The Xi Ran tilted its head proudly, wrinkling its nose as it said, "If you want to form a contract with me, we can help each other. Who knows, we might even ascend to the heavens in broad daylight! If you don't want to, then forget it. Plenty of people would fight to contract with me."
An innate spiritual treasure was born with inherited memories, and the Xi Ran knew perfectly well how valuable it was. The moment it appeared in the world, countless people would fight over it.
It was in high demand.
No sooner had it finished speaking than the temperature in the cave dropped again. Bai Yang's face darkened as he glared at the Xi Ran, wishing he could march over and shut its mouth. This was his master. How could some little spirit dare to look down on her?
At the side, Song Wanníng's expression turned subtle. She had expected something like this, but facing it in person still sent a spark of irritation through her.
Most innate spiritual treasures were proud and selective when choosing a master. This Xi Ran clearly wanted to leave, yet it seemed to harbor a strong dislike for her.
She had no idea why, but it was definitely annoying.
Song Wanníng's lips curved into a cool smile as she glanced at the Breath Soil, giving Bai Yang a meaningful look. Bai Yang blinked in acknowledgement. Then he said aloud, "Alright, I can take you out."
"Oh?"
The Xi Ran's eyes lit up instantly. "Finally, a chance to leave."
Still, it kept its lofty air, giving a deliberate cough before saying, "Since that's the case, let's form the contract. But once we do, don't think you can force me to do anything I don't want to."
It began to float toward Bai Yang as it spoke.
He nodded, calmly waiting for it to come close.
When the Xi Ran finally drew near, about to dive into his dantian, a bottle appeared out of thin air and swallowed it whole.
The Xi Ran had not guarded against Bai Yang, and it was too late to escape. It fell straight into the bottle. Stunned for a heartbeat, it immediately tried to rush out, but a barrier flared to life inside, blocking its way.
"What are you doing? You dare trick me?"
It realized it had been deceived, and its anger flared. It had already agreed to form a contract with him. Why would he still trap it? What was he playing at?
Bai Yang's gaze was cold as he answered flatly, "My master is the person I respect most in this life. To insult her is to insult me."
He seized the chance to declare his loyalty, using every word to win back Song Wanníng's favor.
But to Song Wanníng, his words were almost nauseating. Back when he had accused her of being petty and cruel, he hadn't been speaking like this. Still, he wasn't yet fully useful to her. The act had to continue. She let her eyes widen slightly, feigning a mix of surprise and a touch of being moved.
Bai Yang's grip on the bottle tightened before he handed it to her.
"Master, for you."
The handsome lines of his face finally softened into a faintly sunny smile.
As long as she would take him back, anything was worth it.
"You—"
This time, it was the Xi Ran's turn to be stunned.
Its eyes widened in shock. It was an innate spiritual treasure, something others would kill over. And this man had just handed it over to that woman?
Had he lost his mind?
"Human, are you insane? Let me out right now! I'm telling you, even if you capture me, it's useless. If I refuse to recognize a master, no one can force me."
The disdain and disgust in its eyes were plain as it glared at Bai Yang through the mouth of the bottle.
So he was a fool after all.
"Hmph. I thought you were someone worth noting, but you're just a spineless weakling. Good thing I didn't contract with you, or it would've been an insult to me. Hurry up and release me!" It vented its frustration at him, hurling insults.
Bai Yang listened in silence, but a cold gleam flickered in his eyes. "Heh. Whether you acknowledge a master or not is not for you alone to decide."
If his master could lead him to the Breath Soil, then she likely knew how to bind it as well.
With that, he turned toward Song Wanníng.
Her gaze was deep, her smile faint. She didn't answer.
"Hmph. Don't get any ideas," the Xi Ran snorted. "For us innate spiritual treasures, recognizing a master must be of our own will. Don't tell me you don't even know that?"
It looked down on him more and more. Inwardly, it was thankful it hadn't formed a contract with such a fool.
Bai Yang's expression sank as he glanced at Song Wanníng in concern.
If she didn't know how to make the Xi Ran submit, then catching it would be pointless.
After all, the Xi Ran was the source of earth itself. It could grow all plants without needing specific soil or water, and it would thrive abundantly. If his master could take it back to plant medicinal herbs, it would greatly improve her pill refinement.
Song Wanníng caught his worried look, her smile deepening. Her gaze turned languid as she studied the proud little spirit inside the bottle, something unreadable flashing in her eyes. "It's true. If it doesn't agree, it can't be forced to recognize a master."
"Then what do we do?" mBai Yang frowned even more.
The Xi Ran swayed smugly. "Exactly. Now let me out. Since you've behaved, I won't let your trip here be a waste. I know of a medicinal field nearby with some rare herbs…"
It was worried she might keep it sealed away forever in anger, or it would never offer such a trade. But instead of excitement, neither of them showed the reaction it expected. Especially Song Wanníng. There was something unnerving about the smile on her face.
Before it could puzzle it out, she said, her voice melodic but dripping with malice, "Who said I wanted to contract with you?"
The Xi Ran's heart sank. "Not contract with me? Do you think I'll believe that?"
Its expression all but said, "Do you take me for a fool?"
Bai Yang was also taken aback. Wasn't the whole point of finding the Xi Ran to grow spiritual herbs?
"Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter."
Song Wanníng's lips curved faintly. She had no interest in explaining.
"It's just… this medicinal field you mentioned, I don't mind taking all of it. Really, thank you. If you hadn't told us, we wouldn't have known. Hehehe…"
A few herbs as if granting her a favor? Ridiculous.
Without another word, she sealed the bottle and tossed it into her storage ring.
The Xi Ran was dumbfounded.
What kind of woman didn't play by the rules?
Where was she planning to take it?
"Hey! Let me out! Without me leading you, you'll never find that field!"
It shouted until its voice was hoarse, but no one answered. The more it thought about it, the angrier it became. What terrible luck to meet these two—neither of them any good. But after a moment's thought, its eyes shifted, and it went quiet.
Fine. Let them take it out first. Once the chance came, it would run.
It would be free of this place and free of that woman's control.
The best of both worlds.