"Y-Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?"
The lightning horse demi-human demi-human asked, barely able to believe it.
Moments ago, the atmosphere had been lighthearted and friendly, but it suddenly became stifling, thick with tension.
Everyone could feel Lin Tian's intense, deadly intent.
Lin Tian looked slowly at the lightning horse demi-human.
"Old Horse, is your head tasty?"
"Gulp…"
Instantly, the lightning horse demi-human shivered from head to hoof, feeling as though he'd plunged into an icy pit.
He staggered back a few steps, too terrified to make a sound.
Around them, the faces of the other beastfolk and monsters filled with dread.
No one dared to joke now, realizing Lin Tian was dead serious.
One by one, they scattered, too scared even to stick around and watch the drama unfold.
In a chilling silence, the street quickly emptied, leaving only Lin Tian and Scarlett behind.
Even Old Horse abandoned his shop, fleeing as if his life depended on it, knowing Lin Tian would be capable of chopping off his head.
"I… I really came here to beg for your forgiveness, Your Majesty," Scarlett said, dropping to her knees, her voice filled with grievance.
"I only did that one thing wrong.
Surely I deserve a bit of mercy?
I'm begging you!"
She paused, suddenly remembering something.
"Besides, it was Gallows who came to me.
I didn't ask him to!
It had nothing to do with me."
Since Gallows was already dead, she felt no fear in shifting the blame onto him.
But Lin Tian only stared at her coldly.
The silence magnified the suffocating sense of dread and despair.
Scarlett kept talking, desperate for any sign of response from him.
Not a single word came.
She had no idea if Lin Tian intended to forgive her or not.
Her heart twisted in anguish.
'Damn it!
I was so stupid!
Why did I provoke him?
Why did I have to cross paths with him?!
I'm supposed to be a mighty Lord of Sin.
I struggled all these years to reach where I am—how did it end up like this?!' Scarlett cried out in misery.
Because of her enmity with Lin Tian, she constantly feared he might kill her.
Now, asking for forgiveness made her feel utterly humiliated.
The abilities she'd been proud of could be exposed, and her backing was too weak to shield her.
She regretted every choice to the core.
After watching her break down for some time, Lin Tian finally spoke.
"Scarlett, if you're going to play the game, you'd better bring power and backing.
How does someone as low-tier and irrelevant as you dare to try it?"
"I truly understand that now," she stammered, panic-stricken.
"I'll use all my skills to serve you, Your Majesty!
Just let me live!"
Kneeling, Scarlett crept toward Lin Tian, transforming herself into a delicate faerie-like beastfolk.
The Snow Maiden.
With a cold, flawless beauty that seemed carved from ice, she reached out her graceful, ivory hand toward him.
After a moment, she changed, morphing into a blazing, red lotus Fire Maiden.
Her form was obscured by flickering flames, though the heat was unmistakable.
She switched forms rapidly, each transformation a desperate attempt to please.
Lin Tian didn't even blink; her entire repertoire had already been laid out.
Breathless and exhausted, Scarlett asked, "Well, Your Majesty?
I promise I'll work even harder in the future."
Her magic was depleted; each transformation had drained her power significantly.
Lin Tian seemed pleased with her performance, saying, "Not bad.
I'll give you two options.
How about it?"
"Really?!" Scarlett's eyes lit up with hope.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!
I'll serve you with all my effort from now on!"
From a distant rooftop, Ladrick observed, surprised.
"Using someone as revolting as Gallows against him—and she survived?
This goblin has restraint.
Without ruthlessness and cunning, one can't survive in this world…"
But then.
They heard Lin Tian's chilling voice.
"First option: write down all your techniques for me, and I'll let you die swiftly.
Second option: you get to live.
Which will you choose?"
"I… I'd definitely choose…" she hesitated.
"But can I really live if I choose the second?"
Lin Tian's face split into a mechanical smile.
"Of course you'll live.
If anyone tries to kill you, I won't allow it.
From now on, you belong to me."
Scarlett was overwhelmed with shock and gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!
Thank you!"
"After all," Lin Tian continued, an icy glint in his eye, "we goblins have hit a ceiling in our evolution.
With your abilities, we could cross into the realm of higher beings.
Keh-keh-keh…"
Lin Tian's expression darkened, his mind already forming new schemes.
He continued, "Now, how many female forms can you currently mimic?"
Still lost in the relief of having escaped death, Scarlett replied eagerly, "About a thousand or so.
But if I try, I can mimic any female creature in the world.
Your Majesty, whatever you desire, I can provide!"
"Really?
Then you'll be the brightest star in goblin history!"
Lin Tian's eyes gleamed with a frenzied light as he spoke.
It was unimaginable—if they could develop a creature like Scarlett as a vessel, what terrifying heights could goblins reach!
Their potential ceiling might even approach true divinity.
This meant that, perhaps in ten years, or maybe a hundred, goblin children could be born with powers as formidable as those of a god.
Hearing Lin Tian praise her as a "star," Scarlett was pleased.
"Thank you, Your Majesty.
Really, it's only my duty."
Lin Tian gently patted her head.
"I'm glad to see you understand.
I'll arrange the world's finest obstetricians for you.
"A dedicated, top-tier healer will always be available, with a stock of 360 blood types prepared to handle any complications.
"Private, elite chefs will craft dishes from every corner of history and every part of the world.
"And I'll assign several Demon King-level guards to ensure your safety at all times.
How does that sound?"
Hearing this, Scarlett stood frozen, unable to believe it, her heart bursting with excitement.
She thought secretly, 'Hahaha, goblins will always be lowly creatures!
Just a little comfort, and they're already at my feet!
This life is infinitely better than the bleak Uninhabited Zone.
And I won't have to endure Nanavis's icy glares.
Better yet, I can use these goblins to take her down, hahaha!'
The laughter in her mind echoed endlessly.
Her joy was boundless, and for good reason.
Just a second ago, she'd been in hell.
Now, she was in paradise.
Indeed, lust was the force that ruled the world!
"Wait… something's off.
That fool is in for a bitter surprise."
Ladrick, watching from afar, grew increasingly suspicious.
He wasn't one to underestimate others lightly.
The way Lin Tian was acting didn't fit someone who could have come this far.
There had to be deception involved.
But Scarlett, nearly blinded by her sudden luck, decided to give Lin Tian another dose of her charm.
"Sssss~"
"Your Majesty, do you like the tongues of the Serpent Tribe?" she asked, morphing into a mature, serpent-like woman with a seductive aura.
Her slender, crimson forked tongue extended at least a good twenty centimeters.
Most anyone would agree, Scarlett had gone above and beyond.