The third time, the Scorpion-tailed Lion was bathed in its own blood, sprawled on the ground like a formless heap, barely possessing the strength to lift its head. Sun issued its final ultimatum.

"Last chance, insect. Submit to me, or die."

The Scorpion-tailed Lion’s body trembled violently, its Life Force rapidly slipping away.

But it still showed no sign of submission.

Raylo frowned. Just as he was about to speak up and stop it, Sun’s patience reached its limit.

"Stubborn till the end!"

Sun abruptly opened its giant maw as a golden light gathered deep in its throat. The surrounding air instantly became scorching hot, and the terrifying energy fluctuations began to warp space itself.

Dragon Flame.

It was a breath of destruction sufficient to melt mountains and vaporize steel.

This time, Sun truly intended to kill.

Just as the golden light was about to erupt and completely erase the stubborn Scorpion-tailed Lion from the world, the shadow of death finally washed over it like an icy tide, drowning the last of its pride and ferocity.

It felt it. This wasn’t a lesson, not a beating, but impending, utter annihilation.

At this moment, it finally understood that the Giant Dragon before it was truly going to kill it.

A fear originating from the deepest part of its being overwhelmed everything else.

A weak, hoarse whimper, filled with endless fear and pleading, escaped the Scorpion-tailed Lion’s throat.

It mustered the last of its strength to slowly lower its proud head, finally pressing it completely against the cold ground.

This gesture represented complete submission.

The light deep in Sun’s throat slowly dissipated. It let out a heavy snort, its breath carrying the scent of sparks and sulfur. The scorching gust instantly turned the fallen leaves on the ground to ash.

"Should have just done this from the start."

It complained in a low, grumbling voice, dropping its world-destroying posture.

Raylo sighed in relief and walked over.

He crouched down to examine the Scorpion-tailed Lion’s injuries.

Although it looked miserable, the injuries were mostly superficial, with some fractured bones. With the powerful Life Force of a Tier Four Magical Beast, it would recover after a period of rest.

"Alright. From today on, you’re a member of my Black Stone Territory."

Raylo patted its enormous head.

"From now on, your name is Venom."

The Scorpion-tailed Lion weakly twitched its tail in response.

With the matter perfectly resolved, Raylo was in a good mood.

He turned to look back at his magical beast companions, ready to call them home.

Sun was contentedly sizing up its new "spoils of war." Baofeng was preening the feathers ruffled by the battle’s aftershocks, and Coal Ball was curiously circling Venom’s massive body.

Everything seemed harmonious.

However, when Raylo’s gaze fell upon Moonlight, he noticed something was off.

The little creature, usually as proud as a queen, was now sitting quietly on a nearby rock.

She just stared silently at the subdued Scorpion-tailed Lion, but her pale gold eyes held a hint of barely perceptible dejection.

Her trademark large tail now drooped listlessly over the rock.

Raylo’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood.

Moonlight was his first Minister of Magical Creatures, responsible for managing and "luring" other Magical Beasts in the territory. She was the undisputed leader of the beasts.

Coal Ball was her underling and Baofeng was his mount; their existence couldn’t shake Moonlight’s status.

But Venom was different.

It was a genuine Tier Four Magical Beast, with formidable combat power and a ferocious nature.

Most importantly, it had been defeated and tamed head-on by the Golden Dragon Sun’s absolute power.

This made Moonlight sense a crisis.

She felt as if her position was being challenged.

Looking at the "big white cat" perched on the rock, its back view seeming somewhat desolate, Raylo couldn’t help but smile to himself.

’Looks like after we get back, besides arranging a place for the new member, I’ll also have to placate my sulking Minister of Magical Creatures.’

The return journey was quite a magnificent sight.

The hundred-meter-long Golden Dragon soared through the sky, one of its claws clutching a half-dead Scorpion-tailed Lion as if it were a chick.

Venom’s once-proud scorpion tail dangled limply, swaying back and forth in the airflow, looking both comical and pitiful.

