"Esteemed seniors, I think we can all agree—this disciple of mine is truly gifted," Lin Ya said with a cheerful chuckle. "So about this matter…"
Liu Li's eyes shifted slightly. "Xiao Jin already swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao not to join any of the current four Holy Lands. That vow may not be unbreakable in the future, but for now, it must be honored. Since she can't join the Beastmaster Sect, and we're all taking her in under our personal names anyway, I have no objections."
Qing Yun smiled as well. "In that case, I agree too. A promise made is a promise kept."
That said, Qing Yun had his own calculations in mind. Yun Jin couldn't join a Holy Land for now, which meant this arrangement still worked in his favor.
They said it was joint instruction, but even ten fingers had different lengths. He fully intended to guide Yun Jin in a way that let her appreciate the benefits of being an alchemist. Once her vow was no longer an obstacle, the choice would be obvious.
What could compare to the peace and comfort of alchemy? Sword cultivators ran headfirst into danger. Beastmasters wandered who-knows-where. But alchemists? Weighing herbs, refining pills, surrounded by warm cauldrons. What a life.
Yun Jin had spoken of forging her own path. Qing Yun believed her sincerity. After all, who hadn't made bold promises in their youth?
Unfortunately, reality always finds a way to strike back. No matter how talented someone is, they still have to bow their head eventually. When obstacles pile up, she'll choose the proven path.
Whatever their thoughts were, Liu Li and Qing Yun both voiced their agreement.
The two turned to look at Ji Wusi.
Qing Yun raised a brow. "Ji Wusi, if you find this arrangement unsuitable, you're free to withdraw. Liu Li and I are more than enough to guide Xiao Jin."
Ji Wusi shot him a glare. "What kind of dream are you having?"
Without hesitation, he declared, "Then I agree as well. Not as the head of the Kunlun Sword Sect, but as Ji Wusi, I accept you as my final disciple. However, if you won't join the sect, I can't pass on the sect's foundational sword manuals. That includes the supreme legacy, the Azure Lotus Sword Codex. You won't be able to access it for now."
Yun Jin smiled. "That's already more than enough."
"Xiao Jin, greet your three masters," Lin Ya said, sending her not-so-subtle looks.
Yun Jin understood and respectfully performed the formal disciple bow.
The three masters accepted it without reservation.
What they had taught Yun Jin might not be the core legacies of the Holy Lands, but they were each unique and powerful techniques. In terms of rarity and practicality, these methods even outclassed most sect-taught skills.
This disciple's bow, they had certainly earned.
"Junior Sister." Two voices overlapped.
Cang Li looked expressionlessly at Shen Yanye.
Shen Yanye narrowed his eyes and let out a snort.
"Xiao Jin," Cang Li said first, "I owe the Yun clan a great debt, and now that you're my junior sister, if you ever need anything, just say the word. Fire or blade, I'll walk through it for you."
Shen Yanye raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect a sword cultivator to be so dramatic."
Cang Li remained calm. "That wasn't drama. I meant every word. Unlike you, it seems, who must be very familiar with empty pleasantries."
Shen Yanye immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready to brawl.
Liu Li's gentle voice rang out, "Yanye, behave."
Though reluctant, Shen Yanye backed down obediently.
Liu Li stepped forward, her tone as soft as ever. "Xiao Jin, during these ten days of training, I've already come to see you as my disciple. So, I've prepared a little gift for you in advance."
"A gift?" Yun Jin's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Liu Li nodded, then tapped the Beastmaster pouch at her waist. A fluffy, jade-colored creature stirred awake.
It looked somewhat like a cat, but its ears hinted at a fox's lineage. Snow-white fur, sapphire eyes—it was so adorable it made people want to scoop it up on sight.
Yun Jin's eyes lit up.
Liu Li smiled with satisfaction. "This is a Foundation Stage Phantom Fox Cat. It's a high-grade spirit beast, and it can be nurtured in two different paths. If you guide it along its fox side, it'll develop illusion-based abilities. If you go the cat route, it will gain speed-based powers. Both paths share a skill called Eavesdrop, which can pick up sounds across a thousand li. It's incredibly practical."
"I personally tamed this one in the Spirit Beast Forest. But I've already reached my beast contract limit, so I couldn't officially bind it. You're now a Rank Two Beastmaster and eligible to contract a second spirit beast. I think this one suits you well."
Liu Li's voice was gentle.
She had assumed she'd win, so she had prepared this gift early. The outcome may have surprised her, but it didn't stop her from presenting the present.
Yun Jin curiously observed the Phantom Fox Cat.
The creature tilted its head, just as curious about her.
Somehow, they looked oddly alike.
Especially those sly fox eyes—they were nearly identical.
"Still, forming a contract requires the spirit beast's consent," Liu Li added. "This one is quite introverted. I had to work for a full month before it trusted me enough to come with me. So don't rush. You should—"
Before she could finish.
The Phantom Fox Cat let out a soft mewl and jumped straight into Yun Jin's arms.
Meow~ meow~
This human smells really nice. So comfortable.
It curled up in Yun Jin's embrace, took a deep breath, and shut its eyes in bliss.
Liu Li looked down at her now-empty arms, momentarily stunned.
What?
Sure, she had meant to give the cat to Yun Jin.
But she had spent a full month bonding with it just to get it to leave the forest. And now?
This arrogant little thing had thrown itself at Yun Jin within seconds?
Liu Li watched the content cat nestled in Yun Jin's arms and found herself speechless.
Yun Jin reached out to pet it.
Liu Li quickly warned, "Wait—"
The Phantom Fox Cat hated being touched by strangers.
But before she could finish, the cat purred happily and nudged its head into Yun Jin's hand, asking for more.
Yun Jin obliged, then turned to Liu Li, puzzled. "Master Liu Li, what were you going to say just now?"
Liu Li forced a smile. "...Nothing."
Internally, she was screaming.
What is going on?
Wasn't the Phantom Fox Cat known for never letting anyone touch its head—even its master?
Wasn't it supposed to be the proudest of high-grade spirit beasts?
This one just offered its head willingly. What a disgrace to its kind.
Liu Li sighed. "It looks like it's very willing to follow you. That saves a lot of trouble. Just find a time to form the contract."
"Yes." Yun Jin nodded.
She genuinely liked this Phantom Fox Cat.
Cute, clingy, and even better, her Beastmaster skill [Bloodline Purification] had reacted when she held it.
That meant its bloodline could be further refined.
It was already a high-grade spirit beast. Once its bloodline was purified?
This was perfect.
Her second spirit beast was secured.