Chapter 2 — The Beast King's Blood Seal

She paused for a moment, her tone seemingly casual, yet her eyes were sharp with scrutiny. “Now that I mention it, that strange black aura rising from its wound the other day... does younger sister happen to know what it was?”

There it was. This was the true purpose of today’s visit.

I opened my eyes, my gaze as cold and lifeless as dying embers. “I do not know.”

The smile on Ling Xi’s lips faltered for a fraction of a second before she smoothly recovered her gentle expression. “Indeed. Both you and I are disciples of the righteous path, so how could we possibly recognize such demonic, evil arts? It is just that—” She lowered her gaze and sighed softly, her tone laced with a hint of lingering regret. “Master said that wisp of demonic energy was exceptionally pure. If one could absorb and make it their own, it might just help my Fire Phoenix break through its bottleneck.” Her expression grew slightly sorrowful. “What a pity. Ever since that day, not a shred of demonic energy remains on Little Pity. It was like a morning hibiscus that blooms only to wither by nightfall.”

As she spoke, she covertly observed my reaction.

I merely chuckled coldly in the quiet depths of my heart. Mo Yuan was an Ancient Divine Beast; how precious was the origin of his divine power? How could it possibly leak out so easily? Had my sword not shattered the seal around his heart, that surge of primordial energy would never have spilled forth at all. As for Ling Xi, she had clearly lusted after that power for a long time.

“You are right, elder sister, what a terrible pity,” I replied casually, deliberately coating my voice with just the right measure of feigned disappointment.

Seeing me like this, Ling Xi seemed to drop her guard. “Well, it matters not. Though that dog is somewhat useless, it is extraordinary after all. That you managed to bind it in a blood pact can only be considered your good fortune.” Then, lowering her eyelashes, she murmured in a voice so soft it sounded like self-talk, “It is just... you simply lack the fortune to enjoy it.”

Though the volume was low, within the profound stillness of the Cold Pool Cave, every single word fell distinctly upon my ears.

I lowered my eyelids, concealing the murderous intent flashing in the depths of my gaze. Ling Xi, do not be in such a rush. Your day of celebration... is still yet to come. The moment I emerge from closed-door cultivation shall be the beginning of your worst nightmare.

Feigning a few more words of comfort and finding me entirely unmoved, she lost interest and departed on her own.

Watching her retreating figure slowly fade away, the corners of my mouth curled upward. She thought I was oblivious. She thought her deception was flawless. But no—that single slip of the tongue just now completely confirmed my suspicions: from the very beginning, she had known Mo Yuan’s true identity. Her approach, her feigned affection... it had all been a calculated plot to use my hands to seize the destiny that rightfully belonged to me.

I closed my eyes once more, resuming the circulation of the Demonic Transformation Art. This time, the tearing pain rippling through my meridians had diminished significantly. For I understood that every ounce of agony I endured brought me one step closer to the day of retribution.

Three months later, I was released from the Cold Pool Cave.

The sudden rush of sunlight beat down upon me, so blindingly bright that I had to narrow my eyes, taking a moment to adjust before leisurely walking toward my modest courtyard.

In the center of the yard, that mangy earth hound—Mo Yuan—lay sprawling against Ling Xi’s ankles, affectionately rubbing his head against the hem of her robes. The wounds on his body had healed, but outwardly he still maintained that sickly, ulcerated, and frail appearance as before. Upon seeing me, he instantly sprung to his feet, emitting a low, guttural growl loaded with warning deep within his throat.

Ling Xi squatted down, reaching out to stroke his head with a voice as gentle as water, “Little Pity, do not be afraid. With me here, she will never dare to harm you again.”

She raised her head, flashing me the triumphant smile of a victor. “Younger sister, you are finally out. Look at this, how wonderfully I have cared for Little Pity.”

I looked at the pair of woman and beast before me, finding it the height of absurdity. One stole another’s home, while the other embraced its tormentor as a savior—truly a match made in heaven.

“Indeed, cared for wonderfully. Even the audacity of a dog borrowing its master’s might has been thoroughly learned.”

A single sentence caused Ling Xi’s expression to instantly sour. “You! Ling Da, do not be ungrateful! If not for the sake of sisterly ties, I would have asked Master to expel you from the sect long ago!”

I couldn't be bothered to waste breath on her. I simply turned, stepped into my room, and slammed the door shut, cutting off the view outside.

In the days that followed, I remained in seclusion, devoting myself entirely to cultivation. Meanwhile, Ling Xi paraded everywhere, leading Mo Yuan and the Fire Phoenix in tow. Very soon, the entire sect knew: Senior Sister Ling Xi possessed not only peerless natural talent, but also a heart as boundless and kind as water—even the discarded, crippled dog cast aside by Junior Sister Ling Da was treated by her like a treasured heirloom.

As for me, I naturally transformed into the quintessential villain of the tale: narrow-minded, ruthless, and devoid of emotional warmth.

