《The Ascension of Contracted Spirits》


 Chapter 1: Mr. Han_1

    <h4>Chapter 1: Mr. Han_1</h4>


    "Cough! Cough!"


    "Cough! Cough! Cough!"


    Under the blue sky and white clouds, the breeze is gentle, and the sunlight is just right.


    Ye Hanjun nced at the handkerchief in his hand, a bright red stain was clearly visible.


    He folded the bloody handkerchief as if nothing had happened, even with a bit of routine, and then stuffed it into the pocket of his chest.


    "Mr. Han?"


    At one side, a middle-aged man in a snakeskin coat opened his mouth.


    Even though he tried to cover his shocked expression, the confusion still seeped out of his eyes:


    "Mr. Han, could it be that you caught a cold from the rigorous travel?"


    "Your face... why has it turned so pale? Shall I take you to the college''s medical center first to have the professional medical staff and healing spirits treat you?"


    "No need," Ye Hanjun shook his head:


    "It''s just a minor ailment. I''ll be fine after a while."


    "Mentor, please continue."


    "Err... just call me Old Jia. I''m just a staff member of the admissions team, not a mentor."


    The man whose full name is "Jia Pengpeng" scratched his head.


    After triple-checking the young man in the ck robe, whose voice exposed unhideable weakness and fatigue, his ck pupils were still calm and gentle. Hesitant, he picks up where they had left off:


    "Mr. Han, let''s talk about ''Canghai Pavilion''."


    "As the top institution of the Blue Frog Kingdom, one of the three kingdoms of the Giant Frog Marsh, the name ''Canghai'' itself represents a kind of power, a kind of proof."


    "Currently, the college has a registered total of 588 mentors providing a range of courses from mainstream spirit fostering, power growth, wilderness survival to beauty pageants, wild history, an encyclopedia of spiritual objects, an intensive anatomy lesson."


    "Whether you want to be abat Patron, or into research, lifestyle, exploration, performance, or a well-rounded Patron, Canghai Pavilion can provide you with aprehensive growth n without burying talent, allowing you to win from the starting line."


    Jia Pengpeng''s voice was deep and powerful, full of force.


    It seems that if he lowers his voice further, he could make the roaring sound of a tiger descending from the mountain, startling the night thieves and dispersing the birds and beasts.


    The aim of his hospitality, Ye Hanjun took a stroll on the high street.


    The buildings of all sizes along the way were undoubtedly in view, but whether it was the luxurious pce-like super-luxurious battle house or the quaint exotic spirit shop, none could stir genuine ripples in his heart.


    This ce...


    ...It''s too shabby!


    Compared to the past lifestyle, the gap with all these is too great.


    No wonder those arrogant and self-imed remarkable nspeople, regardless of whether they have the ability to pass the trials at the end, will gripe about the rule of "trials must be far away from the family residence, and must be located in remote corners".


    This was quite reasonable.


    Putting himself in their position, Ye Hanjun fully understood.


    "Mr. Han, look here, this is the multi-functional training center that Canghai Pavilion has invested a lot of money in. It covers an area of 720,000 square meters."


    "It can freely switch between forest, stream, mine, mountain peak, and other naturalndscape structures, fully simting the real wilderness ecosystem, making it perfectly suitable for new Patrons like you to enjoy exhrating entry-level battles while ensuring absolute safety..."


    "And here, this is the quality cultivation center for Fond Spirits��the Chick House!"


    "As long as you be our official student, you can immediately enter it, you don''t have to spend a penny, and choose a Fond Spirit cub to take home!"


    "I can guarantee that you will not have to hunt for a Fond Spirit here! It''s either captured by ''Hunters'' with great effort, or raised by ''Breeders'' from a young age. They are only avable to new students or mentors in need!"


    "The mainstream species of Fond Spirits in the Giant Frog Marsh are all avable here. You''re sure to find something much more reliable than the mixed bunch you''d find outside in the Fon Spirit stores!"


    ...


    While introducing Canghai Pavilion, Jia Pengpeng was all excited.


    As he went on and on, his flying spit frequently attracted the attention of passers-by.


    "Did you see, that strange man just now!"


    They brushed past three young people at a corner.


    The one who spoke first was the man on the far right.


    He and another man had their arms around each other''s shoulders, they had simr facial features and were wearing simr clothes, very likely to be blood-rted brothers.


    "Could this guy just crawled out of the coffin? Why does he look more and more like a zombie that hasn''t fed on fresh blood for half a month?"


    "Haha, Xiao Li, your description is quite fitting!"


    "But after looking him over, couldn''t it be that he indulged too much and identally hurt his Yang energy?"


    The sarcastic retort was apanied by a sneakyughter.


    An obscured gaze then snaked around the crowd, and nonchntly fell on the back of Ye Hanjun''s head.


    Without turning his head, Ye Hanjun knew that this gaze came from the young man who spoke first, referred to as "Xiao Li".


    "Hey, you might be right, big brother!"


    "Thinking back, although the guy''splexion was frighteningly pale and he seemed extremely weak and frail to me, like he would die if I punched him."


    "But his facial features are distinct, and his eyes and hair are both ck."


    "Such a strong personal character, he is obviously not a native of the Giant Frog Marsh."


    "Add to that his tall stature... Haha, there is no problem being a light and delicate, easily toppled handsome guy! Whether it''s tender big sisters overflowing with pity for the young, or lively, obedient and pretty little sisters, they should all fall for thisbo~~~"


    The young man called Tian Li was excited beyond reason; the girl on the far left couldn''t stand it any longer and rebuked him in a low voice:


    "Hey, enough!"


    "As a ''Sketcher'', I can''tin about your love for observation."


    "But aren''t you guys too gossipy? You''re so noisy, shut up for god''s sake!"


    "Alright, my societal sister Hong, we''ll listen to you, we''ll listen to you!"


    ...


    The chat of three people, two males and one female, fell verbatim in Ye Hanjun''s ear.


    He still didn''t turn his head, even though the gap between them had already exceeded one hundred meters.


    In the crowd of people, it seemed that there were invisible eyes, noses, mouths, and ears... helping him observe, helping him listen, and then gathering this information together and synchronizing it into his mind.


    "The passive ability of the ''Demon Servant'' is certainly not this special."


    "Is this the sensing amplification given to me by the second professional right, ''Instructor''?"


    Ye Hanjun thought carefully, denying this judgment from the bottom of his heart.


    After sleeping for four years, he just woke up.


    He was thrown into the Blue Frog Kingdom to start the night trial before he had time to ask anything.


    As for the current fragmented state of his body, there is only a general assessment, seriouslycking details.


    He needs to stabilize as soon as possible, prioritize the Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits, and prioritize healing his injuries...


    "Cough... Cough, cough, cough!!"


    The whirlwind of thoughts continued to whirl.


    In the real world, Ye Hanjun, who was leisurely following Jia Pengpeng on a tour of the academy, just lifted his right foot to take a step when his calm facial features suddenly twisted.


    The more sensitive and clear his perception was a moment ago, the more painful it was when reflected on himself this moment.


    "Cough! Cough, cough!"


    "Cough, cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough, cough!!!"


    Pain, starting from the heart, violently shocks every limb and bone.


    The intensity was like a flood bursting a dam, unstoppable.


    Ye Hanjun almost instantly softened his legs, his whole body curled up and violently trembling like a shrimp bending its back.


    This was absurd...


    This was the seal the family elder himself put on...


    If it wasn''t for this seal, the Blood Covenant ceremony would have exploded on the spot, and he wouldn''t be alive now.


    Even so, can that demon girl still interfere with reality and affect my body from the Contract Space?!


    Ye Hanjun took a deep breath. By a stubbornness that was born with him, he forced himself to kneel instead of falling t.


    His left hand was pressed hard against his chest, and as the cold sweat dripped, countless bloodstains broke through the corners of his eyes.


    If you look closely at this time, his ferocious face, and his silent and gloomy aura that had be terrifying could be enough to scare a child who wouldn''t stop crying at night into silence.


    "Lord Han ... You''re noting down with some gue, are you? You look terrifying..."


    "I''m fine!"


    Ye Hanjun''s voice was almost squeezed out from between his teeth.


    As he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, the strong taste of iron filled his mouth.


    The heart that was thumping as if it was going to explode, as if doused in a bucket of cold water, gradually returned to normal along with his whole body.


    "Four years time, it''s not easy toe around, but it''s just barely clinging onto life..."


    "Just how unlucky do I have to be to have a discement summoning on the supposedly foolproof Blood Pact ceremony and almost threw myself into oblivion?"


    Ye Hanjun''s face was even paler than before.


    Even though the difort in his body hadn''t eased, his fingers were still trembling.


    He nheless took out a new white handkerchief from his shirt pocket on the other side of his chest, meticulously wiping the blood off his lips.


    ... What a joke!


    This life is a second life picked up by an earnest but overworked office worker.


    Even though, from the moment he was reborn as an infant, he knew that no matter how he lived this life, it seemed to be a great deal of profit.


    But his starting point is now what millions of others cannot reach, the end.


    He was born to please himself, why should he be trapped by outsiders?


    He was born out of ordinary, why should he return to the ordinary, to choose a mundane life of boredom?

 Chapter 2: Dead-last Qualification and Golden Physique_1

    <h4>Chapter 2: Deadst Qualification and Golden Physique_1</h4>


    Monsters known as "Fond Spirits" are ubiquitous in this world.


    Demons, Savages, Insects, Nether, Witches, Mechanisms, Origins... It''s survival of the fittest.


    However, in this world, humans also possess a powerful force known as "Authority".


    Masseuse, Bug Catcher, Magic Apprentice, Egg Hatcher, Encourager, Bird Speaker, Matchmaker, Swordsman, Knight, Scout, Assassin, Shepherd, Fashion Designer, Monk, Mechanic...


    Either living or fighting, there is a diversity.


    Whether actively or passively, once one awakens their Authority, they can acquire Contract Imprints and form new bonds by forging contracts with Fond Spirits.


    And Ye Hanjun is one of the rare Authority wielders with dual roles.


    While holding a higher hierarchy does not signify absolute strength but rather implies a challenging path of promotion.


    Yet now is not the time to consider this, Ye Hanjun needs to prioritize resolving his identity issues.


    ...


    "Mr. Han, you don''t feel well, do you?"


    "We''ve only been walking for three hours, I''ve seen you vomit blood thrice, on average every hour. Especially thest time was the most severe..."


    Jia Pengpeng massages his broad palm, looking quite embarrassed.


    ncing around, Ye Hanjun''s presence creates a vacuum in his vicinity; people and Fond Spirits deviate from their paths to avoid him, seemingly afraid of catching the ''gue''.


    "It''s not contagious, I was stung by a poisonous creature during my journey. It was a fortunate encounter with a helpful wild man who used the Medicine Beast''s blood to detoxify me, which saved my life."


    "As for the organs damaged by the severe toxin...the old pharmacist said that since I have awakened my Authority, I needn''t worry. After resting and recuperating for a while, it''ll heal."


    Ye Hanjunes up with an excuse to fend off the curious gazes.


    Underneath his cloak, his hand tightly grips into a fist. Even though he feels significantly more fatigued than before, at least the severe pain that tormented his body and soul is now gone. His breathing became much smoother.


    "Well, that''s good then."


    Jia Pengpeng is quite observant, secretly observing Ye Hanjun''s subtle expressions and movements.


    Seeing that he can walk andmunicate normally, even though he assumes nine out of ten parts of the story are lies, he chooses not to delve deeper into the topic.


    "Mr. Han, at three in the afternoon, I''ve arranged a matchmaking event for my Giant Sparrow. I must return home early to prepare."


    "Regarding Canghai Pavilion, if there are any areas you''re unclear about, I''d dly rify for you."


    "I think I have understood most of it. Thanks for showing me around, Master Jia." Ye Hanjun bows his head in gratitude.


    "Oh, no, my authority is ''Guide''. I''m best at this type of work, no need to be polite."


    Jia Pengpeng puts on a sunny smile, happily takes out a bag from his carry-on:


    "If there''re no more questions, let''s head to the recruitment office andplete your freshman enrollment process."


    "Master Jia, have you misunderstood something?"


    Ye Hanjun looks at Jia Pengpeng strangely:


    "It seems that I never said that I came to the Canghai Pavilion to be a student here."


    "...Huh?" Jia Pengpeng''s hand, flipping through the contract, became rigid.


    At first, he doubted his hearing, but once he fullyprehended, he raised his head and stared at Ye Hanjun incredulously:


    "Mr. Han, we have no quarrels. You don''t need to y me."


    "I''ve worked hard to introduce everything to you. I''ve drunk five or six bottles of water."


    "If you aren''t serious, you could have made your intentions clear earlier. There''s no need to put on this act and leave me hanging."


    "Master Jia." Ye Hanjun shakes his head gently, looking at him straight:


    "I am here to be a tutor, naturally, I would need a guide as well."


    "Huh?" Jia Pengpeng''s eyebrows twitch, with his eyes wide open in disbelief. He couldn''t help butugh:


    "A tutor? You''re joking. You can mislead people, but not like this."


    Jia Pengpengughed for a moment; his lips curled as he erupted withughter.


    A new Patron, young and fragile...


    Where does he get the confidence and courage to skip the essential growth process and teach those of his age?


    "No, when you first entered the academy through the main gate, your bone age has already been passively detected."


    "20 years old, which so happens to be thetest age to awaken Authority, pushing it back even half a year, you will never be a Patron in your life."


    "I believe you are very clear, there''s a four years gap between being 20 and 16, but one is considered a ''Deadst qualification'' and the other a ''Golden Physique''. The talents represented behind the two are vastly different."


    "Under such circumstances, you only meet the very basic admission criteria of the academy."


    "In the harshest years, you might have been rejected."


    "If you said you wanted to go to the Tianyafu Residence next door, I might understand."


    "But you just told me you want to be a new instructor at the Canghai Pavilion, this is the first time I''ve encountered such a situation..."


    Jia Pengpeng is dumbfounded; looking at Ye Hanjun''s pale but calm face, he can sense he''s serious about this matter.

 Chapter 3 - 2: Dead-last Qualification and Golden Physique_2

    <h4>Chapter 3: Chapter 2: Deadst Qualification and Golden Physique_2</h4>


    The more he thought about it, the more his heart pounded, making him feel as if the world was upside down; the man before him was aplete madman.


    "Master Jia, I mean no jest, nor am I joking.


    Ye Hanjun shook his head, surveyed the surrounding street scenes, and unhurriedly said:


    "My upation is called an ''Instructor'', it naturally suits a mentor-like role."


    "On the other hand, being a student does not contribute in any way to my growth."


    "That''s not right either; you''re but a young novice, how could you possibly instruct the elite students of our academy?"


    Jia Pengpeng shook his head like a bobblehead, looking at Ye Hanjun with increasingly unfriendly eyes.


    Yet, Ye Hanjun remained calm, coolly saying:


    "My rank is not high, only E-ss."


    "But I''m not a ''Passive Awakener''."


    "Master Jia, you should understand the weight of that statement."


    "Not a Passive Awakener?"


    Jia Pengpeng''s face slightly changed, mulling it over three times; his impatience, misunderstanding, and frustration... rapidly vanished from his brows.


    He stared straight at Ye Hanjun''s ck pupils as if he had discovered a rare treasure. Carefully, he probed:


    "Could it be... you''re an Active Awakener?"


    Active Awakeners- much rarer than Passive Awakeners!


    Their upations are usually not too bad, with the lowest quality being E-ss.


    Butpared to Passive Awakeners, what''s crucial is their additional ''Blood Pact Summoning'' capability.


    Imagine the situation of same-rank Patron with only one Fond Spirit. Active awakeners have an additional ''Blood Pact Spirit Fond''. How huge is that gap?


    "But that''s not supposed to be the case. Theoretically, all Active Awakeners awaken automatically at 16, and those who dy until 17 are extremely rare cases."


    "20 years old, how can that be possible..."


    "Master Jia, you are subjectively judging again."


    Ye Hanjun couldn''t help butugh, "Mying here at 20 doesn''t mean I awakened my upation at 20."


    "In the end, it alles down to the poisoning ident I mentioned earlier."


    "I encountered an ident on the way here, which caused me to fall into aa for four years."


    "After barely recovering, I came to the Blue Frog Kingdom as soon as possible."


    "...Such a ''lucky encounter''?"


    Jia Pengpeng remained stunned for a long time, murmuring in disbelief:


    "There is no trace or aura of any contracted spirit fond spirits on you, who would have thought you had such a twisted journey..."


    "It''s too surreal, have I really encountered the highest tier ''Golden Physique''? It''s the first in my thirty years of service..."


    It took him a whole minute to digest this information.


    As a touch of rosy glow filled his cheeks, his attitude did aplete 180-degree change, treating Ye Hanjun with far more respect than before:


    "Mr. Han, if I have offended you previously, please do not take it too heart."


    "I''m unrefined in many ways, the me is all mine, please bear with me."


    "You''re exaggerating."


    Ye Hanjun smiled and asked:


    "About the job application for the instructor position, who has the authority to make the final decision?"


    "This..." Jia Pengpeng''s expression stiffened again:


    "Mr. Han, let''s be frank."


    "You are an Active Awakener, even if you lost four years of growth time, even if your upation level is not particrly impressive, you can still stand out in the academy and shine brightly just by your unused Blood Pact."


    "But in our Canghai Pavilion, only those who possess special upations, or tutors who can provide special knowledge answers, are allowed to stay in the second rank."


    "All other on-duty tutors are all of the third rank, and the spirit fonds they contract with are mostly Jade infant fetus."


    "And the cream of the crop among tutors, those star tutors most admired and pursued by students, are said to be the ceiling of the third rank, infinitely close to ''Title Patrons''."


    "You... have nopetitiveness!"


    "Canghai Pavilion has never had a case where a Patron under 26, who hasn''t contracted with any spirit fond, served as a formal tutor!"


    "Rules are made by humans, as long as I have the ability to do the job, I still have the opportunity to fight for it."


    A small smile appeared at the corner of Ye Hanjun''s mouth as he suggested again:


    "Lead me to someone who can make the decision. Regardless of the result, I''ll remember your kindness."


    "How about I take you to Director Jiang?"


    Touching his brows after thinking for a good while, Jia Pengpeng hesitated:


    "The true power-holder in the academy, I do not have the privilege to meet."


    "Those vice-principals, are usually elusive like a dragon, finding them would be more difficult than reaching the sky."


    "While Director Jiang Yongnian may not be a star tutor, he has dedicated most of his life to the Canghai Pavilion, and therefore has special authority in many instances."


    "If he approves and agrees, there may be a chance to break the rule."


    After a pause, Jia Pengpeng emphasized:


    "He is also the only high-ranking individual I can reach."


    "Mr. Han, are you confident?"


    "It''s worth a try."


    Ye Hanjun nodded slightly:


    "If I break new ground in the academy, Master Jia will have helped a lot."


    "...If it fails, please Mr.Han, do not force it."


    Jia Pengpeng gave a bitter smile, apparently not expecting much from this journey.


    "Mr. Han, Director Jiang likes a quiet environment, so he lives on the far east side of the academy."


    "If we walked from here, we wouldn''t get there before it gets dark. How about we ride my Contracted Spirit Fond?"


    As he spoke, Jia Pengpeng led Ye Hanjun, turning off the main road into a deserted alley.


    He then shook his sleeve, revealing a ck arm. Just enough to see a feather-shaped tattoo that was a foot long and two fingers wide.


    "Come out! Da Xiong!"


    "Whoosh-"


    The feather-shaped tattoo was originally dark red, clinging tightly to his skin.


    As a circr formation with a diameter of ten meters was quickly formed and a hazy mist rose, it suddenly came to life and radiated a bright crimson light.


    "Caw! Caw!"


    As the light faded, a huge creature appeared from the formation, standing like a wall in front of Ye Hanjun.


    It craned its neck, emitted an excited shriek, then pped its massive wings. The sand and stones on the ground were blown away, the green nts in the corner shivered, even Ye Hanjun''s ck hair danced wildly with the wind, making his snow-white face appear even calmer.


    "Talent Identification!"


    As he silently recited in his heart, the tranquil world of his soul disyed a set of sinct text.


    Ye Hanjun did not need to read it word by word. The moment the text formed, he was able to interpret its meaning thoroughly with his entire knowledge.


    ---


    [Species Name]: Giant Sparrow


    [Chaos Seal]: ''Savage''


    [Main Study]: Dao of the body


    [Rank]: Mud-cast fetus��Perfection


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: 30 Pattern ''Fierce Impact,'' 18 Pattern ''Hoot,'' 55 Pattern ''Wing Shield.''


    [Core Personality]: ''Impulsive''


    [Current State]: Mating season


    [Contractual Rtionship]: Stable

 Chapter 4 - 3: D-Class Authority · Examiner_1

    <h4>Chapter 4: Chapter 3: D-ss Authority �� Examiner_1</h4>


    "Whoosh Whoosh"


    The dust was everywhere, and a cacophony filled with shrill cries from a giant bird erupted amidst the chaos.


    Jia Pengpeng sent an apologetic nce to Ye Hanjun, quickly moved forward, and repeatedly pat the rough, long, and fuzzy thigh of the giant bird, strenuously soothing it:


    "Alright, alright, Da Xiong, keep calm!"


    "Can''t you tolerate being in the contract space for just five or six hours? Surely it''s not too much for a big boy like you, right?"


    "Koko~~~Koko~~~"


    The frantically pping wings of the giant bird slowed down gradually.


    It lowered its head and held Jia Pengpeng''s head in its mouth, its eyes full of kindness reflected in the glow of its yellow pupils.


    "Pah! Pah pah pah!"


    Jia Pengpeng struggled violently, finally freeing himself from the "embrace of love", his upper body was wet and sticky, covered in drool.


    Ye Hanjun, who was standing by, stepped back two steps, sessfully avoiding the sshes of unidentified liquid.


    "You always greet me like this, can''t you find another way?"


    Jia Pengpeng seemed to be ustomed to it, sighed, and looked up at the giant bird.


    Harassment and helplessness on one side, excitement and eager anticipation on the other, it was like ying the lute to a cow.


    "Well, Da Xiong, I have to tell you something, I hope you don''t mind."


    "Koko? (???_??)?"


    "That is..."


    "Our blind date activity nned for today might have gone south. How about we schedule it for tomorrow?"


    "Kokoda! (^ 3 ^)!"


    The five-meter-long, scarlet giant bird with a wingspan of five meters, stood proudly.


    When it lowered its head to look down at its master, it twisted its strong neck by 90 degrees. The insightful look in its eyes was full of wisdom.


    "s,ck of intellect makes suchplexmunication, even with the contractual rtionship, require repeated and endlessmunication. Mr. Han, I apologize for the awkwardness..."


    Jia Pengpeng gave a sheepish smile, then firmed up his expression, and sternly instructed the giant bird:


    "Da Xiong, we have to take this young master on an important task!"


    "Meaning! Things have changed, and you won''t get to see the giant sparrow sister today!"


    "Kokoda (?�� ? ��)??"


    Giant sparrows are wild beasts, and amon characteristic of wild beasts is "having strong limbs and simple minds".


    The one in front of them was as typical as it gets.


    Jia Pengpeng, the beast''s master, exined the situation in many ways for quite some while before Da Xiong finally understood with a roar.


    Then, it started pping its wings again in furious anger.


    The seemingly sturdy walls were bombarded with arge area of cobweb-like cracks, and countless stones fell off.


    The ensuing rm scared Jia Pengpeng so much that he flinched:


    "Are you trying to kill me! Damaging the city''s architecture! They''ll dock my pay!"


    "It''s already tiring enough to support you every month, could you behave a little and not always lose your temper!!"


    "Kokoda!!! Kokoda!!!"


    The crying call of the giant bird was filled with grief, as if it had encountered the greatest misfortune in its life. It did not heed any of Jia Pengpeng''s reprimands and allegations.


    Ye Hanjun, who was watching the farce, kept his usual silence, only silently observing with an eye full of scrutiny.


    While beasts do have troublemunicating.


    In the mating season, the instinctual physiological needs are further exaggerated, which is not hard to understand.


    However, Jia Pengpeng is not a new spirit host, and the giant bird in front of him is not a fledgling chick.


    There is likely a bond between them thatsts over thirty years!


    Despite such a long investment of emotional energy, the spirit host still loses control over the spirit beast.


    Being in such a situation on a battlefield would be an extremely dangerous signal and could pose a lethal risk!


    "What are you guys doing! Destructing the academy''s architecture intentionally, do you think Canghai Pavilion doesn''t have aw enforcement team?


    "Eh, Jia Pengpeng, it''s you again?"


    "As an employee of Canghai Pavilion, knowingly vitingws, don''t you understand you need topensate twofold?"


    ...


    After arge sum of spirit stones was deducted, Jia Pengpeng was badly beaten and utterly disheveled.


    He took Ye Hanjun with him and quickly fled to a desertedwn. Then they climbed onto the back of the giant bird, and Jia Pengpeng stamped his feet in frustration.


    "Causing a mess every few days! Causing a mess every few days!"


    "There''s priority to people and urgency to events, don''t you know to prioritize business? Am I not setting you up for dates at all?"


    "Koko Da! Da Da Da!"


    Da Xiong seemed defiant, looking around with its wings spread, and immediately locked its gaze on Ye Hanjun, its eyes ring wide.


    Due to the proximity, the aura of life, like a raging fire, came head-on. The violent force surged, creating an atmosphere of imminent battle.


    "Are you trying tomit suicide! If you lose your temper again, I will never arrange for you to meet with the Giant Sparrow. That includes Flower Bird, Hill Bird, me Bird... none at all. You will be alone for the rest of your life!"


    After a severe beating and threats about both '' food '' and '' sisters ''.


    Da Xiong lowered his stubborn head, and the upper half of his bodyy t on the ground, allowing Ye Hanjun to climb on him.


    Ye Hanjun hesitated for a moment.


    ording to his usual principles, riding on others'' contracted beasts, especially those that are so disobedient, can be inherently risky.


    Especially now that he had lost his guard and his life-saving tools, and his physique was also in unprecedentedly weak condition.


    These factors stacked together, he should not take unnecessary risks.


    "Rest assured! Although Da Xiong can asionally be a little temperamental on the ground, once he''s in the sky he''s as cautious as can be!"


    "Lord Han, trust me once again, give me another chance to gain your trust!"


    Jia Pengpeng repeatedly assured him, and the Giant Sparrow, which had lowered its head, was now obedient and still.


    Considering that the Giant Sparrow could only make low-level flights and that the Night Trial had begun, from this point forward, the dangers and difficulties they would need to face would only be more numerous andplex than imagined.


    Ye Hanjun let out a sigh and stepped on Da Xiong''s head with one foot.


    Hebined three steps into two, nimbly lying down on the back of its neck. He held on tightly with both legs gripping the bird''s body, his hands grasping the creature''s red feathers, fully prepared for what was toe.


    "...Mr. Han really is capable indeed!"


    Jia Pengpeng had intended to instruct Ye Hanjun on how to ride the Giant Sparrow.


    Unexpectedly, Ye Hanjun just opened his mouth and had not yet spoken, but the task was already perfectly aplished on his own.


    This caused Jia Pengpeng to swallow the rest of his words with a polite and somewhat awkward smile.


    "Go on!"


    "Giggle-giggle!"


    With a stamp of a foot, the Giant Sparrow took off.


    Unlike past experiences of riding high-ranking flying Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits, there was no sensation of weightlessness while soaring through the clouds, nor was there a feeling of unreality like the rotation of the stars. Instead, it slowly and leisurely began to ascend into the air, the entire process rigid and clumsy.


    It is easy to go from simplicity to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to simplicity.


    Ye Hanjun had a momentarily ufortable adjustment period.


    Especially since his perceptions were stronger than before, all the details were further magnified, everything seemed strange and novel.


    "Mr. Han, Director Jiang has lived for over a hundred and thirty years and was originally a student of the Canghai Pavilion."


    "After his graduation, it was said that he had only a short period of adventurous travel before returning to the Canghai Pavilion in the Blue Frog Kingdom and serving as a mentor here."


    "He has a deep love for the academy, and throughout the years, he nurtured and trained generation after generation of elite students through his actions."


    With the Giant Sparrow flying at a steady low altitude, Jia Pengpeng began to introduce the key figures one by one:


    "At his peak, Director Jiang only reached the 3rd Tier realm; now his strength and his Fond Spirits are declining.


    "Despite this, his status in Canghai Pavilion is still not to be underestimated,pared to those star mentors."


    "Given his seniority, he might even have more say than them."


    "He is, of course, notoriously stubborn, which is associated with his power, temper, experience....."


    "What is Director Jiang''s rank?" Ye Hanjun asked the question that he had wanted to ask.


    "His rank..."


    Jia Pengpeng''s face became serious as he remembered:


    "Examiner!"


    "D-ss position--Examiner!"


    "No wonder."


    Ye Hanjun slightly raised his eyebrows and slowly nodded.


    "Such positions are rare. Given that he has such a position to back him up, it''s no wonder that he has be an old kid at Canghai Pavilion."


    "Mr. Han, you''ve heard of it?"


    Jia Pengpeng was surprised, which was soon covered by worry:


    "In the past, Director Jiang always had a seat at the core of all the events, trials, and activities in the Canghai Pavilion."


    "In recent years, he has taken a backseat, no longer bothering himself with many troublesome matters, and has started to lead a semi-retired life."


    "But I still think convincing this elder will be a huge challenge..."


    ...


    Ye Hanjun didn''t respond this time. He picked out a few key questions and continued to ask during his careful consideration.


    Before they realized it, an hour had passed.


    The scenery in their view changed from the hustle of the academy city to the untamed wastnd and progressed in sequence.


    By the time a lush primordial forest appeared before them, Jia Pengpeng licked his dry lips and breathed deeply.


    "Mr. Han, we have arrived."


    "Giggle-giggle!"


