《Spirit Beastmaster》 Chapter 1: Beastmaster ¡°Phew, I¡¯m almost there!¡± Deep within the mountains, a young man moved with the agility of an eagle, his sharp eyes scanning the path ahead. Despite his breakneck speed, he navigated the dense forest with uncanny precision, weaving through obstacles like a fleeting shadow. The scenery blurred as it zipped past him, but the uneven terrain didn¡¯t seem to faze him. It was as if the forest bent to his will, unable to hinder his momentum. His name was Wei Yun. Dressed in a pale white robe, his fair skin and youthful features glowed with vitality. His sharp, elegant visage carried an effortless charm. As Wei Yun ran, the bundle strapped to his back swayed with his movements. From within it came faint, youthful growls, as though some small, lively creature were trapped inside and instinctively struggling to break free. Roar! Suddenly, a powerful and majestic roar echoed through the mountains, shaking the woods. For a brief moment, the entire forest fell silent as countless animals froze in terror before fleeing as if facing a deadly predator. Emerging from a thicket not far away, a tiger leaped into view, its form commanding and terrifying. Nearly three meters tall and over five meters long. The tiger¡¯s piercing eyes glowed with a predatory menace, its sleek white fur rippling over a powerful frame. Each step it took crushed the earth beneath its paws, radiating an aura of dominance. Hearing the commotion behind him, Wei Yun heart clenched. His sense of urgency grew stronger. Yet, instead of stopping, he picked up speed, running with even more determination. Moments later, the massive tiger leapt onto a rocky outcrop about three meters wide at the mountain''s summit. From its vantage point, it scanned the forest below, searching for its prey. The tiger¡¯s black nose twitched as it sniffed the air, its piercing gaze sweeping the forest. Within seconds, it locked eyes with Wei Yun. A cold, predatory glint flashed across its face. With explosive power, the tiger launched itself from the boulder it had perched on, moving with an agility that defied its size. Trees cracked and branches flew as its enormous body tore through the forest, closing the distance between them. Wei Yun felt a bitter pang in his chest. If he¡¯d had any other choice, he would never have provoked such a fearsome beast. This mission, planned over five grueling days, was meant to avoid life-threatening danger while still yielding a bountiful reward. Yet, even the best-laid plans could unravel. Forcing himself to stay calm, Wei Yun pushed his body to its limit. Being chased by a five-meter-long tiger left him no room for hesitation. He darted between trees, his movements sharp and deliberate, the map of the forest etched in his mind. Within moments, he reached his first destination: a cluster of crooked trees, their bent trunks forming an odd, natural barrier. Beneath them lay a bed of green foliage, partially concealing a clever trap. The vines, tough and flexible, had been fashioned into nooses that formed loops covering an area of several meters, leaving only a narrow path for safe passage. This was a trap that used the tension of bent tree branches. When triggered, the noose would tighten instantly, and the tension of the snapping branches would further constrict the noose, immobilizing any prey caught in it. Wei Yun slowed slightly as he approached, maneuvering through the safe passage with precision. Behind him, the tiger barreled forward, its focus solely on its prey. A short moment later, the tiger charged directly into the trap. Its forepaw landed inside one of the hidden loops. With a loud snap, the bent branches recoiled violently, trying to hoist the tiger into the air. Unfortunately, the tiger was far too heavy, over a ton. The branches lacked the strength to lift it. Even so, the tiger¡¯s movement was significantly restricted. Its right front paw was suspended in the air, leaving it in an awkward position and halting its pursuit temporarily. The tiger instinctively struggled against the snare, attempting to break free. But the vines were incredibly tough, and breaking free would take some time. Wei Yun allowed himself a faint smile as he heard the commotion behind him. But he didn¡¯t slow down, nor did he look back. There was a simple reason for his caution: The tiger, formidable as it was, wasn¡¯t an ordinary beast. It was a spirit beast. In this world, spirit beasts reigned supreme. They thrived in every corner, on land, in the skies, beneath the seas, and even in hostile environments like volcanoes and swamps. Spirit beasts could evolve from various forms of life, animals, plants, even rocks or water droplets. They possessed a wide range of unique abilities From this phenomenon emerged a revered profession: the Beastmaster. Beastmasters could form contracts with wild spirit beasts, train and nurture them, command them in battle and even utilizing their extraordinary abilities for various tasks. Most Beastmasters acquired their first spirit beast, known as their lifebound companion, through their family, mentors, or sects. But Wei Yun¡¯s path was different. Though he had a family and mentors, Wei Yun had awakened a rare gift that set him apart. This ability made him scoff at the beasts they offered, dismissing them as inferior.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. For a Beastmaster, the first spirit beast was crucial. The bond, forged through a lifebound contract, profoundly influenced the Beastmaster¡¯s growth and potential. A powerful companion enhanced its master¡¯s strength, fostering rapid progress and breakthroughs. The spirit beast also had a profound connection to its master. Its death would cause severe backlash, making the selection of a high-quality spirit beast all the more vital. Unlike most Beastmasters who needed luck and experience to judge a spirit beast¡¯s potential, Wei Yun had a unique ability due to a mutation in his soul. This ability allowed his spiritual power to penetrate directly into a spirit beast¡¯s core, bypassing physical barriers. By releasing his spiritual power, he could instantly glean information about a beast, including its name, rank, quality, and bloodline. While this ability had limitations tied to his spiritual power, its range currently extended only to about 30 meters, it gave Wei Yun a significant edge over others. As he grew stronger, his spiritual power¡¯s range would expand. One day, he might be able to scan areas spanning several kilometers, drastically improving his efficiency. This advantage was why he rejected the "inferior" beasts offered by his family, choosing instead to take the risk of venturing into the wilderness to find a high-quality spirit beast. His family upbringing had equipped him with survival skills, physical conditioning, and a wealth of knowledge. Most importantly, he was aware of his own limits. That is why the area he chose to explore wasn¡¯t far from his family¡¯s territory and had been cleared of powerful spirit beasts. With sufficient preparation, his safety was reasonably assured. Now, with the tiger ensnared behind him, Wei Yun pushed onward, determined to see his mission through. Roar! A furious roar erupted behind him. The tiger, realizing it was falling behind, grew desperate. It opened its mouth, gathering countless green light particles that coalesced into a pale green wind blade. With a sharp slice, the wind blade severed the vines holding it captive. Now free, the tiger leaped forward, bypassing the trap entirely. Seeing Wei Yun about to escape its view, it channeled wind energy once more. Its massive body became shrouded in a green glow, and its speed increased dramatically. Up ahead, Wei Yun¡¯s ears twitched as he sensed the tiger closing in. Without looking back, he clenched his teeth and sprinted toward his next target location. ¡°Its getting closer!¡± The tiger¡¯s eyes burned with rage as it swiftly closed the distance. In just a few breaths, only 30 meters remained between them. Ordinarily, the tiger could have launched a ranged attack at this distance, but it seemed hesitant for some reason. Wei Yun reached the edge of the forest, where a steep cliff loomed before him. The wind roared, whipping his robes like a tempest, and the path ahead ended abruptly. Jagged rocks and withered grass swayed wildly under the relentless gusts. Below, an endless abyss, cloaked in thick mist. A loose stone dislodged beneath his foot, tumbling silently into the void. Across the chasm, another stretch of forest beckoned. The gap was wide, but Wei Yun knew this terrain. He had prepared for this escape, rehearsing every step to ensure his survival. Behind him, the tiger burst from the trees, its gaze locked on him. Realizing its prey was on the verge of escaping, the beast finally abandoned its restraint. Without hesitation, it began to gather wind energy, preparing to unleash another wind blade. Before the white tiger could unleash its wind blade, the ground beneath its powerful paws gave way. This time, it wasn¡¯t another loop snare but a simple spike pit trap concealed beneath the forest floor. The tiger plummeted downward, its massive frame on a collision course with the sharp bamboo stakes embedded at the bottom of the pit. At the critical moment, the tiger¡¯s claws lashed out, anchoring onto the jagged walls with precision. With an explosive push, it vaulted free, defying its predicament with sheer strength. But its triumph was short-lived. As it landed, the tiger¡¯s paws struck unstable ground again, a second pit trap, linked to the first. Before it could react, gravity claimed it once more, sending it tumbling into the depths of the second spike-filled pit. By the time the tiger finally clawed its way out of the second trap, it was battered and bloodied. It lost its chance to launch a ranged attack against Wei Yun, as it could no longer reach him. Meanwhile , Wei Yun sprinted with everything he had. His heart thundered in his chest as he approached the gap between two cliffs, a chasm that yawned open like the maw of a beast. ¡°Three, two, one¡ªnow!¡± With a burst of momentum, Wei Yun grabbed the rope and swung himself across the expanse using a rope secured on the far side. As he hurtled toward the opposing cliff wall, he stretched out his legs, bracing for impact. Simultaneously, he directed his spiritual power outward, forming a protective shield around his body. Beastmasters weren¡¯t limited to controlling spirit beasts; they could also manipulate their spiritual power to perform extraordinary feats. The spiritual shield was one such ability, creating a temporary layer of defense against external forces. Combined with Wei Yun¡¯s physical conditioning, it was enough to cushion the brunt of the collision. The moment his feet connected with the cliff wall, the spiritual shield vibrated violently, absorbing the force before shattering into faint sparks. A numbing jolt shot through his legs, but the shield had done its job¡ªhis bones were intact. Gritting his teeth, Wei Yun clung tightly to the rope, resisting the pull of the abyss below. ¡°I made it!¡± he gasped. When the feeling returned to his legs, Wei Yun began the arduous climb up the rope. Hand over hand, foot over foot, he hauled himself toward solid ground. Finally, he reached the top. With a grunt of effort, he rolled onto the cliff edge, lying flat on the cool, solid earth. For several moments, Wei Yun lay there, his chest heaving as he gulped down air. Though the plan had played out in a matter of minutes, it had pushed him to the brink. A single mistake would have meant certain death, crushed, impaled, or devoured by the tiger. Gradually, the tension in his muscles eased. As a triumphant grin spread across his face, Wei Yun let out a laugh. His voice echoed through the mountains, a declaration of success to the wilderness around him. Roar! Across the chasm, the white tiger reappeared, its massive form silhouetted against the cliff¡¯s edge. It let out a furious bellow, gathering wind energy into a shimmering blade. The energy blade surged forward, cutting through the air, only to dissipate uselessly before reaching Wei Yun. Smirking, Wei Yun rose to his feet and dusted himself off. He turned to the tiger and cupped his hands in mock apology. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry for the trouble! Don¡¯t worry, I promise to take good care of it! And who knows, if I get the chance, I¡¯ll bring it back to visit you someday!¡± Despite the life-threatening chase, Wei Yun couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of guilt. He had been the one to provoke the tiger, after all. If not for his intrusion, the beast wouldn¡¯t have pursued him so relentlessly. The tiger roared again, its frustration evident, but there was nothing it could do. Pacing furiously along the edge of the cliff, it glared at Wei Yun with a mixture of rage and resignation. ¡°Goodbye!¡± Not wanting to provoke the tiger further, Wei Yun waved at it before turning to leave. Soon, his figure disappeared into the dense thicket. After Wei Yun vanished, the tiger stomped around in agitation before pausing in thought. Finally, it turned abruptly, intending to descend the mountain and circle back to the forest on the opposite side. This was its last hope. Chapter 2: White Tiger Cub Spirit beasts were born from living creatures, and many possessed intelligence on par with primates. Some exceptional ones even rivaled human intellect. Just as the tiger started moving, a tall, slender figure appeared silently, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The figure leaned casually against a large tree at the edge of the cliff. The man appeared to be in his thirties, wearing a scarf on his head and a jade belt at his waist. His shoes were adorned with snow crystal beads. His black hair draped over his shoulders, and his phoenix eyes, coupled with a neatly groomed beard, gave him an air of elegance. His long, narrow black pupils sparkled with a piercing light. Roar! As soon as the tiger spotted the man, it kicked up a gust of wind and lunged toward his throat with deadly intent. ¡°Oh, big kitty, no need to be so fierce!¡± The man stroked his beard and smiled, exuding an air of refined indifference, as though he hadn¡¯t registered the tiger as a threat. Instead of dodging, he extended a single finger, seemingly slow yet impossibly swift. A glow enveloped his fingertip as it landed squarely on the tiger¡¯s forehead. Sizzle¡ª With a faint sound, the man remained motionless, still leaning against the tree unfazed. The tiger, however, abruptly stopped in its tracks and was sent flying backward. It rolled on the ground before finally coming to a stop. On the ground, the tiger struggled to stand but failed repeatedly. Its amber eyes glared at the man with ferocity, its savage instincts undiminished. ¡°You brat, always making me worry. Alright, enough games for now!¡± Ignoring the tiger, the man lightly tapped the tree branch beneath his feet and stepped into the void above the cliff. Before falling into the abyss, a burst of white light flared up. From the man¡¯s back emerged a pair of tangible, glowing wings. He flapped his wings and swiftly descended into the forest below, disappearing from sight. It wasn¡¯t long before the tiger regained its mobility. It rose from the ground, battered, its intelligent eyes swirling with thought. Eventually, it lowered its head, abandoning the pursuit. In the perilous forest, Wei Yun walked while sprinkling Scent-Masking Powder from a bottle onto himself. The powder repelled poisonous insects and masked his scent. However, it didn¡¯t last long, requiring reapplication every half hour.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. The dense forest swayed gently in the wind. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, forming patterns on the ground. A few green sparrows perched on branches, preening their feathers. Their chirping harmonized with the sound of a nearby spring. Finally, Wei Yun stopped. He exhaled a long breath. This was the forest¡¯s edge, much safer than the depths. Surveying his surroundings and confirming no danger, Wei Yun took off the wriggling bundle from his back and untied it. Throughout the process, his legs remained tensed, ready to spring into action at a moment¡¯s notice¡ªjust in case. Yowl! With a youthful roar, a ¡°kitten¡± leaped out of the bundle, taking in several gulps of fresh air before baring its teeth at Wei Yun, claws swiping in a display of mock ferocity. Unfortunately, its tiny form inspired no fear, only an impression of adorable clumsiness. The ¡°kitten¡± was small, about 30 to 40 centimeters long. Its white fur was marked with black stripes, and its large, round eyes made it irresistibly cute. Its diminutive frame amplified its charm even further. On its forehead, the stripes framed a pale patch that looked almost like a crest of royalty. This wasn¡¯t an ordinary ¡°kitten¡± but the cub of a white gale tiger. However, its size was worlds apart from its ferocious parent. Ignoring its struggles, Wei Yun grabbed the cub by the neck and lifted it up. The little tiger instinctively wriggled, swiping its small claws and baring its teeth. It was clearly upset at the man, who had stuffed it into the bundle. Alas, its tiny claws were too short to reach Wei Yun. Disregarding its protests, Wei Yun extended his mental energy, covering a 30-meter radius. In his mind, a radar-like image formed, displaying several light points representing nearby spirit beasts. The brighter the light, the higher the beast¡¯s quality and vice versa. Within the mental scan, only a few light points appeared. Aside from one particularly bright spot, the rest were dim, akin to fireflies against a full moon, utterly incomparable. The bright spot naturally belonged to the ¡°kitten¡± before him. Next, Wei Yun¡¯s mental energy probed into the cub, compiling its basic information based on his knowledge. Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: White Gale Tiger(Juvenile Stage) ¡¤ Realm: Lower Rank, Stage 1 ¡¤ Species: High Servant Class ¡¤ Quality: Excellent ¡¤ Bloodline: White Tiger (Inferior) ¡¤ Attribute: Wind ¡¤ State: Healthy ¡¤ Weakness: Lightning A spirit beast¡¯s strength was primarily determined by its realm, which could be advanced through combat, training, or rare treasures. With proper cultivation, spirit beasts could become very formidable. However, realm wasn¡¯t the sole determinant of strength. Other factors like quality, species, and bloodline also played significant roles. Species were inherently determined, like the vast difference between a cat and a tiger despite both belonging to the feline family. Quality was equally important. The higher a spirit beast¡¯s quality, the greater its potential. Judging by quality alone, this tiger cub was highly promising. It was the most exceptional wild spirit beast within a radius of several dozen miles. No wonder Wei Yun had risked his life to capture it. Chapter 3: Life Contract Since the little tiger was still very young, Wei Yun felt it beneath him to bully it. He also wanted to avoid causing the cub any psychological trauma, knowing this would benefit its growth in the long run. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Chapter 4: Ambush "Since you didn¡¯t refuse, I¡¯ll call you Mira. Mira, please take care of me!" Wei Yun said, extending his right hand. Mira tilted her head in confusion as it looked at the large hand. Unfamiliar with human customs, it instinctively leaned forward and licked his hand with its tongue. Wei Yun shook his head helplessly. Under Mira¡¯s puzzled gaze, he gently took her paw and placed it in his hand, shaking it up and down a few times. After teasing Mira for a while, Wei Yun decided not to linger. Even though this was the outskirts of the forest, it wasn¡¯t entirely without danger. Instead of storing Mira away, he held it in his arms and began the journey back home. Wei Yun remained vigilant throughout the journey. The wilderness teemed with wild spirit beasts, and while Mira had significant potential, it had yet to be converted into actual strength. A single wild spirit beast could easily overwhelm it. Time passed slowly. Just as they were about to leave the forest, Wei Yun suddenly stopped. His left ear twitched slightly as he caught a faint, unusual sound. Since becoming a Beastmaster, his senses had improved dramatically, allowing him to sense danger earlier than most. Howl~ At the same time, Mira seemed to have sensed something. It let out a soft, juvenile growl toward a nearby bush. Swoosh! Suddenly, the bushes rustled, followed by a sharp whistling sound as a slender, dark figure shot out like an arrow, lunging directly at Wei Yun¡¯s face. At the last moment, Wei Yun instinctively crouched. The shadow narrowly grazed the top of his head as it flew past. Turning swiftly, Wei Yun locked onto the attacker. It was a small snake, about three feet long, with a pitch-black body and a triangular head. Its cold, slitted eyes radiated intense killing intent. Having failed its ambush, the snake didn¡¯t flee. Instead, it coiled its long body, flicking its forked tongue and revealing four sharp, venomous fangs. Wei Yun extended his mental energy and immediately retrieved the snake¡¯s information: Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: Shadow Snake ¡¤ Realm: First Tier, Stage 2 ¡¤ Species: Low Servant Class ¡¤ Quality: Low ¡¤ Bloodline: None ¡¤ Attribute: DarknessUnauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. ¡¤ Status: Healthy ¡¤ Weakness: Light The Shadow Snake was a venomous creature that dwelled in darkness, relying primarily on ambush tactics. Howl~ Mira let out another youthful growl, crouching with her limbs bent, ready to pounce. ¡°Mira, stay put. I¡¯ll handle this!¡± Wei Yun shook his head. Mira was too young and untrained to take on the Shadow Snake. If it were to get poisoned, the consequences would be dire. Reluctantly, Mira obeyed, backing up a short distance. With a metallic clang, Wei Yun drew the dagger he carried. He began circling the Shadow Snake with light, precise steps, searching for an opening. Although Beastmasters primarily relied on their spirit beasts, they weren¡¯t without the means to defend themselves. Upon becoming a Beastmaster, Wei Yun had not only undergone a transformation in his mental energy but had also gained heightened physical senses and strength. The Shadow Snake¡¯s expertise lay in ambushes. While it could be problematic in the shadows, being exposed left it at a significant disadvantage, making it much easier to deal with. Even so, Wei Yun didn¡¯t let his guard down. Despite his enhanced physique, the Shadow Snake¡¯s venom was lethal, and a single bite could still be fatal. After a brief standoff, the Shadow Snake grew impatient. Its coiled body tensed and sprang forward like a black arrow, lunging towards Wei Yun. As it leaped, its mouth opened wide, revealing its four venomous fangs. Wei Yun¡¯s eyes narrowed as his body reacted instinctively. He twisted sharply, easily dodging the snake¡¯s strike. As the snake passed him, Wei Yun pivoted smoothly. His eyes gleamed sharply, and his wrist flicked as he slashed with his dagger. This strike required the perfect combination of physical agility, sharp vision, and precise strength. A single misstep could mean failure. The Shadow Snake seemed to sense the danger, but it was mid-air with no way to evade. The dagger struck its midsection cleanly, nearly cutting the snake in half. Having landed a successful blow, Wei Yun quickly retreated, giving the Shadow Snake no chance for a counterattack. The snake fell to the ground, writhing in pain. Its vitality was impressive, and it didn¡¯t die immediately, instead hissing and rolling on the ground in agony. Before long, its tail drooped lifelessly, and it stopped moving. Even then, Wei Yun didn¡¯t let his guard down. Picking up a stone, he threw it at the snake. Thud! As the stone struck the seemingly dead snake, it suddenly twitched violently, biting the rock with force. Its venom sprayed out, emitting a corrosive sizzling sound. Snakes, including snake-type beasts, often exhibited reflexive movements after death. Approaching or touching them carelessly could have dire consequences. After throwing a few more stones to confirm the snake was truly dead, Wei Yun stepped forward. He grabbed the body, straightened it out, and retrieved a bamboo tube from his bag. Squeezing firmly from the tail, he extracted its dark red blood into the tube. Spirit beast corpses often held significant value. The Shadow Snake¡¯s blood contained a dark energy known as yin energy, making it a key ingredient in certain dark-attribute elixirs. After collecting the blood, Wei Yun used his dagger to cut the snake open, retrieving a fingernail-sized beast core and a snake gall. The snake gall was medicinal, while the beast core, a source of energy for spirit beasts, could accelerate the growth of compatible beasts. However, the Shadow Snake¡¯s core was useless to Mira due to their incompatible attributes. After finishing his work, Wei Yun carried Mira in his arms and resumed his journey down the overgrown forest path. A gentle breeze rustled his clothing as he walked. About half an hour later, he emerged from the forest. In the light of the setting sun, he saw a city standing in the distance, about ten miles away. The city wasn¡¯t large, its surroundings enclosed by two-meter-high walls and a moat. This was Qiyun City, located in Tianhe Kingdom. Though not particularly prosperous, it served as the Wei Clan¡¯s stronghold. The Wei Clan wasn¡¯t especially powerful, at most, they were a local powerhouse. At the county or provincial level, they were merely a third-rate force. However, within Qiyun City, they wielded considerable authority. Due to the large number of clan members, the Wei Clan¡¯s estate had been built on the outskirts of the city. Over ten generations of careful management had expanded it to cover a vast expanse of land, earning it the title of Wei Manor. Taking a deep breath, Wei Yun strode down the familiar road, quickly heading toward Wei Manor. Chapter 5: Returning Home As the golden sun sank in the west, the sky became clear and serene. The red and orange hues reflected off the clouds, gradually fading into amber, casting a warm glow that painted half the heavens crimson. Before night fell, Wei Yun arrived at Wei Manor. The Wei Manor faced south, with a pair of imposing stone lions over three meters tall standing at the entrance. Lanterns hung on either side of the red-painted gates, their dim, yellow light swaying gently in the breeze. The wide-open gates were flanked by four tall and sturdy guards standing in two neat rows. Each held a long staff, exuding an air of authority. Thanks to the efforts of over ten generations, the Wei family thrived. The clan itself boasted several hundred members, while the number of servants and guards was too many to count, making the Wei clan one of the most prominent families in Luo City. ¡°Welcome back, Young Master Yun!¡± As soon as they saw Wei Yun, the guards respectfully saluted. The Wei family was known for its strict rules, and even though Wei Yun¡¯s parents were long gone, leaving him with a relatively low status in the family, he was still a master of the house, and a Beastmaster, no less. There was no way a servant would dare to mistreat him. Wei Yun nodded slightly and stepped through the gate. Inside the Wei Manor Upon entering the estate, he was greeted by the sight of pavilions, flowing streams, and the soft murmur of water. Dim lantern light reflected off the lush trees, whose tangled branches swayed over the water, casting jagged, rippling shadows. The pavilions were surrounded by ornamental rocks, each unique in form. Some were crystal clear, resembling ice and reflecting a cool radiance; others were lush green, like carved jade. There were rocks shaped like crouching tigers and coiling dragons, while others took on the forms of ancient pines, soaring phoenixes, or pearls spewed by mysterious dragons. Their natural textures intertwined to create a vivid, artistic scene. Though the Wei Manor appeared vast, sprawling over what seemed to be a thousand acres, the estate¡¯s grandeur felt modest when considered against the many family members who shared it. Wei Yun quickly arrived at a small courtyard in the northeastern corner of the estate; his usual residence. Wei Yun¡¯s Courtyard The courtyard was simple yet charming. Upon entering, a corridor guided the way to a pebble-paved path. The outer walls were whitewashed, and vibrant clusters of flowers surrounded the courtyard, adding a lively touch to the serene setting. As Wei Yun stepped inside, he saw his second uncle reclining lazily on a chair. His chin rested on his right hand, his eyes half-closed in a state of near slumber.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. His uncle¡¯s name was Wei Jianfeng. Handsome and charming, he wore a black robe that accentuated his jade-like complexion. His three strands of neatly combed beard and unbound shoulder-length hair lent him a carefree and somewhat roguish aura. Based on appearance alone, Wei Jianfeng was undeniably striking. In his youth, he had been the dream of countless women in Qiyun City. Still, compared to Wei Yun, he fell just a touch short. In Wei Yun¡¯s mind, his second uncle was lazy and opportunistic, often taking advantage of others without any semblance of dignity as an elder. Perhaps because Wei Yun had shown extraordinary good looks and charm from a young age, Wei Jianfeng frequently used ¡°education¡± as an excuse to tease his nephew. Of course, this so-called ¡°teasing¡± was all in good fun. Yet from Wei Yun¡¯s perspective, his second uncle¡¯s ¡°wicked deeds¡± could fill an entire scroll! ¡°Ah, Yun is back!¡± Wei Jianfeng seemed to hear the movement. He opened his eyes and stretched with a yawn, his sleepy face giving way to a bright smile. As he sized up Wei Yun, his attention quickly shifted to the little creature in Wei Yun¡¯s arms. For some reason, Mira usually lively and energetic, went quiet under Wei Jianfengs¡¯s gaze. It shrank back into Wei Yun¡¯s embrace, its instincts as a beast clearly kicking in. ¡°Hmm, not bad! No wonder you rejected those so-called ¡®garbage¡¯ spirit beasts the family offered and ventured into the wilderness alone. So, what¡¯s its quality?¡± Wei Haoqiong¡¯s sharp eyes sparkled as he observed Mira. He had a keen sense and could tell at a glance that Mira was extraordinary. ¡°High-grade,¡± Wei Yun replied without hesitation. There was no need to hide it. Mira was his lifebond spirit beast; no one could take it from him. Besides, Wei Jianfeng had practically raised him, and their relationship was excellent. Of course, Wei Yun wasn¡¯t about to disclose his unique ability, that was his secret to survival. ¡°High-grade!¡± Wei Jianfeng¡¯s eyes widened in shock, and his usual nonchalant demeanor crumbled. He hadn¡¯t expected Wei Yun to return after just a few days with an High-grade spirit beast, especially a fierce creature like a white gale tiger cub! Still, his years of experience quickly helped him regain his composure. Smiling with approval, he said, ¡°Good, good, good! As expected of my nephew, you¡¯ve inherited your second uncle¡¯s style!¡± High-grade spirit beasts were exceedingly rare. Even with the Wei family¡¯s resources, there were fewer than five in total, and Wei Jianfeng¡¯s own fairy was one of them. To him, Wei Yun¡¯s success in contracting a High-grade fairy was likely a stroke of luck, and he didn¡¯t overthink it. ¡°Second Uncle, you¡¯re bragging again!¡± Wei Yun pursed his lips, silently rolling his eyes. He had heard countless tales of his uncle¡¯s so-called legendary exploits. For example, there was the time Wei Jianfeng accidentally stepped on a newly hatched snake, which turned out to be an High-grade spirit beast after he contracted it. Really, who would believe that? After chatting with his uncle for a while, Wei Yun went to his room. Tossing his bag aside, he collapsed onto the bed, too tired to move. The past few days had been grueling. Wei Yun had constantly teetered on the edge of danger, his mind and body perpetually tense, leaving him little opportunity to rest. The peril and hardship he had endured were things no one else could truly understand. Now that he was home, his body instinctively relaxed, and he felt an overwhelming fatigue. All he wanted was to sleep. But Wei Yun didn¡¯t sleep. After resting for a moment with his eyes closed, he forced himself to get up. He washed his face and stood before a mirror, staring at his reflection. After freshening up, Wei Yun extended his mental energy to confirm no one was watching. Then, he took a thick book from his bookshelf. The book, titled Spirit Beast Encyclopedia, was a well-worn compendium of information on various beasts. Judging by its condition, Wei Yun had nearly read it to pieces. To raise and train a spirit beast, one first had to understand it. This included memorizing basic details as well as its skills, strengths, and weaknesses. However, Wei Yun didn¡¯t immediately turn to the section on the white gale tiger. Instead, he held the thick cover between his fingers and flicked it a few times. A faint crack appeared, revealing a trace of golden light from a hidden compartment inside. Chapter 6: Miras Potential After retrieving the item in the books hidden compartment, Wei Yun carefully unfolded it. It was a map made of animal hide or to be precise, part of a map, as the upper-left corner was missing. The missing section originally described the name of a location and part of the terrain, but with that piece gone, only the characters ¡°Green Mountain¡± remained. With just these two words, finding the exact location would undoubtedly be a daunting task. After all, even within the vicinity of Qinye City, there were multiple places with the name ¡°Green Mountain,¡± not to mention the entire Tianhe Kingdom. No one could guarantee the location was even in Tianhe Kingdom. If it was in another country, then relying on Wei Yun¡¯s personal resources to locate the exact spot would be nearly impossible. As Wei Yun gazed at the tattered map, it was hard not to be overcome with memories of the past. This map was a relic left behind by his parents. Three years ago, on a rainy night, his father, who had been out on a family mission, returned to the Wei estate staggering under the weight of his deceased mother. At the time, his father was drenched in blood, his body riddled with wounds, and already on the verge of death. He didn¡¯t even have time to leave final words before he passed away, clutching Wei Yun¡¯s hand. Three years had passed since that night. Due to the strict rules of the family and the care of his second uncle, Wei Jianfeng, no one had attempted to steal his parents¡¯ inheritance or openly bully him. His status within the family hadn¡¯t diminished either. This was a family filled with genuine warmth and care. Among the items his parents left behind, most were mundane belongings or fixed assets. The most valuable items were this map and a Creation Fruit. Judging from the map¡¯s material, it wasn¡¯t an ordinary map. It was likely a treasure map. However, with such a critical piece missing, finding the precise location was extraordinarily difficult. The Creation Fruit, on the other hand, was a rare essence of heaven and earth with significant restrictions. It could only be consumed when someone was about to become a Beastmaster. Its effects, however, were remarkable. As long as one successfully became a Beastmaster, they would gain certain benefits, such as stronger and purer spiritual power, sharper perception, a wider range for projecting spiritual power, and even the possibility of acquiring a special ability, though the odds were very slim. Wei Yun could be said to have been blessed by fortune. It was thanks to the Creation Fruit that he gained his rare ability he called Soul Sense. ¡°Father, Mother, I will definitely find your killers and avenge you!