Chapter 41: An Unusual Contract

The journey from the Xuantian Sect to the Beast Taming Sect would take more than half a month, and during this time, everyone truly witnessed Ji Jiuxuan’s “laid-back” lifestyle. In the mornings, she would fetch a reclining chair, lie outside, and continue sleeping, or else she would read books—her selection remarkably eclectic, sometimes delving into the art of cuisine. Of course, every day, she would also inevitably enter the Spiritual Herb Garden scroll to play. Only when midday arrived and she was well rested would she practice her sword for four hours.

Now that they understood she absorbed spiritual energy faster asleep than awake, sleeping was no longer considered a waste of cultivation time, but rather a great delight. Ji Jiuxuan found herself genuinely enjoying this.

After seeing her swordsmanship and her idle ways, everyone wanted to rush up and persuade her otherwise. Such an outstanding talent, how could she squander her potential like this? If she were as diligent as the average sword cultivator, this uncut gem would surely shine brilliantly in the world.

“Cheng Jun, aren’t you planning to advise little Ah Jiu?” Seated beside him, sipping tea as they watched Ji Jiuxuan practice, Feng Chen could not help but ask Min Chengjun.

Indeed, it was his disciple’s grandson who had spread those terrible rumors; Jiyue’s character had indeed gone astray. Yet, after witnessing Ji Jiuxuan these past days, he could not help but want to counsel her. Such a promising seedling!

“Little Ah Jiu may do as she wishes. We’re here for her, after all.” In his eyes, every person had their own path. These past few days, he had realized that although the girl only practiced her sword four hours a day, her current level was not something obtained by mere rote training. Some people practice swordsmanship all day, year after year, yet gain nothing. Others, with limited daily practice, surpass all rivals.

He believed Ji Jiuxuan was the latter—or if not, they would protect her all the same. Besides, just now, he had sensed a hint of sword intent from her techniques, a rarity for one of her age.

Feng Chen said nothing more, but sighed inwardly. Such a good seedling! Were it not for Jiyue’s previous actions, he would have tried to persuade her again, but worried about misunderstandings, he held back.

Half a month neither passes quickly nor slowly. With books brought by her master, ingredients prepared by her second uncle, and delicious pastries, Ji Jiuxuan found these days immensely fulfilling.

The Beast Taming Sect was nestled in the Forest of Jialuo, a vast and bountiful land, though not without its dangers.

“Uncle, is it true the Forest of Jialuo has the greatest number of spirit beasts among all ancient forests on the continent?” Ji Jiuxuan, gazing at the seemingly endless treeline, recalled what she had read and asked curiously.

“That’s correct. It’s dangerous, but the forest is divided into regions by level. As long as you avoid the danger zones, you’ll be safe.”

Ji Jiuxuan, drawing connections to her reading, asked again, “I heard the founding ancestor of the Beast Taming Sect set up formations in this forest, which protect both the spirit beasts and the sect’s disciples. Is that true?”

“It’s true. If anyone at too high a level enters lower regions to slaughter indiscriminately, they’ll be teleported out—or, in some cases, eliminated by the array. The same applies to spirit beasts,” Min Chengjun explained patiently by her side.

Ji Jiuxuan voiced a long-held doubt, “Wouldn’t the spirit beasts become dull from being confined? If high-level beasts are killed for entering low-level areas, how can they roam? Doesn’t that defeat the principle of survival of the fittest?”

Her unorthodox thinking made Min Chengjun smile and gently pat her head.

At that moment, Ji Jiuxuan hardly heard what her uncle was saying. In her mind, a casual voice echoed, “There are no such restrictions. The limitation is only between cultivators and beasts. If spirit beasts lost their ferocity, it would be a waste of a trial ground.”

Ji Jiuxuan was astonished that Suiyi could speak within her mind. She quickly suppressed her surprise, lest her uncle notice.

She tried asking silently, “Suiyi, you can speak to me in my mind?”

“Yes, we have a contract. Somehow, now that we’re in the Beast Taming Sect’s domain, I can awaken in the daytime. Before, inside the ring, everything was hazy—but the closer we get, the clearer it becomes.”

Ji Jiuxuan suddenly remembered the contract Wen Ying had them form when she gave her the ring. In the past, she didn’t understand formations, but now she had learned some basics—enough to sense something was off about the contract array. “Suiyi, what kind of contract do we have?”

“I’m not sure. My memory is still missing,” the ethereal voice replied, tinged with confusion. “But don’t worry. Even without my memory, the contract array does you no harm.”

Ji Jiuxuan could sense this was true, and knowing Wen Ying’s character, she chose to trust her.

“Girl, what are you thinking about so intently?” Min Chengjun, having finished his explanation, looked down to find Ji Jiuxuan lost in thought.

She quickly recovered and smiled. “I was wondering what kind of spirit beast egg I might encounter this time. I hear all the eggs in the Spirit Valley are extraordinary—some have been treasured there since the founding of the sect.”

Though she had made this up on the spot, Ji Jiuxuan already found herself looking forward to it.

“You will. Our Ah Jiu will definitely find a spirit beast of her own.”

Ahead, a barrier shimmered into view, spiritual power rippling across its surface. Passing through, they entered a land of pavilions and towers, mountains and rivers, all thriving with vitality.

Birds carried cultivators across the sky, beasts bore them swiftly along the ground, and above the main road hung a massive plaque inscribed with three characters: Beast Taming Sect.

“We’re here.”

This time, Ji Jiuxuan noticed her second uncle’s entire demeanor had changed—he exuded authority and distance. Previously, he had always seemed gentle and approachable.

“Fellow Daoist Min, at last you’ve arrived,” greeted a man of immortal bearing, flying swiftly toward them on his sword. Min Chengjun returned the greeting, and upon recognizing Meng Chengfang, smiled. “Fellow Daoist Meng, what a rare guest!”

Before entering the Forest of Jialuo, Feng Chen had already departed ahead. He would rejoin them after their matters here were settled.

“This is Wu Songting, Fellow Daoist Wu,” Min Chengjun introduced to the three children.

They bowed respectfully to Wu Songting.

Wu Songting took in their cultivation and the sect tokens at their waists, instantly understanding their identities. “Welcome, young friends,” he said, his voice warm and inviting. “Would you like to follow me to the guest quarters? The entry to the Spirit Valley will take place in three days. Here are your access tokens.”

As he spoke, five tokens appeared before him, each engraved with the words “Guest of the Beast Taming Sect.”

The airship had already been put away by their second uncle. Ji Jiuxuan and Feng Hanxiao, accompanied by Min Chengjun, followed Wu Songting to their lodging.