    The Giant Sparrow named Da Xiong replied, its voice no longer intense.


    This creature, despite its substantial figure, was not skilled at long-distance flights, and this distance was pretty much at its limit.


    "Well done, we''ll reward you with a feastter!"


    Jia Pengpeng patted the Giant Sparrow''s back, and thetter began to adjust its flight posture,nding near the hiddenke deep in the forest.


    Five minutester, Ye Hanjun set foot on solid ground with Jia Pengpeng''s help.


    He raised his head to face the front. In the distance was the gradually setting sun, while up close was an undtingke.


    A few huge Red-eyed Frogs leisurely soaked in the water asionally catching a big fish with their long tongues. Their lives seemed quitefortable.


    "Cough, cough! Cough, cough!"


    Ye Hanjun covered his lungs, an ufortable cough breaking the harmonious natural environment.


    Jia Pengpeng cast a worried nce, but Ye Hanjun shook his head indicating he was fine.


    However, when he put his left hand in his pocket and found it empty, that''s when he frowned.


    "The handkerchief is gone, and I am covered in filth and sweat."


    "If I don''t settle down soon, I''m afraid I''ll start getting lice."


    After hesitating, Ye Hanjun pulled out a used handkerchief and wiped the blood from the corners of his mouth.


    Then, he washed his face and hands in the clear, icyke water, carefully cleaning the area between his fingers, nail beds, and the back of his ears -- spots where dirt and grime were easily umted, rinsing it three times to ensure cleanliness.


    Afterward, he used the surface of theke as a mirror to fix his clothing and appearance.


    Only when he could barely tolerate his current state did Ye Hanjun nod slightly. His gazended on a small castle built by theke about three hundred meters away.


    The castle only upied dozens of acres. Compared to the other buildings in the academy, it was neither luxurious nor outstanding and had no remarkable merits.


    But its owner''s surname was Jiang.


    This was Jiang Yongnian''s private residence.

 Chapter 5 - 4: Graceful Parrot and Forged Evidence_1

    <h4>Chapter 5: Chapter 4: Graceful Parrot and Forged Evidence_1</h4>


    "Giggle..."


    The panting Giant Sparrow, no longer exuding the spirited air it had while frolicking, spread out its wings and gasped for air with its beak wide open. Its fatigue and weakness were evident.


    "Go take a rest." Jia Pengpeng stretched out his arm, and the dark red, feather-shaped marks started to glow again.


    With a sh of light, the Giant Sparrow disappeared, and the astonishing heat and life vibrations also vanished from Ye Hanjun''s perception.


    "Let''s go meet Director Jiang."


    Ye Hanjun took the lead and walked towards the all-white castle.


    The castle was obviously well maintained, with a dry and softwn at the entrance and the mild aroma of grass rushing towards them.


    On both sides of the entrance, there was a centuries-old peach tree, simr in height and both teeming withrge and small flower buds. Just a light breeze would seemingly cause the pink buds to bloom.


    "We have guests! We have guests!"


    A few steps ahead, a voice speaking perfect humannguage came from the birdcage hanging on the right side of the gate.


    The speaker was a parrot with white, blue, and green feathers, having shiny ck eyes and a quirky hair sticking up from its head.


    It showed no fear of humans. In fact, one wing folded across its chest while the other spread out, mimicking a human-like weing gesture as a beautiful and ethereal voice rang out:


    "Wee! Wee!"


    "The master is in his office upstairs and already knows guests have arrived. Pleasee in! Pleasee in!"


    "Thank you."


    Jia Pengpeng dug out a walnut from somewhere and carefully ced it beside the birdcage.


    Then he pushed the heavy metal door open one step ahead of Ye Hanjun, peering inside with a reserved gaze.


    "A demon''s Fond Spirit... an Elegant Parrot?"


    Ye Hanjun tried Talent Identification and sessfully obtained an attribute panel that matched his prediction��


    [Species Name]: Elegant Parrot


    [Chaos Seal]: ''Demon''


    [Main Study]: The Way of Enlightenment


    [Rank]: Mud-cast Fetus��Great Completion


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: 12 patterns ''Parrot Mimicry'', 25 patterns ''Recording''


    [Core Personality]: ''Elegance''


    [Current Status]: Keeping Elegance


    [Contractual Rtionship]: None


    "This Director Jiang seems to have a certain pursuit of life quality..."


    While silently contemting, Ye Hanjun acknowledged that although the Elegant Parrot was just amonce first-level Fond Spirit, it headed towards the second-level Rainbow Light Fetus with difficulty throughout its entire life.


    However, such species are pampered, having meticulous requirements for their environment, temperature, scent... etc.


    Moreover, they requirepanionship.


    If not apanied by a human or another parrot, before long, it will be depressed, expressed by the parrot plucking out its own feathers until it bes bald.


    For Jiang Yongnian to train a non-contracted Elegant Parrot into a qualified "doorbell," it must have taken significant effort.


    At the very least, investing enough, hiring someone to take care of it daily, is also an alternative.


    "Creak��"


    Retrieving his gaze, Ye Hanjun, following Jia Pengpeng, stepped into the castle''s interior officially.


    Along with the heavy metal door closing slowly, the dark hall that was so dark that one couldn''t see their outstretched hand, twinkled with several, finger-thick candles.


    Frog croaking, bird calling, insect chirping, wind whistling...


    One moment it was a vibrant, natural world, the next it went silent as though they had stepped into the deepest part of a dark forest, with unknown fear lurking in the shadows.


    "Director Jiang''s house is still so cold..." Jia Pengpeng shivered, feigning calmness.


    It wasn''t his first time here, but every visit felt like stepping into a haunted castle, causing goosebumps all over his body.


    However, for Ye Hanjun, darkness, the unknown, and peculiarity... these familiar attributes felt somewhat like home.


    Of course, this level of dimness couldn''t affect Ye Hanjun''s perception, allowing him to see every unobstructed object in sight clearly, be it surface color or the direction of the patterns.


    "Upstairs, upstairs."


    Jia Pengpeng swallowed his saliva, boldly striding towards the staircase at the end of the hall.


    The staircase was made from aparatively higher quality ironwood material. However, as per the weight of a body pressed onto it, it would still make a creaking noise, disrupting the otherwise tranquil atmosphere.


    Ye Hanjun ascended step by step, maintaining a steady and calm pace.


    With the faint candlelight behind him, his shadow elongated and unted itself, as though a demon was closely following, waiting for an opportunity to attack.


    "There''s a lurker, Jiang Yongnian''s Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits?"


    Ye Hanjun didn''t let anything show, but he was on full alert.


    The slight noise he asionally heard wasn''t made by him or Jia Pengpeng.


    In the darkness, there was some unknown creature!


    It seemed to have many legs, lightly touching the walls and other solid objects, producing exceptionally minute sounds of stic friction.


    And, it definitely wasn''t a Mud-cast fetus!


    A mere Mud-cast fetus, even if Ye Hanjun were in ten times worse condition, wouldn''t be able to generate such tremendous pressure.


    "Familiar feeling, all my pores are opening further."


    "There''s no killing intent, and I don''t feel hatred, pain, despair, or death..."


    "But this Fond Spirit must be closely rted to the Dark Attribute! This feeling of blending with the environment... it feels particrly intimate!"


    Ye Hanjun was not afraid, nor troubled, but slightly excited.


    The world of the Patron was so fascinating that, despite indirectly experiencing it countless times before he turned 16, it could notpare to the eagerness to be stronger and to prove something with his own ability after bing a Patron himself.


    "It should be here. Pushing this door open should allow us to see Director Jiang."


    Less than a minute of climbing the stairs left Jia Pengpeng not only with his hair standing on end, but also with a fineyer of sweat beading on his forehead.


    His position was ''Guide'', and his rank was the most ordinary G-tier, like that of the ''Sketcher'', possessing no Abilities to enhancebat.


    The Giant Sparrow he contracted, although nurtured to the Perfection realm of the Mud-cast fetus, possessed somebat power.


    However, within the vast and mysterious world of Fond Spirits, such capabilities were nothing, merely another kind of bottom tier.


    "Please enter."


    A strange male voice suddenly sounded.


    From the tone, it sounded like an old man''s rather than a vigorous adult man''s, carrying a sense of weariness unique to the elderly.


    This time Ye Hanjun was the first to push the door open. The wooden door was wide and heavy, requiring nearly all of his strength to push.


    With a "creak" sound, darkness invaded his vision, followed quickly by the soft orange light.


    Following the source of the light, Ye Hanjun saw a white-haired old man at the end of the darkness. The old man had a bamboo pin on his head, wore a ck robe, sat leisurely in front of a table that was ten meters long, and was writing vigorously.


    The source of the light was merely a half-human-sized paperntern.


    Besides that, it was quiet all around.


    "Why are you here?"


    Jiang Yongnian faintly opened his mouth, his eyes never leaving the scroll on the table. Every now and then, he marked something on it, his expression extremely focused.


    "Director Jiang..."


    Jia Pengpeng was about to speak when Ye Hanjun patted his shoulder and stepped forward.


    Obtaining the position of a Mentor was the inevitable result of this journey.


    It also meant that from the moment he stepped into the castle, the "struggle" had already begun.


    "Director Jiang." With no regard for the dim light, Ye Hanjun stepped on the cold floor tiles, walking right up to therge desk:


    "I''ll introduce myself. My surname is Han, and my given name is Jun. I''m 20 years old, and Ie from a territory outside the Giant Frog Marsh."


    "Perhaps it might seem too straightforward to get to the point, and you might think I''m just a wet-behind-the-ears brat speaking grandly."


    "But I do not like to beat around the bush, nor do I wish to utter insincere words."


    "I have only one purpose ining here �� to apply for the position of ''Mentor'' in Canghai Pavilion!"


    Ye Hanjun''s voice was soft and, due to his weak body, not quite strong or powerful.


    It made his speech seem a bit weak.


    Standing at the door, Jia Pengpeng''s pupils kept erging, as he kept listening to Ye Hanjun''s straightforward opening remarks. His palm involuntarily began to sweat.


    It was absurd...


    No matter how he tried to convince himself, a new Patron who hadn''t contracted any Fond Spirits, proiming that he wanted to be a Mentor��it was an absurd thought, an absurd behavior!


    "Oh?" Jiang Yongnian''s stroke suddenly halted.


    He finally lifted his head. On his weathered face, his eyes sank deep and were lined with wrinkles.


    Under the orange light, his seemingly obscure brown eyes shed a calm and deep light.


    "Young man, youe to my Canghai Pavilion, not to be a student."


    "But to take on the role of a mentor instead, thinking of shaping raw jade into a jewel?"


    "My position is ''Instructor'', which is referred to as ''Drillmaster'', ''Teacher'', ''Counselor'', is a type of niche and less popr one."


    "In order to grow my position quickly and efficiently, I am not suitable for the role of a student. I must take on the role of a Mentor to better y my role, blend in, and resonate."


    Ye Hanjun was concise and to the point, neither humble nor arrogant in his demeanor.


    Before Jiang Yongnian could reply, he pulled out a crumpled rectangr envelope from his chest and lightly pushed it onto the table.


    "This is my introduction letter. Please review it."


    "He even has an introduction letter?" Jia Pengpeng at the door was shocked and unconsciously craned his neck to get a better view.


    Unfortunately, the distance was too great and the light was too dim. He could vaguely see the exquisite patterns imprinted on the envelope.


    "I haven''t heard Mr. Han mention it before. Could he be the descendent of some hidden sect outside the jurisdiction? Otherwise, where would he get the confidence to teach others..."


    Jia Pengpeng rambled on with his thoughts, holding his breath and waiting for Director Jiang''s review results.


    Ye Hanjun, calm andposed, watched the man on the other side open the envelope and saw an interested and surprised expression appear on his weathered face as he read it. His eyes reflected a strange light.


    He lied.


    This was not a real letter, nor a carrier of any kind of written content. In fact, it was just a piece of nk paper with nothing but creases.


    ''Forged Verification'', one of the two opening items in the Night Trial, was also an assistance item that every contender used to obtain a fake identity.


    Its owner, despite being the target of many who wanted him dead, always managed to remain unscathed.


    The man chose to serve the Ye n in order to survive, bing a loyal servant of the Night Branch.


    He gave himself a non-mainstream code name��"Cold Youth".


    Position��"Deceiver".


    The rank was not at the end of the rankings like G, F, E, nor was it in the middle like D, C, but was a truly high rank.


    ��B-level!

 Chapter 6 - 5: Director Jiang...... So Terrifying!_1

    <h4>Chapter 6: Chapter 5: Director Jiang...... So Terrifying!_1</h4>


    "So you are the descendant of Sir Han of Spirit Mountain, south of the Giant Frog Marsh."


    Upon setting down the letter, Jiang Yongnian took a deep sigh, shook his head andmented softly:


    "I remember hearing stories about Sir Han when I was young. He was a man of fierce loyalty, or at least that''s the impression I have."


    "I would never have thought that Sir Han has now passed."


    "The once magnificent Han Family declined in just a mere four to five decades, from a well-known business n to now only you being its sole survivor?"


    Ye Hanjun''s mouth twitched slightly, thinking, ''it''s indeed a ''Forged Verification''.''


    This non-existent Han surname could still find a notable person in the vicinity as a namesake.


    Moreover, possibly, likely, maybe... he''s even orphaned and impoverished? That''s so fittingly standard.


    Regardless of his inner musings, Ye Hanjun naturally assumed his new identity, saying:


    "The cmity has passed."


    "All I wish now is to move forward and pursue the Path of Spirit Control relentlessly; nothing else matters..."


    Off in the distance, Jia Pengpeng who was surreptitiously eavesdropping, was taken aback.


    So, everything Mr. Han said was true?


    Previously, he mostly doubted Ye Hanjun''s story of his journey to the Giant Frog Marsh where he was wounded on his journey by poisonous creatures.


    Unexpectedly, this confrontation with Director Jiang brought forth such confirmatory words.


    This certainly isn''t the effect of a normal letter. There is likely a spirit remnant in the message, representing considerable evidence.


    Mr. Han... his family situation is quite tragic!


    He''s so young, yet has already suffered family annihtion!


    Linking this to observing from within a half day, where he had spat up more than a liter of blood, Jia Pengpeng clicked his tongue, his gaze towards Ye Hanjun containing a touch of sympathy.


    "Those who enmountain, start from a pinch of soil to form a thousand-fathom precipice."


    "Those who dig wells, begin from a hup to achieve abyssal depths."


    "Young man, adversity, if it cannot break you, will only make you stronger."


    Jiang Yongnian smiled, stood up, and slowly turned his back.


    In the next moment, a slight hint of concern dissipated, and his hunched old figure cast a terrifying aura as vast as the sea and mountains.


    "Identity is not false, you can be considered a destitute noble."


    "However, the letter does not conclude that you are qualified to break the nearly two-century-old rules of the Canghai Pavilion, to act as a mentor in my institution with your status as a new Patron."


    "Or do you want to y an emotional card, using your family''s decline as a reason and ask me for an opportunity?"


    Jiang Yongnian''s voice grew colder and more ruthless, his tone hinted at a touch of pity, bluntly saying:


    "I''m not familiar with Sir Han. I''ve merely heard of him."


    "For you not to be in Spirit Mountain seeking family and friends, pursuing a career path, but to turn up at my Giant Frog Marsh... What''s the purpose?"


    As soon as his voice fell, the candle me inside the paperntern flickered violently.


    The shifting shadows, like bloodthirsty monsters gazed greedily at the juicy soul.


    Jia Pengpeng, several meters away, shrank his neck, and his legs began to tremble.


    Jiang Yongnian is an ''Examiner'', this imposing mental pressure, naturally, is his Passive Ability ''Judicial Prestige''.


    Any person with malicious intentions, negative thoughts, or those who wish to take shortcuts, would easily reveal their true colors under such pressure, and then because of their fear discard any unwarranted intentions.


    Jia Pengpeng could swear to heaven, he had no ill intentions.


    Apanying Mr. Han here, his initial intention was simply not wanting the Canghai Pavilion to miss an Active Awakener with the chance of a Blood Covenant, nothing more.


    Even so, with the pressure looming over him, he still felt inexplicably terrified.


    What came to mind were images of his childhood, when he used to ck off in ss, the icy gaze of his mentor appearing behind him like a ghost, peeping in through the window.


    The power level of third position... D-ss career Examiner... is so terrifying!


    Director Jiang is still in his prime, isn''t anyone who dares to provoke him just itching for a beating?!


    "Senior, it''s the same statement."


    "I''m here sincerely and have no intention of offending or taking shortcuts."


    Ye Hanjun stood just one meter from Jiang Yongnian, bearing almost ny percent of the pressure.


    That feeling was as if he was carrying a tremendous rock, needing to throw his full strength to counteract it. A slight carelessness would lead to him being crushed to pieces, bing a lump of unattended dirt on the ground.


    But Ye Hanjun... didn''t blink a bit!


    Even though his weak body sent multiple warnings of nearing its limit.


    He still stood tall, looking steadily at the back of Jiang Yongnian''s head with calm and cool eyes.


    "I may be new to the role of a Patron,"


    "But I spent almost my entire childhood buried in books, reading histories, sutras and umting extensive theoretical knowledge."


    "I am confident that I can be apetent mentor, instructing others, guiding others, and providing reliable advice for their career progression and the cultivation of their Fond Spirits."


    "An academic bookworm, then?" Jiang Yongnian chuckled and did not turn around, he smirked and said mockingly:


    "No matter how much you read, without practical application in reality, they are just dead knowledge."


    "Is this your bargaining chip? In my eyes, it seems rather self-deceptive."


    "Director Jiang!" Not knowing from where he summoned the courage, Jia Pengpeng stiffened his neck and weakly added:


    "Mr. Han is an Active Awakener and has an unused Blood Covenant. This is also the main reason I was willing to bring him to see you!"


    "Oh?"


    At this, Jiang Yongnian turned his head, his Judicial Prestige halving almost instantly.


    Those eyes full of wisdom and vicissitudes, however, became sharp like a de, scrutinizing Ye Hanjun over and over again.


    "If he is an Active Awakener, indeed it counts as one of the bargaining chips and is worthy of key cultivation."


    "But we at the Canghai Pavilion are teeming with talents."


    "An Active Awakener, an E-rank power, yet so weak and frail."


    "You intend to break the rules and get unlimited support and help... That will never happen!"


    Jiang Yongnian''s words were resolute and unwavering.


    At the end, he patted Ye Hanjun on the shoulder, earnestly advising:


    "Young man, the Canghai Pavilion wees you to study."


    "With your qualifications, and this courage to face me directly."


    "Given time, you will certainly be able to be deemed ''excellent''."


    "But as for the ''mentor'', I would advise you to get rid of such thoughts as early as possible."


    "The Canghai Pavilion is one of the top five academies of the Giant Frog Marsh, and it has always held the position of the second best."


    "With so many renowned teachers, so many extraordinary young people, there is no reason for them to y along in your farce, breaking rules specifically for you."


    "Think carefully about how you want to choose."


    "Now, please go back."


    With a flick of his hand, the flickering candles suddenly became steady, and the full-circle pressure in 360 degrees vanished instantly.


    Ye Hanjun covered his chest and coughed twice, his pale face looking even more sick to the bones under the candlelight.


    But this time, he didn''t wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth right away.


    "Mr. Han, let''s go back first."


    Jia Pengpeng trotted over, bowed to Jiang Yongnian, and was about to help Ye Hanjun up and lead him to the door.


    Ye Hanjun dodged to the side, avoiding his outstretched hand, holding up his index finger in a "stop" motion.


    "Director Jiang, you say I recite dead books, knowledge that is yet to be integrated and properly used."


    "But you haven''t done any testing, and you''re drawing conclusions based on your own views. Isn''t this another kind of rigid thinking?"


    Ye Hanjun''s gaze was burning. He stared at Jiang Yongnian''s eyes, bolstered by another passive ability, ''Sharp Eye'', not showing any fear.


    "When we can solve the problem directly by managing a test without loss, why do we have to argue?"


    "I''ve traveled a long way to get here. If you don''t convince me, how can I willingly give up my idea?"


    A few consecutive rhetorical questions were thrown out, and the air around seemed to freeze.


    This terrifying silence enveloped Jia Pengpeng entirely, making him dare not even breathe.


    "We''re screwed, a disaster''s going to strike!"


    "In thirty years of service, only a few have dared to haggle with Director Jiang!"


    "Now either Mr. Han is going to be yed, or I''ll be yed... it''s the end!"


    "Hmm, the young people these days... "


    Jiang Yongnian was half a head shorter than Ye Hanjun. In order to look him in the eye, he had to look up slightly.


    For a 1st-ranked newly recognized Patron, moreover, a patient with lingering illness.


    Neither emotionally nor logically could he possibly activate all his power to repress Ye Hanjun from a higher ground.


    But even just a part of that pressure, was it really deflected by this newly recognized Patron, Lord Han?


    Silently, the eyes of Jiang Yongnian narrowed gradually.


    Just when Jia Pengpeng thought he was about to unleash his fury and kick them out of the mansion, Jiang Yongnian once again withdrew his pressure.


    "Sit."


    With a sweep of his sleeves, two gusts of wind rose into the sky.


    One swept Jia Pengpeng out to the door, and the other, amazingly, helped Ye Hanjun sit down in the sandalwood chair in front of the desk.


    "You wait outside the door. If there are more visitors, help me decline them all."


    "Yes, yes..."


    The rapidly flying Jia Pengpeng only had time to look back, leaving behind a dazed gaze.


    When hended outside the door and the wooden door shut with a bang, his mind was still in a daze,pletely shocked by the abrupt change in situation.


    "What happened?"


    "Who am I? Where am I?"


    "When did Director Jiang change his mind? Wait, when did he be so gentle???"


    The bewildered Jia Pengpeng, tremblingly, supported himself down the stairs using the railing.


    The elegant parrot''s worried greeting echoed in the distance...


    Inside the wooden door.


    Ye Hanjun, now seated, gradually ceased his coughing.


    He nced at the desk, finding a white handkerchief quite pleasing. He reached out, grabbed it, wiped it across the corner of his mouth, and the sticky blood was gone.


    "You''re really not courteous. This is a fine silk handkerchief made by the ''Tailor'', crafted from thirty-six white silkworms. I can hardly bring myself to use it... "


    Jiang Yongnian''s eyes flickered, a hint of pity crossed his face.


    Ye Hanjun gave a slight smile, sped his hands on the desk, and sat upright and formal, saying:


    "Director Jiang, let''s start."


    "You''re the ''examiner'', carrying out exams and testing should be your forte."


    "A newborn bullish calf, really not afraid of the tiger huh..."


    Jiang Yongnian shook his head andughed, asking in return,


    "What if you fail?"


    "Naturally, I will obediently be a student of Canghai Pavilion and no longer entertain such wild thoughts."


    Ye Hanjun made a fist salute, but in his heart, he had never felt that he would lose this test.

 Chapter 7 - 6: Demon’s Fond Spirit·Ghost Shadow Spider_1

    <h4>Chapter 7: Chapter 6: Demon''s Fond Spirit��Ghost Shadow Spider_1</h4>


    "Young man, keeping you here for an evaluation does not mean I have any particr expectations of you."


    "You said something very true indeed, I will not let you give up on those thoughts you should not have; if you bother me every day in the future, I''m afraid my peaceful days woulde to an end."


    At the jade-like, warm and gentle desk, Jiang Yongnian picked up the chili leaf soaked tea, took a breath, and drank it in one gulp.


    "Bang!" The tea cup fell heavily on the table, the fire-core in the paperntern instantly emitted a silent wail, the fire bing fainter."


    Just where the boundary between brightness and obscurity ovepped, the sense of justice surged once again, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, mercilessly suppressing Ye Hanjun''s remaining life aura.


    "Before the official evaluation begins, I have a question for you."


    "What are you good at? And what can you teach the students?"


    "Don''t tell me you have read a lot of books, I don''t want to hear such vague answers. I want to know your true ''special skills''!"


    Jiang Yongnian''s eyes were as sharp as a knife.


    With the tea in his belly, he seemed like a nine-foot steel sword removed from its scabbard, anyone who dared to deceive or trick, was fated to die!"


    "I am currently a newly ascended Patron, on the 1st rank, so I really can''t show off my strength."


    "Regarding practical fighting, actual training, or subjects that require physicalbat or directpetition, with my current physical condition, I''m also not up to the job."


    Ye Hanjun judged this to be a tricky question, thinking for a moment, he calmly said:


    "What I can teach is mainly ''theory''."


    "But the content I have learned is too vast, covering all aspects, and I don''t have any particrly obvious weaknesses."


    "If you want me to define the direction of the teaching now, I really can''t do it, I prefer some time to explore and try, and then make the correct choice."


    "Covering all aspects?"


    Jiang Yongnian did not hide his disappointed look and shook his head, mumbling to himself:


    "Learning but not mastering, is the biggest taboo, no matter where."


    "Young man, hearing such an answer, I am very disappointed."


    Ye Hanjun smiled, not taking it to heart and sincerely said:


    "I just think that as a teacher, one must be responsible to themselves, and also to their students, both are indispensable."


    "Senior, why not keep your opinions first, wait until the evaluation is over, and then make aprehensive assessment from beginning to end... How about it?"


    "Hehe..." Jiang Yongnian gave a silent grin.


    After contemting for a few seconds, his eyes deepened:


    "You seem somewhat arrogant and presumptuous."


    "Right now, I particrly want to know, behind your mysterious self-confidence, is there real talent and practical knowledge, or is it all just show and bluster..."


    "Senior, I''m ready." Ye Hanjun sat up straight, appearing calm andposed.


    "So be it. In the name of an examiner, I dere the evaluation officially begins."


    "There are three stages in total, if you can pass them all, I will represent the Canghai Pavilion Council, and recruit the youngest teacher in history!"


    Jiang Yongnian''s words, filled with seriousness, echoed like a tolling bell.


    "Woo��" Although it was a sealed environment, for some reason, a sudden gust of wind wailed in everyone''s ears.


    The surrounding temperature dropped sharply, the piercing cold invaded the skin and goosebumps, like tiny maggots, continued to emerge from the flesh.


    "Whoosh!"


    In the dark corner, a shadow writhed and suddenly six green ghostly fires lit up, casting a gloomy and ghostly glow.


    No, it isn''t a ghost fire!


    Those are eyes! Six pairs of eyes!


    A huge, eerie, and ferocious monster rose slowly from its prone and static state.


    Its height absolutely surpassed two meters, its size was almost on par with the giant sparrow.


    But it was too terrifying, as if it had just crawled out from the grave of the dead, it wasden from top to bottom with a scent of decay.


    The shocking smell of decay was so strong that one could not help but doubt whether the plump shell was filled with fresh sma that represented life, or with aged venom representing death.


    "Aargh!!!"


    The monster moved at an extreme speed and with just a slight drag of its long legs, it was already at the edge of the desk.


    Like a hungry tiger ready to pounce on its prey, it roared, growled, and stared at its prey with cold and aloof eyes from above.


    At this moment, the distance between Ye Hanjun and it... was less than a meter!''


    The overwhelming stench of decay tried to squeeze into his nostrils, when he lifted his head, he could see the six pairs of green, blood-thirsty eyes and the protruding sharp fangs like those of a vampire.


    "No doubt, this smell, this appearance..."


    "The Demon''s Fond Spirit - Ghost Shadow Spider!"


    Under the shadow of death, the candle mes had nearly extinguished.


    In the depths of the shadows, Ye Hanjun''s body slightly trembled and seemed to be on the verge of crumbling to the ground.


    "Talent Identification!"


    ����


    [Species Name]: Ghost Shadow Spider


    [Chaos Seal]: "Demon"


    [Main Study]: Demonic Art Path/Open Transformation Path


    [Rank]: Jade Infant Fetus��???


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: ???


    [Core Personality]: ???


    [Current Status]: ???


    [Contractual Rtionship]: ???


    "Indeed, only a 1st rank Fond Spirit can perform aplete identification..."


    "Once it surpasses this rank, the relevant information drastically decreases, and the identification can only be made through self-recognition..."


    Ye Hanjun''s thoughts were like lightning, he gained a further understanding of the Instructor''s abilities.


    "We, the mentors of the Canghai Pavilion, might not all be those with firm wills."


    "However, at the very least, we have experienced more than our students. We have faced pain, danger, illness, the unknown, death... even without the ability to solve everything, we will not be like students who have just embarked on The Path of Controlling Spirits, falling into chaos at the slightest unexpected event."


    "For this first test, I''m testing ''willpower''!"


    "If you can''t even do that, you will never have the chance to be a qualified mentor!"


    Jiang Yongnian''s words were powerful and resonant.


    The moment he noticed Ye Hanjun''s body trembling from the corner of his eyes, he felt certain of his victory.


    Just as he was about to smile and add that as long as Ye Hanjun could withstand the fear and make eye contact with the Ghost Shadow Spider for ten minutes without copsing, he would pass the first test -


    He suddenly realized that the trembling had stopped. A fair hand emerged from the ck wind robe. The movement was natural, smooth, and poised.


    His target was the Ghost Shadow Spider''s naturally curly hair on the forehead. His five fingers gripped it like they were tampering with weeds, vigorously ying and scratching.


    "Yow...yow...yow...yow...yow...yow... Yow?"


    The Ghost Shadow Spider named Gui Gui, celebrating its 120th birthday this year, suddenly froze in the middle of its fierce, threatening face.


    Up until now, apart from her master who asionally bathed her, she had never allowed another male creature to touch her with such intimacy.


    Was this young boy... gone mad?


    She was a Ghost Shadow Spider, a 3rd rank Ghost Shadow Spider!


    Jia Pengpeng''s Giant Sparrow and y Body evolved to Perfection, at the same level they have much stronger vitality.


    Those who dared to challenge her were only one Spider Spear away from a chilling defeat.


    How... how could this human dare to do this?


    Shouldn''t he be paralyzed with fear, with a numb scalp and cold sweats?


