine Spiritual Qi and Lunar Essence… what kind of bloodline does the Great King possess?

The Old Beaver’s brow furrowed as it muttered to itself, “Could it be the Tier 2 Moon Spirit Rabbit? Or perhaps the infamous Tier 3 Yin Flood Dragon? Or even a Treasure Spirit Toad, known for its affinity with the moon?”

It shook its head violently, rejecting the absurd notions. “No, that’s impossible. The Great King clearly holds the bloodline of a Rat King. How could he possibly be related to those ancient lineages?”

Then, a terrifying thought struck. A flicker of hesitation passed through the Old Beaver’s eyes.

Could the Great King be… the Progenitor of a brand-new race?

It immediately scoffed at its own imagination. Ridiculous. The Great King is only Tier 1. How could he possess such heaven-defying potential?

But once the seed of doubt was planted, it burrowed deep. Like a maggot gnawing into bone, the thought refused to be dislodged. The Old Beaver’s head lowered instinctively, its nose almost brushing the dirt in submission.

Wu Yuan, having absorbed the Emperor’s Flow Essence, had indeed seen his cultivation soar. He now possessed 33 strands of Demon Power—a massive increase of 10 strands.

However, compared to the Old Beaver’s profound foundation of 99 strands, the gap remained a chasm.

In truth, Wu Yuan hadn’t even noticed the beaver hiding within the rat horde initially. If the Old Beaver hadn’t voluntarily revealed itself, and Wu Yuan had discovered it later, a life-or-death battle might have erupted.

Yet, strangely, the creature’s attitude was now humble to the point of servitude. It treated Wu Yuan with a reverence that bordered on fear.

Wu Yuan observed the prostrate elder, baffled by this sudden courtesy.

This Old Beaver is strong. Why is it so deferential? Did the East Sea Dragon Palace scare it witless?

Deciding to play the part, Wu Yuan cleared his throat and projected an aura of calm authority.

“There is no need for such excessive ceremony. Serve me well, and I will ensure your safety here on Little Green Mountain.”

The Old Beaver’s face lit up with relief. It opened its mouth to pour out its gratitude, but Wu Yuan cut it off with a troubled sigh.

“However… your strength far surpasses mine, and you are not of the Rat Race. This presents a complication.”

Panic seized the Old Beaver. It scrambled to explain, its voice trembling.

“Great King, please understand! I was severely injured in the past; I have only a few years of life remaining. My surviving clansmen are weak and defenseless. We would never dare to betray you!”

The urgency in its voice was palpable. It looked ready to dig its heart out just to prove its loyalty.

Seeing the creature sufficiently cowed, Wu Yuan nodded. The timing was right.

“Unless,” Wu Yuan said slowly, “you allow me to place a safeguard upon you. Only then can I truly be at ease.”

The Old Beaver didn’t hesitate. “Great King, please! Do whatever is necessary!”

Wu Yuan beckoned the elder closer. He intended to use his innate talent, [Spirit Awakening].

While the technique couldn’t grant enlightenment to a beast with higher cultivation than himself, with the Old Beaver’s voluntary cooperation, Wu Yuan could leave a spiritual mark. This would formally induct the beaver into the Spirit Gathering Rat hierarchy.

Governance issues would be resolved in a single stroke.

“Open your mind. Do not resist. You only have one chance,” Wu Yuan commanded, his expression stern.

He extended a claw, activating [Spirit Awakening]. A wisp of golden light condensed at his fingertip, humming with power. Gently, he tapped the center of the Old Beaver’s forehead, leaving behind a small, radiant white dot.

Buzz.

The Old Beaver’s eyes snapped open. Its cloudy pupils dilated, filled with absolute shock. It stared fixedly at Wu Yuan, its voice hoarse and trembling.

“It… it really is the Spirit Gathering Rat King…”

Wu Yuan frowned, annoyed. “I have always been the Rat King. Why state the obvious?”

The Old Beaver threw itself flat against the ground, its forehead knocking against the dirt. “Great King, forgive me! I meant you are the First Generation Spirit Gathering Rat King!”

Wu Yuan paused, sensing a critical distinction. “Is there a difference?”

The Old Beaver took a deep, steadying breath.

“You are a Race Master—the Progenitor of a new species! You represent the genesis of the Spirit Gathering Rat race itself.”

“Although new races appear and vanish in the cycles of history, for you to be a Progenitor at merely Tier 1… it is unprecedented. A Race Master’s bloodline is noble beyond measure. Your chances of reaching the Tier 2 Foundation Establishment stage are incredibly high!”

The Old Beaver’s voice dropped to a whisper. “But this nobility comes with danger. It will easily provoke hostility from other powerful rat lineages. A new, rising rat race holds a fatal attraction for weaker rat clans, drawing them away from their old masters.”

Wu Yuan’s eyes narrowed as the realization hit him.

It’s the classic startup scenario, he mused. Disgruntled employees from a failing corporate titan jumping ship to a promising unicorn. Naturally, the titans wouldn’t take kindly to the poaching.

He sighed inwardly. Why does this feel like the prologue to a war for racial domination? I just want to cultivate in peace! I’m not built for political power struggles. Grinding levels is so much simpler.

A cold chill ran down his spine. I know too little about this world. I have zero danger awareness. I need to be much more careful from now on.

Wu Yuan refocused on the elder. “How did you discover this?”

“I only realized it after accepting your spell,” the Old Beaver explained, excitement flushing its face. “I sensed that my spiritual signature now belongs to the Spirit Gathering Rat race! Originally, Spirit Gathering Rats were just common beasts—they never had a King. Furthermore, a secret technique that can directly bestow a bloodline… it is a power I have never heard of in all my years!”

Wu Yuan looked at the beaver with curiosity. “Since you now carry the Spirit Gathering Rat bloodline, are you a Bibo River Beaver or a Spirit Gathering Rat?”

The excitement faded from the Old Beaver’s face, replaced by a weary resignation.

“Great King, when those with weak bloodlines like us breed, most offspring are merely mortal beasts. Awakening a bloodline is rare, and our numbers dwindle with every generation.”

“But now,” it gestured to itself, “under the influence of your Rat King aura, even the ordinary rats among my descendants will easily Awaken. While most will become Spirit Gathering Rats, the dormant Bibo River Beaver genes will also Awaken occasionally. The efficiency is leagues beyond what we could achieve alone.”

Wu Yuan nodded. Dominant and recessive traits. Genetic drift. Got it.

Animals really do get long-winded when they age, he thought dryly.

Sensing the conversation was over, the Old Beaver hurriedly fumbled with its robes and produced a small, dusty gray pouch.

“Great King,” it said, offering the item with both hands. “This is a Storage Bag. Inside are the legacies and inheritances we brought with us from the East Sea.”

Wu Yuan snatched the bag, his eyes lighting up. He turned the small pouch over in his claws, examining the intricate stitching.

“How do I use this?”

“You can use your Demon Power to open it manually,” the Old Beaver explained respectfully. “However, to truly master it, you must wait until the mid-stage of Qi Condensation to imprint it with your Divine Sense. Once imprinted, you can manipulate the contents with a mere thought.”