Chapter 123

Chapter 123

"You are..."

The visitor was the proprietor of the Dueling Pavilion. He had been discussing matters in the outer chamber when a sudden noise from the inner chamber caught his attention.

Someone was inside.

The proprietor hurried in to find a small cub, barely knee-high, with an adorably round, porcelain-white face.

Where did this little cub come from?

Most immortal sect disciples wore their sect's attire when out and about, but he had never seen the robes this cub wore. This meant the child was not from any mainstream immortal sect.

Could they be an unaffiliated immortal?

The proprietor found it odd and wanted to observe more closely. However, as his gaze fell upon the intricate patterns on the robes, his vision suddenly blurred. The patterns seemed both familiar and unfamiliar, as if seen before yet unrecallable.

Then, a deafening *boom* echoed in his mind, like a resounding gong or a heavy hammer striking his consciousness.

Shock filled the proprietor’s heart. He sensed a boundless spiritual energy emanating from the robes, containing mysteries so profound that even the Leader of the Yunshang Sect, the foremost figure of the immortal world’s top sect, might not grasp them. Fortunately, he had closed his eyes in time—otherwise, his sight might have been lost entirely...

This cub was undoubtedly of extraordinary origins!

Luo Ci had, in a moment of quick thinking, used an illusion to temporarily hide his ears and tail.

Just as he was inwardly praising his own cleverness, the proprietor spoke: "Honored Immortal, I am the proprietor of the Dueling Pavilion. May I ask... what brings you here?"

Suppressing his shock, the proprietor chose his words carefully.

Luo Ci glanced at the small creature curled up in the cage and said, "I want to buy him. How many spirit stones will it take?"

"This..." Had anyone else made such a request, the proprietor would have flatly refused—after all, this was his cash cow. But he dared not offend the cub in the slightest.

Though he didn’t know the cub’s origins, his judgment had always been accurate.

The proprietor had once been a merchant in the cultivation world before ascending to immortality. He remembered all too well the stark contrast—those who had been mighty figures in the mortal realm became mere stepping stones for the great clans and sects of the immortal world.

Through his shrewdness and acumen, he had slowly built the Dueling Pavilion into what it was today. He had witnessed countless powerful figures turn on each other in an instant, especially those from reclusive families. His Dueling Pavilion might seem bustling and prosperous, but it was ultimately just an ordinary business—how could he dare provoke a true aristocratic sect?

No matter how valuable his cash cow, was it worth offending someone he absolutely could not afford to cross?

The proprietor quickly made up his mind and smiled, instructing his attendants to open the beast cage. "Since the Honored Immortal has personally spoken, how could the Dueling Pavilion refuse? This calamity beast is a gift to you, as a token of our connection."

Luo Ci blinked. "That won’t do. The storybooks say a deal must be fair. If I take something from you, I must give you something in return."

By now, he had mastered illusion arts. Though it was an illusion, the spirit stones he conjured were indistinguishable from genuine ones.

However, he wasn’t familiar with the prices in the immortal world. Qing Yue had said that calamity beasts with Wild Beast bloodlines were rare here—would these spirit stones be enough? After a moment’s thought, his small hand rummaged in his pocket again and pulled out a few strands of Worry-Free Grass. "Here, take these too... this should be enough, right?"

The proprietor was stunned. In his palm lay a few limp, dried stalks, seemingly no different from common weeds. Yet he could sense the Primordial Qi within them—undoubtedly, these were divine flora from the Primordial Realm, the domain of the ancient deities, a place ordinary immortals could never set foot in.

Everyone knew of the Primordial Realm, yet none knew where it truly lay.

Just what was the origin of this cub?!

The beast cage was opened, and a small shadow was led out. A pair of savage, crimson slit pupils scanned the surroundings with hostility, while thick beast claws still bore tatters of ghost-ni flesh. The attendants held their breaths, warily guiding the calamity beast forward.

"Aww, a little furball..." Luo Ci grinned and walked over, scooping up the calamity beast into his arms.

The pavilion master barely managed to regain his composure, his face paling in shock. "Honored Immortal, be careful—"

The calamity beast hadn't reacted yet when the little one scooped him up into her arms. His pupils instantly narrowed to needle-like slits. He knew the little one had bought him, but that didn’t mean he acknowledged her as his master.

Whether this child was an Immortal or a demon, he had no intention of forming a contract with anyone.

Baring his vicious fangs, the calamity beast let out a low, threatening growl from his throat, his needle-like vertical pupils fixed intently on the child.

The pavilion master knew calamity beasts all too well—this behavior was a clear warning before an attack.

Before he could urge the little Immortal to put the beast down, Luo Ci beamingly pulled out a piece of dried meat from her pocket.