Sun flew slowly, as if intentionally showing off its glorious battle achievements to the people of Black Stone Territory.

Raylo rode Baofeng, following unhurriedly behind.

When Sun’s massive shadow fell over Black Stone Castle, the soldiers on the walls first gripped their Weapons nervously. But upon realizing it was their own guardian, their tension instantly turned into deafening cheers.

"It’s Lord Sun!"

"Look what it’s carrying in its claws! What a huge Magical Beast!"

"Long live the Lord!"

Sun clearly enjoyed being the center of attention. It deliberately circled the castle once before slowly landing in the huge open space in front of it.

With a THUD, Venom, which had been tormented the entire way, was carelessly tossed onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

It let out a weak groan and then fell completely still.

Raylo leaped from Baofeng’s back and gave an order to his Personal Guard Captain, Ed, who had already rushed over upon hearing the news.

"Go and fetch Carl and Master Barnaby."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Ed immediately left to carry out the order.

Soon, two figures came running over, one after the other.

A moment later, a young figure hurried over, carrying a large medicine box.

Following behind him was Master Barnaby, dressed in his gray Mage Robe.

The master’s hair was still as messy as a bird’s nest, but his eyes were shining as he stared at the dying Scorpion-tailed Lion on the ground. His gaze wasn’t that of someone looking at an injured patient, but rather at a mobile treasure trove.

"Oh, heavens, a perfect specimen!"

Master Barnaby rubbed his hands together, completely ignoring the Scorpion-tailed Lion’s miserable state. He walked straight to its giant tail hook and even seemed to want to reach out and touch the stinger, which glinted with a faint light.

"The activity of this poison gland, the color of this venom... Lord Raylo, the Scorpion-tailed Lion is a rare Magical Beast. With its venom, I can concoct at least three improved types of potent Paralyzing Potions and two kinds of corrosive alchemical bombs!"

"Master, it’s one of us now," Raylo reminded him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"One of us is good! It means we can draw from it anytime we want!" Master Barnaby said, as if it were perfectly justified.

Carl had already crouched down and begun to carefully examine Venom’s injuries.

He first fed it a bottle of green Life Potion, then took out bandages, splints, and some ointments that gave off a fresh herbal scent.

His movements were skilled and methodical, showing great improvement compared to before.

"Don’t be so quick to use a Healing Technique," Master Barnaby suddenly spoke up.

"Its bone fractures need to be stabilized with the Solidification Technique first, or the muscles will grow back misaligned during the healing process. Also, when treating the superficial wounds, avoid the poison gland on the tail. Don’t use any potions that might neutralize the Poison; that will affect the quality of the venom."

"Yes, Teacher," Carl replied respectfully. A soft, earthy-yellow light immediately glowed on his hand, and a small, complex Magic Array appeared in his palm—the very Solidification Technique Master Barnaby had mentioned.

Barnaby nodded in satisfaction.

With his hands behind his back, he stood to the side like a strict mentor, guiding Carl’s work and occasionally spouting obscure theories on Magic Potion Science and Magic.

Watching this scene, Raylo understood.

Ever since Master Barnaby had joined, the ever-inquisitive Carl had been like a sponge, madly absorbing the Alchemy Master’s knowledge.

One was willing to teach, the other eager to learn. Although they had no formal titles, they already had the true relationship of a master and apprentice.

This was undoubtedly a great thing for Black Stone Territory.

Under Carl’s meticulous care and Master Barnaby’s "enthusiastic help," Venom’s injuries quickly stabilized.

Master Barnaby got his wish, using a special Crystal Bottle to collect a full flask of fresh Scorpion-tailed Lion venom. He then floated back to his Alchemy Workshop, contentedly cradling the bottle and humming an off-key tune.

Sun lay off to the side, watching everything. It snorted, its golden eyes filled with the smug satisfaction of ’This is all thanks to me.’