Hidden Mist Island — Bai Wu's Courtyard
The golden light had long faded, but its weight lingered in the air like incense smoke. On the slopes of Hidden Mist Island, the Bai Clan's elders, disciples, and children slowly returned to their dwellings.
Bai Wu stood at the peak where Bai Tian Long had awakened, his expression solemn as he addressed the gathered crowd.
"This matter… must not leave the island. Not a word. Even when we reconnect to the outer sects, the world must not know what happened here."
His voice echoed, not with anger, but with a force that made even the wind pause.
"Bai Tian Long is not to be spoken of as a beast tamer. Especially not… a self-awakened one."
The message was clear. Protect the boy. Hide the truth.
---
Later that evening, Bai Wu led Bai Tian Long through the misted forest path to a quiet wooden house near a lotus pond. Fireflies flickered between stalks, casting pale reflections on the still water.
Inside, Bai Wu poured a pot of warmed spiritual tea. But his hands lingered a moment too long. His eyes, usually sharp and kind, were caught in a web of thoughts.
He looked at his grandson, gaze layered with emotion.
If only you had awakened earlier… how much suffering could have been avoided?
He shook his head with a sigh.
"Now that you've awakened… what do you plan to do, Tian Long?"
Bai Tian Long didn't hesitate.
"I want to form a contract."
Bai Wu blinked, then smiled faintly. "Already so certain, eh?"
"Yes," Bai Tian Long nodded. "I've already awakened a Beast-Taming Talent… and I want to use it."
Bai Wu raised an eyebrow. "You know which one?"
Tian Long didn't wait to be asked. "It's called Space Strengthening. An S-Rank talent. It doubles the number of beasts I can contract, and their training speed inside the Beast Space."
A pause stretched between them.
Bai Wu finally gave a low whistle. "So that's why the light felt different… it wasn't just a regular awakening."
He nodded slowly, the burden in his expression softening just a little.
"Alright then. If you can handle two, you'll need two cubs. I'll have the elders prepare them. In the morning… you'll go to the Beast Garden."
Outside the house, the mist shifted slightly, as if nature itself listened.
And somewhere deep within the sealed Beast Garden, two young beasts stirred for the first time.
---
The Newly Established Beast Garden
As dawn's pale gold crept over Hidden Mist Island, Bai Wu led Bai Tian Long through a quiet path beyond the main camp. Mist clung to freshly carved stone markers and young spiritual trees. At the path's end stood a set of reinforced gates inscribed with beast-taming seals.
"This... is the new Beast Garden," Bai Wu said. "Still raw, but it will grow. Like us."
The garden was expansive yet untamed. Spiritual mist gathered over fresh grasslands and makeshift pens. Dozens of low-level beasts prowled, many recently transported. They sniffed the soil, circled new borders, or paced nervously in unfamiliar surroundings.
Bai Tian Long's eyes swept over the terrain in silence, observing everything.
Then the mist ahead stirred.
From a tall ridge of stone and vine, a majestic Thunder-Winged Eagle glided down. Its feathers crackled with faint arcs of spiritual lightning, and its cultivation aura was clear—peak Foundation Establishment stage.
The eagle descended silently and landed before them. Its eyes, fierce yet intelligent, softened as it looked toward Bai Wu.
And then it did something unexpected—it bowed its head, letting out a low, mournful coo.
Bai Tian Long blinked. He could feel something stir in his chest. A faint itch—no, a resonance. Like the remnants of a story brushing against his soul.
Bai Wu stepped forward slowly, voice hushed.
"This one... it belonged to Bai Zhenyu."
He knelt down gently as the eagle pushed its head toward him, eyes wide and searching.
"It's looking for its master," Bai Wu whispered. "It's confused. Wondering where he and the other beasts are."
Silence stretched between them.
Bai Tian Long looked on quietly. Something in the eagle's sorrow resonated with him. Something in its lonely cry echoed far beyond the present.
Bai Wu wiped at the corner of one eye, a rare show of weakness.
"Zenyu… He was my younger brother. Only 450 years old when…" he trailed off.
The garden, though newly born, held more than beasts. It held memories. Echoes.
Bai Tian Long looked once more at the Thunder-Winged Eagle.
And the eagle looked back.
Bai Tian Long looked at the egale and promised " I will get granduncle Zenyu, the justice he deserves, for I will slaughter that branch of 'HEAVENLY SWORD SECT', to the last one"
As if understanding him the eagle with his gaint body lowered his head again and rubbed it with Bai Tian Long
Then both the grandfather and grandson
Tour the beast garden and looked at all the beast in there one by one .
There were many beast like lions , tigers and bears, crocodile, birds and many.
As they walked into the territory of a magnificent lion with red gold mane it was
a foundation establishment beast known as rosegold flame lion at the late stage of his realm.
"Roooooooaaaaaaar"
The lion walked out of it's den and looked at the visitor's
"Roarrrrr"
It looked at the visitor's and let out a dissatisfied roar as if telling the not to come near.
At this movement Bai wu stepped forward and said " Ok big guy you and your clan our under our protection otherwise once my uncle Bai jintian awakens, he might have your rose- gold Flame Beast lord, Rosegold Flame Lion Lord to teach you a lesson"
As he heard the word's the Lion stiffened and comically moved away as if saying " why bring the old lion up..eh why don't you come in"
Bai wu shook his head and looked towards his grandson and said "you should know about Rosegold flame lion rased by the family they are a potential 4th stage beast of course not all but at least most reach core formation"
He said after stopping "for your talent it might not be enough but make do with it as I believe
You can help the one you choose break the bloodline limit and follow you to upper realms
and return the disgrace, suffered that year"