Chapter 108: Those Who Are Not of Our Kind

The streets were bustling with people and the constant flow of vehicles. Yet, on every face, there wasn’t a trace of joy—only fear and anxiety. The events that had unfolded last night in front of the Beast Management Bureau had already spread across the internet.

The people of Wudu had always thought those strange, mystical happenings online were distant from their reality. But last night’s incident occurred right beside them, stirring panic among the populace. They became cautiously wary even of their own pets, sensing that these companions, once so familiar, had changed—becoming more humanlike. Sometimes, these creatures would smile at them, a smile so chilling it sent shivers down their spines.

Imagine this: you’re asleep, feeling as if something is watching you. You open your eyes, and there it is—a cat or dog grinning at you with bared teeth. What kind of terror would that be? This was exactly how they felt—fear, and nothing but fear.

Yet, this was the sentiment of most people. A few, however, with different mindsets, began to see opportunity. Humanity is always humanity; wherever there are people, there is a market. What is humanity? The power to turn the impossible into the possible.

“You’re mutated, aren’t you? So start making me some good money.”

Thus, on various platforms, streamers began broadcasting these pets, secretly using drugs to control them. While earning income, they also conducted various experiments.

Throughout history, masters have always existed among the common folk. Within just a few days, some had succeeded in making breakthroughs—signing contracts with these mutated beasts.

From that day forth, the beast market emerged in China. This market dealt entirely in trading these beasts and successfully binding them into contracts.

Beyond the beast market, numerous guilds appeared among the populace: adventurer guilds, mercenary guilds. They danced on the edge of the blade, targeting creatures of the sea, land, and sky.

Alongside these organizations, ancient martial arts also flourished anew. Various martial arts schools sprang up overnight, spreading across the land of China, ushering in a revival of the martial spirit that swept the nation in an instant.

Lin Qiu sat in the car, calmly watching the news on the platform. The world had changed; such phenomena were within the realm of understanding. Wherever there are humans, there are interests. What surprised him was the existence of a beast trade market. These people were truly audacious.

He wondered just how many eyes the Lord of Horses truly possessed.

To trade these beasts as if they were harmless herbivores—right now, they were only in the early stages of mutation. When the full beast army eventually rose, it would turn on them.

It was a massive ticking time bomb.

Lin Qiu could already imagine how these people would meet their end—and it would be a tragic one.

As he watched the videos on the platform, the car stopped in front of the stadium.

The moment he stepped out, journalists armed with long guns and cameras swarmed him. They fired off tricky questions, while fans of all ages gathered behind, holding up signs: “Jingjing, I love you!” Their screams pierced the air.

Bai Jingjing wore a gentle smile throughout, presenting herself as the epitome of grace and ladylike charm. This only intensified the fans’ shrill screams.

Lin Qiu fended off the crowd and reporters, protecting Bai Jingjing alongside Xu Bing, striding purposefully inside.

Along the way, Lin Qiu communicated mentally with Bai Jingjing.

“Women are born actors,” he said coldly. “You put on one face in public and another behind the scenes. Don’t you ever get tired?”

Bai Jingjing’s soft smile remained, but a cold voice echoed in Lin Qiu’s mind: “All those people outside are fools.”

“They’re destined to be worthless, so why not use them? All I have to do is sing a few lines, put on a show, and make them scream and pay.”

“‘Using worthless people’—what a phrase,” Lin Qiu mused, his gaze growing colder.

Indeed, those not of my kind harbor alien hearts.

Bai Jingjing was the eldest princess of the White Swan clan, a demon race who had come to the human world to cultivate.

The Swan clan specialized in musical arts. After becoming a star, they could hold concerts and release albums. The more people who listened to their singing and displayed various emotions, the more it fueled the flow of demon energy within them.

Over time, their power grew stronger, and their mastery of melody became increasingly dominant.

Bai Jingjing was currently at the seventh tier.

This concert would no doubt ensnare countless souls through the power of music.

Lin Qiu looked at her coolly. “You’re shameless.”

“Thank you!” Bai Jingjing answered with delight, casting him a sly smile. “Among all these fools, the one I care about most is you.”

“After the concert, how about you come with me to the prehistoric wilds?”

“Then you can become the son-in-law of the White Swan clan. Every woman in my clan is a national beauty—you can pick whichever you like, or even marry them all.”

Lin Qiu’s eyes darkened as he fixed her with a sardonic smile. “I have no interest in feathered beasts.”

“Lin Qiu!”

Bai Jingjing’s gaze turned icy, fury exploding within his mind. “How dare you insult the noble White Swan clan? Aren’t you afraid I’ll destroy you?”

“You want something from me, which is why you’re willing to pay such a price. But let me tell you, put away your schemes. Though you are a seventh-tier expert, killing you is nothing more than a flick of my hand.”

“Don’t overestimate the prehistoric demon clans.”

“In this age of mutation, kings will rise and fall. Who can say who will win?”

“Maybe one day when I’m in a bad mood, I’ll take a trip to the prehistoric wilds and wipe your White family from existence. You can think of this as a joke or call me mad.”

“But—” Lin Qiu’s voice deepened with resolve, “I will prove with actions that I mean every word.”

Bai Jingjing’s eyes dripped with disdainful mockery.

This coward is truly delusional. Does he even know how powerful the White family is?

A mere third-tier mutant beast holds a secret? So what?

Can he really overthrow my clan all by himself?

What a joke.

She replied lightly, “I’ll take that as a joke.”

“What I said still stands: become the son-in-law of the White clan, choose your White Swan beauty.”

“But,” she added, “I still have no interest in feathered beasts.”