Chapter 53: The Spirit-Devouring Beast’s Past

Page 1 of 3

Before Xiao Tong’s eyes unfolded a scene so shocking that it seemed almost unreal: the Spirit Devouring Beast, a young divine beast not even as large as he was, was locked in a savage struggle with two colossal serpents, each dozens of meters long!

It was obvious that the Spirit Devouring Beast had no advantage. Hounded and hemmed in by the two giant serpents, it was already panting heavily, yet it showed no intention of surrendering.

“Unbelievable. For such a lowly Spirit Devouring Beast, you certainly possess no small amount of ability!” Xuan Ye could not help but marvel. This little creature was far more difficult to deal with than he had imagined. He had never expected a magical beast to be so formidable. Otherwise, with his and Ji Yan’s strength, it would have been impossible for them to fail to subdue even a single beast!

“Heh… you flatter me… I told you long ago: if you want to kill me, you are still not capable of it!” the Spirit Devouring Beast replied coldly.

“Is that so? Are you certain I lack the ability to kill you?”

The Spirit Devouring Beast let out a cold laugh. “Then try it if you have the courage. The victor becomes king, and the defeated become outcasts! Anyone in this world who dares attack me will never live to see tomorrow’s sunrise!”

“Heh, you little beast. What an arrogant boast!” Ji Yan could no longer bear listening to its conceited words. “You are injured this badly and still so proud. I truly would like to know who your contracted master is—the person capable of raising such an arrogant magical beast!”

“…Do I have any reason to tell you?”

The Spirit Devouring Beast was growing impatient with her questions. “Such secrets… I would never reveal them to the dead!”

Without another word, the Spirit Devouring Beast once more threw itself into battle with the two giant serpents. Though it was at a disadvantage and covered in wounds, not the slightest trace of fear could be seen in its eyes.

Because it understood perfectly—

This was an order.

An order issued by its contracted master. It had to obey.

…

It still remembered that day, after Ming Xi had driven the carriage away, when Shi Zhiyan had made a bargain with it.

“Spirit Devouring Beast, you should understand that if you continue this wanton slaughter, you will only be causing trouble for me—and making life difficult for yourself. You know very well… if you continue wreaking havoc in the town, I will have no choice but to deal with you.” A hint of warning edged Shi Zhiyan’s voice.

“Heh, deal with me? How amusing! Do you know what I hate most? …I hate people who casually threaten to deal with me!” The Spirit Devouring Beast clenched its sharp teeth, each word seeming to be forced through them. “You humans are truly foolish—foolish to the point of being laughable! Do you really believe yourselves to be the masters of this continent? Do you think magical beasts exist merely for you to kill and toy with as you please? I warn you, Gong Mo Ran, do not make grand claims while putting on an act! If you have the ability, then try dealing with me! With my strength, I may not be able to defeat you, but neither am I certain to lose!”

…

It was an exceedingly proud magical beast—prouder than any other magical beast, and even prouder than any human.

Shi Zhiyan naturally understood this.

Page 2 of 3

“…I told you before that our strengths are evenly matched. Only fools would refuse to use their brains and allow both sides to suffer heavy losses.” Shi Zhiyan spoke calmly. “Since there is something you wish to obtain, and there is something I wish to obtain as well, then… why don’t we make a deal that benefits us both?”

“A deal? What are you planning? Or should I say… what do you want from me?”

“…I want to form a contract with you!”

A contract?!

The Spirit Devouring Beast froze. Was this human insane? How dare he make such an outrageous proposal!

“What nonsense are you spouting? I despise humans above all else. How could I possibly become a human’s contracted beast?”

“…Could you let me finish speaking?” Before it could finish complaining, Shi Zhiyan cut it off sharply. “I know perfectly well what I am saying! This deal is completely fair. If you contract with me, I can advance you directly to the Heavenly Profound Realm within an hour. If you refuse, so be it. I will not force you.”

Shi Zhiyan’s indifferent attitude caused the Spirit Devouring Beast to reconsider him slightly.

But… what had he just said?

Heavenly… Heavenly Profound?!

The Spirit Devouring Beast stared at him in stunned disbelief. “Who are you trying to fool? You are not even in the Heavenly Profound Realm yourself. What makes you think you can—”

“This!” Before it could finish, Shi Zhiyan produced the Divine Oracle, wearing an expression of complete confidence.

The Divine Oracle Ming Xi had stolen from the forbidden grounds was indeed a cultivation manual. Ming Xi herself had been entirely unaware of its nature and could not understand a word of it.

But in Shi Zhiyan’s eyes, the book was a priceless treasure.

“What do you think of this deal?” Shi Zhiyan asked smugly.

He could tell that the Spirit Devouring Beast was tempted.

Yet it still hated humans. At the mention of forming a contract with one, hesitation remained in its heart.

“I will not force you. Have you decided whether you will contract with me or not?”

Page 3 of 3

“This… give me some time to consider it!”

“Fine. But I will give you only three seconds. Decide whether you will form the contract, and give me your answer when the three seconds are up!”

“You—!”

The Spirit Devouring Beast ground its teeth in anger. He truly was not an easy man to deal with. He seemed to have seen precisely how desperately it longed to reach the Heavenly Profound Realm and had seized upon that weakness. On the surface, he claimed to be leaving the choice to it, but in truth… this was nothing less than coercion!

“Have you made up your mind? I’m starting the countdown! Three…”

Damn it, what should it do? If it formed a contract with this man, there would certainly be no peaceful days ahead. He was clearly a ruthless character!

“Two…”

No. Its purpose in coming here had been to advance to the Heavenly Profound Realm. Now that he had the ability to help it, this contract…

But… if it acknowledged him as its master…

“One…”

“…I agree!”

In the end, the Spirit Devouring Beast gave in, thinking bitterly: Gong Mo Ran, I admit you are ruthless!

“You made this decision yourself. I did not force you. I will help you advance to the Heavenly Profound Realm, but afterward, you must do something for me.”

“What?”

“…Go help Ming Xi obtain the elemental core! That thieving girl truly has no sense of her own limitations. Does she really think she can steal the elemental core simply by deceiving and swindling everyone? She must be insane! With her strength, she actually dares provoke the Serpent King? She has no idea what that Serpent King is like… Never mind. There is no point telling you more. But listen carefully: no matter what happens, you must make certain that Ming Xi and Xiao Tong return alive. Understand?”

“You can rest easy. Such a trivial matter is nothing to me. If I cannot even guarantee the safety of two humans, then I would have no face to continue living in this world.”