The next day, Bai Yunfei did not venture out. He spent the entire day slowly recuperating from his internal injuries within his room. By nightfall, he strengthened all his remaining equipment. After a massive pile of weapons and accessories exploded, he finally depleted his soulforce and collapsed onto the bed.
The night passed swiftly. At dawn, Bai Yunfei slowly sat up, stretched lazily, and his body crackled like popping beans. He shook his arms, twisted his torso, took two deep breaths, then nodded with satisfaction.
"Using the enhancement technique as a shortcut is still faster! Effortless and quick… Pity it always costs me consciousness. Though it's no different from sleep, it takes at least seven or eight hours. I could force myself awake after three or four, but then I'd be dazed and burdened. 'Natural waking' is safest."
"It's about time. Today, I'll bid farewell and leave Cuiliu City early."
As he thought this, he retrieved an emerald-green fish-shaped pendant from his spatial ring and laid it on his palm for examination.
Equipment Tier: Superior.
Enhancement Level: +10.
Additional Attribute: Agility +35.
[+10 Bonus Effect]: Movement Speed +3%.
Enhancement Requirement: 22 Soul Points.
Confirming the pendant's attributes, Bai Yunfei gave a slight nod. "The Cuiliu Sect's movement techniques emphasize agility. Giving this to Yuhe… she should like it."
Stepping outside, crisp air washed over him, refreshing his spirits. It was still early; soon, Yuhe would arrive with breakfast.
He knocked on Hong Yin's adjacent door but got no response. He must've risen earlier and gone out.
Bai Yunfei decided to stroll toward the nearby Willow Leaf Cottage, hoping to encounter Chu Yuhe.
Exiting the courtyard gate, he turned left onto a dew-dampened stone path. Grass and blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, droplets sliding off them with faint tick-tock sounds. Everything felt serene yet vibrant.
After a short walk, a small lake appeared. Across it stood the Willow Leaf Cottage where Chu Yuhe resided.
"Huh?"
Bai Yunfei paused mid-step near the shore. At the lake's right bank, Hong Yin sat on a stone stool, softly stroking a gray wolf before him as if murmuring secrets.
It was the very soul beast seized days ago from Li Loong of the Beast Taming Sect!
Beside Hong Yin sat a young girl, Qiu Lüliu, quietly observing him and the wolf, curiosity bright in her eyes.
"Brother Hong Yin, Lüliu! What are you two doing here?"
Bai Yunfei waved and approached.
Hong Yin nodded faintly but kept his gaze fixed on the wolf. His right hand caressed its neck while he whispered inaudibly. Perched atop the wolf's head, the tiny white creature named Xiao Tang pawed playfully at its ear, chirping "zhi-zhi."
"This…"
Baffled by the duo's behavior, Bai Yunfei opened his mouth to speak—but Qiu Lüliu raised a finger to her lips, signaling silence.
He tiptoed to her side and whispered,
"What's happening?"
"Brother Hong Yin says he's trying to communicate with this lightning wolf,"
she murmured, eyes glued to Hong Yin.
"Communicate?"
Bai Yunfei stared at the calf-sized beast. It stood woodenly before Hong Yin, its crimson eyes devoid of life. Only the subtle rise and fall of its chest proved it still breathed.
"Yunfei? Why are you here?"
Yuhe's voice chimed behind him. Turning, he saw her balancing a large bowl of porridge and steamed buns, blinking at him.
Bai Yunfei signaled silence and beckoned her closer. After his hushed explanation, she shot Hong Yin a puzzled look and said,
"I was bringing you breakfast! Since you're here, eat first."
Noticing Hong Yin's intense focus and Qiu Lüliu's rapt attention, Bai Yunfei nodded. He settled at a nearby stone table and ate slowly. Yuhe joined Lüliu, whispering as they watched.
Just as he finished eating, Hong Yin withdrew his hand with a sigh and recalled the wolf into his spatial ring.
"Brother Hong Yin? Any progress?"
Qiu Lüliu asked urgently.
Disappointment shadowed Hong Yin's eyes.
"No. Its 'consciousness' remains unreachable. Beyond instinctive hunger or thirst, it's completely unresponsive. The Beast Taming Sect… treating soul beasts this way is unforgivable. One day, I will free their captive beasts and destroy that sect! What my adoptive father couldn't achieve—I will!"