    If he lost hisposure to the extent of soiling himself, it wouldn''t be impossible - there were a lot of Fond Spirits in her lifetime that have literally been scared to death by her frighteningly elusive presence!


    Ghost Shadow Spider Gui Gui had six expressions shing through her six eyes: "unexpected", "dumbfounded", "iprehensible", "incredulous", "unbelievable", "is this kid sick?"


    Then, she was furious to the extreme. The two Spider Spears at the front stood up towards the sky, just like a st furnace about to explode, eager to vent her negative emotions.


    "No!" Jiang Yongnian''s face kept changing, trying to stop her.


    This order was given at the same time - or to be precise, a few milliseconds before.


    The oppressive aura exuding from the Ghost Shadow Spider suddenly rxed, the two trembling Spider Spears fell back to the ground, surprisingly she voluntarily gave up her attack.


    Hmm...um...hmm...


    This kid''s strength is a bit weak, but his massaging skills aren''t bad?


    Yes, yes! There, right there... press harder! harder! Comfortable! It feels so good!...


    Ghost Shadow Spider Gui Gui''s gaze became hazy.


    Having lived over a hundred years as an ''Shadow Spider'' and even after an ''Ascending Evolution'' into a ''Ghost Shadow Spider'', she was enjoying such an incredible massage technique for the first time.


    This man... he must be a devil!


    She wanted to seize him and tie him up in her spider web, making him work every day...


    "Gui Gui, I told you toe here to pierce through him, told you to smash his facade and baseless confidence... what are you doing? Try to show some backbone!"


    Having been together for so long, achieving an exceptional level of affinity, about sixty to seventy percent of Jiang Yongnian''s thoughts and orders could be delivered through telepathy.


    "But, master... it''s just toofortable..."


    The giant spider seemed to have gotten drunk, she copsed sluggishly to the ground, thus the delicate and gentle arm could easily caress her forehead again.


    "Nonsense!"


    Jiang Yongnian suffered a surge of blood pressure, he wasn''t feeling well at all.


    With his finger pointing out, a sh of bright light bloomed from his shoulder, and Ghost Shadow Spider''s colossal body disappeared leaving only a faint stench of decay in the air.


    Without the "audience", Ye Hanjun could only retreat to his seat. He used a piece of his handkerchief that was still rtively clean to wipe the sticky ck liquid from his fingers;


    At the same time, he still had the lingering desire to touch, feeling something left unsatisfied.


    He recalled the time when Feng gave him a spider and Liuying a centipede as a present for his fourth birthday.


    Technically, given his reincarnation, he should not have been overly yful in his childhood.


    However, this weird and diverse world of Fond Spirits... is just too damn interesting!


    His folks are all freaks and he needs to keep up, or else he will be looked down upon.


    For example, dark creatures like the Ghost Shadow Spider are just likeb mice in the Abyss; more than one teacher had given him and Liuying lectures on their autopsies.


    This was why Ye Hanjun knew about the Ghost Shadow Spider''s forehead, and the special sensation nerves it possessed.


    However, there was one unexpected result.


    That session of "pinching, plucking, pushing, and pressing" was much more effective than he had envisioned.


    It seemed as if some unseenw was strengthening his palm, gifting him with a new mysterious power.


    "Could it be the ''Instructor''s'' rted passive ability?"


    As his spection came to a stop, Ye Hanjun looked at Jiang Yongnian''s rapidly changing face and couldn''t help but grin:


    "Director Jiang, you can''t possibly fail me on this first challenge now, can you?"

 Chapter 8 - 7: The Bad Old Man_1

    <h4>Chapter 8: Chapter 7: The Bad Old Man_1</h4>


    "Ah... smart kid..."


    Jiang Yongnian stared with bulging eyes, gritted his teeth. His teeth were actually aching.


    How many years has it been since he''d had such a troublesome student?


    Oh, correction, thisd had no intention of being disciplined; from the beginning till the end, he''d been all set to run wild over his peers.


    Suppressing the surging energy and blood in his body, Jiang Yongnian snorted coldly:


    "Though I hate to admit it, but you have indeed taken an unusual approach, breaking the confines of the test questions from the most obstinate angles."


    "This is not just about will, it also epasses courage, wisdom."


    "I approve of such results, you can rest assured."


    "That''s good." Ye Hanjun nodded slightly, asking with a calm smile:


    "What''s the second test about? Shall we proceed right away?"


    "Young man." Jiang Yongnian squinted his eyes, like a hawk soaring high above, ready to pounce on its prey at any moment:


    "The more mature the rice stalk, the more it has to bend."


    "Don''t be too arrogant; the real game has just begun."


    " Your advice is top-notch." Ye Hanjun bowed courteously, "Modesty is indeed a merit with nothing to lose."


    "But excessive modesty is seen as weakness, hypocrisy, and stupidity."


    Ye Hanjun, without changing the expression on his face, calmly adds on:


    "Moreover, I am young."


    "Without the arrogance and conceit of youth, without the vigor and vitality of youth, life would be unbearably dull, wouldn''t it?"


    "Alright, the victor prevails. I''ve spoken too much."


    Jiang Yongnian abruptly pulled open a drawer, grabbed a handful of colorful scrolls, and mmed them onto the desk:


    "Here is the second round, these test papers, to challenge your sharpness!"


    "I hope while solving these problems, you can still retain this calmness andposure!"


    "Oh?" Ye Hanjun couldn''t conceal his curiosity, as his gaze followed suit.


    The books in the family library were as vast as the ocean, ranging from the Saint''s scroll, to the Dragon and Phoenix Pce Map, to the Fox Demon Bathing Picture... everything one could ask for.


    As the legitimate descendant of the Ye n and the 1114th blood-rted son of the King, from the time when he was too young to speak and could only crawl around on the ground, he had been taught various skills by the sternest of teachers.


    Ye Hanjun was indeed curious about what level the knowledge and understanding of an infertilend, a kingdom with no reputation to speak of, truly reached.


    "Students'' unanswered private messages... 10-yearption?"


    "Recently excavated ancient research reports... Iplete versions?"


    "Unidentified sighting reports of Fond Spirits... Original manuscripts by the Soul Painter?"


    "... Wait, elder, are you sure you can answer these examination questions yourself?"


    After seeing thebels on the scrolls, even Ye Hanjun felt a sudden pang in his teeth.


    If he had to actually test him, he would likely pick just about anything.


    But this grumpy old man seemed unwilling to y by the rules, wanting to knock him out in one move. It was indeed annoying.


    "Weren''t you all confidence before? What''s wrong with making things difficult for you?"


    Jiang Yongnian dismissed him, his attitude justified and upright.


    In his hands, he was busy without stop, with his fingers acting as brush, his soul as ink, he quickly copied the scrolls. With minor modifications, they turned into newly baked test questions.


    "Here, a total of one hundred questions. Answer half of them, and I''ll consider it as you passing!"


    In just a few minutes, a scroll, still faintly warm, was tossed in front of Ye Hanjun.


    Jian Yongnian lifted his chin slightly, his hands behind his back imitating the image of a grand and unfathomable sage.


    "Is this the ''righteous examiner'' Jia Pengpeng talked about?" Ye Hanjun asked, neitherughing nor crying.


    There was nothing for him to fear. He opened the scroll andid his entire palm on it.


    Human cultivators in the world of Fond Spirits canmunicate through paper text like mortals.


    But moremonly, on scrolls made mostly of spirit cloth, with the power of the soul, they leave their own marks.


    Doing so is both efficient and safe. As long as one''s soul is strong enough, they can easily support reading ten lines or a hundred lines at a nce and essentially understand it simultaneously.


    What Ye Hanjun was holding now was precisely such a unique item that only the Patrons could use.


    In fact, task distribution, scientific research, correspondence... The uses of the spirit cloth scroll are incredibly extensive, covering all sectors and fields.


    The test paper was naturally one such use.


    As his palm touched it, his consciousness immersed itself into the scroll.


    Ye Hanjun, whose perception far surpassed those of his peers, finished browsing through all one hundred questions in almost an instant.


    "This old man, always ying dirty?"


    "More than half of the chaotic stuff inside, even if it can be taught to students, belongs to the rarely used knowledge points that may not even be of use in one''s entire life..."


    Ye Hanjun sighed, immersed in deep thought.


    He could answer these questions, and the final score would certainly greatly exceed 50 points.


    But as a new Patron, masquerading as an "orphan" descended from Sir Han of Spirit Mountain...


    If Ye Hanjun''s answers were too perfect, far exceeding Jiang Yongnian''s understanding, it would not help him adapt to the academy environment at all.


    The trial of the night... can only rely on oneself!


    Until he gains the strength to fend for himself, being overly mboyant... could cost him his life!


    "Senior, your question is too obscure, and some problems are iplete."


    Ye Hanjun pretended to be unhappy, and began to argue rationally:


    "Or, I do one, and you do one, too."


    "Otherwise, if you can''t do it yourself, without a real standard for evaluation, what is the meaning of my answer? Are you purposely trying to make me fail?"


    "Only now you realize how challenging it is?"


    Jiang Yongnian looked indifferent, feeling confident, and said with augh:


    "You are the new Patron, my teacher in Canghai Pavilion at the age of just 20."


    "If you really seed, you will break the rules of Canghai Pavilion that have been in ce for nearly 200 years. Such personal achievement is indeed extraordinary, even in Giant Frog Marsh."


    "I am just an ordinary old man, who has worked hard and been lucky, to get to where I am today."


    "What you are trying to aplish is remarkable. Once done, it would be astounding."


    "The exam that matches such quality is undoubtedly appropriate. Wanting topare andpete with ordinary people like me... Would that not be beneath you?"


    Jiang Yongnian leisurely silenced Ye Hanjun with a few sentences.


    The conversation always pointed to hope for the young man to give up his futile struggle.


    "I''m starting then." Ye Hanjun responded casually, and with a flick of his fingers as a pen, sent his soul''s intent.


    Approximately an hourter, he coughed and spat blood while pushing the scroll to the other side of the table. His expression was weary, as if he was suffering not just physically but mentally as well.


    "Let me see what the young man who ims to have ''read thousands of books'' really knows."


    Jiang Yongnianughed heartily, took a sip of his chili tea, and casually flipped through the scroll.


    "Crash!"


    The teacup fell to the ground, not only shattering into dozens of pieces but also making a dent in the wooden floor.


    Jiang Yongnian''s other hand also gripped the scroll tightly, his expression changing from calm to a mix of red and white, like a neon light shing back and forth.


    "Unidentified Fond Spirit field sighting report..."


    "Because this manuscriptes from the ''Soul Painter,'' who is notoriously abstract, artistic and neurotic... If it was reced with an ordinary ''Sketcher,'' it would not draw a creature so bizarre!"


    "But with this vague silhouette of ck, gray, and white, you judge this to be the species known as ''Double-shelled Crab.'' Why?!"


    "And this question, this is about one of my students from a long time ago. She loved Zombie-type Fond Spirits so much that she voluntarily gave up her spacious and bright detached mansion, and ran alone to remote areas, setting up tents beside tombs, iming to ''apany'' them."


    "She was waiting... waiting for the moment when the corpse would turn into a zombie so she could study their body structures..."


    "She asked me many questions, the most troubling and most memorable one was about ''Zombie Digging and Maintenance.''"


    "And you wrote down three to five thousand words, listed more than tenmon low-level zombies, from the possibility of zombie transformation, the extent of change, the strength of mutation... to corpse temperature, corpse spots, corpse blood, corpse flesh... providing detailed and profound feasible suggestions?!"


    ...


    Jiang Yongnian muttered to himself, sometimes firing rapidly, sometimes stuttering and stumbling, like a bewitched madman.


    Ye Hanjunughed inwardly, while calmly responding:


    "This is the Double-shelled Crab, I have seen this kind of Fond Spirit more than once outside the Giant Frog Marsh."


    "Look here, this is its shell... and here, it''s the exposed part of its w..."


    "The real key evidence is the antennae. The Double-shelled Crab has two long and two short antennae. The Soul Painter did not arbitrarily change this, so I believe this is the fact and the truth!"


    ...


    Ye Hanjun went on describing for half a day. At first, Jiang Yongnian was enlightened, then he was skeptical and stared at him suspiciously:


    "You''re not trying to trick me, are you? Just because I''ve never heard of a Double-shelled Crab, you randomly found a tag and pped it on the painting?"


    "How could I? Liars blush, and I can''t do such a thing."


    Ye Hanjun repeatedly waved his hand, pointing at his own face, as white as frost, without a hint of pink, nowhere near resembling a liar.


    However, he muttered to himself quietly, "The old man is not easy to fool" and "Damn Soul Painter, what on earth did you draw, better go back to farming..."...


    Of course, the most important thing was "Only magic can defeat magic."


    Who made the old man unreasonable, picking a question he himself couldn''t answer. Not bluffing would be a disservice to his hard work in setting the questions.


    "What about this ''Zombie Digging and Maintenance'' then?"


    "Your ount was so detailed, it was as if I had been transported to the scene."


    "You didn''t actually crawl out of a tomb, did you? Have you transformed from a special kind of zombie? Or were you once close friends with a group of zombies?"


    "Otherwise, how would you, so meticulously and in such detail, provide me with aprehensive answer?!"

 Chapter 9 - 8: Corpse Chaser and Fennel Pig_1

    <h4>Chapter 9: Chapter 8: Corpse Chaser and Fennel Pig_1</h4>


    "That year, I walked past a cemetery with my hands in my pocket..."


    "Fine, I can''t keep up with the fabrication. Actually, it''s an old book I found in our ancient manor, covering a lot of content about zombies."


    "There may be some exaggerated parts, but overall, the information shouldn''t be too far from the truth."


    "Why?" Jiang Yongnian''s eyes shimmered with curiosity.


    "Because the author of the book introduced himself at the end."


    "He''s a ''Corpse Chaser'', and his contracted Fond Spirit is a ''Six-wed Zombie''."


    "Through his ability, he also raised hundreds of red-haired zombies, blue-haired zombies, and green-haired zombies..."


    "As long as he has arge horde of zombies under his control, hisbat capabilities will be notably formidable, thus he spends his whole life dealing with the Corpse Race."


    Ye Hanjun craftily repackaged a former guard into a reclusive expert, thus creating a story from nothing:


    "The knowledge detailed in the book is just a negligible part of his lifelong practical findings."


    "But for me, it widened my horizons, and maybe one day, it will prove to be of great value."


    "Just like now, the assessment questions from the elder are rted and I can answer in detail."


    "Smart kid..." Jiang Yongnian was too astounded toin, engrossed in the report of thirty to fifty thousand words.


    His brows furrowed and unfolded alternately, like a dry sponge incessantly soaking in the downpour of knowledge.


    "If I could have provided her with this knowledge as guidance back then, might I have helped her back on the right path..."


    "The right path?" Ye Hanjun was surprised, sparking a bit of curiosity.


    "Nothing." Jiang Yongnian sighed, shaking his head: "They''re all old tales, better left untouched."


    "Look at the question! Keep reading the question!"


    "I refuse to believe that you can correctly answer more than half of these difficult questions!"


    Ye Hanjun chuckled, leaving behind the words "Feel free to read all you want" and walked to a particrly transparent ss cab, finding a brand new, clean teacup.


    He returned to the table, bravely ignoring the old man''s dumbfounded gaze and promptly took his teapot.


    He poured half a cup for the first round, to warm the cup and sterilize it.


    The second cup,pletely filled, exuded a warm aroma, just nice for sipping.


    "Not bad, bright soup color, numbing but not spicy on the pte, leaving a fragrant aftertaste."


    "Regr drinking should help stimte appetite and improve digestion, promote blood cirction and remove blood stasis, and somewhat prolong life..."


    Ye Hanjun savored it, as his body which was constantly coughing blood and feeling chilly, gradually felt a touch of warmth.


    He pretended not to see the old man''s distressed expression across him.


    Instead, he muttered to himself, wondering how much Heavenly and Earthly Materials he would need to replenish this broken body to its previous state.


    And that demon woman.


    Dealing with this living ancestor, only dealing with symptoms and not the root cause, is probably not a good thing...


    "You''re as if you''re at home, drinking when you''re thirsty, eating when you''re hungry, do you also need a maid to wash your clothes, cook your meals, and make your bed?"


    Jiang Yongnian didn''t stop him in actuality, but he couldn''t help but taunt and ridicule, trying in various ways to teach the young man some manners.


    "I do not need a maid, I am physically capable and can take care of myself."


    Ye Hanjun blinked: "But, could I advance the staff meal? I''m truly a bit hungry."


    "Spoiled young master, look at what you''ve be..."


    Jiang Yongnian grumbled, clearly unwilling.


    At Ye Hanjun''s age, he is too young to be a mentor. He would never allow it.


    But his spiritual presence and the densely floating text within the spirit cloth scroll were too dazzling for him to deny his capabilities.


    Jiang Yongnian''s confident words further crumbled, unable to maintain any semnce of firmness.


    "Tell me, why when two Savage Fond Spirits - the Golden-winged Flying Tigers fought, they have to fight to the death... You answered with ''no one dares to intervene''?"


    "Why when the Diamond Lion and Fighting Bear held apetition on whose droppings arerger, smellier, and more capable of driving away weaker spirits... you answered with ''Lion''s poop is superior to Bear''s''?"


    Jiang Yongnian flicked the table, asking earnestly.


    Ye Hanjun burst intoughter: "Elder, is it possible that your studies are too high-end, to the point where you''ve not heard of riddles?"


    "Riddles?" Jiang Yongnian was puzzled.


    "Yes, for mortals, when formidable spirits are fighting, instead of running away, who would dare to intervene? Isn''t that a clear case of amb entering a tiger''s den �C a one-way trip?"


    "And for the second question, ''lion''s poop'' is a fact, ''bear''s stool'' is eloquent, it''s a simple pun, there''s no other reasoning."


    "Oh, I see..." Jiang Yongnian swallowed hard, his face turning red in embarrassment.


    Seemingly covering up his embarrassment, he softened his voice a bit, and immediately picked another problem trying to correct it:


    "The Fennel Pig has more than 100 ways to die. I did not require you to write them all; if you could write 30, it would be considered correct."


    "But your answer was �� ''as long as the knife is fast enough, the Fennel Pig has innumerable ways to die''... Are you questioning the fairness of my question? Do you think my question is wrong in itself?"


    "That''s right." This time Ye Hanjun didn''t joke, but seriously underlined:


    "Although the Fennel Pig is a low-ranking Fond Spirit, with an average rank of y Body, only a handful, under fortunate circumstances, can ascend to the Rainbow Light Fetus."


    "But it is a treasure throughout, especially its bones, which can be described as all-purpose seasoning."


    "Whether it''smon dishes or legendary delicacies, it can enhance their vor."


    Jiang Yongnian nodded subconsciously.


    He was not sure about other ces, but in the Academy cafeteria, the total number of Fennel Pigs that were offered to the dining table each year could circle the Academy ten times, an appallingly huge number.


    "Such a delicious ingredient naturally has special restrictions."


    "Whether a Fennel Pig is caught in the wild or farm-raised, if it dies in the wrong way, the aroma it possesses internally can be lost."


    "In the most severe cases, it even bes unbearably stinky,pletely losing its original vor."


    Ye Hanjun closed his eyes, took a light breath, as though he could smell the aroma emitted by a Fennel Pig''s bone after being stewed for ten hours, his face held a trace of intoxication:


    "Many ces have this kind of misconception that a Fennel Pig cannot die through suffocation, exhaustion, or being burned by intense mes..."


    "Instead, it''s methods such as dying of old age, paralysis through poison, rapid freezing...such techniques can obtain Fennel Pig bones with aroma."


    "But... this is a misconception!"


    "In some big cities, numerous mighty beings have proven that if their Fond Spirits are able to instantly kill a Fennel Pig without damaging the integrity of its brain, the Fennel Pig won''t secrete stinky hormones. The bones obtained will naturally be of excellent quality..."


    Ye Hanjun''s exnation was meticulous, leaving Jiang Yongnian unable to find a point of dispute. He listened from beginning to end in surprise.


    The sensation felt like being transported back a hundred years, when as a nothing teenager, he listened to the eloquent lectures of his mentor in ss.


    Is... is he kidding!


    Has this kid really read a lot of books?


    Even if he hadn''t slept or eaten for 20 years, how many could he possibly have read?


    Or does it mean he spent his time reading misceneous books irrelevant to mainstream subjects, cleverly choosing entric topics, with his intelligence ultimately backfiring?


    With this thought, Jiang Yongnian''s face began to turn a little ck.


    He was bing increasingly unsure about the potential value of the young man before him.


    But even if he had hundreds of reluctance in his heart, he had to admit that this young man was different from his peers.


    "Senior, have I reached the required fifty count?" Ye Hanjun asked.


    He had already calcted that there were 10 outrageous questions, like "If me and your mother simultaneously fall into the water, who will you save first?" There was no way he could answer these questions.


    He left 10 questions intentionally nk, and intentionally got 10 wrong, to show he wasn''t perfect - this was more fitting for his current identity.


    For another 10 questions, he made up answers purely based on his imagination.


    Jiang Yongnian probably wouldn''t have the discernment to understand what was truly right or wrong, so some of these made-up answers should at least be a little urate.


    As for thest 60 questions, Ye Hanjun might have concealed key information, but he ensured overall correctness in his answers.


    No matter how you look at it, he should have scored more than 55 points, passing the second phase easily.


    "At least 60 points..."


    "Though some answers couldn''t be authenticated immediately, they were rational and convincing that made me feel embarrassed and puzzled... But my subconscious mind is surprisingly excited, believing that this kid is a rough gemstone which, with just a bit of sculpting, would shine brightly..."


    Jiang Yongnian''s face wore its wrinkles in a twist, his puzzlement and ambivalence evident in his eyes.


    "The second phase of the test is about ''knowledge'', and it has proven that you have enough academic reserves, far beyond your peers."


    "Thank you for your confirmation, senior."


    Ye Hanjun pulled out the new tea cup he had just helped the old man with, filled it with chili pepper tea, raised it and proposed a toast with an easy smile:


    "So... how should we proceed with thest phase?"


    "Thest phase..." Jiang Yongnian''s eyes flickered as he paused for at least fifteen seconds before continuing:


    "I never thought that you would get through the first two phases."


    "The third phase, if held strictly ording to the rules, would be of little significance."


    "But just now, I thought of a n that''s perfect �C it''s absolutely excellent!"


    As soon as he heard this, Ye Hanjun''s smile gradually faded, and he began to have a bad premonition in his mind.


    What kind of trick is this old man nning to y? Is he going to y all the tricks, both open and covert, dirty and clean?


    "Don''t panic." Jiang Yongnian said with a mind-read transparent smile:


    "Young man, although you are physically weak andck absolute hard power."


    "But you''ve got a good brain. I am interested in the knowledge inside."


    "What do you mean?" Ye Hanjun raised an eyebrow.


    Jiang Yongnian said with a smug expression, "For this third phase, let''s break the rules this once."


    "This way, not only can it satisfy your purposes and needs, it can also help you to grow in power."


    "And it can have you eliminated in advance when you fail to meet my expectations, or lose yourpetitiveness."


    "I''ll name this third phase ''Social Practice''."


    "I will grant you the temporary title of ''Assistant'', making you a trainee mentor of the lowest level"


    "After a month, if I receive a lot ofints, or you can''t get the joint approval of at least three formal mentors, I will revoke this title and notify you at the same time to leave Canghai Pavilion''s education system."

 Chapter 10 - 9: Intern Assistant_1

    <h4>Chapter 10: Chapter 9: Intern Assistant_1</h4>


    "Assistant?"


    Ye Hanjun took a few seconds to weigh:


    "ording to Master Jia, this is the necessary process for any ordinary mentor. Are you really willing to make an exception?"


    "Don''t I seem serious?"


    Jiang Yongnian grunted, revealing a crafty smile like that of an old fox:


    "Currently, Canghai Pavilion has 588 official mentors with a total of more than 10,000 students."


    "However, there are fewer than 300 assistants sandwiched between, a section quite sparse."


    "This leads to amon issue where experienced old fellows, due to theck of assistants,e to me to ask for people."


    "Today, you have shown enough courage, intelligence, and wisdom to start as an assistant. If you do well, you can continue; if not, you will be dismissed."


    "In this way, there may be some public pressure at most, but I can fulfill my promise, and judge in the most direct way whether you are qualified to be a mentor..."


    As he delved deeper into the conversation, Jiang Yongnian pped his hands andughed, seemingly very satisfied with his bright idea.eximed, seemingly quite satisfied with his quick-witted idea.


    Ye Hanjun pinched his chin, staying calm andposed.


    Earlier when riding on Jia Pengpeng''s Giant Sparrow to rush on the journey, he had asked many questions and gained a further understanding of the structure of Canghai Pavilion.


    In this ce hailed as the First Academy in the Blue Frog Kingdom, whether a student or a mentor, all are striving towards brilliance.


    Without considering the abilities and specialized fields, official mentors - just by their ranks - a good eighty percent have reached the 3rd stage.


    The remaining twenty percent must possess some indispensable and irreceable abilities.


    Therefore, even though their ranks are on par with elite students, they can still gain genuine respect from their experience and broader life insights.


    Regarding the ''assistants''.


    In other words, they are "intern mentors" who have not yet obtained official positions.


    Thepetition among them is said to be fierce.


    Reaching the 3rd stage early on, and contracting about the Jade Infant Fetus, might just be part of the usual process, it''s a good chance.


    Just need a little bit familiarity with the college environment, learners'' approval, and then the speed of turning it official can be very quick.


    But for those assistants who are only at the 2nd stage and contracted with the Rainbow Light Fetus, unless they have special talents, they may have to wait for two to three decades, without necessarily having this opportunity.


    After understanding these hierarchical rtionships, Ye Hanjun evaluated his current options and realized that even if he wanted to take shortcuts, he was not qualified to be an official mentor.


    The stormy spots, the crowd''s rise and attack, it''s not a game.


    Ye Hanjun forced Jiang Yongnian to do an assessment, from the very beginning, his aim was to settle for second best, strive for an "assistant" position, and then develop peacefully.


    Unexpectedly, after just passing through the previous two rounds, in the third round, Jiang Yongnian softened his stance.


    He was a little surprised, but after careful thought, it seemed to make sense.


    "The agreed term is one month, with additional requirements to reduceints and written acknowledgement from three official mentors."


    "Also, other assistants are ''intern mentors'', and I am an ''intern assistant'', inherently more lowly, right?"


    Ye Hanjun took a sip of tea, ignoring the old man''s yful gaze, and calmly confirmed it.


    "In the name of the examiner, I make a promise here."


    Jiang Yongnian''s smiling face gradually faded, with a serious voice replied.


    This young man is moreposed than he imagined. Will the atmosphere of the college be a little different in theing month?


    "I will report any rted matters further up; for now, you can keep this emblem."


    Jiang Yongnian opened a drawer and rummaged inside before throwing an object the size of a fingernail cap:


    "This is a magical tool made by a runesmith that embeds ''identity authentication'', ''emergency help'', ''pointing needle'' functions."


    "Since you''re just an assistant, only the privileges corresponding to the assistant are avable to you."


    "For example, areas that some students cannot ess, you have the right to ess;"


    "You can use a private training room for free 10 hours each month;"


    "You can enjoy a staff meal and a spirit meal every day, although they are all basic styles and low in nutritional value, at least you don''t need to pay for them;"


    "By the way, when youplete the tasks released by the college or collect the offerings at the end of the month, you need to register using your personal badge..."


    Jiang Yongnian picked out the main points and orally exined how to use and what it functioned.


    Ye Hanjun held it in his hand and casually yed with it. The little badge was extremely light, the material should be a mixed metal, and its touch was cold.


    Instead of wearing it on his chest immediately, he put it in his pocket and stood up like he was at ease.


    "Elder Jiang, if there''s nothing else, I will leave."


    "Eh, hang on."


    Jiang Yongnian rummaged through a blue sack toe up with a piece of a red dried meat.


    "Kid, you''ve been hungry for a long time, haven''t you?"


    "I''m generously sponsoring you a meal. Don''te to me without a serious issue, especially for trivial ones."


    Jiang Yongnian sternly emphasized:


    "I am getting old, and I only want to retire."


    "Young man, if you have the ability, you should make achievements on your own and stand firm in the academy."


    "If you want me to clean up after you...heh, keep dreaming!"


    "I got it, I got it."


    Ye Hanjun weighed the dried meat in his hand, unceremoniously took a bite, and was immediately filled with its savory taste.


    "It''s softer than I thought, and it doesn''t seem amonly seen spirit meat of cattle, sheep or pigs. Considering it''s the Giant Frog Marsh..."


    "Old man, is this frog meat? This faint sense of burning implies it must be a fire elemental frog-type spirit..."


    "The kid is so picky in such a young age?"


    Jiang Yongnian was stunned. Looking at the figure of Ye Hanjun, who was about to push the wooden door and leave, he suddenly asked in a deep voice:


    "I heard that you have a chance for a Blood Covenant, but you still haven''t performed the ritual?"


    "Actually, Canghai Pavilion can provide these resources for free, just sign an agreement..."


    Blood Pact Summoning requires arge amount of resources to arrange the ritual formation, which ismon knowledge.


    As a descendant of the Ye n, Ye Hanjun has the right to enjoy free resources for the Blood Pact Summoning before the trial.


    But as a double-job Active Awakener, Ye Hanjun messed up once, and the remaining chance will inevitably have to be resolved by himself.


    However... this does not mean he wishes to sell himself.


    In many ces, there is such a tradition: because the family of the Active Awakener cannot support the Blood Pact Summoning, it is sorted out with the help of certain forces.


    In exchange, the Patron needs to sign an agreement containing the power ofw, and the content of the agreement is usually to bind the investor firmly and serve them for a long time.


    Ye Hanjun doesn''t need this.


    He clearly remembers the misaligned summoning.


