My best friend asked me if I was still doing system tasks.

The three of them traveled at a leisurely pace, taking nearly ten days to reach the area marked on the map where the spirit beasts lived.

It rained for three days in the secret realm, and for two more days the entire realm was shrouded in thick fog, obscuring the cultivators' vision and thus delaying their journey.

Along the way, the group also found quite a few rare medicinal herbs. Although they weren't particularly precious, they were better than nothing. They also met some familiar fellow disciples, but to avoid suspicion and prevent others from mistaking them for those trying to steal resources, they didn't travel together.

The closer you get to the habitat of the spirit beasts, the stronger the aura of life becomes. The tall trees here gradually become sparse, and herds of white-lipped cloud-hoofed deer hide from humans.

Ahead lay a wide-open meadow, with ponds scattered in the distance. Birdsong echoed from behind the reeds, and the three of them took a deep breath of the rich spiritual energy beneath their feet, as they walked on soft peat moss.

"Wow~" Luo Hanying exclaimed as she looked at the monkeys jumping and dodging in the treetops not far away and the birds flying away in fright in the sky. "No wonder this is a place where spirit beasts gather. There are more and more small animals coming closer to here."

Since arriving here, Ruan Chayan and Dou Xueran have never stopped smiling; the love that beast tamers have for spirit beasts goes without saying.

As soon as Ruan Chayan approached this place, she began to silently recite the incantation. Many spirit beasts secretly approached and followed behind them, curiously observing Ruan Chayan.

Dou Xueran affectionately stroked the back of the wind-winged falcon: "Feather, fly up and see if there are any friends you want to make around here."

It chirped twice, flapped its wings, and took flight, circling and chirping in the sky.

Ruan Chayan squatted down and patted Huajiao's little bottom, mimicking his actions: "Don't just follow me around all the time, go and see if there are any friends you like."

Sichuan peppercorns pointed ahead at the unknown situation while chirping.

Ruan Chayan said helplessly, "How could there be any danger? If there is danger, you can run away and call for me to come and save you while you run away."

Huajiao continued chattering with his hands on his hips. Ruan Chayan listened patiently and then explained somewhat embarrassedly, "No way. If there were ferocious monsters like the Golden Water Lion here, why would they all live here?"

Although my injuries haven't fully healed, they're not so bad that I can't fight.

Although Luo Hanying couldn't understand what Huajiao was saying, she could understand it through Ruan Chayan's earnest persuasion. She put her hands on her hips and said, "Just go when we tell you to. Why are you being so long-winded? Can't the three of us adults protect a little pig like you?"

Cha Cha is letting you find your own friends because she hopes you'll find partners you want to fight alongside. What if Cha Cha goes and picks someone you two don't get along with?

Huajiao was so enraged by Luo Hanying's comment about a little pig that it launched an attack with its cries. Luo Hanying covered her ears in pain, and Ruan Chayan tried to calm her down for a long time before finally forcibly locking Huajiao in the spirit beast pouch, which finally calmed it down.

Countless birds of various colors in the forest were disturbed by the sound of peppercorns and hurriedly cried out and fled, leaving behind leaves and feathers. The spirit beasts that had been following Ruan Chayan also scattered in all directions.

Dou Xueran and Yu Mao were innocently caught in the crossfire. The two, one human and one bird, rubbed their ears and looked at the two embarrassed people with complicated feelings.

Dou Xueran said cautiously, "Junior Sister Luo, I know you didn't mean it, but such words will hurt the spirit beasts' feelings. They are no different from us; they hate being scolded and ignored, and they like praise and pampering."

Luo Hanying touched her hair bun to hide her embarrassment. She knew in her heart that she shouldn't keep saying that Huajiao was fat, even if it was the truth.

Sichuan peppercorns have brains comparable to human children, so it's understandable that they get angry if you say that.

Dou Xueran continued to say to Ruan Chayan, "But then again, Junior Sister Ruan, you've been too indulgent with your spirit beast."

We're not in a safe and secure sect right now. If it throws this tantrum, it might attract some hot-tempered spirit beasts or demon beasts.

You should teach it when to do what; strict discipline is for the good of both master and servant.

Dou Xueran's gentleness was tempered with an undeniable resilience. Ruan Chayan bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister. I will remember it."

She knew she was a bit too fond of Huajiao, but the little thing had been with her for over a year. Back then, it was the only thing she talked to on Siguo Cliff. It never blamed her for taking away its freedom. How could she not love it?

She will communicate with the peppercorn properly in the future and teach it these things.

"What is that?" Ruan Chayan subconsciously twirled the talisman and looked at the bushes.

She seemed to sense someone watching her, but there was nowhere in the world where a living person could hide. Could it be a spirit beast? Unlike the previous spirit beasts, it wasn't a creepy feeling that suggested something unpredictable.

Luo Hanying asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Both she and Dou Xueran were somewhat confused.

Without saying a word, Ruan Chayan summoned her spirit sword and slashed at the bushes. An animal that looked like a small lion jumped out to avoid it.

It had golden and red fur, and its eyes and posture showed no signs of aggression, but it faintly smelled of blood.

The three then noticed that half of the red stains on its body were from its own blood.

"What kind of animal is this? Have you seen it in the mythical beast encyclopedia?"

Although the little thing was quite cute, Luo Hanying didn't dare to get close for a moment.

Dou Xueran shook her head and said softly, "I consider myself to know a lot about spirit beasts and demon beasts, but I have never seen a creature like this before."

Protected by her own cultivation technique, Ruan Chayan boldly and slowly stepped forward, extending goodwill: "Hello, can you understand what we are saying?"

We meant no harm. You're injured; would you like us to treat you?

The little animal paused for a few seconds, looking at Ruan Chayan's face. Suddenly, it rolled over and cried out softly, "Aww, aww," looking extremely pitiful.

Ruan Chayan cautiously approached, so that she could react and retaliate in time should it try to attack her.

However, the little guy seemed certain that Ruan Chayan meant no harm and obediently let Ruan Chayan hold him in her arms.

Ruan Chayan said, "There's water ahead, let's wash it and see where it's injured."

Dou Xueran hurried along: "I'm going to scout ahead and see if the water is clean."

Luo Hanying rummaged through her Qiankun bag: "I don't think I have any external wound medicine. I only have pills here."

"It's alright. I was worried that Huajiao would get hurt, so I bought a lot of medicine specifically for spirit beasts, as well as clean cotton cloth, which is perfect for bandaging."

Ruan Chayan and Dou Xueran gave the little creature, whose breed they didn't know, a bath together. Dou Xueran said with heartache, "What happened to it, Junior Sister Ruan? Look, its body is covered in wounds, dense lacerations."

Ruan Chayan had never seen such a serious injury before. She frowned and said, "Oh dear, it has so many wounds. I don't even know where to begin."

Luo Hanying asked curiously from the side, "Senior Sister Dou, you disciples of Yuling Peak wouldn't beat a spirit beast half to death just to form a contract with it, would you?"