The Spirit Beast Forest.
Di Xiao and Yun Jin stood together on an open stretch of grassland.
Di Xiao examined the surroundings with care, then said, "This is the place."
A point of spirit power touched the air, and a transparent barrier suddenly shimmered into view.
"System, capture the small world coordinates!" Yun Jin gave the command immediately.
Capturing coordinates inside a set area was far easier than letting the system track them down on its own, so it cost much less Emotional Value.
Ten billion Emotional Value later, the system locked onto the target world.
Then a new map appeared in the void above the Mission Hall. Faint images of spirit beasts drifted across it, and tiny locks sealed the map shut.
Yun Jin tapped it.
[Tier three small world: Spirit Beast World. Unlocking requires fifty billion Emotional Value. Confirm unlock.]
A smile curved Yun Jin's lips.
The Spirit Beast World.
Her guess had been right.
This world sat close to the current small world, which explained why a barrier to the Spirit Beast Forest existed here at all.
Coming near this place had indeed let her catch the coordinates.
"Unlock." Yun Jin didn't hesitate.
The system deducted the Emotional Value, and the lock on the Spirit Beast World clicked open.
The small world opened its gates to Yun Jin.
A genuine smile warmed her face. Ever since Gun Gun, Huan Huan, and Dan Dan had entered that world, she hadn't seen them in years.
Thankfully, she could still sense them. Their states were stable and healthy, and none of them had encountered serious danger. Otherwise, she'd have been frantic long ago.
They were supposed to return in a few months. But now that the two worlds were connected, Yun Jin really did miss them. So she figured she might as well go take a look early.
Besides, the two small worlds had different time flows. She had only been apart from them for a few years, but they hadn't seen her for decades.
Nearly thirty years of growth. And they'd been living in the world most suited to them. She had no idea how far those three little beasts had grown.
"Did it work?" Di Xiao looked at Yun Jin.
Her smile deepened. "It worked."
Di Xiao hesitated. "So, does that mean… from now on, Wushuang Sect can freely enter this small world through the Mission Hall?"
Yun Jin nodded. "Exactly."
Complicated emotions swept through Di Xiao's heart.
This small world was the holy land for all spirit beasts. Only the very best spirit beasts from the Spirit Beast Forest earned the right to train there.
But Wushuang Sect's disciples would be able to enter anytime. If the disciples went in, their contracted spirit beasts would essentially be entering too. Those beasts would grow far faster than all the others.
Di Xiao took a deep breath and made a decision.
He looked at Yun Jin, his expression solemn. "Sect Master Yun."
Yun Jin rarely saw Di Xiao looking like this. Curious, she asked, "Senior Di, what is it? Just say it."
Di Xiao opened his mouth several times but kept swallowing the words back. His face turned bright red.
Yun Jin grew even more curious.
Finally, Di Xiao took a deep breath. He bowed slightly toward her. "Sect Master Yun, does Wushuang Sect happen to need a guardian spirit beast?"
Yun Jin froze. "Senior Di, you mean…"
Since he'd said it out loud, Di Xiao stopped holding back and answered calmly, "I've received your kindness many times, Sect Master Yun. I'm willing to form a contract with Wushuang Sect. As long as I remain in this world, I'll guard Wushuang Sect. Once the contract is set, life and death won't sway me."
Yun Jin's pupils tightened. "Senior Di, there's no need to go this far. I never took those favors to heart."
She paused before adding, "I thought we were friends."
Friends.
Di Xiao blinked, then smiled. "We are. And I'm not doing this only to repay a debt."
He gathered his thoughts and continued, "These past two years, thank you for letting me stay inside the Celestial Divine Palace to cultivate. The spirit beasts of the forest have been having a great time here. Many have chosen to contract with Wushuang Sect's disciples. But not a single super spirit beast has taken that step."
Yun Jin nodded. "That's fine. Everyone makes their own choices."
A super spirit beast's pride was instinctive. Even a balanced contract with humans was hard for them to accept. Yun Jin had never planned to force them.
Di Xiao said quietly, "But what if I, their king, become Wushuang Sect's guardian spirit beast?"
Yun Jin froze.
Di Xiao continued, "If their king chooses to stand with Wushuang Sect, what face are they trying to protect? Only if I take the first step will they let go of their stubbornness."
Yun Jin sighed, finally understanding him.
He knew the Spirit Beast World was about to open, but Wushuang Sect's buildings had limitations. All structures currently only opened for humans. If the beasts wanted to enter the Spirit Beast World, they had to choose a disciple to contract with and then follow them in through their Beastmaster space.
Super spirit beasts were too proud to take the first step.
So Di Xiao would lead by example.
Yun Jin didn't speak, and Di Xiao grew tense. "I admit I have selfish reasons, but spirit beast partners will strengthen Wushuang Sect disciples. A deeper alliance between the Spirit Beast Forest and Wushuang Sect benefits both sides."
Seeing his anxious face, Yun Jin finally said, "That's not what I meant. If Senior Di becomes Wushuang Sect's guardian spirit beast, I'll be grateful. If our disciples gain a powerful partner, I'll be even happier. But what about you, Senior Di?"
She asked, "What are your plans?"
The Spirit Beast World would certainly benefit his cultivation.
If Di Xiao could enter, he'd make great progress.
But he'd only said he wanted to be the guardian, not that he'd form a contract with a disciple. Without a contract, he still couldn't enter the Spirit Beast World.
He was giving up his freedom to show the other super spirit beasts that contracting with Wushuang Sect wasn't shameful, but a path toward the heavens.
But what about him?
He'd never even considered taking that same path.
Yun Jin held his gaze. If he said the word, she still had a spirit beast slot. She'd gladly form an equal contract with him, and then he and Di Ying could stay together.
But Yun Jin knew.
He'd never intended that.
A faint smile appeared on Di Xiao's lips. He'd lived in Wushuang Sect for years and understood well just how terrifying this sect had become.
The Trial Tower.
The Disciple Dorms.
The Mission Hall.
Every structure was shocking.
And as long as Yun Jin remained, more would appear.
Forming a contract with her would clearly be the better choice.
But Di Xiao still said,
"It's not that I can't let go of pride. I know I'm far weaker than you now, but I still have my own path as a strong cultivator to walk. If I sign a contract with you, I'll slowly grow used to relying on you. I'm afraid I'll lose the heart of a true powerhouse. Sect Master Yun, forget what I said before. Leave Di Ying to you, and I'll rest easy. As for me, I've grown used to walking alone, and I prefer it.
I'll cultivate wholeheartedly in Wushuang Sect, and if anything threatens the sect, I'll risk my life without hesitation. If I'm lucky enough to ascend to the Immortal Demon Spirit Realm someday, our contract will end naturally, and I'll continue my search for my path."
"Brother…" Di Ying had appeared outside at some point, watching Di Xiao with red eyes.
She wished more than anything that her brother would contract with her master, so they'd never be separated.
But she also knew he had his own pursuit.
So she only smiled. "Brother will definitely go farther than anyone."
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New cover alert!
I changed my old cover to the one the author uses, but with my own English title on it. Did you see it? I'm doing it the same way as my new project where I try to use the same background as the original cover. I'll put it in the comments too.