    Moreover, his physical condition is too poor to meet another prerequisite for Blood Pact, that is, "a steady and healthy body and soul".


    Take it slow, one step at a time.


    Without answering Jiang Yongnian''s inquiry, Ye Hanjun just waved his hand and left without looking back.


    His attitude exined everything.


    Jiang Yongnian shook his head, did not say anything more, and watched the young man leave.


    "Squeak--"


    Pushed the door open and walked down the stairs.


    Ye Hanjun saw Jia Pengpeng standing at the gate from a distance, stupidly like a pir.


    The elegant parrot next to him stood on a shelf, tilting its head, staring at him.


    "He''s out! He''s out!"


    Sensing movement behind him, the elegant parrot pped its wings and shouted loudly:


    "Today we have visitors, my humble home truly radiates by your presence!"


    "Wee your next visit, take care! Goodbye! Sa You L! Anni Kasaihou! Bye Bye! ...*��#*^@!"


    As expected of an expert in mimicking humans, the elegant parrot bade them farewell in seven dialects and three foreignnguages.


    Ye Hanjun automatically screened out these annoying noises, and when he was far away from the castle, he casually showed Jia Pengpeng the object in his pocket with an expectant and uncertain look:


    "Easy-peasy, I got it without a hitch."


    "Ah?!" Jia Pengpeng froze in ce, trembling.


    His mouth gradually widened, as if his throat was dry, he swallowed saliva five or six times in session.


    "Really, you really got it?"


    "Director Jiang actually approved you and gave you the badge representing the mentor''s status???"


    Ye Hanjun shrugged:


    "Look closely, there are only three corners on this silver badge."


    "What I got is just an ''Assistant'', it''s still a long way to bing an official mentor."


    Jia Pengpeng didn''t pay any attention, his tone became stammering:


    "But Lord Han, you are 20 years old this year, and you don''t even have a Contracted Spirit."


    "Even if it''s an assistant, it''s also breaking new ground in the academy. This doesn''t mean that I can keep calm about it!"


    "Don''t publicize it for now, give me some time to buffer."


    Ye Hanjun didn''t care about this achievement at all. While gnawing on the meat, he handed Jia Pengpeng a piece of paper:


    "Master Jia, help me to see who this mentor is?"


    When the lunchbox was given, along with the dried meat tossed over, there was also an inconspicuous small note.


    There was a name written on it, no doubt, this was the person he was going to focus on next.


    "Tu Long?"


    Jia Pengpeng read it once.


    At first, he felt familiar, but he couldn''t connect it to the face in his mind.


    After pondering a few seconds, he gave a shudder, and suddenly trembled as he asked:


    "Lord Han, is this the mentor that Director Jiang wants you to follow?"


    "This guy, it is said he has a horrible temper, when his rage erupts, ten bulls can''t pull him back..."


    "There was once an assistant working under him, who made a very small mistake, but was beaten by his Contracted Spirit till his face was disfigured, and he almost lost his human dignity..."


    "Another big trouble?" Ye Hanjun had an as expected expression.


    In the Canghai Pavilion, the assistants act as trainee mentors and are not qualified to teach independently.


    Each assistant must bind to an official mentor and then explore the path to bing a mentor under the supervision and guidance of the official mentor.


    Once the mentor who they are following feels that this assistant is ipetent,cking knowledge and ability.


    Then it can almost be determined that this assistant will never have the chance to be promoted.


    The best case scenario would be to continue being a subordinate between a teacher and a student.


    If the situation is bad enough, they will be directly expelled from the Canghai Pavilion, as the academy does not need such mediocrity to mislead students.


    The old nuisance ... was putting a roadblock in my way, wanting to see me make a fool of myself?


    Ye Hanjun pondered for a while, asked Jia Pengpeng some questions about Tu Long, and temporarily put this matter aside.


    "The sun is about to set, thank Master Jia for apanying and helping me today."


    "When I get my cultivation on track, I will surely visit specially and express my gratitude with a rich gift."


    Jia Pengpeng sighed and advised:


    "Lord Han, you should take care of yourself first. Tu Long is hard to get along with, you are currently weak and holding the position of academy assistant, whether it''s a student, or other assistants and mentors, they will all have an opinion about you."


    "Troops to fend off the general, mud to block the water, nothing to be afraid of."


    Having finished the dried meat, Ye Hanjun made a fist salute and said solemnly:


    "Please lead me back to the North City District, Master."


    "I won''t go back to assigned housing right away, please take me to the Chick House, I need to contract a suitable Fond Spirit as soon as possible to rify the direction of future cultivation."

 Chapter 11 - 10: Chick House_1

    <h4>Chapter 11: Chapter 10: Chick House_1</h4>


    "But your body seems to be even more frail than when you came."


    "Will there be a problem with the Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits if you don''t rest for a while?"


    Concern filled Jia Pengpeng''s face as he hesitated.


    Ye Hanjun shook his head: "The jerky that Elder Jiang gave me, it seems to be from a Jade Infant fetus."


    "After eating it, I feel warm all over, and my state of weakness has improved slightly."


    "In addition to that, as an Active Awakener, my innate soul is stronger than others of the same age. Supporting a spirit pact... shouldn''t be a problem."


    "Okay, then we''ll set off."


    Jia Pengpeng nodded, raising his arm:


    "Come out, Da Xiong!"


    "Caw! Caw!!"


    The moment the Giant Sparrow appeared, it let out a loud cry. Apparently being confined in the Contract Space is unbearable torture for it.


    "Target, the Chick House!"


    "Estimated time of arrival, before 7 o''clock!"


    At this time, the sun was setting west, the fiery sunset was burning brightly, stars began to seep out from the Night Curtain, and the illusory shadows of three crescent moons quietly loomed overhead.


    Ye Hanjun did not speak much, grabbing onto the feathers of the Giant Sparrow with one hand and closing his eyes with the other, adjusting his breathing as much as possible.


    Healing a body full of wounds is not an instantaneous task, it requires a long cycle.


    The Blood Covenant ritual rted to the Instructor requires a substantial amount of resource preparation and equally requires a robust body and vibrant soul to ensure an absolute sess rate.


    The only thing Ye Hanjun could do now was to contract the first spirit belonging to the Instructor, to enhance his ability to survive from the most critical perspective.


    After all... If one doesn''t even have a contracted spirit, how could they be a Patron?


    "Mr. Han, we''re here."


    The giant sparrow gradually descended, and Ye Hanjun opened his eyes and slid from its back onto the ground.


    When he looked up, under the shrouded dusk, a white city gate stood high above, at least fifty meters high.


    Gazing further within, roads are paved with regr blue stones, and on both sides were all kinds of spacious and brightly lit shops. With the colorfulntern shadows swaying in the evening breeze, a dreamy and diverse world is born there.


    "Mr. Han, I am neither a student nor a mentor, so I don''t have the qualifications to enter this area."


    Jia Pengpeng scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.


    Ye Hanjun pondered for a few seconds, thanked him again for his help, indicated that he would go alone, and that he didn''t need to worry.


    "Goodbye for now, Mr. Han." Jia Pengpeng grinned, making a heartfelt wish:


    "I have a premonition that Mr. Han''s arrival will set off a considerable ssh at the Canghai Pavilion."


    "I look forward to seeing Mr. Han lecturing at the podium and also look forward to seeing what breed and attribute Mr. Han''s first contracted spirit will be."


    "Let''s wait and see."


    Ye Hanjun waved his hand and marched forward.


    As he passed the entrance, he took out his Personal Badge.


    With a beep, there was a slight resistance in his body, as if passing through a thin bubble.


    "Oh, another neer?"


    The first shop on the street, an old man with his bare torso was sitting on a stool leisurely enjoying the cool breeze with a palm fan. In front of him, a patternedrge python noticed Ye Hanjun passing but only sleepily opened its eyes before falling back asleep.


    "Feel free to look around, newbies can take away a spirit from the Chick House for free with their Personal Badge. The academy covers the expenses!"


    The old man greeted without showing any intention of getting up.


    Ye Hanjun felt as if he had arrived at a declining marketce, with no crowd, and even less vitality.


    "Uncle, how old is this big-eyed dog? It doesn''t seem to be very healthy."


    "Oh, it''s just one month. Its eyes were scratched by a cat demon, and it''s got a bit of a bacterial infection."


    Going straight over to the third shop on the right, a young man and woman were inquiring about the state of the spirits, the unique earnestness of the young showing on their faces.


    Ye Hanjun nced over, didn''t stop, and continued to walk forward.


    Upon arrival, the first impression was very average at best.


    It was mostly small-volume spirits, either locked inrge cages or in specially made barriers, either fast asleep or being naughty. Their mental state was not great.


    This is the Chick House that the Canghai Pavilion specifically breeds high-quality spirits? As expected, there shouldn''t be high expectations, a small ce is still a small ce in the end...


    Ye Hanjun brows furrowed as he continuously scanned the street.


    Although it''s called the "Chick House", it''s essentially a pedestrian street.


    The general management scheme is to divide the area into sections. On average, one shop is assigned to one specialist, and they look after ten spirit babies.


    The species are diversified, but the quality is nowhere near enough to make Ye Hanjun stop and take a second nce.


    "Huh, this is a Camellia Dog? Its eyes are pitch-ck, and its teeth are almost fully grown. Quite a suitable contract object..."


    After fifteen minutes, Ye Hanjun stopped at shop No. 65.


    The keeper of this shop was actually lying on a hammock reading a scroll, indulging in a sea of knowledge.


    And right in front of his shop was a 40-centimeter-long puppy, not tied up, sitting on the ground obediently and curiously looking at the passersby.


    "Woof! Woof!"


    When the little puppy met Ye Hanjun''s gaze, it stood up and wagged its tail, showing a warm attitude.


    Ye Hanjun looked closely at this Camellia Dog. It had dark green fur that was very clean, showing it had been well cared for regrly.


    The petals on top of its head were golden and although they had notpletely bloomed, there was already a faint tea leaf aroma lingering.


    "It''s a pity, if I contracted such a Fond Spirit, it could help me elerate the conditioning of my body."


    "However, the fighting power of the Camellia Dog iscking, and because of the healing flower bud on its head, it bes an easy hunting target for other Fond Spirits..."


    Ye Hanjun shook his head. The pup had a human-like understanding, and its swiftly wagging tail slowly ceased. It pitifully returned to its original position.


    "There will be a more suitable Patron for you, don''t rush."


    Ye Hanjun thought for a moment. Not in hurry to leave, he took a step forward and caressed the forehead of the baby Camellia Dog.


    A scene simr to the one with the Ghost Shadow Spider urred. As he casually rubbed and lightly patted, the young pup''s eyes narrowed, showing an expression of pure enjoyment.


    "I''m leaving, see you if fate allows it."


    Ye Hanjun got up and took a step forward.


    The Camellia Dog whimpered and reluctantly watched him leave.


    ...


    "Naughty Frog, Wind Butterfly, ck Ape, Beak Grass, Wicked Wisp..."


    "The further I go, the quality improves, but these varieties are too disappointing!"


    As a Patron, one can imagine the significance of the first Fond Spirit.


    However, being powerful alone cannot be considered the main reference factor.


    The top priority of the Fond Spirit contract is still the ''Ability''.


    ''Knights'' must contract riding pets, otherwise, their abilities will be buried, and they will never be able to advance to the 2nd rank in their lifetime.


    ''Magic Apprentices'' are suitable for contracting spell-type Fond Spirits, which can enhance the power of both''s spells.


    ''Scouts'' are suited to Fond Spirits with outstanding observational skills or hiding abilities, so they canplement each other when active in the field, instead of hindering each other.


    ...


    First ensure suitability, define the essential traits, then consider the strength, potential, and personality of the Fond Spirit... Only then there won''t be a mistake.


    The ability Ye Hanjun currently needs to match is ''The Instructor''.


    In all ancient books, this title does not have a like-named entity.


    Combining the fact that he was identified as an E-level on the surface, but his actual exhibited ability is extraordinary, just the skill ''Talent Identification'' alone can crush thousands of peers.


    Ye Hanjun has reason to suspect that ''The Instructor'' may possess uniqueness and speciality, and attempting to define it in few words... would be much too simplistic!


    But alongside the anticipation, there''s indeed no shortage of worries.


    The Circle of Patrons has a theorem; if youck knowledge about your abilities and are unclear about what type of Fond Spirit you are suited to �C


    The best way is to get close to the Fond Spirits.


    At that time your sixth sense, will give you a faint spiritual prompt when you encounter a target that fits your properties and abilities.


    Or alternatively, it might give you a warning when you encounter a species that is an absolute non-fit, discouraging you from contracting them.


    Of course, these prompts are vague, they take the type of Fond Spirit''s abilities as a macroscopic measurement standard and not detailed down to each individual spirit.


    But Ye Hanjun firmly believed that his current spiritual perception is at least ten times that of his peers at the same rank.


    All the way here, unbelievably, there have been no prompts to help him discern the suitability of his ability from a vocational perspective.


    This only has two possibilities.


    Either the Fond Spirits here are too mediocre, and none of them will contribute to the growth of his ability,


    Or, ''The Instructor'' belongs to the "Undefined Abilities", does not have an absolute fit or non-fit in its essence, and its freedom is extremely high.


    ...


    "Roar! Roar!"


    "Meow! Meow!"


    "Baga! Baga!!"


    Shortly after, Ye Hanjun saw a fat pig that was more than 2 meters in length, its entire body pink and tender, extremely cute and naive.


    This is the ''TonTon Pig''. It has tough pigskin that can block sharp instruments.


    Coupled with its gigantic size, a casual collision can make small Fond Spirits have a hard time.


    "There''s still no spiritual prompt or warning, but this TonTon Pig, the quality isn''t bad..."


    Ye Hanjun had a brief moment of enthusiasm.


    When he thought about the TonTon Pig''s habit of eating eight meals a day, each meal consumed in a huge iron bowl, he had to decisively abandon the idea.


    ��There were too many expenses.


    If the Fond Spirit was easier to maintain, it would be a stress reliever for him, the resources saved could be used elsewhere.


    "Huh, there are Blood-sucking mosquitoes in the Giant Frog Marsh?"


    At stall 90, there were fiverge ss covers inside, with five ck and red mosquitoes buzzing incessantly.


    Ye Hanjun was fond of thergest one, which had reached the state of ''Great Completion'' of the Mud-cast fetus, and unlike the other four, it had the additional ability of ''Sprint.''


    "It''s agility based, not rideable."


    "It possesses the trait ''Blood-sucking self-healing''. Even if it''s at the brink of death, as long as it sucks sufficient fresh blood, it can quickly be lively again."


    "The most critical point is, with careful cultivation, it can ascend and evolve towards the ''Dragonblood Mosquito.'' Its potential can be regarded as superior..."


    With bright eyes, Ye Hanjun once again had the thought "this Fond Spirit can be a possible choice."


    But he was not in a hurry to make up his mind, there were probably about 20 stalls behind, it would be more prudent to finish looking at all of them.

 Chapter 12 - 11: Shield Armor Turtle and Chain Vine_1

    <h4>Chapter 12: Chapter 11: Shield Armor Turtle and Chain Vine_1</h4>


    "Bursting Medusa, an excellent water attribute Fond Spirit."


    "If you live near water long-term, contracting it would be a good choice..."


    "Water Dart Frog, Powder Frog?"


    "This is interesting, one can ascend evolve into a ''Water Cannon Frog'', the other can ascend evolve into a ''Rocket Frog''."


    "If both can be bred together, cross breed, there is a small chance of cultivating a Frog-type Fond Spirit with dual attributes of water and fire..."


    Ye Hanjun was slightly surprised. Thest few shops somewhat improved his initial impression of the Chick House.


    Since there wasn''t a single hint or warning, Ye Hanjun could basically determine that the Instructor had no defined duties as such. He began to seriously consider what kind of Fond Spirit he should contract.


    ording to the ideal oue, he hoped for a strong attack pet, followed by one with riding characteristics.


    As for whether it possesses the direction of natural ascending evolution, Ye Hanjun is quite open-minded.


    ���� If it has, that would be best.


    ���� If it doesn''t, based on his understanding and the resources behind him, he has plenty of ways to act against nature.


    "Young man, take a look. I specialize in breeding Turtle-type Fond Spirits - Little Crocodile Turtle, Mud Turtle, Illusion Poison Turtle, Stinky Turtle... they are all carefully cultivated Fond Spirit youngsters, outstanding in attributes, prominent in personality. I guarantee that you won''t have a bad word to say after contracting!"


    At gate 108, there was an extremely enthusiastic Breeder.


    He proactively led Ye Hanjun to visit the Fond Spirits'' habitat and used the most professional terms to introduce the strengths and weaknesses of the Turtle-type Fond Spirits.


    "The Little Crocodile Turtle, this little guy has amazing biting power, once it bites, it won''t let go without tearing off a piece of flesh."


    "Illusion Poison Turtle, it has special secretion nds at the end of its tail, it will spray a poisonous mist when in danger."


    "Although its poison does not seem deadly, if not purified in time, those hit will lose themselves in the world of hallucination, leaving them at the mercy of others."


    "And the Cactus Turtle, I highly rmend you contract this Fond Spirit, it can roll with a speed equivalent to that of a wild rabbit, a wild wolf."


    "In addition, it''s covered in sharp spikes, unless one''s rank is far higher, it''s hard to find a true natural enemy, so it''s invincible by nature."


    Ye Hanjun nodded in agreement with the Breeder''s introduction.


    As he habitually nced around the shop, his indifferent and unaffectionate mood suddenly stirred slightly.


    It was not a spiritual sense alert.


    But a kind of emotional turbulence called "surprise", the intensity of which was extremely high.


    "I want to take this ''Shield Armor Turtle''."


    Retracting his gaze, Ye Hanjun suddenly pointed to the corner and said indifferently.


    "You like the Shield Armor Turtle?"


    The Breeder was slightly surprised, immediately grinning and saying:


    "The shell of this little one is the hardest of its kind, it seems like the young man is choosing the defense route."


    "However, based on the principle of integrity and friendliness in business, I suggest that the young man should better change his target."


    "Why?" Ye Hanjun asked with a faint smile.


    "This fellow has a bad temper, to be precise... it''s quite terrible!"


    The Breeder sighed, andined with a tone of regret and helplessness:


    "In theory, the mostmon core personality of the Shield Armor Turtle should be ''Honest''."


    "Fond Spirits that hold ''Honest'' as the dominant personality may be easy to take advantage of, but they listen, and follow orders well. There is no doubt about their loyalty in dailypanionship."


    "This Shield Armor Turtle is different. I studied it carefully for several days and seriously suspect that its core personality was ''Irritable'' or ''Frenzied''. Even I, who bathes and feeds it every day, it ignores. It always wants to give my arm a bite, taste human flesh..."


    The Breeder rolled up his sleeve, a clear bite wound on his robust forearm could be seen.


    Although it had been smeared with medicine and was no longer bleeding.


    But those terrifying inwardly sunken bite marks would certainly make anyone look at them shudder.


    "It''s a troublesome creature..."


    Ye Hanjun nodded gently, his gaze flicking back to the corner again.


    There, a half meter-sized ck turtle was squatting on arge reef, all by itself.


    It held its head high and chested out, stretched its neck, andfortably enjoyed the orange light from the heatingmp overhead. Its two amber-colored eyes were round and open, giving off an appearance of "I''m veryfortable".


    ��)o(��


    This is the Shield Armor Turtle.


    The shell of the Shield Armor Turtle is a kind of notable species in the crowd.


    Neither protruding upwards, nor sinking downwards, the overall structure is rectangr like arge brick carried on the back.


    It has no bright patterns, no brilliant colors, only a cold, steel-like gloss, and one only needs to look at it to feel its extreme hardness.


    "Yiyayaya����"


    The reef sun deck could amodate four to five Shield Armor Turtles of the same size.


    Two Stinky Turtles, of simr size, wanted to get closer to bask in the sun and promote their individual growth and development.


    But the Shield Armor Turtle didn''t allow it, resorting to bump them with its backsize, knocking one of them flying.


    It stomped on another, restricting its activity area, then turned its head around and took a bite, scaring the Stinky Turtle that it retracted its neck, fleeing away stumblingly.


    "You see, this is the situation."


    "As a Savage-type Fond Spirit, Shield Armor Turtle''s intelligence is limited."


    "But it still behaves like this, which shows that its instinct is more selfish and brutal than imagined."


    "Young man, if you really sign a contract with it, you''re bringing trouble without getting any benefit. Even I, as a Breeder, don''t n to continue nurturing it. I sincerely hope that you''ll change your option, there''s no point in persisting on a failure of no value...


    The Breeder''s face was full of sincerity.


    The corner of Ye Hanjun''s mouth curved slightly upward.


    "Talent Identification!"


    ����


    [Species Name]: Shield Armor Turtle


    [Chaos Seal]: "Savage"


    [Main Study]: Dao of the body


    [Rank]: Mud-cast fetus��Small Achievement


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: 24 Pattern "Shielding", 28 Pattern "Hard Armor"


    [Core Personality]: "Aggressive"


    [Current Status]: Enjoying


    [Contractual Rtionship]: None


    "This one then."


    With a casual smile, Ye Hanjun made up his mind.


    The breeder shook his head and sighed as if he deeply regretted not having dispatched the Shield Armor Turtle from the shop in time. Had he done so earlier, he would have been spared the subsequent selection and potential problems.


    "Don''t worry. If it bites me, I only have myself to me."


    Ye Hanjun shrugged and added:


    "I''m not going to contract it directly. I''ll try to get along with it for a while first. Please prepare it ''to go'' for me."


    "You have your own thoughts. Please be mindful of your safety."


    Seeing Ye Hanjun persist, the breeder could only nod reluctantly and a dark green glow spread from his chest.


    Just like Jia Pengpeng, that was the "contract imprint", signifying that a contract had been signed with Fond Spirits, and everything was normal with the Fond Spirits alive in the world.


    The appearance and color of the contract imprint are primarily determined by the form, properties, and abilities of the Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits, manifesting as an esoteric symbol full of metaphysical mysteries.


    Just as the dark green light emerged, Ye Hanjun felt an overwhelming life force and subconsciously stepped back.


    Once the summoning array flickered and vanished, he saw the nt-type Fond Spirits he was expecting.


    "Ssssss����"


    It was a ''Chain Vine'', with a body length of only 30 cm, about the size of a ruler.


    Among the lower level Fond Spirits, it is exceptionally practical. With just a thought, the vine at the top will grow wildly.


    "Roar!"


    The Shield Armor Turtle was startled and, instead of retracting its neck and legs like other turtles, it tried to adjust its body posture to confront the enemy head-on.


    However, this was futile. The breeder was strong and already stood at the 2nd rank.


    His contracted Chain Vine, obviously well-nurtured, was no longer a fledgling mud-cast fetus but had ascended to the rank of Rainbow Light Fetus��Small Achievement.


    With the move "Iron Lock Body Wrap", the vine, resembling a chain painted with dark green paint, nearly instantly restrained the Shield Armor Turtle''s movement, forcing it onto its back, unable to move like a trussed dumpling.


    "It''s bound. With its biting force, it can''t break free within 24 hours."


    The breeder touched the roots of the Chain Vine, which shyly retreated and gurgled some water from a nearby pond.


    "Young man, reconsider when you get back."


    "If there is no breakthrough within 24 hours, no assurance of a contract, I rmend you bring it back. I will exchange it for a Cactus Turtle. Little Cactus is much easier to get along with than the Shield Armor Turtle, and its abilities are pretty good. It is a very high-quality contract object."


    "Okay, thank you."


    Ye Hanjun smiled and naturally asked:


    "I don''t have suitable feed in my possession right now. Could you please send me some turtle feed to tide me over for a few days?"


    "No problem!" the breeder was very enthusiastic, "They are all inexpensivemon feed. Take as much as you like from the tank!"


    With the expected permission, Ye Hanjun did not hesitate.


    He picked up a and began scooping vigorously into therge tankbeled "Turtle Feed."


    About half a minuteter, he saw the small white creature mixed with the pebbles fall into the.


    There was a strange sh in Ye Hanjun''s eyes as he quickly secured the, signaling that he had enough.


    "Is that all? You are being too modest."


    The breeder knew just how much the Shield Armor Turtle ate. When he received the, he went on another scoop mission.


    At the end, he put everything -small shrimps, small fish, water nts, etc., into arge stic bottle.


    He also found a small trolley and ced the immobilized Shield Armor Turtle on it.


    "The small cart is yours. No need to return."


    "Come, hand over your personal badge. I''ll register you. This is the step for a free im."


    Ye Hanjun nodded and handed over an item.


    The breeder took the badge but suddenly felt it wasn''t right upon touch.


    He lowered his head for a second look, then stared in disbelief as his facial expression slowly changed:


    "Silver... Isn''t this an Assistant Instructor Badge?"


    "You are not a student, but an instructor??"


    "But that shouldn''t be... Your aura clearly stays at the 1st rank, like that of a novice who has just started out. You don''t resemble an Assistant Instructor at all..."


    Ye Hanjun responded politely, "Both the Assistant and the official Instructor are given one chance for free iming, isn''t that correct?"


    "That''s true." The breeder blinked, looking at Ye Hanjun as if he wanted to strip him down and see whether he was a human or a demon hiding under his skin.

 Chapter 13 - 12: Pure White Tadpole_1

    <h4>Chapter 13: Chapter 12: Pure White Tadpole_1</h4>


    "Then could you please register me?"


    Ye Hanjun feigned helplessness with an unsurprised expression, saying:


    "As for the origin of this badge... it''s a long story."


    "Oh, got it."


    The attendant took out his own badge, collided the two badges together, and the so-called registration waspleted.


    Then, Ye Hanjun, pretending not to understand the subtext on his face��"No worries, I have ample time to listen to your gossip"��pulled a small cart filled with big stic bottles and the Shield Armor Turtle and left the Chick House from the nearest exit.


    "A mysterious young man..."


    The attendant watched him go until he couldn''t see Ye Hanjun''s figure anymore, then returned to the feeding room to prepare today''s nutrient solution for Chain Vine.


    "Sssshhh��sssshhh��"


    With the absence of the Little Tyrant Shield Armor Turtle, the Stinky Turtle and the Illusion Poison Turtle crawled over and upied the huge reef.


    As for violent territorial disputes, the residents here are all easygoing turtles. They are synonymous with politeness and modesty, and simr situations did not happen again.


    ...


    Ye Hanjun looked up at the sky. By this time, it was deep night, and the stars were scattered like pearls.


    asionally, a few clouds would drift past, and the stars would stop blinking, the moonlight would cease to pour down, and in the darkness where he could not see his hand in front of him, he found some enjoyment.


    "Not having a riding pet, it''s really inconvenient to go anywhere."


    "Fortunately, Master Jia said that the academy has more than a dozen stations, offering free carriage services..."


    "Roar! Roar!"


    (�p���ը�)


    On the cart, the Shield Armor Turtle (overturned with its feet facing the sky) was still struggling fiercely.


    Every movement spoke: "Damn human, let this turtle go if you know what''s good, or I''ll make sure you can''t take care of yourself for the rest of your life!"...


    Of course, it was all in vain.


    The Iron Lock Body Wrap of Chain Vine was too overpowering, even though it had been severed from the main body and was no longer supplied with energy.


    Given the Shield Armor Turtle''s current rank, there was no way it could break free no matter what.


    "Keep shouting, let''s see if anyone cares if you lose your voice," said Ye Hanjun, patting the turtle''s metallic shell and revealing a devilish smile at an empty street corner.


    "Roar..."


    The usually domineering Shield Armor Turtle, for some reason, suddenly gave in.


    After realizing this, it was as if embarrassed by its change of attitude and began to bite the vine lock with even more ferocity, like a madman.


    Ye Hanjun ignored it.


    Forty minutester, he finally found a station.


    The so-called station was filled with various types of Fond Spirit-drawn carriages, each one amodating thirty to forty people.


    They were essentially like the buses of his previous life, helping Patrons without riding pets to save travel time to various ces.


    Ye Hanjun swiped his badge and boarded a wooden cart operated by a ''Coachman'' and a ''Big Foot Horse''.


    The rank of the Big Foot Horse was Rainbow Light Fetus_Small Achievement.


    If riding directly, its speed was at least twice that of the Giant Sparrow and it couldst longer, not getting tired even after two or three hours.


    However, when it pulled the huge carriage and carried over twenty passengers, its actual speed wasn''t much faster.


    As a result, when Ye Hanjun arrived at his destination and got out of the carriage, it was already 11 o''clock at night.


    "Ding����"


    He swiped his badge to enter the door more proficiently, and the continuous buildings were reflected in his eyes.


    The architectures were all independent vis, spaced far apart from each other with colors either white or ck in a simple style.


    Ye Hanjun listened carefully, hearing the faint sounds of lions and tigers roaring, birds screaming, but overall it was still quiet and peaceful, meeting his minimum living environment standards.


    "ck means they have already been bound by someone. Whether they are upied or not, outsiders cannot enter."


    "White, on the other hand, means ''vacant''."


    "Although Canghai Pavilion has more than a dozen residential areas, the number of vacant houses here is more than I imagined..."


    Ye Hanjun ssified this as a "second-ss housing".


    Ordinary students, unless willing to spend money, could only live in third-ss housing for free.


    But teaching assistants or elite students are qualified to use the second-ss housing free of charge as their habitat.


    As for first-ss housing... that''s where the official mentors live.


    For example, Jiang Yongnian built a castle by theke in the east��this is his exclusive right, outsiders can only watch enviously.


    "This is it, number 233, let''s start a new life here."


    Ye Hanjun was toozy to pick, but the vis near the main entrance were all upied, so he had to go forward 500 meters to find a white house.


    He knocked his personal badge on the door, and like dark ink dripped into water, the previously pristine white wall turned into a pure ck in a second.


    "Creeeak����"


    The door opened and the warm yellow wall lights automatically lit up, making everything, whether it was the nearby corridor or the distant living room, instantly bright.


