Chapter 30: A Deal with the Spirit-Devouring Beast

Just as Shi Zhiyan released the carrier pigeon and prepared to return inside, he suddenly sensed a surge of mystical energy in the air. His guard instantly spiked, and he spun around to face the rooftop.

"A Soul-Devouring Beast?" Shi Zhiyan’s gaze sharpened, locked onto the dark silhouette atop the roof. "What are you doing here? Or have you come to deliver yourself into my trap?"

"Ha, Guardian Shi, you jest. As for killing me, I fear you lack the capability!" The Soul-Devouring Beast sat casually on the eaves, unfazed, its tone dripping with arrogance. "I was merely curious; why would a Guardian like you care so much about those pieces of trash? It is truly laughable."

"What I care about is none of your business."

"Naturally, it is not my business. But I am curious—that night, you never intended to hunt me down. With your cultivation, if you had truly wanted me dead, I would not have escaped so easily! Thus, I suspect... is hunting me merely a pretext for your presence in this town? Or rather... what is it you are truly planning here?!"

The beast's questions grew increasingly aggressive, as if interrogating Shi Zhiyan.

"You meddlesome magical beast. I will say it again: does this have anything to do with you?"

"Of course it does. I suspect your hesitation to strike these past few days is because you are waiting for me to collect the final three souls and ascend into a Divine Beast! Am I right?"

The Soul-Devouring Beast knew well that with three more souls, it would evolve into a Nine-Tailed form, transcending from a mere magical beast into the higher plane of a Divine Beast. By all logic, if Shi Zhiyan intended to capture it, he should have struck before the ascension. Yet, he remained unhurried, as if... waiting for it to evolve.

This fellow was truly terrifying.

"...How did you guess?!" Shi Zhiyan could not hide his shock. The intellect of this creature far exceeded his expectations.

"Because Spellcasters are exceedingly rare in the Profound Spirit Continent. I know of only one: Gong Moran, the Spellcaster of the Southern Xi Kingdom who wields the divine brush 'Jie Feng' and shows no mercy to magical beasts! Did you think that by fleeing to the Eastern Ling Kingdom and changing your name to serve under Prince Lian, I would not know who you are?"

The beast’s sharp words made Shi Zhiyan’s expression tighten. This creature was no simple beast! It actually... it actually knew.

"How do you know these things?!"

"Why shouldn't I? Let me tell you, I despise you humans who deem yourselves the masters of this continent while viewing us as inferior! In my eyes, anyone with sufficient power can be a master! So, Gong Moran, whether I succeed in my ascension or not, you are no match for me!"

Shi Zhiyan offered a faint smile. "By that same token, you are no match for me."

"You!..." The Soul-Devouring Beast fell silent.

"Thus, direct conflict benefits neither of us. Why not... strike a bargain? A deal that serves us both."

"What kind of deal?" The beast narrowed its eyes, wary yet curious. "Gong Moran, though countless magical beasts have died by your hand, if you think to play games with me, I will absolutely—"

"You overthink. I will tell you the terms later, and you may decide whether to accept. But I must remind you of one thing..." Shi Zhiyan’s voice turned icy, his eyes flashing with a stern warning. "Do not call me Gong Moran. That past is buried, and I have no desire to hear it mentioned again."

Elsewhere, outside the town.

The town was still a long distance from the mountain range, and Ming Xi grew sleepy shortly after boarding the carriage. It was nearly dawn, and though she desperately wanted to adjust her inverted biological clock to a human schedule, she had yet to succeed.

"Listen, my adorable son, you and Bai Ling keep an eye on the surroundings. Mother is going to take a nap; don't wake me unless it's urgent." Ming Xi yawned as she spoke. Since the journey was long, she might as well catch some sleep.

"But Mother..."

"But what now?"

"Little Tong heard that if you fall asleep like this, your nose might get flattened if the carriage stops suddenly."

"Who told you that? Enough, my adorable son, Mother knows what she's doing. Just keep watch."

Ming Xi drifted off, unbothered by the jolting of the carriage. Little Tong sighed helplessly and lifted the curtain to admire the scenery. At nearly five years old, he had rarely traveled and was filled with curiosity about the world. Everything before his eyes was new to him.

"Grandpa Coachman, how much longer until we arrive?" Little Tong asked, peeking out.

"At least another hour or so."

Little Tong broke into a sweat. No wonder Mother went to sleep. Should he... sleep too? No, Mother told him to keep watch. He couldn't sleep! He had to stay alert.

Time passed until Little Tong saw the landscape shift to barren earth and scattered trees. Before he could ask, the carriage slammed to a sudden halt. The result was predictable: the violent inertia caught Ming Xi off guard, and she smashed into the wooden partition!

"Ow, ow, ow! That hurts! What is going on?!"

Ming Xi jolted awake, her nose nearly flattened like a Persian cat's.

"Mother, Little Tong told you that sleeping in the carriage would flatten your nose. You didn't listen!" Little Tong covered his mouth, unable to hold back his laughter at her disheveled state.

When did this adorable son get so bold as to mock her?

"Hey, have a little sympathy! My back just recovered, and now my nose bridge is almost broken! If something happens here, there's no one left to treat your mother's injuries." Her tone carried an unspoken sadness; without the formidable Shi Zhiyan by her side, she would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid.

"Wait, Coachman! Why the sudden stop?" Receiving no reply, she pulled back the curtain to look.

The sight before her was blinding. The coachman lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth! What was this? Ming Xi sweated profusely, wondering if the man had suffered a heart attack or a stroke before reaching their destination.

Just as she prepared to step out, she sensed something near her. She looked up, and her heart skipped a beat: a massive magical beast, standing ten meters tall and resembling a crimson fire dragon, was glaring viciously at the carriage!

Hell! Whose beast was this terrifying? Ming Xi gasped.

"Damn it, can someone tell me... what the hell is going on?!"