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After making all the necessary arrangements, I visited Saint Catherine once again. Perhaps due to my intense reaction earlier, no one dared to ask me to wait this time. Instead, a Temple Mage Armor Knight directly led me to meet this esteemed lady.

Pushing open the hall's door, I saw a woman who had been facing away from us turn around. In that instant, I felt a dizzying sense of awe.

Despite being prepared, I was still taken aback by her beauty when I saw this blonde woman. Her lustrous golden hair, porcelain-like fair skin, dignified and elegant face, and those clear azure eyes like a vast sky were breathtaking. Even the most beautiful elves in legends would pale in comparison. Unlike typical lion clan members who are tall and robust, she was slightly shorter than me, standing gracefully. She wore a deep blue silk warrior's outfit, overlaid with white-gold mage light armor, and held a gem-encrusted sword in its scabbard, exuding both valor and elegance, reminiscent of a Valkyrie at the side of the War God—Valkrye.

"Knight Xuanfeng, please forgive my abrupt arrival. I am Catherine; Warfang; Rhine."

Chapter 21: The Majesty of Emperor Martial Reaches the Heavens

Ten thousand years ago, when the Beast Empire rose on the Mainland, the beasts were indeed upright-walking creatures, covered in fur, with claws, tails, and horns, living on raw flesh and blood, and fighting with a wild passion. However, over the long centuries, as their territory expanded, the Beast clans intermingled with other races, incorporating countless bloodlines into their own. Although the Beast bloodline's dominance suppressed all others, it also allowed for unrestricted mixing. If one traced family lineages, almost every Beast person could find representatives of all intelligent races that had ever existed on the Mainland among their ancestors.

Quantitative changes led to qualitative ones, and even the forced selection of bloodlines was not perfect. With enough bloodline accumulation, the appearance of Beasts gradually changed, with various beast traits regressing, moving closer to the mainstream image of the Mainland's races. Like me, with a completely human face but wolf ears, fur, sharp claws, and a tail, while rare among commoners, it is quite ordinary among the mixed-blood nobility. For example, the notorious Romeo Shaman, whose only beast trait besides his wolf ears is a human appearance. And further still, Saint Catherine here, who shows no beast traits whatsoever, is undoubtedly a peerless beauty by any strict standard.

Of course, these changes are only superficial. Anyone who thinks such a graceful body has lost the formidable combat prowess of the Beast ancestors is gravely mistaken. Standing before her now, I felt an overwhelming aura of dignity and power. I used to think the concept of "kingly presence," which commands respect, was just a poet's fancy, but now I realize it truly exists.

This aura, rooted in millennia of noble heritage and confidence, combined with immense spiritual cultivation and astonishing willpower, is more potent than the "Soul Transference Technique" of the Nine Yin Manual. It can plant a mark of submission in the hearts of the weak-willed, making them swear allegiance. No wonder among many races, the followers of Lion clan leaders have always been the strongest. They genuinely possess means to make others submit. Had I met her a year ago, even if I wouldn't have surrendered, I might have been at a disadvantage, leaving a shadow that would have made me retreat and lose the will to compete.

But now, after numerous battles and significant martial progress, I am full of ambition and vigor. Such a strong stance only fuels my resolve and determination.

"Saint Catherine, your presence honors us. As the host, I apologize for not greeting you properly. Please forgive me."

Hearing my straightforward declaration without lowering myself, Catherine was slightly surprised. After all, for years, everyone who met her bowed respectfully, losing their composure. Only a few individuals, like her Master, the "War Saint" Leimen, or the Beast King Samantha, could stand before her with equal pride.

However, when her gaze turned to the "Tiger Soul" behind me, she regained her calm. The earliest wielders of Tiger Soul were Lion and Tiger clan experts, and its reputation as a "bloodthirsty blade" was well-known among the nobility. If one's heart were invaded by Tiger Soul's ferocity, they would indeed never bow to anyone else. But such wielders would be consumed by the blade's killings, ultimately meeting their demise.

"Knight Xuanfeng, there is no need for formality. Catherine was concerned about the fate of Fontainebleau and thus expedited her journey, causing trouble for the city's warriors. Please forgive me."

With the knowledge that I was already doomed, Catherine's eyes showed a hint of regret. Although the Temple had planned to eliminate this overambitious country wolf who seized the Golden Trade Route, during her stay in Fontainebleau, she observed the nascent fortress "Qingcheng" and the young Wolf knights who had reached Silver Warrior status despite their youth. This indicated that Xuanfeng was no ordinary wolf, so she considered recruiting him. Hence, she raised her aura to subdue him. Now, with the situation changed, she no longer needed to maintain a high posture, only needing to reassure him until the right moment to take over the city.

I did not expect this dual-martial and magical beauty to give me a stern warning initially and then become humble and polite. While the sudden change was suspicious, it wasn't yet time to confront her, so I maintained a courteous demeanor.

"Your Highness is too kind. Your arrival brings glory to all of Fontainebleau. All faithful followers of the War God eagerly anticipate the new altar. Unfortunately, my tenure here is short, and the War God Temple is not yet complete. Please allow me to temporarily house you here. I promise to hasten the construction of the temple and strive to consecrate the altar soon."