Got spanked.

Ji Wushuang looked at her two contract beasts, speechless.

One was a pitch-black kitten, the other a small, black-and-red spotted mountain chicken. They both boasted of divine beast bloodlines, but in reality, one was uglier than the other, and both were utterly rude, contracting with her without so much as asking her opinion.

Forget it.

Ji Wushuang straightened her posture and said seriously, "I think we need to sit down and have a proper conversation. Though you are my contract beasts, contracting with you was not my choice. Therefore, you cannot simply sit back and do nothing, acting like idle masters."

The little fire chicken nodded obediently. "Don't worry, master, I'll work hard and earn money to support the family."

Since her master couldn't cultivate, it was only right for it to work harder.

"And you, Bai Ye?"

The black kitten blinked, confused. "Huh?!"

Wait!

It had contracted with Ji Wushuang for the comfort of a carefree life, so why was it suddenly expected to support a family?

Ji Wushuang seemed to read its thoughts and smiled. "If Bai Ye doesn't want to support the family, then you'll just have to watch while we eat spiritual meals."

"Why! I came first, I'm the leader!"

"Even if you're the leader, no work means no food."

"..." The black kitten fell silent for a long while before reluctantly lowering its head. "I'll try my best."

The little fire chicken, envious, glared at the kitten, its feathers puffing up as it snarled, "What are you looking at? Stupid chicken! Call me leader!"

"Le-leader..." The little fire chicken recoiled, "I just envy you having a name..."

The black kitten: "..."

Why did it suddenly feel like it was bullying a child?

Ji Wushuang laughed and petted the little fire chicken's feathers. "Shall I give you a name?"

"Yes, yes, thank you, master."

"Don't call me master, just call me Wushuang. I see the patterns on your body, like flames, forged in a blazing fire. How about calling you Feng Lian?"

Upon hearing the name, the little fire chicken—now Feng Lian—was delighted, its feathers standing on end in excitement.

"Yes, yes! I like it! But... with my bloodline, can I really bear the Feng surname?"

"Why not?"

Feng Lian, overjoyed, chirped, "Good, from today on, I will be called Feng Lian!"

Just a few days ago, it had been a clueless, ugly little chicken, rejected by its peers.

Now, just a few days later, it had both a master and a leader.

How wonderful.

Ji Wushuang then checked on the Tian Yuan fruit, ensuring everything was fine, before leaving the grand array with Bai Ye and Feng Lian.

No sooner had they stepped out than they heard the sound of air being torn.

Feng Lian, thinking it was an attack, immediately shielded Ji Wushuang, spreading its wings like a mother hen protecting her chick.

Ji Wushuang gently patted its head, turning to the sky and calling, "Sorry to have worried you."

Several figures appeared in the air—Lian Yuan, Zhan Fan, Chen Qingxian, Yao Cang, and, of course, Second Sister Hua Fanyin, along with Senior Brother Zhuang Xuan from Hongfu Peak and the steward Jin Fuxi.

They were all panting, their expressions frazzled, clearly having been frantic during Ji Wushuang's "disappearance."

Had it not been for Ji Wushuang's soul lamp still being intact, Lian Yuan would have contacted Shi Lei immediately.

Lian Yuan was about to breathe a sigh of relief when, before he could, a figure shot out.

Hua Fanyin, dressed in a fiery red gown, rushed forward and hugged Ji Wushuang tightly, checking her over from head to toe. When she confirmed there was no harm, her face darkened, and she slapped Ji Wushuang on the backside.

"Smack."

The sound of the slap left Ji Wushuang stunned, as well as Lian Yuan, who stood frozen.

Master, this is the little ancestor!

How could you slap her?

In her previous life, though Ji Wushuang hadn't lived long, her power was overwhelming, and no one had ever dared to disrespect her.

No one had even dared to lay a finger on her.

In the Divine Tomb, her masters had treated her like a precious jewel, not even daring to scold her, and had followed her wherever she went.