    Ye Hanjun took a quick nce, the interior was still in a simple style.


    However, one difference from his previous life was that the vi of at least 1000 square meters only had one floor.


    The distance from the ceiling to the stonework floor was a full 30 meters.


    This was amon design structure in the Fond Spirit world��only mortals might be forced to choose a house that merely met human living conditions.


    Any Patron who has a contract with a Fond Spirit.


    Even if it''s a y Body at the first rank, even if it''s small and doesn''t take up much space.


    A house with a height of three or four meters would still significantly limit their activities.


    Although living in such an environment for a long time could lead to depression or even physical function decline, no one would dare to design it like that.


    "Venttion runes, cold and hot water systems, fire cirction devices, automatic smoke extraction systems, metal cooking tform, freezing preservation device, wardrobe filled with regr clothes, disaster warning device..."


    Although Ye Hanjun had made a rough inspection of his surroundings and found itrgely unfavourablepared to his previous living conditions,


    Thankfully, everything seemed brand-new around him, untouched by humans. Just this fact was enough to make him feel somewhat relieved.


    "Little Tyrant, your days of running wild are over. Get indoors."


    Back at the entrance, it took Ye Hanjun some effort to lift the bulky Shield Armor Turtle onto the doorstep and then throw it into the house.


    Throughout this process, the Shield Armor Turtle fought against him vigorously and refused to cooperate.


    But Ye Hanjun merely shook his head without paying any attention to the beast-like threats it growled out.


    "The days of unkempt, sweat-stained stress are finallying to an end!"


    Closing the door, he confirmed that the defense array on the walls started to operate.


    After ncing at the stic bottle one more time, confirming everything was normal,


    Ye Hanjun decided that a hot bath was morepelling after all. His bright smile, as radiant as core brightness, adorns his face at the thought.


    "Bang!"


    The door to the washroom was thrown open, and his eyes lit up once again.


    He could bear with anything being simple or impoverished, but if the washroom waspromised, he knew he could never live with it.


    Luckily, the bathing area was not insignificant in size and equipped with adequate facilities. To his surprise, it even had separate bathtubs for humanoid residents and adapted shower facilities for the Fond Spirits.


    With a few excited noises, Ye Hanjun indulged in scented soaps, candles, temperature checks, and soap scrubs. To the extent of wishing he could rub off his skin.


    "It''s such a pity, under these special circumstances, that there are no young maidens to help me undress or beautiful dancers to perform splits with tunes in the background. The overall experience is indeed missing a bit..."


    Despite his slight regrets, Ye Hanjun knew to feel content.


    After a long day of work, he was moved almost to tears at the mere thought of taking a hot bath in the evening.


    This was one of the few things he would insist on, considering himself to possess only a ''bit'' of cleanliness mania.


    "Huff...This feels delightful! Utterly delightful!"


    "Taking time out each day for a bath is indeed one of life''s ultimate pleasures!"


    An hourter, Ye Hanjun, still as pale as snow and steaming from the top of his head, finally climbed out of the bathtub.


    The first thing he did was to throw away the ck cloak he had worn during the day into the trash can. Then, he washed his hands three times, picked a set of fitting clothes from the closet to wear.


    Only then did Ye Hanjun felt fully revived. The renewed freshness he felt was overwhelming, so pleasing that it made him feel perfectly content.


    "This must be the feeling of washing away all the earthly dust."


    Stretching indolently, Ye Hanjun revealed a teeth-wide smile.


    Remembering what he had to do next prompted him to give his body a thorough check again, just to be careful.


    He was especially careful about noting ces like fingernail edges to ensure there were no obvious residues of dirt. This was an incredibly important detail!


    Once he was prepared, Ye Hanjun carried therge stic bottle next to his car ignoring the re from the Shield Armor Turtle who looked like it wanted to devour him, and began moving towards the washroom.


    "Sshing sounds~~~"


    The washroom had two baths in total. One of a moderate size was reserved for him, while the bigger size was used to contain the hodgepodge of things in the stic bottle.


    The Cyclops Goldfish, Bubble Fish, Jumping Shrimp, Mini Crab, Blue Waterweed, Green Water Grass...


    These were the lowest level living creatures in the natural ecology. Although most of them could be defined as Fond Spirits, they were too weak andmon.


    Even Fond Spirits with a G-level authority would only consider making a contractual rtionship with them in the direst of circumstances.


    "Go away, go y over there."


    Digging in therge bathtub, Ye Hanjun managed to get rid of the fearless mini crab and with an incredible amount of effort, finally caught the thing he wanted.


    It was a "Stone", feeling cold to the touch.


    There were patches of gray patterns on it, which made it look dirty and unsightly with little aesthetic appeal.


    Applying some pressure on it with his fingers, it felt just as hard as a rock.


    When he knocked it against the tub, it gave off a crisp, metallic sound.


    ����From any point of view, it was not different from any ordinary pebble.


    "Little guy, aren''t you being too brave? You''re right in my hand, with your life hanging by a thread. Don''t you have a sense of danger at all?"


    Ye Hanjun, treating it like a precious toy, yed with it thoroughly. However, his mouth didn''t stop producing ridiculing remarks.


    "Hiss~~~"


    As if the stone was reacting to his words.


    The warning he gave seemed to have an effect, and the stone in his hand suddenly flipped over.


    Like a piece of frozen jelly melting slowly, the "stone" elongated and thinned down. The tarnished color of its surface brightened up like clean jewelry in an instant.


    "Yiye?"(?????)


    The small creature, no bigger than the size of a baby''s palm, gently wiggled its tail.


    The elongated tail trailed behind it, looking like a little girl''s ponytail.


    When it raised its upper body and revealed two tiny eyes on its big head which then developed a look of curiosity towards Ye Hanjun, filled with spirit.


    Ye Hanjun was captivated by such pure creatures, inwardly marvelling at the soul-storm that this creature represented.


    "Aptitude... Identify!"


    ����


    [Race name]: Pure White Tadpole


    [Chaos Seal]: ''Pure''


    [Main Study]: Clean Path/Pure Path


    [Rank]: Mud-cast Fetus_Virtual Lead


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: 88 Spirit Pattern - ''Immovable Like a Rock''


    [Core Personality]: ''Innocent''


    [Current Status]: Awakening from Dream


    [Contractual Rtionship]: None

 Chapter 14 - 13: Pure Fond Spirits_1

    <h4>Chapter 14: Chapter 13: Pure Fond Spirits_1</h4>


    The creature cradled in Ye Hanjun''s hand was a tadpole.


    It was a tiny, fragile little tadpole, as though it could be crushed with just a little force.


    "The all-powerful creator of nature... has created another miracle?"


    Ye Hanjun held out his palm, positioning it at eye level.


    From the tadpole''s point of view, a monstrous face it had never seen before in its life was suddenly brought up close.


    The size of the creature''s eyes alone was almostparable to its own body.


    Upon close scrutiny, the oppressive feeling that arose from being shrouded in shadow was insurmountable.


    ...


    This was all Ye Hanjun''s spection.


    The tiny tadpole, about the size of a grain of rice, seemed to be unaware of fear.


    An unfamiliar life energy field was so close, its hot breath within reach.


    Yet, the tadpole seemed unperturbed, and a spark of curiosity gleamed in its innocent, spiritual eyes.


    "Yiye?"


    "Yiye? Yiye?"


    The tadpole wagged its tail and spun in a circle, as if it still wasn''t quite sure what was happening.


    What''s happening? Why had its sleeping ce changed without warning? Where was it, and what was it doing?


    "A genuine Pure Beast, the mythical Pure Fond Spirits, encountered in such an unexpected way..."


    Ye Hanjun had seen many spectacles, and the trials he had weathered since childhood dwarfed those experienced by any average practitioner a thousandfold.


    However, this event shook him to his core.


    Innumerable worlds, countless species, strange and peculiar beings abound.


    Yet, this ''Pure Beast'', had been mentioned only in bits and pieces in historical texts, biographies, and scriptures.


    Relevant knowledge wasrgely absent, leaving extensive nks.


    The aura of mystery surrounding it was tantamount to the legend of the Holy Saint Embryo.


    Ye Hanjun was amazed. Here, in the humble Giant Frog Marsh, a ce where beginners came to choose their spiritualpanions, he had encountered such a creature. And, it appeared in such a pure and wless form.


    This was truly... an honor beyond words!


    "Yiye~~~~"


    The tadpole had a long tail and a big head.


    It peered around curiously, much like a fascinated child.


    Moreover, it was incredibly well-behaved. It stayed in Ye Hanjun''s palm without attempting to escape, either fearless or naive, unaware of the cruelty of human nature.


    Ye Hanjun cupped some water in his other hand and gently poured it onto the tadpole.


    Unexpectedly, the little creature shook its head, sshing water everywhere. Its tiny eyes squinted into crescents, finding the experience enjoyable and exciting.


    "Little guy, follow me from now on."


    "With me, you''ll drink the most pristine Hundred Flowers Dew in the morning, century-old Golden Cassia Tree Latex for lunch, and exquisite wine brewed by fairy sisters in the evening... I''ll make sure you grow fast and be a big and strongd."


    "Yiye!"


    Although the young one didn''t understand humannguage,municating verbally with it was akin to ying the lute for a cow.


    But as a Pure Fond Spirit, it instinctively distinguished between good and evil.


    Ye Hanjun harbored no ill intentions... this was the only information it could gauge, nothing more.


    "I wish Liuying were here."


    "When she was little, the creature she wanted to see the most was a Pure Beast..."


    Ye Hanjun murmured softly, his gaze momentarily vacant.


    When his consciousness returned to reality, he shook his head slightly, brushing aside his distracting thoughts and pondering the situation he was in.


    Pure Beasts... were exceedingly rare!


    Fond Spirits that bore the ''Pure'' Chaos Seal were as umon as a pearl in the vast oceanpared to the prevalent Demon Fond Spirits and Savage Fond Spirits.


    Ye Hanjun was confident that within the vast Canghai Pavilion, only a select few with profound knowledge might have heard tales of the Pure Beast.


    The rest - from the official mentors to the average students - would be worthy of his respect if they had even heard the term.


    ''Pure''... it represents a "miracle"!


    They were said to be messengers of purity, born with nature''s favor. In certain ancient legends, they were even associated with good fortune and perpetually shrouded in a mystery.


    Ye Hanjun was born into the Ye family, a powerful n that had stood unyielding for dozens of eras.


    He had seen ancient demonic birds that blotted out the sky, ranging the heavens in flocks.


    He had seen the Zhulong, a dragon who controlled day and night with its eyes, and winter and summer with its breath, awaken after millennia of slumber in the depths of the Earth.


    He had seen dreadful undead dragons the size of mountains, circling at the epicenter of an apocalyptic storm, waging war against fallen angels on a stage set by the universe itself.


    He had also resided in cemeteries where the corpses piled high like mountains, studying scriptures, practicing arts, and cultivating his virtue.


    He had watched n elders bathe in phoenix blood and temper their body with the holy blood amidst flickering lightning storms.


    He had also witnessed all living creatures bow to the ground, the world wilting and weeping, on the day the sun exploded...


    Ye Hanjun had witnessed all manner of creatures.


    Some were strong, some weak, some ancient, some bizarre...


    But Pure Fond Spirits... without a doubt, this was his first time witnessing one in the flesh.


    "If my siblings knew that I''ve encountered a Pure Beast of true lineage, they would probably cause quite the bloody havoc."


    "For them, the good stuff should only belong to themselves. Outsiders are merely temporary caretakers, regardless of whether the person is their own blood-rted brother... Heh heh, it really is a cruel and real family."


    Ye Hanjun chuckled softly, shaking his head in silence.


    The little tadpole in his hand began to grow anxious, looking around nervously, carefully peeking, in search of the imaginary enemy that threatened its life.


    "No worries, we still have plenty of time to grow. We might not be any weaker than them in the future."


    Ye Hanjun extended a finger and gently scratched the little creature''s head.


    A surprising urrence arose; although the little tadpole seemed to greatly enjoy being petted, in the silent world, the enhancement effects simr to those of the Ghost Shadow Spider and the Camellia Dog didn''t trigger.


    "Pure Beasts are innately pure, making their susceptibility to abnormal conditions dozens of times lower than ordinary Fond Spirits. It is also unlikely that they can be influenced by ordinary toxins..."


    "Is it due to the little creature''s physical constitution, or is it that my Instructor authority itself has restrictions?"


    Ye Hanjun considered this for a few seconds, momentarily put down the little tadpole, and grabbed a jumping shrimp from the fish tank.


    No matter how much contact or touch was made, the palm-sized jumping shrimp didn''t exhibit any signs of pleasure.


    On the contrary, being out of water, it became extremely fearful.


    Continually trying to struggle, it tried to free itself from Ye Hanjun''s restraint and return back to the fish tank.


    Ye Hanjun thoughtfully observed.


    When he switched to other water-bound Spirit Creatures, he found the results to be the same; not one was able to trigger a specific effect.


    "There are restrictions, which is consistent with the hypothesis."


    "The specific situation will need more samples for thorough research."


    Ending the short experiment, Ye Hanjun looked at the little tadpole''s shimmering, lively eyes, and couldn''t help but smile.


    "Thanks to my iparable and perverted sense of perception, I would have never found you disguised as a stone."


    "I don''t know where exactly you were born, but I can tell you are still too young, more like a baby than an offspring."


    "Yiye~~~~"


    The little tadpole didn''t understand, but seeing the "big tadpole" chatting with it, it seemed quite happy, shaking its head and repeatedly agreeing.


    "Have I prepared a luxurious fish tank for you, or would you prefer to join in the fun and stay here with your little friends?"


    Ye Hanjun held up the little tadpole and moved it next to therge tank.


    This time, the little tadpole blinked its eyes and swiftly slid into the water.


    "Yiye~~~~~"(�R?�Q)?


    After swimming around a couple of times, the little tadpole appeared jubnt. Its crystal clear body was nearly invisible in the water, making it hard to spot unless observed closely.


    As for its arrival, the jumping shrimps, cyclops goldfish, and mini crabs were seemingly unaware.


    It wasn''t until the little tadpole got so close they were practically touching that they''d suddenly widen their eyes with disbelief.


    "Innately low presence?" Ye Hanjun watched with interest.


    Ancient books had indeed described it so.


    Pure Beasts, as species favored by nature, whether sentient or ignorant creatures, found it hard to notice them based on instinct alone.


    Even the most ruthless, violent creatures, as long as they did not loseplete control.


    When encountering Pure Beasts, they would try to avoid them as much as possible, unwilling to cause a conflict easily.


    Pure Fond Spirits��equivalent to carrying a life-saving amulet by birth!


    Just this point alone, their racial value could be elevated to an unimaginable degree!


    "Little guy, they are not ying with you."


    Ye Hanjun squatted on the ground, quietly watching the little tadpole swimming around.


    The small fish and shrimp ignored it, even fleeing when pushed, but the small tadpole always remained worry-free and joyous, a tadpole could also y happily.


    "Yiye~~~~"


    Hearing Ye Hanjun call to him, the little tadpole came up from the bottom of the tank.


    Most of its head floating above the water, its tail wiggling, it was both obedient and cute, just like a small child.


    Ye Hanjun burst intoughter; such a simple interaction was something he had never experienced in his life, everything felt new and fascinating.


    "Innocence as a core personality trait, to some degree symbolizes the most important characteristic of a Fond Spirit..."


    "This little guy is destined to be well protected, only after it passes through its most juvenile stage, the prime of its bloodline can be ushered..."


    Ye Hanjun stretched out a finger again, and touched the little tadpole''s cool forehead.


    Then, he stood up, turned off?the lights in the?washroom, and walked out as it was.


    "The luckiest thing today was finding the ''Pure White Tadpole'', the future is full of hope and possibilities."


    "But it''s a pity, the little guy is too young, void of anybat skills."


    "If I give the first Contract Imprint rted to the Instructor to the little tadpole, I will fall into passivity for a short period, not being able to tackle various challenges, it is more than my heart''s desire but beyond my ability..."


    Ye Hanjun pinched his chin, furrowed his brows.


    Due to the current situation, a switch of choice was necessary. Although it was unbearably frustrating, there was indeed no room for leniency.


    "In other words, I still need to figure out a way to find a more suitable first Fond Spirit..."


    Lost in thought, Ye Hanjun unknowingly returned to the living room, to the entryway.


    "Roar!!!"


    The Shield Armor Turtle had its limbs bound and couldn''t move.


    But that didn''t stop it from spotting its target. Once it saw Ye Hanjun approach, it let out a supressed roar from its throat. The lonely night became irritatingly noisy.


    "Never mind, the Contracted Spirit can be dealt with tomorrow."


    "I''ve been annoyed by you for a long time... Come here!"

 Chapter 15 - 14: Chaos Spirit Pattern_1

    <h4>Chapter 15: Chapter 14: Chaos Spirit Pattern_1</h4>


    "Roar!!"


    The Shield Armor Turtle roars like a lion or a tiger, its sharp nails scratching against the Chain Vine. Not only did it make a sound like metal striking stone, you can even see sparks flying everywhere.


    Such ferocity, especially on a Mud-cast fetus''s minor achievement, and still a defense-oriented turtle-like Fond Spirit, was indeed rare.


    But who is Ye Hanjun? What has he not seen before?


    He pulled up his trolley and drag the upturned Shield Armor Turtle towards the kitchen.


    Ignoring the Shield Armor Turtle''s repeated attempts to violently kill him, he found a handy brush, scrubbed the gigantic metal back with a big brush, then used a gigantic water gun to wash it down. Sludge, moss, dirt... rapidly peeled off, no longer adhering to the shell.


    At that moment, the metal cooking table was already filled with clean water. Ye Hanjun opened up the cold storage cab and found a bunch of scallions, cinnamon, star anise, scale mushrooms, ck pepper...


    Of utmost importance were the Fennel Pig''s bones.


    Although there was only one, it was a frozen piece and had lost its best date for tasting.


    But after grinding it into powder with a tool, the room was still full of an aroma that made you salivate even if you were not careful.


    "Hmm...really fragrant."


    Honestly, fond spirits with violent tempers aren''t totally useless despite what breeders say.


    But Ye Hanjun doesn''t want to cultivate, nor does he want to do something where the input and return are disproportionate.


    What he needs now, is nutrition.


    Being born in the Abyss, he never thought that killing and being killed, eating and being eaten was something cruel.


    It was all for survival.


    It''s just a matter of perspective.


    Swallowing his saliva, Ye Hanjun takes a light breath, and then pushes with all his might.


    "Plop!"


    The turtle fell into the water in response. Because its limbs were bound by the vine, it couldn''t float.


    It seemed to still be cursing, bubbles continuously bubbling out of its mouth, in a fast and hurried rhythm.


    "After a night, it should be cooked, right?"


    "Just to be safe, one moreyer should be added to the lid. I don''t want to wake up in the middle of the night and see a big turtle squatting at the door wanting to bite me..."


    Ye Hanjun studied the cooking table embedded with runes, a portable tool that even a three-year-old child could use.


    He adjusted the built-in me temperature again, set the water temperature at around 200 degrees, started the cycle heating mode, and set the stop time to 8 hourster.


    "Done, taskpleted."


    ...


    The night passed without a word.


    The next day, the sun rose as usual, the morning light shining through the curtains, gradually filling the room.


    Ye Hanjun woke up leisurely. He has rarely slept through the night before, but this time in a new environment, his quality of sleep actually improved.


    "Gurgle gurgle..."


    He didn''t know if it was due to his weak body or not, but the dried meat of the Fond Spirit that he had eatenst night was digested thoroughly overnight.


    Ye Hanjun stretched, suddenly smelling the faint scent of meat, deeply seeping into his lungs.


    His somewhat dazed gaze instantly cleared, and with a few shes, he rushed to the kitchen.


    "It''s definitely cooked! It''s so good! Really good!"


    The pot cover was lifted and a few torn and ragged Chain Vines were the first thing he saw.


    The Chain Vine, having absorbed water and boiled at high temperature, had already lost its metallic hardness in advance and returned to normal nt vines.


    And what Ye Hanjun had been longing for was quickly fished out of the pot.


    The Shield Armour Turtle, which had been roaring and howling with aggression the night before, had now turned a tender pink.


    Upon close sniff, a buttery aroma wafted out from the gaps in the turtle shell, instantly making one''s appetite surge.


    "It looks delicious..."


    Ye Hanjun swallowed and suppressed the urge to gobble it up.


    He spread out a tablecloth, tied a bib, got a metal knife and fork, and then gracefully took his seat.


    Then, his knife skills were the real test.


    Since it was already cooked, Ye Hanjun just had to insert a small knife along the gap between the turtle''s back and belly to crack open the whole shell.


    Upon letting the luscious turtle meat, shining with a white halo, soak in a little bit of secret soy sauce, then taking a small sip of the salty and fragrant soup... Ye Hanjun let out a content and satisfying hum, his eyes narrowed in enjoyment.


    "Delicious, tender, and nutritious..."


    "If it was served with a baby dragon egg, and ancient rice field rice... Out of 10 points, I would give it a 12..."


    Ye Hanjun couldn''t stopplimenting it as he wolfed down the food.


    A good portion of the half-meterrge Shield Armor Turtle had disappeared into his mouth in a twinkling of an eye.


    When the feeling of heat rose from his belly to his limbs, Ye Hanjun burped, pausing his meal.


    "With nutrients in my stomach, my body feels significantly warmer."


    "Although it seems like I will still be coughing blood, as long as I can maintain a bnce, I can further adjust my condition..."


    Ye Hanjun cleaned up the table, packed the remaining turtle meat, and stored it all in the frozen storage room.


    Based on a diet n of one nutritious meal a day, this should be enough for two days.


    What he will eat as nourishment the day after tomorrow remains to be seen.


    He can''t go to the Chicks House to catch ferocious Fond Spirits again, right? If the breeders find out, they might gang up against him, not to mention that there are no more free adoption slots...


    Ye Hanjun pondered as he picked up the turtle shell from the ground.


    Due to the high-temperature boiling, the hard Shield Armor Turtle shell was slightly deformed.


    But when hammered hard, it was still firm. To think of using an ordinary de to breach its defense seems like a fantastical idea.


    "Now I have a free Heart Protector too. Killing three birds with one stone is so me."


    Ye Hanjun nodded slightly, protected his chest with the Shield Armor Turtle''s shell, and tied two ropes to secure it,pleting a simple set of armor.


    When he put on loose clothes over it and looked in the mirror, it was hard to tell that there was a hidden trick inside. The efficiency of the item was close to perfect.


    "Oh, right, little tadpole..."


    Moved by a thought, Ye Hanjun walked into the bathroom.


    The Pure Fond Spirits have apletely unique dietary system, unlike normal Fond Spirits.


    It seemed as if they didn''t care formon food from the outside world. Only offerings from nature of the highest purity might win their favor.


    "Yiye~~~"


    The lights turned on. The little tadpole hadn''t turned into a stone all night, and it remained in its crystal clear form.


    Seeing the big tadpole approaching, it showed a bit of excitement.


    With a flip of its tail, it shot from the bottom of the tank to the water surface, and with a wide-open mouth, it spit out a tiny water gun, urately hitting Ye Hanjun''s nose.


    "Eh?" Ye Hanjun slightly froze.


    He touched the water droplet on his nose tip, remembered that feeling and involuntarily activated the Active Ability "Talent Identification".


    ...


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: 88 "Immovable Like a Rock", 12 "Spitting Water"


    ...


    "Is this really a Skill?!"


    The light in Ye Hanjun''s eyes flickered. It seemed as if a divine aura was surging to the sky.


    "Yiye?"


    "Yiye? Yiye?"


    The little tadpole, oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, swam around carefreely.


    A spray of tiny water droplets sshed up and down, seemingly inviting the big tadpole to jump into the pool and y with it.


    "Although it only has 12 spirit patterns, which is insignificant."


    "But this is a real skill. It only took one night for this little guy to impress me. What a surprise..."


    Ye Hanjun looked at the little tadpole over and over again, unable to suppress his curiosity.


    In this world, there are various factors for gauging the strength of a Fond Spirit.


    But the most intuitive are the "Level" and "Skills".


    Normal physical movements or collisions cannot be considered skills.


    A Fond Spirit''s skill must reach a certain power or trigger a special effect to be defined.


    Chaos Spirit Pattern is the crucial structure that makes up a skill. It is the core support to evaluate the simplicity orplexity, weakness, or strength of a skill.


    For example, 1-9 patterns, these level of spirit patterns cannot construct a skill.


    Only when you reach 10 patterns, in the range of 10-99 patterns, can it be called a "ten-pattern skill", aka "basic skill".


    When I first met the little tadpolest night, it had only one skill "Immovable Like a Rock".


    This effect should be its camouge as a pebble to prevent predators from hunting it and achieve passive self-protection.


    Honestly, 88 patterns...this is extremely powerful!


    y Body Fetus can contain a limited number of skills, set between 10-99 patterns.


    Only extraordinary creatures or demons can break through the life barrier and master the "Hundred-Centered Technique" of the Rainbow Light Fetus.


    Ye Hanjun hadn''t expected that the little tadpole would have acquired another skill after just one night''s sleep.


    Spitting Water may sound silly and cute, and the Chaos Spirit Pattern has just barely passed.


    The actual experience of the skill''s power is probably enough to make one''s nose itch and want to sneeze.


    But no matter what, this is a real skill!


    This tadpoleprehended it on its own... The patron is indeed worry-free, but also somewhat embarrassed, right?!


    "The ancient book says that Pure Fond Spirits are innately pure."


    "Even if they live for hundreds or thousands of years, they still retain child-like innocence."


    "These inherent qualities will help them to have an understanding that ordinary creatures can hardly reach in their lifetime. Whether it is the copse of Divine Mountain in front of them or just tedious daily chores, as long as their spirits are stimted, they mayprehend a skill..."


    After observing for a while, Ye Hanjun further confirmed that the little fellow with simple thoughts didn''t realize that it had acquired a new ability.


    Through spitting water, the little guy would actively attract his attention, which was very useful for greeting.


    "Could it be that it spontaneouslyprehended this skill just to interact and y with me?"


    Ye Hanjun yed along and couldn''t help but mutter in his heart.


    This idea is absurd, and he feels the same.


    But upon deep thinking, it seems logical... Could it really be a little monster?


    "Yiye~~~~"


    The little tadpole swam back and forth, proficient at swimming both ways.


    Ye Hanjun nced at the time and found that the hand had moved past 8 o''clock, a littleter than the expected time to go out.


    "Little guy, y on your own during the day and help me watch the house."


    "I have to go to work. The day of a corporate ve has officially begun."


    "Yiye~~~ Yiye~~~"


    The little tadpole seemed to understand but not understand. Its little tail swayed lightly, but who knows what the little creature was thinking.


    Ye Hanjun finally patted its head, checked his outfit, assured the personal badge was in his pocket, and walked towards the main door.

 Chapter 16 - 15: Pink Ostrich_1

    <h4>Chapter 16: Chapter 15: Pink Ostrich_1</h4>


    "Chirp~~~"


    Approaching the season when everythinges back to life, the wind is refreshing, the sunshine is warm, every day is a good day.


    With hands in pockets, Ye Hanjun walks alone on the path between the detached vis. The scent of the flowers and nts on the wind is refreshing, but it can''t help the silent sorrow in his heart.


    "Roar!!"


    "Chirp! Chirp!!"


    In just three to five minutes, he has seen more than once the fellow assistant teachers, who seem like colleagues, just leaving their homes.


    The Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits they summon are Demon Tigers, Horned Sheep, Pegasus, Rhinos, Flying Hawks... Each one is more robust and powerful than thest.


    Even worse, seeing Ye Hanjun walking on foot, though they clearly do not know him, they have to purposefully swagger past him.


    If Ye Hanjun looked up at them, they would give a slight smile. On the surface, they had the demeanor of a calm andposed expert, but behind the scenes they would spur their Fond Spirits to sprint at a faster speed, disappearing at the end of the line of sight like chased by an evil ghost.


    "Each and every one, how got they are at showing off."


    Ye Hanjun rolled his eyes and didn''t take it to heart.


    But, upon seeing a spirit master riding a rubber frog that jumps five or six meters high, and bypasses not only flowers and nts but also houses, Ye Hanjun rubbed his temples, slightly shocked.


    "Riding a frog... seems like it wears out the crotch of pants."


    "In a few years, when the tadpole finishes its metamorphic development, will I be traveling like this too...?"


    Randomly imagining some scenarios, Ye Hanjun felt a slight headache, anxiously preupied with his future mental state.


    The only sce was convincing himself that the contract hadn''t been formally established yet and there was still a chance to find a more suitable Fond Spirit, one that could fight, could be ridden, and wouldn''t damage his future brilliant image.


    Not to mention... there''s still the Blood Pact Summoning!


    With so many choices, how could he possibly fail?!


    "Caw! Caw caw!"


    "Ah! Tuotuo, slow down!"


    "Riding unsafely brings tears to my mother''s eyes! Slow down! We''re going to run into it!"


    From a great distance, the loud noises of a racing beast preemptively reached his ears.


    Ye Hanjun stopped and lifted his head, subconsciously gazing in the direction from which the sound wasing.


    Dust...


    Arge cloud of dust was rising!


    At the end of the side road, an enormous creature was striding towards him at a frenzied pace!


    Two young students dressed in casual attire, full of vitality, were originally making their light-hearted way down the street.


    Suddenly noticing the peril approaching, the girl''s face drained of blood and quivered, clearly terrified.


    Although the other boy was also scared, he remained calmer. In the nick of time, he grabbed the girl''s hand. The two of them pressed against the wall to avoid the deadly collision.


    "Roar!!!"


    Dust was swirling, leaving a trail that shed like lightning.


    The face of the racing beast was a blur as it passed the boy and the girl with unmatched speed.


