Chapter 13

In this world, spirit beasts are categorized into different levels based on their rank. Spirit beasts from levels 1 to 3 are collectively called low-level spirit beasts, while those from levels 4 to 6 are mid-level spirit beasts, and those from levels 6 to 9 are high-level spirit beasts.

Above level 9, they are considered auspicious beasts, ferocious beasts, holy beasts, or divine beasts.

These are far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

Although there are various legends about divine beasts in the cultivation world, they have not been seen in many years. Whether such divine beasts still exist in this small world is questionable.

For most cultivators, high-level spirit beasts are already rare and hard to come by.

Take Wenxin Sect as an example. Wenxin Sect is a comprehensive sect that dabbles in swordsmanship, talismans, formations, beast control, and so on, but they are not particularly skilled in any of them. The top sect for beast control is the Holy Beast Sect.

However, even the Holy Beast Sect only has a limited number of high-level spirit beasts.

The most common are mid-level spirit beasts.

A level 6 spirit beast is already a significant combat force, equivalent to a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage. A level 6 spirit beast egg is priced at tens of millions of top-grade spirit stones or more. As for high-level spirit beasts, their value cannot even be measured with top-grade spirit stones.

In the entire Wenxin Sect’s Beast Peak, there are only three high-level spirit beasts. One is the peak master’s contracted beast, a level 7 Wind Wolf. The other two are an eighth-level Thunder Tiger and an eighth-level Illusion Butterfly.

These three spirit beasts can be said to be the treasures that protect the Beast Peak. Apart from the Wind Wolf, the other two are carefully guarded by dedicated personnel. Their lives are comparable to those of emperors in the mortal realm.

Then, what does the Melon-Eating System say?

Pick up a high-level spirit beast? There is actually a high-level spirit beast within the sect?

The Beast Peak master was momentarily unsure of how to feel.

In gratitude to Ning Xu, the sect specially mixed a few mid-level spirit beasts in with the thousands of low-level spirit beasts.

At that time, the mid-level spirit beasts would voluntarily approach Ning Xu and allow her to choose.

But now, with a high-level spirit beast appearing, the sect’s effort might be in vain. Nevertheless, having one more high-level spirit beast in the sect is undoubtedly a good thing.

When the elders were still stunned by the news and unsure of what to say, the Melon-Eating System’s lazy voice sounded again.

【Wait, when you contract it, just use the most ordinary contract.】

Ning Xu casually asked, “Why?”

The Melon-Eating System explained, 【This spirit beast is only level 9.】

【A cultivator can only contract one life spirit beast in their lifetime, unless the owner dies. Otherwise, the owner and their life spirit beast are bound for life.】

【As for other contracts, there is a time limit. Only the most ordinary contract is the most flexible.】

The Beast Peak master trembled inwardly.

Only level 9…

Only…

Level 9…

He too wanted a “only level 9” spirit beast.

The Melon-Eating System continued, 【With an ordinary contract, either you or the spirit beast can break the contract at any time.】

Can break up at any time? How is that possible?

Ning Xu, “…Are you sure this will work?”

The Melon-Eating System casually responded, 【Why wouldn’t it? Since this high-level spirit beast has been pretending to be a low-level spirit beast, it either doesn’t want to be contracted as a life spirit beast, or it doesn’t want to be raised by the sect.

Though the two eighth-level spirit beasts on Beast Peak are treated very well, they have lost their freedom.

Maybe it just wants freedom?】

If you sign an ordinary contract with this level 9 spirit beast, it will probably be thrilled.】

Ning Xu thought carefully and found the Melon-Eating System’s reasoning reasonable. She nodded, “Alright, let’s do it your way.”

The elders and disciples, who had been secretly listening to Ning Xu’s conversation with the Melon-Eating System, were shocked: You don’t want a level 9 spirit beast?!

What should they do!

So jealous! So envious!

This is a level 9 spirit beast! If it were sold outside, it could easily fetch billions of top-grade spirit stones and would be fought over by countless powerful cultivators!

And yet, you just plan to use it as a transitional spirit beast for now?

If anyone else had suggested this, the elders would have definitely cursed them out.

What’s going on? You’ve just started cultivating and now you’re so arrogant? You don’t even want a level 9 spirit beast, and you’re aiming for divine or holy beasts? How much face do you have?

But the one who suggested this was the Melon-Eating System.

And it’s highly likely that it actually has the ability to find a divine beast!

What should they do!

Even more envious now! More jealous!

Seeing that the other sect members had already started contracting flying spirit beasts, Ning Xu immediately took action.

“Where is it?”

The Melon-Eating System clicked its tongue, 【Southeast. Just follow my directions.】

“Okay.”

Ning Xu followed the directions given by the Melon-Eating System, and after about half an hour, she found herself in front of several dozen spirit beasts, falling into silence.

She finally understood why no one in the sect had noticed the presence of a high-level spirit beast here!

If it weren’t for the Melon-Eating System, she would never have thought to come here and pick up a bargain.

Who would have guessed that a dignified level 9 spirit beast was actually disguised as a pig?!

And not just any pig, but a low-level spirit beast — a meat pig — that could end up on a cultivator’s dinner table?!

It wasn’t just Ning Xu who was silent; the senior sect members who had been secretly following her with their spiritual senses were equally stunned.

