Shu Jianyue plucked a cabbage leaf, put it in her mouth, and chewed on it, discovering that the Lingqi within was no different from that of the apple.
Was this amount of spiritual power enough to make a little white rabbit evolve into such an appearance?
“What kind of Lingshou did you evolve into?”
The giant white rabbit cooed twice. “After I evolved, I received some hereditary memories. Through the inheritance, I learned that I am a Chaoguang-niu.”
“A Super Divine Beast, the Chaoguang-niu!” Shu Jianyue gasped at his words.
One Hou could fight three dragons and two jiaos, and relished feeding on dragon brains.
It was on par with the ancient divine beasts.
The Chaoguang-niu nodded. “My bloodline hasn’t fully awakened yet, but some of my innate abilities have already manifested.”
“If I want to awaken it completely, I probably need to eat a few more of those Cuirunbai.”
“Do you want to establish a contract with me?” That way, he would be able to eat them freely.
Shu Jianyue raised an eyebrow. “Except, I don’t know how to form a contract.” To have such a Super Divine Beast offer a contract—only a fool would refuse.
“I know how.” As soon as the Chaoguang-niu finished speaking, he shrank down to the level of Shu Jianyue’s waist and took a bite of her finger.
Immediately afterward, a dark red light shot out from between the Chaoguang-niu’s brows, entering straight into the center of Shu Jianyue’s forehead.
A complex Zhenwen flashed around the person and the beast; the contract was complete.
Looking at the small projection of the Chaoguang-niu inside her Sea of Consciousness, Shu Jianyue also felt the connection between herself and him.
“Do you have a name?”
The Chaoguang-niu shook his head. How long had it been since he gained sapience? He had never even been outside, so where would a name come from?
Shu Jianyue thought for a moment. “Then you shall be called Chaoguang; just drop the ‘niu’ part.”
“By the way, now that you can speak human language, can you transform into human form?”
Chaoguang nodded. In the next instant, he turned into a little boy of seven or eight years old. “I am already in the Huaxingqi, so naturally, I can take human form.”
However, he was still young after all, so his form could only manifest as a child.
Recalling the innate abilities of the Chaoguang-niu, Shu Jianyue smiled after a brief thought. “Come, I’ll take you to handle a matter for me. As a reward, you’ll get three Cuirunbai.”
“Okay, what is it?” Four had allowed him to evolve, so three should also be able to awaken the rest of his dormant bloodline.
Shu Jianyue brought Chaoguang out of the space and pointed her index finger downward. “I have my eyes on this mountain. Help me lay down a Mizhang around its perimeter, but don’t harm the trees.”
She wanted to claim the mountain as its ruler; from now on, this mountain belonged to her.
Chaoguang nodded and went off to execute the task.
Shu Jianyue stroked her chin. The premise was: did this mountain have an owner?
Spreading out her spiritual perception, she saw a Cuanguanhou halfway up the mountain, so she flew over and caught it.
Taking out an apple, she tossed it up and down. “What mountain is this? Does it have an owner? Tell me, and I’ll reward you with a Spirit Fruit.”
The Cuanguanhou pointed at its mouth, squeaking and gibbering.
Shu Jianyue pressed her forehead with her hand. Ahem, I forgot that I don’t understand animal language.
“Chaoguang, come back for a moment. Please help translate what it’s saying.”
Chaoguang did not return, but his voice carried over: “He says, you wouldn’t understand what he says anyway, so telling you is useless.”
Shu Jianyue’s face darkened as she took a bite of the apple. “If you don’t speak up, there won’t be any reward.”
“Squeak, squeak…” The Cuanguanhou scratched its head and ears, chattering urgently.
Then Chaoguang translated, “He says this is called Fuchenshan, and it is the territory of Hunyuan Xianzong.”
Shu Jianyue took out an apple and tossed it to the Cuanguanhou.
Hunyuan Xianzong?
The premier sect of Dongyuan Dalu.
Still, wasn’t Hunyuan Xianzong located within the territory of Fengxian Guo? Had she crossed national borders just by passing a few mountains?
