These things are all used for nurturing spirit beasts.
Contracts allow humans and spirit beasts to establish a spiritual connection, while the Magic Beast Secret provides them with skills to learn.
Compared to ordinary Skill Light Balls, these secrets are cheaper and more effective, though unfortunately, they cannot be learned by humans.
As for Osmanthus Pills, they can help increase their lifespan, and even improve cultivation.
So, even though the number of spirit beasts on Rebirth Island is growing, theyâve all been "adopted" by people.
Each one has already found its owner, yet many still complain that there arenât enough spirit beasts and they didnât get one themselves.
Zhang Xiaoman patted Jin Baoâs head.
This guyâs cultivation has progressed significantly, and using the strength assessment standard of the Dark Star Alliance, it has already reached near upper Enlightenment Level.
Now, with "Little Animal Leader" Jiu Jiu trapped on the Divine Ancient Continent, Jin Bao the dog has taken its place as the new leader of the beast group.
After returning, Zhang Xiaoman learned all the skills possessed by his spirit beast through the upgraded "Spirit Contract," finally enabling him to independently use the "Following the Way of Heaven" skill apart from Jin Bao.
He took out an Osmanthus Pill from his storage ring and tossed it to Jin Bao, treating him to a tasty treat.
Jin Bao joyfully ran wildly around, but his little companions didnât follow. Instead, they looked expectantly at Zhang Xiaoman, practically writing "I want one too" on their faces.
"Tutu! Donât be so greedy! You just had one yesterday!"
Lin Sisi called over her spirit beast with a wave; Tutu is the name of her guide dog, a golden retriever. It used to train with Jiu Jiu for a while and is now a spirit beast too.
The golden retriever whimpered pitifully, but the little girl relented and used her points to buy it an Osmanthus Pill to eat.
Now the situation was even worse. The dozen or so other spirit beasts all looked at the two of them with teary eyes, refusing to move as if rooted to the spot.
"These fellows, where did they learn this from, how are they so good at acting cute?"
Zhang Xiaoman was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Seeing the big bunny and the little bunny rubbing against his leg several times, he finally sighed helplessly and gave each of these spirit beasts an Osmanthus Pill.
With the appearance of the Osmanthus Pills, the spirit beasts finally settled down, sitting happily to eat.
Just then, ripples appeared on the lakeâs surface, followed by large waves as a huge whirlpool emerged.
Moments later, with the churning water, a massive figure rose from below.
"Da Niu? What are you doing here joining the fun?"
A small mountain emerged from the water in front of Zhang Xiaoman.
Upon closer inspection, it was not a small mountain but an unbelievably large snail.
The snailâs visible portion was over two hundred meters tall above the water.
Imagine how gigantic its entire body must be, calling it a mountain wouldnât be an exaggeration.
At this moment, Da Niu was extending its head, its two round little eyes full of longing as they fixed on Zhang Xiaomanâs hands, hoping to get food from its master.
Da Niu was also a spirit beast contracted by Zhang Xiaoman, so he couldnât play favorites. Since it came, he decided to give it a treat too.
In fact, if we talk about the top five in the comprehensive strength ranking within the Star Alliance, this giant snail would definitely be amongst them.
Da Niu was obtained by Zhang Xiaoman at the Third Research Institute; itâs not an ordinary snail turned spirit, but an ancient strange beast known as "Earth Mother," also called Ying Mu or Pu Lei.
Itâs said that the West Mountain where the Queen Mother lived, mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, was on the back of an Earth Mother.
It stands tall and mighty, creating its own world, with a center that produces the "Earth Mother Spirit Liquid" once every thousand years, which grants immortality and ascension to those who consume it.
Although these are just legends in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas," they hint at the immense potential Da Niu may possess.
At least within the current Star Alliance, its comprehensive strength is something that other Awakeners can only look up to, as defense is also a part of comprehensive strength.
Da Niuâs defensive power is extremely strong; Zhang Xiaoman had tried before and, at that time, he couldnât even scratch it.
Now, after returning from the Second Universe, although he hasnât tried it yet, he can sense from the powerful dark spiritual power waves emanating from its body that its strength has reached at least the Controller Level.
When Ziwei first saw Da Niu, she remarked that it was the strongest defensive power of any star beast sheâd seen.
The woman was eager to test it, saying she would be careful and just wanted to see the snailâs defense level and whether she could break through it.
But how could Zhang Xiaoman allow her to touch it, knowing her violent nature?
Being careful is one thing to say, she might end up owing so much sheâd have to sell herself to pay.
Zhang Xiaoman strictly forbade Ziwei from approaching Da Niu.
If by any chance she harmed it, he wouldnât have a place to complain.
To test Da Niuâs defensive power, as the Master of the Original Realm, Zhang Xiaoman could do it directly within the Original Realm Space.
At this moment, after eating an Osmanthus Pill, Da Niu was clearly in high spirits, and through the contract, Zhang Xiaoman could sense its emotions.
While Zhang Xiaoman and the spirit beasts were feeding, he suddenly sensed a wave of dark spiritual power nearby.
Moments later, a figure appeared in the void, reverently standing not far away.
"Mentor."
Su Changqing performed the Star Touching Ceremony and then quickly approached him.
"Mentor, I hope Iâm not disturbing you."
Zhang Xiaoman looked at him and shook his head with a smile:
"Changqing, since I came back, youâve become more and more respectful, thereâs no need for that between us."
Su Changqing replied earnestly:
"Senior Lin Sisi took me as a student on your behalf and taught me so many cultivation insights, you are my mentor. Once a mentor, a lifelong guide, the proper etiquette must be upheld."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoman didnât say more, knowing Changqingâs personality, he didnât press the issue.
"Whatâs the matter? You seem to be in a hurry."
"Mentor, Iâve completed the task you assigned to me earlier. The Research Department has pinpointed the coordinates you provided and entered them into the Star Map. Right now, they are establishing a wormhole connection, which is expected to be completed in one week."
"Oh? Itâs already been pinpointed?"
Zhang Xiaoman didnât expect the people in the Research Department to work so quickly; in just a few days, they had completed the task.
Originally, by his estimation, this kind of coordinate pinpointing would have taken them at least a couple of months with their current technology.
If it werenât the First Universe with different coordinate systems than the Second Universe, he would have considered using the instruments from the Dark Star Alliance.
A few days ago, Su Changqing had reported to Zhang Xiaoman about the information gathered from the Guleng Star Space Station regarding the recent tasks of the Star Alliance.
The cryptic message from the Phantom Spirit Clan remained unsolved, due to its many embedded static language systems.
With humanityâs current means, they couldnât even hear it, let alone translate it.
Even though Su Changqing possesses the Imprint Skill of All Language Mastery, without the ability to hear and observe, he couldnât interpret it either.
But Zhang Xiaoman is different; he possesses a higher-level "All-Knowing" ability, allowing him to hear what others cannot.
When Su Changqing played the audio for him upon his return, Zhang Xiaoman immediately sensed something others couldnât.
PS: Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
PS again: Iâm planning to start a new book after the New Year, but rest assured, this book will not be abandoned, please donât worry~
However, I may speed up the plot a bit, and it should be completed before the New Year.
The theme of my new book is related to the mysterious (not a ghost story). I plan to step up from my lazy state and maintain a minimum daily update of 8,000 words, aiming for a premium novel. I hope my brothers here will come to support me, thanks!