Chu Yi extended his clean right hand. With a warm palm, he gently patted the Little Fox's head and smiled. "Bika may be weak now, but I believe it will become stronger in the future."
The Evolution Guidebook had many features, one of which was called the [Heaven-Eroding Feast]. This feature allowed one to extract materials, create feast items, and transfer their abilities to those who consumed them. In the game, it was unlocked by contracting a second Deceit Beast.
"YIP..." Bika obediently lowered its head, practically bursting with joy. It nuzzled his palm and gave it a little lick with its tongue.
"Alright, alright, I'm still injured. Go bring Lulina," Chu Yi said.
Bika darted off immediately, like a Little Spark. Soon, it returned, carrying a succulent it had found hidden in a corner.
Lulina was a gentle Pet Beast, beautiful and resembling a blooming lotus flower. Its thick petals gradually unfurled, and as the flower's center quivered, it sprayed a mist of pollen, weaving a pink cloud that enveloped Chu Yi.
A wave of warm power was greedily absorbed by Chu Yi. The wound on his left hand rapidly healed, and warmth circulated throughout his body, making him feel unprecedentedly good.
Healing Technique! The healing abilities of Wood-type Pet Beasts ranked first among all types. With the addition of Water and Light attributes, the Healing Technique was significantly enhanced. A single use was equivalent to drinking a red potion; one would be fully healed in no time.
A moment later, Chu Yi clenched his fists. He felt spirited and much stronger than he had been that afternoon.
The most crucial thing was that he had found a path for contracting Pet Beasts: contract with himself, follow the way of a Beast Tamer, and then use the Evolution Guidebook to enhance the abilities of Bika, Lulina, and other Pet Beasts. This way, he could cultivate both internally and externally, forming a virtuous cycle.
The flesh is a bitter trial, but ascension comes through the path of Deceit! I'm covered head to toe in Deceit Beasts! Who would've guessed?
At that moment, a bright beam of light suddenly shone on Chu Yi's 'bloodstained' face.
"Don't move! Hands up!" a cold, crisp voice commanded.
Chu Yi shielded his eyes, shifting his back foot. Following his line of sight, he saw a purple lightning bolt tear through the night and transform into a fierce bird with a twenty-meter wingspan. Instead of feathers, it was covered in bright purple Dragon Scales, resembling a mythological creature.
A Dragon Eagle, a High-rank War General-grade Pet Beast. It evolved from a Mid-rank Servant-class Cloud Eagle, with each evolution requiring the selection of a mutation: Cloud Eagle -> Purple Lightning Eagle -> Dragon Eagle.
What attracted Chu Yi wasn't just the Dragon Eagle, but the City Defense Army officer riding on its back. In her hand, she held an intricately designed Fire Commander with a caliber of at least twenty centimeters, emitting a cold, eerie glow.
Spiritual Giant Cannon! Chu Yi's heart trembled. It was a weapon forged by the Federation using Spiritual Energy attributes, boasting great range, immense power, and auto-aiming capabilities—an excellent sniping tool. One shot from that thing, and I'd be blown to bits, not even bones left.
Instantly, any thought of escape vanished. Chu Yi raised his hands in surrender. Bika, terrified, also stood upright, raising its little paws and looking completely harmless. It looked utterly pitiful.
Seeing that Chu Yi and Bika posed no threat, a tall woman landed gracefully. Her meticulously designed black special operations suit couldn't conceal her stunning figure; instead, it exuded a wild allure, a visual impact that was practically leaping out. She was clearly a valiant Female Knight, yet she possessed a dangerously charming, man-eater's face.
Chu Yi merely glanced at her. He could immediately tell she was dangerously attractive and well-endowed, a femme fatale on par with Lias.
Jiang Qiuyun quickly noticed the bodies on the ground. There were also traces of a fight at the scene, so she glanced at Chu Yi. "You killed them?"