    One could vaguely hear a girl screaming in fear and the heavy breathing of an avian creature.


    "What... what is that..."


    The young man and woman nced at each other, looking as if they''ve seen a ghost.


    Further afield, Ye Hanjun, standing in the middle of the road, watched the wild dust storming closer.


    Standing at what was bound to be the path of impact, he showed no panic, just lifting his right eyebrow, revealing a trace of curiosity.


    "Swish!"


    He drew back, bent down and picked up a handful of dirt, flinging it forcefully in front of him.


    The moment he put force into his waist, his lower body rotated backward. His left foot swiftly kicked out, instantly hitting a hard object that was rushing past.


    "Ah! Tuotuo! Stop! You''ve hit someone!"


    "Caw! Caw caw... Bang!"


    The raging sandstorm abruptly stopped.


    A gigantic creature let out a sound of pain and was suddenly tripped by something. Losing steadiness, it stumbled and crashed to the right.


    A loud crash echoed, and a wall copsed. Arge amount of dust exploded into the air, causing chaos everywhere.


    "Alert! Alert!"


    "Someone is damaging city buildings! Call thew enforcement team immediately! Call thew enforcement team immediately!"


    "Be aware! The escapee will face triple the fine, and depending on the severity of the situation, extra penalties may be added. The perpetrator should not hold out the hope of escaping, stay at the scene and wait for justice to convict."


    ...


    The harsh rm sounded throughout the small surrounding area.


    After a violent bout of coughing, Ye Hanjun struggled to his feet.


    While dusting off the dirt on his body, he gritted his teeth and grimaced to suppress the paining from his lightly twisted ankle.


    "This crappy body of mine, for such a simple move, almost mishandled it."


    "Now it seems that I don''t understand myself well enough. ''Old and weak'' describes me quite well, at least for now..."


    Ye Hanjun shook his head and sighed lightly. His eyes wandered through the swirling dust, searching for his target.


    In almost an instant, he locked onto the "perpetrator".


    It was an ostrich, with a neck as slender as a snake''s, supporting a very small head.


    The beak was short and t, shaped like a triangle, and the eyes wererge and bright, resembling a frog''s.


    Looking further down, its torso was short and stout, and its breastbone t.


    A pair of short wings, extremely disproportionate to its body size, sprouted from its sides. The wings were a striking pink color, as if it were the new darling of the fashion world, fresh and lively.


    "Gaaaa!!!"


    The ostrich squawked with all its might, its decibel level extremely high.


    Forget it being pleasant to the ear, even the call of the Giant Sparrow sounded better than it by several magnitudes.


    Most intriguing, the Contracted Spirit Fond, named "Pink Ostrich," appeared somewhat baffled.


    Though it was clearly the cause of the chaos, it seemed oblivious to the fact. Itsrge eyes blinked in bewilderment, and its dumbfounded nature made anyone doubt its intelligence.


    "I''m sorry!"


    "Tuotuo was unusually excited today, despite my attempts to calm it down..."


    Sitting on the ostrich''s back was a disheveled girl.


    She immediately jumped off and upon noticing Ye Hanjun standing by the debris, scurried over, her face full of concern.


    "I''m fine." Ye Hanjun raised his hands, gesturing for her not toe too close.


    Given his physical condition, he wasn''tfortable with strangers approaching too closely. It robbed him of his limited sense of security.


    "I''m sorry I scared you. Regardless of whether I''ve hurt you or caused any damage, I will pay for it!"


    The girl was in her prime, with short, emerald-green hair.


    Despite her mess, Ye Hanjun could discern that her oval face, though not breathtakingly beautiful, had a pleasant charm about it.


    Especially those brown eyes, which exuded an innocent naivety. His first impression wasn''t bad at all.


    However, Ye Hanjun''s focus was not on that.


    From the corner of his eye, he noticed that the girl had some abrasions. Her exposed arms and legs had several visible cuts.


    And her skin, rather than being delicate and fair, was a slightly coarse shade of wheat.


    Most likely, she has undergone some intense physical training in her daily life and is not just some fragile vase.


    "Ah! You''re coughing blood!" Su Mei eximed, covering her mouth. Her trembling hands immediately moved to her waist to fetch something.


    However, she was too flustered to retrieve the medicine from her bag in one smooth movement, and after several attempts, she still couldn''tplete the action.


    "Cough! Cough!"


    Yej Hanjun took out a clean handkerchief he found in the cab and wiped the corners of his mouth. He once again signaled that he was fine:


    "Calm down, I''m not hurt."


    "But you''re coughing up blood��such a severe internal injury can be fatal..." Su Mei, finally able to retrieve the emergency medicine, rushed to try and feed it to Ye Hanjun.


    "Coagting Blood Scatter?" Ye Hanjun nced at the medicine and his mouth twitched slightly.


    "Miss, although the quality of your medicine seems pretty good and must have cost you a lot,"


    "Did the pharmacist not tell you that even if you''re bleeding from every orifice, you should only take 1 gram of this medicine at a time?"


    "You have a handful here, almost 5 grams worth. If I took all this down, you would have turned a live person into a dead one..."


    "Ah? That''s a limitation?" Su Mei suddenly blushed.


    She didn''t know whether to offer the medicine or withdraw it, and her entire expression was one of extreme embarrassment.


    Fortunately, the timely arrival of thew enforcement team unplugged the standoff. First, a white giant eagle swooped down, followed by a muscr buffalo with two grumpy, middle-aged men nking her and Ye Hanjun, eliminating their freedom of movement.


    "What happened?"


    A man with a red armband on his shoulder and a badge reading "Li Yan" on his chest looked up and down at Ye Hanjun, frowning,


    "You look familiar, have we met somewhere before?"


    "..."


    To this, all Ye Hanjun wanted to say was,


    In a building asrge as Canghai Pavilion with at least a hundred members in thew enforcement team,


    How did I encounter the same members from yesterday''s incident in apletely different area? This must be some crazy luck.


    "I remember now, yesterday there was someone named Jia Pengpeng who also damaged a wall..."


    Li Yan nced at the source of the chaos and the pink ostrich who, acting as if nothing had happened, delicately made its way out of the debris.


    After squawking a couple of times, it seemed to realize that the giant white eagle and muscr buffalo were not to be trifled with, and carefully positioned itself beside its owner.


    "Only the girl caused the disturbance, the boy had nothing to do with it."


    Another man named Qian Biao stepped forward.


    He had quickly surveyed the nearby area and by asking shocked bystanders, he came to a conclusion.


    "One wall will cost no less than twenty Lower Quality Spirit Stones to rebuild."


    "Since this is your first offence, no additional punishment will be levied. Please bring this receipt and pay the Spirit Stones at the City Construction Hall within seven days..."

 Chapter 17 - 16: Guardian Ant’s Crystal Bracelet _1

    <h4>Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Guardian Ant''s Crystal Bracelet _1</h4>


    The Enforcement Team''s Qian Biao spoke with a face void of expression, even more so than an average workhorse.


    Finally, he shoved the ticket into Su Mei''s hand, and therge white eagle pped its wings, initiating the skill ''Hurricane''.


    Within seconds, a wild wind swept through, clearing the debris of the copsed wall, no longer obstructing the main path.


    Qian Biao and Li Yan exchanged nces. One rode an eagle, and the other a bull; they both hastily came and went.


    "Phew... That scared me. The Enforcement Team of the college is so icy. They seem even stricter than our instructors..."


    Su Mei wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her face already covered in dust, making her look like a clown.


    Realizing her present state, she flushed, hurriedly wiping her face clean.


    "My name is Su Mei. The ''Su'' as in tassel, the ''Mei'' as in plum blossom."


    Su Mei''s eyshes were long; when she spoke carefully, it was hard to hide her worry:


    "Are you really okay?"


    "Should we go to the infirmary? I know a nurse there; I can handle the cost of any necessary examinations and treatments..."


    "No, it''s not necessary." Ye Hanjun shook his head.


    "On the contrary, you, as a Knight, can''t even control your own Fond Spirit. Isn''t that the most pressing issue here?" Ye Hanjun hinted.


    "Ah, how did you know I''m a ''Knight''..." Su Mei''s face turned red again; she was so embarrassed that her head almost dropped to the ground:


    "I don''t know what''s going on. Tuotuo is usually a bit naughty, but he''s never been this disobedient."


    "Today it nearly caused a huge catastrophe. If any ssmate got severely injured because of me, I don''t think I''ll ever be able to sit still again..."


    Ye Hanjun gently nodded, his gazended on the back of the pink ostrich:


    "An ostrich is not an easy creature to ride."


    "But look, it doesn''t even have a custom saddle."


    "And you are so young, I doubt you''ve been a Patron for more than a year."


    "...Considering all factors, only if you are a ''Knight'', with a passive ability of ''Riding Mastery'', can you achieve this bnce."


    "You''re all correct, you''re amazing!"


    Su Mei eximed, never expecting this thin and frail-looking man to have such sharp, ruthless, and precise judgment.


    "As for losing control..."


    Ye Hanjun pursed his lips, againparing the data on the talent identification panel.


    ����


    [Species Name]: Pink Ostrich


    [Chaos Seal]: ''Savage''


    [Main Study]: Dao of the body


    [Rank]: y Body - Small Achievement


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: 36 Patterns ''Rushing Around''


    [Core Personality]: ''Vanity''


    [Current State]: Excited


    [Contractual Rtionship]: Stable


    "What did you feed it this morning, orst night?" Ye Hanjun asked suddenly.


    "Let me think..." Su Mei recalled, counting on her fingers:


    "Last night, I bought a lot of fruits and vegetables, including Big Head Pineapple, ck Snake Fruit, Golden Whisker Grass, White Apples, Sour Plums..."


    "This morning, I prepared a bowl of meat soup for Tuotuo, but it didn''t seem to have a good appetite and didn''t finish it all..."


    "I see." Ye Hanjun took a couple of steps forward, walking around the pink ostrich.


    The ostrich stood tall and proud, its index legs stiffly upright,pletely ignoring his presence.


    But Ye Hanjun wanted to attempt using his ability rted to the Instructor''s role. He reached out to the ostrich''s forehead while it lowered its head and spread its wings, rubbing it forcefully.


    "Ah! Be careful!" Su Mei tried to stop him, but she was toote.


    In her eyes, Tuotuo was a spirited child, never letting strangers touch it casually.


    However, the result was unexpected.


    When Ye Hanjun''s somewhat pale and sickly hand touched Tuotuo''s head, the ostrich merely blinked in surprise. It didn''t react violently, but instead closed its wings and shut its eyes, showing a face of pure enjoyment.


    "Are you a ''Breeder'', or a ''Trainer''? You have such amazing affinity..."


    Surprise after surprise came to Su Mei, she could barely hide her shock and blurt out the questions.


    "Neither," Ye Hanjun did not respond directly.


    Then he pondered upon the triggering condition of the passive ability he named "Soothing", while he articted the conclusions based on the clues he''s gathered so far:


    "If I''m not wrong, your Pink Ostrich hasn''t slept since yesterday."


    "The cause of its abnormal excitement is likely rted to the ''White Apple''."


    "But a normal White Apple wouldn''t have such extreme effects. I suspect the one the ostrich ate had started to rot slightly inside. If squeezed, it would release a milky sticky fluid..."


    "I didn''t notice that."


    Su Mei furrowed her brows, uncertainly saying:


    "But it seems true, after eating fruits and vegetables, Tuotuo''s mouth was sticky, I even fetched a basin of hot water to wipe him clean..."


    Ye Hanjun continued saying:


    "Not only that, within one hour before and after eating white apple, Pink Ostrich must have consumed some other food with excessive energy."


    "It might be spiritual medicine, or some kind of crystalline material from a Fond Spirit... Either way, these two things act as triggering conditions for each other, fermenting in the Pink Ostrich''s body and producing an effect simr to an energy enhancement potion..."


    "If you put it that way... That''s right! Tuotuo has been eyeing my bracelet, could it have stolen and eaten the pearl beads on my bracelet?"


    Su Mei suddenly woke up and quickly pulled up her sleeves.


    Indeed, on the insect-fruited protective bracelet, there was a missing section, a rather obvious dent.


    "That''s it, Tuotuo, you really did eat it!"


    Su Mei put her hands on her hips, her height of 1.65 meters just exceeded the knee bone of the Pink Ostrich.


    But her momentum was greater, therger Pink Ostrich seemed to realize that it was caught red-handed and just kept its head low, daring not to make a sound.


    "This is an insect crystal of the Guardian Ant? When activated in danger, it will form a thin film-like shield."


    "Even the Mud-cast fetus which is known for its attack power would need to put in some effort to easily destroy this magical tool..."


    Ye Hanjun took a nce and spoke bluntly:


    "It''s not a big problem, the quantity it snuck and ate about matches the previous consumption."


    "There''s no need to do anything special when we go back, just drink plenty of water, clean the stomach and intestines, fast lightly for a day... It is indeed time to teach it a lesson. Sneaking food when the master is not paying attention, this is a serious problem that cannot be underestimated, it needs to be well educated..."


    "Right! Yes! I get it! I will do as you taught me!"


    Su Mei hurriedly opened the bag on her body, and surprisingly took out a palm-sized spirit cloth scroll, used her finger as a brush, and continuously guided the surge of soul power.


    Ye Hanjun blinked in surprise.


    "You are... taking notes?"


    Su Mei blushed slightly and awkwardly exined:


    "I am a bit slow and react slower than others, and don''t have any special talents."


    "My father always told me that hard work can make up for myck of talent, so I developed the habit of carrying a notebook."


    "Whether it''s learning new knowledge or recording to-do items, this method works well. When I am free, I can review and remember to further consolidate the knowledge I have learned..."


    As she introduced, Su Mei had a serious face, with bright, shining eyes.


    Ye Hanjun found it more interesting the more he listened and looked at this girl for the first time inplete detail, showing more appreciation than expected.


    "Good, with this kind of consciousness, your path of the knight can go far."


    Ye Hanjun patted Su Mei on the shoulder, dusting some dust off for her, then left with one hand in his pocket, giving a wave with the other.


    "My surname is Han, and my given name is Jun."


    "I just came to the Canghai Pavilion not too long ago, unfamiliar with the area, and there is much to learn."


    "Your Pink Ostrich doesn''t seem to be far from the realm of the Mud-cast fetus. Keep up the good work. I have things to attend to. I am leaving first."


    "Han Jun? What a special name..."


    Su Mei was stunned for a moment, asking subconsciously:


    "ssmate, what kind of courses do you usually take? Is there any ovep with ''Knight''?"


    "You sure know a lot, can I ask for your advice on questions about breeding Pink Ostrich next time? If you don''t mind, can I invite you for dinner to show my thanks?"


    "I am not a student," Ye Hanjun said without looking back, growing distant.


    "Not a student?" Su Mei blinked her brown eyes, her face was full of confusion, failing to understand the implication of Ye Hanjun''s words.


    "Could it be that he not a student of Canghai Pavilion, but a student from the neighboring Tianyafu Residence?"


    After a while, Su Mei knocked on her head, feeling a bit troubled by her own timidness and fear.


    Meeting an amazing person, and one who has helped her, she felt a sense of distance and did not dare to continue to interact at the first opportunity.


    If she were to encounter a precious opportunity in the future, would she be hesitant and not dare to move forward?


    Su Mei clenched her fists, pulled out the spirit cloth scroll again, and seriously wrote down two lines:


    -- When encountering something unknown, be brave to ask! Only by taking the amazing people as examples for learning, will there be room for rapid progress!


    -- Su, Su, don''t be discouraged. Although you are a bit slower, you have been working hard. The sweetnesses after the bitterness, keep it up! Believe in yourself!


    ...


    "She''s not bad, quite special."


    Ye Hanjun walked along the road with his hands behind his head, the blue sky and white clouds reflected in his eyes, mulling over the feeling he had just experienced.


    To be honest, it wasn''t a bad feeling.


    Jia Pengpeng, Jiang Yongnian and the like, they have higher ranks than him. Speaking knowledge to them would not increase his position, which aligns with thews of growth rted to Patrons.


    But Su Mei was different, she had awakened to the position of a Knight less than a year ago, the Pink Ostrich with which she contracted was reaching the Small Achievement of the Mud-cast fetus, she herself was a typical first-rank patron.


    While exining knowledge to her and analyzing the causes behind the abnormal state of the Pink Ostrich, it was very obvious that the rted position of the Instructor was rapidly moving.


    That meant that his main direction waspletely correct.


    Only by integrating into the role rted to the mentor, and maintaining the teaching position for a long time, he can promote to the second rank at a faster speed, thereby achieving growth of his core strength.

 Chapter 18 - 17: Heavenly Character Number Seven Refinery_1

    <h4>Chapter 18: Chapter 17: Heavenly Character Number Seven Refinery_1</h4>


    Ye Hanjun was summarizing his current gains seriously.


    However, his feet had not been idle, it took him 10 minutes to reach the nearest post station.


    The most important task today was to meet Tu Long.


    He was the mentor he was supposed to follow officially, regardless of how vtile his temper was as described by Jia Pengpeng.


    Avoiding meeting was the least decent method, not worth advocating, and even unnecessary.


    "Whoosh- hurrah-hurrah..."


    He''s lucky this time he didn''t ride Big Foot Horse, but a faster Sprinting Snail to travel.


    As its name implies, once such Fond Spirit starts its charge mode, it can maintain an extremely rapid speed.


    Its shell is rather peculiar, having nothing to do with firmness or durability, but is stic from inside to outside.


    If it identally hits a wall or other obstacles, it can y a buffering role.


    Most importantly, Sprinting Snail master race skills ''brake slime'', hence it can brake at any time.


    Such problems as running around like a Pink Ostrich threatening pedestrian safety, were barely possible for Sprinting Snail.


    "The passing station ''Heavenly Character Seventh Smelter'' has arrived, passengers getting off please remove the protective device and leave the vehicle in an orderly manner from the left exit..."


    "Click-" Ye Hanjun unbuckles his seat belt in no time and leaves thepartment as instructed.


    Once his feetnded on the ground, the fresh air blew over his face, and a pce built by blue bricks and jade tiles came into view.


    "Here we are, this is it."


    Ye Hanjun observed with interest.


    ording to Jia Pengpeng''s introduction, Tu Long''s title was "Weapon Master".


    This title, as well as Jiang Yongnian''s "Examiner", was D-level, the true mid-level title.


    And all his abilities were closely rted to forging weapons, such as feeling the temperature of the me and identifying the quality of the metal...


    "I wonder whether the refining technology here can bepared to the family''s Refining Weapon Grandmasters,"


    With a little bit of curiosity, Ye Hanjun showed his personal badge and passed the first gate smoothly.


    Soon, following the winding path, a secluded courtyard appeared instantly.


    "ng!"


    In front of the pce, a soldier in armor suddenly raised his long spear, and his booming voice reached Ye Hanjun''s ears instantly.


    "Smelting workshop, an important ce, no outsiders allowed!"


    "You are not supposed to be here, get out of here quickly! Do not me me if you don''t."


    "Hiss!"


    As the voice dropped, a big-mouthed centipede emerged from the ground.


    Its fierce jaws faced Ye Hanjun, more than a dozen legs iling menacingly, & a brutal breath exuded from it.


    "There''s only one visible guard but there are three other human auras in the dark. Four guards and four Fond Spirits in total..."


    Ye Hanjun raised his personal badge and said indifferently:


    "I am the new assistant."


    "Director Jiang Yongnian assigned me to work under Master Tu. Today is my first visit, could you please send my message?"


    "What?" The nging armored soldier, wearing a helmet so his facial expression was invisible.


    However, he paused, as he was shocked by the announcement, and half of his consolidated murderous intent disappeared suddenly.


    "This is my badge, no need to fake it."


    Ye Hanjun once again waved the badge in his hand and reminded him earnestly:


    "If you can''t be the decision-maker, please find someone who can, I will be grateful."


    "Uh..." The soldiers stared at the silver white triangle badge, double-checking to make sure that he was not seeing things.


    Only after what felt like a long pause, he withdrew his spear and replied in haste:


    "Wait, I will call two other assistants."


    "Please do as you see fit." Ye Hanjun shrugged and stayed put.


    "Whoosh~~~~"


    The gatekeeper soldier was not a realbat official but a "Messenger", the only active ability he possessed was "message delivery".


    As a paper crane floated into the window, after about a minute, steady and powerful footsteps gradually sounded, and the door of the pce officially opened.


    "Are you Lord Han?"


    The visitor was a man, about forty years old, just entering middle age ording to the measurement of 2nd-rank lifespan.


    He was not tall, his whole body was thin but tough, only his eyes were sharp as a de, carrying a strong scrutiny.


    "It is I."


    Ye Hanjun sped his hands and saluted slightly.


    The man snorted coldly, unable to stop himself from mocking:


    "I don''t know what kind of love potion you bewitched Jiang with, to gain his approval"


    "But I have to remind you, without enough ranks, no matter who you are or what your status is, you have no right to stand in the Canghai Pavilion!"


    Ye Hanjun responded with an ''Oh,'' and asked curiously:


    "So, you are?"


    "Sikong Wei." With a flick of his sleeve, the man turned to walk back, speaking as cold as ice:


    "Don''t say I didn''t warn you. The forge inside the Refining Weapon Workshop is extremely hot. If your petite body can''t stand it, you can only pray for good luck."


    "Isn''t there any special protective clothing?"


    Ye Hanjun bypassed the guard and followed Sikong Wei inside.


    "Your fluffy suit seems pretty good, where can I rent one?"


    "This is mine and I only have this one."


    Sikong Wei didn''t stop, and his voice became colder:


    "Can''t you see, my profession is a ''tailor''? This is a heat-resistant suit I''ve knitted."


    Ye Hanjun smiled faintly, as if it was nothing:


    "The lord has a total of six rows of pins on your chest, gold, silver, copper, and iron, thick and thin, short and long, blunt and sharp, round and square ... a total of 72, I still have the eyesight to see this."


    "I just didn''t expect that you would make a contract with the ''Mane Rat''. This kind of spirit is not easy to tame. You must have spent a lot of effort."


    "You investigated me?" Sikong Wei halted his steps, turned around abruptly, his eyes dark and oppressive.


    "I have just arrived and I do not have any contacts and magic yet."


    Ye Hanjun didn''t seem fearful while pointing in one direction and saying:


    "This little fellow is only about five or six meters away from me, always hiding in the shadows. It would have been impossible for me to overlook him if I was even a bit alert, right?"


    "..."


    Sikong Wei didn''t say a word, he took a deep look at Ye Hanjun, and continued walking forward.


    After about twenty steps, he finally couldn''t resist and he abruptly asked:


    "What is your profession? What spirits have you contracted?"


    "I see you''re so young. Why is your body so weak? You seem to get easily blown away by the wind."


    Ye Hanjun shrugged, seemingly indifferent:


    "Instructor, a very minor profession."


    "It is more or less simr to a tutor or coach."


    "As for spirits," Ye Hanjun walked unhurriedly, his tone unchanging, "I''m sorry to say, I have yet to make a formal contract."


    "So, does that mean you''re a one man army, without even the most basic Contracted Spirit Fond Spirit?"


    Sikong Wei''s nasal voice suddenly roughened, he sounded incredulous:


    "Based on this, you can be an assistant, and also dare to teach students without hesitation?"


    "You really have no idea. How many students in the academy, professions, positions, spirits, backgrounds... Even some of the official mentors would feel ashamed of themselves let alone an assistant."


    "This would bringughter upon Canghai Pavilion. Is Director Jiang mad that he would agree to make you an assistant..."


    "I don''t need to worry about that." Ye Hanjun disregarded, "Hearing about things sooner orter, specializing in a specific skill, a disciple does not necessarily have to be inferior to the master, the master does not necessarily have to be more talented than the disciple, that''s all."


    "You..." Sikong Wei''s pupils shook in shock, seemingly off-struck by these words. He wanted to retort but didn''t find any loopholes.


    At this time, the two of them had already crossed the long hallway, and came to a spiral underground staircase.


    Deep down in the darkness, hot mes gradually rose, the mes twist and warp in the light, and the indescribable scalding sensation ignited the body at an incredibly fast speed.


    "Lord Han, Master Tu is performing an important smithing experiment."


    "I''m giving you the opportunity to observe and gain some insight, and by the way, let you face the reality."


    "Remember, don''t touch anything you shouldn''t after you enter."


    "Some unremarkable little things, the actual value is beyond your knowledge. If you anger Master Tu because of this, nobody will protect you, no one can protect you!"


    Sikong Wei nced at Ye Hanjun, regardless of whether he heard or not, he proceeded forward withrge strides and disappeared into the darkness.


    The Mane Rat closely followed him, making a squeaky eerie noise. It first snarled at Ye Hanjun, issued a threat, and then disappeared too.


    "Would a Mane Rat dare to enter?"


    Ye Hanjun had anticipated the disy of might.


    As long as his life safety was not threatened, he wouldn''t bother about such trivial matters.


    He was specting, Sikong Wei''s Mane Rat, although it had reached Rainbow Light Fetus. Small Achievement in rank.


    But this kind of spirit favors coolness and dislikes stuffiness by nature, dislikes fire, and it''s even less likely to stay in a high temperature environment for a long time.


    There''s a problem inside...


    Is there an additional formation inside, with a safe zone set aside, or are there other people with spirits or abilities for bestowing blessings?


    Ye Hanjun listed at least thirteen possibilities, looking at the gloomy staircase in front of him like a monster opening its mouth to bite him, his steps continued downwards calmly.


    "Whoosh~~~"


    At the bottom of the staircase, there really was a formation, vague and dreamy.


    Ye Hanjun walked through it, like stepping into a cool basement after sunbathing under the sun, the heat sensation rapidly subsided, and the body temperature quickly returned to normal.


    "Are you the new assistant? Yo, your skin is so white, just like a woman."


    "With such tender skin you dare toe to the Refining Weapon Workshop. Are you thinking we are toofortable, deliberatelying here to stir things up?"


    "Surely... you''re not expecting us to assign people to specifically ensure your personal safety right? Which family''s young master are you, why don''t you tell us your name, let me assess whether you are worthy?"


    The voice was weird and wopped, instantly refilling the room.


    Ye Hanjun stopped, looking straight ahead. The first thing he saw was the emotionless face of Sikong Wei.


    Next to him stood a bare-chested man with his arms folded. The man was burly with developed muscles, his face was covered with folds transforming his eyes into a frightening message that read, "Stay away" and "Anyone blocking my way, dies".


    "Roar!"


    A giant monkey appeared, holding an oversized torch in its right hand and pounding its chest with its left hand. Horrific high temperature surrounded it, as if it would explode on the spot in the next second.

 Chapter 19 - 18: Torch Monkey and Magic Apprentice_1

    <h4>Chapter 19: Chapter 18: Torch Monkey and Magic Apprentice_1</h4>


    "A Torch Monkey?" Ye Hanjun was slightly surprised.


    The giant monkey in front of him stood three meters tall, with a white butt.


    It had deep red curly hair across its body, its hair at the top of its head covered half of its eyes.


    The focus was undoubtedly on therge fire torch clutched tightly in its right hand.


    That torch seemed to be part of its body, the red hot me burning intensely, as if it was a living fire spirit releasing a strong light and heat to the external environment.


    "Talent Identification!"


    ����


    [Species Name]: Torch Monkey


    [Chaos Seal]: "Demon"


    [Main Study]: The Way of Enlightenment/Demonic Art Path


    [Rank]: Rainbow Light Fetus��Void Extraction


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]:???


    [Core Personality]:???


    [Current State]: Demonstrating


    [Contractual Rtionship]: Stable


    "Was it recently promoted to the Rainbow Light Fetus stage?"


    "I can''t see the skills it possesses, but judging by the shininess of its hair, its height, muscles, and butt... this Torch Monkey has been trained well, at least possessing two strong skills of the hundred-pattern level..."


    Despite the unexpected situation, Ye Hanjun was not taken aback, even having the leisure to engage in some analytical thinking.


    Sikong Wei frowned, looking at the raging big monkey dancing around Ye Hanjun, and he couldn''t help but scold:


    "Da Mu''er!"


    "The barrier here isn''t solid, and Master Tu has blown up the smithy not just once or twice. Don''t neglect the big picture over trivial matters!"


    "Didn''t it just get reinforced a week ago? It can''t be that frequency."


    The bare-chested muscle man was so disgruntled, with a persistent re, that would make anyone feel ufortable within seconds.


    Even worse, the Torch monkey was extremely close, exuding a faintly putrid smell, even the burnt smell of singed hair from the me. At this point, no matter howposed, one should jump up and fight back.


    "What a lively monkey."


    "Its fur is smooth and shiny, surely it''s eating well."


    Ye Hanjun didn''t retreat an inch. He reached out to touch the monkey''s head suddenly, which made Sikong Wei''s eye twitch.


    Unfortunately, Ye Hanjun, who was only 1.89 meters tall, fell short of touching its head.


    He could only pat the muscr chest of the Torch Monkey. Half teasing, and half sincerely, he said:


    "Keep it up, keep training, soon your chest will match a 36G."


    "When I have a chance, I''ll introduce you to a broad-shouldered, broad-waisted, and plump-buttocks female monkey. I assure you, you''ll be all eyes and won''t be able to walk properly..."


    "Roar ??? (???) ?"


    As a Torch Monkey, which is a demonic beast and an ape-variant, its intelligence with the twobined is absolutely no less than a seventeen or eighteen-year-old man.


    It understood what Ye Hanjun was saying.


    But because it understood, it was stunned. Its right hand which was holding the torch faltered slightly, uncertain about its next move.


    The master said... intimidate him! Best to scare him so badly that he''d scurry away!


    What''s this human doing? He''s not scared of me?


    I''m a well-known Torch Monkey! Within a three hundred meter radius of my nest, no beast doesn''t know me! No beast isn''t aware of me!


    He is actually fondling me!


    He''s even trying to introduce me to a female monkey!


