Zhao Wuji listened with a slight frown.
He knew that Yun Jin had taken in that Iron-Eating Beast, but he had never paid the matter any mind. After all, though Iron-Eating Beasts were rare, they weren't exactly powerful spirit beasts. Their racial abilities were mediocre at best and ranked near the bottom even among mid-tier beasts.
Back then, Han Xiaoyu had fixated on contracting the Iron-Eating Beast simply because he found it cute.
At first, Han Xiaoyu had treated the Iron-Eating Beast with great patience. Every day, he would visit to play with it and bring all kinds of food. Over time, the beast began to follow him around of its own accord.
Ling Fei had always respected the will of spirit beasts. Since the Iron-Eating Beast was willing, he had established the contract between them, and Han Xiaoyu took it away.
At the beginning...
The Iron-Eating Beast's adorable appearance had indeed won Han Xiaoyu's affection.
But as time passed...
Cuteness alone could not hold his interest forever.
Han Xiaoyu began to envy the powerful spirit beasts of his peers and grew determined to train his Iron-Eating Beast into something useful.
But...
Its abilities were average, and its talent was even worse. No matter how he trained it, it just refused to improve.
Han Xiaoyu put in the effort. He even gave the beast multiple spirit pills. But nothing came of it. Add to that his own poor health—he could barely care for himself, let alone a spirit beast.
Eventually, he returned the Iron-Eating Beast to the Beastmaster Pavilion without hesitation.
Zhao Wuji had never thought Han Xiaoyu's decision was wrong. On the contrary, he believed it was the correct choice.
In the world of cultivation, strength ruled all. What good was a cute appearance if the beast was useless in battle? If it couldn't help its master, it was nothing more than trash.
Zhao Wuji hadn't supported the contract in the first place. Han Xiaoyu had insisted on it, so Zhao Wuji had allowed it. But now that Han Xiaoyu had chosen to give it up, Zhao Wuji was actually quite pleased.
Afterward, he had personally taken Han Xiaoyu into the Mistbeast Forest to subdue the Misty Butterfly. Though it was only a mid-tier spirit beast, its cultivation was impressive, and its skill set well-rounded. It was perfectly suited for Han Xiaoyu.
Zhao Wuji never imagined that such a minor matter as discarding a spirit beast would come back to haunt them. That Iron-Eating Beast had indeed been mediocre. So how could it suddenly turn extraordinary just because Yun Jin took it in?
"Master, I will definitely win this battle," Han Xiaoyu said, eyes burning with conviction. "Not only will I retrieve the spiritual herbs for you, but I'll also put Yun Jin in her place."
He had heard...
Ever since Yun Jin joined the Tianxing Sect, no one had ever managed to gain the upper hand against her.
Now, he, Han Xiaoyu, would be the first.
Even if Yun Jin didn't fight personally, defeating her spirit beast would be like slapping her in the face. Tianjian Peak's reputation was at an all-time high, and Yun Jin was being hailed like a goddess. This was the perfect chance to show everyone that she was not invincible.
Zhao Wuji still felt something was off, but seeing Han Xiaoyu so confident, he couldn't bring himself to discourage him. Instead, he spoke gently.
"Xiaoyu, do you remember that Lu Li Zhēnzūn from the Beastmaster Sect? She appeared during the sect gathering and tried to take Yun Jin as her disciple. I don't know if the two of them ever formalized it, but for someone of her stature to seek Yun Jin out... it's likely she has some talent in beast mastery."
"If it were any other beast, I might be concerned," Han Xiaoyu said with a mocking laugh. "But we're talking about that useless Iron-Eating Beast."
He had poured so much effort into that creature, even fed it multiple spirit pills. And in the end? Nothing. Not a single improvement.
Zhao Wuji couldn't understand it either. How could a mere Foundation Establishment Iron-Eating Beast possibly defeat a Golden Core cultivator and his Misty Butterfly?
"Master, Yun Jin may be a bit unconventional, but she can't just pull miracles out of thin air and turn garbage into genius. She's not even the one fighting this time. It's just a spirit beast. I have full confidence."
Han Xiaoyu spoke with repeated assurance.
At this point, there was no turning back. If word got out that Yun Jin sent only a spirit beast and Han Xiaoyu didn't dare respond, he would become the laughingstock of the entire sect.
Though Zhao Wuji remained uneasy, he nodded slowly.
"Very well. But Xiaoyu, remember—never underestimate your opponent."
"I understand," Han Xiaoyu replied earnestly.
Zhao Wuji gave him a long look, then suddenly changed the subject. "You asked me for the Sect Leader's token. Did you give it to Ye Danxia? Did she ask you for it herself?"
Han Xiaoyu tensed slightly.
"Master, this has nothing to do with Junior Sister. I gave it of my own accord..."
Zhao Wuji waved his hand, cutting him off. "I only want to know one thing. What are your feelings toward Ye Danxia? Do you... care for her?"
Zhao Wuji stared directly at Han Xiaoyu.
Han Xiaoyu's face flushed a light red. He stammered for a moment before finally saying, "Master, Junior Sister and I have already pledged ourselves to each other. Once her name is cleared, we intend to become Dao partners."
"You've made a lifelong vow?" Zhao Wuji was stunned. That was faster than he expected. He couldn't help asking, "Are you certain?"
Han Xiaoyu nodded with confidence. "Though we haven't spoken it aloud, we already have a mutual understanding. There is no mistake."
Zhao Wuji looked at him, frowning. "I once held Ye Danxia in high regard. But after all that has happened, I've been greatly disappointed in her. She may not be the right partner for you."
Han Xiaoyu grew anxious and hurried to defend her.
"Master, Junior Sister is just too naive. That's why she kept falling into Yun Jin's traps. Once we deal with Yun Jin, with Junior Sister's Heavenly Spirit Root, how could she not rise again? Yun Jin swore an oath before Heaven that she will never join any of the Four Holy Lands. Without the Holy Lands, she'll never reach the Great Dao. Junior Sister's potential will eventually surpass her."
There was a logic to his words. Zhao Wuji sighed softly.
"My father's situation remains unclear. For now, we must all exercise patience. As for your Junior Sister, don't worry. If my father recovers, there will be ways to save her."
He didn't voice any opposition to their future partnership.
After all, Ye Danxia's spiritual roots were indeed extraordinary. Dual cultivation with her would bring great benefits to Han Xiaoyu.
Seeing Zhao Wuji's silence as tacit approval, Han Xiaoyu beamed with joy.
"Go prepare for tomorrow's battle," Zhao Wuji said gently.
"Yes, Master. I'll take my leave," Han Xiaoyu replied with a bow, confidence swelling in his chest.
Tomorrow, before everyone's eyes, he would break the legend of Yun Jin's unbeaten streak.
She had only been in the sect for three months. How had she become so mythologized?
Tomorrow, he would shatter that myth and let everyone see that Yun Jin... was nothing special.