The power of the third pill quickly faded again.
Watching this, Sang Qing's heart nearly leapt into her throat.
A super spirit beast was priceless, but a ninth-grade pill was no less rare. And this particular ninth-grade pill, with such a miraculous effect, was beyond precious. By now, Xiao Bao had already swallowed three in one breath. As his mother, Sang Qing felt it was worth any cost.
But Yun Jin...
Would she not mind?
"It's fine. We still have three left. He will make it." Yun Jin, noticing Sang Qing's glance and mistaking it for worry, comforted her with a calm tone.
Without hesitation, Yun Jin fed Xiao Bao the fourth pill. The change was immediate. The little one's condition visibly improved, and more than that, the draining of his life force slowed.
Slower still.
Until at last, the loss of vitality came to a halt.
The punishment of Heaven was over.
The backlash of the master-servant contract vanished. Xiao Bao had gained his freedom and kept his life. Sang Qing's tears spilled before she could stop them. Her child... had survived!
To sever a master-servant contract by force and yet live—this might be the very first case in existence. Apart from Yun Jin, no one else beneath the heavens could have done this.
First, Yun Jin's mastery of the Primordial Wood allowed her to channel pure life essence and help Xiao Bao endure the first wave of punishment.
Then, her spirit beast's ability, Life Guardian, had wrestled twelve hours from Heaven itself.
And finally, Yun Jin, as a supreme alchemist, had refined the Shangqing Revitalization Pills in the nick of time. Miss any one step, and Xiao Bao would have perished. His survival was nothing short of a miracle born from miracles.
Sang Qing looked at Yun Jin, overcome by an urge to kneel. Saving Xiao Bao was saving her whole world.
"Hm." A low rumble sounded. Di Xiao stepped forward. "Sang Qing, place Xiao Bao on the ground."
Stunned, she instinctively obeyed.
The next instant, Xiao Bao's aura flared.
His body began to transform.
"My King, this is..." Sang Qing gasped with joy and alarm.
Di Xiao's expression softened, a hint of pride shining in his eyes. "From birth, Xiao Bao was sheltered too much. This ordeal is his first true tempering. With the power of the Shangqing Revitalization Pills, he is about to break through!"
The Tongtian Hou clan's cubs were born at the Divine Transformation stage. But this breakthrough meant one thing. Xiao Bao was about to take human form! An accident had turned into a blessing.
Every beast present watched in awe as his body stretched and shifted. His fangs lengthened into something fierce, his hide was inscribed with mysterious runes, each glowing before sinking into his flesh and bone.
By the time the runes vanished, the once-soft cub now stood tall and majestic. Straightening his body, he shifted seamlessly into the form of a golden-haired youth.
"Xiao Bao!" Sang Qing, prepared for this, quickly tossed him a robe-shaped artifact.
Clad in it, he looked like a boy of fourteen or fifteen.
Yun Jin's hesitant voice broke the moment. "Why do I feel... Xiao Bao's face looks familiar?"
"I feel it too..." Yun Mu added with a puzzled frown.
Sang Qing blinked between her son and Yun Jin.
Then Cheng Feng Zhēnzūn blurted, "Doesn't Xiao Bao resemble... Sect Master Yun?"
"???"
Yun Jin was utterly dumbfounded.
The beasts stared in silence.
Not identical, but five or six parts alike, at least.
This was Yun Jin's face—just in a younger form.
Di Xiao chuckled. "When a beast takes human form, it may unconsciously draw from someone who left a deep mark upon it. Clearly, Yun Jin, you mean a great deal to him."
The young Tongtian Howl cub cast a shy glance at Yun Jin, his expression bashful.
Yun Jin nearly choked on her own breath.
Her face, on a boy—wearing that kind of embarrassed look—it was terrifying.
"No way!" Dan Dan burst out of Yun Jin's spirit beast pouch, glaring indignantly. "Why didn't I turn out looking like Master after I transformed?!"
Her eyes sparkled with jealousy as she glared at Xiao Bao. How could a mere Tongtian Hou, after only a few encounters, manage to take form so perfectly in Master's likeness?
She refused to accept this!
Di Xiao, clearly in good spirits, explained lightly, "It is only a possibility, not a certainty."
That only made Dan Dan more indignant. Even if it was chance, she was Yun Jin's spirit beast from the egg! Shouldn't it have been her who resembled Master?
Very well.
From this day forth, this Tongtian Hou would be her sworn rival.
Dan Dan glared daggers at the cub. He only looked back innocently.
"Thank you," he said quietly, his cheeks pink.
"It was your strength that carried you through," Yun Jin replied gently, ruffling his golden hair. His eyes, naturally moist, shimmered as if they could melt anyone's heart.
Yun Jin couldn't resist and gave his cheeks a little pinch.
His eyes only grew brighter.
Finally, Yun Jin turned to Di Xiao. "Senior, I've fulfilled my promise. Now... about yours?"
Di Xiao arched a brow. "You saved Xiao Bao. I will honor my word."
His voice swept across the plaza. "The campaign against the Beastmaster Sect is postponed. Seven days from now, we shall reconvene."
Seven days—just as Yun Jin had asked for.
"In seven days, I expect the truth from you," Di Xiao said, his eyes locking on hers.
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "Rest assured, Senior. The hand behind this will not escape."
For the first time, Di Xiao found himself believing her.
"Today, the beasts have gathered. Let us hold a feast here. Celebrate Xiao Bao's deliverance, and let joy replace the shadows of these days." He gave the order, and the beasts cheered.
Then Di Xiao's gaze returned to Yun Jin. "Come with me."
She followed without hesitation.
In the next heartbeat, they vanished, reappearing in the quiet pavilion.
The same fragrant tea drifted between them.
"Yun Jin," Di Xiao began, hesitation in his tone, "I have a request."
"Please, Senior." Yun Jin's voice was respectful.
He seemed uncharacteristically uneasy, his words slow to form. At last, he said, "The two remaining Shangqing Revitalization Pills... will you let me have them? I will pay any price."
Yun Jin stilled.
Those pills had to be taken within a short time or they would lose their effect. She currently had no immediate need for them, so the two were essentially unused.
But at his request, her thoughts sharpened.
Xuan Yin Crystal.
Tian Zhao Stone.
Lin Xiao had told her both were in Di Xiao's possession.
She thought for a moment, then answered, "Senior, I can gift you the pills."
Di Xiao's brow furrowed. "Do you take me for someone who takes advantage?"
Yun Jin smiled. "In truth, I also have something to ask."
His expression eased. "Speak."
"My Tai'a Sword must be reforged. It requires two ores—Xuan Yin Crystal and Tian Zhao Stone. I heard Senior keeps them. Thus I ask, as a trade. Consider the Shangqing Revitalization Pills a gift, but for those ores, I will offer something of equal worth."
Her words were careful, polite, and without fault.
Yet Di Xiao's face darkened instantly. His aura surged, oppressive and vast, and his gaze bored into her.
"You said... you want what?!"