I didn't care in the least. Words belong to others; let them say whatever they pleased. In this world, after all, absolute strength was the only currency that truly mattered.

Before long, the sect’s once-in-a-decade Spirit Beast Grading Assembly arrived. This was the grandest and most flourishing event of the Beast Taming Sect—every disciple was required to bring their bound spirit beast to be officially ranked. The grade and combat prowess of one's spirit beast would entirely dictate the future distribution of resources and status within the hierarchy.

On the eve of the grand assembly, Ling Xi came looking for me once more. Standing at my threshold, she looked down upon me with an arrogant gaze. “Ling Da, tomorrow is the grading assembly. Are you prepared?”

She clearly knew I possessed no spirit beast, yet she asked anyway, making no effort to mask the mockery in her tone. “Ah, almost forgot. That dog of yours... it belongs to me now.”

Covering her mouth, she let out a light giggle, her eyes brimming with malicious triumph. “Younger sister, if you wish to avoid utterly humiliating yourself tomorrow, you could always come beg me. Who knows? Perhaps I might ask Master to show mercy and allow you to serve as my assistant, tending to the Fire Phoenix. At least that way, you would have some actual purpose.”

I looked at that hypocritical face of hers, suddenly finding the whole spectacle rather amusing.

“No need. I appreciate elder sister’s kind intentions... but I must decline.”

Hitting a metaphorical wall of soft indifference, Ling Xi’s expression instantly darkened. With a flick of her sleeves, she turned and stormed off.

The following day, the Grading Assembly commenced right on schedule.

The colossal martial arena square was packed with a sea of people. Every disciple brought their bound spirit beast, their expressions a mix of nervous anticipation and high hopes. Only I stood alone in a secluded corner, completely detached from the bustling atmosphere surrounding me.

Ling Xi was the absolute center of attention. Descending from the sky atop a Fire Phoenix of noble bloodline, she instantly drew a massive wave of gasps and cheers. The Fire Phoenix possessed a majestic posture, every single feather glowing with brilliant, fluid light, and with a single piercing cry echoing through the air, all other birds in the vicinity bowed their heads in submission.

The elders nodded in collective approval. “As expected of an ancient exotic breed! Given more time, it will undoubtedly undergo nirvanic rebirth and ascend into the ranks of true Divine Beasts!”

“This child Ling Xi has a boundless future ahead of her!”

Hearing such high praise, the smile on her face grew radiant. Basking in the adoring gazes of the multitudes, she swept her eyes across the plaza, finally letting them land upon me with a flash of undisguised contempt.

Next, she released Mo Yuan. The earth hound maintained his dying appearance, flattening himself against the ground, too lazy to even twitch. Compared to the resplendent, divine presence of the Fire Phoenix, the contrast was like heaven and earth.

Beneath the platform, waves of mocking laughter erupted.

“Ha ha, is this really Senior Sister Ling Da’s former dog? Truly trash through and through.”

“Senior Sister Ling Xi is so benevolent to take in such useless scrap.”

Hearing these remarks, Ling Xi did not display anger; instead, her expression softened into one of profound pity. “Though Little Pity possesses inferior bloodline, it is still a living creature. Since I have adopted it, I shall protect it until the end.”

This single remark won her yet another tidal wave of adulation.

The Master of the sect stepped up to the high platform, cleared his throat, and began to announce the grading results.

Just as expected—Ling Xi’s Fire Phoenix was rated at the supreme tier of the Heaven Grade, seizing the absolute first place.

When my turn finally arrived, the elder in charge of recording looked up, casting a single glance at me with undisguised disdain. “Ling Da, no bound spirit beast—grade, none.”

The moment those words fell, the entire plaza plunged into a deathly silence, only to erupt the next second into deafening jeers and mocking laughter.

“Daring to attend the grading assembly without a spirit beast? Shamelessness truly knows no bounds!”

“A disciple of the Beast Taming Sect without a spirit beast, how are they any different from useless trash?”

The Master’s expression turned utterly unsightly as well. Staring straight at me, he spoke in a frigid voice, “Ling Da, you have willfully degenerated. From this day onward, report to the Scripture Pavilion as a menial laborer to sweep the floors! The Beast Taming Sect... harbors no idle freeloaders!”

This was a calculated strike designed to completely cast me to the margins, severing any remaining possibility of cultivation.

Up above, Ling Xi looked down upon me from the stance of a triumphant victor, the corners of her lips curving into a smug arc. “Younger sister, do not be sad. The Scripture Pavilion is quite nice, very quiet. Afterward, you can help me tend to the Fire Phoenix, consider it finding a proper place for your talents.”

I gazed at that repulsive face, acutely feeling the naked malice pressing in from all directions.

This was the sect I had once risked my life to integrate into. These were the masters and fellow disciples I had once revered like gods.

It was hilarious to the extreme.

Lifting my head, I met every single gaze fixed upon me, letting each word fall deliberately from my lips:

“Who said I do not have a spirit beast?”