章節 38: Extraordinary spirit beast.
Li Jun awoke to the sound of a woman screaming. The gentle purr of the kitten was almost hypnotizing, and he fell asleep peacefully sometime during the night, although he couldn't remember when.
Another muffled scream alerted him, and he shot to his feet, his eyes darted around his courtyard. Hu Mei was crouched down beside the apple tree. She held a long blade of grass and wiggled it toward the little black kitten.
His blood ran cold. Hu Mei wouldn't even see it coming if it decided to attack her. He wanted nothing more than to pull her away, but how could he explain his fear.
If he told her the kitten was a mutated beast, the entire city would likely bear arms until it was defeated. Even if it scared him, the kitten was something that his mother had sent, and he couldn't betray her kindness.
He watched as the cat pounced happily at the blade of grass, and Hu Mei screamed again. She simply found it too cute and let out a squeal.
Li Jun let out a relieved sigh. He didn't know what to do with it, though. He couldn't walk around with a beast like that, but he also couldn't leave it unattended in case it got hungry and decided to eat someone.
"Will Master Shen know what to do?" He wondered before stepping forward towards it.
"Young master, where did you find such a cute cat?" Hu Mei asked with excitement. She had always wanted a pet, but since it wasn't her house, she didn't have the right to ask for permission, although Li Jun's mother probably would have allowed it.
"I found it in a field." He said. Lying to people was becoming easier as he found himself in more unexplainable situations.
"How dare you!" She scowled.
"What did I do?"
"You called such a cute little boy an 'it,'" She said as she lifted the kitten into her arms.
"A boy? How can you tell?" he asked. He wasn't sure about animal anatomy, but it seemed Hu Mei could tell at a glance.
"Look here," she said and began lecturing him about animals. He couldn't find a way to excuse himself from the conversation, so he waited. Luckily, her mother came to scold her and dragged her back to work so Li Jun could escape the lesson on animal 'bits' before it became too weird.
Getting back to his thought about asking Master Shen he hesitantly picked up the kitten. It didn't seem to mind and, in fact, purred as he held it. He then opened his robe slightly and hid it beneath the fabric.
Li Jun made his way to Master Shen's house as fast as he could and climbed up the hill. Luckily, no one even noticed the kitten as he walked along the busy city streets.
Upon entering the formation, he noticed Shen Yun practicing some kind of fist strike technique at the far edge of the plateau, and Master Shen was drinking tea on the porch of his house as he usually did.
Li Jun strode over as quickly as he could.
"Master Shen, could I speak to you inside for a moment?" He asked.
"What's wrong? What are you hiding under your robes?" He noticed the lump that wiggled occasionally.
"I will show you inside," Li Jun urged him again. Master Shen lazily stood up and led him into the house.
"What's going on? You've never acted like this before. Is there something wrong with your body?" He asked curiously.
Li Jun reached into his robe and pulled out the kitten, which was small enough to hold in two hands.
Master Shen's eyes shot open wide as he stared at the kitten with a look of disbelief.
"I've never seen such an extraordinary spirit beast before. Where did you get him? I couldn't even sense his presence."
"It's going to be hard to explain, but I thought you would be the best person to ask." Li Jun said as he explained everything that had happened last night, including the part about his mother appearing in a beam of light. He just wanted answers, and if anyone knew what was going on, it would be Master Shen.
Master Shen's face drained of color as he fidgeted hesitantly. Li Jun was right. He knew something.
"I'm not the right person to ask about your mother's identity." He muttered.
"So you know her?" Li Jun asked with a hopeful expression.
"I'm afraid I can't say." He said with a look of guilt.
Li Jun wanted to ask more, but Master Shen seemed afraid to speak, so he dropped it. A few moments of silence passed as Li Jun thought of what to say.
"Then what can you tell me about the cat? What's a spirit beast?" He asked.
"That I can tell you. When a mutated beast is nurtured in the right environment and surrounded by dense spiritual energy, it can absorb the energy like a cultivator. It will grow smarter and stronger as it gathers energy. Although this one appears to be only a few months old. They are quite common within the great sects. Many disciples keep them as pets since they will listen to any commands once you enter into a contract with them." Master Shen eyed the cat curiously as it sat obediently in Li Jun's palms.
"I haven't heard of such an ordinary-looking spirit beast before. Usually, they are vicious-looking and used to aid in battles. But no matter how I look at it, it's really just a cat. Although it is incredibly strong. For such a young beast to reach the core refining level... It's practically unheard of. Your mother has given you an incredible gift. You should cherish it."
Master Shen looked jealous as he eyed the little black kitten.
"Do I need to worry about him attacking anyone?" Li Jun asked.
"I don't think so. A spirit beast will only attack if ordered to. So unless anyone attacks you, I don't think you have anything to worry about." He explained.
"Wait!" Master Shen exclaimed. "How is this possible?!"
"What is it?" Li Jun asked, surprised by Master Shen's reaction.
"I didn't even consider it," Master Shen muttered. "I don't see a contract mark anywhere. This spirit beast is true-born. It didn't evolve to its current strength. It was born as a core refining-level spirit beast."
Li Jun didn't understand what that meant, but Master Shen was in awe.
"It's mother must have been the beast that your mother formed a contract with. I would hate to imagine how fierce a beast capable of giving birth to a core refining level beast would be." His mouth felt dry as he talked for so long. He pulled out his teapot and poured another cup.
Li Jun and Master Shen spoke about the kitten for hours, and over that time, Li Jun learned some valuable information.
"You don't need to keep it hidden. There's no one beside me in Spirit City who is strong enough to try to take on a spirit beast as impressive as this," he said with a proud smile.
"Besides, I doubt anyone has even seen a spirit beast before unless they have lived in the capital city for a while."
"So it's ok if I keep him with me?" Li Jun asked.
"Of course." He smiled. As he continued to look at Li Jun, he suddenly frowned.
"Can I give you a piece of advice?" Master Shen asked.
"Of course, Master Shen." Li Jun replied respectfully. He was always glad to receive advice from his teacher.
"When the misty cloud sect opens its doors in six months, you must participate in the entrance exam. Your mother has given you a warning, and you should focus on becoming stronger. I'm afraid I remained just an outer sect disciple during my time there, so I'm not much of a teacher. But if you can become an inner or even a core disciple, you are bound to surpass me before you turn twenty." Master Shen's eyes were filled with regret as he spoke, but his words struck Li Jun deeply.
Li Jun looked back at his teacher with a cold expression.
"Master Shen. Can you answer me honestly?" Li Jun asked hesitantly. "Do you think the people who killed my father will come for me too?"
Master Shen pursed his lips and stared at his student. He slowly nodded his head, afraid to say anything more.
"Thank you. I will be sure to enter the sect then," Said Li Jun. He felt uneasy knowing that there was an unknown enemy out there who wanted him dead, but he knew that Master Shen was a good man.
Without saying anything else, he left and went back home. He needed to compose his thoughts. So much had happened, and he had a lot to think about. However, one idea stood out among the rest, and he wanted to see if it would work.
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