"Alright."
Yun Jin agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Her ready response made the five Super Divine Beasts glance at her with suspicion. But no matter what trick this human woman was hiding, once she stood before their King, even the greatest schemes would be crushed into nothing.
The five Super Divine Beasts kept a wary eye on Yun Jin as they surrounded her, escorting her toward the core of the forest.
Such a scene naturally drew the attention of many other spirit beasts along the way. Yun Jin, though bound tightly by spider silk, carried herself with calm dignity. She even greeted the onlookers with courtesy.
"Hello there."
"You've worked hard."
"Eat well and drink plenty."
Her casual greetings fell one after another.
The Red-Winged Tiger finally snapped. "Shut up!"
Yun Jin gave a look of mild protest. "Is being polite a crime now?"
All five beasts' faces darkened.
Polite? Was that what she called it?
She was supposed to be a captive under escort, yet somehow her words made it sound like she was a superior on inspection—and the five of them had become her attendants!
With five Super Divine Beasts watching her, no lesser beast dared approach, and the group proceeded unhindered.
After some distance, Yun Jin saw, in the very heart of the Spirit Beast Forest, a vast palace rising among the ancient trees. The palace gleamed with carved beams and painted rafters, magnificent and imposing, a stark contrast to the wild, primal forest around it.
This must be the "Divine Palace" the spirit beasts spoke of.
Curiosity flickered in Yun Jin's eyes.
Why would such a human-style structure stand here in the Spirit Beast Forest—and more importantly, why would it be revered as a divine place?
The word "divine" was not one to be used lightly in the cultivation world.
Could this palace truly be tied to gods?
"Once you stand before the King, you had better speak honestly!" the Taishan Giant Ape growled. "If you dare lie, even heaven itself won't save you."
Yun Jin's heart softened, and she said sincerely, "Thank you for your concern, Senior."
The Taishan Giant Ape froze. "???"
How was that concern!
At the palace steps, the five Super Divine Beasts shifted into human form. They were about to push Yun Jin inside when a surprised voice rang out.
"Hm? A human?"
A red-haired elder walked over. His status was clearly high, for the five bowed respectfully. "Yes. She claims she has a way to save Little Bao."
Yun Jin guessed at once that "Little Bao" must be the pet name of the injured Tongtian Hou cub. No doubt this youngling was adored beyond measure.
She quickly said, "Yes, I truly do have a method to save him."
"Is that so?"
The red-haired elder's eyes narrowed with suspicion. He stared at her for a moment, then stepped closer, sniffing lightly at her.
Something about Yun Jin's aura felt strangely familiar.
"Master, Master," Dan Dan's voice echoed in her mind. "He's a Lava Dragon!"
Yun Jin had already sensed it, and she gave the slightest nod.
"Human," the elder's eyes glinted. "You carry a familiar scent. Could it be… you've met my useless son?"
Long ago, a Lava Dragon had followed the Wandao Saint away from here. That was more than a thousand years ago.
For spirit beasts, especially dragons, to be subdued by humans was almost unheard of. At the time, the entire Lava Dragon clan had considered it the greatest disgrace. And since their kind often slumbered for centuries, they had heard no word of him since.
Now, this elder had caught a familiar trace from Yun Jin.
It was similar to his son, yet not entirely the same.
Yun Jin blinked. She guessed the aura he sensed came from Dan Dan. In her mind, she asked gently, "Dan Dan, this might be your grandfather. Do you want to meet him?"
"Grandfather?" Dan Dan's eyes flickered with confusion. After a pause, she whispered, "Master, let me out."
She was curious about her clan, after all.
Yun Jin nodded and smiled at the elder. "Senior Lava Dragon now serves as the guardian beast of my Wushuang Sect. Naturally, I have met him."
The red-haired elder's face instantly darkened. "Hmph! To abandon freedom, only to become a watchdog for humans! I have no such son!"
Yet after venting his rage, he couldn't resist asking, "You said you're of Wushuang Sect? How… how is that disgraceful brat faring now?"
Not waiting for an answer, he added quickly, "Not that I care! That traitor brought shame to the clan. I only ask out of contempt—he must be living miserably, yes?"
Yun Jin's lips curved slightly. "Whether he lives well or not, Senior should ask him personally. Though he has said before, when he finds the time, he will return to see you all."
The elder froze, then barked coldly, "Oh? So he wants to crawl back begging forgiveness? Too late!"
Yun Jin shook her head, then imitated the Lava Dragon's exact tone and manner, saying, "Those old fogeys chased me and cursed me for three days straight. Next time I've got a spare moment, I'll bring Dan Dan back for a stroll. I'll piss them off so badly they'll choke!"
Her mimicry was uncanny.
The elder's teeth ground audibly in fury.
Then he suddenly caught the name. "Dan Dan? Who is Dan Dan?"
Why would bringing her back drive them mad?
Yun Jin simply blinked and opened her Beastmaster space.
The next instant, Dan Dan appeared, looking innocent and wide-eyed.
The elder froze.
That red hair, identical to his own… his lips trembled uncontrollably.
This… this was…
"This is Senior Lava Dragon's child. Her name is Dan Dan," Yun Jin explained.
The elder's entire being shook with disbelief.
Their Lava Dragon clan… had a descendant?
That worthless brat had such fortune?
"Child… good child. I… I am your grandfather," the elder stammered, overwhelmed.
Dan Dan behaved sweetly. "Hello, Grandfather."
So obedient, so unlike that scoundrel son of his. The elder's eyes welled with tears. But then his gaze hardened as it turned toward Yun Jin. "You contracted her!"
This hateful human dared to bind their precious descendant!
One disgrace in the clan was enough. They could not allow another humiliation.
"Master, this old man is scary," Dan Dan whimpered, shrinking against Yun Jin. In an instant, her "grandfather" had become "old man."
The elder's mouth twitched violently.
He forced his voice soft. "Dan Dan, child, I am your grandfather. Tell me, did this human force you into the contract? Don't be afraid. No matter her cultivation or background, as long as I live, I'll set you free."
Dan Dan snuggled even closer to Yun Jin. "Master, he seems a bit… silly."
The elder: "…"
Yun Jin coughed lightly. "Senior, Dan Dan and I share an equal contract. It was mutual consent."