Chapter Three: The Heaven-Defying Zero-Tier Spirit Beast

The bluebird landed heavily on the ground, looking utterly bewildered.

“So stupid,” Su Li scoffed softly, flicking her tail to express her disdain.

This scene fell right into Shen Luo’s line of sight, leaving him quite stunned. He had merely glanced at the plaque for a few moments before his spiritual consciousness grew unstable, and yet that little furball could stare at it so calmly for so long?

In truth, Shen Luo had never thought the furball was an ordinary zero-rank beast. Its origins were shrouded in mystery; though it appeared to possess no spiritual energy, it was capable of toppling a twelfth-rank beast with a trace of Phoenix blood—a feat that testified to her true strength, which far surpassed the bluebird’s.

“Young Master Qi, the Patriarch requests your presence,” a guard interrupted his thoughts.

Shen Luo nodded and stepped forward, gently pushing open the door.

The hall was spacious and bright. The moment he set foot inside, he sensed an unusually solemn atmosphere. Many were present; apart from the elders of the Shen family who were in seclusion, everyone else had gathered.

Among them were also several youths of the younger generation. Sweeping a glance around, Su Li immediately recognized a few familiar faces—they were the same group that had barged into the small courtyard the day before. She quickly understood the situation.

“Patriarch, you called for me?” The youth lowered his eyes and offered a respectful bow to both the Patriarch and the assembled elders.

The Patriarch, Shen Yu, smiled, but when his gaze landed on the white beast perched on the boy’s left shoulder, the smile faltered for a moment. He then glanced at the bluebird in his arms before his expression softened, “Ah Luo, you’re here. Have a seat.”

Shen Luo nodded, scanning the hall. He noticed that, aside from the elders, all the younger ones stood rigidly to the side. Pressing his lips together, he found an empty seat at the far left, strode over, and sat down with calm composure, paying no mind to the jealous and resentful glares of those around him.

A maid stepped forward to pour a cup of tea, and the rich aroma immediately awakened Su Li’s appetite. She hopped onto the table, stretched out her delicate pink tongue, and licked the spiritual tea, her cat-like eyes narrowing in pleasure.

Shen Luo’s lips twitched slightly.

Seeing Shen Luo’s indulgent attitude, someone could no longer contain their displeasure and rebuked, “Shen Luo, you’re far too insolent! How dare you bring a beast into such a dignified and solemn place? Do you not respect the elders at all?”

Shen Luo’s expression changed abruptly; a chilling coldness flashed in his eyes.

“Am I wrong? The proud direct descendant of the Shen clan, forming a soul contract with a zero-rank beast—it’s made the entire family a laughingstock in the capital!” the young girl spoke indignantly. “Why should a sickly weakling like you compete with us for cultivation resources and the family’s attention?” She pointed at Su Li, her eyes fierce. “Let me help you rid yourself of this animal. Fire Serpent, tear it apart!”

A sixth-rank fire serpent, at her command, shot out like a green bolt of lightning, its exposed fangs glinting with a cyan light. Its jaws opened wide as if ready to crush the cat beast in a single bite.

The overpowering stench of its breath washed over Su Li. She narrowed her dark red eyes, raised her paw, and slammed the fire serpent down beneath it.

The girl’s face turned ashen. “Fire Serpent, kill it!” she urged.

Irritation surged within Su Li. She tightened her grip, toying with the fire serpent on the table as if it were nothing.

A sixth-rank juvenile green serpent—what was there to be so arrogant about?

It all happened in a flash. The onlookers watched in shock as the cat beast thrashed the green serpent within an inch of its life. Their gazes grew feverish.

Was this truly a zero-rank beast?

What about the supposed bloodline oppression of high-rank beasts?

The girl stared, dumbfounded, as the white beast contemptuously kicked the barely-breathing fire serpent to the floor, a flicker of menace flashing through its eyes. “Courting death,” she spat.

She lunged forward, sword in hand, aiming straight for the boy.

Su Li called out, “Stupid bird, burn her!”

The bluebird immediately spat out a ball of divine fire.

At that moment, a sudden, violent pressure erupted in the hall. Majestic profound energy crashed down like Mount Tai, causing the weaker ones to faint on the spot.

This was the terrifying might of the Divided Soul realm!

Eyes bright, Su Li’s pointed ears twitched excitedly, her claws curling in anticipation. For the first time, she felt a yearning for absolute power.

In an instant, the oppressive force gradually dissipated.

Only the powerful elders remained conscious, along with one boy and two beasts.

Shen Yu looked up to see the youth slumped in his chair, face pale, breathing heavily. The vermillion bird merely looked dispirited, while that lively zero-rank beast…

Su Li cocked her head, her round crimson eyes wide with an innocent “I know nothing, I’m just a low-level beast” look, her bushy tail swaying leisurely behind her.

The hall was deathly silent.

After forming a contract, cultivators and their beasts should support each other. No matter how talented Shen Luo was, as a cultivator at the Qi Refining stage, he shouldn’t have remained conscious under the pressure of a Divided Soul realm—unless it was due to that zero-rank cat beast!

The elders exchanged stunned glances, speechless with shock.

What on earth was this beast? It was simply defying the heavens!

A white-robed elder to the right cleared his throat with a gentle cough and addressed Shen Luo kindly, “Ah Luo, you will move into the Spiritual Court tomorrow. Although you’ve contracted a twelfth-rank vermillion bird descendant, your cultivation lags behind your peers by a realm or two. You must devote yourself to harder training.”

As soon as he finished speaking, gasps echoed all around.

The Spiritual Court was where the Shen family had raised its candidates for generations, a symbol of absolute status and honor.

This failure had truly turned his fate around!

Even Su Li looked up in surprise—who was this old man? After he spoke, not a single voice opposed him.

The beastmaster qualification test had passed a month and a half ago, and only now did Shen Luo begin to enjoy the family’s resources. This alone proved the importance of a natal divine beast to a beastmaster.

She glanced at the boy. He hung his head, long lashes veiling his eyes, his expression unreadable. Yet his hands, clenched into fists, trembled slightly.

A pause.

Su Li leapt into the boy’s arms, her fluffy tail brushing against his chin.

It tickled, sending a tremor straight to his heart.

Shen Luo’s lips twitched as he suppressed his tangled feelings, managing a faint smile.

The faces around the hall were a study in complexity; pairs of burning eyes locked onto the youth, whose calm acceptance of honor and disgrace made the elders nod in approval.

Shen Yu burst into hearty laughter, though his gaze toward Shen Luo grew complicated. The events of the previous generation should never have been forced upon this child. For ten years, the family had indeed owed him much.

But, despite his unfortunate father, his talent was undeniable. With two extraordinary beasts at his side, perhaps his future achievements would surpass them all. So be it; let’s see what he can do in the trials of the Spiritual Court.

With these thoughts, Shen Yu finally said to Shen Luo, “From today onward, you will train at the Martial Grounds.”

At these words, the young boy was momentarily stunned, then a bright light flashed in his eyes.