A level 9 spirit beast, once fully grown, would possess strength comparable to a human cultivator in the Tribulation Crossing stage. Before it matured, it was comparable to a top-tier genius among cultivators, with outstanding talent, a true dragon among beasts.

Yet, this spirit beast had no trace of arrogance; instead, it was surprisingly humble and adaptable.

They could only say that missing out on the high-level spirit beast this time was not a great loss.


—

Ning Xu remained silent for a moment and then asked, “Which one?”

The Melon-Eating System replied, 【The one on the far right, eating the most, with the most lively tail.】

Ning Xu, “…”

This one has a very distinct feature. It’s easy to spot.

“You’re sure this isn’t a mistake?”

The Melon-Eating System clicked its tongue, 【No mistake. Are you doubting my abilities?】

“I mean, the level 9 spirit beast.”

【No mistake.】

“Alright.”

It’s still a level 9 spirit beast, but it’s acting this deeply immersed? After blending into the pigpen, it blends in without a trace of suspicion.

If the Melon-Eating System hadn’t sworn that this was a level 9 spirit beast, Ning Xu would never have believed it.

Curious, Ning Xu asked, “Does it have any pig bloodline?”

The Melon-Eating System replied, 【No.】

【It has nothing to do with the spirit beast pig. As for its true form, you’ll find out after you contract it.】

“Alright.”

Ning Xu slowly walked up to the spirit beast pig, which was eating its grain.

Upon closer inspection, she found that it was a pinkish color. Apart from being a bit dirty, smelly, fat, and an especially voracious eater, it didn’t seem to have any major flaws.

Ning Xu squatted in front of it and asked, “Do you want to sign an ordinary contract with me?”

Generally, when a cultivator contracts a spirit beast, this is the process.

First, ask the spirit beast if it is willing.

If it refuses, the cultivator buys things that the spirit beast likes — food, toys, or anything it enjoys.

After coaxing it a bit, most spirit beasts agree.

If that doesn’t work, they can give up and choose another one. Of course, if it’s absolutely necessary to contract that specific spirit beast, the cultivator can use persistence to build affection.

Even though this spirit beast looks like a pig, it’s still a level 9 spirit beast. Ning Xu couldn’t force the contract; she could only try to negotiate, and an ordinary contract should be acceptable. After all, this type of contract is easy to dissolve.

If either party wants to back out, they can do so at any time.

Just as she spoke, the pig suddenly lifted its large head.

It had a pair of pink pig ears that fluttered in the wind, adding a cute touch.

The spirit beast pig blinked its small, bright eyes and, while Ning Xu patiently waited for it to respond, unexpectedly bit her arm.

The next moment, the life contract was established!

Ning Xu, “???”

The Melon-Eating System, “…”

The disciples and elders watching: …

This development was truly unexpected.

After a few seconds of silence, the Melon-Eating System couldn’t hold back, 【What’s going on? Huh? What’s happening! Is this some kind of strong-arm transaction?】

【It’s been pretending to be a low-level spirit beast in the sect for so long, doesn’t that mean it doesn’t want to sign a life contract with anyone?】

【Why did it suddenly agree to sign a life contract without a second thought?】

【I said it should be an ordinary contract! How could this be wrong?】

Ning Xu helplessly said, “Calm down.”

This was the first time she realized that, besides being sharp-tongued, the Melon-Eating System actually had a fiery temper.

She, too, was curious about why the spirit beast pig had taken the initiative to sign a life contract with her.

Was it because it saw her potential, or was there another reason?

Was it just her imagination, or did she see a glimmer of wisdom in its small eyes?

Could it have been deliberate?

Unlike the agitated Melon-Eating System, Ning Xu was far calmer.

She casually said, “Since we’ve signed a life contract, it means we’re fated.”

The Melon-Eating System wasn’t having it, 【Fate? What fate! Your fate is still ahead!】

The Melon-Eating System’s dissatisfaction was obvious.

Ning Xu was its contracted host.

Her life spirit beast should be, at the very least, a divine beast, right?

But what happened?

She signed a contract with a level 9 spirit beast!

The disciples, who had been secretly listening, couldn’t help but mentally shout: We’re so jealous of you! This is a level 9 spirit beast! If we could contract it, we’d probably wake up laughing from our dreams!

Ning Xu shrugged, “It’s done now. Let’s leave it at that.” A level 9 spirit beast is already great. There’s no need to force a divine or holy beast.

The Melon-Eating System didn’t give up, scanning the spirit beast pig from top to bottom, criticizing, 【Let me see it again, let me look at it more carefully…】

Ning Xu had no choice.

After scanning for a while, the Melon-Eating System suddenly shouted.

Ning Xu, “?”

“What’s going on?”

The Melon-Eating System didn’t reply.

Ning Xu pressed, “What happened?”

The Melon-Eating System hesitated, 【Hehehe, it… it!】

It?

And then?

The Melon-Eating System, 【…】

Alright, there’s nothing else. Looks like its energy is spent again.

So, what did the Melon-Eating System discover?

The disciples couldn’t help but mentally scream: We really want to know!!!

So, can you stop eating the melon halfway, please? Ning Daoist, cultivating your skills is really urgent!