75: Crazy Beast King's Palm Pet (End)

Bai Shuang's name and those vicious rumors completely vanished in the wilderness wind, consumed by Lie Xiao's thunderous declaration and the relentless beast tide.

Within the Royal City, there was no longer any doubt about the Queen's identity, only awe for Lie Xiao's absolute will and a renewed understanding of Wen Ci's status.

She was the King's mate, the other half of his soul contract, an existence not to be desecrated.

On a lazy afternoon, Wen Ci was leaning on a large, soft animal hide couch, flipping through an ancient book brought by the Human Race, her fingertips rustling softly as they brushed against the yellowed pages.

After finishing the last few border military reports, Lie Xiao's tall figure rose from the throne. Instead of summoning attendants or going to the training grounds as usual, he walked silently and directly towards her.

He stopped in front of the couch, his golden pupils shimmering with a strange luster in the sunlight, gazing intently at her serene profile.

That gaze was no longer pure possessiveness or protectiveness, but mixed with a deeper, more docile attachment, like a fierce beast finding its only home.

Wen Ci felt his gaze, looked up from the pages, met his eyes, and a faint smile bloomed on her lips:

"What's wrong?"

Lie Xiao didn't answer immediately. He bent down, kneeling on one knee, squatting beside the couch in a posture of near submission.

This action made Wen Ci pause slightly, and she put down the book in her hand.

Even when crouched, his large body carried a strong presence, but at this moment, all his sharpness was reined in, like a silent mountain willingly bowing its head.

He extended his large palm, opening it before Wen Ci.

In his palm, something lay quietly.

It was an ancient yet exquisite collar—or, more accurately, a beast ring.

It was crafted from a strange, dark gold metal that shimmered with starlight. The ring itself wasn't heavy, but exuded a restrained resilience.

Intricate and elegant patterns were carved onto the ring: half were thorny and fiery totems symbolizing the Beast Race's power, while the other half were unique Human Race patterns of vines and ice crystals, symbolizing tenacity and growth.

Two distinctly different cultural symbols perfectly merged, forming a unique mark belonging only to the two of them.

This was not just an ornament; it was the highest-level symbol in Beast Race culture—the Ring of Belonging.

It was usually given by powerful Beastmen to their most cherished and trusted mates or kin, declaring that the wearer was brought into their absolute protective domain, a more concrete and 'ownership-laden' token than a mate's contract.

It represented the wearer willingly entrusting their freedom and loyalty into the hands of the giver.

However, at this moment, Lie Xiao, the King who ruled the entire Beast Race with iron and arrogance, striking fear into his enemies, presented this beast ring, symbolizing 'belonging,' to Wen Ci—a Human Race woman.

The meaning was self-evident.

He was not the giver; he was the one requesting to be worn.

He was asking Wen Ci to place this ring on him, symbolizing his 'belonging' to her.

Wen Ci's breath hitched for a moment.

She looked at the dark gold beast ring lying quietly in Lie Xiao's palm, at the perfectly merged totems on it. She knew better than anyone the meaning of this ring in the Beast Race, and even more clearly the meaning of Lie Xiao's posture at this moment.

This was no longer a simple guardianship or mate relationship.

This was… complete submission.

It was this untamed lion, willingly lowering his head, entrusting his neck, which symbolized power and freedom, into her hands.

He allowed her to place 'shackles' on him, declaring her 'ownership.'

Lie Xiao's golden eyes gazed at her unblinkingly, without a hint of reluctance, only a nearly devout anticipation and an almost imperceptible… trace of nervousness.

His deep, rich voice broke the suffocating silence, carrying an unprecedented, almost vulnerable tenderness:

"Ci'er, put it on me."

Wen Ci's fingertips trembled slightly as she gently touched the cold metal ring.

The touch on her fingertips was firm and heavy, carrying his inexpressible, profound emotions.

She looked up, gazing into his deep golden ocean. In those eyes, which once burned with endless war and arrogance, she clearly saw her own small reflection, and that unmistakable, complete surrender.

She didn't immediately pick up the beast ring. Instead, she reached out, with infinite tenderness and an indescribable sense of proprietorship, and gently stroked his furry beast ears.

Those ears, once considered an absolute forbidden zone, symbolizing the Beast King's dignity, now lay docilely in her palm, even rubbing against her fingers with affection.

Lie Xiao's body tensed imperceptibly for a moment, followed by complete relaxation and intoxication.

He let out a nearly satisfied purr from his throat, closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her fingertips and that declarative touch.

Wen Ci finally picked up the heavy beast ring.

She stood up, and Lie Xiao also obediently raised his head slightly, fully exposing his strong, chiseled neck to her.

Sunlight streamed through the glazed window, dancing on the dark gold beast ring.

Wen Ci's movements were gentle and solemn, as if performing a sacred ritual.

She carefully opened the clasp, bringing the ring close to his neck. The cool metal touched his warm skin, and Lie Xiao's Adam's apple bobbed, but he did not flinch in the slightest.

"Click."

With a soft snap, the clasp closed.

The beast ring, symbolizing Beast King Lie Xiao's 'belonging,' was securely fastened around his long and powerful neck.

The dark gold luster created a strong visual contrast with his bronze skin, and the smooth white jade rested just below his Adam's apple, like a brand, a silent declaration.

Lie Xiao slowly opened his eyes; flames seemed to burn quietly in his golden pupils.

He raised his hand, his thumb gently caressing the metal ring on his neck, feeling the strange sense of security that the restraint brought.

The restraint was not pain, but a welcome destination he gladly accepted.

He looked up at Wen Ci, her figure clearly reflected in those beast eyes that once surveyed the world, now with an unprecedented, almost vulnerable focus. His deep voice, with an imperceptible hoarseness, asked the question that was buried deep in his heart, concerning all his sense of security:

"Will you stay by my side forever?"

Wen Ci looked at him, at the beast ring on his neck, placed there by her own hands, symbolizing his complete submission, and at the undisguised dependence and question in his eyes.

Her heart was filled with a vast, satisfying warmth.

She leaned down, cupped his handsome and wild face in her hands, her fingertips gently brushing over his strong features, finally resting on his tightly pressed lips.

A faint but utterly certain smile curved her lips, a smile that held the composure of one in control, and the preciousness of his surrender.

"Of course, my Beast King."

As her words fell, she initiated a kiss on his lips.

It was not a fleeting, comforting kiss, but a deep kiss bearing the imprint of ownership.

Lie Xiao instantly reversed roles, pulling her tightly into his embrace and deepening the kiss.

From then on, he was her Beast King, and she was the master he willingly submitted to, the sole destination of his soul.

That dark gold beast ring was the eternal testament to this iron-blooded tenderness.