This Dongyuan Dalu was merely a small landmass within Shiyu Dalu, and Fengxian Guo could only be considered a mediocre small country at best.
In this kind of cultivation continent, countries were often not the strongest entities; towering above nations were immortal sects, clans, and various academies.
There was very little interaction between regions. It seemed the only mutual interaction was the grand tournament held once every ten years.
Organized by Xuanguanzong of the central Lingyu, the rewards for the winners were exceedingly generous, so whenever the time arrived, sect disciples from all regions would travel to participate in the grand tournament.
Having finished eating the apple, the Cuanguanhou sidled up to Shu Jianyue, holding out its hand to ask for more.
Her train of thought interrupted, Shu Jianyue saw this and slapped its paw away directly. “No more.”
Chaoguang scurried back in his true form. Looking at the Cuanguanhou, he said, “Master, I think since I could evolve, maybe it can evolve too.”
“How about giving it a try?”
Shu Jianyue looked at the Cuanguanhou. This monkey looked quite intelligent; it was indeed worth a try.
“Chaoguang, tell me, if I contract it now, will I be affected when it evolves?”
Once contracted, there would be absolute suppression. She wouldn’t have to fear it being smart; the only fear was it being stupid.
Chaoguang shook his head. “No. When a Lingshou you’ve contracted evolves, it will only bring you benefits.”
Then what was she waiting for? “In that case, help me contract it.”
Chaoguang rolled his eyes at her and tapped his finger against the center of her forehead. “Do it yourself. This Qizhen can be used for Divine Beasts and anything below.”
Reviewing the information in her mind, Shu Jianyue raised an eyebrow and beckoned to the Cuanguanhou. “Come here. Contract with me, and I’ll give you apples to eat.”
The Cuanguanhou glanced at Chaoguang, hopped in front of her, and extended its hand. “Squeak, squeak…”
Chaoguang rolled his eyes. “He says, give the apple first.”
“As if I would shortchange you?” Shu Jianyue also rolled her eyes in annoyance. Instead of giving it an apple, she handed Chaoguang three Cuirunbai, which she had previously promised him.
“See that? It’s not that I don’t have them; it’s a matter of whether I choose to give them. If you’re obedient, I naturally won’t skimp on your benefits.”
The Cuanguanhou stared wide-eyed at the three Cuirunbai. “Squeak, squeak…”
This time, Chaoguang didn’t translate for it. Instead, he took the three Cuirunbai and went off to the side; he still needed to awaken his own bloodline.
Shu Jianyue took out an apple and tossed it lightly. “Are you signing or not? If not, hurry up and leave Fuchenshan. If you sign, this apple is yours.”
The Cuanguanhou’s eyes followed the apple up and down. Once the apple landed, it nodded vigorously.
Shu Jianyue raised an eyebrow, lifting her hand to tap the center of its forehead. Before long, the contract was complete.
Tossing the apple to it, she took out two more apples and handed them over. “These are your rewards. Hurry up and finish eating them to see if you evolve.”
Having given the apples, Shu Jianyue paid it no further attention. She still needed to see which spot on the mountaintop was most suitable for building a house.
In the end, she decided to build it next to the large ginkgo tree in the northwest corner. “The problem is, how should this house be built?”
Having eaten the three apples, the Cuanguanhou scurried over to her side. “Squeak, squeak…”
Seeing it gesturing wildly while chattering, black lines appeared on Shu Jianyue’s forehead. “We’re already contracted, so you can communicate with me directly. Stop squeaking.”
The Cuanguanhou immediately sent a voice transmission: “Master, I have underlings! They can help you build the house. Why don’t you give me a few more Spirit Fruits?”
Shu Jianyue glanced sideways at it. “You want Spirit Fruits? I have them, but they’ll only be given after my house is built.”
“Of course, if the house isn’t built well, you won’t get any either. It has to be built to my satisfaction.”
“No problem!” The Cuanguanhou agreed and scurried away.