After being questioned the entire way, Chu Yi finally hurried back home.
The house wasn't large—three rooms and one living room, totaling barely over a hundred square meters.
But Chu Yi had an obsession with cleanliness, so it was always spotless and tidy.
Of course, the rent wasn't cheap.
The moment he opened the door, "AWOO!"
Bika jumped out excitedly. Her fluffy fox tail, like an air cushion, bounced her into the air the moment she landed. She brought over potato chips and a soft drink, sprawled on the sofa, turned on the TV, and started having fun.
Bika hummed happily.
Her actions were smooth and effortless. Bika had already become a proper homebody.
Chu Yi couldn't help but laugh.
No wonder Bika was so excited.
During the day, when selling potions, he would train Bika, have her practice skills, and use her cuteness to attract young girls to buy his wares.
Nighttime was for rest and play.
Thinking back, the day he was kicked out of the Starfire Sequence was a day of misfortune, with heavy, incessant rain. But it was also the lucky day he encountered Bika.
From their initial wary meeting as strangers to their current intimacy and trust, Chu Yi had put in considerable effort.
Bika cooed softly, tilting her head and blinking at Chu Yi.
"I have something to do. Remember to get along well with your new partner," Chu Yi said, taking Lulina out from his pocket.
Though only palm-sized, Lulina's appearance was stunning. Its lotus seat was exceptionally elegant, and as its thick petals unfurled, they revealed a dreamy pinkish-purple hue.
Placing Lulina on the sofa, Chu Yi ducked into the Alchemy Room.
"Huh?" Bika tilted her head, moved closer to Lulina, and examined it curiously.
Lulina remained silent.
"Hmm?" Bika scratched her head. She took a sip of the soft drink—it was sweet and tasty. Such a good thing should be shared with a partner, she thought.
So, she picked up the bottle of soft drink, which was taller than herself, and poured it all over Lulina.
Lulina was horrified.
GURGLE, GURGLE... The sugary soft drink quickly filled Lulina's delicate corolla until it overflowed.
Lulina's corolla trembled; the entire flower felt unwell. The soda spread, droplets rolling off its thick petals. They trembled slightly, yet the liquid gave them a strangely beautiful, glistening sheen.
Lulina felt faint.
Too much richness... I'm going to... I'm going to die...
Bika looked at her unconscious new friend. It must like soft drinks too! Bika thought, quite pleased with herself.
Imitating Chu Yi, Bika silently gave herself a mental thumbs-up.
Little Bika switched to a favorite channel and, together with the unconscious Lulina, watched cartoons.
...
"Why isn't my most loyal servant answering his Star Bracelet?"
The moment the connection was established, a reproachful voice came through.
Chu Yi, while tidying up herbs, hurriedly explained, "Young Miss, the entire city is on Level One Combat Readiness. It was inconvenient to answer."
"Is that so."
Lias emerged from the bathtub. Steam swirled around a delicate body as flawless as mutton fat jade, barely concealed by a silk scarf.
She stepped onto a warm bear-fur rug with her slender, straight, bare legs and small, jade-like feet. From a tray held by a group of attendant maids, she picked up a nightgown and slipped it on.
The light, soft fabric did little to conceal the delightful sensation of her tender, smooth skin beneath.
"Was the contract successful?"
Dismissing the maids, Lias walked into her bedroom. The Bloodthirsty Rose lay lazily in a corner, absorbing moonlight by the window.
"...I suppose it was successful," Chu Yi said ambiguously, focusing on concocting Energy Potions.
My Black Iron seventh rank cultivation isn't something I can hide, Chu Yi thought. I might as well admit it. Maybe I can even return to the Starfire Sequence.
"Such a lucky good-for-nothing," Lias didn't miss the chance for a sarcastic jab.
She opened a holographic projection, and an image slowly unfolded.
In the Alchemy Room, the handsome young man on the projection smiled wryly and said, "It's all thanks to your blessings, Young Miss. By the way, do you know about tomorrow's military exercise?"
Lias moved gracefully, perching her shapely bottom on the edge of the bed. She hugged a stuffed dinosaur, her delicate, jade-like feet stretching out.
Her pair of dazzling blue eyes blinked as she stared at the young man in the projection. Her pink lips curved slightly as she teased, "That depends on your sincerity. For example... you could kneel and beg me, or perhaps swear to be my dog for life."
Chu Yi's mouth twitched, a cold anger making his fists clench slightly. He was long accustomed to Lias's venomous tongue and calmly replied, "Farewell."
BEEP. BEEP. The connection broke.
Lias frowned, staring at the image of the young man on the screen. Did I push him too hard?
But less than a minute later, Chu Yi called back.
"So, what have you decided?" Lias smiled, her pale, python-smooth legs entwining, eagerly awaiting his answer.
"Oh, I forgot to mention," Chu Yi said, leaning on the balcony railing.
Gazing at the bright full moon over the bustling, drum-filled city that was lit up like day, he said, "The moon is truly beautiful tonight... Good night, Lias."
With those words, he hung up.
Lias was taken aback, her eyes slightly dazed.
What on earth does that mean? she wondered, swirling a glass of Bloody Mary.
The young girl tilted her head, her mesmerizing blue eyes glowing with a hint of scarlet, eventually turning a deep crimson.
The atmosphere around her also began to grow eerie. A chilling aura permeated every corner of the room.
She took a delicate sip of her drink. The blonde girl couldn't help but touch her flushed cheek, a hint of morbid pleasure in her expression.
"My dear brother is so cute, wouldn't you agree... Lias..."
...
So, I've 'contracted' a Pet Beast and possess the cultivation of a Beast Tamer, Chu Yi mused, back in the Alchemy Room. However, the drawback is that without a Beast Taming Space, returning to the Starfire Sequence is unlikely. I'll most probably be assigned to an ordinary class.
I wonder if I can bind a second Deceit Beast now, he thought. Only by binding a second Deceit Beast will the Evolutionary Codex activate the Heaven-Eroding Feast, allowing me to create feast items and enhance my Pet Beast's strength.
Chu Yi concentrated deeply.
In his mind's eye, countless shadows drooped like branches or wriggled like eerie serpents and insects.
A scarlet eye opened, glanced at Chu Yi, and the Evolutionary Codex turned to its first page.
The second page quickly revealed itself to be blank.
Binding is possible!
Chu Yi's face lit up with joy.
What about the third page? Chu Yi immediately tried to turn to it, but it wouldn't budge.
Then, he focused his attention on the second page.
My first Deceit Beast is a hand, specialized in attack.
As for the second Deceit Beast... Chu Yi hesitated for a moment. He considered his mouth, nose, ears, and eyes, then decided to bind his eyes.
A pair of keen eyes would significantly enhance me, not only broadening my vision but also granting special abilities. Sharingan, Reincarnation Eye, White Eyes, Heavy Pupils, Medusa's Gaze... As long as I choose a relatively normal evolution route, I can activate and deactivate them at will, making it difficult for others to notice.
DING! Binding successful!
Player has bound the second Deceit Beast. Reward: Heaven-Eroding Feast activated.
Chu Yi's mouth curved into a smirk; he was elated.
[Deceit Beast]: Eyes That Have Lost Dreams
[Grade]: None
[Level]: None
[Attribute]: Mental Type
[Weakness]: None
[Skill]: Focus
[Special Ability]: None
[Status]: Happy
[Evolution Points]: 1