Yun Jin was rather curious about the state of those two stones.
According to Di Xiao's explanation—
He and Di Ying, one embodied pure yang, the other pure yin.
Since she cultivated the Yin-Yang Secret Codex, she ought to be more sensitive than anyone to yin and yang auras. Yet, until Di Xiao mentioned it himself, she had not sensed the slightest trace.
The pure yang qi and pure yin qi cultivated by Di Xiao were all stored within the Tian Zhao Stone and the Xuan Yin Crystal. If he did not actively channel them, not even a wisp of aura would leak out. Those two stones seemed more like vessels. Containers that absorbed and held pure yin and pure yang qi.
Driven by curiosity, Yun Jin used some Emotional Value to command the system to scan Di Xiao's condition. The system's conclusion left her somewhat stunned.
[Di Xiao: Originally the divine beast Taiyang Zhuozhao. At the moment of birth, was forcibly implanted into the Tian Zhao Stone. Because of Di Ying's sacrifice, he also carries within him the Xuan Yin Crystal. Both the Tian Zhao Stone and Xuan Yin Crystal are top-grade materials for refining artifacts.]
The explanation was simple.
But Yun Jin's heart shuddered.
According to the system, Taiyang Zhuozhao and Taiyin Youying were divine beasts. At their birth, they should not have carried Tian Zhao Stone or Xuan Yin Crystal. Those two stones were deliberately planted into them.
And the system lightly added one more thing—these were top-grade artifact refinement materials.
Yun Jin's mind trembled violently.
In the mortal realm, divine beasts had long gone extinct.
Since Di Xiao and Di Ying were divine beasts, they most likely were not native to this world.
Ancient records said that even in the upper realms, divine beasts were incomparably noble existences. Yet Di Xiao and Di Ying had been altered, forced into transformation, and cast down into the lower realm.
The one who implanted the Tian Zhao Stone and Xuan Yin Crystal inside them—what kind of person could do such a thing?
No cultivator of this world could possibly achieve it. It must have been someone from the upper realm, and most likely one of its very pinnacle experts.
Such a supreme being, painstakingly laying out such a scheme—
What was it he sought?
Yun Jin thought again of the system's words.
The Tian Zhao Stone and Xuan Yin Crystal were top-grade refinement materials.
Could it be… just for that?
Her gaze flickered.
If so, then one day, the mastermind would surely come to reclaim them.
To such a being, even a divine beast, even the king of spirit beasts, might amount to nothing more than a disposable tool. If not for the sudden closure of the Immortal Road over a thousand years ago, Yun Jin suspected that person would have already descended to harvest.
These thoughts, Yun Jin kept to herself.
Changing the subject, she smiled and said, "Senior Di Ying, Senior Di Xiao is already the ruler of this Spirit Beast Forest. Since you've finally awakened, would you like to go outside and have a look?"
Di Ying's eyes immediately brightened as she looked toward Di Xiao.
Di Xiao's gaze was indulgent: "Very well, I will take you to see."
He waved his hand.
In the next moment—
Yun Jin was standing at the doors of the divine hall.
Di Xiao and Di Ying had already vanished from sight.
In her mind, Di Xiao's voice echoed: "For the Shangqing Rejuvenation Pill, I owe you a debt. Consider carefully what you want."
Yun Jin arched her brow slightly.
She had the strong sense that the reason Di Xiao had not killed her was because of this pill. At present, she alone could refine it. If he killed her, then Di Ying would never again have the chance to awaken.
Lin Xiao's calculation was indeed vicious. If she openly voiced her desires before Di Xiao, he would most likely confine her within the Spirit Beast Forest, to eliminate any future risk.
Whether he succeeded or not, she and Wushuang Sect would have gained a terrifying enemy. But by a twist of fate, she had refined the Shangqing Rejuvenation Pill. For Di Ying's sake, Di Xiao would not harm her.
Keeping her alive was certainly a risk. But to Di Xiao, Di Ying was more important than life itself.
This was where Lin Xiao's scheme had gone wrong. Once again, he had misjudged the human heart. Not all in this world put profit above all else.