    Am I not the boss of more than a dozen monkeys! Do I look like a lonesome single monkey in need of a partner?


    But... but... female monkey...


    Broad-shouldered... Broad-bodied... Thick-waisted... plump-buttockseddy monkey...


    !(????)?


    The Torch Monkey was momentarily bewildered, it''s previously fierce look faded substantially.


    Sikong Wei, who was always in the best spot to watch, didn''t just have his eyes twitching at this point - his ears, nose, mouth, everything was twitching.


    Unpure...


    My eyes... feel like they have been tainted!


    "Yan, so a mere female monkey can buy your loyalty?"


    Da Mu''er could no longer keep face:


    "It''s always said that even a hero can''t resist a beauty, you''re still not a hero yet, but already you are indulging in wild thoughts? Terrible! Too terrible! Go back and train more!"


    "Roar..."


    The Torch Monkey scratched its head and retreated three frustrated steps.


    It really wanted to release its wild aura again, to intimidate the young human who was tricking it, to prove that it was strong, mighty, and not to be fooled.


    But when it caught a glimpse of those calm ck eyes as if seeing through everything, the Torch Monkey instantly became disheartened, feeling that its bluffs were pointless.


    "Reproduction is a biological instinct, what''s there to be embarrassed about?"


    "You should just enjoy your youth as much as you can, when you''re old and your teeth fall out, you won''t be able to act out even if you want to."


    Ye Hanjun ignored the strange looks cast on him and remained calm from the beginning to the end, as if they had met before.


    Da Mu''er grunted heavily, still keeping his arms folded.


    "Very well, you do have some courage. I admit that I may have misjudged you."


    His expression was no longer high and condescending as it was at the beginning, revealing a touch of seriousness.


    This young man indeed had some tricks up his sleeve!


    Facing a dangerous spirit that threatened his life, without the protection of his own Fond Spirit, he could still remain calm andposed.


    For a young man around 20, it was simply unbelievable.


    "Bang!"


    There was a sudden and intense sound of exploding porcin, causing Da Mu''er and Sikong Wei''s faces to change drastically.


    They turned around abruptly to see a crack at the center of the ss barrier fifty meters away.


    The light system, which was supposed to operate smoothly, started flickering.


    The temperature, which wasfortably cool, was suddenly swept by a wave of heat.


    From the ceiling, walls, and ground....blue formation patterns surfaced from their hidden states, doing their utmost to suppress.


    But they could not suppress the mes, more fearsome than the Torch Monkey''s, the temperature around them kept rising, and every breath seemed to be filled with the scent of magma.


    "Bad luck mouth!"


    Sikong Wei cursed, although he was dressed in a heat-resistant suit, his face turned white in an instant.


    The once arrogant Da Mu''er had dropped his arms. His eyes wide open, shoulders slightly trembling, he looked like apletely different person from just now.


    "Damn, the barrier cracked again...."


    "Another huge repair bill, Master Tu has spent so many spirit stones on buying metal materials recently, it''s questionable whether we can even afford the repairs...."


    "At this critical moment, you still have the mood to think about repairs?"


    Sikong Wei spat and angrily rebuked:


    "Go help, try to keep the losses to a minimum, that''s the real thing!"


    "Bang Bang! Bang Bang Bang!"


    Before his words could fully fall, there were a series of explosions, and more cracks appeared on the ss barrier.


    The formation pattern responsible for shielding perceptions was basically scrapped.


    Ye Hanjun''s sight was no longer physically obstructed, and as he stared intently, he could now catch glimpses of the shaking shadows behind the barrier.


    The shadows mainly consisted of two figures, a small human and a huge Fond Spirit.


    The former was about 1.75 meters tall, an old man with a full face of beard and prominent cheekbones, giving off a fierce appearance. His clothes were ragged; his butt was half-exposed. He had no image to speak of.


    Thetter was a gigantic frog, about twice the size of the Giant Sparrow. It was upright on the ground using his flippers, with short forelimbs and a massive head, its eyes shone brighter than night pearls.


    The skin on its back was adorned with red patterns and had a thick cannon connected from its spine, its barrel facing up at 45 degrees. Scarlet mes shot towards the sky, showing intimidating madness beneath its ferocity.


    This was the ''Rocket Frog''!


    Ye Hanjun had seen its prior stage of life ���� the ''Powder Frog'' in the Chick House.


    When put together, there was noparison between the two. One could only shrink timidly like a frog grandson, while the other could be the frog grandfather ancestor.


    "Ribbit!!"


    The Rocket Frog croaked, and surprisingly, a column of fire more than a meter in diameter shot out from its mouth, targeting a massive smithing tform.


    The smithing tform in its entirety resembled an erged bronze ding, filled with sturdy metallic materials inside. Countless runes were branded from the ground, centering the tform.


    Ye Hanjun casually nced over and could instantly recognize runes that represented "burning", "wind force", "durability", "traction" and so on.


    Possibly due to an unexpected explosion urring during the smithing process, the overall structure was damaged. The mes inside the ding alternatively grew and shrank, white smoke filled the air.


    At this time, the Rocket Frog timely took up the "fire source" duty, and by using its me spray, it continuously provided the needed heat.


    "Come and help!"


    Tu Long roared.


    "Sess or failure hinges on this moment, the temperature absolutely cannot drop! At all costs, raise the temperature for me! Raise the temperature!"


    "Yes!" Da Mu''er gritted his teeth. Dark red patterns appeared on his arms, resembling two blooming roses.


    In a few moments, his drenched state from sweating started to ease, the boiling fire elements in the air no longer treated him as an outsider, but rather as a kindred.


    This was ''Elemental Affinity'', a passive ability exclusive to the E-level post ''Magic Apprentice''.


    This position would possess innate affinity towards a certain elemental attribute, enhancing rted perceptions, and boosting rted resistances.


    When necessary, it could forcefully absorb the corresponding element and temporarily store it in the body.


    Without a doubt, Da Mu''er''s affinity was towards the fire attribute. When Ye Hanjun saw that his Contracted Fond Spirit was a Torch Monkey, he had already made his judgment.


    "Yan, go!"


    With a roar, a line of fire shot out from Da Mu''er''s chest, firmly linking him to the Torch Monkey a few meters away.


    This was ''Elemental Supply'', one of the two active abilities of a Magic Apprentice!


    Using this ability, the Magic Apprentice could transfer their own power of elements.


    When given to the same attribute Contracted Spirit, it could slightly enhance thetter''s elemental attribute.


    As time goes on, it could further activate the elements, achieving quicker absorption and quicker release of skills.


    "Roar!!"


    The torch in the Torch Monkey''s right hand became even more vigorous.


    It charged out, crossing the broken and copsing ss barrier, likewise activated the skill ''me Spray'', injecting heat into the smithing tform from another angle.


    "Hanjun, aren''t you going out yet?!"


    A shadow flickered, and a fluffy vest was thrown over.


    Ye Hanjun subconsciously caught it. It was cold to touch; it was Sikong Wei''s heat-resistant suit.


    No. . . It wasn''t the one Sikong Wei was wearing, but a half-finished one that could barely cover the chest, there was no way it could cover all the skin!


    "Go out! With your strength, wouldn''t you stay trapped here and get burned to death?!"


    Sikong Wei red at Ye Hanjun. Amidst the chaos, his eyes were full of urgency, yet that disdain came from the bottom of his heart, without any attempt to conceal it.

 Chapter 20 - 19: Rare Metal·Blue Gold_1

    <h4>Chapter 20: Chapter 19: Rare Metal��Blue Gold_1</h4>


    "Forget it, I don''t have time to deal with you, you''re on your own!"


    Sikong Wei tossed a half-made heat-resistant suit to Ye Hanjun, turned around to see that Master Tu and Da Mu''er were struggling, and immediately gave up dispersing Ye Hanjun, rushing back into the core forge.


    "elerant! elerant! Get me a bottle of elerant!"


    "Right! And Rust flowers, pick thergest ones! ....Forget it! I don''t have time to put off, quickly bring them all!"


    Master Tu was not young, about the same age as Jiang Yongnian.


    When he screamed, his voice was like a giant bell, causing people''s eardrums to hum.


    Sikong Wei yelled in acknowledgment and ran to the left. After he found the target in a pile of instruments, he started rummaging through it.


    A miraculous scene urred simultaneously. The various needles originally embedded in his chest flew up.


    The ends of these needles were all tied with a thread, fluttering up and down as though endowed with spirits.


    In just five or six seconds, they arrived at a shelf on the right, the sharp points of the needles picked up a medicine box and flew back together.


    Ability...''Mysterious Needle''!


    This is the only active ability of the F-ss professional tailor.


    The effect is to manipte flying needles, which are used to weave clothes under normal circumstances, and to ambush during inappropriate ones, depending on whether the Patron is clever or not.


    Sikong Wei was divided in his attention, using the Mysterious Needles to gather the two types of materials that Master Tu wanted in the shortest time possible.


    "Give me the elerant! Throw the Rust flowers directly into it!"


    Master Tu shouted loudly, lifting arge hammer that emerged from who knows where, his face flushed red in his fervour.


    "Just a little bit more! We''re so close to sess!"


    "This is one of the secret recipes of the Dwarf tribe, they refuse to sell it at any cost!"


    "I''ve been studying the fragment of this metal for three whole years... I have a feeling that the rare metal ''Blue Gold'' is about to be reproduced by me! I can create more resilient and sharper weapons!"


    Master Tu was wildly excited, his expression bing increasingly manic.


    Just as Sikong Wei tossed the Rust flowers into the forge, Master Tu jumped ten meters high, easily lifting a hammer almost as big as his body.


    With a few thunderous nging echoing sounds, the hammer hit something hard, sparks sshed onto the ground, leaving behind one burn hole after another.


    "Crack-"


    The elerant was tossed into the bottom of the forge, instantly, Torch Monkey and Rocket Frog were divinely assisted.


    Two jets of me, one thick and one thin, burst out with a more dazzling brightness, with a fervent fire and raging heat. It was as if miniaturized moltenva purgatoryy everywhere their eyesnded.


    "No good! The texture of the metal is changing! The fusion has stopped!"


    Master Tu''sughter didn''tst a few minutes, when suddenly, as his eyebrows trembled, a new round of explosions erupted in the furnace.


    Visibly, fragments broke away from the main body, hit the wall of the furnace, exploded with a loud bang, and a half-meter-long crack was clearly visible.


    "Master Tu, it''s a failure, we''re going to have a furnace explosion!"


    As a magic apprentice with fire attributes, Da Mu''er''s perception of fire was second only to that of Master Tu, the weapons master.


    He crossed his arms over his chest, but couldn''t stop his trembling body.


    Fear burned in his heart like a firestorm. His mind was filled with visions of the earth splitting open, fallen limbs raining down into a fiery sea, leaving behind chunks of unimed charred flesh.


    "Impossible! Why has it lost stability! Where did it go wrong?!"


    Master Tu was not deterred by the impending death. All that glittered in his eyes were confusion and an even greater madness.


    He jumped again, the hammer fell again, trying to use brute force to make different substances forcibly finish the fusion.


    When that thundering sound reverberated through the world.


    Sikong Wei groaned, falling to the ground suddenly, a stream of blood flowed from his mouth, his vitality plummeted in an instant.


    The Contracted Spirit, Mane Rat, anxiously paced around on the spot.


    But it didn''t have the ability to resist the mes, the distance of tens of meters was like an insurmountable chasm to it. It could neither move forward nor retreat. All it could do was make fearful squeaks, hitting both despair and helplessness.


    "...It still failed?"


    This time, Master Tu''s head was spinning, his heart taken by surprise.


    The dazzling substance reflected in his eyes was not only failing to fuse with each other but also peeling off a piece instead.


    Like a meteorite striking the earth, it grazed past his ears and flew out, instantly sting a huge hole in the ground.


    "Master Tu, let''s retreat!"


    "Forge can fail, but if humans be funeral objects, there will be no opportunity to start over!"


    Da Mu''er spat out a mouthful of bloody foam and advised again.


    At that moment, Torch Monkey ceased its fire output, turned around to stand in front of its owner, using its sturdy body to block the sshing fragments that mighte flying.


    "Sigh..."


    Master Tu heaved a deep sigh, his shining spirit instantly dimmed, and he seemed to age ten years.


    But just as he turned his body, intending to use the force of his kick to escape from the most dangerous explosion zone.


    A dark figure swept past him, bringing a faint chill.


    "Huh?!" Master Tu abruptly stopped, his eyes wide open in shock.


    Was that a humanoid shadow? How can that be possible!


    "Damn it!" In the blink of an eye, Sikong Wei furiously rubbed his eyes, wanting to see if he was blind or hallucinating.


    They all were fleeing, including Master Tu who was no longer showing off, determined to give up the results of his lengthy study.


    And that person �� Lord Han! He had not left yet?!


    What is he trying to do? Approaching the smithing tform alone... Does he think his life is too long?!


    Sikong Wei''s lips were trembling nonstop, his thinking ability lost in the short term, his mind was mush.


    "Master Tu, you''ve made three ring mistakes."


    "First, your smithing tform is not advanced enough, it does not provide effective support, indirectly leading to a steady increase in smithing difficulty."


    "Second, the pattern on the Rocket Frog''s back is too dim, seemingly exhausted, and continued to smith without sufficient rest, the mes it spews out can''t maintain stability."


    As the mild voice chimed in, even though there was no augmentation of any amplification abilities, it resonated on everyone''s hearts, as if the sound of drums were fervent.


    Unconsciously, Sikong Wei''s eyes widened, his mouth opened, until he waspletely vacant, no longer able to recede.


    Da Mu''er, who was being held around the waist by the Torch Monkey and retreating wildly, was equally shocked at his words, doubting whether he was hearing things.


    That voice... Lord Han''s?


    He was not retreating but advancing, approaching the smithing tform alone with his weak body, leisurely and leisurely, with extra energy to express his point of view?


    Is this world too insane, or is this young man''s mind not functioning properly, aplete madman?!


    "Huh... His analysis makes sense!"


    Tu Long halted his fleeing.


    Bewilderment and loss briefly faded, reced by a contemtive look that seemed somewhat out of ce in this hellish location engulfed in mes.


    "Third, the key to the serious imbnce in your smithing process is your haste to seed, adding too much rust flower."


    "Rust flower is a heavenly and earthly material containing a rich quantity of gold elements. Adding a little of this normal material can strengthen and stabilize."


    "Unfortunately, what you are attempting to forge is a fusion metal; blind hardness does not equate to correctness. A strong soldier will perish, a strong tree will break, everything has its limits."


    "Based on these issues, coupled with possible errors in the initial smelting process, one mistake after another, the natural oue is the furnace explosion."


    "... That makes sense... Perhaps that''s exactly it!"


    Tu Long''s eyes lit up as if a ray of light had dispelled the fog in his heart. An intense excitement stimted his brain, causing his limbs to tremble violently.


    "Failure is inevitable, but I see you''ve got Ice Spirit flowers and crape myrtle grass here. These should be able to control some of the losses."


    Ye Hanjun didn''t have time to turn around and look. The movements of his hands were not as leisurely as the tone of his speech.


    He endured the burning sensation that seemed to scorch him, prying open the lid of a medicine box with a piece of broken stone from a knocked-over shelf, and took out a purple long grass from it.


    Then, the Ice Spirit flower that was found earlier, a petal smashed and smeared on the neck, forearm, and thighs, forming a temporary heat shield.


    The rest was held in his left hand,bined with the crape myrtle grass. The two nts were stacked together, ground again with the broken stone.


    No need to grind it into a powder, just need to reach the point of juicing. Ye Hanjun quickly picked it up, stepped forward, aimed at the location of the forging cauldron and threw it with all his might.


    "Pfff!"


    His arm strength was greatly reduced, the control of his body was minimal.


    Fortunately, the smithing tform was ten meters high. Even if there was a deviation in precision, the finalnding spot was not wrong.


    The crushed Ice Spirit Flower and crape myrtle grass sessfully hit the item being smithed!


    All at once, steam erupted and dispersed rapidly.


    The smithing tform that seemed about to explode at any moment in his perception was promptly cooled.


    A moment ago, he was suffering from a dull headache. His whole body was under the threat of impending death.


    Yet, the next moment, he felt an uncanny lightness in his limbs. Like a drowning person who had just reached the shore, he gasped for air, still in shock.


    "Phew����"


    Ye Hanjun breathed out a sigh of relief, the sense of exhaustion was overwhelming. He stumbled back five or six steps, identally bumping into a scorching hot pir, causing a burning pain in his back.


    Then, his heart ached, all the blood in his body flowed suddenly and his throat felt sweet. He tilted his neck back and spat out a mouthful of blood.


    Cough...Cough, cough, cough...


    Barely holding back the faint, Ye Hanjun lowered his head to examine his burnt, ripped clothing and the ming red skin was apparent.


    This time, there was a bit of a reckless suspicion...


    If he made the smallest mistake, he wouldn''t have been able to suppress the furnace explosion. Given his current frail state, it seemed perilous.


    "The smithing... stopped?!"


    Sikong Wei was stunned, as if shocked by electricity, his mind in a state of semiconsciousness.


    On the other side, Da Mu''er wore a ghost-struck expression, standing there as stiff as a log, his eyeballs almost popped out.


    The Torch Monkey, who was holding him around the waist, felt the crisis was resolved, slowing down his steps. The dangerous atmosphere progressively changed into a puzzled one.


    "Ice Spirit flowers and crape myrtle grass, can make such an extraordinary effect?!"


    Tu Long was the most shocked, but also the first to react.


    In a few swift moves, he reached Ye Hanjun, squatted down before him, facing him.


    On one side wererge, bell-brass eyes, on the other side were tired pupils filled with blood viscosity. The surrounding air seemed to freeze.


    "Quickly, tell me why the Ice Spirit flower and crape myrtle grass create such pressing coldness?"


    "Also, when strong fire meets intense ice, shouldn''t there be an even more violent furnace explosion response? Why did the smithing stop instead? What''s the principle behind this?!"

 Chapter 21 - 20: Weapon Collection Room_1

    <h4>Chapter 21: Chapter 20: Weapon Collection Room_1</h4>


    "Cough... Cough, cough, cough!!"


    Ye Hanjun took a deep breath, slowly recovering from his state of exhaustion.


    He looked at Tu Long, who had a scruffy beard, a half-burned face, and blood leaking from the other half, and smiled lightly.


    "The Ice Spirit Flower is a precious ice-attribute spiritual material, this isn''t hard toprehend."


    "As for the Crape Myrtle Grass, it''s an even rarer spiritual material. On the surface, it has no attributes, but in fact, it can integrate with a few elements like ice, wind, lightning, and fire to amplify their effects."


    "Of course, the main reason is that I observed that the item being forged contained ck Gleam Crystal."


    "This metal, upon contact with the Crape Myrtle Grass, generates another reaction. This is the key to why the violent collision of the ice and fire elements did not provoke a more intense furnace explosion reaction."


    "So that''s how it is... So that''s how it is..."


    Tu Long seemed like a mad schr, both joyful and surprised, murmuring to himself.


    He danced with joy for a while, and then suddenlyy hands on Ye Hanjun''s shoulders, asking hastily:


    "Are you saying that the biggest problem of my failed smithing was using too much Rust Flower?"


    "But that shouldn''t be the case. I reserved the space for fusion, just waiting for the final extreme sublimation."


    "I felt that the problem emerged earlier. Even before the addition of Rust Flower, everything started to get out of control, and despite how I adjusted control, I couldn''t reverse the process..."


    "I didn''t see what happened earlier, so I can''t confirm."


    Ye Hanjun shook his head, "But I can confirm that if you had used less Rust Flower, you would still have had a chance to salvage the smithing. It would not have destroyed the bnce of the object being forged instantly."


    "So you mean I still have a chance of seeding if I start over? Is that it? Is that it?"


    Tu Long suddenly let go of Ye Hanjun, ecstatically saying:


    "Before long, should I be able to get the real Blue Gold?!"


    "As long as I get Blue Gold, the weapons I forge guarantee an increase in strength by at least 5%. Though the enhancement might seem insignificant, the actual difference is tremendous!"


    "I''ll earn more Spirit Stones, build a bigger smithing room, and challenge more unique smithing techniques! Hahaha, life is all about smithing. How delightful! How delightful!"


    Tu Long was spinning around on the spot like a madman, his actions from head to toe personifying his enthusiasm.


    The Contracted Spirit Fond Spirit ''Rocket Frog'' gave a soft leap, jumped to his back, and nudged his spine with its tongue as if reminding him of something.


    "Oh, right! I have to clean up! I have to clean up!"


    Tu Long suddenly stopped spinning, his eyes sharp and alert again, surveyed the surroundings and finally fixed his gaze back on Ye Hanjun.


    "Your skills in refining are amazing; I''m curious to know who your master is. Would you be interested in bing my assistant?"


    "Whatever you want, be it Spirit Stones, or beautiful women, or cultivation resources, you just name it, and I will try to get it for you!"


    Tu Long pounded his chest, swearing earnestly.


    Suddenly, he seemed to remember something else, scratched his burned eyebrow, and asked suspiciously:


    "Wait, I haven''t asked yet."


    "Young man, how did you get into my smithy? I usually refuse visits from outsiders..."


    Ye Hanjun was speechless.


    This man''s single-minded devotion to smithing was such that nothing else mattered to him.


    "Master Tu..." Sikong Wei still had an astonished look on his face. He hesitated, then hesitantly began to exin:


    "Last time, you criticized ourck of skill and asked Director Jiang for new assistants."


    "This is the new assistant Director Jiang has arranged for you. He just reported to you..."


    "Hmm? Is Old Jiang being so good to me that he has actually arranged for a new assistant?"


    Tu Long widened his eyes in disbelief, his hand stroking his beard trembled.


    "But Master Tu... he''s only 20 years old, and he''s no different from a regr student of Canghai Pavilion..."


    "And he''s only at the 1st stage, doesn''t even have a Contracted Spirit Fond Spirit yet. Is he really suitable to be your assistant? People might talk..."


    Sikong Wei said awkwardly, thinking of the miracle he had just witnessed, his voice getting lower and lower.


    "All of that''s irrelevant."


    Tu Long seemedpletely unaffected, with a cheerful smile appearing on his fierce face:


    "With such knowledge and courage, even as a mortal, one can be considered a master."


    "Don''t let social conventions bind you. Whoever is capable should lead, whoever is able should teach. Do I really need to teach you this simple truth?"


    "Yes, Master Tu..."


    Sikong Wei and Da Mu''er both hung their heads, not daring to say more.


    If it were usual, maybe they could argue.


    But now, having witnessed Ye Hanjun ovee the odds and use a mix of herbal medicine to stop the explosion while casually discussing smithing with Master Tu.


    This was the most powerful counter-argument, all the so-called doubts and contempt melted away in an instant.


    "Wait a minute!"


    Ye Hanjun did not risk his life to stop the furnace explosion just to prove these things.


    He slowly straightened up, staring into Tu Long''s eyes, and said earnestly:


    "Perhaps I''m being presumptuous, but I feel obligated to rify one thing."


    "I came to this academy to teach with the aim of promoting my career more efficiently."


    "However, due to my position, I must dedicate most of my time and energy to nurturing Fond Spirits, and I simply cannot spend every day in the smithing room forging weapons with you."


    This...


    Is Lord Han overstepping his bounds?!


    Da Mu''er didn''t voice it, but his eyes expressed exactly this sentiment.


    What a joke, even if he has some achievements in weapon forging, he, a mere newly appointed Patron, dare to negotiate terms with Master Tu?


    It''s like being cocky after gaining a little weight.


    Does he view Canghai Pavilion as unattended, or treats it like a private estate, giving no consideration to its rules and regtions?


    "Hmm...this is a difficult issue...I do need assistances... "


    What was surprising was that Tu Long, who usually has a fiery temper and intolerant of the slightest fault, was now just clutching his beard, showing a troubled and conflicted look, without really losing his temper.


    Ye Hanjun once again confirmed his judgment. Since the first time he met him, he had noticed Tu Long''s fanatic dedication to weapons.


    People with such characteristics can be recognized and respected by him as long as they demonstrate adequate value in the corresponding field.


    "I can promise you that I will be around to assist you when you need it the most, helping you with the smithing of metals and the crafting of weapons."


    "Of course, when it''s your turn to teach students, I will also attend and integrate into the life of a teacher, which is one of my top priorities."


    "That should not be a problem then!"


    Tu Long immediately pped his hands, cheerfully agreeing:


    "Creating Blue Gold in the short term would be more than satisfactory for me!"


    "Give me half a month, I need to rebuild the smithing tform!"


    "I will notify you in advance at that time. You will y the supporting role, and together we will forge the metal!"


    "Alright." Ye Hanjun responded. He pointed at the smithing room that was filled with cracks everywhere, naturally saying:


    "I suggest that instead of using circr formation patterns here, we should change to interlocking ones, which will increase the solidity by thirty percent."


    "Besides, unless we find a particrly skilled Runesmith, there is no need to repair this smithing tform. You need to spend a lot of money to get a new one to ensure the basic smithing environment is error-free."


    "If that''s the case, the budget ispletely insufficient..."


    Tu Long held his chin, deep in thought.


    The onlookers, Sikong Wie and Da Mu''er, felt that the two were speaking on equal grounds, with no gap between senior and junior. They didn''t dare to interject again as their eyes twitched involuntarily.


    "Borrowing money is the only solution."


    "Over the next few days, I''m going to coax a few old fellows and pry some Spirit Stones out of them!"


    After a moment, Tu Long made a decision.


    Ye Hanjun nodded lightly. Whether it''s weapon forging or smelting anything else, it''s indeed a very money-consuming business, and he understood that.


    "This is ''Ice Skin Jade Dew'', a medicinal liquor. Take it back, dilute it in water and soak yourself in it, it can help regte your body."


    After rummaging through the cluttered cab for a while, Tu Long found three small bottles, tossed them to Ye Hanjun, Sikong Wei, and Da Mu''er one after the other.


    Ye Hanjun opened the cap and sniffed it, a fragrant aroma hit his nose, the liquor contained quite a bit of Spiritual Material.


    It seems like the extra injuries he sustained this time should be able to heal, and the surplus might even further strengthen his weakened body.


    "Thank you, Master Tu!"


    Sikong Wei and Da Mu''er, clearly having heard of this medicinal liquor, showed fleeting expressions of surprise on their faces.


    But their surprise was swiftly reced by astonishment.


    They saw Tu Long p his hands, and, as if they shared a telepathic bond, the Rocket Frog immediately used its tongue to push open a sealed stone door.


    When the gleaming eyes of the sh Frog silently fixed on Ye Hanjun''s face, Tu Long, with a tone of 70% casualness and 30% pride, warmly invited him:


    "The smithing tform didn''tpletely explode, that was a big help regardless."


    "This is my pride and joy, the weapon collection room, containing my carefully crafted works as well as unique equipment purchased from outside."


    "Lord Han, you can choose one to take with you as a token of my appreciation, don''t be shy."


    "Gulp..." Upon hearing Sikong Wei''s audible swallowing and seeing Da Mu''er''s shocked and envious expression, Ye Hanjun knew just how significant this invitation was.


    After some thought, he didn''t reject the offer, and dragging his injured body, he entered the collection room to take a look.


    "This is the White Fang Stick, made from the tail''s vertebrae of a ''Man-faced Crocodile'' of Jade Infant Fetus level, which was smelted for 49 days, and is one of my proudest creations."


    "Hmm... Your strength is insufficient and your physique is too weak, so this weapon is not suitable for you right now... "


    "Take a look at this one, this is the Poison Snake Sword, made from a ''Rotten Snake'' of Rainbow Light Fetus level."


    "Anyone who is scratched by it, specifically a Common y Body of the Small Achievement, cannot withstand the rotting poison, and will die within three breaths."


    "By the way, it also contains the skill ''Deadly Poisonous Gas'', though it can only be used once, it is capable of threatening a true Rainbow Light Fetus and could work wonders for self-defense."


    Tu Long was enthusiastic and highly rmended:


    "The Poison Snake Sword does not have many restrictions on use. In my opinion, this is the weapon that suits your current situation best."


    "This is my great masterpiece made thirty years ago... Don''t just look, weapons need to be held in the hand and waved a few times, how can you not try its weight!"

 Chapter 22 - 21: Soldier’s Fond Spirits_1

    <h4>Chapter 22: Chapter 21: Soldier''s Fond Spirits_1</h4>


    Obliged by the generous offer, Ye Hanjun picked up the Poison Snake Sword and swung it in the air a couple of times.


    Then... that was it.


    The sword''s curve-hook-longsword shape was quite swanky.


    The weight was also tolerable, carrying it on oneself wouldn''t leave one panting after a little while.


    In terms of practical function, at this squeaky-clean stage, it indeed could protect one''s safety and deal with special situations more calmly.


    But... Ye Hanjun was not moved.


    The weapon collection room disyed at least 70 weapons, given the chance to choose freely, he wouldn''t make a hasty decision.


    Let''s look around more.


    "Don''t like it? How about this Electric Crossbow?"


    Tu Long grabbed another intricately delicate crossbow, the size of a fist. When the crossbow string was pulled, beads of electrical arcs sputtered and darted around.


    "This is made from the whiskers of an electric lion,bined with the rare metal Ink Ironstone, it took me a full fifteen days to forge."


    "Its advantages, aside from being inconspicuous and easy to hide, include quick activation and astonishing shooting speed."


    "Though its disadvantages are also obvious, the crossbow bolts inside are all custom-made, there are only five in total, once they''re used up, that''s it."


    "But each boltes with armor-piercing tips, within a range of a hundred meters, there is a high probability of piercing through a defensively strong y Body Master. Then it will explode within the target, causing strong electric-shock paralysis."


    "Even the wild beasts with remarkable physical bodies will suffer within range, if you can hit a vital point, you may even be able to manipte a y Body Master..."


    Ye Hanjun didn''t touch it, instead, he took a step back. His eyes finally revealed a hint of interest.