¡± Wei Yun looked at the two ancestral tablets in the distance, his fists clenched tightly. His voice was firm, filled with unwavering determination. With the effects of Soul Sense, as long as he was given enough time, he would undoubtedly grow stronger quickly. After a moment of silent remembrance, Wei Yun carefully stowed the map away and opened the Spirit Beast Compendium, quickly finding the entry on the white gale tiger. The white gale tiger wasn¡¯t a rare spirit beast, though it wasn¡¯t commonly seen either. They lived deep in the mountains and forests and reproduced slowly, which was the main reason for their low numbers. White Gale Tiger Racial traits were like natural talents, abilities that spirit beasts inherently mastered, often with incredible effects. Skills, on the other hand, were divided into basic and advanced. Usually, skills required training or combat experience to fully master.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Advanced skills were often evolutions of basic skills. For example, to learn Crushing Claw, the prerequisite was perfecting Swiping Claw. With a memory far superior to ordinary people, Wei Yun quickly memorized all the information about the tiger. He then turned to look at Mira, the small cub lying nearby, and said, ¡°Mira, use your Intimidation on me!¡± Although Aixi didn¡¯t fully understand Wei Yun¡¯s words, their mental connection allowed her to grasp his intention. Lazily, she stood up from the ground. Roar! A childish roar sounded, but it was soft and immature. Combined with Mira¡¯s adorably clumsy posture, it completely lacked any intimidating effect. ¡°As expected, I can¡¯t count on you for that. All right, show me all the skills you¡¯ve mastered instead,¡± Wei Yun said, stroking Mira¡¯s small head, not disappointed in the slightest. In the blink of an eye, Mira¡¯s figure grew blurry, and another Mira appeared beside her. The two looked almost identical, as if carved from the same mold. However, due to her lack of mastery, one figure was noticeably more translucent and easier to distinguish as an illusion. ¡°Shadow Clone!¡± Wei Yun was a little surprised. After all, among basic skills, Shadow Clone was relatively difficult to learn. However, Mira was an excellent-grade spirit beast. Even though she was still a cub, she was far superior to ordinary beasts. As Wei Yun pondered, both Mira and her clone pounced on him, their mouths wide open to bite. Even as a cub, Mira¡¯s bites wouldn¡¯t be pleasant to endure. At the critical moment, Wei Yun activated his spiritual power, forming an invisible barrier around his body. In the next moment, Mira and her clone collided with the barrier. The clone, being non-physical, disintegrated upon contact. Meanwhile, Mira bit at the barrier, causing faint ripples to appear, but she couldn¡¯t break through it. Not giving up, Mira retracted her bite and extended her small claws, swiping in a crisscross pattern at the barrier in an attempt to tear it apart. Unfortunately, like her bite, her Swiping Claw skill was ineffective. After attempting three skills, Mira stopped and stared at Wei Yun with a puzzled expression. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve only mastered three skills so far, but that¡¯s still pretty good. Starting tomorrow, we¡¯ll begin training to quickly increase your strength!¡± Satisfied with Mira, Wei Yun kept his spiritual barrier active and began planning her training regimen. Unlike adult spirit beasts, cubs lacked immediate combat power. However, raising a spirit beast from a young age allowed Beastmasters to solidify their bond and develop the cub¡¯s potential more thoroughly. This, combined with their relatively low destructive capabilities, was why many factions preferred to raise spirit beast cubs and gift them to their younger members after taming them. Wei Yun¡¯s family also raised a group of spirit beast cubs. However, in Wei Yun¡¯s eyes, most of these cubs were mediocre in quality. Apart from a rare few reaching mid-grade, the majority were low-grade beasts. Considering the importance of his first spirit beast, they didn¡¯t meet his standards, which was why he chose to take risks in the wild. Compared to the cubs raised by his family, Mira¡¯s potential far surpassed them. But potential alone wasn¡¯t enough, strength was what mattered most now. Wei Yun needed to quickly improve Mira¡¯s combat abilities. There was a reason for Wei Yun¡¯s urgency. His family had a tradition: every summer, they held a test for newly awakened Beastmasters who met the age requirements. Their performance in the test would determine their future prospects. Due to the presence of spirit beast, the political structure of this world was unique. Nations and local factions vied for power in both overt and covert ways. In addition to the royal family, powerful Beastmaster academies, sects and families also wielded significant influence. While the Wei family was considered a prominent clan in Qinye City, on a provincial or national level, it barely qualified as a third-rate power, with minimal influence. This year, dozens of new Beastmasters met the family¡¯s testing criteria. Those with outstanding results would have the chance to gain admission to a Beastmaster academy. To strengthen the family, the Wei clan invested significant resources each year to purchase academy recommendation slots. Although this came at great expense, it allowed the family to nurture many talented individuals, a key factor in their continued prosperity. This year, the family had purchased eight academy recommendation slots. Of course, not all academies were equal. The best academies offered superior knowledge and abundant resources, providing a far better environment for a Beastmaster¡¯s growth. To grow faster and gain access to more knowledge and resources, Wei Yun needed to secure one of these recommendation slots and the higher the academy¡¯s rank, the better. With less than two months remaining until the academy entrance tests, Wei Yun was determined to increase his strength as quickly as possible. Chapter 7: Training Ground Not long after, Wei Yun sat cross-legged on his bed, his palms and feet facing upward as he steadied his breathing and calmed his mind, working to clear away distractions. He soon entered a unique meditative state. As his thoughts settled, the surrounding sounds, from the chirping of cicadas to the rustling of the breeze, grew louder and clearer. Wei Yun didn¡¯t feel surprised. He remained calm, his mind tranquil. After some time, faint, mysterious streams of light began to emerge from the surrounding environment, flowing endlessly into an undefined space deep within him, as though hidden in another dimension. It felt as if the world had split in two. He seemed to be in two different places simultaneously. His soul appeared to detach from his physical body, entering an ethereal realm. At the center of this new world floated a massive orb of light, surrounded by twelve tiny starlike glimmers, while the rest of the space was cloaked in pitch darkness. This was Wei Yun¡¯s sea of consciousness! The orb represented Wei Yun¡¯s soul, simultaneously infinite and crystal clear. The starlike glimmers were the manifestations of refined spiritual power, the more stars there were, the stronger his spiritual power. At this moment, Wei Yun began circulating the Foundational Beastmaster Technique to refine his spiritual energy. The Foundational Beastmaster Technique was a beginner-level cultivation method, simple and easy to understand, making it ideal for low-level Beastmasters. As Wei Yun cultivated, the orb of light seemed to come alive, trembling at a peculiar frequency that never ceased. The next moment, the orb radiated countless waves of spiritual energy. Like tides in a vast ocean, the waves surged and crashed, endlessly pushing against the surrounding darkness. Under the relentless impact of the spiritual waves, a small patch of darkness disappeared, replaced by a tiny star. Though the star was faint and almost imperceptible at first, the continuous battering of spiritual waves gradually made it brighter and more vivid. Under normal circumstances, the process of refining spiritual energy was incredibly slow, requiring an immense amount of time to produce just one star. But compared to the past, Wei Yun¡¯s refinement speed had increased significantly, thanks to the feedback he got from Mira. Once a lifebond contract is formed, a Beastmaster¡¯s spirit beast provides them with substantial feedback. The amount of feedback depends on the beast¡¯s quality, bloodline, species, and rank. The more exceptional the spirit beast, the stronger it is, and the more feedback it gives. This greatly enhances a Beastmaster¡¯s ability to refine their spiritual energy. Time passed slowly. After an hour, Wei Yun furrowed his brows. His head began to feel dizzy, cold sweat poured down his face, and his hands and feet trembled uncontrollably. These were signs that he had reached his limit. Without hesitation, Wei Yun stopped his cultivation and slowly opened his eyes. A faint smile appeared at the corners of his lips. ¡°Mira¡¯s feedback has doubled my cultivation speed! As long as Mira continues to grow steadily, my cultivation speed will keep increasing. No wonder they say that a lifebond spirit beast is one of the key measures of a Beastmaster¡¯s future potential!¡± Wei Yun murmured to himself. Based on his current cultivation speed, he estimated that it would take less than a year to accumulate enough spiritual energy to reach the next stage. The next morning, sunlight filtered through the wooden windows, casting mottled shadows across the room. Outside, the faint sound of the wind rustling through pine trees mingled with the smell of morning dew. Inside the room, a sleeping Wei Yun wrinkled his nose as a foul stench assaulted his senses. His brows furrowed instinctively, and his hazy mind quickly became alert. He opened his eyes hurriedly, only to be greeted by a scene that made his heart sink.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. The previously clean and tidy floor was now littered with several piles of brown droppings, emitting a "charming" aroma. A few flies buzzed around, feasting on their newfound treasure. ¡°Mira! Stop pooping everywhere!¡± Wei Yun yelled. Startled awake by the shouting, Mira jumped up in a panic, accidentally bumping into a nearby table. Bang! Crash! The table wobbled violently, and the vase on top tipped over and shattered into countless pieces on the floor. ¡°My¡­ my Vase!¡± Wei Yun cried out in despair. The vase, a cherished keepsake from his parents, had been carefully cared for all these years, only to be destroyed by Mira¡¯s carelessness. Completely unaware of her mistake, Mira happily trotted over to Wei Yun, stood on her hind legs, and hugged his leg affectionately. ¡°You¡¯re in trouble now, Mira!¡± Wei Yun growled through gritted teeth, deciding to keep a much closer eye on Mira during training to ensure she didn¡¯t slack off. Resigned to his fate, Wei Yun rolled up his sleeves and began cleaning the mess. After all, a good Beastmaster also needs to be a good caretaker. To save money and maintain secrecy, Wei Yun had no personal maidservants, only two household helpers responsible for cooking and fetching water. Most of the cleaning and organizing he did himself. By the time he had finished tidying up, half an hour had passed. Locking the door behind him, Wei Yun stepped outside. The Wei family estate was bustling with activity. Early morning was when the day¡¯s work began. Male servants, their chests bare, carried out heavy labor, while female servants tended to the household chores, helping their masters rise or preparing meals. Plumes of smoke from kitchen fires drifted lazily into the blue sky above the surrounding green hills. Leaving his courtyard, Wei Yun made his way to the family¡¯s training grounds, located in the northern part of the estate. The training grounds spanned several acres, with a flat surface and an array of equipment, serving as the primary site where the family¡¯s Beastmasters trained their spirit beasts. When Wei Yun arrived, several of his clan members were already busy training their spirit beasts, their shouts and the sound of movements filling the air. In addition to the clan members, several family guards were also present. In this world of extraordinary power, strength was directly tied to status. The stronger someone was, the more resources and influence they could secure. For this reason, people were constantly striving to grow stronger, and among them were many talented individuals willing to work tirelessly. Some of these individuals were Wei Yun¡¯s competitors, other family Beastmasters who, like him, had advanced in the past year. They were diligently training their spirit beasts, preparing for the upcoming family assessment. As Wei Yun stepped into the training grounds, Mira¡¯s adorable and playful appearance immediately caught the attention of many onlookers, particularly the women. ¡°Oh my! What a cute little cat!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a cat, it¡¯s a tiger cub!¡± ¡°Judging by its features, it looks like a high servant-class white gale tiger!¡± Amid the buzz of conversation, Wei Yun walked calmly forward, occasionally greeting familiar faces. At that moment, an unwelcome voice cut through the chatter, silencing the lively atmosphere. ¡°Sure, a white gale tiger is good, but my Flame Wolf has mid-grade quality. Its potential far surpasses that of your tiger!¡± Wei Yun turned toward the source of the voice and saw a short-haired youth standing nearby, a defiant glint in his eyes. Beside him was a flaming-red wolf cub, like a blazing ember brought to life. This was Wei Hao, a show-off to the core. If his personality could be summed up in one sentence, it would be: He always wanted to be the centre of attention, no matter the occasion. Wei Hao smirked smugly at Wei Yun. His ability to contract the mid-grade Flame Wolf was largely due to his father, who managed the family¡¯s spirit beast nursery. His father¡¯s familiarity with the cubs had allowed him to hand-pick the best one for Wei Hao. Although still a cub, the Flame Wolf had the potential to become a formidable combatant with proper training. Awoooo! At that moment, the Flame Wolf cub howled towards Mira, as if trying to intimidate her. Unexpectedly, Mira wasn¡¯t frightened at all. Instead, her eyes lit up with excitement, and she gazed at the Flame Wolf with a competitive glint. She let out a growl of her own. Grrrooowl! Despite her small size, Mira¡¯s expression turned ferocious as she bared her teeth and claws. Her racial trait, Intimidation, activated, exuding a menacing aura. The Flame Wolf cub, startled, instinctively stepped back, its earlier bravado disappearing as it whimpered and lowered its head in submission. ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be!¡± Wei Hao stared in disbelief, momentarily too stunned to respond. Meanwhile, many onlookers directed curious glances at Mira, while others cast disdainful looks at the Flame Wolf. Although both were cubs, the Flame Wolf was clearly larger, making its timid reaction even more embarrassing. Shaking his head, Wei Yun ignored the dazed Wei Hao and headed toward the bamboo forest in the northeast corner of the training grounds. As he left, Wei Yun subtly extended his spiritual sense, gathering information on the Flame Wolf. Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: Flame Wolf (Juvenile Stage) ¡¤ Realm: First Tier, Stage 3 ¡¤ Species: Mid-grade servant class ¡¤ Quality: Mid ¡¤ Bloodline: None ¡¤ Attribute: Fire ¡¤ Status: Healthy ¡¤ Weakness: Water ¡°With Mira¡¯s potential, it won¡¯t be long before she surpasses this Flame Wolf completely,¡± Wei Yun thought to himself. In terms of potential, Mira was far superior to the Flame Wolf, not only due to her higher quality but also because of her stronger bloodline and race. Chapter 8: Training
