Chapter 59: Obstacles Encountered in Spirit Pet Selection

Holding her breath, Yun Yao followed the strange paw prints and cautiously ventured deeper into the forest.

The surrounding trees towered into the clouds, their intertwined branches and leaves blotting out the sky. Only mottled points of light filtered through the gaps, forming dancing patches of brightness on the ground.

The air was filled with the damp scent of soil, mingled with a peculiar fragrance, as if emitted by some unknown flower.

Finally, beneath a massive ancient tree, Yun Yao discovered the owner of the paw prints.

It was a small beast, snow-white all over, not large in size, yet exceptionally agile.

It possessed a pair of jewel-like, brilliant blue eyes, which were curiously sizing Yun Yao up.

Catching Yun Yao's gaze, it blinked playfully, its long tail swaying gently as if signaling friendliness to her.

"What a cute little fellow!" Yun Yao marveled inwardly, attempting to use telepathy to probe its thoughts.

However, the little white creature's mind was like a fog, chaotic and elusive, with all sorts of bizarre thoughts flashing rapidly through its head, rendering Yun Yao temporarily unable to comprehend its intentions.

A trace of worry flashed across Yun Yao's heart. This little fellow seemed rather difficult to handle.

The surrounding woods grew increasingly profound, a mysterious atmosphere pervading the air as if something were lurking in the shadows, watching them.

Yun Yao began trying to tame the little white beast.

First, she set up a simple trapping array, intending to lure the creature into it and then gradually guide it to establish a connection with her.

However, the little beast seemed to see right through her intention, nimbly dodging the array. It even playfully poked the array's runes with its paw, throwing the previously orderly formation into complete disarray.

Yun Yao sighed helplessly and had to think of another plan.

She took out a magic artifact she had refined—a bell designed to attract spirit beasts—and shook it gently.

The crisp ringing echoed through the forest. Yet, instead of being attracted, the little beast seized a moment when Yun Yao was not paying attention, snatched the bell in its mouth, and bolted up a tree in a flash. There, it triumphantly shook its tail at Yun Yao, the sound of the bell turning intermittent and muffled.

"Ha! Failing to tame even a spirit beast, absolutely hilarious!"

A harsh, mocking laugh shattered the tranquility of the forest.

Yun Yao whipped her head around to see Senior Brother Lin standing not far away, looking at her with a sneer.

Yun Yao glared angrily at Senior Brother Lin, clenching her fists.

The atmosphere between them grew as tense as a volcano on the verge of erupting.

"You—"

Yun Yao took a deep breath, suppressing her rising anger.

Senior Brother Lin's mockery was indeed grating, but she knew this was not the time to act on impulse.

She turned her head back, refocusing her attention on the little white beast.

The creature was squatting on a branch, tilting its head and curiously examining her, its gem-like blue eyes flashing with mischievous light.

From time to time, it gave its tail a shake, producing a crisp chime from the bell as if taunting her.

Yun Yao carefully observed every move of the little white beast, attempting to understand its behavior.

She realized the creature was not simply making trouble; every action seemed to carry a certain purpose.

It had meddled with the array out of curiosity toward the runes; it had snatched the bell because it liked the crisp sound.

It was testing her.

A spark of realization ignited in Yun Yao's heart, and she altered her strategy.

She no longer attempted to control the little beast with brute force or magic artifacts, choosing instead to match wits with it.

Picking up a branch from the ground, she drew various patterns in the dirt, mimicking the little beast's movements and playing a game with it.

The little beast seemed highly interested in this approach. It jumped down from the tree, circled around Yun Yao, and occasionally tapped the patterns she drew with its paw, letting out pleased squeaks.

Jun Mohan stood quietly to one side, watching the scene unfold with a gratified smile at the corner of his lips.

He could tell that Yun Yao had found a way to communicate with the little beast.

"Granny Su, please offer some guidance." Bringing Yun Yao to Granny Su's residence, Jun Mohan offered a respectful bow.

Granny Su cast a sidelong glance at Yun Yao, her tone cold. "A novice who cannot even tame a spirit beast—what is there to guide?"