Each person carried something in their heart they wished to protect. She did, and so did Di Xiao.
To someone like Lin Xiao, such attachments were weaknesses.
But in truth—
The will to protect was also the source of true strength.
After musing on this, Yun Jin heard the roar of beasts in the distance and walked toward it.
On the plain outside the divine hall, uncountable spirit beasts had gathered.
Di Xiao had declared that a grand banquet would be held that night, and the beasts were busily preparing.
Yun Jin smiled and released her own spirit beasts.
"You all go play as well," she said.
Gun Gun and Huan Huan instantly bounded off, happily joining the Phantom Leopard and other beasts.
Mu Mu went to the side, rooting himself and chatting with a group of plant-spirits.
The usually most mischievous, Dan Dan, instead stayed glued to her side, vigilant and unwilling to leave even a single step.
Yun Jin asked curiously, "Dan Dan, aren't you going to play?"
Dan Dan's expression was solemn: "Master! I must stay here to protect you!"
As she spoke, her eyes darted fiercely in one direction.
Yun Jin followed her gaze and saw the young Tongtian Hou pup staring timidly at her.
"Xiao Bao," Yun Jin called, waving cheerfully.
His eyes lit up instantly. After saying a few words to Sang Qing, he ran to her side.
Dan Dan immediately bristled into full alert!
She knew it! She knew it!
Gun Gun and Huan Huan only cared about playing. If she did not stand guard, their master would be seduced away by this scoundrel!
"You want to play with Xiao Bao, don't you?" Yun Jin teased Dan Dan. "If you want to, just say it out loud. Why keep sneaking glances?"
Dan Dan: "???"
Was that what she meant?
"Go on and play," Yun Jin urged with a smile.
Xiao Bao, too, looked curiously at Dan Dan. Did she really want to play with him?
Dan Dan's face darkened, but then she thought—
If she took Xiao Bao away, he would not have the time to pester her master, right?
"Yes, I want to play with you," Dan Dan ground out through clenched teeth.
Xiao Bao shrank his neck. That tone didn't sound very playful…
"It's fine. Dan Dan only looks fierce. She's actually very kind," Yun Jin reassured.
At that, Xiao Bao obediently nodded.
Dan Dan deliberately led Xiao Bao far away from Yun Jin.
Yun Jin only sighed.
The children were growing up. They had reached the age where they didn't want parents watching them all the time.
"Master," Mu Mu suddenly chuckled, "I just told the plant-spirits that you can make wonderful slides and trampolines. They all want to see!"
"Yes yes yes, I've stored a lot of wood. Can we use it to build some?"
"I've gathered many vines. Maybe they'll be useful."
The plant-spirits all began chattering excitedly.
Yun Jin laughed: "Very well. Then let's build a playground here."
The plant-spirits were instantly full of eager anticipation.
Under Yun Jin's control—
Slides of wood rose from the grassland.
Swings and trampolines woven from vines took shape.
She thought for a moment and even constructed a giant roller coaster track.
One after another, various amusement rides appeared across the plain.
"Charge!"
While the other spirit beasts were still gawking, Gun Gun and Huan Huan had already gone wild with joy, dashing to play.
The other beast cubs, seeing this, also rushed over in excitement.
Soon, the playground was echoing with laughter and cheers.
Sang Qing watched Xiao Bao following Dan Dan around the playground, and a smile of relief crossed his face.
Rong Zhou, too, gazed at his granddaughter with a heart full of emotion.
In truth, Yun Jin had raised Dan Dan exceptionally well. Though she had only just been born not long ago, she already possessed Unity stage cultivation. The amount of effort Yun Jin had invested in her was beyond imagining.
From afar, Rong Zhou glanced at Yun Jin, who was still busy constructing more facilities. His eyes softened, but he quickly looked away.
The King had spoken: tonight was for the banquet.
He must not spoil the mood now.
After tonight, however, he still intended to challenge Yun Jin. A super spirit beast—how could it be allowed to be bound by a human!