Ji Wushuang instinctively covered her backside, staring at Hua Fanyin in disbelief, while Hua Fanyin, caught by the innocent look in her eyes, softened. But she steeled herself, saying, "Do you realize your mistake?"

"I... made a mistake?"

"Of course! If you wanted to stay inside the formation to study something, you should have told us. Do you know how much hair I've pulled out worrying about you these past few days? You're still just a child, and while we wouldn't stop you from doing your own thing, you should have informed us."

Had it been any other disciples, Hua Fanyin would not have been so anxious.

But Ji Wushuang couldn't cultivate, and she had been missing from Zilin Peak.

Everyone knew how much that nasty girl from Zilin Peak hated Ji Wushuang.

If that girl had done something, Hua Fanyin would've skinned her alive!

Seeing the fire burning in Hua Fanyin's eyes, Ji Wushuang belatedly said, "Sister, I'm sorry, but I've never been in this kind of situation before."

Hua Fanyin thought Ji Wushuang was referring to her sudden disappearance. However, Ji Wushuang continued, "In the past, wherever I went or whatever I did, no one ever cared or worried about me. So I didn't think to inform you. I'm sorry."

To put it simply...

Ji Wushuang had never had a "family" before. Oh, her masters were "spirits," not real "humans."

Hua Fanyin was taken aback, and a wave of regret rushed over her. She quickly squatted down, her eyes reddening as she looked at Ji Wushuang.

"I... I... I wasn't blaming you, I'm sorry. I didn't know... Can you forgive your sister, little Wushuang?"

Ji Wushuang could feel the genuine concern in Hua Fanyin's words.

Though this kind of emotion was unfamiliar to the Sword Master of Wushuang, she did not dislike it.

She smiled softly and grasped Hua Fanyin's hand. "It's fine. I had intended to send you a message, but without spiritual power, I couldn't use the communication talisman. But it's alright. I'll improve the talisman, and from now on, Bai Ye and Feng Lian will help send messages for me."

"Bai Ye? Feng Lian?"

"Yes."

Ji Wushuang bent down and picked up the black kitten and little fire chicken, showing them to Hua Fanyin.

Hua Fanyin couldn't sense Bai Ye's strength, but the ugly little chicken... was a Golden Core spirit beast!?

Even though Hua Fanyin herself was a Golden Core cultivator, the pressure emanating from the divine beast bloodline of this little fire chicken was palpable, instilling a sense of awe.

She involuntarily felt a twinge of wariness toward it.

"Little Wushuang, is this your spirit beast?"

"Yes."

"But you..."

How could a non-cultivator tame a Golden Core spirit beast?

"Sister, don't worry. I've formed an equal contract with Feng Lian, so it won't harm me."

At this statement, everyone, including Lian Yuan, was left dumbfounded.

Wait!

How was this possible?

How could an ordinary person form an equal contract with a Golden Core spirit beast?!

Hua Fanyin's beautiful face displayed a look of astonishment, and she quickly asked, "Little Wushuang, how did you do it? Tell me! Your sister will buy you something delicious!"

Hua Fanyin had always wanted a fourth-level spirit beast, but the little thing was too proud, claiming she was weaker than it and refusing to form a contract.

Yet, here was her little sister—an ordinary person—contracting a Golden Core spirit beast!

There had to be a secret method!

Lian Yuan, Zhan Fan, Chen Qingxian, and Yao Cang exchanged glances, but each of them subtly leaned in, eager to hear Ji Wushuang's secret method.

But Ji Wushuang just tilted her head, looking confused. "I don't know. It wanted to contract with me on its own. If you don't believe me, ask it."

Feng Lian nodded enthusiastically, then affectionately nuzzled Ji Wushuang's cheek, as if to say: Yep, it's this beast that's clinging to her!

The group: "......"

Though...

They were still incredibly jealous!