"You—you must be mad!"
Gu Qingli could scarcely believe her ears. Had an enormous blessing suddenly fallen from the heavens, striking her by chance?
The Crimsonflame Phoenix sighed in utter helplessness.
"Do you think I desire this fate? If I did not act thus, my soul would surely be obliterated! How else could I exact my revenge?"
Magical beasts, as a rule, never forget a grudge.
"Enough. Now release a thread of your soul force and brand me with your mark. Henceforth, you shall be my master."
The phoenix spoke with effortless ease, but Gu Qingli's heart thundered in trepidation.
"You... you won't renege on this, will you?"
"Reneging? As the sovereign of magical beasts, I disdain falsehoods! Though your strength is yet lacking, little girl, your talent is prodigious. With my aid and protection, if you fail to ascend to the Revered Stage, then truly, you would be worthless!"
The phoenix's fiery temper blazed forth, despite its weakened state—its words bursting like firecrackers.
"Ahem, very well."
Gu Qingli said no more, and followed the phoenix's instructions to form the contract. After all, this arrangement bore no harm to her.
"I am fatigued now. Once bound, I shall enter a deep slumber. When I awaken, I shall find ways to bolster your power."
Gu Qingli nodded without hesitation. With the phoenix's consent, the contract was swiftly sealed.
Instantly, her soul perceived the faintest flicker within the tiny flame—an intimate communion blossomed between them, ineffably wondrous.
The Crimsonflame Phoenix fell silent.
But joy surged within Gu Qingli's heart—she had never imagined she could become a Spirit Enchanter.
Such is fortune's perilous grace; when opportunity arrives, resistance is futile.
Though lacking a contract ring, her magical beast now resided within her dantian, forging an even closer bond with its master.
After the elation, she noticed the deepening dusk and her expression abruptly darkened. Without delay, she hastened back.
The Beast Prison Forest was perilous after nightfall; thankfully, the earlier clash between those titans had driven the local beasts into hiding.
"Miss Qingli!"
A voice called out to her.
One after another, voices echoed—Gu Qingli could only respond helplessly. She had not expected such esteem from the Gu family after revealing her true strength.
"I'm here!"
Swift footsteps stirred the air. Two figures appeared nearby: Elder Mu and Gu Yifeng.
Both heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing Gu Qingli safe and unharmed.
"Miss Liu, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Father—where is he?"
Gu Qingli's worry centered on Gu Zhan; he must be frantic without her.
Elder Mu replied anxiously, "Your father fainted from the stress of losing you. He's now resting at home to recover."
Relief washed over Gu Qingli. As long as he recuperated, it was best—she feared he might neglect his health searching for her. She also noted the unspoken debt she owed the clan leader and Elder Mu.
Had they not organized the search, Gu Zhan might have come personally.
Seeing her silent, Gu Yifeng and Elder Mu exchanged a glance but asked no more. It was enough that she had returned safely.
Upon arriving home, Gu Qingli found Ouyang Qian with eyes red from weeping, and Gu Zhan overwhelmed by guilt. Their reunion brought tears of joy to her parents' eyes.
Overcome with remorse, Gu Qingli concocted an excuse and presented her father with the magic core from the fourth-tier beast.
After washing and resting briefly, she emerged once more to find a jade-green medicine cauldron resting on the table. Ouyang Qian smiled faintly.
"Xiao Li, this was sent by the clan leader. He said you might find it useful."