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Chapter 9: Surprise This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Chapter 10: First Battle! Wei Yun immediately began checking Mira''s updated stats: Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: White Gale Tiger (Juvenile Stage) ¡¤ Realm: First Tier, Stage 2 ¡¤ Species: High Servant Class ¡¤ Quality: High ¡¤ Bloodline: White Tiger (Inferior) ¡¤ Attribute: Wind ¡¤ Status: Exhausted ¡¤ Weakness: Lightning With Mira¡¯s advancement in rank, all her core attributes: strength, agility, and stamina had improved significantly. Upon confirming Mira¡¯s advancement, Wei Yun clenched his right fist and pumped it into the air, his face brimming with excitement. As expected of a high-quality spirit beast, Mira¡¯s potential far exceeded that of ordinary spirit beasts. In just one day, she had advanced a rank, leaving Wei Yun in awe. Of course, the wind-attribute spirit core played an important role in this. ¡°Mira, attack the bamboo with full force!¡± Wei Yun commanded, eager to assess the changes in her abilities. Growl! The moment Wei Yun¡¯s words fell, Mira let out a low roar. She moved faster than before, her nimble form leaping through the air. Her claws gleamed as they swiped across the bamboo, and she landed gracefully on the ground. Swish! Swish! When the attack was complete, the bamboo bore several crisscrossing gashes. In total, there were six marks, two of which were noticeably deeper, just one more strike, and the bamboo would snap in half. But this raised a question: Mira had eight claws, yet only six marks were visible. It wasn¡¯t because Mira hadn¡¯t put in enough effort, it was due to her improved precision. Through intentional training, her strikes had become more focused, with one claw from each paw striking the same point. This coordination would deal significantly more damage in combat against a moving opponent. Of course, targeting a stationary object like bamboo was far easier than hitting a moving target. Mira leaped again. This time, instead of using Swiping Claw, she opened her mouth wide, revealing sharp fangs, and bit precisely into one of the existing claw marks. Crunch! The bamboo emitted a teeth-grating sound as Mira¡¯s jaws clamped down with immense force, and the stalk slowly toppled over. Compared to her pre-training state, Mira¡¯s claws and fangs had become much sharper and sturdier. ¡°Well done, Mira!¡± Wei Yun couldn¡¯t hide his satisfaction. In just one day of rigorous training, Mira had transitioned from harmless to capable of holding her own in a fight.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°You¡¯ve done great, Mira!¡± Wei Yun wasn¡¯t stingy with his praise. Positive reinforcement helped maintain a spirit beast¡¯s enthusiasm for training, ensuring their sustained focus and effort. And it didn¡¯t cost Wei Yun anything to offer a few kind words. After the training session ended, Wei Yun returned Mira to her Beast Space. Inside the Beast Space, a spirit beast¡¯s recovery rate was significantly faster than in the outside world. Most Beastmasters would recall their beasts to the space whenever they were fatigued or injured, allowing them to recover before being summoned again. It was standard practice. The following day, Mira¡¯s training routine was similar to the previous day¡¯s, still focused on improving her Swiping Claw and bite techniques. However, Wei Yun increased the difficulty. Using a sharp stone, he etched marks into the bamboo, directing Mira to aim for the specific marks to improve her accuracy. Additionally, he introduced angle training, ensuring Mira could maintain her attack strength even when striking from unconventional positions. Crunch! With a series of swift strikes, Mira¡¯s lithe body landed gracefully as the sound of splitting bamboo echoed. Another stalk slowly toppled to the ground. ¡°Great work! Keep up this pace. Next, switch to a different angle and make sure every attack completely severs the bamboo!¡± Wei Yun instructed. By the end of the morning session, Mira¡¯s mastery of Swiping Claw had improved considerably. She could now slice through bamboo in a single strike. Roar! Mira tilted her head to the sky, letting out a triumphant roar. Her bright eyes gleamed with pride as she lifted her chin in a display of confidence. Spirit beasts were simple-minded creatures, and Mira, being so young, was especially easy to motivate. A little praise from Wei Yun was enough to keep her spirits high and her determination strong. Under Wei Yun¡¯s guidance, Mira shifted to attacking a bamboo stalk from a 45¡ã angle on the left. With the new angle, Mira successfully struck the marked area but didn¡¯t fully unleash the power of her Swiping Claw, leaving behind only a few deep gashes. Seeing the result, Mira looked disappointed. As a cub, her emotions were immature, easily excited but just as easily discouraged. Recognizing this, Wei Yun recalled a lesson from the Beastmaster¡¯s Handbook and quickly encouraged her: ¡°Don¡¯t be discouraged, Mira! With enough practice, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll master this in no time!¡± Bolstered by his words, Mira regained her focus and switched angles to attack the next bamboo stalk. Coo, coo, coo¡ª By late afternoon, just as the training session was about to end, Wei Yun¡¯s ears twitched at the sound of faint bird calls. Instinctively, he looked up, scanning the sparse bamboo canopy. Soon, his eyes locked onto the source of the noise. Not far away, a wild spirit beast perched atop a bamboo stalk, its head tilted as it observed Mira below. Its beak moved slightly, emitting crisp chirps as if it were passing judgment. It was a bird-type spirit beast with a wingspan of over a meter. Its body was covered in pale green feathers, while four long azure tail feathers extended elegantly from its rear. Because the Wei family estate was located in the countryside, wild spirit beasts occasionally wandered into the area. Most were flying or small creatures. ¡°A Skycrest Bird!¡± Wei Yun immediately identified it at a glance. The Skycrest Bird was a common wind-attribute spirit beast known for its speed and agility. Its tail feathers were particularly unique. Each Skycrest Bird was born with only one tail feather, and with every rank advancement, it would grow an additional feather. Judging by its four tail feathers, this Skycrest Bird was a First Tier, Stage 4 spirit beast, with a rank higher than Mira¡¯s. However, its low-class status as a species put it at a clear disadvantage compared to Mira. Furthermore, Mira had a significant edge in terms of quality, allowing her to grow faster and gain much more with every advancement. Even as a cub, Mira¡¯s combination of high class and quality likely made her equal to, if not stronger than, the bird. And then there was the added advantage of Wei Yun¡¯s command. ¡°Mira, prepare for battle!¡± At Wei Yun¡¯s signal, Mira immediately locked onto the Skycrest Bird perched on the bamboo stalk. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she crouched, ready to spring into action. As a beast-type spirit beast, Mira was naturally aggressive. Beyond spirit beast food, she was regularly fed large portions of raw meat to maintain her ferocity. While training could be monotonous, combat, though risky, was the fastest way for a spirit beast to grow. The life-or-death struggle awakened their instincts, pushing them to overcome their limits. Battles also revealed weaknesses, providing opportunities for improvement afterward. Without hesitation, Mira lunged forward, not at the Skycrest Bird directly but at the bamboo stalk beneath it. Swish! Swish! With a series of slashes, the bamboo snapped instantly, and the Skycrest Bird¡¯s perch tilted dangerously before crashing to the ground. Caught off guard, the Skycrest Bird flapped its wings, trying to take flight and gain an aerial advantage. But Mira anticipated this. Using the falling bamboo as leverage, she launched herself into the air, her sharp fangs aimed directly at the Skycrest Bird. Mira¡¯s speed was astonishing. In a blink, she closed the distance and tried to sink her teeth into the target. Chapter 11: Nature Sprite At this critical moment, the Skycrest Bird let out a sharp cry, its body suddenly shrouded in a brilliant green aura of wind energy, like a shimmering cloak. Its speed instantly surged, allowing it to easily dodge Mira¡¯s attempted bite. ¡°That¡¯s the Wind Veil Skill, which temporarily boosts a spirit beast¡¯s speed significantly!¡± Watching the Skycrest Bird¡¯s ¡°cloak¡± of wind energy, Wei Yun narrowed his eyes, quickly analyzing the situation. After missing her target, Mira landed lightly on the ground and turned her gaze upward, her eyes fixed on the Skycrest Bird as it circled in the air. Coo, coo¡ª From above, the Skycrest Bird stared down at Mira, letting out a sharp, angry chirp. The next moment, it dove downward, extending its talons like gleaming hooks ready to strike. ¡°Mira, jump forward!¡± Wei Yun commanded. Thanks to the tight bond between Beastmaster and spirit beast, Mira reacted instantly to his voice, leaping forward without hesitation. Mira¡¯s speed was comparable to the bird¡¯s, and she managed to evade the attack. However, the Skycrest Bird wasn¡¯t ready to give up. It darted after Mira, it''s sharp beak glinting like a spear as it aimed straight for her back. ¡°Mira, Shadow Clone!¡± At the last moment, Mira¡¯s figure blurred. Suddenly, two identical versions of her appeared in the air. The Skycrest Bird¡¯s beak pierced straight through one of the clones, missing the real Mira entirely, and it continued its flight past her. ¡°Chase it down! Use Swiping Claw!¡± Wei Yun ordered. Taking advantage of the Skycrest Bird¡¯s momentary vulnerability as it turned, Mira leaped forward. Just as the Skycrest Bird tried to adjust its position, Mira struck. Her claws gleamed as they slashed through the air, and a flash of red followed as blood spattered from the deep gashes on the bird¡¯s back. Screech! The Skycrest Bird let out a pained cry and tumbled to the ground, struggling to rise. Mira didn¡¯t give it the chance. She pinned it down with her paws, preventing it from taking flight. For avian spirit beasts, whose bones were lightweight and delicate, being pinned to the ground was almost a guaranteed defeat. In battles between spirit beasts, rank and quality played major roles in determining the outcome, but other factors like attributes, experience, command, terrain, environment, size, and even weight could be just as critical. ¡°Well done, Mira!¡± Wei Yun praised as he walked over, giving Mira a gentle pat on the head. Growl! Mira lifted her head high and let out a triumphant growl. It was her first battle, and the significance was undeniable. The victory boosted her confidence and reduced her resistance to the grueling training she had endured.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Suddenly, a faint, ethereal light enveloped Mira, causing her entire body to glow. As the light faded, Mira¡¯s size increased once again, her body now stretched close to a full meter. Her once-cute, cub-like appearance now carried an air of dignity and strength. ¡°She advanced again!¡± Wei Yun exclaimed, excitement flooding his chest. In just two days, Mira had reached First Tier, Stage 3. Growl! At that moment, Mira opened her mouth wide, ready to devour the bird. ¡°Hold on!¡± Wei Yun stopped her. It wasn¡¯t that Wei Yun had an issue with killing, it was more strategic. Skycrest Birds were relatively common spirit beasts, but even among common species, rare individuals with extraordinary potential occasionally appeared. Who was to say this specimen wasn¡¯t one of them? Although the chances were slim, the possibility still existed. Wei Yun wasn¡¯t about to waste the opportunity. He extended his spiritual sense, covering a 30-meter radius in an instant. Within the range of his perception, three light points appeared. One belonged to Mira, another to the Skycrest Bird lying nearby. Unsurprisingly, the Skycrest Bird¡¯s light was dim, reflecting its low quality. But what truly caught Wei Yun¡¯s attention was the third light point, flickering on the edge of his range. It pulsed irregularly, sometimes glowing as brightly as a full moon, and other times dimming to the faint glow of a firefly, a stark and fascinating contrast. What was even stranger was that this light didn¡¯t move. ¡°What kind of spirit beast is this?¡± Wei Yun murmured, intrigued. He focused his spiritual energy on the light point, immediately pulling up its details: Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: Nature Sprite (In Incubation) ¡¤ Realm: None ¡¤ Species: Unknown ¡¤ Quality: Unknown (The more plant essence absorbed, the higher the potential quality.) ¡¤ Bloodline: Elemental (Unknown) ¡¤ Attribute: Wood ¡¤ Status: Malnourished (Lack of plant essence could result in premature death.) ¡¤ Weakness: Fire Wei Yun¡¯s experiments with his special ability had taught him that the information he could see through his spiritual sense was unique to him. Even other Beastmasters, after contracting a spirit beast, wouldn¡¯t have access to these detailed insights. ¡°A Nature Sprite!¡± Wei Yun froze for a moment, and then a broad smile spread across his face. Sprites were a rare category of spirit beast, fundamentally different from most others. Unlike ordinary spirit beasts, sprites were born directly from nature itself, their attributes pure and powerful. They were divided into categories based on their elements, such as Nature Sprites, Flame Sprites, and Earth Sprites. Sprites were not known for their combat prowess but instead for their exceptional support abilities, which could greatly benefit Beastmasters. Moreover, a sprite¡¯s quality was never below Mid-Grade, and there were even High and Rare-grade sprites among them. For this reason, sprites were highly sought after by Beastmasters, making them exceedingly rare in the wild. Nature Sprites, specifically, were born from the essence of plants. Typically hidden within the vegetation that nurtured them, they could only be found under fortunate circumstances. ¡°Mira, finish it!¡± Wei Yun said after withdrawing his spiritual sense. He wanted Mira to experience her first kill. Under the terrified gaze of the bird, Mira opened her mouth and clamped her fangs around its neck. Coo¡­ coo¡­ The Skycrest Bird let out a final, desperate cry, struggling with all its might, but Mira¡¯s grip was unrelenting. Before long, the Skycrest Bird stopped moving. Its once-bright eyes grew dull, and its body went limp. Wei Yun expertly harvested valuable materials from the Skycrest Bird, including a Lower Wind-Attribute Spirit Core and four azure tail feathers. ¡°Mira, this is your dinner,¡± Wei Yun said, tossing the Skcrest Bird¡¯s carcass to her. At his words, Mira eagerly dug in, tearing into the it¡¯s flesh. Spirit beasts that absorbed energy over time had highly nutritious meat, making it a valuable food source that could aid in a spirit beast¡¯s growth. While Mira ate, Wei Yun turned his attention toward the mysterious light he had sensed earlier. Following his spiritual sense, he headed toward the center of the bamboo grove. As he approached, the environment around him began to change. The once-vibrant green bamboo gradually turned yellow and wilted, the dry leaves rustling weakly in the breeze. Within a 10-meter radius, the only greenery left was a single, unusually large bamboo stalk in the center. However, even this bamboo appeared malnourished, its yellowed leaves drooping pitifully. Following his spiritual sense, Wei Yun¡¯s eyes locked onto the Nature Sprite¡¯s location. It was nestled in the upper branches of the central bamboo stalk, where natural, glowing purple patterns had formed on the bark. Chapter 12: Borrowing Wei Yun pondered for a moment before grabbing one of the withered green bamboo stalks nearby. With a slight tug, he uprooted it effortlessly, not because of his immense strength, but because the bamboo¡¯s roots had completely dried out, devoid of any moisture. ¡°As expected, the Nature Sprite embryo is absorbing the plant essence within its surrounding area to sustain itself, turning these bamboo stalks into its nourishment. This explains why all the bamboo around the host stalk has withered. But the situation is dire. Without enough plant essence, this Nature Sprite could very well perish before it¡¯s even born!¡± Wei Yun¡¯s expression turned grim at the thought. The conditions for a Nature Sprite¡¯s birth were incredibly stringent. It required an immense amount of plant essence to sustain its development, and if there wasn¡¯t enough, the embryo might miscarry. Even if it managed to survive the birth, the lack of sufficient nourishment would lead to congenital deficiencies. Its physical attributes and overall growth would be inferior compared to a properly nurtured Nature Sprite. Wei Yun recalled a book he had once read about sprites, which detailed various methods to rescue a struggling Nature Sprite embryo. The simplest solution was to enrich the surrounding soil with fertilizers to boost its nutrients, things like wood ash, compost, or pond mud could be used. However, this method was slow. It would take time to improve the soil¡¯s fertility, and it would only delay the problem rather than solve it in the short term. ¡°If one method isn¡¯t enough, then I¡¯ll try three at once!¡± Wei Yun muttered, rubbing his chin before quickly coming to a decision. First, he pulled out a pouch filled with a collection of multicolored spirit cores, all low-tier cores he had saved up over the years. After sifting through them, he selected five green wood-attribute spirit cores. They weren¡¯t many, and Wei Yun wasn¡¯t particularly wealthy, but it was all he had. Wood-attribute spirit cores were the energy sources of wood-element spirit beasts, containing a certain amount of plant essence based on their grade. Without hesitation, Wei Yun pressed all five cores against the roots of the bamboo hosting the Nature Sprite embryo. The moment the cores made contact, they began to glow faintly with a deep green light, their energy gradually being absorbed by the bamboo. The bamboo, in turn, channeled the essence into the Nature Sprite embryo, nourishing it. Like rain falling after a long drought, the Nature Sprite eagerly absorbed the energy. The process was so rapid that the spirit cores visibly faded in color, their essence depleting at a rate noticeable to the naked eye. ¡°At this rate, these cores will only last half a day before they¡¯re completely drained¡­¡± Wei Yun frowned, realizing how quickly the energy was being consumed. ¡°This isn¡¯t enough. Not even close! Low-tier spirit cores just don¡¯t contain enough energy.