Under Di Ying's curious gaze, Yun Jin extended her hand.
In the next instant, a strange energy pulsed to life within her palm.
Di Ying sensed it, her eyes flickering with a peculiar light. Almost instinctively, she transformed into her beast form and eagerly moved closer.
"Little Sister!" Di Xiao quickly pulled her back. "Why did you suddenly change into your beast form!"
In her beast form, Di Ying's body gleamed in a crystalline white, with only the tips of her two ears marked in black. The elegance in her appearance was laced with a hint of endearing charm, making her captivating to behold.
For spirit beasts, the beast form was their innate nature.
However—
Once spirit beasts reached the Unity stage and could take human form, most would remain in human form.
The common saying across heaven and earth was that the human form was the most perfect of all. Humans were born in human form, and when spirit beasts transformed into humans, their cultivation speed increased greatly. Even other races, such as the demonic clans or foreign tribes, also largely assumed human form.
Even in the boundless seas, deep beneath the waves, it was said there existed an underwater Kingdom where nearly every sea beast had already taken human shape.
For spirit beasts, human form allowed both cultivation and comprehension to proceed far more swiftly than in beast form. They would only revert to beast form when fighting with their full strength.
Now, with no battle taking place and no need to exert herself, Di Ying's sudden transformation had indeed startled Di Xiao.
"This aura feels so soothing." At this moment, Di Ying ignored her brother's words, intoxicated as she breathed in the rhythm of the power flowing from Yun Jin's palm. "This… is your Beastmaster talent?"
Yun Jin smiled. "Yes. When used on my contracted beasts, it can draw out their potential."
"Only your contracted beasts can benefit from it?" Di Ying suddenly asked something astonishing.
Di Xiao's heart jumped, and he quickly interjected. "Di Ying! Human Beastmaster talents naturally only work on their own contracted beasts."
"I see…" Di Ying's face showed disappointment. That energy gave her a comfort she had never felt before. A strange impulse stirred within her, urging her to devour it outright. But alas, only Yun Jin's contracted beasts could enjoy such a gift.
"Since Senior has already experienced it, I will put it away now." Yun Jin smiled and withdrew the energy.
Though reluctant, Di Ying did not press further. She soon returned to her human form, once again looking the part of a gentle and refined lady. Yet she quietly seated herself closer to Yun Jin.
"Actually, from the very first moment I saw you, I felt an inexplicable closeness," Di Ying said suddenly.
…
Wait.
Yun Jin blinked, casting a glance at Di Xiao.
Di Xiao's face darkened as he looked at the empty space beside him. His sister only had this brief waking time, yet instead of speaking with him, she turned her precious moments into idle chatter with Yun Jin?
Di Xiao's expression grew thunderous. Yun Jin, however, found it amusing.
She turned her head and spoke softly to Di Ying, "I too have never met a woman more beautiful than you. Whether in human or beast form, you are stunning beyond words."
Di Xiao: "???"
He shot Yun Jin a venomous glare.
This human… what was she scheming now?
What use was spouting such nonsense!
Hurry and give him back his sister!
He should never have brought Di Ying to this spectacle.
"Really?" Di Ying beamed. "I haven't seen many humans before, but I can say for sure, you are the most beautiful of them all!"
Yun Jin fell silent.
How could she be so sure of that!
It finally became clear to Yun Jin.
The sister of the spirit beast king was, without doubt, a naïve sweetheart.
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "It matters little. Beauty is never the true essence."
"You think so too?" Di Ying's eyes sparkled. "I feel the same way! Back when I was little, many spirit beasts tried to court me just because of my looks, and my brother had to beat them away one by one. You know, once I even met a…"
Di Ying rambled on and on.
Di Xiao could hardly endure it anymore. "Di Ying! We have already seen enough of the excitement here. Let me take you elsewhere."
A strange sense of danger gnawed at him.
His sister!
At this moment, her gaze was fixed solely on Yun Jin.
They had only met twice!
Yet they were already so harmonious?
Absolutely unacceptable.
"Brother, I don't want to go anywhere else," Di Ying refused outright. "I only have about one hour left before I must return to slumber. In this last hour, I just want to be with you and Fairy Yun. The three of us together. Wouldn't that be nice?"
Yun Jin couldn't help but cough violently.
"You cultivators can still fall ill?" Di Ying asked curiously.
Yun Jin stifled her laughter. "I am fine. Only… you two are siblings, it is a rare chance for you to be together. As an outsider, I shouldn't intrude."
Di Xiao's expression softened slightly.
At least Yun Jin knew her place.
"But I don't want to be apart from you." Di Ying leaned close, inhaling deeply as if to catch the lingering trace of that mysterious energy on Yun Jin's body.
Yun Jin looked helplessly at Di Xiao.
His fingers twitched violently again.
Yun Jin wanted to shout to him:
This time she truly was innocent!
She had only let Gun Gun and Huan Huan display their abilities to draw Di Xiao's attention. She never expected Di Ying would demand to feel her energy, nor that things would spiral into this absurd situation.
"Brother?" Di Ying gazed pleadingly at Di Xiao.
On his darkened face, Di Xiao forced a smile. "As you wish."
Even though his heart bled, this was his sister's rare awakening. How could he deny her?
The blame could only fall on Yun Jin's scheming ways.
Very soon, the scene turned into Di Ying holding tightly to Yun Jin's hand, chatting endlessly, while Di Xiao sat gloomily to the side, his eyes full of venom.
Yun Jin remained calm, cheerfully conversing with Di Ying, and every so often even casting Di Xiao a few triumphant looks. This beast king had threatened her more than once. Taking a little interest back was only fair.
When only half an hour remained, Di Xiao finally could not endure it any longer. "Sister, the last half hour is all that is left. Allow me to take you back to the temple."
Di Ying clasped Yun Jin's hand tightly, reluctant to let go. "Xiao Jin, you come with me."
Yun Jin coughed lightly. "I don't mind. But it seems Senior Di does not look very willing."
Di Xiao glared fiercely at her again.
Yun Jin immediately cried out, "See! He is glaring at me again!"
"Brother!" Di Ying's gaze shifted toward him.
Di Xiao, who had never feared heaven or earth and who would never bend even before Wandao Saints, inhaled deeply and forced out a gentle smile. "As you wish."
Only then did Di Ying smile happily.
Yun Jin almost burst out laughing.
So this was what they meant by one thing subdues another.
Who would have thought…
That the great king of spirit beasts, his greatest weakness, would be his younger sister.