Di Xiao watched his little sister with a gentle look in his eyes.
In the past, he always thought Di Ying was the one who needed his protection. But when they truly stood at the edge of life and death, she was the one who gave everything to save him.
During the thousand years she lay asleep, the only reason he kept going was to wait for Di Ying to wake up. If he could bring her back, he was willing to give up anything.
He trapped himself inside the Celestial Divine Palace and searched everywhere for life saving herbs, all for the sake of waking her again. For a thousand years, he never once stopped to think about what he wanted.
Now that Di Ying was awake, and even had Yun Jin as a partner, her growth had become even faster than his.
Di Xiao slowly understood.
Di Ying already had a life of her own and a path she wanted to walk.
During his years in seclusion, he kept thinking about one thing.
Back then, he only wanted to protect his sister.
Later, he only wanted to wake her.
Now that she no longer needed him, what about him? What life did he truly want?
The answer eventually settled in his heart. His heart still yearned for thrilling adventures and that relentless pursuit of the peak.
Partnering with Yun Jin would make his future smooth, and with her help, he could rise to a greater height. But that would be Yun Jin's adventure, not his.
He had a path of his own to take.
And of course, aside from being Di Ying's brother, he was also the king of the Spirit Beast Forest.
This last stretch of time inside the small world would be his chance to find a good new home for the spirit beasts. When the day of ascension came, only then could he go freely chase the adventure he wanted.
His mind was already made up, and Yun Jin simply smiled, choosing to support him.
She spoke softly. "Alright. I'll respect whatever you decide."
Di Xiao answered with sincerity. "Thank you."
Yun Jin nodded and took him back to Wushuang Sect.
For now, the Void Mirage World and the Polar Night Demon World couldn't be opened for Wushuang Sect's disciples. The danger level was too high. She had to visit them herself and at least guarantee a basic level of safety before opening them fully.
However, the Spirit Beast Small World would likely be available soon.
That small world mainly enhanced the strength of spirit beast partners, which in turn improved the overall power of Wushuang Sect's disciples. Announcing the small world's opening and Di Xiao becoming the sect's guardian spirit beast had to be done properly.
Di Xiao and Yun Jin split up to prepare.
He summoned every supreme spirit beast in the Spirit Beast Forest.
She gathered all sect members, calling for the first full sect assembly in years.
Wushuang Sect was a fairly free place, so full assemblies were rare and always meant something important was happening.
This time was no different, and the disciples grew tense.
They still remembered the terrifying attack from Sky City. Even though the Sect Master looked fine afterward, the event itself was enough to make anyone uneasy.
What exactly was hiding inside Sky City? Why had it suddenly targeted the Sect Master?
After the incident, the Sect Master even ordered everyone to stay silent. No matter who asked, they were to say she was gravely injured and in seclusion, unable to appear until the next opening of Sky City.
It was obvious she wanted to mislead someone.
But who?
With her current power, even the Blood Moon of the demon race had been shattered by her. Yet she still chose to act cautiously. mIt was clear the enemy inside Sky City was unimaginably terrifying.
Was today's assembly related to that event?
Everyone whispered guesses among themselves.
Soon, their attention shifted because every supreme spirit beast from the forest arrived without exception. Their earlier guesses instantly vanished.
What kind of matter required even the supreme spirit beasts?
Curiosity spread through the disciples.
The supreme spirit beasts were confused too. None of them knew why their king insisted all of them gather.
Yun Jin glanced at the crowd and spoke calmly. "Two matters.
First.
I've reached an agreement with the king of the Spirit Beast Forest, Di Xiao. Starting today, the moment our contract is established, Di Xiao will become the chief guardian spirit beast of Wushuang Sect and enjoy all privileges of that position.
Di Xiao, step forward."
They had already prepared the procedure beforehand.
In that moment, Di Xiao stepped out without hesitation.
A wave of commotion rippled through the spirit beasts.
What did they just hear? Their king was becoming a guardian spirit beast of Wushuang Sect?
Rong Zhou immediately felt uncomfortable.
A thousand years ago, because Rong Huo followed the Wan Dao Saint and became a guardian spirit beast of Wushuang Sect, Rong Zhou had even cut ties with his son.
Although their relationship had eased since then, and he'd personally witnessed the terrifying potential of Wushuang Sect and agreed with Rong Huo's choice, the thousand and ten thousand years of pride held by the supreme spirit beasts made them stubborn. None of them chose humans as partners.
But now...
Their king was giving up his freedom and voluntarily becoming Wushuang Sect's guardian spirit beast.
And what kind of talent did their king possess? It was nothing short of monstrous.
Even they, as supreme spirit beasts, couldn't keep up with his cultivation speed.
If the king himself chose to become a guardian spirit beast...
Then were their own stubborn ideals too outdated?
The beasts were unsettled, but Di Xiao's reputation kept them silent.
A contract scroll appeared in Yun Jin's hand.
She tore it open, and a formation bloomed in front of them. Di Xiao stepped into the array. Yun Jin formed seals, and under her Insight Eye, Wushuang Sect's overwhelming Luck fused with Di Xiao's Luck.
When the two fully merged, the contract completed itself. The scroll disappeared.
From that moment on, Di Xiao became the guardian spirit beast of Wushuang Sect.
Yun Jin announced clearly, "I've made an agreement with him. During his time in this small world, he'll help protect Wushuang Sect. When he ascends to the Immortal Demon Spirit Realm, the contract will dissolve automatically."
Once they heard that the contract would end the moment their king ascended, the beasts finally relaxed.
Even so, their feelings were complicated.
Yun Jin had done immense good for all spirit beasts, and the power of Wushuang Sect exceeded anything they had imagined.
Their king becoming its guardian spirit beast wasn't embarrassing at all.
It was just... something they had to get used to.
But that feeling didn't last long.
Because Yun Jin immediately announced the second matter.
"The Mission Hall is about to unlock a new small world, the Spirit Beast Small World. This map will soon be open to Wushuang Sect's disciples. The spirit beast world is incredibly beneficial for spirit beast cultivation, and the prerequisite to take its missions is to have at least one spirit beast. Before the world opens, I hope everyone puts effort into finding their own partner."