¡± After burying the drained cores in the soil to keep them hidden, Wei Yun swiftly left the bamboo grove with Mira in tow. Back at the Wei family estate, Wei Yun called for two of the household servants under his command. Although Wei Yun didn¡¯t have a personal maid, he did employ two workers for odd jobs. Under his orders, the two servants, though puzzled, followed his instructions without question, dropping whatever they were doing to gather various fertilizers. Compost and wood ash were readily available, while pond mud required a bit more effort, but it wasn¡¯t anything they couldn¡¯t handle. ¡°Good work. Here¡¯s your reward. And listen carefully, do not, under any circumstances, tell anyone about this. If you do, you¡¯ll have me to answer to. Understood?¡± Wei Yun warned them sharply, handing over a small bag of coins as compensation while making his stance clear.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. To avoid drawing attention, Wei Yun didn¡¯t let the servants handle the fertilizing themselves. Instead, he had the materials secretly stored in a corner of his courtyard. That night, under the cover of darkness, Wei Yun disguised himself in servant¡¯s clothing and transported the fertilizer with a small wooden cart to his destination. With Mira¡¯s assistance, he skillfully avoided all prying eyes and slipped back into the bamboo grove undetected. ¡°Mira, keep watch here. If you hear or sense anything, let me know with a growl,¡± Wei Yun instructed, leaving Mira near the edge of the grove as a lookout. Considering the immense value of a Nature Sprite, Wei Yun couldn¡¯t risk anyone discovering it and stealing his opportunity. Once in the grove, Wei Yun set down the fertilizer but didn¡¯t apply it immediately. First, he worked to uproot all the withered bamboo stalks and replace them with fresh bamboo from nearby. The task seemed simple, but it was painstakingly tedious. Wei Yun had to move quietly, avoiding making noise that might draw the attention of nearby patrols. Mira, hidden at the grove¡¯s edge, remained on high alert. Her ears twitched as she listened intently for any unusual sounds, ready to warn Wei Yun at a moment¡¯s notice. Time passed slowly, the moon sank, and the sun rose. After an exhausting night of labor, Wei Yun had replanted the area with fresh bamboo and spread the fertilizer across the soil, creating a renewed source of nourishment for the Nature Sprite. Phew¡­ Slumping to the ground, Wei Yun let out a long sigh of relief. His hands were scratched, his clothes were filthy, and every muscle in his body ached. Working in near-total darkness had been grueling. But the results were worth it. Under his care, the host bamboo nurturing the Nature Sprite had recovered significantly. Its previously yellowing stalk now gleamed with vibrant green vitality, radiating life. After catching his breath, Wei Yun extended his spiritual sense to check on the Nature Sprite¡¯s condition. Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: Nature Sprite (In Incubation) ¡¤ Realm: None ¡¤ Species: Low-Class Commander ¡¤ Quality: Unknown (The more plant essence absorbed, the higher the potential quality.) ¡¤ Bloodline: Elemental (Unknown) ¡¤ Attribute: Wood ¡¤ Status: Healthy ¡¤ Weakness: Fire Compared to the previous day, the Nature Sprite¡¯s status had drastically improved. Its condition had gone from malnourished to healthy. If this pace continued, the embryo would develop into a fully-formed, healthy Nature Sprite. After withdrawing his spiritual sense, Wei Yun examined the soil around the bamboo¡¯s base and uncovered the buried spirit cores. The once-vivid green cores were now almost completely white, drained of nearly all their energy. ¡°That was fast!¡± Wei Yun muttered. From their appearance, it was clear the cores would soon be entirely depleted. ¡°The more plant essence it absorbs, the higher the chance of improving its quality¡­¡± Recalling this crucial detail, Wei Yun hesitated. If this were just an ordinary Nature Sprite, he wouldn¡¯t have considered going further. But if he wanted to raise a high-quality Nature Sprite, he would need a significant number of wood-attribute spirit cores. He didn¡¯t want to give up, but the Nature Sprite¡¯s value was immense, and buying or trading for a large quantity of wood-attribute cores would inevitably attract attention. Moreover, Wei Yun¡¯s finances were limited. Even if he spent everything he had, it might not be enough to secure the resources needed to elevate the sprite¡¯s quality. There was, however, another option: borrowing. The problem was that Wei Yun had few connections, no collateral, and no one he could trust to lend him what he needed¡­ except for his second uncle. Although his second uncle, Wei Jianfeng, was notoriously lazy and rarely involved himself in family affairs, he was immensely powerful, on par with the family elders and likely had considerable wealth. Having made up his mind, Wei Yun returned to the family estate and sought out Wei Jianfeng. By the pond in Wei Jianfeng¡¯s courtyard, the man sat on a low stool, reclining lazily against a willow tree. His eyes were closed, his expression serene as if he were napping. Approaching cautiously, Wei Yun called out softly, ¡°Second Uncle?¡± Without opening his eyes, Wei Jianfeng muttered grumpily, ¡°I don¡¯t care who it is, if you wake me up, I won¡¯t forgive you!¡± Before Wei Yun could react, Wei Jianfeng swung a fist toward him, straight for his face. ¡°Not the face!¡± Wei Yun shouted, already prepared. He crouched and covered his head with his arms, bracing himself for the inevitable beating. After a while, Wei Jianfeng finally stopped. He rubbed his eyes, looking at Wei Yun with a confused expression before realization dawned. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, Yun!¡± ¡°That hurt! I knew this would happen. Second Uncle, I¡¯m beginning to think you¡¯re jealous of my good looks! You want to ruin my face to bring me down to your level and then beat me in the game of charm!¡± Wei Yun groaned, standing up and glaring at his uncle. ¡°Nonsense! I¡¯d never do such a thing. Anyway, judging by the way you look, I¡¯m guessing you came here for something. Wait, don¡¯t tell me! Let me guess¡­¡± Wei Jianfeng waved dismissively, clearly trying to change the subject as quickly as possible. ¡°Second Uncle, don¡¯t dodge the issue!¡± Wei Yun protested, glaring at him. Ignoring Wei Yun¡¯s complaints, Wei Jianfeng smirked and said jokingly, ¡°I¡¯ll bet you¡¯ve found an incubating Nature Sprite and need resources to boost its quality, right?¡± Chapter 13: Hatching Wei Yun¡¯s pupils contracted slightly, and his heart skipped a beat. ¡°You¡­ how do you know?¡± He couldn¡¯t believe it. How had his second uncle, Wei Jianfeng, found out about the Nature Sprite? All his careful planning, the stealth, the secrecy¡­ Did this mean someone else might know too? His thoughts became a jumbled mess, and unease crept into his heart. Wei Jianfeng smirked knowingly and said, ¡°If you don¡¯t want others to find out, don¡¯t leave a trail. Yesterday, when you had your servants collecting fertilizer, it piqued my curiosity. So, last night, when you went out, I decided to follow you¡­ discreetly, of course. Don¡¯t give me that look! Blame your lack of skill. If I make up my mind to stay hidden, do you think your ¡®little tiger¡¯ could possibly detect me?¡± Coughing lightly to ease the tension in the air, Wei Jianfeng continued, ¡°The moment I saw that patch of withered bamboo, I started suspecting it might be nurturing a Nature Sprite. By the time I watched everything you did, I was certain of it. And now, seeing you come here looking for me? Your intentions are obvious! Here, take this.¡± He stretched out a hand, and a small pouch appeared seemingly out of thin air before being casually tossed toward Wei Yun. This wasn¡¯t a trick or sleight of hand. Wei Jianfeng owned a storage artifact, a rare treasure capable of holding items in a separate dimensional space. Wei Yun hurriedly caught the pouch, fumbling slightly. He stared at it in confusion and then looked up at his uncle. ¡°Second Uncle, you¡¯re not interested in the Nature Sprite?¡± Considering the immense value of a Nature Sprite and its incredible auxiliary abilities, most Beastmasters would go to great lengths to obtain one. Wei Jianfeng waved dismissively, his expression indifferent. ¡°If someone else had found it, I¡¯d probably have taken it without a second thought. But you¡¯re my only nephew. Do you think I¡¯d rob you of your chance? It¡¯s just a Nature Sprite, it¡¯s not a big deal.¡± His nonchalant attitude left Wei Yun momentarily speechless. He was deeply curious about his uncle. Wei Jianfeng was always so mysterious, his true strength unknown even within the family. But everyone had their secrets. Wei Yun didn¡¯t press further. Instead, he thanked his uncle, bowed respectfully, and left the courtyard. Watching Wei Yun¡¯s retreating figure, Wei Jianfeng muttered under his breath, ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m being stingy, kid. Relying too much on others will only hinder your growth. And if you can¡¯t grow stronger, how will you avenge your parents?¡± On his way back to the bamboo grove, Wei Yun opened the pouch. Immediately, a dazzling green light spilled out, momentarily blinding him. Inside were dozens of wood-attribute spirit cores, each radiating a vibrant emerald glow. Compared to the low-tier spirit cores he¡¯d used earlier, these were significantly larger. The largest one was the size of an infant¡¯s fist and practically radiated power. ¡°This¡­ this is a second tier commander spirit core!¡± Wei Yun gasped, his eyes fixed on the largest core. He had seen Second-tier cores before, but even the best of them paled in comparison to the energy contained within this one. To put it into perspective, spirit beasts were generally classified into three major classes: servant class, warrior class, and commander class. Each of these classes was further divided into three stages: low, mid, and high, indicating their rank within the class. It was also rumored that there might be even higher classes beyond commander class, but Wei Yun had no knowledge of them, as such beasts were beyond the scope of his experience. Only by slaying a Commander-rank beast could one acquire a Commander spirit core, which spoke volumes about Wei Jianfeng¡¯s strength. The corresponding Beastmaster rank for hunting such a beast would typically be Fourth Tier, though it wasn¡¯t unheard of for a particularly skilled Third-Tier Beastmaster to manage it. Wei Yun took a deep breath to calm his excitement. If the Nature Sprite absorbed all these wood-attribute spirit cores, its quality might undergo a complete transformation.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. At the same time, the sheer value of these cores weighed on him. For someone of his current standing and strength, this pouch represented an unimaginable fortune. He had no idea how he would ever repay this debt. Soon, Wei Yun returned to the bamboo grove and headed straight for the Nature Sprite¡¯s host bamboo. Without hesitation, he buried the spirit cores near its roots, ensuring they would be fully absorbed by the sprite embryo. ¡°I¡¯ve done all I can. All that¡¯s left now is to wait.¡± Wei Yun muttered to himself. Knowing he had done everything possible to ensure the sprite¡¯s survival, he decided not to linger in the grove. After all, he was exhausted from the previous night¡¯s work, and the foul stench of sweat and fertilizer clinging to his body was becoming unbearable. Stretching lazily, Wei Yun made his way back to his courtyard. After cleaning himself up, he didn¡¯t go straight to bed but instead began meditating to refine his spiritual power. Every time Mira advanced in rank, Wei Yun received feedback that accelerated his own cultivation progress. This time was no exception. By the time he finished his session, he had refined a 13th star of spiritual energy within his mental sea. Once he refined 36 stars, corresponding to the Heavenly Constellation Number, he would be eligible for a breakthrough to the next rank as a Beastmaster. Of course, the further he progressed, the more difficult the refinement process would become. Even so, at his current rate, Wei Yun estimated he could complete this stage in less than a year. Time passed quickly, and ten days went by in the blink of an eye. During this period, Wei Yun adhered to a strict routine. Each day, he trained Mira rigorously while keeping a watchful eye on the Nature Sprite, ensuring nothing went wrong. Under Wei Yun¡¯s meticulous training, Mira¡¯s growth was remarkable. In just ten days, her progress was visible to the naked eye, and she had developed a respectable level of combat power. Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: White Gale Tiger (Juvenile Stage) ¡¤ Realm: First Tier, stage 6 ¡¤ Species: High Servant ¡¤ Quality: High ¡¤ Bloodline: White Tiger (Inferior) ¡¤ Attribute: Wind ¡¤ Status: Healthy ¡¤ Weakness: Lightning ¡¤ Mastered Skills: Bite, Swiping Claw, Tail Whip, Shadow Clone, Tailwind Compared to ten days earlier, Mira¡¯s size had increased significantly. Though still a juvenile, she now measured 1.5 meters in length. Her eyes gleamed with intelligence, and her bearing exuded a hint of majesty. Mira had also learned two new skills: Tail Whip and Tailwind. Additionally, her Swiping Claw skill had reached mastery, fulfilling the prerequisite for unlocking Crushing Claw. Wei Yun expected her to master this advanced skill soon. Around noon on the 10th day, a dramatic change occurred. The bamboo hosting the Nature Sprite began to emit a radiant glow, as if it had transformed into a piece of jade. ¡°This is bad! I need to hide the phenomenon!¡± Wei Yun¡¯s heart sank as he realized the growing intensity of the glow could attract unwanted attention. He quickly smeared wet mud over the glowing bamboo to dull its radiance, but it was only a temporary fix. Determined, he began transplanting additional bamboo to form a dense barrier around the glowing stalk. Unless someone inspected the area closely, they wouldn¡¯t notice anything unusual. However, by late afternoon, another phenomenon occurred. The bamboo began to release faint pulses of energy, rippling outward like a beacon. ¡°Damn it!¡± Wei Yun ruffled his hair in frustration. ¡°It¡¯s just a Nature Sprite! Does it have to make such a fuss?!¡± If this continued, all his efforts might end up benefiting someone else. Left with no choice, Wei Yun extended his spiritual power in an attempt to suppress the energy waves. At first, it worked, but as time passed, his head began to throb from the strain. Soon, his face turned pale, and he could no longer hold on. ¡°This is bad!¡± Wei Yun thought bitterly. If he couldn¡¯t stop the energy waves, it wouldn¡¯t be long before nearby clansmen noticed. Even with his uncle¡¯s support, the Nature Sprite¡¯s value was too great, it would slip out of his grasp. ¡°I need help. Uncle Jianfeng is my only chance!¡± Gritting his teeth against the pain, Wei Yun forced himself to head toward the courtyard. Unbeknownst to Wei Yun, the expanding energy waves triggered a small, hidden rune in the nearby void. The rune flickered briefly before vanishing. Back at his courtyard, Wei Jianfeng, who had been dozing against the willow tree, suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. His gaze turned toward the bamboo grove. ¡°So, it¡¯s finally happening¡­ Good thing I prepared for this in advance, or that kid would¡¯ve been in serious trouble.¡± Stretching lazily, Wei Jianfeng stood up. A mere thought later, his figure vanished into thin air. In the blink of an eye, Wei Jianfeng appeared in front of the panicked Wei Yun, startling him. ¡°Uncle, thank goodness you¡¯re here! Quick, help me suppress the energy waves!¡± ¡°Relax, kid,¡± Wei Jianfeng said, raising a hand to calm him. The usual playful smirk was gone, replaced by a rare look of solemnity. Without waiting for Wei Yun to say more, Wei Jianfeng moved swiftly. Strange runes began glowing on the ground, forming a magnificent purple six-pointed star. The formation pulsed with dazzling light. As a terrifying roar echoed through the grove, an oppressive pressure swept through the area, making Wei Yun feel as though a mountain had been placed on his back. His face turned pale, and he struggled to breathe. Chapter 14: Birth of the Nature Sprite Chapter 14: At that moment, as the radiant light faded, an enormous serpent over ten meters long materialized before them. Its entire body was covered in fine, glistening scales, and its thick torso was as wide as a barrel. What truly drew the eye, however, were the two clawed limbs extending from its abdomen, each claw having only two toes. Despite its massive size, the dense bamboo grove concealed the serpent from prying eyes. The moment it appeared, the two-clawed serpent coiled its massive body into a mound. Its enormous head rose high, and its golden eyes gleamed with a commanding presence as it gazed down at the two figures before it. ¡°This¡­ Is this a Voidscale Dragon?¡± Wei Yun¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. He instinctively wanted to extend his spiritual sense to examine the serpent¡¯s details, but his mental exhaustion prevented him from doing so. ¡°No,¡± Wei Jianfeng said with a proud shake of his head. ¡°It¡¯s not yet a Voidscale Dragon. It¡¯s a Dragon Serpent.¡± This serpent was Wei Jianfeng¡¯s lifebound spirit beast, the same high quality snake he had accidentally stumbled upon and contracted during his early days as a Beast Tamer. Over the years, it had evolved into a Dragon Serpent. Though not yet a true dragon, it was far superior to any ordinary spirit beast. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this done before things get out of hand,¡± Wei Jianfeng said, his expression turning serious. His robes fluttered despite the absence of wind as he began to focus his powerful spiritual energy. He quickly formed seals with his hands. His movements were so fast that his fingers seemed to blur into a phantom. Simultaneously, golden light began to emanate from the Dragon Serpent¡¯s scales, resonating harmoniously with Wei Jianfeng¡¯s spiritual energy. With the serpent¡¯s assistance, Wei Jianfeng seemed to merge with the surrounding world. Though he stood still, Wei Yun felt as though his uncle had vanished completely, his presence erased. ¡°Condense!¡± In just a few breaths¡¯ time, Wei Jianfeng¡¯s voice rang out. His immense spiritual energy fused with the golden light radiating from the Dragon Serpent, forming a translucent barrier that enveloped the entire glowing bamboo stalk. No matter how much energy rippled outward from the bamboo, the barrier remained steadfast, unmoving and undisturbed. ¡°Yun, the rest is up to you!¡± Wei Jianfeng said. ¡°Thank you, Uncle!¡± Wei Yun replied with heartfelt gratitude. Without his uncle¡¯s help, he might have lost the Nature Sprite entirely. Wei Jianfeng nodded and, with a wave of his hand, dismissed the Dragon Serpent. Just as suddenly as he had appeared, it vanished without a trace. As soon as Wei Jianfeng left, Wei Yun collapsed onto the ground, his body spent. He signaled Mira to remain on guard while he closed his eyes, doing his best to recover his depleted spiritual energy.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Roughly fifteen minutes later, something began to happen. The ground near the glowing bamboo stirred, as though coming to life. Tiny green sprouts began breaking through the soil like bamboo shoots after a rainstorm. In mere moments, they grew into a lush carpet of grass. ¡°Roarrr¡­¡± Mira called out softly, using her paw to tug at Wei Yun¡¯s sleeve. Rip! The sound of tearing fabric echoed through the quiet grove. Mira looked at the torn cloth in her paw, her face filled with confusion and guilt. Without hesitation, Mira rolled over onto her back, exposing her belly in a submissive gesture. Wei Yun opened his eyes, ignoring his torn clothes and Mira¡¯s antics., as his attention locked onto the glowing bamboo stalk. He hadn¡¯t fully recovered his spiritual energy, but at least the searing pain in his head had subsided. Crack! Crack! The crisp sound of breaking wood filled the air. The bamboo stalk nurturing the Nature Sprite split cleanly down the middle, each half falling slowly to the sides. From the center of the broken bamboo, a dark green orb of light emerged. The light quickly faded, revealing the small and delicate figure of the Nature Sprite. Seeing her for the first time, Wei Yun¡¯s mouth fell slightly open, his expression frozen in amazement. Beautiful. Truly beautiful. How could one describe such beauty? Her snow-white skin was soft and flawless, reminiscent of a newborn¡¯s, so delicate it seemed it would yield under the lightest touch. A faint glow emanated from her skin, adding an ethereal quality to her presence. For a brief moment, Wei Yun felt an uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch her, but he quickly shook his head to dispel such thoughts. He shifted his focus to her face. a face so exquisite and perfect it seemed sculpted by the heavens themselves. The Nature Sprite¡¯s features closely resembled those of a human, with fine and harmonious proportions. She had a small, pointed nose, large emerald-green eyes, and flowing green hair that cascaded down to her waist. The most distinctive feature was the tiny bamboo shoot sprouting from her head, symbolizing her birth from the glowing bamboo stalk. She wore a simple dress woven from bamboo leaves, which lent her an exotic charm. Though small in stature, barely the size of an adult¡¯s palm. Sprouting from her back were a pair of translucent wings, thin and delicate like those of a cicada. Smaller pairs of wings adorned the sides of her lower legs, though these were noticeably less pronounced. As one of nature¡¯s purest creations, Nature Sprites were blessed with extraordinary beauty and a mystical presence. However, their small size only emphasized their charm. ¡°She¡¯s so beautiful¡­¡± Wei Yun murmured. Flapping her delicate wings, the Nature Sprite hovered in midair for a moment before doing something unexpected: she flew straight toward Wei Yun and perched lightly on his shoulder. During her time within the bamboo stalk, the sprite had already developed consciousness. She had witnessed everything Wei Yun had done, how he labored tirelessly to nurture her, how he buried countless wood-attribute spirit cores to sustain her. The gratitude she felt toward Wei Yun was immense. Without his intervention, she might never have been born or, at best, would have been born with severe deficiencies. ¡°Hello, little one,¡± Wei Yun said softly, a relieved smile spreading across his face. He greeted her warmly, trying his best to appear approachable. The sprite tilted her head, her large eyes blinking in confusion. She didn¡¯t respond but instead let out a sweet, birdlike chirp that was as pure and melodious as a bird¡¯s song. Her voice resonated deeply, as though it spoke directly to the soul. For a brief moment, Wei Yun felt as though he were submerged in an ocean of tranquility. ¡°Little one, would you be willing to form a contract with me?¡± Wei Yun asked gently. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to, just shake your head. If you¡¯re okay with it, don¡¯t move.¡± There were three types of contracts a Beast Tamer could form with a spirit beast: Lifebound Contract, Blood Contract, and a Temporary Contract. Wei Yun understood that the Nature Sprite would become more than just an ally, it would be a lifelong companion. With her consent, they would form a blood contract, intertwining their destinies. Before proceeding, Wei Yun extended his recovered spiritual sense to examine her stats, eager to confirm the full potential of the small creature before him. Chapter 15: Potential Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name:: Nature Sprite (Juvenile) ¡¤ Realm: First Tier, stage 1 ¡¤ Species: Low Warrior Class ¡¤ Quality: High ¡¤ Bloodline: Elemental Affinity (inferior) ¡¤ Attribute: Wood ¡¤ Status: Healthy ¡¤ Weakness: Fire Upon reviewing the Nature Sprite¡¯s stats, Wei Yun couldn¡¯t help but feel deeply satisfied. Through his relentless efforts and resources, the sprite¡¯s quality had been raised to high, giving her immense potential for growth in the future. Unlike ordinary spirit beasts, sprites born from nature lack conventional bloodlines. Instead, their strength is determined by their affinity with nature, granting them a unique attribute known as Elemental Affinity. Elemental Affinity functions similarly to bloodlines, granting sprites special abilities tied to their element. The denser their affinity, the stronger the sprite becomes, and the more powerful their auxiliary abilities grow. Most Nature Sprites are born with diluted or scattered elemental power, and their class remains within the Servant. However, thanks to the copious wood energy Wei Yun had provided, this particular sprite had ascended to Warrior class, and her Elemental Affinity had achieved a rare inferior density. A Nature Sprite at the Warrior class would experience far greater stat increases and skill potency with each rank-up compared to one at the Servant class. There was no doubt in Wei Yun¡¯s mind: in terms of quality, class, and affinity, this Nature Sprite was an extraordinary find. Letting her go was simply not an option. The sprite, however, tilted her head in confusion, clearly not understanding Wei Yun¡¯s words. In contrast, Mira, standing off to the side, gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes, shooting Wei Yun a look of pure disdain. Having spent over ten days together, Mira had developed a rudimentary understanding of human speech. She couldn¡¯t speak, of course, but she could grasp the gist of what was being said. Ignoring Mira¡¯s mockery, Wei Yun bit the tip of his finger, drawing a bead of fresh blood. The Blood Contract required the Beastmaster¡¯s blood as a medium, hence its name. Wei Yun pressed his bleeding finger against the Nature Sprite¡¯s tiny forehead. Surprisingly, the sprite didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, she leaned forward eagerly, welcoming the contact. The moment his finger touched her skin, a surge of brilliant crimson light erupted between them. Wei Yun quickly closed his eyes, feeling the connection form. Unlike when he had first bonded with Mira, this time the Nature Sprite offered no resistance, even going so far as to share fragments of her memories with him. The memories flickered in his mind, sometimes clear, sometimes blurry: ¡°Ugh, I feel so weak. Am I going to die? Waaah¡­¡± ¡°Who¡¯s that? What¡¯s he doing? Oh¡­ this feels so nice. He¡¯s helping me? He¡¯s such a kind person!¡± ¡°When I¡¯m finally born, I¡¯m sticking with him forever!¡± ¡°Ahh, I¡¯m finally free!¡± The Nature Sprite¡¯s thoughts were simple, pure, and untainted, like a blank canvas awaiting its first brushstroke. Her gratitude for Wei Yun¡¯s care was great, and her decision to follow him had already been made.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it If the maximum affection score was 100, her affection for Wei Yun would easily be above 90. As the connection deepened, Wei Yun¡¯s spiritual energy followed a mysterious trajectory. A glowing point of light appeared at his brow, expanding outward until it merged with his blood. This coalescence formed a Halo that circled the sprite, eventually merging into her body. Within the Nature Sprite¡¯s mindscape, the spectral form of the Blood Pact emerged, a faintly glowing, blood-red lotus. The sprite seemed to instinctively understand its meaning. Without hesitation, she opened her heart and fully accepted the contract. In the next moment, the ethereal Blood Pact solidified, forming a permanent crimson mark upon her soul. The Blood Contract was successfully established! With a soft chirp, the Nature Sprite transformed into a streak of emerald light and was automatically drawn into Wei Yun¡¯s beast space. As the process concluded, Wei Yun let out a sigh of relief. He couldn¡¯t suppress the smile spreading across his face, success was finally his. Unable to contain his excitement, Wei Yun immediately summoned the sprite. The blood-red halo flickered to life, forming a six-pointed star on the ground. Moments later, the Nature Sprite reappeared, her delicate wings fluttering as she gracefully landed on his shoulder. The Blood Contract had established a spiritual link between them, allowing Wei Yun to communicate his thoughts to her. However, using the link continuously would drain his spiritual energy. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Wei Yun,¡± he said, pointing to himself. Through their connection, he sent her the idea behind his words. ¡°W-Wei¡­ Yun¡­¡± The Nature Sprite repeated, her voice soft and melodious. Though she struggled at first, her intelligence was evident, and soon she could say his name smoothly. ¡°Waaah! Wei Yun! Wei Yun!¡± The sprite was overjoyed, calling his name repeatedly as she flitted around him in circles. Wei Yun then pointed at Mira. ¡°And that¡¯s Mira!¡± Mira lifted her head, yawning dramatically as if to express her indifference. She then shot the Nature Sprite a pouty look, clearly unhappy about having to share Wei Yun¡¯s attention. ¡°Mi¡­ra! Mira!¡± Having learned the names of her new companions, the Nature Sprite turned to Mira with a friendly gesture. She must have sensed the tiger¡¯s annoyance because, instead of retaliating, she extended a peace offering. A green mist materialized around the sprite, quickly condensing into a aura of light. The Healing Aura enveloped Mira, filling her with a soothing warmth. Mira blinked in surprise as the weariness in her body dissipated, and even the small scratches on her skin began healing visibly. By the time the aura faded, Mira was lounging on the ground, her eyes half-closed in contentment. Though she didn¡¯t say it, her softened gaze toward the sprite spoke volumes: she had grudgingly accepted this new addition to their team. ¡°Healing Aura¡­¡± Wei Yun murmured, a smile forming as he recognized the skill. During the sprite¡¯s incubation period, he had studied Nature Sprites extensively. Nature Sprite As one of the strongest auxiliary creatures, the Nature Sprite possessed an array of skills ranging from healing injuries and removing status effects to boosting defenses, hindering foes, and even altering the battlefield. With the sprite now healed and bonded, Wei Yun turned to her. ¡°Do you have a name?¡± The sprite tilted her head, placing a tiny hand under her chin as if deep in thought. After a moment, she sent Wei Yun a flood of information. ¡°My name is Sylvia Liora Evelisse Sylvara¡­ Calithra Elowen¡± The sheer length of her name made Wei Yun¡¯s mind feel like it was short-circuiting. ¡°That¡­ That¡¯s way too long!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°How about we simplify it? Let¡¯s call you¡­ Sylvia. Does that sound good?¡± The sprite paused for a moment before beaming at him with an excited chirp. ¡°Sylvia! Sylvia! You¡¯re Wei Yun, she¡¯s Mira, and I¡¯m Sylvia!¡± Under Wei Yun¡¯s guidance, Sylvia quickly became comfortable with her new name. She clapped her hands and smiled brightly, radiating a pure joy that seemed to light up the entire bamboo grove. ¡°Sylvia, it¡¯s nice to meet you,¡± Wei Yun said warmly, extending his hand. The sprite gently landed on his palm, her tiny figure glowing with happiness. Chapter 16: Teamwork Due to her tiny size, Sylvia couldn¡¯t shake Wei Yun¡¯s hand in the traditional sense. Instead, she fluttered her delicate wings and flew to his right hand, opening her small arms to hug his index finger and give it an enthusiastic shake. From then on, Wei Yun used their spiritual link to converse with Sylvia and help her acclimate to her new life. During her incubation, Sylvia had already gained consciousness. However, she had been unable to communicate, and the constraints of her green bamboo home left her in solitude, unable to share her thoughts. Perhaps because of this long period of silence, Sylvia was bursting with things to say. Wei Yun patiently listened to her as she spoke her mind, acting as an attentive confidant. After venting her thoughts, Sylvia cast a cautious glance at Wei Yun, afraid she might have annoyed him with her chatter. Upon seeing no signs of impatience, her heart swelled with joy, and her admiration for Wei Yun deepened. A patient and charming master is the best kind to follow! Of course, in a world that valued appearances, charm was always a big factor. Wei Yun began teaching Sylvia the common language of the continent. Sylvia was exceptionally bright, quickly picking up a variety of words within just an hour or two. At this rate, Wei Yun reckoned it wouldn¡¯t take long before they could hold full conversations. As the golden sun began its descent in the sky, the bamboo grove grew darker. Wei Yun decided it was time to leave. Before departing, he transmitted a thought through their spiritual link: "Sylvia, to avoid unnecessary trouble, hide in my pocket for now. That way, no one will see you." ¡°Alright, Wei Yun!¡± Though reluctant, Sylvia nodded obediently. She had only just been born and was full of curiosity about the world, but her gentle nature and desire to avoid causing trouble for Wei Yun made her comply. She fluttered into his pocket and nestled herself inside. Wei Yun returned to his courtyard soon after and once again encountered his uncle, Wei Jianfeng. Wei Jianfeng lounged on a recliner near the pond, his eyes shut as if fast asleep. Approaching carefully, Wei Yun called out softly, ¡°Uncle!¡± There was no response. Instead, Wei Jianfeng turned his body away from Wei Yun, continuing his act of feigned sleep. Wei Yun could only sigh. He had originally wanted to express his gratitude but found no opportunity to do so. He¡¯s definitely awake, just pretending not to hear me, Wei Yun thought. Given his uncle¡¯s strength, there was no way he wouldn¡¯t have heard. Once Wei Yun had left, the tranquility of the pond was broken as Wei Jianfeng¡¯s eyes snapped open. Clear and sharp, they betrayed no hint of sleep. Back in his room, Wei Yun spoke softly: ¡°Sylvia, you can come out now!¡± A moment later, Sylvia emerged from his pocket, her large green eyes lighting up as she looked around. ¡°Wow, our home is huge!¡± The room, seen from Sylvia¡¯s perspective, appeared vast. She flew about, marveling at every little detail and inspecting all the unfamiliar items. ¡°Sylvia, feel free to explore, but don¡¯t leave the room!¡± Wei Yun chuckled as he watched her curiosity manifest in full force. She flitted from one object to another, poking and prodding everything in sight, her excitement infectious. Turning to Mira, Wei Yun adopted a serious tone: ¡°Mira, you slacked off today during training. We¡¯ll make up for it tonight. Start by showing me your Tailwind skill!¡± Mira¡¯s ears drooped in protest. With a grumble, she waved her paw in silent defiance before reluctantly focusing her energy. In the blink of an eye, a faint teal glow surrounded Mira, wrapping her in a shimmering wind-like cloak.