Bai Xifeng looked deeply into the black panther’s eyes. That gaze... it was a look of earnest pleading, as if he were begging her to take him along on her journey. Facing such a heartwarming situation, Bai Xifeng found her resolve weakening. She truly did enjoy the panther’s company.

"Ask him if he is truly willing to live alongside other beasts, because I already have quite a few contracted companions." Bai Xifeng asked Tao-chan, wanting to be fair.

So, Tao-chan conveyed Bai Xifeng’s concerns to the black panther. The black panther nodded vigorously to Tao-chan’s words. In truth, the panther did not mind the competition at all, as long as he was guaranteed a steady supply of those delicious, soul-soothing pills.

"He says he does not mind in the slightest," Tao-chan reported.

"Alright then... I will bring him into the Mirror World for the time being. I will perform the formal binding ritual once we have completed this mission and safely left this forest." Bai Xifeng decided.

Tao-chan explained the plan to the black panther, who gave a final, decisive nod. Even though he possessed no knowledge of what the ’Mirror World’ was, he found that he simply did not care.

Bai Xifeng reached out and gently touched the black panther’s shoulder. With a soft shimmer of light, the massive cat vanished from her sight.

As for the black panther, he was instantly shocked to see his new surroundings. His pupils dilated as he looked around the vast, mystical landscape. This place was saturated with a level of Qi so rich and pure it felt like breathing liquid life.

’Oh... You must be the new arrival.’

The black panther heard a voice echoing from nearby. When he whirled around, he saw a formidable creature approaching. He immediately dropped into a low crouch, his muscles tensing as he became combat-ready.

’There is no need to be so alert and aggressive like that. I am not going to do anything harmful to you.’

It was Gryffindor who had come to inspect the newcomer.

’Who are you?’ The black panther asked, his tail twitching warily.

’We are Xifeng’s contracted beasts. However, you do not yet carry her mark. So, why exactly are you here?’ Gryffindor asked, noting the absence of Bai Xifeng’s specific soul-aura on the panther.

’That human being told me that she will perform the ritual later, asking me to wait in this sanctuary for her return.’ The black panther explained, slowly relaxing his posture.

’Oh... I see. Then it appears we shall be companions. Well, you are free to choose a territory where you wish to stay. There are many other beasts residing here, so just be sure not to disturb the peace of others.’ Gryffindor said.

When Gryffindor mentioned the existence of other beasts, the black panther finally allowed his senses to expand, noticing the various powerful auras radiating from a distance. He could sense a staggering number of presences. Were all of these mighty creatures her contracted beasts? Then, his heart skipped a beat as he sensed two familiar, high-level auras that felt remarkably similar to Tao-chan’s.

After putting the black panther into the Mirror Space, Bai Xifeng started walking once more toward the cave. Ahead, the terrain began to slope upward, while the trees became gnarled and twisted as the soil gradually transitioned into the jagged grey rock at the mountain’s base.

Suddenly, a prickly sensation washed over her, the unmistakable feeling of being watched. She immediately scanned her surroundings and quickly found the source. A hawk perched upon a high tree branch, its eyes sharp, cold, and calculating.

Bai Xifeng stepped back slowly, hoping to avoid unnecessary conflict. However, the hawk was not about to let her leave so easily. With a sudden screech, it unleashed its Lightning Element attribute. A bolt of jagged electricity hissed through the air and struck the ground directly behind Bai Xifeng with a deafening crack. The scorched earth blocked her path, forcing her to stop her retreat at once.

Bai Xifeng was genuinely surprised to see a hawk possessing such a rare and volatile element. Her eyes sparkled with newfound interest. She immediately began to think of making this hawk Yu Nianzu’s contracted beast. After all, creatures with the lightning attribute were incredibly difficult to find.

Seeing that the hawk was determined to prevent her departure and continued launching aggressive sparks of lightning, Bai Xifeng decided she would fight it and tame it by force.

The battle between human and beast commenced with a burst of energy. It proved difficult for Bai Xifeng to land a solid blow, as the hawk used its powerful wings to soar high into the sky, easily evading her reach. It would then dive like a falling star, wreathed in flickering blue electricity. Bai Xifeng had to move with extreme agility, twisting her body and leaping over the arcs of lightning that danced wildly across the rocky ground.

The hawk’s speed was blinding, but Bai Xifeng’s experience was far superior. She waited patiently for the perfect moment, a slight overextension during one of its dives. As the hawk lunged forward, she pivoted sharply and used her spiritual energy to ensnare its wings, dragging it violently toward the earth. After a brief but intense struggle, Bai Xifeng finally managed to pin the hawk down against the jagged stone.

"You... I did not provoke you, yet you dared to provoke me." Bai Xifeng said, looking down at the hawk she held firmly in place.

She wanted to call Tao-chan to act as her translator again, but when she tried to reach him, she realised he had fallen fast asleep. Giving up on that idea, she ended up summoning Gryffindor instead.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko*