Qin Ruqing finally qualified to participate in high-level meetings of the Beastmen.

Although she had been promoted before, she had only reached the rank of a company commander and was not yet eligible to attend the true high-level meetings of the Beastmen.

However, her recent performance leading her team to victory in several battles had reached the upper echelons.

Combined with the fact that the Flame Tiger was a major clan, her parents were in the military, and her mother had died on the battlefield, these factors collectively granted her the qualification to attend the Beastmen’s true high-level meetings.

Qin Ruqing was very excited!

She took this as a prime opportunity to gather intelligence on the Beastmen’s military affairs!

Previously, her motivation for probing into the Beastmen’s military information was to benefit the human race, but now, she was driven more by a primitive curiosity about the Beastmen.

She wanted to understand this race!

Qin Ruqing first went to the southern troops to meet up with her elder brother.

That area was considered the main base of the Flame Tiger clan.

Afterward, she joined the Flame Tiger tribe to attend the high-level meeting.

The highest-level residence of the Beastmen in the Void Realm was hidden behind a Beast marsh.

The chieftain of the Flame Tiger tribe told her that this Beast marsh had been specially treated by them.

It was harmless to the Beastmen but could slow down the flow of spiritual energy in humans, weakening their strength.

Prolonged exposure would cause humans’ limbs to become numb and their spiritual energy to be blocked, leaving them vulnerable to the Beastmen’s predation.

Qin Ruqing nodded.

Understood!

This was essentially an environment designed to impose negative effects specifically on humans.

Deep within the Beast marsh were huge, dome-shaped tents, which Qin Ruqing likened to gigantic versions of Beastmen yurts.

How big were they?

Imagine tents large enough to accommodate the full-sized forms of all Beastmen, roughly equivalent to a small mountain.

The high-level meeting was held in the largest of these tents.

Qin Ruqing followed behind the Flame Tiger chieftain, discreetly looking around.

The Beastmen were all massive, with eyes like brass bells, giving off a fantastical impression.

The meeting soon began, and as a mere observer, Qin Ruqing naturally had no opportunity to speak and could only listen quietly.

This suited Qin Ruqing perfectly, as speaking out could lead to mistakes, and with so many powerful Beastmen present, it would be bad if they noticed anything.

During the meeting, Qin Ruqing was eagerly anticipating one thing—she was waiting for the Beast Emperor to appear.

She really wanted to see what the revered Beast Emperor looked like!

Was it furry or an indescribable fantastical creature?

However, regrettably, even by the end of the meeting, the Beast Emperor had not shown up.

This phenomenon evidently attracted the attention of the Beastmen.

After the meeting concluded, a Beastman finally couldn’t help but ask why His Majesty had not attended.

Qin Ruqing sat upright, nodding like a chick pecking at rice.

Yes, yes, why hadn’t the Beast Emperor come?

Under the gazes of all the Beastmen, the High Priest stepped forward to answer their doubts.

The High Priest, being the highest authority after the Beast Emperor, was the most credible source of information.

The High Priest solemnly explained that His Majesty was about to make a breakthrough and was currently adjusting his state in preparation for it.

!!

All the Beastmen, including Qin Ruqing, were stunned by this news.

Her expression was so stunned that she could have performed an exaggerated reaction, with her jaw dropping to the floor, if she were capable of showing such emotions.

“What? The Beast Emperor is about to make a breakthrough? The supreme ruler of the Beast Clan, the respected existence among all beasts—what level of power will he reach if he succeeds? Qin Ruqing could hardly imagine it.

She only knew one thing: up to now, the top-level powers of both the human and beast races should be on par.

It was this balance that allowed these two races to contend in the Void Realm.

But now, the Beast Emperor is about to break through! If he succeeds, doesn’t it mean that the balance of top-level power between the two races will be disrupted?

Qin Ruqing’s mind was instantly overwhelmed by a storm.

The initial curiosity and watching for entertainment were gone, replaced by concern.

Her first reaction was that she needed to quickly inform the human race!

She had already lifted her rear, but the nearby beast demons who had revealed their true forms were all bowing low, grateful for this news as if it were a divine gift.

This immediately made Qin Ruqing stand out.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly and immediately prostrated herself on the ground.

As she did so, the Grand Priest’s gaze also swept over.

Seeing this red tiger, which was showing extraordinary respect, he nodded slightly, feeling that this junior understood etiquette well.

The final ceremony involved the high-ranking attendees of the meeting joining the Grand Priest to pay tribute to the Beast God and pray for the Beast Emperor’s breakthrough.

All the beasts were overjoyed, but Qin Ruqing felt heavy-hearted.

After the meeting, it was unclear whether the Firestorm Tiger Clan’s leader had spoken well of her or if participating in such a high-level meeting was itself a symbol of status, but Qin Ruqing was promoted a rank.

She began to lead a regiment of troops.

However, Qin Ruqing was not at all happy about this promotion.

After returning to her newly commanded troops, she pondered for three days and secretly contacted Fifth Youlin.

Her identity was something both of them were aware of, so there was no need to hide it.

However, high-ranking generals meeting without conflict but instead interacting peacefully would inevitably stir up significant waves if it got out, so Qin Ruqing and Fifth Youlin met in a very discreet location.

When Fifth Youlin saw her, his first words were: “It’s really you.”

Qin Ruqing, however, didn’t have time for pleasantries.

Her face was serious as she got straight to the point: “I have something very important to tell you.”

Fifth Youlin knew Qin Ruqing’s usual demeanor well, and such a serious tone meant there was a major issue.

He nodded and reminded her:

“You should also be aware that our actions need to match our respective statuses. If those around us notice anything unusual, we might be expelled from the Source Rule Cave.”

Being expelled meant she was naturally no longer in line for the true inheritance.

Qin Ruqing was silent for a moment, as if analyzing the pros and cons.

After a while, she raised her hand to set up a barrier and summoned a golden lotus that floated above them.

Qin Ruqing said, “This will ensure everything is safe.”

Before Fifth Youlin could speak, Qin Ruqing looked up and said firmly, “I’ve received news that the Beast Emperor has found the opportunity for a breakthrough and will soon enter seclusion to advance!”

Fifth Youlin, who had been relatively relaxed, became visibly serious upon hearing this.

“Is this news reliable?” Fifth Youlin asked solemnly.

“Ninety percent,” Qin Ruqing replied with a slight smile. “I didn’t say a hundred percent because I usually leave some room for doubt.”

In other words, Qin Ruqing was basically certain.

Qin Ruqing continued, “I learned this information at the highest-level Beastmen meeting, held in the deepest part of the Beast marsh. As you should know, the Beast marsh is the Beastmen’s main base, and no humans can enter. It is the safest place for the Beastmen. Besides, as a member of the Flame Tiger tribe, one of the largest Beastmen clans, and having achieved several military successes, I was chosen by the chieftain to attend this meeting.”

After finishing, Qin Ruqing turned to look at Fifth Youlin.

Fifth Youlin was silent for a long time.

Qin Ruqing had made it very clear that she had a legitimate status to attend the highest-level Beastmen meeting.

Those who attended the meeting were the core members of the Beastmen, and the news was announced by the High Priest who communicated with the Beast Emperor, leaving little room for falsification.

As if finally finding his voice, Fifth Youlin said seriously, “I will report this matter promptly.”

Qin Ruqing nodded and reminded him, “Reporting is one thing, but there still needs to be an investigation.”

Fifth Youlin said he understood, and then there seemed to be nothing more to say.

After a moment of contemplation, Fifth Youlin asked, “Have you decided how to get through the Origin Rule’s trial?”

At this point, Qin Ruqing seemed to shift out of her serious demeanor.

She smiled, and her smile was dazzling. She said, “Yes, I have!”

Fifth Youlin opened his mouth, but before he could speak, she cheerfully added, “But I can’t tell the Young Master, after all, we are competitors.”

“Alright, we should go. The commanders of both armies can’t be absent for too long.” She clapped her hands, prepared to turn, and her gaze inevitably fell on Fifth Youlin.

The more she looked, the more she felt he was much more handsome than Fifth Lingyu.

At least he was upright, graceful, and not calculating—unlike her, of course.

Unable to resist, she added, “Actually, it’s a multiple-choice question. I’m sure the Young Master has noticed that, right?”

A multiple-choice question.

Fifth Youlin nodded deeply.

“So, your choice…”

From the moment he realized it was a multiple-choice question, he understood that Qin Ruqing’s situation was much more difficult than his.

Qin Ruqing raised one corner of her mouth and said naturally, “Of course, I have already made my decision!”

“Also, I sense that the most critical moment of this battle is approaching. Young Master, I won’t hold back then~”

Fifth Youlin responded with a plain “Hmm” and said, “I just hope you won’t end up on the ground again. With the two armies in current positions, I might have to capture you.”

Ah, the divine Young Master really does have a temper.

She had tricked him earlier, and now he was demanding a return on his verbal debt.

Qin Ruqing turned around and left with a cheerful remark, “Don’t worry, I won’t be on the ground this time!”

This time… she was determined to have a proper battle with Fifth Youlin!!