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Tailwind was a wind-element technique that negated air resistance, provided a significant boost to speed, and added a powerful propelling force to Mira¡¯s movements. ¡°Let¡¯s test how long you can maintain it!¡± Wei Yun flipped over a small hourglass and began tracking the time. Mira held her focus, the teal glow surrounding her flickering slightly as the sand trickled downward. Finally, as the hourglass emptied by a fifth, the wind cloak trembled and vanished. ¡°Three minutes,¡± Wei Yun muttered, jotting down the result in his notebook. Three minutes wasn¡¯t particularly long, but it wasn¡¯t short either, many battles were decided in seconds, and with practice, Mira could extend the duration. ¡°Mira, try it again!¡± Wei Yun ordered. Mira attempted to gather energy but failed, the teal light flickering out prematurely. She tried several more times before finally succeeding after a minute had passed. ¡°Just as expected,¡± Wei Yun noted, his expression calm. ¡°Energy-based skills require a cooldown period. For Tailwind, it¡¯s about one minute.¡± He then recorded this observation in his notebook. Energy-based skills, unlike melee skills, often required a recovery period after activation. The greater the energy consumption, the longer the cooldown time. During cooldown, the pathways in a spirit beast¡¯s energy system behaved like a compressed sponge, needing time to expand back to their original state before another use. Improving skill mastery was the best way to shorten cooldowns. With sufficient practice, a skill could even be used continuously without any delay. Mira and Sylvia had distinct advantages as high-quality spirit beasts. Not only did they grow faster than ordinary beasts, but their high potential also made it easier for them to master techniques. ¡°Sylvia, it¡¯s your turn now! Show me all the skills you¡¯ve learned!¡± Wei Yun called. ¡°Waaah!¡± Sylvia¡¯s voice rang like silver bells as she gathered energy. She began with Healing Aura, a verdant ring of light that spread throughout the room, radiating warm, soothing energy. Then, she summoned a mass of bright yellow powder, flinging it toward Wei Yun. Recognizing the powder¡¯s familiar properties, Wei Yun immediately took a step back. ¡°Sleep Powder!¡± He chuckled. ¡°Good thing I¡¯ve built some resistance; otherwise, I¡¯d be napping right now!¡± Sylvia tilted her head, looking guilty. ¡°Did I do something wrong?¡± ¡°Not at all!¡± Wei Yun reassured her. ¡°These are excellent abilities. Keep going!¡± Sylvia beamed, her wings fluttering as she prepared her next move. Sylvia hovered in the air, her green wings glowing faintly as she prepared her next ability. A moment later, thin vines erupted from the floorboards, writhing and twisting as if alive. The delicate tendrils swayed toward Wei Yun, stopping just short of his feet. "Burrowing Vines," Wei Yun muttered, observing the skill. ¡°An excellent control ability for restricting movement. Well done, Sylvia!¡± Sylvia clasped her tiny hands, her face glowing with pride as she received Wei Yun¡¯s praise. She continued her demonstration, summoning a faint pink powder this time, dispersing it into the air around her. ¡°Paralysis Powder!¡± Wei Yun immediately recognized the skill and waved the air in front of his face, stepping further back to avoid the cloud. Sylvia giggled, clapping her hands as if she¡¯d pulled off a clever trick. ¡°Alright, what else do you have?¡± Wei Yun encouraged, crossing his arms as he waited for her next display. Sylvia nodded seriously, focusing again. This time, faint blue sparkles drifted from her fingertips, weaving themselves into the shape of a delicate flower. The sparkling flower hovered in the air before bursting apart into harmless, twinkling lights. ¡°...Hmm, that must be Beguiling Charm.¡± Wei Yun tapped his chin. ¡°A distraction ability, no doubt. It¡¯s weaker now, but if developed, it could confuse enemies during battle.¡± Sylvia tilted her head curiously, as if asking for feedback. ¡°That was perfect,¡± Wei Yun reassured her. ¡°Your abilities are versatile and will be incredibly useful both in battle and support situations. Keep practicing, and you¡¯ll become even more amazing!¡± Satisfied with her performance, Sylvia flitted happily around the room, her tiny form zipping between furniture as she basked in the afterglow of Wei Yun¡¯s compliments. Meanwhile, Wei Yun turned his attention back to Mira. ¡°Mira, rest for a bit. I want to try something new with Sylvia.¡± Mira gave an exaggerated yawn, flopping onto the floor lazily as if to say, Finally! ¡°Sylvia, let¡¯s practice combining our strengths,¡± Wei Yun said, crouching down to her level. ¡°When we¡¯re out there in real battles, we¡¯ll need to work together perfectly. How about using your Healing Aura to support Mira during her next training session?¡± ¡°Okay, Wei Yun!¡± Sylvia chirped, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. ¡°Great! Mira, back on your feet!¡± Wei Yun called. Mira growled softly, shooting him a look of mock irritation before rising to her paws. Sylvia flitted above Mira, activating Healing Aura once again. A gentle green glow radiated from her body, enveloping Mira in soothing energy. Mira¡¯s fur seemed to glisten under the halo¡¯s light, her previous exhaustion fading away. ¡°Perfect! With Sylvia¡¯s support, you¡¯ll be able to train harder and longer, Mira.¡± Wei Yun jotted more notes into his ever-present notebook, glancing between his two spirit beasts with satisfaction. For the next hour, Sylvia continued to practice her abilities, each skill growing more precise with every use. Wei Yun guided her patiently, correcting her mistakes and offering encouragement whenever she faltered. By the time the sun had fully set, Sylvia was resting on Wei Yun¡¯s shoulder, her tiny body slumped in exhaustion. Mira, too, lay sprawled on the floor, her tail twitching lazily. ¡°Good work today, both of you,¡± Wei Yun said with a warm smile. ¡°Let¡¯s call it a night.¡± As he prepared to rest, Wei Yun couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of pride in his growing team. With Sylvia¡¯s incredible support abilities and Mira¡¯s increasing combat strength, the future looked bright. The upcoming family evaluation and academy entrance tests seemed far less daunting now. ¡°We¡¯ll show everyone just how far we can go,¡± Wei Yun muttered to himself, gazing out the window into the night sky. Sylvia stirred on his shoulder, murmuring sleepily, ¡°Wei Yun¡­ Mira¡­ We¡¯re the best team!¡± Wei Yun chuckled softly, patting her tiny head. ¡°Yeah, we are.¡± Chapter 17: Healing Spring You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡°Mira, today¡¯s training will be grueling. Do you think you can handle it?¡± Chapter 18: Challenge! Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 19: One-Sided Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Chapter 20: Small Steps After leaving the training grounds, Wei Yun returned to his courtyard with Mira. As he pushed open the door, he saw Sylvia channeling her wood-element energy. A vibrant emerald liquid began to form in midair, shimmering with life and purity. It was the Healing Spring. Despite its short lifespan of just a few days, it remained incredibly valuable. More importantly, it was a source of income. Upon closer inspection, Wei Yun noticed that today¡¯s Healing Spring was slightly more than yesterday. Though the difference was small, every improvement counted, and this was progress worth celebrating. Under Sylvia¡¯s careful control, the glowing liquid arced through the air and landed gracefully in a nearby clay jar. The next moment, Sylvia sealed the jar with effort, carefully ensuring no energy escaped. With her task complete, Sylvia finally turned her attention to Wei Yun. Excitedly, she fluttered over and perched on his shoulder, her delicate wings leaving a faint trail of green light behind her. ¡°Sylvia, you¡¯ve worked hard!¡± Wei Yun praised her sincerely, his expression lighting up with approval. He glanced over at a corner of the room, where several clay jars were neatly lined up. Three of them were already sealed, a testament to Sylvia¡¯s diligence and dedication, there was not a hint of laziness in her work. Of course, this progress was also thanks to Sylvia¡¯s steady improvement. ¡°It wasn¡¯t hard at all!¡± Sylvia exclaimed, shaking her tiny head with enthusiasm. Delighted by Wei Yun¡¯s praise, her eyes sparkled with joy, and any hint of weariness seemed to vanish. Sylvia¡¯s pure and simple nature made even the most mundane tasks feel worthwhile, as long as she earned Wei Yun¡¯s approval. ¡°Here, this is your reward!¡± After complimenting her, Wei Yun handed Sylvia a small wood-element spritit beast core. Compared to three jars of Healing Spring, the core wasn¡¯t worth much, but Sylvia¡¯s eyes lit up as if she had just been given a priceless treasure. ¡°Wow! Sylvia got a reward!¡± Clutching the spirit beast core with excitement, Sylvia flitted up and landed on Mira¡¯s head, her wings fluttering in joy. Mira, however, looked less thrilled. She instinctively began to shake her head to dislodge Sylvia but stopped herself after a moment. After all, Sylvia was the one producing the Healing Spring, a gift Mira had grown quite fond of. ¡°I shoudn¡¯t mess with her!¡± Mira sighed inwardly, trying to maintain her dignity. She straightened up, lifting her head high and putting on an air of proud indifference to save face. At that moment, Sylvia impulsively decided to swallow the wood-element core.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. While the core wasn¡¯t large by human standards, it was about the size of Sylvia¡¯s fist, and for her petite frame, it was no easy task. Unsurprisingly, the core got stuck in her throat. Sylvia¡¯s throat bulged visibly as she struggled to swallow the core. Her little hands clawed at her neck as she tried unsuccessfully to force it down, her face turning red with effort. ¡°Ahh, ahhh!¡± Sylvia flailed helplessly, her eyes reddening with panic as she turned her teary gaze toward Wei Yun, silently pleading for help. ¡°You¡¯re way too impatient! Couldn¡¯t you have just held it and absorbed it slowly?¡± Wei Yun sighed, his expression helpless, but he wasted no time in acting. Channeling his spiritual energy, he assisted Sylvia in swallowing the beast core. Finally, after some effort, Sylvia managed to swallow the core. She let out a relieved sigh, patting her chest as the panic subsided. Suddenly, a faint green glow enveloped Sylvia¡¯s tiny figure, the light growing brighter and more vibrant with each passing second. The energy from the beast core, combined with her accumulated training, pushed her to the verge of a breakthrough. Within the shimmering green aura, Sylvia¡¯s body began to grow. Rip...Rip! A soft tearing sound echoed as the bamboo-leaf dress Sylvia wore began to stretch. Unable to withstand her rapid growth, the outfit finally tore apart, leaving her nearly bare. Her petite and delicate figure was on full display, radiating a natural and ethereal beauty. ¡°Small as she is, she¡¯s got a lot of potential¡± Wei Yun muttered, stroking his chin as he observed the transformation. Sylvia¡¯s growth soon stabilized. She had become slightly larger than before, and her energy felt stronger, signaling a successful breakthrough. Her progress seemed even faster than Mira¡¯s. ¡°Ahhh!¡± Realizing her situation, Sylvia let out an embarrassed cry. She quickly darted to a nearby potted plant, using it to cover herself while hastily plucking leaves. In just moments, her nimble fingers wove a new set of clothes out of the leaves, which she slipped on before emerging from her hiding place. When Sylvia floated back in front of Wei Yun, her emerald eyes shone with an almost hypnotic light, radiating a warmth that seemed to embody the very spirit of nature itself. For a moment, Wei Yun found himself captivated. Her gaze stirred something deep within him, and his emotions seemed to amplify, kindness, sympathy, and protectiveness all surged uncontrollably. Fortunately, as a spirit-focused Beastmaster, Wei Yun had strong resistance to these kinds of mental effects. He quickly snapped out of it, his thoughts clearing. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve learned Beguiling Charm!¡± he remarked with a wry smile. Beguiling Charm was a mental skill often associated with sweet and innocent-looking magical creatures. It didn¡¯t deal direct damage but instead affected the opponent¡¯s willpower, potentially distracting or immobilizing them for a brief moment. Of course, if the target was vastly stronger or had high mental resistance, the skill¡¯s effects could be nullified. Even so, this new ability significantly enhanced Sylvia¡¯s support capabilities. Combined with Mira¡¯s strength, it had the potential to turn the tide of battle and create opportunities for Mira to strike. After spending some time playing with Mira and Sylvia, Wei Yun called for two household servants to bring a batch of smaller clay jars. These jars were much smaller than the previous ones, only about ten centimeters tall, with a capacity roughly one-fifth that of the original jars. They resembled miniature wine flasks. Once the servants left, Wei Yun carefully divided the Healing Spring into these smaller jars, ensuring each was sealed tightly to preserve its energy. In the end, he had filled thirteen small jars. Wei Yun carried a few himself, while the rest were strapped to Mira, much to her annoyance. Mira grumbled but didn¡¯t resist, knowing that the jars contained Sylvia¡¯s precious Healing Spring. She resigned herself to the burden, though she still shot Wei Yun a disgruntled look. ¡°Sylvia, remember to take breaks and don¡¯t overwork yourself!¡± Wei Yun said before leaving, pausing to give his diligent little spirit a final word of encouragement. ¡°I got it! You and Mira work hard too!¡± Sylvia chirped, her cheerful voice filling the room. Back at the training grounds, Wei Yun placed the small jars in a corner and refocused on training Mira. The best way to cultivate magical beasts was to combine training and combat experience, continuously sharpening their abilities. Just as Mira dove into her rigorous drills, a shadow fell across Wei Yun¡¯s path. Looking up, he saw someone standing in front of him, a figure who had come unannounced. Chapter 21: Business venture The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 22: Extreme Training Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 23: Emergency Mission This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Chapter 24: Into the wilderness This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Chapter 25: Exploring Azure Cloud Mountain The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 26: Nightly Visitor In the darkness, the sounds steadily drew nearer, but curiously, no figures emerged around them. Suddenly, the ground near the tree hollow cracked open, and a shadow crawled out from beneath. Its movements were deliberate, it didn¡¯t attack Wei Yun or Mira, who appeared to be soundly asleep, but instead reached for the bundle lying nearby. Just then, Wei Yun abruptly opened his eyes. He had been keeping watch, and upon hearing the unusual noise, he immediately prepared himself. As the shadow extended a hand toward the bundle, Wei Yun quickly gathered his spiritual energy. An invisible barrier shimmered into existence, blocking the shadow¡¯s path. The creature froze mid-motion, not by choice but because of the unseen force preventing its advance. Realizing its attempt had been thwarted, the shadow recoiled and instinctively turned to flee. Before it could get far, Mira reacted. With a burst of speed, she darted out of the tree hollow and pursued the shadow, cutting off its escape. As a feline-like creature, Mira¡¯s exceptional night vision and sharp senses made it easy for her to pinpoint the shadow¡¯s exact location, even in the pitch dark. By the time Wei Yun emerged from the tree hollow, Mira had already closed the gap and cornered the shadow, leaving it no chance to escape. Although Wei Yun lacked Mira¡¯s night vision, his spiritual energy compensated, allowing him to discern the creature¡¯s appearance and characteristics. It was a large rodent-like beast, about half a meter long, with a stout body, short limbs, and sharp white spines covering its back and tail. Its green eyes and oversized incisors gave it a comical, hamster-like appearance, but its larger size and sharp features hinted at its more formidable nature. Spirit Beast Information: ¡¤ Name: Cave Mole ¡¤ Realm: First Tier, stage 9 ¡¤ Species: Mid Servant Class ¡¤ Quality: Mid ¡¤ Bloodline: Eldertail Mole Bloodline (Inferior) ¡¤ Attribute: Earth ¡¤ Status: Healthy ¡¤ Weakness: Wood The Cave Mole wasn¡¯t known for its offensive prowess; it was primarily a support creature. Its meat was considered a delicacy, making it a frequent target for hunters and resulting in its rarity in the wild. The Eldertail Rat, a giant rodent known for its enormous size and utility, was an ancestral bloodline of the Cave Mole. Eldertail Rats were renowned for their delicious meat, durable fur, and ability to summon other rodents. Despite being weaker than prestigious bloodlines like the White Tiger, the Eldertail Rat¡¯s lineage granted unique abilities to its descendants.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Reading the creature¡¯s information, Wei Yun felt a surge of excitement. This was his first encounter with a rare wild spirit beast, and though it didn¡¯t meet his ideal conditions for a permanent contract, its rarity and abilities made it far more valuable than an ordinary mid-quality beast. Despite its higher stage, the Cave Mole was no match for Mira, who was already suppressing it with ease. The Cave Mole, naturally timid and nocturnal, was visibly nervous at Wei Yun¡¯s presence. It hesitated, unsure whether to flee or defend itself. Mira seized the opportunity. With a whip-like motion of her tail, sharp as steel, she struck the creature, sending it flying into a nearby tree. Thud! The impact shook the tree, dislodging a flurry of leaves. Squeak! The Cave Mole let out a shrill cry, puffing its cheeks in frustration. It screeched again, this time emitting a high-pitched sound. The piercing noise caused Mira to flinch, her movements halting as her head wavered in confusion. She stood frozen, momentarily dazed by the sound. Even Wei Yun, who was farther away, felt the effects. His ears rang, though the intensity was manageable at his distance. Before Mira could recover, the Tunnel Mole began to glow with an earthy light, drawing energy from the ground. Within moments, the soil beneath Mira¡¯s feet shifted, turning to flowing sand that dragged her paws downward. Caught in the quicksand, Mira struggled to free herself, but the more she fought, the deeper she sank. Quicksand Hell! Wei Yun narrowed his eyes in surprise. This was a high-level skill rarely mastered by Cave Moles. Before Mira could escape, the Cave Mole opened its mouth, gathering yellow motes of light. A torrent of earth energy shot forward, creating a destructive wave of force. Earth Shockwave! Like Quicksand Hell, this was an advanced skill with devastating potential. ¡°Mira, use Tailwind!¡± Wei Yun commanded, his voice steady. At his command, Mira¡¯s body became surrounded by a faint, cyan wind energy. The enhanced speed allowed her to dash out of the quicksand¡¯s grasp in an instant. The Earth Shockwave roared past her, crashing into the quicksand and scattering debris in all directions. Boom! The area erupted in chaos, the ground left scarred by the force of the impact. ¡°Now, use Swiping Claw!¡± Wei Yun ordered. This time, he refrained from using Crushing Claw, mindful of the possibility of killing the rare beast. Thanks to Tailwind, Mira closed the gap in an instant. Her claws slashed through the air with blinding speed, striking the Tunnel Mole¡¯s back. Squeak! Unable to dodge in time, the Cave Mole was struck, deep gashes appearing on its back as blood splattered the ground. The creature collapsed with a thud, its limbs twitching weakly. After a few moments, the Cave Mole looked up at Wei Yun with a pitiful expression, its green eyes wide with fear and submission. Wei Yun approached it, towering over the trembling creature. ¡°If you want to live, you¡¯ll have to willingly open your mind and form a temporary contract with me,¡± he said firmly. To his surprise, the timid Cave Mole eagerly nodded, its survival instincts overriding its hesitation. In no time, the temporary contract was formed, marked by a glowing seal that appeared on the Cave Mole¡¯s head. Temporary Contracts had no limit on the number of beasts a summoner could control. However, they lacked the spiritual connection of a permanent contract and couldn¡¯t store the beast in a beast space. Temporary contracts were practical for short-term tactical needs but costly and inefficient for long-term use. The Cave Mole: Traits: Earth Element, Skilled Digger, Timid Nature, Low Resistance to Damage Species Trait: Earth¡¯s Power (Boosts Earth-based Skills) Inherited Skill: Sonic Roar (Disrupts abilities and paralyzes targets temporarily) Once the contract was complete, Sylvia used her healing abilities to help the Cave Mole recover. The spirit beast, though weak, showed remarkable improvement, though it remained lying down, rubbing its belly with a pitiable look. Understanding its unspoken plea, Wei Yun chuckled and gave it a bowl of beast food. The Cave Mole sniffed the bowl eagerly, its eyes lighting up before it dove in, devouring the food like it hadn¡¯t eaten in days. ¡°No wonder it tried to steal my bag,it was starving,¡± Wei Yun muttered, finally understanding the creature¡¯s behavior. After packing everything up, Wei Yun returned to the tree hollow with Mira, leaving the Cave Mole to rest outside. Soon, he drifted into light sleep, his senses remaining sharp in the quiet, moonlit forest. Chapter 27: Confronting the Wind wolves The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 28: The Hunter鈥檚 Trap The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Chapter 29: Trying to escape If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Chapter 30: Last Stand! Boom! At that exact moment, the Second-tier Wind Wolf, sprinting at full speed, suddenly stepped into nothingness. Before it could react, the ground vanished beneath its paws, and it plunged headfirst into a deep pit several meters below, crashing into a tangled mess of limbs and dust. It was no accident, it was a meticulously concealed trap, one that Wei Yun had prepared in advance. Although the Wind Wolf possessed the strength to escape in mere seconds, Wei Yun knew that even the briefest delay could turn the tide of battle. "Cave Mole, Quicksand Hell! Mira, charge in!" The instant the Wind Wolf hit the bottom, Mira skidded to a stop, pivoting on the spot without hesitation. At the same time, the Cave Mole leapt from Wei Yun¡¯s shoulder to the ground, its four tiny limbs glowing bright yellow as it channeled earth-element energy. The earth trembled. The soil beneath the Wind Wolf began shifting rapidly, solid ground transforming into a churning pit of sinking sand. The Wind Wolf snarled defiantly, refusing to surrender. The moment it landed, its razor-sharp claws extended, hooking into the pit¡¯s edge as it lunged upward in an attempt to leap free. Boom! Before it could fully escape, Mira crashed into it with a powerful shoulder tackle, sending the beast tumbling back down into the pit. It tried to rise, but its paws sank deeper into the shifting ground, leaving it stranded, unable to find any solid footing to push off from. "Now, Slyvia, Sleep Powder!" Wei Yun wasted no time. Golden dust shimmered in the air as Slyvia flapped her tiny wings, releasing a thick cloud of sleep-inducing spores. This time, there was no escape. Unlike before, where the Wind Wolf had room to evade, it was now trapped. The glittering haze drifted down, seeping into its nose and mouth before it could even think to resist. For a brief second, its movements grew sluggish. Its muscles twitched, its vision blurred, and its breath came slower, its body betraying its will to fight. Had it been given a command, it might have held its breath. But left to its instincts, it had already inhaled too much. Sleep washed over it like an unstoppable tide. "It¡¯s over. Mira, Crushing Claw! Cave Mole, Earth Shockwave!" With the Wind Wolf helpless, Wei Yun moved in for the kill.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Mira reacted first. With a powerful leap, she lunged toward the trapped beast like a tiger pouncing on prey. Mid-air, her right paw gleamed with white light, Crushing Claw fully charged as she brought it down toward the Wind Wolf¡¯s skull. A direct hit would mean instant death. But the Wind Wolf wasn¡¯t ready to die. Sensing its impending doom, the beast acted on pure survival instinct, biting down on its own tongue. The sharp pain jolted it back to awareness. Still half-trapped in the quicksand, it couldn¡¯t dodge, but it could counterattack. With a last-ditch effort, the Wind Wolf threw its head upward, jaws wide open, its sharp fangs aiming straight for Mira¡¯s waist. Boom! Crack! The impact was brutal. Mira¡¯s claw slammed into the Wind Wolf¡¯s skull just as the Wind Wolf¡¯s fangs tore into her side. A deep, muffled impact echoed through the pit. The Wind Wolf collapsed, its skull fractured, nearly shattered. Mira, meanwhile, let out a piercing cry as blood gushed from a deep wound in her waist, staining the quicksand a deep crimson. Both combatants had suffered grievous injuries. And then¡ª Boom! The Cave Mole unleashed its Earth Shockwave, sending a devastating surge of earth-element energy ripping through the pit. Awooo¡ª! The Wind Wolf let out a final, strangled howl, before its voice was abruptly cut off. The energy struck like a collapsing mountain, engulfing the beast in a violent tremor. As the dust settled, the Second-tier Wind Wolf lay motionless. Its lifeless eyes remained fixed on Mira, filled with unwillingness, before its head slumped to the side, completely still. Far away, hundreds of meters beyond the battlefield¡ª Lin Zheng¡¯s body jerked violently. A powerful backlash exploded in his mind as his spiritual link with the Wind Wolf was severed. A sharp pain lanced through his consciousness. He staggered, groaning in agony as he clutched his chest. "Impossible!" A bitter taste filled his mouth as he coughed up blood. Through the severed link, he had seen its final moments, the beast¡¯s dying perspective. A contracted beast¡¯s last sight before death was always transmitted directly to its master, forming a wide, frozen snapshot of its surroundings. And in that moment, Lin Zheng saw it all. His Wind Wolf was dead. Mira, gravely wounded. Wei Yun, standing victorious alongside the Cave Mole and the Nature Sprite he had wanted so badly. Lin Zheng¡¯s rage burned hotter than ever. Losing a Second-tier Wind Wolf was an immense loss. As a second-tier Beastmaster, he could only contract five beasts and his Titanfang Bear and the Wind Wolf had been his two strongest companions. "At least it wasn¡¯t my life-bonded beast," Lin Zheng muttered darkly, wiping the blood from his lips. Had it been his life companion, his spirit would have suffered permanent damage, perhaps even leaving him comatose or a cripple. But that didn¡¯t mean he could let this go. No. This debt had to be repaid. "I¡¯ll make him pay for this." His eyes gleamed with murderous intent. Despite his fury, his mind remained sharp. Mira was critically injured. Even with the Nature Sprite¡¯s healing abilities, she wouldn¡¯t recover instantly. Which meant, her speed was compromised. Even if she could still carry Wei Yun, she wouldn¡¯t be able to outrun the Titanfang Bear. This was his best chance to catch them before they escaped. Lin Zheng clenched his teeth and barked a command. "Titanfang Bear, after them!" The massive beast roared, surging forward at full speed. Within a minute, Lin Zheng arrived at the battlefield. He stood at the edge of the pit, fists clenched, staring at the lifeless corpse of his once-proud Wind Wolf. His expression darkened. His fury boiled. Then¡ª A sudden rustling in the nearby undergrowth. Lin Zheng¡¯s sharp gaze snapped toward the noise. There¡ª Through the dense foliage, he caught sight of Wei Yun, eyes wide with panic, clutching the Cave Mole as he fled deeper into the forest. Lin Zheng¡¯s lips curled into a cold, predatory smile. "Run all you like," he muttered under his breath. "It won¡¯t save you." With a single, sharp command, he and his Titanfang Bear surged forward, continuing their pursuit. Chapter 31: Life and Death Struggle! Chapter 31: In the blink of an eye, using the dense undergrowth as cover, Wei Yun¡¯s figure flickered and vanished from sight. Still reeling from the lingering effects of losing a spirit beast, Lin Zheng was temporarily unable to extend his spiritual awareness. Worse, he couldn¡¯t be certain whether Wei Yun had set up more traps within the forest. "Kill him!" For safety¡¯s sake, Lin Zheng leapt down from his Titanfang Bear, sending it and two First-tier Wind Wolves in pursuit. Cautious by nature, he knew better than to charge ahead himself, who knew what kinds of traps Wei Yun might have prepared? However, this decision left him with only two First-tier Wind Wolves at his side, significantly weakening his defenses. Boom! Suddenly, a thunderous crash echoed through the forest. The Titanfang¡¯s massive paw stomped into empty air, sending it plummeting into a well concealed pitfall trap. The trap had been hastily dug, lacking sharpened stakes or deadly mechanisms. For a heavily armored beast like the Titanfang Bear, it was little more than a temporary inconvenience. "As expected, a trap." Lin Zheng sneered, his lips curling into a smirk. His foresight had paid off. Keeping his focus ahead, he momentarily neglected his surroundings. "Quicksand Hell!" The moment the Titanfang bear stumbled into the pit, the Cave Mole sprang into action. Golden earth energy surged through the ground. In an instant, the soil surrounding the pit churned and collapsed, transforming into a spiraling quicksand vortex. Unlike the agile Wind Wolves, the sluggish Titanfang Bear lacked the explosive speed needed to escape in time. Its massive legs sank deep into the shifting earth, trapping it in place. Meanwhile, the two Wind Wolves bypassed the trap and lunged at Wei Yun. "Cave Mole, I¡¯m counting on you!" At Wei Yun¡¯s command, the trembling Tunnel Mole fought through its fear and leapt into action, struggling to hold off the attacking Wind Wolves. At the same time, Wei Yun turned and sprinted, widening the gap between himself and the pit. But the Titangfang Bear was aSecond-tier spirit beast. Within moments, it tore itself free from the quicksand and charged towards Wei Yun once more. No matter how fast he ran, he couldn¡¯t outrun it. The distance between them rapidly shrank. If this continued, he would be overtaken in seconds.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Back at Lin Zheng¡¯s position¡ª A sudden whoosh sliced through the air. A sleek, agile figure lunged at Lin Zheng from behind. Mira! Unable to flee, Wei Yun had been forced to gamble everything, hiding Mira and Slyvia while he lured the enemies away. He had bet that Lin Zheng, unable to extend his spiritual awareness, wouldn¡¯t dare charge into the undergrowth. If Wei Yun could draw the Titanfang away, Mira and Slyvia would have the perfect opportunity to ambush Lin Zheng. Even a Second-tier Beastmaster, even one with powerful spiritual techniques, was still vulnerable without his strongest spirit beasts to protect him. And in his mentally disrupted state, Lin Zheng was even more defenseless. "Damn it! Stop her!" Lin Zheng¡¯s face twisted in alarm as he shouted for his Wind Wolves to intercept Mira. But before they could react¡ª Vines as thick as fingers shot up from the ground, coiling around the wolves¡¯ legs and yanking them down. Slyvia. The moment Mira lunged, Slyvia had already been gathering energy in secret, unleashing Burrowing Vines to restrain the Wind Wolves. The sudden pull sent them crashing onto their backs. Before they could recover, Mira had already leapt over them and closed in on Lin Zheng. "Damn it!" Panicked, Lin Zheng forcibly activated his spiritual energy, worsening his mental disruption. His vision blurred, his head throbbed violently, and his body swayed. Still, with sheer willpower, he conjured a blood-red summoning circle. With a guttural hiss, a Horned Python materialized before him. Lin Zheng had more than just his two Second-tier spirit beasts, he also had three First-tier ones. But due to his limited control, he rarely summoned them in combat. Unfortunately for him¡ª The python barely had time to register the battlefield before Mira struck first. Her glowing claws slashed downward. Crack! A sickening crunch echoed through the clearing as the python¡¯s skull shattered, brain matter splattering across the ground. Its massive body convulsed violently, then fell still. With the death of his contracted beast, Lin Zheng¡¯s mental disruption intensified tenfold. A wave of dizziness crashed over him, and a sharp, metallic taste filled his mouth. Moments later, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. At that moment, the two Wind Wolves finally tore free from the vines and lunged at Mira. With her injuries, if Mira took another direct hit, she might not survive. But instead of dodging¡ª Mira ignored the wolves entirely. She pounced straight at Lin Zheng. As she moved, her jaws parted, revealing gleaming rows of razor-sharp fangs. She was going for his throat. "No!" Lin Zheng¡¯s spiritual energy was in shambles. He had neither the strength to summon another spirit beast nor the focus to cast a defensive technique. At this moment, he was no different from a helpless mortal. His eyes widened in sheer terror as Mira tackled him to the ground. Crunch! Her jaws clamped down on his throat, fangs piercing deep. A fountain of scarlet blood erupted from the wound as his body convulsed violently. His wide, lifeless eyes remained frozen, reflecting a mixture of rage, terror, and regret. Lin Zheng¡¯s downfall had nothing to do with raw strength. By all accounts, he had been far more powerful than Wei Yun. But his hubris sealed his fate. Blinded by greed, he had refused to eliminate Wei Yun when he had the chance, allowing him to slip away. Blinded by arrogance, he had split his forces, leaving his Second-tier Wind Wolf vulnerable. Blinded by carelessness, he had stepped directly into Wei Yun¡¯s trap. In the instant Lin Zheng perished, the two Wind Wolves hesitated. Instead of continuing their assault, they whimpered, tails drooping, and suddenly turned, fleeing into the forest. These wolves had only been temporary spirit beasts, bound to Lin Zheng through a non-permanent contract. With his death, the contract had dissolved, leaving them free. Mira didn¡¯t pursue them. She didn¡¯t even tend to her wounds. Despite her exhaustion, she forced herself upright, following the lingering thread of her spiritual connection. And ran toward Wei Yun¡¯s location. Chapter 32: The Price of Victory Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 33: Rewards If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤ ¡¤