Di Ying reveled in the sensation, happily casting one skill after another. She was immersed in joy, and Di Xiao did not disturb her.
Instead, his gaze sank into deep thought.
So it turned out...
The Xuan Yin Crystal and Tian Zhao Stone had never been necessary at all. Without the Xuan Yin Crystal, his sister manipulated spiritual power even more smoothly than before.
What about himself?
If he abandoned the reliance on those two stones, would he also become stronger?
Di Xiao glanced at Yun Jin.
Yun Jin raised her brow. "Why are you staring at me? I have no intention of forming a contract with you."
Di Xiao immediately flared. "Human! When did I ever give you permission to contract me!"
She truly dared to think too highly of herself.
But Yun Jin was not the least bit afraid of him. "Aren't you just envious of Di Ying's state right now? To be frank, the only reason you both relied on those stones before was because your bloodlines were polluted. My skill happens to purify bloodlines. That's why Di Ying was able to recover.
If you want to enjoy my Beastmaster skill, you'd have to contract with me. But I already have five spirit beasts, only one slot left. I have no desire to waste it on you." Her tone was utterly proud.
Di Xiao nearly spat blood. He, the mighty King of Spirit Beasts, was actually being despised? Looking across this entire realm, could she possibly find a stronger spirit beast than him?
No—what was he even thinking! Since when did he ever want to be contracted by Yun Jin!
With a dark face, Di Xiao said coldly, "Rest assured, I have absolutely no such thought."
"That's good then." Yun Jin nodded in satisfaction.
Di Xiao's expression darkened even more. Something must be wrong with him.
Yun Jin had done plenty of good since entering the Spirit Beast Forest. She had even helped him more than once, and today she had saved Di Ying's life.
And yet...
He still had the constant urge to hit her.
Di Xiao drew in a deep breath.
And then another.
Forcing himself calm, he said, "Yun Jin, for what happened today, I owe you a favor."
Yun Jin arched a brow. "You already owe me quite a few favors."
This time, Di Xiao did not argue with her. He furrowed his brows, deep in thought. He could not see through this human woman.
She sat atop Wushuang Sect, lacking very little in truth. With her cultivation, there were hardly a few people in the world who could threaten her. To repay a favor directly to Yun Jin herself would be difficult.
At length, Di Xiao said slowly, "When you leave the Spirit Beast Forest this time, leave those three spirit beasts behind."
Yun Jin's eyes lit up. "Oh?"
Di Xiao did not bother being cryptic. "Do you know why the Spirit Beast Forest is what it is? Why all spirit beasts revere it as a holy ground?"
"Please explain, Senior." Yun Jin's spirit lifted.
Di Xiao gave her a glance. "Within the forest lies a secret realm. Only spirit beasts may enter. Your three spirit beasts possess extraordinary potential. They are all qualified to step into the secret realm."
Yun Jin's eyes flickered. "Senior, may I ask what lies within this realm?"
Di Xiao shook his head. "I do not know."
Yun Jin frowned. "Surely you must have entered before?"
"I have," Di Xiao admitted. "Twice. But every time I emerged, all memory of what transpired within was gone. All I know is that it contains immense opportunities. Without it, I could never have stood as an equal against Ji Wusi and others. This is the fortune belonging to all spirit beasts. The finest trial ground for any spirit beast aspiring to become supreme."
Yun Jin's heart gave a jolt.
So Gun Gun and the others' destined chance was indeed within the Spirit Beast Forest.
"Then, Senior, is there danger to life inside?" Yun Jin asked.
Di Xiao pondered. "There should not be. I have never heard of a spirit beast meeting misfortune inside."
Yun Jin relaxed slightly. Her beasts possessed methods far superior to ordinary spirit beasts. If even others could emerge unscathed, then so could they. Her desire to send them in was not for herself.
Her own strength had grown too fast. Except for Yun Mu, the other beasts could hardly keep up.
She herself did not mind—one woman and one sword were enough.
But Gun Gun and the others took it to heart. To catch up with her, they trained so hard that Yun Jin sometimes felt pain just watching them.
Compared to other beasts, their rate of improvement was already astonishing. But because their master was Yun Jin, this speed still felt lacking. For that, her beasts were often troubled.
Yun Jin understood them. They would not want to miss any chance to grow stronger. As their master, she could not stand in the way of their path.
"In that case, many thanks, Senior." Yun Jin bowed her head sincerely.
Di Xiao let out a quiet breath. He had indeed found the right way to repay his debt.
"Be at ease," he said. "The potential of your three beasts is extraordinary. Once they emerge from the realm, they will surely give you a pleasant surprise."
Yun Jin's gaze softened with a warm light. "I only hope they can enjoy this adventure without me. They may be my spirit beasts, but they also have their own paths to walk."
Di Xiao regarded her.
This human was different from most Beastmasters indeed.
After a pause, he added, "I have another request. Can Di Ying remain here in the Spirit Beast Forest?"
Yun Jin opened her mouth to reply—
But Di Ying had already flown over.
"Brother!" she cried, anxious. "I've been asleep for so long, I finally woke up, and now you want to lock me at home? I want to follow my master and see the world!"
Yun Jin nearly choked.
When she had first seen Di Ying slumbering, she thought her a cold, untouchable beauty.
But now...
This was clearly another mischievous child.
"Di Ying! The outside world is dangerous! Especially around this human!" Di Xiao grew anxious.
"If my master is surrounded by danger, then all the more reason I must follow to protect her." Di Ying declared righteously. "As a Taiyin Youying, I repay kindness with my life. Master saved me, so I will defend her with all I have!"
She called Yun Jin "Master" so smoothly, it made Di Xiao's head throb with ringing pain. He clenched his teeth. "This matter will be discussed later!"
In any case, Yun Jin still had days left investigating the truth here.
"I won't change my mind!" Di Ying retorted without hesitation.
Di Xiao's body trembled with fury, yet he could not utter a single harsh word.
"Master, let's go play!" Di Ying tugged Yun Jin's hand, brimming with expectation.
Yun Jin coughed lightly, stealing a glance at Di Xiao.
Face like thunder, Di Xiao waved his hand, and in the next instant the three of them appeared outside the temple.
The moment they emerged, Yun Jin caught sight of Rong Zhou seated quietly nearby. Her brows lifted in surprise. "Senior Rong? What are you doing here?"
Rong Zhou rose at once. "Human, have you forgotten? We agreed to fight!"
"Why do you want to fight?" Before Yun Jin could answer, Di Ying poked her head out curiously.
Rong Zhou did not recognize her, but he had seen Di Ying once before when Di Xiao brought her to a banquet.
Thus he said, "My poor granddaughter, clearly a super spirit beast, yet contracted by a human! It is a disgrace to all super spirit beasts. My son was once contracted, leaving me shamed for thousands of years. Now my granddaughter too... How can my Lava Dragon clan still face the world? Such humiliation can only be resolved through battle. Only by defeating this human can the stain be erased..."
He ranted endlessly about disgrace.
Yun Jin merely listened.
But Di Xiao's face had grown so black it nearly dripped ink.
"Silence!" Di Xiao roared. "What of being contracted by a human? What of being a super spirit beast? I think it is just fine!"
Rong Zhou stared at him, utterly stunned.
????
The King was angry?
Why?