"Granny Su, Yun Yao has great talent, she simply lacks experience," Jun Mohan said firmly, his gaze filled with trust in Yun Yao.

Granny Su let out a cold snort. "Talent? Experience? Taming spirit beasts is no child's play. How could anyone succeed without years of accumulation?"

Jun Mohan knitted his brows slightly, a trace of dissatisfaction in his tone. "Granny Su, you..."

A wave of warmth welled up in Yun Yao's heart. Jun Mohan's defense made her feel his profound love.

She gently tugged at Jun Mohan's sleeve, signaling him not to argue further.

Raising her head, she looked at Granny Su with a resolute gaze. "Granny Su, I will prove it to you."

With a disdainful glance, Granny Su turned and walked into the house, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

Yun Yao and Jun Mohan exchanged a glance, a flash of helplessness in both of their eyes.

"Let's go." Jun Mohan took Yun Yao's hand, his voice gentle.

Yun Yao nodded and followed Jun Mohan away from Granny Su's dwelling.

Night fell, and the forest grew completely silent, save for the rustling of the wind through the leaves.

Standing beneath the ancient tree, Yun Yao looked at the little beast playing in the moonlight, her heart filled with anticipation.

"Tomorrow, I will surely make you my companion," Yun Yao whispered softly.

"Awoo—" Seeming to hear Yun Yao's words, the little beast raised its head, let out a cry toward her, and then...

Yun Yao produced a carefully prepared spirit fruit, attempting to teach the little beast simple commands.

However, the creature merely sniffed it, pushed the spirit fruit away with evident disdain, and went right back to playing by itself.

It bounded around Yun Yao, chasing falling leaves and turning a deafening blind eye to her commands.

A sense of jittery impatience wrapped around Yun Yao like vines. A stifling tightness gripped her chest, and sweat soaked her clothes.

The surrounding whispers buzzed like mosquitoes, driving her to distraction.

She felt as though she were trapped inside a massive cage, the invisible pressure suffocating her.

"This won't do." Yun Yao took a deep breath, struggling to calm her mind.

She realized she had to forge a different path.

Instead of forcing the little beast, it would be better to accord with its nature.

Putting away the spirit fruit and training tools, Yun Yao led the little beast to a hillside covered in blooming flowers.

Colorful blossoms swayed in the gentle breeze, diffusing a refreshing fragrance.

The little beast ran excitedly through the sea of flowers, chasing fluttering butterflies.

Yun Yao joined in, playing alongside the little beast and soaking in the peace and beauty of nature.

She took the little beast to play by the crystal-clear brook, where the chilly water splashed and glittered with seven-colored light under the sun.

She also took it mountain climbing, standing at the summit to overlook the magnificent rivers and mountains, feeling the caress of the breeze.

Amidst all the play, Yun Yao cleverly wove in a few simple commands, and the little beast began cooperating with her almost unawares.

This development completely shocked the conventional-minded disciples.

They had always believed that training spirit beasts required strictly following traditional, step-by-step procedures. Yun Yao's "play-based" training method struck them as sheer child's play.

Yet, facts proved that Yun Yao's method was effective.

The little beast grew increasingly obedient, and its tacit understanding with Yun Yao deepened.

Just as Yun Yao and the little beast were having a wonderful time, a discordant voice shattered the mountain tranquility.

"Well, if it isn't Junior Sister Yun Yao? What, still playing house?" Senior Brother Lin appeared before Yun Yao, accompanied by his imposing flame bird.

The flame bird blazed with raging fire, radiating scorching heat. It held its head high in arrogance and let out a deafening screech.

Senior Brother Lin cast a contemptuous glance at Yun Yao and the little beast, his tone dripping with provocation. "I heard you're entering the spirit beast competition? With just this little rabbit of yours? Don't dream!" Pausing, he curved his lips into a cold smirk. "How about we have a sparring match right now, shall we?"

Yun Yao's heart sank heavily, a chill shooting straight from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

She knew that she and the little beast were not fully prepared; fighting Senior Brother Lin and his flame bird offered virtually zero chance of winning.

Yet she could not back down, nor could she show weakness in front of Senior Brother Lin.

"I..."