"While we travel to our destination, allow me to tell you about our Heavenly Beast Sect’s history—our foundation," said Hong Ling. "The Heavenly Beast Sect is one of the most ancient sects within the Sixth Heaven, dating all the way back to the Immortal Monarch’s Era. We were founded towards the end of the era, shortly after the Divine Heavens was split." "Our founder, who had formed a contract with three Divine Beasts, was titled Savage Beast King." "Three? That’s impressive," said Feng Yuxiang. "Yet it pales in comparison to your master, who has contracted a Phoenix with a Divine-grade bloodline." Feng Yuxiang lifted her head slightly in a prideful manner and said, "My master is unique. You shouldn’t compare him with anyone because it would only make the other party look bad." "What’s your relationship with your master like?" Lan Yingying suddenly asked. "I think it’s a pretty ordinary relationship. I met him six hundred years ago when he climbed the Crimson Mountain just to meet me. I admired his dedication, and he was quite talented, so I agreed to form a contract with him for a decade to prove himself—that he was worthy of becoming my partner. And as you can see, I am still here even after six hundred years." Explore hidden tales at empire "What do you typically do as his partner?" Lan Yingying then asked. "Whenever he’s busy managing the sect, I spend most of my time cultivating. When he has to leave the sect, I will follow him as his guard. When he gets into a fight, I become his weapon. Although he can fight, most beast tamers are typically weaker than their beasts." "Huh? Why are they usually weaker than their partners?" Lan Yingying asked, her eyebrows raised in a puzzled manner. "Wouldn’t it make more sense if the master was stronger than the follower? After all, who’d want a weak master?" "That may be how you humans—people who are not beast tamers—see it," Hong Ling began with a knowing smile, "but most beasts enter a contract with the intent of becoming stronger. If the master fails to provide their contracted beast with enough resources or opportunities to grow, the beast will leave them. Of course, this only applies to consensual contracts, where both parties willingly agree to the partnership." "As contracted beasts, we can also absorb some of our master’s cultivation," Hong Ling continued. "This is one of the main things most contracted beasts demand from their masters. It’s a mutually beneficial exchange—while the master gains a powerful ally, the beast can grow stronger by sharing in their master’s progress." "Huh? We can absorb our master’s cultivation? This is the first time I’ve heard about this." Lan Yingying’s eyes widened. "What? You didn’t know this entire time? I assumed you were just being humble," Feng Yuxiang looked at her with a surprised face. "Ah, if you’re wondering why I never asked the Young Master to share his cultivation with me, it’s because my cultivation is already much higher than his—and cultivation isn’t the reason I formed a contract with him." "I really didn’t know. Though, even with that knowledge, I have no intention of asking Yu—the Young Master for his cultivation." Lan Yingying almost subconsciously called Yuan by his name. "Wait… You’re a magical beast, as well? I couldn’t tell at all!" Hong Ling stared at Lan Yingying with a shocked face. Even in their human form, most beasts typically cannot completely mask their beastly scent or identity as a beast, especially from other beasts. Hong Ling immediately recognized Feng Yuxiang and Xi Meili as Divine Beasts the moment their distinct scent reached her. However, when it came to Lan Yingying, her scent and demeanor gave no such indication, making her appear essentially human in Hong Ling’s eyes. "Now that you mentioned it… I never realized this." Feng Yuxiang muttered after hearing Hong Linge’rs words. "It likely has something to do with my bloodline, but I am not certain," said Lan Yingying. "Are you also a Divine Beast?" Hong Ling looked at Lan Yingying in a new light. "Yes." "Amazing! To have contracted three Divine Beasts! It’s just like our founder!" "Actually, I am not in a contract with Xiao Yang," Xi Meili suddenly said with an awkward smile on her face. "I’m just traveling with them." "You might as well form a contract with the Young Master, Meili. I know you want to." Feng Yuxiang looked at her with a smug-looking smile on her face. Xi Meili showed a bittersweet smile and said, "I do, but I also don’t want to at the same time. If I form a contract, our relationship would be akin to master and servant. I don’t want that. I want to stand beside him as someone more significant." Feng Yuxiang raised an eyebrow and commented, "You mean like his dao companion?" Xi Meili’s face immediately flushed with redness. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂 "While it’s true that our contract defines us as master and servant, what truly matters is how you and your master perceive your relationship," Hong Ling explained with a warm smile. "For example, my master and I are like best friends. I don’t feel like a servant at all." Her words carried a sense of pride and affection, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding in such bonds, even when the terms of the contract suggested otherwise. "She’s right, you know? Also, the Young Master isn’t that kind of person. I’ve been with him for years now, and he’s never once treated me like a servant," Feng Yuxiang added. "I know he isn’t that kind of person, and I am aware that this is a mindset issue on my part. Once I can get over it, I’ll ask him for a contract," Xi Meili said with an eager smile. "If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of person is your master? What made you want to follow him?" Hong Ling asked a moment later. "I’m glad you asked!" Feng Yuxiang’s face lit up with excitement after hearing this question.