"Bold! Kneel before me!"
A man kicked towards Ning Beichen's knees.
"You're seeking death!"
Ning Beichen slapped him, sending the man flying. He landed and was already lifeless.
This was Ning Beichen's way of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys; he naturally wouldn't show mercy.
"You want to kill him? Kill him!"
Xia Houde said sternly.
In his eyes, with so many subordinates, dealing with Ning Beichen would be a piece of cake.
However, how could he have known what a terrifying opponent he had provoked?
"Kill me? Do you have the ability?"
Ning Beichen snorted. The aura emanating from him was like a volcanic eruption, instantly forcing the five hundred members of the Thunder Kill hunting group to their knees. Only Xia Houde managed to stand, barely.
But even standing was useless. Ning Beichen walked up to him and slapped him across the face.
*Slap!*
Xia Houde's face immediately began to swell.
"What are you? Dare to seek revenge against me? With trash like you?"
After speaking, Ning Beichen backhanded Xia Houde, swelling his other cheek.
*Slap, slap, slap…*
Ning Beichen simply alternated his hands, furiously slapping Xia Houde's face.
In the end, Xia Houde's mouth was full of blood, and he didn't know how many teeth had been shattered and flowed out mixed with blood.
"Since you all want to die so badly, I'll exterminate you all today!"
The bronze ancient sword behind Ning Beichen unsheathed with a *clang* and landed in his hand.
Then, Ning Beichen swept his arm, and countless sword rains fell from the sky, bombarding the five hundred members of the Thunder Kill hunting group. However, Ning Beichen controlled the power, inflicting only minor injuries.
But the deterrence against the Thunder Kill hunting group was immense. It directly shattered their defenses, giving them the feeling that Ning Beichen was invincible.
*Whoosh!* The bronze ancient sword landed on Xia Houde's neck. A bloodline appeared, and Xia Houde's head fell to the ground, rolling around.
If Ning Beichen wanted to subdue Thunder Kill, Xia Houde had to die. Otherwise, even if Ning Beichen subdued Thunder Kill, Xia Houde would remain a threat.
Ning Beichen then followed up with his sword, beheading several vice-leaders and others. Blood flowed like a river on the ground, further terrifying the members of the Thunder Kill hunting group.
If Ning Beichen could kill their leader and vice-leaders, would he care about the lives of the rest?
However, Ning Beichen stopped attacking. He looked at the people before him and said.
"Now I give you two paths. The first path is to pledge allegiance to me. From this moment on, I am the leader of the Thunder Kill hunting group."
"The second path is for me to kill you all, and let the Thunder Kill hunting group become history!"
"I will give you one minute to consider. Those willing to join me, stand over here. Those unwilling, remain where you are."
Ning Beichen said to them with fierce killing intent.
As soon as he finished speaking, the people of the Thunder Kill hunting group scrambled to the position Ning Beichen had designated. Only about twenty to thirty people remained stationary.
These twenty to thirty people had closer ties to Xia Houde or the vice-leaders Ning Beichen had killed and were unwilling to pledge allegiance.
But they were too naive if they thought Ning Beichen would let them go.
"Kill them and take their heads as proof of your loyalty. Then you are my people."
Ning Beichen said to those who had pledged allegiance to him.
These people who had joined Ning Beichen did not have much loyalty to the Thunder Kill hunting group; they were merely trying to make a living. For most of them, following anyone was the same.
Therefore, facing Ning Beichen's command, these people did not hesitate at all. They directly plunged their knives into those who refused to pledge allegiance.
The scene was filled with tragic screams.
Even after these people died, those willing to pledge allegiance to Ning Beichen went forward to join in, fearing Ning Beichen would suspect their motives and not receive their "pledge of loyalty."
Herd mentality is easily contagious. If only one person acted, that person would be filled with anxiety and guilt, as these were once their companions.
But when everyone else did the same, it evolved into a typical case of "the law does not punish the masses." Everyone would think, since it wasn't just me who betrayed them, everyone is the same, what is my crime?
Who told Xia Houde and the others that they were weaker and had to offend someone? So, in the end, they would blame Xia Houde for offending Ning Beichen, rather than thinking about Ning Beichen's actions.
In psychology, this can also be considered a form of ostrich effect, which Ning Beichen wielded with masterful skill.
Before long, all those unwilling to surrender to Ning Beichen were dead. The Thunder Kill hunting group had also undergone a transformation, becoming Ning Beichen's personal property.
"From today onwards, the Thunder Kill hunting group will cease to exist. I am forming a new power, named the King of Darkness, and you are all my people. Anyone with divided loyalties will be killed."
Ning Beichen said sternly to them.
He would not talk about fairness or freedom with them now. Even if Ning Beichen spoke of it, they wouldn't believe him. So Ning Beichen did not expect them to be loyal from the heart; what Ning Beichen wanted was their reverence for him.
As long as Ning Beichen continued to bring them benefits, they would naturally become loyal and stand with him. If there were no benefits, expecting them to be loyal would be a joke.
"Yes, Leader."
Everyone present roared in unison.
"Very good. Since you have chosen to follow me, I will not let you down. Now, I will take you to hunt Golden Scale Beasts."
Ning Beichen wasted no time with pleasantries or motivational speeches. The process of conquering was a long one, not something that could be achieved with a few words or slogans.
Yang Qianrou's Savage hunting group, the top-ranked Saint Hunter, and the other hunting groups never expected that the Thunder Kill hunting group was no more and that a new power, the King of Darkness, had emerged.
As for how to find Golden Scale Beasts, such minor matters did not require Ning Beichen's personal involvement; his subordinates would handle it.
Before long, they discovered the first Golden Scale Beast.
The Golden Scale Beast, true to its name, was covered in a thick layer of golden scales. It was massive, with a body length of twenty meters, immense strength, and the ability to breathe fire.
Besides its enormous size, the most difficult aspect of the Golden Scale Beast to deal with was its scales. Unless its golden scales could be broken, it could not be hunted.
Its only weakness was its heart, but as long as the Golden Scale Beast did not expose its heart, normal attacks would cause virtually no damage.
Upon its appearance, the Golden Scale Beast caused tremors. Any single strike could generate immense destructive power.
When the Golden Scale Beast was calm, it was manageable. However, once angered, it became a nightmare for hunting groups.
Furthermore, these creatures were extremely vengeful. If you offended one, it was practically a death sentence.