The two remaining items were the deed to a tavern and a massive wooden basin, nearly four meters in diameter and a full meter tall.
The wooden basin looked like it hadn't been used in a long time and was covered in a thick layer of dust.
However, the basin continuously emanated a unique woody fragrance that was instantly invigorating.
Not long after it was removed from the Storage Pouch, beads of water began to spontaneously condense on the surface of the massive wooden basin.
Zhong Yi had an idea what the basin was made of, but to be certain, he used the Soul-Controlling Flower's ability to investigate.
He confirmed that the basin was indeed a Wooden Sea, crafted from a section of a Sea Rong Tree closest to its roots!
Plant-type Guardian Beasts were rare to begin with, especially a colossal one like the Sea Rong Tree.
For a Sea Rong Tree's trunk to grow four meters in diameter would take at least four thousand years.
Zhong Yi had no idea how that Bizarre creature had managed to obtain something as precious as a Sea Rong Wooden Sea.
'It must have been a stroke of incredible luck for the Bizarre creature!'
Perhaps the Bizarre creature didn't know how to use the Sea Rong Wooden Sea, or perhaps it didn't realize its value and never got a chance to sell it.
In any case, the windfall was now Zhong Yi's. A Sea Rong Wooden Sea was considered the perfect vessel for raising Flashing Pearl Fish.
Flashing Pearl Fish were one of the few special creatures that could be raised within a Guardian Beast Master's Soul Base, where they would gently nourish it.
Unlike ordinary Guardian Beasts, Flashing Pearl Fish couldn't evolve their bloodlines by improving their Quality.
Their Tier would forever remain at Mortal Beast First Level, making them so fragile that even a child could crush one by hand.
However, by improving their Quality, Flashing Pearl Fish could enhance their ability to nourish a Soul Base.
Nourishing a Soul Base over a long period would not only expand its area but also accelerate the recovery of a Lifebound Guardian Beast's energy and injuries within it.
Zhong Yi didn't plan on using the Sea Rong Wooden Sea to raise Flashing Pearl Fish for sale. Instead, his plan was to absorb the Wooden Sea into his Soul Base after it awakened, and then raise a small school of Flashing Pearl Fish within it.
Zhong Yi placed the Jinhua Turtle Back Bamboo, the iron box containing the Iron-Eating Insects and their eggs, and the Sea Rong Wooden Sea into his own Storage Pouch.
As for the tavern deed and other miscellaneous items, he handed them directly to Hong Ji to be destroyed and absorbed into her body.
Later, when he took Hong Ji into a Secret Realm, he would dispose of the damaged Storage Pouch and the other junk there.
A tavern was quite valuable, worth at least 1.5 million Federation Coins even in the Lower City District, but Zhong Yi felt no greed for it whatsoever.
Zhong Yi was even destroying the Bizarre creature's Storage Pouch, despite its massive internal space, just to sever any possible connection to it.
After sorting everything, Zhong Yi headed to the front hall for a meal.
Zhong Ling was setting plates of food on the table. When she saw Zhong Yi, she flashed a sweet smile, revealing two cute canine teeth.
"Young Master, Uncle Huai made almost everything this morning. He said we should eat our fill before we go to the Soul Awakening Ceremony."
"I woke up a little late, but I still helped Uncle Huai out."
"Uncle Huai steamed a pot of white buns, so I decided to make a plate of yellow braised chicken to go with them, and I poured cream on top!"
"Yellow braised chicken drizzled with cream—double the deliciousness!"
As she spoke, the energetic Zhong Ling beamed at Zhong Yi and gave him a thumbs-up.
Zhong Yi, however, was still preoccupied with the Bizarre creature. His mind wasn't on food.
Zhong Chenghuai set a plate of fluffy, steamed white buns on the table and spoke with a hint of worry.
"Young Master, South Cross Street has been a bit unsettled lately. People from the Ghost Suppression Bureau came to investigate before dawn, and they came twice."
Hearing Zhong Chenghuai's words, Zhong Yi's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he felt a little more at ease.
'They searched twice and found nothing. It seems the Ghost Suppression Bureau didn't find any trace of the Bizarre creature in the courtyard.'
'Which means they have no idea that Hong Ji already ate it!'
'A Bizarre creature just one step from the Fantasy Tier appearing on South Cross Street... The Ghost Suppression Bureau will definitely be increasing patrols in the area for a while.'
Even though he'd only learned about last night's incident this morning, it made Zhong Yi realize he needed to accumulate as many trump cards for self-preservation as possible.
That way, he wouldn't be completely helpless the next time danger struck.
On the way to the Beastmaster Association, Zhong Ling was filled with anticipation, but Zhong Yi already had a good idea of what his own Lifebound Guardian Beast would be.
"Xiaolingdang, when it's your turn for the awakening, don't be too nervous. Just focus your mind and sense the vision within your soul."
Hearing this, Zhong Ling adjusted her little pigtail and said, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"Young Master... what if I don't awaken a Lifebound Guardian Beast or a Beastmaster Talent?"
Hearing this, Zhong Yi reached out and gently ruffled Zhong Ling's hair, smoothing down a stray lock that was sticking up.
"Don't worry, Xiaolingdang. Even if you don't awaken a Lifebound Guardian Beast or a Beastmaster Talent, I'll find the perfect Guardian Beast for you and design a personalized path to power for you."
No one could say for certain whether Zhong Ling would awaken a Lifebound Guardian Beast and a Beastmaster Talent before the Soul Awakening Ceremony.
'If it weren't for the Soul-Controlling Flower, I wouldn't know if I would awaken a Lifebound Guardian Beast, either.'
'Or what it would be!'
Still, Zhong Yi truly had the ability and the confidence to ensure that Zhong Ling could become a powerful individual, even if she awakened nothing at all.
Zhong Yi's words did soothe Zhong Ling's anxiety. She knew that even if she didn't awaken a Lifebound Guardian Beast or a Beastmaster Talent, he wouldn't think any less of her.
'But the desire to protect Zhong Yi and the Guardian Beast Shop had taken root in her heart long ago. She refused to be a burden.'
There were eight Beastmaster Association branches in the Upper City District. The one closest to South Cross Street was at least a half-day's walk away.
Zhong Chenghuai had arranged a Guardian Beast Vehicle for Zhong Yi and Zhong Ling in advance. Pulled by a Windstepping Deer, these vehicles were very fast.
The trip to the Beastmaster Association would take them less than half an hour.
The driver, perched on the back of the Windstepping Deer, overheard Zhong Yi and Zhong Ling's conversation. It made him recall his own trip to the Soul Awakening Ceremony as a child.
The driver subconsciously assumed Zhong Yi was taking Zhong Ling to the ceremony.
'The normal age for the Soul Awakening Ceremony is around thirteen, and Zhong Yi was clearly older than that.'
'Residents of the Upper City District get to attend the ceremony for free, so you'd never see someone who's sixteen or seventeen and still hasn't gone through their Soul Awakening.'
'Unless the person's an idiot!'
'It's rare to see a master treat his servant this well.'
'Wait, could the little girl be his child bride?'
"Have you two ever heard of Synesthesia?"
"To put it simply, Synesthesia refers to a recurring dream you've been having for the past year or two. There's a saying that the visions you see in your dreams are very likely connected to your Lifebound Guardian Beast."
"Little miss, if you're able to awaken a Lifebound Guardian Beast, it's probably already met you in your dreams!"
Hearing the driver's words, Zhong Ling couldn't help but gasp.
"Wow! Is that true, mister?"
"I've actually been having the same dream for the past few years! Could that be my Lifebound Guardian Beast!?"