Chapter 46: Call Me Senior Sister

She glanced around at the empty surroundings; all the spirit beast eggs that had been chasing her had vanished without a trace, leaving the area particularly desolate. Those who had already formed a contract would be transported out within a set time, and Ji Jiuxuan now felt the spiritual energy around her begin to fluctuate. In an instant, she was sent to the plaza.

By now, the plaza was bustling with people, each accompanied by a spirit beast of various kinds. As Ji Jiuxuan appeared, the crowd sighed in regret. They had witnessed everything in the Spirit Valley and knew exactly what kind of spirit beast she had obtained.

Their eyes fell upon the scrawny little dragon with weak spiritual power. What a misfortunate child—so many powerful spirit beast eggs had chased her, eager to contract with her, only to tumble and settle for any random beast. Truly unfortunate!

Ji Jiuxuan searched around but did not see Feng Hanxiao or Qin Yuzhou. She walked toward her second uncle’s position.

“Sit,” Min Chengjun gestured for Ji Jiuxuan to take the seat beside him, producing a plate of pastries and placing them on the table. “Have a snack; those two should be out soon.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” With so many people around, Ji Jiuxuan felt no awkwardness whatsoever.

Only then did she notice the large screen at the front, displaying the statuses of all the disciples. She was not particularly surprised—this was standard procedure—but her own situation had surely been observed by everyone just moments ago.

Meng Chengfang, seated beside Ji Jiuxuan, offered comfort. “Xiao Jiu, don’t be discouraged. If you failed to get a good spirit beast here in the Beast Taming Sect, once we return to the sect, you’ll surely be allowed to go to the Spirit Beast Peak and select one you like.”

Given the aptitude she had just displayed, there would be no issue applying for another spirit beast upon returning. Besides, sword cultivators could contract spirit beasts as well, provided they could manage the workload; with her talent, there would be no problem. Who knows—with a spirit beast and her skill in swordsmanship, her future might be limitless.

“Thank you, Uncle, I’m quite content.” Ji Jiuxuan was genuinely delighted at the prospect of choosing a spirit beast from Spirit Beast Peak.

“If we come across a suitable one on the way back, I’ll take you to contract it.” There were still many fine divine beasts in the Jia Luo Forest. “There’s also an auction coming up in Liang City soon—if you wish, we can go have a look.”

The sect had some excellent spirit beasts, though most of the best were already claimed.

The rest, he felt, were hardly worthy of his little disciple.

Ji Jiuxuan was overjoyed—an auction! She was now something of a little tycoon herself and had heard auctions often featured many rare treasures.

“Uncle, let’s go to the auction!”

Meng Chengfang hesitated, turning to Min Chengjun. “Senior Brother Min, the auction is a mixed bag. This time, we must ensure all three of our disciples return safely. Would it be inappropriate to attend?”

These three had the best talent of their generation; if all three were lost outside, it would be a great tragedy. Moreover, the highest cultivation among them was Ji Jiuxuan at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

In Xuantian Sect, such cultivation was only suitable for training in the Ancient Falling Forest; only after reaching Foundation Establishment could disciples travel the world.

Ji Jiuxuan understood Meng Chengfang’s concerns. Though momentarily disappointed, she spoke to Min Chengjun, “Uncle, perhaps it’s better to return directly to the sect.”

Min Chengjun gently patted her head, his voice light and without displeasure. “It’s fine; the auction in Liang City is still some time away. We’ll return to the sect first and discuss it later.”

Soon, Qin Yuzhou appeared on the plaza, accompanied by a small wolf cub. Though small, its concentrated spiritual energy was impossible to ignore.

“Battle Sky Wolf!” Meng Chengfang rejoiced upon recognizing the beast at Qin Yuzhou’s side. “This boy did well!”

Qin Yuzhou approached, bowed to Min Chengjun and Meng Chengfang, his four-year-old face unable to conceal his happiness. Seeing Ji Jiuxuan already seated, he put the Battle Sky Wolf away in the spirit beast pouch and walked over.

“Sister Xuan, you’re out too!”

He had never addressed Ji Jiuxuan this way before, leaving her a bit stunned. But being called ‘little sister’ by a child, she felt compelled to correct him. “Call me ‘senior sister,’ not ‘little sister’!”

Qin Yuzhou looked puzzled. “We are the same age, but I’m a few months older than you. Isn’t ‘little sister’ appropriate?”

Min Chengjun and Meng Chengfang watched Ji Jiuxuan, curious how she would reply.

“That’s not how it’s counted. In the cultivation world, most don’t go by age. It’s either by order of entry or by cultivation level. We were both born in the sect but have different masters, so it should be based on cultivation.”

Ji Jiuxuan’s earnest reply drew nods of agreement from several Beast Taming Sect disciples who had been eavesdropping. Meng Chengfang, who relished seeing his exceptionally gifted junior put in his place, chimed in gleefully, “Yuzhou, she’s right.”

“Go on, call her ‘senior sister.’” Ji Jiuxuan couldn’t help but smile at Qin Yuzhou’s mildly frustrated expression.

“But we were both born in Xuantian Sect; shouldn’t we go by birth order?” He was reluctant to call her ‘senior sister.’

“How about another contest, then?”

Qin Yuzhou declined Ji Jiuxuan’s suggestion. Having watched her practice swordsmanship lately, he knew well the gap between them.

It didn’t affect his resolve; he had vowed long ago to surpass her. But a contest here would be unnecessary. “Let’s compete when we get back.”

Previously, he had been eager to step onto the dueling stage to face Xiahou Meng and the others, but now he refused. “Why wait?”

“We’ll be traveling soon.” In fact, after the last duel, his uncle had advised him: his aptitude was good, but he hadn’t matured yet and ought to remain modest while outside. Within the sect, he could act however he pleased, and his uncle would not interfere.

“All right, I’ll wait for your challenge back at the sect.” As they spoke, Feng Hanxiao emerged. The time was nearly up; she was teleported out alongside those disciples who had not obtained a spirit beast egg.

Among the dejected disciples, Ji Jiuxuan saw the one who had stood beside Sui Yanfang.

Ji Jiuxuan watched calmly, her eyes devoid of sympathy.

“Xuanxuan, you must have waited long!” Feng Hanxiao ran up, utterly delighted to see Ji Jiuxuan. Her spirit beast was not visible now, but they had seen on the spiritual screen that she had acquired an earth-type Star Ox.

Only then did Feng Hanxiao remember she had not yet greeted the two uncles and hurried to pay her respects.

“It’s been much trouble these days; we’ll take our leave now.” Other sects who had participated were already departing, and Min Chengjun, seeing the time was right, proposed they leave.

He produced a magical artifact, enveloping the five of them in a spiritual formation before vanishing from the plaza, leaving no trace.

Though Ji Jiuxuan’s scrawny little dragon seemed unimpressive, both the Star Ox and Battle Sky Wolf—spirit beasts born at seventh or eighth tier—were exceptional.

Wealth is tempting, especially with newly revealed spirit beasts; those who obtain them care little for killing their previous masters.