Little Yu Xin was horrified. He fled the 'Gilded Claw Emporium' immediately with his father. The woman at the shop didn't seem to mind it too much.
But Little Yu Xin couldn't help but think that he would be finished if any of the beasts got released from the dungeon.
Yu Jin was also alarmed. They immediately decided to flee the premises and go home. This time, Yu Jin and Little Yu Xin were riding the spiritual horse.
On the way, Yu Jin asked idly, "Well, what are you going to name the horse?"
Little Yu Xin thought about it but was startled to find that he didn't even know its gender. "Dad, do you know the horse's gender?"
Yu Jin replied lazily, "Yep. It's a female horse."
Little Yu Xin was a little curious. "How did you know? The woman at the shop didn't mention it."
Yu Jin was a little proud. "It's just cultivation. I can sense its gender through its aura. The woman probably didn't want to mention the obvious."
Little Yu Xin was incredibly jealous. In the cultivation world, almost all problems could be solved by cultivation.
By the time they reached home, it was already night. They went inside the garden and temporarily tethered the horse there. Liu Hua heard the movement and came out of the house.
Seeing the cute-looking Little Yu Xin and gentle-faced Yu Jin standing next to a pure white horse, Liu Hua walked up to them and asked in a slightly surprised voice, "Is this the spiritual beast chosen by Xin'er?"
Yu Jin nodded. "Indeed. Isn't she magnificent?"
Liu Hua also nodded. "Indeed. So, what's her name?"
Little Yu Xin said, "Mom, why don't you decide? You decided my name; it's only right if you also decide the name of my spiritual beast."
Liu Hua also wanted to name the horse, so she didn't refuse. "She looks pure with a very graceful bearing. I think it's best to name her Su Rong."
The horse also seemed to like the name as she neighed gently.
Little Yu Xin and Yu Jin couldn't help but nod, finding the name very fitting.
After that, Liu Hua said, "Let's first help you sign the spiritual contract. You can only sign one spiritual contract in your life, unless your spiritual beast companion dies or you cultivate some kind of beast-taming technique."
Yu Jin took out a spiritual paper on which an equal spiritual contract was written. In the Qin Dynasty, unequal or servant contracts were considered demonic and were therefore outlawed, though it was said they were pretty common in other regions. Divine beast clans didn't care much about what their subordinate clans did as long as they kept paying tribute.
Yu Jin instructed, "You both use your spiritual energy to sign the contract. If you truly wish to bond, it will be pretty easy."
Little Yu Xin did as he was told, and so did Su Rong. As they both signed the spiritual contract, the contract burst into flames and divided into two parts, heading straight for the foreheads of Little Yu Xin and Su Rong.
Little Yu Xin felt a mysterious energy entering his sea of consciousness. He could feel that as long as he did not wish to form the contract, it would terminate itself. He did not resist it, and the same could be said for Su Rong.
The contract was soon completed. Little Yu Xin immediately felt a mysterious connection with Su Rong. He could now convey his feelings to the horse without speaking, even from a distance.
Su Rong also felt even more familiar with Little Yu Xin, nuzzling her head against him.
Liu Hua and Yu Jin both smiled in relief. "It's done," Liu Hua said. "Let's go, time to eat."
The family went inside to eat. Liu Hua did not forget Su Rong; thankfully, she was a spiritual planter. They had plenty of rice hull and chaff. When Liu Hua grew herbs like spiritual flowers before, she had to discard the stems after collecting the flower. Now these things could be put to much better use.
'Thankfully he didn't get a carnivorous spiritual beast,' Liu Hua thought gratefully. Carnivorous spiritual beasts were much more expensive to maintain, plus they might be more aggressive toward others, causing Little Yu Xin to face unnecessary problems in the future. She also didn't want Little Yu Xin to be influenced by the spiritual beast and become violent. She wanted him to grow up to be a nice and kind person who doesn't harm anyone.
After dinner, they went to sleep.
---
The next morning, Little Yu Xin woke up as usual and silently recited, 'System. Sign-in.'
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for signing in!]
[Reward: Light Dew (Rank 1 Mid-Grade)]
[Item has been added to the System Space.]
Little Yu Xin was excited to see a resource for Su Rong. He decided to check his stats to see if his conjecture was true. Silently reciting in his heart, 'Stats.'
---
Name: Yu Xin
Age: 5 years
Cultivation Technique: Karmic Wind God Scripture
Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 2 (35%)
Arts: None
Spells: Farewell (Inferior-Grade), Silent Wind Steps (Inferior-Grade), Wind Blade (Inferior-Grade)
Spiritual Beast Companion: Su Rong (Rank 1 Middle-Stage)
---
Little Yu Xin basically confirmed his conjecture. His spiritual pet was recognized by the system, which would make cultivation much easier.
After breakfast, Little Yu Xin rode Su Rong and went to Flame City all alone. It was a new experience to not need anyone's supervision when going out.
When they were about halfway to Flame City, Little Yu Xin commanded Su Rong to move off from the bluestone road and go to a secluded area. Su Rong was confused but still followed his command. After stopping under a tree, Little Yu Xin got off her.
He looked left and right like a thief. After seeing no one around, he said to Su Rong, "Don't tell anyone about this." Even though Su Rong couldn't speak, Little Yu Xin felt it was necessary to clarify.
Su Rong nodded her head confusedly as she saw Little Yu Xin pull out a jade bottle from his storage pouch. He didn't want to leak news about the system, so he pretended to put his hand on the storage bag while extracting the Light Dew from the System.
Su Rong's gaze immediately turned to the jade bottle. Her breathing became rapid, but she still controlled herself and did not do anything out of line.
Little Yu Xin couldn't help but nod in contentment. He opened the bottle. Inside, there was only a single drop of liquid, seemingly made entirely of light element. He poured the contents into Su Rong's mouth, immediately noticing the change in her aura.
Her cultivation seemed to have increased somewhat, but what was much more important was that her aura became even more pure. Even her physical body seemed to have improved a little.
Little Yu Xin was shocked and a little envious. It was hard to tell if it was his System or Su Rong's. Of course, he knew this was because his cultivation was only at the Qi Refining low-grade; he could not absorb Rank 1 middle-grade spiritual items.
After that, they continued on. The horse soon reached Flame City. Little Yu Xin still remembered the way, so he soon got to the Blazecore Artisan Hall.
After getting inside the premises, Little Yu Xin handed Su Rong's reins to a mortal attendant with an air of nouveau riche.
Inside the classroom, Sister Xiao Rou and Zhao Qingqing were already seated.
Zhao Qingqing said arrogantly, "You are late. Do you think that you can make me wait?"
Little Yu Xin was a little embarrassed; it had taken a bit too much time to find a hiding spot to feed Su Rong. He decided to pin this blame on Su Rong for fairness. He said, "Oh, I am sorry. It's just that I got a spiritual pet, and it was my first time controlling her." Even though he was apologizing, his little head was still raised, seemingly ready to tell the entire city about his new spiritual pet.
Zhao Qingqing asked with a curious expression, "Oh? Where did you get your spiritual pet?"
Little Yu Xin said without thinking, "I got it from the Gilded Claw Emporium."
Zhao Qingqing had the expression of one with a successful scheme.
Little Yu Xin felt something was wrong, but he couldn't quite pinpoint it.
Zhao Qingqing said with her nose even higher than Little Yu Xin's, "You should have told me. I could have gotten you a discount. After all, it is my family's business."