With food right at his mouth, there was no reason not to eat. The calamity beast’s attention was instantly diverted. He clamped down on the meat with his teeth, his claws grabbing at the remaining portion as he chewed. He didn’t know what the dried meat was made of, but it was overflowing with potent spiritual energy.

For years, he had been deprived of spiritual energy, his internal reserves completely depleted. The moment the energy entered his body, it began slowly nourishing his meridians and flesh. Not only was his belly filled, but his entire body warmed up, and even his wounds started healing gradually.

Luo Ci stroked the calamity beast’s back, her small, chubby hands carefully avoiding his injuries. Her touch was gentle and practiced. The beast’s needle-like pupils gradually relaxed, and a contented rumble vibrated in his throat. "The name 'calamity beast' sounds so harsh. How about I give you a new one? How about... Little Furball?"

The pavilion master: "..."

Compared to "calamity beast," this name didn’t sound much better.

The calamity beast thought the same.

Seeing the beast bare his fangs again fiercely, Luo Ci grinned, showing her little milky teeth. "Looks like you like it too!"

The beast's fur puffed up in outrage. Like it? What kind of name was "Little Furball"?! He was a calamity beast—his innate bloodline memories vaguely told him he resembled a fierce, spiky-haired creature with beastly claws and a tiger’s head, known as *Qiongqi*. "Little Furball"... Such a name was neither majestic nor befitting his fearsome reputation.

The child picked up Little Furball, stroking his puffed-up fur soothingly, when she suddenly noticed two silver ring-like artifacts shackling his hind legs. Likely due to the beast’s constant struggles, the area was festering and bloody. "Little Furball, why is there something hard on your legs?"

"Rrgh." The calamity beast felt the little fox’s hand brush against his wound. Pain flared, and he instinctively bared his sharp fangs.

These things had been put on him by those elders from the Beast Taming Sect. No matter how hard he tried afterward, he could never remove them.

The pavilion master hurriedly explained, "I-Immortal, this calamity—er, Little Furball—is innately fierce and violent. He possesses the bloodline of a Wild Beast, born with strength rivaling an Immortal. The meteorite rings were designed to restrain his spiritual energy. Otherwise, my modest pavilion would’ve been torn apart long ago. If you wish to raise him properly, it’s best to leave the shackles on."

A menacing growl vibrated in the calamity beast’s throat. These Immortals were scheming and deceitful. If he ever got rid of these shackles, he’d rip their throats open.

But when would that day come?

He had no idea.

And he certainly didn’t expect this little one to help him remove them.

For one, these shackles weren’t something just anyone could undo.

Even if the little one seemed fond of him now, she probably just saw him as a pet or a battle companion like those from the Beast Taming Sect.

If she realized he could harm his master, that fondness would turn to disgust. So he never held hope that the shackles would come off.

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly felt the shackles loosen. Turning his head, he saw the little one’s chubby fingers grip the meteorite shackles—then, with a gentle twist, the restraints that had confined him for a hundred years crumbled into dust.

Little Furball froze: ...?

The pavilion master stood dumbfounded. The meteorite shackles were forged by the Beast Taming Sect using rare treasures and secret techniques. It was said that removing them required ten days and nights of ceremonial rites performed by the sect’s elders.

...And yet, they were destroyed with such ease?

Thank heavens he'd been prudent earlier.

He broke into a cold sweat again, recalling what had just happened.

The calamity beast couldn't believe this little cub had crushed the meteoric iron restraints to dust so effortlessly. He knew how much effort the old man from the Beast Taming Sect had spent forging those shackles, yet this little cub had undone them with such ease.

It wasn’t until he was carried out of the dueling pavilion that he finally snapped out of his daze. He no longer dared to underestimate this little fox.

Warily watching the young child, he found himself placed in an open flower field. The little cub cheerfully waved at him, "Alright, you're free now! Go wherever you want. I have to go home."

What?

Just like that?

He stared dumbly at the child's retreating figure.

This cub had just been lovingly cuddling him, ruffling his fur, and now he was turning away just like that?!

Luo Ci fished out the Prosperity Stone from his pocket. He still hadn’t figured out whether the flow of time in the immortal realm matched that of the ancient realm. If Lu Yun woke up and couldn’t find him, imagine how worried he’d be! He had to hurry back.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar growling sound from behind. Turning around, he spotted a dark little figure hiding behind a rock.

He took a tentative step forward, and the little one followed.

Step by step, it followed closely.

The little one, quick to read his expression, ducked back behind the rock the moment Luo Ci turned his head.

Luo Ci toddled over on his short legs, scooping the little creature up and lifting it high with a beaming smile, "Little Furball, can't bear to let me go? Want to come home with me?"

The calamity beast’s freshly groomed fur was tousled again, and he bared his teeth. He hadn’t planned on following the little cub home—it was just that, newly freed and covered in wounds, he didn’t know what else to do.

