"Ancestor?" Upon hearing Xu Ran's own admission, Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts were shocked. Since Xu Ran himself said it, his identity was all but confirmed: he was undoubtedly the Ancestral Dragon.
"Young Di Tian pays respects to the Ancestral Dragon."
"Bear Lord pays respects to the Ancestral Dragon."
"Red King pays respects to the Ancestral Dragon."
"..."
Seeing this, the ferocious beasts bowed respectfully to Xu Ran. Especially Di Tian, who, upon learning that Xu Ran was the Ancestral Dragon and held a status even more esteemed than the Dragon God, revered him with an overwhelming fervor that sent shivers down Xu Ran's spine.
He was not that kind of person.
"Lord Ancestral Dragon, weren't you an Auspicious Beast before? Why now..." Bi Ji was curious and confused, and ventured to ask. Di Tian and the others also wanted to inquire, but Xu Ran's imposing aura kept them silent.
However, Bi Ji no longer feared Xu Ran—on the contrary, she felt a sense of closeness. Gazing upon Xu Ran's majestic dragon form, her heart trembled uncontrollably, utterly unable to resist the allure.
To the Soul Beast Clan, Xu Ran's Ancestral Dragon body was the perfect form; his mere presence, without even announcing his identity as the Ancestral Dragon, could attract countless soul beasts, especially the females, who would be utterly infatuated.
Dragon head, divine presence, dragon feet, dragon tail, dragon whip—all so majestic and admirable, each part seemed to emanate a hormone-filled essence, exceedingly seductive.
At this moment, Zi Ji was still guarding Bai Chenxiang as she absorbed the Soul Ring; otherwise, if she had come in and seen Xu Ran's current form, she probably would have transformed into her true body and sat on Xu Ran, not moving for an entire day.
Even Gu Yuena had revealed such a girlish demeanor after Xu Ran unveiled the Ancestral Dragon True Body. Zi Ji's relationship with Xu Ran had long been obvious, and she would be even less restrained, exposing her true nature without consideration, no matter that they were at the Lake of Life.
Dragons, by nature, cannot help but be drawn to a powerful male dragon.
But this place was the Lake of Life—far too many eyes. Both dragons were over twenty meters in length, and the spectacle of the earth shaking and the mountains trembling was not something Xu Ran would allow to happen.
Even though he verbally expressed a liking for his strong Soul Beast True Body...
In reality, Xu Ran preferred his Human form. Moreover, Xu Ran's aesthetics remained at the human stage. Although he knew that the Hell Devil Dragon King was Zi Ji's transformation, he could not arouse interest if it was in a Soul Beast Form.
Even now, being half-human, half-soul beast, his aesthetic taste was still akin to a human's, favoring soft chests, slender waists, prominent hips, and long legs. Human forms have their appeal everywhere; beast forms do not resonate with sexiness at all.
"I am both the Ancestral Dragon and the Qilin Auspicious Beast; I possess multiple forms," Xu Ran withdrew his thoughts and answered indifferently. Ancestral Dragon, Qilin—according to the System's progress, it's possible that other fearsome bloodlines may descend upon him in the future. But a hotchpotch wasn't interesting—better bloodlines from figures like Chi You or Pangu would be more like it.
"I see," Bi Ji and the ferocious beasts nodded, looking at Xu Ran in astonishment. To have multiple forms—what did that mean? What kind of creature was Xu Ran?
Imagine a soul beast with the form of both a Duskgold Dreadclaw Bear and a Black Dragon...What kind of monster would that be? Possessing the length of the Black Dragon and the robustness of the Duskgold Dreadclaw Bear—wouldn't that be invincible?
While they were shocked, they also understood that Xu Ran was very strong and that he had substantial potential for growth.
Ancestral Dragon, Auspicious Beast—both were invincible existences in the Soul Beast Realm.
One could dominate the Soul Beast Realm; the other could bring auspiciousness to the Soul Beats Clan, making them willingly venerate and call him emperor.
At this moment, in the hearts of the ferocious beasts, Xu Ran seemed even more formidable than Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena was merely the Silver Dragon King, while Xu Ran was the Ancestral Dragon, the progenitor of dragon-class soul beasts. Wouldn't Xu Ran be much more powerful than Gu Yuena now?
If indeed so, the oppressive aura Xu Ran presented to them now even surpassed that of Gu Yuena.
"All right, you may all leave for now. Do not let today's events spread outside." Xu Ran said.
"Yes, rest assured, we will guard our lips closely and not allow your identity to be exposed to the outside world," Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts respectfully said. The appearance of the Ancestral Dragon is a tremendous event for the Soul Beast Clan.
The Ancestral Dragon, along with the Silver Dragon King, foretells the imminent rise of the soul beasts.
Thus, they naturally understand the importance of Xu Ran's identity. If Xu Ran's identity was to be revealed, the rise of the Soul Beast Clan could be postponed indefinitely.
Ancestral Dragon bloodline is even mightier than that of the Dragon God. Once Xu Ran rises, he will surely overturn the Divine Realm.
"Hmm. Little Bi Ji, remember to wash up and wait for me. I came in a rush today, and haven't had the chance to eat yet," Xu Ran said with a sly smile, his eyes roving over Bi Ji's body, his throat gulping slightly, betraying his eager anticipation.
The plum has ripened, sweet and succulent—it is time to savor it.
"Oh, then I will go prepare the ingredients. What would you like to eat, Lord Xu Ran?" Bi Ji pouted, her cheeks turning crimson as she looked down at her full bosom, her heart pounding with nervous beats.
Zi Ji was already in that kind of relationship with Xu Ran, a sentiment she too had harbored all along. After all, no hundred-thousand-year soul beasts could remain indifferent to a Soul Beast King of Xu Ran's caliber.
Now that she knew Xu Ran was also the Ancestral Dragon, the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Dragons, a status more noble than that of the Auspicious Beast, her desires only grew stronger. If it weren't for her pride and a sense of shame as an Emerald Swan, she would even be willing to take the initiative and climb atop him herself, requiring no effort from Xu Ran, just to become the woman of such a Soul Beast King.
An Auspicious Beast coupled with an Ancestral Dragon, the current Xu Ran was truly the undisputed Soul Beast Emperor.
A decree from the Emperor, and all soul beasts of the world dare not disobey.
Thus, any request Xu Ran made, she could not refuse. But she didn't want to refuse—instead, she was somewhat looking forward to what might come. Yet, she was a bit afraid.
She was uncertain whether Xu Ran preferred soul beasts in their beast form, or in human form.
If it were the Soul Beast Form, Xu Ran's body might not be exceptionally huge, but the crucial parts were incredibly imposing. Just now, she had seen him, with a mere wave of his hand, send flying Di Tian, Bear Lord, Red King, and Thousand Demon King.
If Xu Ran were to bully her, wouldn't the situation be extremely dire?
Feathers would surely scatter everywhere, and scores of pints of blood may be spilled.
Fortunately, as a Life-attribute soul beast, she didn't need to worry too much about her own life safety. If Zi Ji could endure it, she would certainly not be worse.
"Eat? No need. I'll eat you."
"Beauty like jade, perfect to accompany a meal."
Xu Ran chuckled merrily, lifting Bi Ji's snow-white chin, his anticipation growing evident. Bi Ji and Zi Ji were the unparalleled peerless beauties of the Aquipeia Forest, one a devilishly spicy chili, the other a gentle and virtuous cotton-padded coat.
To have both fish and bear's paw is desirable, naturally—wanting all!
"Oh." Bi Ji bashfully raised her head, her cheeks flushed with a lovely rosy hue.
"In a while, Zi Ji will bring someone over; keep her company and have a chat. I'll be over soon."
"Oh, got it."
Bi Ji pouted, knowing Xu Ran's character well; wherever he went, there would surely be beauties accompanying him. His coming to the Aquipeia Forest was certainly not alone.
"Truly delightful," Xu Ran said, seeing how obedient Bi Ji was, unable to resist planting a kiss on her tender cheek, eliciting a continuous stream of shy cries from Bi Ji.