Catching his own fervor, Hong Yin inhaled deeply, steadying his rage. He offered an apologetic smile.
"Forgive me. I got carried away. Did I startle you?"
It was Bai Yunfei's first glimpse of Hong Yin's fury. For a split second, a savage aura seemed to erupt from him—though it vanished so fast, Bai Yunfei wondered if he'd imagined it.
Qiu Lüliu glanced at his ring.
"Brother, that early third-tier lightning wolf… is it a puppet from the Beast Taming Sect? How did you get it? Are you affiliated with—?"
"I have no ties to them!"
Hong Yin's voice sharpened.
"A sect that treats soul beasts as tools deserves annihilation! I took this wolf from one of their disciples in the city days ago. Yunfei witnessed it."
Bai Yunfei tilted his head.
"It's called 'Lightning Wolf'? And what are 'tiers' for soul beasts?"
The question froze Hong Yin and Qiu Lüliu. Hong Yin studied Bai Yunfei incredulously.
"You… don't know soul beasts?"
"Never heard of them,"
Bai Yunfei admitted frankly.
Hong Yin stared at him for ten full seconds before sighing.
"Yunfei… To wander the world with such gaps in knowledge is…"
"No one taught me!"
Bai Yunfei spread his hands innocently.
"That's why I'm asking you, Brother!"
Hong Yin chuckled.
"Very well. Let me explain."
He leaned against a willow tree, his tone turning pedagogical.
"Soul beasts—literally, 'beasts that cultivate soulforce'—are the soul cultivators of the animal kingdom. Like soul masters, they wield immense power. In some ways, they possess greater advantages. Lifespan, for one."
"A soul master reaching the Soul Sprite realm lives at least 150 years. At the Soul Emperor realm? Over 300. But a soul beast merely at the fourth tier lives 200–300 years. Sixth tier or higher? Five centuries minimum. Strength extends longevity."
"Soul beasts rank across nine tiers, each split into early/middle/late stages—mirroring soul masters' ranks. That early third-tier Lightning Wolf I recalled? It matches an early-stage Soul Warrior."
He pointed at Xiao Tang on his shoulder.
"Xiao Tang here is a mid fifth-tier beast, equivalent to a mid-stage Soul Ancestor."
"What?!"
Bai Yunfei and both girls gasped, gaping at the fluffy creature.
Yuhe's eyes bulged.
"Soul Ancestor?! As strong as our sect master? Impossible…"
Hong Yin smiled faintly.
"Never underestimate him. Near water, Xiao Tang surpasses most mid-stage Soul Ancestor cultivators."
Turning to Bai Yunfei's thoughtful expression, he continued:
"Soul beasts cultivate unlike soul masters. No complex techniques or soul skills—they commune directly with elemental energies through their innate soulforce. Soul masters only manipulate cosmic energy after reaching Soul Sprite. But soul beasts? They're born with it. Even early first-tiers wield elemental power, growing stronger with each tier."
"Most inhabit the Endless Forest north of the empire—the 'Soul Beast Forest'. Cultivators seeking bonded companions journey there once strong enough."
"Every soul master may forge a soul contract with one beast. Nobody knows why; it's a cosmic law older than time itself. Both parties bear an indelible soul mark. Even if one dies, the other cannot form a new contract."
"Once bonded, they become lifelong partners. They communicate intuitively, fight seamlessly, even share soulforce! That's why cultivators seek beasts—a powerful companion multiplies one's strength."
"Soul masters and beasts should coexist symbiotically. But humans grew arrogant. They crowned themselves 'masters'. Few treat beasts as equals now. Then came the Beast Taming Sect—they shattered nature's law."
Hong Yin's knuckles whitened.
"Through vile arts, they strip beasts of will, turning them to puppets. Skipping soul contracts, they brand beasts with enslavement marks. One master controls multiple beasts. Tools. Tools! They… deserve death."
Rage vibrated in his whisper. Hatred for the Beast Taming Sect ran marrow-deep—a startling intensity from one so powerful.
Bai Yunfei frowned worriedly.
"Brother Hong—"
"ROOOAAAR—!!!"
A sky-shattering roar tore through his words.
Hong Yin snapped his gaze toward Cuiliu Sect's gates, eyes blazing.
"Fifth-tier soul beast! And this presence… It's the Beast Taming Sect!"