SoulLand:Ascending to Godhood through Science

After assigning tasks, You Chen conducted a thorough review and provided guidance to the research staff at the institute before leaving.

He didn't assign any special positions to these researchers.

They were all categorized as "logistics personnel" and operated as auxiliary Beastmasters. There was no explicit hierarchy separating them from the others; they were all considered equal contributors supporting the Beast Soldiers.

It wasn't that You Chen looked down on researchers—he himself started as one—so the idea of him discriminating against researchers was absurd.

The Soul-Battle Beasts were a unique organization formed mostly of individuals who had experienced discrimination. This shared history fostered a sense of unity and humanity within the group, making it feel more like a large family compared to other forces.

As a result, You Chen intentionally minimized internal hierarchies. Other than the Beast Chiefs, who were clearly above others, all members were treated as equals, with roles defined by function rather than status.

This approach, while slightly dampening individual ambition, significantly enhanced cohesion and stability.

Previously, constrained by his own strength, You Chen prioritized stability. This was why the Beast Chief rank was only recently opened for appointments.

Of course, equal rank didn't mean equal rewards.

The principle was clear: you earned what you worked for.

As You Chen strolled through the camp, Soul-Battle Beasts passing by greeted him with respect and enthusiasm.

Seeing the bustling and thriving scene, knowing it was all his creation, even someone as composed as You Chen couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride.

The Soul-Battle Beasts started as a group of just over a hundred. Every resource they had was funded solely by his personal savings.

Yet after years of development, the organization had grown to several hundred members and was now generating a modest profit.

To ensure the best training for the Soul-Battle Beasts, You Chen's annual expenditures could bankrupt someone like Flender. Achieving profitability under such conditions was an impressive feat.

However, the current scale of 500–600 members was likely the organization's limit for now.

It was easy to see why. In this era, the entire Douluo Continent's soul master population numbered just 200,000–300,000 (according to the original data). Beastly mutations, a negative manifestation of soul master potential, were exceedingly rare—less than 1% of the soul master population.

This meant there might only be 1,000–2,000 Beastly Mutants across the entire continent.

Gathering 500–600 of them in one place was manageable. Thanks to You Chen's help, they could now suppress their beastly traits.

But if more than 1,000 Beastly Mutants were gathered, their absence from the market—where many were sold as slaves or pets—would be too conspicuous. Even a group often overlooked would inevitably draw attention.

You Chen had already explained this reality to the Soul-Battle Beasts.

Otherwise, among the later recruits, some might harbor extremist views, believing You Chen was deliberately withholding solutions to their afflictions, causing their fellow mutants to continue suffering.

Complete liberation for Beastly Mutants was impossible at this stage.

Both major empires openly auctioned Beastly Mutants as pets and slaves in official markets.

Such "rare pets" were highly sought after by the elite.

Attempting to liberate them now would only lead to predictable disaster.

The reason for establishing their base in the Star Luo Empire was straightforward.

After Qian Renxue infiltrated the Heaven Dou imperial family, the focus of the Spirit Hall shifted heavily towards Heaven Dou, deeply infiltrating its territory.

While You Chen wasn't overly wary of the two empires, his caution towards the Spirit Hall was entirely different.

If it became known that he had secretly built an organization of several hundred members, Bibi Dong would have ample justification to move against him.

Thus, avoiding detection by the Spirit Hall was paramount.

Additionally, the Star Luo Empire, having remained indifferent during the Spirit Hall's suppression of the Clear Sky Clan and its allied single-attribute clans, had weakened its reputation and control over domestic sects.

At this stage, a sect-like organization such as the Soul-Battle Beasts was something the Star Luo Empire would rather not provoke, often choosing to turn a blind eye.

"With its current potential, even if I stop intervening, the Soul-Battle Beasts will likely evolve into a powerful sect within a few centuries," You Chen assessed.

However, that alone wasn't enough to satisfy him.

…

That Night

The appointment of the first Beast Chief naturally required You Chen's presence.

The Soul-Battle Beasts were free from unnecessary formalities. Once the camp members had gathered, You Chen succinctly outlined Ignis's exceptional contributions and achievements during the recent mission before officially declaring her the new Dragon Chief.

The birth of the first Beast Chief was a momentous occasion for the Soul-Battle Beasts and marked the beginning of a celebratory banquet.

Leaving the revelry to his subordinates, You Chen quietly slipped away.

Before long, following prearranged signals, Ignis arrived at an empty training ground midway through the feast.

"Leader!"

Seeing You Chen waiting, Ignis bowed deeply in greeting.

"No need."

You Chen waved her off. "Although the Beast Chiefs are nominally my subordinates, their status is actually equal to mine. As decision-makers, you are now key figures in this organization."

"This…"

Ignis hesitated before resolutely stating, "How could I show disrespect to the Leader?"

You Chen shook his head. "This isn't about respect or reverence. As a Beast Chief, you must project authority. If your attitude toward me remains unchanged, others won't perceive any difference in your status. They won't feel your authority or aspire to it. If becoming a Beast Chief changes nothing, then what's the point of the position? Ignis, you must set an example."

If You Chen had merely intended the Soul-Battle Beasts to serve as expendable pawns, he wouldn't have bothered with such distinctions. Even if the rules stated equality, he could subtly instill the notion that Beast Chiefs were ultimately subordinate to him.

But now, his needs had changed.

He didn't want mindless soldiers following orders; he needed capable subordinates who could act autonomously and take initiative when necessary.

To achieve this, the Beast Chiefs—the highest attainable rank—had to be seen as more than mere tools awaiting commands.

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