    This weapon is very suitable for sneaking attacks, with the astounding effect of being able to ambush people and beasts, carrying it around would surely double your confidence.


    Of course, he hadn''t hastily made a decision yet.


    In his perception, the weapons here were either heavy, sharp, dark, or bright, there were still many parts yet to be investigated.


    "Shh, isn''t this the Dragon Bone Spear that appeared in the auction house over ten years ago? So it was collected by Master Tu..."


    Sikong Wei and Da Mu''er also entered as viewers.


    They did not have the right to choose a collection, but the sound of their private whispering couldn''t escape the catch of the ear.


    "Oh, this is a gift from an old friend who asked me for a favor."


    "Even though it was used by someone and is a bit damaged."


    "But the main materiales from the wing bone of a ''winged dragon'' at the Jade Infant fetus level. Its sturdiness and sharpness are guaranteed, very suitable for knights, mercenaries, hunters, and otherbat roles."


    Tu Long''s face was all smiles as he introduced each collection, his lips curved in a slight smile.


    Ye Hanjun nced at it. That Dragon Bone Spear, like the White Fang Stick, requires a strong foundation of power.


    Ordinary 1st and 2nd Order Patrons,cking the prerequisite conditions for use, might not even be able to securely hold it in hand -- a serious issue indeed.


    However, he found himself wondering whether to choose a weapon for personal use or pick the most expensive one to sell for money?


    "From a profit perspective, thetter is clearly more beneficial."


    "But let''s forget it, for those obsessed with artifacts, selling would be ast resort. Taking away Tu Long''s masterwork but not using it would exhaust any goodwill..."


    Ye Hanjun dismissed his moneymaking thoughts and strode leisurely, continuing to visit the remaining collection cabs.


    ughtering Snake de, Leaning Ground Sword, Pig ughter Stick, Red Heavenly Silk, Lady''s Stick...


    Within the collection room, the most valuable weapons often require a 3rd Orderbat role for perfect use.


    The rest, mostly suited for the 2nd Order, enhancing a Patron''s offensive ability, or increasing a Patron''s survival ability, are all good choices.


    As a newly-promoted Patron, the scope of Ye Hanjun''s selection was quite narrow. Including the Electric Crossbow, he found only three alternatives.


    "Huh?"


    The collection cab in thest row had apletely different style.


    With a nostalgic look on his face, Tu Long sighed.


    "These are all relics I''ve collected from different channels, some were even crafted by grandmasters."


    "Sadly, they''re all broken to pieces. Even with my skills, there''s no possibility of restoring their past glory."


    "In the end, they can only be disyed here, serving as objects for admiration and amusement in my free time."


    Ye Hanjun nodded gently, his gaze sweeping sideways.


    When he passed a certain spot, he stopped in his tracks, squinting slightly.


    "Could you let me take a look at that one?"


    "This dagger?"


    Tu Long nced at Ye Hanjun. Their eyebrows both raised in the middle:


    "This is a relic I found in a pile of dead bodies when I was young and hunting."


    "To this day, I still can''t determine its material."


    "The only thing that is certain is that its main feature is blood-sucking. Wounds cut by it will bleed more, and their healing speed will also slow down."


    "Additionally, the more blood it absorbs, the brighter and lighter the de bes. The entire dagger bes more agile and sharp...although only temporarily. It onlysts for a short period of time, but during that enhancement period, cutting open the scale armor of a y Body Master isn''t an issue."


    Ye Hanjun listened silently, a faint curiosity in his eyes.


    He took the dagger from Tu Long''s hand and gently rubbed it with his finger.


    The dagger was about ten inches long, with a ck handle and red de, the colorbination was strikingly eye-catching.


    Delicate patterns of dancing dragons and serpents gave it a sense of uninhibited wildness.


    As he gripped it, it fit his hand perfectly.


    Swung at will, the crisp sound of cutting through the air echoed in his ear, without a hint of heaviness.


    "I''ve had this relic for nearly a hundred years. Some other weapons of the same age have turned into mundane objects due to poor preservation."


    "But it''s different. Even when I try to cut it with an enhanced de, all I leave are faint traces."


    "Even after soaking it in a strongly acidic poison for a day and a night, there are no signs of dissolution."


    "Its durability and sturdiness are top-notch among items of the same level."


    "But oddly enough, it''s damaged. There are no branded skills inside, apart from the vampiric quality that mighte from the material itself, there are no other signs of divinity..."


    Tu Long muttered to himself, disying an evident curiosity with every word.


    At the end of his monologue, he looked up, peered into Ye Hanjun''s eyes and asked solemnly:


    "Friend Han, do you know what this is?"


    "If you can enlighten me, I would be immensely grateful."


    Ye Hanjun shook his head silently, unable to respond immediately to Tu Long''s question.


    Under the focused gazes of the trio, he continued to inspect the object in his hand, continuing to observe.


    There were a few grain-sized notches on the de, apparently damaged by an even more rigid material, adding a unique charm of imperfection to its smooth lines.


    But the real wy in the handle.


    There seemed to be a gem embedded at the top of the handle, about the size of a little finger nail.


    It was broken, with cracks appearing from the center. But they didn''t spread from the outside, but burst out from within, destroying the entire gem.


    "I didn''t expect to find another rare Fond Spirit within this small space after the Pure Beast..."


    Ye Hanjun peered at it intensely. After some contemting, he didn''t conceal the truth and began to exin:


    "This is not a weapon in the ordinary sense."


    "To put it more precisely, it was not artificially crafted. It was birthed from the heavens and earth, born from nature."


    "It is a Beast Soldier, a dead Beast Soldier!"


    "The stage of its life was probably at the ''Rainbow Light Fetus'' level. Judging by the long lifespan of a Beast Soldier, it was still a baby, very young, very weak."


    Ye Hanjun touched the handle, his eyes seeming to travel through time, attempting to feel the life force from hundreds of years ago and said with emotion:


    "I can''t determine the cause of its death, but it wasn''t natural."


    "This broken crystal is not a gem, but its eye, and also its heart."


    "This part should have been the strongest ce on its body, hard to destroy even in violent collisions."


    "But it shattered anyway. Either it met an opposing Fond Spirit of ''Jade Infant Fetus'' level who had mastered spirit skills and was killed by soul power."


    "Or it met a being at least at the life wheel level, who destroyed it with absolute violent force."


    "In any case, it is thoroughly dead. What we''re seeing and touching now is nothing but its corpse."


    For a moment, the collection room was silent as if time had stopped moving.


    Ye Hanjun could even hear the hearts of several people tremble.


    "Beast Soldier? The legendary Beast Soldier?"


    Da Mu''er, unable to suppress his excitement, drew nearer with care, his eyes practically fixed to the dagger:


    "Legend has it that Beast Soldiers are innate weapons born from heaven and earth, conceived with the essence of the sun and moon, refined with the essence of void, forming after gathering various elements."


    "Alive Beast Soldiers are already rare to see, yet a dead Beast Soldier has been lying in Master Tu''s collection room for nearly a hundred years?"


    "Let me see!" Sikong Wei''s face turned red with excitement, his neck veins bulging as he leaned in for a closer look.


    As he watched intensively, his expression became dazed and unreal, muttering to himself:


    "Compared to the easily found ''Savage'', ''Demon'', ''Insect'', ''Sub'', ''Underworld''... A Fond Spirit with a ''Soldier'' Chaos Seal is unimaginably rare."


    "Creatures like this, reportedly, take the form of all kinds of weapons, swords, spears, axes, halberds, maces, hooks, forks, whips, clubs, hammers, sticks, rods... You name it."


    "They are born with spirits, akin to the concept of ''weapon spirits'', and they can operate independently. With the support of a high enough level, they possess an immense power to fly through the sky and escape underground, as well as to copse mountains and shatter rocks, hiding unfathomable power in their small bodies, which makes people yearn for and fascinated."


    "Yes, many ancient records mentioned that Beast Soldiers have a highpatibility with many authority roles. The one who obtains it, even if isn''t controlling the world, can rule over an area."


    Da Mu''er looked forward to it without limit, his expression blurred as he said:


    "For example, a Beast Soldier in the form of a long spear, if matched with a ''Knight'', it would be outstanding and magnificent. It could shatter the sky with augh."


    "For instance, a Beast Soldier existing in the shape of a magic wand, if given to me, a ''Magic Apprentice'', or matched with a ''Priest'' or ''Necromancer''... their abilities would definitely skyrocket."


    "Once reaching the 4th order and obtaining the second contract, thebined power of a person with two beasts would be terrifying to behold..."

 Chapter 23 - 22: Ghost-Faced Moth and Scare Powder_1

    <h4>Chapter 23: Chapter 22: Ghost-Faced Moth and Scare Powder_1</h4>


    Da Mu''er was enthralled, Sikong Wei even more so.


    His face was red, like boiling water, making it seem as though he was about to burst with excitement:


    "There are also Beast Soldiers in the form of musical instruments. If a ''musician'' could earn their favour and sessfully establish a contract, there would be no need to talk about the rate of their power''s growth. They would undoubtedly shoot up to greater heights. While their peers are still stuck at lower levels, they could already be looking towards higher levels. How can the gap between the two be bridged?"


    "If there are Beast Soldiers in forms like cleavers, chopping boards, oil jars, spats, and chopsticks, ''pastry chefs'', ''chefs'', ''cuisine masters'', ''tea masters''... could certainly prepare magical food with much stronger effects. This, in turn, would strengthen the Fond Spirits, creating a cycle of perfection and reciprocity!"


    "Right, even if the Beast Soldiers'' forms are regr and their abilities just average."


    "As long as they possess a certain level of attack power, upations like ''hunter'' can generally adapt."


    "Paired with agile attack-type or strong attack-type Fond Spirits, neither prey onnd nor at sea would manage to escape!"


    Da Mu''er and Sikong Wei are straightforward, their shock is hard to hide.


    As the owner of the collection, Tu Long seems silent, But the brightness shining in his eyes has already betrayed his turbulent emotions.


    All these upations are excellentlypatible with Beast Soldiers.


    His ''Weapon Master'' role, of course, is no exception.


    If he could get a Beast Soldier in the form of a hammer, he would have strongbat capabilities and could also double his efficiency in the forging process.


    If the hammer Beast Soldier also has a fire attribute, that would be even more terrifying. The cumtive advantages could allow him to leap through the ranks.


    "Oh, the deceased Beast Soldiers..."


    "What a pity..."


    After a while, Tu Long heaved a sigh.


    He, who once again carefully examined the Blood-Sucking Dagger as he held it, was looking at it as if it was a broken priceless treasure, his eyes filled with remembrance and longing.


    "Is Master Tu willing to part with it?"


    Ye Hanjun asked calmly and respectfully.


    Revealing the true identity of the Blood-Sucking Dagger undoubtedly raised the value of the collection.


    If Tu Long, being infatuated with smithing, wanted to use it for research and no longer wanted to give it away, Ye Hanjun would understand.


    "If you have some free time, lend it to me for a bit of fun."


    Tu Long did not hide his love for it but he shook his head and returned the Blood-Sucking Dagger back to Ye Hanjun.


    "Having a treasure while not knowing its worth proves that I am not worthy of possessing it."


    "My young friend, I value promises very highly, so consider this dagger yours."


    "Thank you, Master Tu."


    Ye Hanjun smiled, his opinion of Tu Long raised yet another notch.


    "You''re very knowledgeable, possessing an understanding that surpasses your peers."


    Tu Long stroked his beard, eagerly saying:


    "Forging Blue Gold...is within reach!"


    "Do notify me in advance, Master Tu. I will be sure to assist you with my full capabilities."


    Ye Hanjun clenched his fist, bowed slightly, and made a promise in return.


    Tu Long responded with a grunt, suddenly hiding his smile and instructing Sikong Wei and Da Mu''er:


    "Once you leave, don''t reveal anything about the corpse of the Beast Soldier."


    "If anyone asks, just say that the Blood-Sucking Dagger is a superior weapon that I forged... understood?"


    "Yes, Master Tu."


    Sikong Wei and Da Mu''er exchanged nces, then nodded in agreement.


    Though it''s just a corpse, it is far less valuable than a living Beast Soldier.


    But this is still a Beast Soldier, a rarity in its own right, definitely attracting the attention of curious and greedy parties.


    Master Tu is protecting Lord Han, else with his many studied books but poorbat skills, he would surely attract unwanted attention.


    "This old man is quite a bit friendlier than Mr. Jiang," Ye Hanjun said, slightly surprised.


    To be honest, even if it''s a living Beast Soldier, unless it''s particrly suitable for his profession, it would not be as valuable as Pure Beasts in his eyes.


    Considering the world of Fond Spirits, the former can be sought by many means, and is thereforebelled as ''rare''.


    However, thetter is truly something that one either has in their fate or not,belled as ''super rare''.


    So, even if Tu Long wouldn''t give it up, Ye Hanjun wouldn''t mind.


    After all, it is only a defensive weapon he received as a gift; he could just switch to another one.


    But Tu Long not only gave it up, he also considered Ye Hanjun''s position, reminding Ye of the dangers of attracting attention with valuable possessions. It made Ye feel indebted to him.


    Ye Hanjun kept this in mind, and said, "Master Tu, I was seriously injured today. I''m going back to soak in medicinal wine and recover."


    "Hmm," Tu Long nodded, "I have a ss three days from now."


    "Remember to gather at the smithy before eight in the morning."


    "Okay." Ye Hanjun once again sped his fist towards Sikong Wei and Da Mu''er, and was about to leave when he suddenly asked:


    "By the way, I have something I want to inquire about."


    "Apart from ces like the Chick House in the Canghai Pavilion, where else can I find suitable Contracted Fond Spirits?"


    Tu Long pinched his beard and shook his head, saying:


    "I am wholeheartedly focused on smithing, so I rarely pay attention to these matters concerning beginners."


    "You could check out Cross Old Street,"


    After some thought, Sikong Wei helped with the response,


    "This ce is at the southwest side of our North Campus District and it was bustling when the campus was first established."


    "Now, with the college teeming with talent and many elite students going out hunting, the spoils from their hunts are brought back for sale."


    "The trading volume of this old street has rapidly declined due tock ofpetition in price and quality."


    "However, I often visit the ce to purchase Fond Spirit hair. Some shops are quite good and with some patience, you can find excellent-quality Fond Spirit cubs."


    Da Mu''er made a suggestion,


    "For trying your luck, Blind-Box Commerce is also a good choice."


    "There''s a dedicated Fond Spirit section in there where you can randomly collect Mud-cast fetus Fond Spirits, both cubs and mature beasts, at very friendly prices, giving you a real chance to turn a small investment into substantial returns."


    "Speaking of which, there was a new studentst month who drew a fully-grown Ghost-Faced Moth. After he made the contract, many people were envious."


    "Ghost-Faced Moth?" Ye Hanjun immediately thought of an insect-type Fond Spirit with a wingspan of two meters and a abdomen pattern resembling an evil ghost.


    This type of Fond Spirit is in the lower ranks, close to the top tier, and indeed hasmendable aspects.


    It has a signature racial skill called ''Scare Powder''."


    If the recipient does not have sufficient poison resistance or spiritual resistance, they would fall into a state of fear, losing the ability to continue fighting.


    The Ghost-Faced Moth is also skilled at flying, and by maturing into a Mud-cast fetus �� Great Completion, it would be capable of carrying an adult human weighing less than 200 pounds, moving at a not-so-slow speed.


    Furthermore, given Da Mu''er''s description of it being "fully grown", it means the Ghost-Faced Moth has alreadypleted its metamorphosis fromrva to pupa to adult, thuspleting a whole set of metamorphic development.


    Such a Fond Spirit is already on the verge of maturity rather than being a cub.


    A new Patron could contract with it, and as long as he could manage it, it would definitely be a top-notch choice.


    In a contest of the same rank, it would be easy to strive for an advantage, thereby bing a standout among one''s peers."


    But... Ye Hanjun was just admiring it.


    Hepletelycked the faint sense of envy in Da Mu''er''s tone.


    Even if a wild Ghost-Faced Moth appeared before him, begging him on the ground, Ye Hanjun would not choose to form a contract with it.


    Compared to short-term strength, he focused more on future potential and team coordination after contracting with multiple Fond Spirits.


    "Is there anywhere else?" Ye Hanjun continued to ask, hoping to get more suggestions.


    Sikong Wei thought for quite a while with furrowed brows and then hesitantly said,


    "The Disabled Fond Spirits Assistance Centre, that''s also an option."


    "Compared to Cross Old Street, Blind-Box Commerce, this ce doesn''t require spending Spirit Stones, its nature is somewhat different."


    "It was founded by a deceased mentor andter taken over by a new mentor. It has assistants, contracted workers, and a group ofpassionate students who participate in volunteer activities regrly."


    "There''s such a ce?" Ye Hanjun''s eyebrows slightly lifted, showing some interest.


    Sikong Wei added, "As you know, the Path of Controlling Spirits is fraught with danger. Even the most talented Patrons with the most powerful contracted spirits can still meet with idents."


    "Two-thirds of the Fond Spirits at the centre previously had masters."


    "And those masters could very likely be students of Canghai Pavilion."


    "Some people leave the academy and return to their homes due to severe disabilities, losing their original powers and being forced to terminate their contracts."


    "The worse ones die on the spot, and only their Fond Spirits, by sheer luck, manage to survive..."


    Seeing that Ye Hanjun wanted to hear more, Sikong Wei continued,


    "Fond Spirits that lose their masters, depending on their degree of bonding, may suffer different levels of bacsh."


    "Once the people at the assistance center find out, they would try to bring them back, provide food, offer treatment, and help them recuperate."


    "Then, the Fon Spirits who still maintain their wild nature and survival abilities would be set free."


    "The remaining ones, particrly the demons who are fond of human beings and those who develop feelings for them, either leave with their surviving old masters or stay in the center, waiting for their fated ones."


    Ye Hanjun was contemtive. Such a cost-ineffective rescue model was quite innovative in this world of survival of the fittest.


    Such deeds in the territories of one''s family were simply unthinkable, sounding like fairy tales from an alien world.


    "Excluding the possibilities of idents befalling their masters, the remaining one-third are probably Fond Spirits encountered in the wild."


    "They got injured for a variety of reasons, but weren''t hunted as prey, and through various channels, they were eventually transferred to the assistance center."


    Sikong Wei paused for a moment, unsure as he continued,


    "I''ve heard that while the majority of them are ofmon breeds, there are some individuals with exceptional potential."


    "Some freshman would choose to adopt from the assistance center in order to obtain their contracted Spirits."


    "Of course, you''d better not get your hopes up too high. Fond Spirits of exceptional potential that haven''t developed any lingering diseases and are of high quality would have been chosen long before."


    "Those left basically all have irreversible defects, such as missing a wing or a leg... or they may have been severely mentally traumatized and tend to go berserk, hurting people..."


    "I have heard of simr incidents as well."


    When this topic was brought up, Da Mu''er brought up a past memory and couldn''t help but share,


    "Eight years ago, a daring freshman Patron took a liking to a Fond Spirit with an extremely strongbat power but unstable mind at the assistance center."


    "While it was under sedation, he managed toplete the contract-signing ceremony."


    "But, the next time I heard about him was only half a monthter."


    "I heard that the second time he took his Fond Spirit out hunting, it lost control and immediately pulled off the Patron''s head, resulting in a horrifying scene of his head separated from his body..."

 Chapter 24 - 23: Taking a Bath with Tadpoles_1

    <h4>Chapter 24: Chapter 23: Taking a Bath with Tadpoles_1</h4>


    After he heard the story from Da Mu''er, Ye Hanjun took a moment to ponder over it.


    Typically, after signing a contract, although the Patron doesn''t have absolute control over the Fond Spirit, they are bound by an unspoken bond.


    As long as the contract is not broken, the sess of a Contracted Fond Spirit ying its Patron is possible.


    This happens at a much heavier price than a Patron dying by ident, causing negative bacsh to the Fond Spirit.


    The oue is akin to suicide; heart wrenching, piercing torture of the soul. It''s something that a mentally stable Fond Spirit could never do.


    "The Disabled Fond Spirits Assistance Centre should be kept as ourst option."


    Sikong Wei gently reminded him, "The people who work there hope to rece part of the hunting with adoption."


    "But this is extremely difficult. Who would willingly contract with a Fond Spirit that is missing parts, and who would dare take the risk and coexist with a Fond Spirit with and abnormal mind? Isn''t this like looking for trouble and cutting off the path of one''s own cultivation?"


    Da Mu''er concurred in agreement, expressing his full endorsement.


    After pondering for a moment, Ye Hanjun did notment.


    He bid his threepanions farewell and, with his weary body, slowly strode away from smithing room number seven.


    ...


    "This trip has been quite fruitful. From a beast soldier corpse to new intelligence, it was worth it to risk my life to prevent the smithing table from exploding."


    Ye Hanjun walked down the street, and noticing he was alone, directed his Bloodsucking Dagger while reciting, "Talent Identification."


    In an instant, the world of his soul emerged, presenting an attribute panel.


    ----


    [Species Name]: Bloodsucking Dagger


    [Chaos Seal]: ''Soldier''


    [Main Study]: Furnace Path/Weapon Refining Path/Plunder Path


    [Rank]: Rainbow Light Fetus?Great Completion


    [Chaos Spirit Pattern]: ������


    [Core Personality]: ������


    [Current Status]: Death


    [Contractual Rtionship]: ������


    "Another gain from this trip is discovering another characteristic of Talent Identification - the ability to identify corpses."


    "Perhaps it requires the corpse to be asplete as possible, but even the identities of dead Fond Spirits can be discerned. This active ability is too powerful, ''Instructor'' is definitely more mysterious and special than I imagined..."


    Ye Hanjun toyed with the idea for a while, stowing the Bloodsucking Dagger and hooking it onto his belt.


    Having an extra weapon for self-defence,bined with the existing Shield Tortoise Shell, gave him the feeling of gradual growth and increasing strength.


    But this still wasn''t enough, far from it.


    Only one''s ability and Fond Spirit can be considered core powers.


    Everything else, be it weapons, runes, or anything else, are like a dream, extraneous things.


    �� A Patron can use them, but should not rely on them.


    This saying is very popr among elite Patrons, almost considered a golden rule from the elders to the younger generation, and hasn''t faded over tens of thousands of years.


    All the descendants who tried to prove this as sophistry and facies eventually paid the price, albeit with varying severity.


    "I am going home."


    Ye Hanjun originally wanted to go to the Canghai Pavilion''s dining hall to see how good theirplimentary meals were.


    he ended up with half his body burnt from his trip to the smithing workshop.


    His thigh, toes, arm, shoulder... many parts of his skin were still ming red, burning with pain.


    Under these circumstances, all he could do was rest and recuperate at home. At the same, he decided to try the medicinal wine given by Tu Long to see if it was effective.


    "Wee to the station, please tell the staff where you would like to go."


    "... Alright, ording to your needs, we rmend you take carriage number 89, it will be leaving in five minutes..."


    This was his third time in a hitch ride, this time the vehicle was driven by a middle-aged, dark-skinned woman.


    The specifics of her ability were unknown, but her Contracted Fond Spirit was quite interesting and was called a "Spring Earthworm".


    Yes, it was an earthworm as wide as a bowl and more than six meters long.


    The back half of its body was shaped like a spring, exerting great kic energy every time it sprinted, pulling the carriage forward at high speed.


    Ye Hanjun had toin; the Spring Earthworm wasn''t slow in pulling the carriage, but it was too shaky. Even with three safety buckles, there was still an overwhelming sense of difort.


    When he alighted, there was no doubt that he vomited blood again.


    The woman pulling the carriage was terrified, constantly muttering "Oh no, I''ll beined about again. I should have listened to my husband''s advice and brought my little worm home to farm..."


    "Never mind, it''s alright."


    Ye Hanjun didn''t have the intention to casually use people, he just expressed his resignation.


    Good heavens, he was once considered a seedling with great potential in the Ye n, at one point he attracted great adtion from the masses.


    How did he be what he was now? Even getting onto a carriage made him seem frail?


    "I need to procure more supplements to recover the essence of life lost due to blood loss. For the time being, this is the only way to restore my body..."


    Massaging his temples, Ye Hanjun fell into deep thought.


    Without realizing it, he had entered his residential area and returned to vi number 233.


    He temporarily suppressed his chaotic thoughts, opened the front door, and headed straight for the bathroom.


    "Yiye?"


    The little tadpole poked its head out. Its two rice-sized eyes looked mini but adorable.


    It took a look at the figure that had just entered and noticed it was the big tadpole. Its tail wagged from side to side, seemingly expressing its joy.


    "Little fellow, you seem very energetic."


    Ye Hanjun thought that the little tadpole would turn into a stone to sleep, but an entire morning passed, and it was still happily ying in the basin.


    Even when the little fish and shrimp utterly ignored it.


    It remained clueless and unfazed, asionally darting through the underwater grass. If it saw the one-eyed goldfish chasing the hopping shrimp around, causing a stir and a string of fights, it would immediately stop to watch with relish.


    "I''ve grown increasingly curious about how far you can grow with such a disposition."


    Ye Hanjun lightly stroked the little bugger''s head, basking in the rare moment of tranquility.


    The little tadpole uttered a little ''yiye,'' opened its tiny mouth, and yfully spat out a jet of water, once again hitting Ye Hanjun right on the nose.


    Before Ye Hanjun could say anything, it swiftly dived back into the water, pretending that nothing had happened and continued swimming leisurely.


    "Innocent yet mischievous."


    Ye Hanjun chuckled, shook his head, and walked towards another bathtub.


    It was bath time.


    Setting aside the issue of injuries, the journey had left him covered in dust.


    If he didn''t thoroughly bathe and scrub himself clean, he''d always feel somewhat ufortable.


    Ye Hanjun adjusted the water temperature and began to add cold water.


    This time he didn''t use soap, and didn''t even light any scented candles or incense.


    He opened the Ice Skin Jade Dew bottle, a hazy mist erupted out. It contacted his skin, bringing a cold and refreshing sensation, it was incredibly soothing.


    Expectantly, Ye Hanjun quickly stripped off his clothes. He did not n to wash the dirty clothes and tossed them directly into the garbage bin.


    As soon as his foot tested the icy blue bathwater, he let out a soul-stirring ''Ahhh,'' clenched his teeth and grimaced, shaking from the chill.


    "Ssss... the medicinal effects are quite potent. I wonder if my broken body can withstand it?"


    Ye Hanjun added more water, continuing to dilute the medical alcohol.


    "Yiye? Yiye?"


    The little tadpole poked its head out and spat out some water to attract the attention of the big tadpole.


    "What''s wrong? You want to bathe too?"


    Ye Hanjun turned his head and met the little tadpole''s tiny eyes full of curiosity.


    "Pure beasts inherently have clean bodies, which seems to purify when they touch impurities..."


    Ye Hanjun hesitated for a moment.


    Pure Fond Spirits aren''t weak in all aspects. If they encounter severe poison or abnormal element corrosion, they would stimte the purifying power in their bloodlines.


    But the biggest problem, is that the little bugger is too young.


    Theposition of Ice Skin Jade Dew also has unknown factors. He was afraid of hurting the young tadpole with reckless attempts.


    "Yiye~~~"


    The little tadpole jumped three centimeters off the water''s surface, and after falling back in, it jumped again.


    Ye Hanjun''s expression subtly shifted as the sudden burst of activity sparked more spection.


    "Right, Pure Beasts possess strong spirits, their perception of danger far surpasses that of spirits of the same rank."


    "Seeing its curious behavior, could it be that the scent of the medicinal liquor is attracting its instinct?"


    "Maybe what it''s sensing is ''attraction'' and not ''evil and pollution''... Does this Ice Skin Jade Dew benefit it?"


    Ye Hanjun thought it made sense the more he dwelled on it. He scooped up the little tadpole in both hands and helped it leave the basin.


    "Yiye~~~"


    As they approached the icy bath, before he could let go, the little tadpole cheerfully hopped right into the tub on its own ord.


    It was as if it hadn''t eaten for three days and three nights, suddenly seeing all kinds delicious food piled up. It roared and dove head-first into the icy water.


    "Yiye~~~ Yiye~~~"


    The imagined purification did not ur. The tadpole was as joyous as a fish in water, reveling in refreshment as much as it wanted.


    Its speed was inconsistent, sometimes fast and sometimes slow. It was like a runaway wild horse, frolicking in the icy blue bathtub, sshing delicate sprays of water ceaselessly.


    "Don''t waste it!"


    Ye Hanjun once again plunged into the bathtub, submerging more than half of his body.


    Only his head remained above water. He made a move as though to catch the little tadpole, instructing sternly:


    "This is all medicinal liquor, could be sold for money if taken out."


    "I''m broke now; I can''t afford to be wasteful. These spiritual items have to be used sparingly, do you understand?"


    "Yiye..." The little tadpole appeared to understand.


    But it was good at imitating, learning from the big tadpole, it stopped swimming and hovered in ce.


    "I''m going to sleep for a bit, y by yourself."


    Ye Hanjun mped an air tube avable in the washroom between his teeth, took a deep breath, and plunged his entire body underwater.


    As his eyes closed, darkness gradually consumed his consciousness.


    The chill seemed toe from all directions, his previously burning skin swiftly turned numb and stiff.


    When the chill had pierced through his inner organs, Ye Hanjun''s consciousness gradually blurred, his entire person seemed to be soaring in the high heavens, in a state of bliss, uninterested in descending back to the mortal world.


    "Yiye~~~~"


    The small tadpole swam to the big tadpole''s side, using its tail to fiddle with his nose.


    After a few attempts without any response, it suddenly lost interest in ying.


    It coiled up into a white pebble shaped egg and stayed motionless, wedged at big tadpole''s corbone position.


    Time seemed to freeze at that moment.


    Silence reced the noise, just like a frozen picture scroll. Even the circting air seemed to be stealthily frozen.


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