Jian Dan, with Yue Liang in tow, swiftly shook off the busybody who had been tailing them. In less than half a stick of incense, they arrived in front of the Hundred Beast Pavilion.
The pavilion was a three-story building that stood out prominently on the bustling commercial street.
As soon as the attendant at the door spotted Jian Dan leading a small cultivator child, he stepped forward with a welcoming smile.
"Fairy, little fairy, welcome to the Hundred Beast Pavilion. Please come inside. We have a wide variety of spirit beasts here—I'm sure you'll find one that suits your needs."
Jian Dan took Yue Liang's hand and stepped through the doors. The main hall was spacious, thanks to a spatial expansion array, and several cultivators were scattered throughout, browsing in twos and threes.
Directly opposite the entrance stood a row of shelves lined with spirit beast eggs. The attendant enthusiastically explained, "These are all unhatched spirit beast eggs. This section holds avian species, and over there are the young of land beasts."
Yue Liang blinked his bright, curious eyes and looked around. Then he asked softly, "Where do these eggs come from?"
"To answer the little fairy, these eggs are collected from markets across the land. Some are discarded by sects, while others are sold to us by cultivators. As for the young beasts, some are bred and raised before being sold, while others are abandoned due to frailty and brought here on consignment."
Yue Liang tilted his head, a trace of confusion in his voice. "They abandon them just because they're weak?"
"A single beast can give birth to many offspring at once," the attendant explained. "Those that are weak can't survive the harsh realities of the world. It's natural selection."
A shadow passed over Yue Liang's expression. He leaned against Jian Dan's leg and fell silent.
The attendant faltered, thinking he'd said something wrong. Bowing respectfully, he looked at Jian Dan. "Did I offend the little fairy with my words?"
Jian Dan waved it off, indicating that it wasn't his fault. She gently patted Yue Liang's head."Yue Liang, this is the cruelty of the cultivation world. The strong thrive, and the weak perish. Even you, you're here today because of your extraordinary talent."
"I understand," Yue Liang murmured. "It was my fortune to bond with you, Zhūnzhǔ. You've taught me so much already. One day, I'll stand on my own and lighten your burden."
Jian Dan chuckled and stroked his head fondly. "You've always been amazing, Yue Liang."
There was no need to spell out everything. Yue Liang understood perfectly.
The attendant, sensing he had said too much already, wisely said nothing further. Instead, he gestured politely. "Please allow me to show you the second floor. We have spirit beast cubs raised and nurtured by our pavilion. They're well-behaved and make excellent companions for young cultivators. The third floor houses fully grown beasts—powerful attackers, formidable defenders. Fairy, do you have a preference?"
"That depends on our little one here."
Yue Liang scratched his tied-up hair, a little embarrassed. He looked up at Jian Dan and said,"I'm just browsing. I don't really want to buy anything. Let's go somewhere else."
"Alright."
Jian Dan flicked five low-grade spirit stones into the attendant's hand. "Thank you for your help."
She took Yue Liang's hand and turned to leave.
"Fairy, please wait!"
Descending from the third floor was a man in Heavenly Sword Sect robes. Though clearly in the early Divine Transformation realm, he had suppressed his aura to appear at the Nascent Soul stage—just one level above Jian Dan's concealed cultivation.
"What is it?"
"Forgive my boldness. I am Pi Piao of Heavenly Sword Peak, from the Heavenly Sword Sect. May I ask if you are willing to part with your spirit beast?"
Jian Dan gave him a long look, then sifted through her memory. She didn't recognize his name at all. But it was clear—his target was Yue Liang.
"Not for sale."
Her voice was crisp and final.
Pi Piao hadn't expected such a blunt refusal, not even a polite excuse.
"I will soon represent the Heavenly Sword Sect in the grand competition of this realm. With that spirit beast's help, I'll have a far greater chance of victory."
"Hmm? Isn't the Heavenly Sword Sect known for its mastery of swordsmanship? Since when do you need a spirit beast to win a match?"
Jian Dan's words were direct. A flash of awkwardness crossed Pi Piao's face. Yue Liang chimed in innocently,
"That's because his own strength isn't enough. So he has to rely on outside help."
He even gave a serious little nod to emphasize his point.
Pi Piao opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, another group of people entered the pavilion. A familiar voice called out,
"Senior Brother, I just saw a suitable spirit beast earlier, but…"
The rest of Fu Yao's words caught in her throat the moment Jian Dan turned around. She stopped abruptly, lowering her head and bowing in respectful silence. The four followers behind her also bowed deeply.
"Well, what a coincidence."
"Zhūnzhǔ, I came here today with my Senior Brother to choose a spirit beast."
Fu Yao answered quickly. Though there was still a trace of defiance in her tone, she had been warned already by Senior Sister Jian Ning and dared not act out again.
"Seems like you and your Senior Brother share similar tastes. You both have an eye for the same thing."
Jian Dan gave a faint smile to Pi Piao, then turned to Yue Liang.
"Little darling, looks like plenty of people are eyeing you. I'm starting to worry they'll try to snatch you away. Maybe we should return to the sect."
"Okay! Zhūnzhǔ, no one can take me from you. I'll always stay by your side. Next time we go out, let's pick a lucky day. Hmm... we should check the almanac!"
Yue Liang scratched his head, pleased with himself for thinking of a reason. Jian Dan gave his head another affectionate pat, and together, they left the pavilion.
"Junior Sister, who was that just now? I don't think I've seen her before."
Pi Piao finally asked after the pair had gone. Fu Yao didn't seem keen to talk about it. She brushed it off.
"She's a Loose Cultivator with no background. Joined our Heavenly Sword Sect a hundred years ago, started out as an outer disciple. After forming her Yuányīng, she left for a while, had a stroke of luck, and returned already at the Void Refinement stage."
Pi Piao listened closely, then muttered thoughtfully,
"She has power but no backing. We could pull her into our faction, use her as a pawn on the frontlines."
"I thought the same. I'll mention it to Master later. Maybe we can take advantage of that female cultivator."
Every word of their whispered conversation reached Jian Dan's ears.
"Ambitious, aren't they? They didn't even ask whether I agree."
"Zhūnzhǔ, should I punish them?"
"No need. You're my trump card, Yue Liang. I won't waste your power on two idiots. Come. Let's go see Jian Li Zhūnzhǔ."
Law Enforcement Hall, Great Hall
Jian Li was rubbing his temples as he read through the jade slips in his hand. The internal competitions across the sects had concluded. In ten days, they would travel to Cloud Sea Sect for the inter-sect tournament, but he still hadn't chosen a team leader.
Jian Wan had volunteered, but Jian Li wasn't fully convinced.
Jian Wan was a diligent cultivator, certainly one of the better Void Refinement elders. But her jealousy often clouded her judgment, and she lacked the big-picture mindset needed for a political event like this. Jian Li needed someone more tactful and steady.
Just then, Jian Sheng hurried in and saluted.
"Zhūnzhǔ, Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ requests an audience."
"She's teaching at the Tongzi Hall. What brings her here today?"
"Yesterday, every child in the Tongzi Hall successfully began Qi training."
"Oh?"
Jian Li finally looked up from his list, interest piqued.
"The lowest reached Qi Refining level one. The highest even reached level three."
At last, Jian Li set down the jade slips.
"Seems Jian Lu really does have some skill. My assignment was right on point. Let her in."
"Yes, Zhūnzhǔ."
Just before leaving, Jian Sheng added,
"Would Jian Lu Zhūnzhǔ be considered as a candidate for team leader?"