Golden light exploded from Hei Bao’s body.
It wasn’t a violent burst.
It was…
Majestic.
The entire zoo was bathed in a warm golden glow as if dawn had arrived hours too early.
The crimson chains binding Lin Tianyu suddenly froze.
Tiny cracks spread across every blood-red rune.
The System’s voice echoed urgently.
Keeper and Guardian synchronization exceeding expectations.
Current Synchronization: 28%
Gu Rong’s confident smile disappeared.
“…Impossible.”
The Beast Binding Talisman had been refined using the blood of countless Spirit Beasts.
For centuries, it had been the greatest weapon against Divine Beasts.
No beast had ever resisted it.
Yet…
The chains weren’t breaking because Hei Bao was fighting them.
They were breaking because…
The Sanctuary itself had rejected them.
CRACK!
The first crimson chain shattered.
Then another.
Then another.
Within seconds, every blood-red rune exploded into crimson dust.
A shockwave erupted across the zoo.
BOOM!
Gu Rong staggered backward, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
“W-What?”
“My talisman…”
“It was destroyed?”
Lin Tianyu fell to one knee.
His entire body trembled.
The pain was gone.
Instead…
He felt warmth.
Gentle.
Comforting.
It was almost identical to the feeling he used to have as a child whenever his grandfather placed a hand on his shoulder.
The System appeared.
Congratulations
Guardian Contract Stability:
Perfect
Keeper Recognition Increased.
New Passive Ability Unlocked:
Beast Empathy
Effects:
• Sense Guardian emotions.
• Calm frightened Spirit Beasts.
• Increased trust gain.
Tianyu blinked.
“…Beast Empathy?”
Before he could think about it…
A flood of emotions entered his mind.
Not words.
Feelings.
Hei Bao.
Relief.
Pride.
Gratitude.
And…
Affection.
Tianyu looked toward the giant panda.
“You…”
Hei Bao smiled.
“…Family.”
A lump formed in Tianyu’s throat.
“…Yeah.”
“Family.”
On the other side of the enclosure…
Mo Chen had completely frozen.
“E-Elder…”
“…Let’s leave.”
Gu Rong didn’t answer.
His eyes remained locked on Tianyu.
“…No.”
“The Keeper…”
“…is changing.”
The golden emblem on the back of Tianyu’s hand slowly expanded.
Ancient runes spread from his wrist to his forearm before fading beneath his skin.
He felt stronger.
Not overwhelmingly so.
But…
Grounded.
As if he had become connected to the land beneath his feet.
The System explained.
Keeper Authority has merged with the Sanctuary’s Spirit Vein.
“What does that mean?”
As long as you remain inside the Sanctuary…
…you are never truly alone.
The ground rumbled.
Not violently.
Almost…
Happily.
Trees swayed although there was no wind.
Flowers that had wilted weeks ago suddenly bloomed.
The grass became greener.
Even the cracked stone pathways began repairing themselves.
Zhao Ming, still hiding behind the ticket booth with a broom, rubbed his eyes.
“…Was the grass always this green?”
He blinked again.
“No…”
“I really need a vacation.”
Then something unexpected happened.
Throughout the zoo, every ordinary animal began moving.
The red pandas.
The wolves.
The cranes.
The deer.
Even the sleepy capybaras.
One after another, they quietly approached the panda enclosure.
Not in fear.
In respect.
They formed a silent circle around Tianyu.
The System scanned them.
Observation
Spiritual Resonance Increasing.
Dormant Spirit Bloodlines Detected.
Potential Evolution Subjects:
17
Tianyu frowned.
“Evolution?”
“Even the normal animals?”
There are no truly ordinary creatures within the Sanctuary.
At that moment…
The mysterious young woman gasped.
Her golden eyes widened as she looked at Tianyu.
“…You’re glowing.”
“What?”
He looked down.
A faint golden aura surrounded his body.
Not bright enough to blind.
Just enough to make him stand out against the darkness.
She unconsciously took a step closer.
“…I remember…”
Fragments flashed through her mind again.
A little girl running through endless bamboo forests.
A kind old man laughing as he planted apple trees.
A giant panda carrying her on its shoulders.
Someone saying—
“When the Sanctuary chooses its Keeper…
The memory disappeared.
She grabbed her head.
“…Ah…”
Tianyu immediately rushed toward her.
“Hey!”
“Are you alright?”
“I…”
She looked into his eyes.
“I know this place.”
“You do?”
“I…”
Before she could answer—
A piercing whistle cut through the night.
SHRIIEEK!
Everyone looked toward the sky.
A black hawk circled above the zoo.
Around one of its legs was tied a small jade cylinder.
Gu Rong’s expression changed.
“…A Messenger Hawk?”
The bird landed beside him.
He removed the cylinder and opened it.
Inside was a single jade slip.
The moment he infused it with Spirit Qi…
A cold voice echoed in everyone’s ears.
“Gu Rong.”
“Withdraw immediately.”
The elder stiffened.
“…Sect Master?”
“You have awakened something you cannot control.”
“Do not provoke the Keeper further.”
“Return.”
The message ended.
The jade slip crumbled into dust.
Mo Chen looked relieved.
“Elder…”
“We’ve been ordered to leave.”
Gu Rong stood motionless.
His pride screamed at him to continue.
But…
The Sect Master had spoken.
Slowly, he looked at Tianyu.
“This isn’t over.”
He turned and walked away.
Mo Chen hurried after him.
Within moments…
The two cultivators disappeared into the darkness.
Silence settled over the zoo.
Tianyu finally let out the breath he’d been holding.
“…Did…”
“…Did we just win?”
Sun Xiaohou scratched his chin.
“…Half.”
“What do you mean half?”
The monkey looked toward the city lights beyond the zoo walls.
“…Now…”
“…Everyone knows.”
The System immediately confirmed his fears.
Global Spiritual Network Update
The awakening of the Black Yin Bear Emperor has been detected.
Estimated organizations investigating the Sanctuary:
12
Estimated arrival time of the nearest faction:
Less than 72 hours.
Tianyu stared at the message.
“…Twelve?”
He had barely survived two intruders.
Now twelve different organizations knew the Sanctuary existed.
Behind him, Hei Bao quietly looked toward the stars.
“…The peaceful days…”
“…are over.”
[End of Chapter 13]