Besides, even if he agreed to go home with the cub, that didn’t mean he was willing to form a pact!

Luo Ci nuzzled his cheek against the soft little ball of fur, "Alright then, Little Furball, I’ll take you home with me."

The calamity beast let out a low growl. Faced with the cub’s affectionate gesture, he raised his sharp claws, paused, then gently rested them on the child’s shoulder, his claws retracting into his pads without notice.

Baring his teeth, he thought to himself—*Fine, Little Furball it is. It’s just a nickname, after all...*

......

The Prosperity Stone turned out to be a one-time-use item. After bringing him back, it shattered into a scattering of stardust.

Returning to the ancient realm, Luo Ci immediately babbled excitedly to Qing Yue about his adventures in the immortal realm.

Admittedly, compared to the ancient realm, the immortal realm was far livelier, and he still felt a lingering sense of longing.

Hearing from Qing Yue that the Ancient God had already awakened, his eyes lit up, and he scampered off, "Then I’ll go see him!"

Little Furball, jostled all the way in the cub’s arms, widened his eyes in shock. He had suspected the child’s origins were extraordinary, but he never imagined that "home" meant the ancient realm.

The Primordial Qi, treasured like a rare jewel in the immortal realm, was everywhere here—hundreds, thousands of times more abundant and purer than the spiritual energy there. He greedily inhaled, drinking it in, feeling the hidden wounds all over his body heal rapidly.

Luo Ci dashed straight into the inner palace, nimbly climbing into Lu Yun’s lap and snuggling against his neck, "Mmm, Lu Yun, you’re awake..."

*The Ancient God...* Though no one in the immortal realm had ever seen the Ancient God’s true form, legends of him had been passed down since time immemorial. It was said that with just a flick of his finger, the immortal realm could be overturned.

Little Furball, with his Wild Beast bloodline, had never feared anything in his life. Yet now, driven by instinct, he felt every hair on his back stand on end.

But the Ancient God acted as though he didn’t exist, paying him no mind, merely lifting a hand to stroke the cub’s head.

The little fox had long since dispelled his illusion, his two large, fluffy tails wrapping around Lu Yun’s arm, "I missed you so much! I was so bored while you were asleep—I only ate one bowl of osmanthus jade dew porridge!"

Lu Yun chuckled, "Was the immortal realm fun?"

The cub, thinking his little escapade had gone unnoticed, pouted and batted his eyelashes coquettishly, "Mmm, you already knew? I only went for a tiny bit, really! Just a tiny bit before coming back."

Transforming into a fluffy little fox, he sprawled across Lu Yun’s lap, playfully trying to brush the matter aside, "Lu Yun, the ninetailed fox can hear others’ thoughts—why can’t I hear yours?"

Lu Yun’s deep gray eyes fixed on the snow-white bundle in his palm, "Peering into a god’s thoughts, hmm?"

Every Divine Servant in the hall knelt in unison, the silence so profound that even the passage of time could be heard.

But Luo Ci wasn’t the least bit afraid, wagging his tail restlessly and puckering his lips, "Because I want to know how much you like me! Did you miss me when you couldn’t see me?"

Lu Yun stroked the little fox’s soft, snow-white ears, "Long ago, I used to enjoy dreaming. But now, I prefer being awake."

Before the little fox had appeared, he had once divined fate and foreseen his arrival.

But the wait had been unbearably long. Dreaming had been a hazy anesthetic, yet now he no longer cared for it—every time he dreamed, he forced himself to wake as soon as possible.

Luo Ci didn’t understand, tilting his head in confusion, "What does that mean? Do you like it or not?"

Lu Yun laughed softly, "Figure it out yourself."

The cub huffed, puffing out his cheeks and tugging at Lu Yun’s sleeve, "Then can I keep Little Furball in the palace?"

Little Furball finally felt the Ancient God’s gaze fall upon him. A crushing weight, like Mount Tai itself, pressed down on his neck. His limbs grew weak under the pressure, and just as his vision began to blur, the force abruptly released him.

Silently, he swallowed the blood in his mouth. He knew this was the Ancient God’s warning—if he dared harm the little cub, he would be reduced to ashes.

Of course, Luo Ci had no idea what had happened. Lu Yun looked down into the cub’s round eyes, "He is yours. Naturally, you decide."

"Lu Yun is the best!" Cheering, he transformed back into human form, scooped up Little Furball, and dashed to the neighboring palace, eager to share the good news with Qing Yue.

Qing Yue was weaving celestial silk into robes and set aside her work at the sight of them, "Why is the Little Fox Lord so happy?"

Luo Ci’s chubby cheeks dimpled with joy, "Lu Yun said I can keep Little Furball!"

Qing Yue wasn’t surprised. The Ancient God had always doted excessively on the Little Fox Lord.

The Little Fox Lord... might very well become the future master of the divine palace.