Chu Yi clutched Bika. Facing the Scumbag Female Knight's judgmental gaze, he said weakly, "Reporting to you, Officer of the City Defense Army, I was just passing by and happened to stumble upon the Blood Moon catastrophe. I had no choice but to hide here."
"And this Beast Tamer..." Chu Yi pointed to the gentleman's corpse, whose eyes were blank and staring, as if he couldn't rest in peace. He then gestured to the corpse's chest. "He was clearly attacked by a Demon. How unfortunate."
Bika also tilted its head, spreading its little paws in a helpless gesture and letting out a soft sigh.
Seeing this, Jiang Qiuyun didn't believe Chu Yi's story. She accessed her permissions via her Star Bracelet and discovered he was a third-year student at Star Dragon Academy.
Soon, she found herself slightly surprised. Superior Spiritual Talent, yet unable to contract Pet Beasts?
After a careful review, Jiang Qiuyun's expression flickered. Looking at Chu Yi, her tone softened. "Alright, I believe you're innocent. The wilderness is too unsafe; return to the city as soon as possible."
Chu Yi beamed. Bika looked delighted. "Goodbye, Miss Knight!" Chu Yi smiled, waving.
CLACK! Suddenly, a pair of handcuffs snapped onto his waving arm. Chu Yi stared in disbelief. Huh?!
The Scumbag Female Knight sighed softly. "You forgot to clean up the bloodstains, little brother."
Chu Yi froze. Damn it, I forgot! It was my first time killing someone; I was bound to be a little nervous.
"And... what kind of decent person comes out here in the middle of the night, anyway?" the Scumbag Female Knight asked, her expression deadpan.
Chu Yi looked utterly dejected. Bika seemed on the verge of tears.
...
「After Chu Yi was cuffed and taken away.」
The corpse on the ground, its chest cavity gaping where its heart and lungs had been torn out, twitched a finger.
A twisted figure gradually emerged from the mist. Under the moonlight, its exposed bones and flesh, along with faintly visible writhing appendages, were illuminated.
"The Divine Master was last seen here..."
"We arrived a step too late..." the bizarre figure murmured.
From the tattered gray robe, a skeletal hand emerged. It brought forth a grotesque mass of countless eyeballs, interwoven with bloody tendrils, and pressed it onto the gentleman's head.
"Awaken. Tell me what happened here..."
...
「City Defense Army Substation.」
"Name."
"Chu Yi."
"Age."
"...Just turned eighteen."
"Gender."
"Female."
The man handling the registration paused, carefully examining Chu Yi. Beside him, the Scumbag Female Knight lifted her head, glanced at the handsome young man, and asked curiously, "Aren't you a boy?"
"How dare you assume my gender?" Chu Yi, holding Little Bika, calmly uttered an explosive statement. "Before asking me to confirm, how could you be sure I'm a human male and not a shopping bag?"
The Scumbag Female Knight was stunned. She glanced at the man handling registration, who immediately understood and wrote 'Shopping Bag' in the gender field on the form. Chu Yi was speechless.
"Well then, Mr. Shopping Bag," the man said, pausing his pen, "why did you kill a Beast Tamer? Was there some conflict between you two?"
"I already said, I didn't kill him; it was an accident," Chu Yi grumbled. "I can't even contract a Pet Beast, so how could I possibly have the ability to kill him?"
"Oh." The registration man nodded. "Indeed, the body shows multiple signs of a Demon attack."
The Scumbag Female Knight asked, "Then what were you doing in a cemetery in the outskirts late at night?"
"Contracting," Chu Yi replied matter-of-factly. "I've failed countless times. I thought it was because the place wasn't right, or the feng shui was bad. This time, I finally succeeded.
"Although, it wasn't exactly a complete success either."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Qiuyun was momentarily stunned. Her gaze flickered as she stared at Chu Yi. The Scumbag Female Knight's previously languid expression suddenly turned serious.
Tonight was the Blood Moon... the Ancient One descended... a successful contract... It's hard not to connect these things.