While the two spirit beasts were fighting, Yun Jin didn't interfere. They were still children, after all. It would feel wrong for an adult to step in while kids were squabbling.
Only after they had exhausted themselves did Yun Jin finally speak, her tone casual. "If you're done, come inside."
Gun Gun strutted proudly past Huan Huan and entered first.
Huan Huan followed, looking pitiful and subdued.
Once both were inside, Yun Jin said, "Gun Gun, you're my first contracted spirit beast. No matter how many others I contract in the future, you will always be the eldest. From now on, you need to take care of your younger siblings. Understood?"
Yun Jin was speaking as gently as she could.
She had brought a second beast home without warning. She needed to be mindful of her first one's feelings.
Thankfully, Gun Gun was easy to please. Hearing Yun Jin officially declare him as the eldest, his head lifted with pride.
Earlier, Huan Huan had been eager to leap into Yun Jin's arms the moment she saw her. Now, she stayed still, looking at Yun Jin with watery eyes but not daring to move.
Yun Jin beckoned with a smile. "Come."
Huan Huan finally leapt forward, snuggling into Yun Jin's embrace where she clearly felt the most comfortable.
Yun Jin gently stroked her head. "Huan Huan, combat isn't your strength. There's no need to dwell on a single loss. Besides, Gun Gun has been training with me for months. His skill levels are higher. Once you've had some training, you'll catch up soon enough."
Was the master comforting her?
Huan Huan's large eyes shimmered with emotion.
She eagerly extended her paw, urging Yun Jin to contract her right away.
Yun Jin glanced at Gun Gun. "Once I form the contract, I'll start training Huan Huan. Don't get left behind."
Gun Gun tensed.
Huan Huan's spiritual energy and beast rank were both higher. He had won earlier mainly because of his skill level advantage.
But once Huan Huan started training under Yun Jin, she would catch up fast.
To keep his status as the big boss, he had to work harder.
Gun Gun raised his paw confidently. "Master, I won't lose!"
As a battle-loving iron-eating beast, he had no fear of challenges.
Yun Jin smiled and began the contract ritual.
Once the contract was complete, she sent Huan Huan into the Beast Space within her spiritual sea.
Compared to a beast pouch, the Beast Space was much more comfortable. Staying there long-term even aided cultivation.
After advancing to the Foundation Establishment realm, Yun Jin had two beast slots. With Huan Huan now contracted, both were filled.
She would need to reach the Nascent Soul stage before contracting a third.
With the contract complete, Huan Huan's status panel appeared in the system:
[Phantom Fox Cat: High-grade spirit beast]
[Level: Late Foundation Establishment]
[Skills: Eavesdrop Lv.2, Illusion Lv.2, Claw Strike Lv.2]
[Passive Skill: Agility Lv.2]
Clearly, Liu Li had trained Huan Huan with a balanced development approach. All her skills were at Level 2. After reaching the Golden Core realm, Phantom Fox Cats could specialize in either fox or cat paths. Yun Jin would discuss this decision with Huan Huan when the time came.
Combat aside, her support skills, Eavesdrop and Illusion, were already extremely valuable to Yun Jin. She planned to use some [Simplified Attempts] to quickly level up both skills. Also, both spirit beasts needed to catch up in cultivation. She would have to find time to refine another batch of spiritual-enhancement pills.
As she was organizing her thoughts—
Yun Jin suddenly frowned.
From outside came a muffled groan, one that was clearly being suppressed. She sensed something was wrong with Gu Jinghong and stepped outside. He had collapsed to the ground. His eyes were bloodshot, and his hands clutched the soil so tightly that blood dripped from beneath his fingernails.
Yun Jin immediately understood.
Gu Jinghong's Blood Qi Art was flaring up. The only way to suppress it was with fresh blood, either human or beast. Before, he had relied on beast blood he purchased. But after becoming Yun Jin's servant, he had abstained from blood completely and endured every episode on sheer will alone.
Last time, after being provoked by Ye Danxia, he barely managed to suppress the outbreak. For months, he had avoided using spiritual energy, but the buildup had reached its limit. Now, even without activating any techniques, he could no longer hold it back.
"Master," he said through clenched teeth, his voice trembling with fear. "Please don't worry about me. I can suppress it. I promise."
Despite the pain etched across his face, he forced himself to speak evenly, even managing a weak smile. He knew this appearance of his must be unbearable to look at. He didn't want Yun Jin to see him like this. But the thirst for blood surged through his body like a rising tide. He tried to control it, but his body refused to obey.
Would his master abandon him now, just like before?
This time, the pain seemed to fade compared to the terror of being left behind.
He didn't want to be discarded again. He couldn't bear it.
Yun Jin looked at him, silently.
In her past life, Gu Jinghong had tormented her deeply.
This time, she had spared his life. Not just to get revenge, but also because he had once died fighting against demons. That was the only reason she hadn't killed him outright.
Now, the man who had once made her suffer so much was groveling like a dog at her feet.
But was she happy?
Not really.
She wasn't the type to find joy in cruelty. Causing others pain didn't make her feel any better.
She studied Gu Jinghong carefully, debating.
"Should I save him?"
If she had only kept him around for revenge, then after these past few months, she had already had her fill. She was starting to grow tired of the game.
If she wanted, she could kill him with the contract binding alone. Or let the Blood Qi Art devour him from the inside.
"Master, don't look at me," he murmured, struggling to sit up, trying to appear agreeable. "I know I look terrible."
Yun Jin watched in silence for a long moment.
Finally, she sighed.
Her voice was soft. "Gu Jinghong, I will become an immortal. Until then, you will remain my servant. When I ascend, I will release you. Then, we'll be even."
Even?
How could it ever be even?
Terror flashed across his eyes. "Master, you don't need to release me. This life belongs to you."
Yun Jin took it as flattery and paid it no mind.
Her tone stayed calm. "I can remove your Blood Qi Art. But that means you owe me a favor. Figure out how you'll repay it."
"Anything," Gu Jinghong said quickly. "My life is yours."
Yun Jin ignored him. She had her own sense of balance to maintain.
"System, simplify Blood Qi Art."
[Blood Qi Art simplification in progress.]