One hundred percent?
The moment Yun Jin's words fell, the entire plaza broke into uproar.
This human had such outrageous confidence. Did she really think she could dissolve a contract forged under Heavenly Dao's witness, just by claiming she could?
Who did she think she was?
Even Sang Qing showed a trace of despair. If Yun Jin had claimed ten or twenty certainty, perhaps she might have believed a sliver.
But one hundred?
That was nothing but empty boasting.
Di Xiao narrowed his eyes at Yun Jin. "Do you understand what it means, if you speak such words and fail to deliver?"
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "If Senior knows of some of my past deeds, then you should understand. Modesty has never been my way. If I say I have one hundred percent certainty, then I truly have one hundred percent. Why lower it needlessly? If I fail, then I am right here. I will accept whatever punishment Senior deems fit."
Her expression brimmed with unshakable confidence.
Di Xiao watched her for a long moment before replying evenly, "Save Xiao Bao, and I will grant you seven days to investigate. Fail, and you will suffer the same punishment as Cheng Feng Zhēnzūn and the others."
"No! Sect Master Yun must not!" Cheng Feng Zhēnzūn cried out in alarm.
But Yun Jin had already answered without hesitation. "Agreed."
Cheng Feng Zhēnzūn's face turned ashen. He muttered under his breath, "It's over. This time, it's truly over."
A master-servant contract—who could possibly claim a hundred percent chance of dissolving it? Yun Jin was bound to die with him today.
And with her death, the fragile peace between humankind and spirit beasts would shatter. War would become inevitable.
"Bring Xiao Bao," Di Xiao ordered, glancing toward Sang Qing.
Sang Qing's expression was wooden as she obeyed.
The fragile spark of hope that had risen in her heart was now extinguished.
Ten parts certainty? Why didn't this human simply claim to be Heavenly Dao itself?
Before long, Sang Qing returned carrying a frail, dying Tongtian Hou pup. Her eyes were red-rimmed. The pup's eyes were shut tight, pupils unfocused, his life hanging by a thread.
His condition came from resisting the contract's control. Heavenly Dao's punishment had burned into his soul, a wound ordinary methods could never heal.
Even if the contract were broken, he might still not survive.
Sang Qing set the pup gently before Yun Jin, then stepped back several paces, her eyes brimming with silent tears.
The King had commanded her to allow this human to try. No matter how absurd it seemed, she dared not disobey. But her poor child, forced to suffer even more in his final moments... If Xiao Bao perished, this human would pay with her life.
Yun Jin knelt forward, releasing a thread of spiritual power to examine the pup's condition.
Then she spread both hands. At once, the power of wood essence surged to gather around her.
"I ask to borrow the power of the wood-spirits," she spoke softly, her voice calm as a breeze. "I will return it once this is done."
Her words fell, and the entire Spirit Beast Forest seemed to awaken. Countless motes of green light drifted upward from the trees and grasses—purest fragments of wood-born life force.
And not a single one hesitated. They all offered themselves freely.
"Thank you," Yun Jin whispered.
The motes of green light rushed into her body. In an instant, she was wrapped head to toe in the essence of vitality. The beasts across the plaza felt their own spirits lift at the sight.
Such pure life energy. Merely breathing it in refreshed their minds.
Could it be... Xiao Bao truly had hope of survival?
Even Sang Qing, despite herself, felt a flicker of hope stir again.
Di Xiao's eyes narrowed. In this forest, spirit beasts were countless, but grass and trees numbered even more.
For one who commanded the Primordial Wood, this land was like a fish in water.
The endless wood energy she drew in transformed in her hands into the rawest, truest power of life.
Yun Jin channeled it gently into the pup's broken body. His small frame shuddered, but he did not yet open his eyes. So she poured in more, steady and unending.
Thankfully this was the Spirit Beast Forest. Nowhere else could she have drawn on such inexhaustible wood energy. At last, beneath her continued infusion, the Tongtian Hou pup gave a faint, weak cry. His eyes cracked open a sliver.
"He's awake! Xiao Bao has awakened!"
The plaza erupted in shouts of joy.
Since his injury, this was the first time Xiao Bao had regained consciousness.
This human—she truly had ability!
The pup's bleary eyes found the faint outline of a figure. He had never seen her before, but instinctively felt warmth.
She knelt before him, one hand pressed gently to his wounds. Wherever her touch fell, the burning agony faded, replaced by soothing coolness. Flesh and soul alike began to heal at impossible speed.
It felt as though she was dragging him up from the depths of hell.
"Awuu..." The pup whimpered weakly.
He was still one step short of transformation, unable to speak human words.
But Yun Jin understood. She rubbed his head lightly, voice gentle. "It's alright. You will be well soon."
And as she promised, so it was.
In the time of a single incense stick, the pup's body had regained strength enough to stand shakily.
Though not fully healed, he was far better than the dying wreck he had been.
He leaned close, nuzzling Yun Jin's hand affectionately.
He liked this human.
Sang Qing could not stop herself from hurrying forward, scooping the pup into her arms.
Seeing her child with spirit restored, her eyes grew wet.
This human... she truly had some skill. At least Xiao Bao would no longer suffer that torturous soul-burning pain.
But still.
Healing wounds was only the beginning.
Sang Qing fixed her gaze on Yun Jin. "Human, I admit you possess ability. But you must understand, the true root of this lies in the master-servant contract."
At her words, the pup trembled and gave a pained whine.
He had been forced into servitude by a despicable human.
A supreme spirit beast—enslaved! Never!
His sorrowful howl tore through the plaza. He would rather die than remain bound.
Seeing his anguish, Yun Jin quickly stepped forward. Her hand rested lightly atop his head.
A wave of cool clarity washed over him, easing his spirit.
Her voice was calm and warm. "I will help you dissolve the contract. Do you believe me?"
The pup blinked at her blankly.
This beautiful human said she could dissolve the master-servant bond.
Even their King had admitted such a thing was impossible. Yet she claimed she could.
Bai Dongchuan, his teeth missing, jeered bitterly. "Break a master-servant contract? Hah! Keep dreaming! I tell you now, if you dare kill any of us, I'll trigger the contract this instant and slaughter the pup myself!"
Yun Jin ignored him completely. She only continued looking gently at the pup. "Trust me. Just once, trust me."
The Tongtian Hou pup stared dazedly at her. And without knowing why, he gave a faint nod.
Breaking a master-servant contract—an impossible feat, even for his master.
But somehow, he wanted to believe in her.