The little black ball and the little fat bird felt like victory was within their grasp.
They were the shameless master's right- and left-hand assistants. No matter what, she should at least take their feelings into account.
Then they heard Feng Xi say lazily, "Since you're so dissatisfied, how about I release my contracts with you?"
Little black ball: "..."
Little fat bird: "..."
The little black ball immediately put on a flattering expression, "Master, I was just joking! Of the weak water of three thousand, although you only take one dipperful, you can change dippers every day!"
The little fat bird spoke in a soft, syrupy voice, "Mother, no, Master, of course the more spirit pets the better! Many beasts mean greater strength!
So go ahead and take in as many as you like. If you can't manage them, I'll help you!"
Feng Xi nodded in satisfaction, "It's good that you think that way!
Actually, I don't want to take in so many either, but I had no choice.
Back in the Extreme Cold Ice Plains, if I hadn't taken in that big stupid bear and the wolf king, we might have frozen to death.
As for those little hatchlings, if I hadn't taken them in, they would've died.
As for that Fire-Swallowing Cat, I only reluctantly accepted it for the convenience of finding fire marrow in the future.
When the time is right, I'll release the contracts with them and only keep the two of you.
After all, you two were the first ones I took in. You've gone through many hardships with me, my feelings for you are the purest and deepest."
The little black ball and the little fat bird were instantly moved to tears.
Master (Mother) really loves me the most!
I am the apple of Master's (Mother's) eye!
The little black ball secretly said to the little fat bird, "Now I understand, those coquettish cheap creatures can't compare to us!
Let me put it this way, I'm the properly wedded principal wife, you're the recognized concubine, the two from the Ice Plains are kept lovers.
As for the Fire-Swallowing Cat, at most it's a bedchamber maid. And those little hatchlings don't even qualify as that, they're just tea-serving attendants."
The little fat bird responded with agreeable sounds, but inwardly thought:
Nonsense! I'm mother's precious treasure, the rest of you are just weeds!
After comforting the two little ones, Feng Xi happily followed Xiao Baidao through the mountain gate into the main hall.
The sect's high-level members were already waiting there.
Xiao Baidao briefly recounted what had happened, his tone full of pride.
If not for his precious disciple, Beast-Taming Sect would've been done for sooner or later!
His precious disciple had single-handedly saved Beast-Taming Sect!
As her master, he felt honored as well!
He recalled when he first took Feng Xi in as a disciple. The little girl said she would become the Light of Xuantian Sect, and he treated it as a joke.
Now she's more than just the Light of Xuantian Sect, she's about to become the Light of the Human Race!
The high-level members of Xuantian Sect were also very proud, they looked at Feng Xi the same way they looked at spirit stones!
The more they looked, the more they liked her!
Feng Xi said a few modest words, then released the twelve Earth-rank spirit beast hatchlings and the Fire-Swallowing Qiu.
Another uproar ensued.
Next, Xiao Baidao also spoke of Jun Wen's enlightenment.
The high-level members had little reaction and perfunctorily offered congratulations.
Jun Wen: "..."
Is this kind of differential treatment really acceptable?!
Fortunately, Eldest Senior Brother Jiang Ji sincerely praised him a few times, which somewhat comforted his wounded little heart.
That evening, Feng Xi went to Xiao Baidao's courtyard and also called Jiang Ji and Jun Wen over.
She took out two Fire-Avoiding Pearls and gave them to Xiao Baidao and Jiang Ji.
Although the Fire-Swallowing Qiu originally only gave Feng Xi three Fire-Avoiding Pearls, after contracting it, she had tricked two more out of it.
The Fire-Swallowing Qiu wanted to cry but had no tears.
But after contracting with Feng Xi, it had seen the colorful world outside and especially enjoyed playing with the Long-Feathered Crane, its mood brightened again!
Life now has a bit more meaning!
If she wanted them, so be it!
At worst, it could just cry a few more times!
Xiao Baidao accepted calmly, but Jiang Ji felt somewhat embarrassed to take one, feeling like he owed his little junior sister too much.
Feng Xi smiled, "Eldest Senior Brother, we are true senior brother and junior sister. If we start calculating like this, that would be too formal!
Besides, my cultivation is low. I still have to rely on you to protect me in the future!"
Hearing this, Jiang Ji finally accepted the Fire-Avoiding Pearl.
Feng Xi also told Xiao Baidao about the little fat bird being a phoenix.
Xiao Baidao was doubtful at first, until the little fat bird spoke softly and sweetly, "Xiao Huanghuang greets Grandmaster and Grand-Uncle!"
After learning that Feng Xi had named the little black ball "Bastard", the little fat bird had proactively named itself—Little Huanghuang.
Not giving its mother who is incompetent in naming things, any opportunity to interfere.
Feng Xi was too tired to correct its form of address, whatever! I'm exhausted!
Xiao Baidao first stared in shock, then broke into a wide grin, my disciple truly has auspicious fortune!
After chatting a while longer, Feng Xi said, "Master, I once calculated my own fate. In this life I will face eighty-one tribulations, with countless big and small hardships, yet each time I will turn misfortune into good fortune and find blessings in adversity.
So next time, when you hear that something has happened to me, you don't need to take it to heart. I will definitely appear before you alive and kicking.
It's not just me either, I've also calculated for my senior brothers. They will all live longer than turtles, nothing serious will happen.
So please relax. When trouble comes, don't take it to heart. Otherwise we'll end up worrying about you instead."
Feng Xi was really concerned that Xiao Baidao might overthink himself sick. After all, in the book, after the five disciples met with accidents, his health had collapsed.
Jun Wen also persuaded him, "Master, Little Junior Sister is right. Don't always overthink. We will definitely be safe!
When I fell into the earth fire, I wasn't even worried. As long as Little Junior Sister is there, nothing will happen!"
Jiang Ji also offered some persuasion.
Xiao Baidao nodded in relief, "As your master, I was simply too concerned and became flustered. It won't happen again."
Feng Xi was still uneasy and decided to chatter a few words every morning when paying respects. Over time, Xiao Baidao's psychological resilience would naturally strengthen.
Xiao Baidao then said, "By the way, there's some news I have to tell you. Because personal disciples from the other three sects haven't recovered from their injuries yet, the Four-Sect Grand Competition has been postponed by half a year.
You all can focus on cultivation, there's no need to consider the Four-Sect Grand Competition for now."
Feng Xi and the others had already anticipated this. Not to mention others, just look at Xing Wu. Although he appeared lively, his injuries hadn't fully healed and he couldn't expend too much spiritual power.
In the following days, Feng Xi spent most of her time cultivating.
Aside from paying respects to Xiao Baidao each morning, she occasionally went to see the little spirit beasts.
She also went once to find the Golden Maned Suanni and told it about how she had disciplined the Sky-Covering Kuanghou on its behalf.
The Golden Maned Suanni's favorability toward Feng Xi skyrocketed.
To put it this way, if Feng Xi asked it to donate blood at that moment, it would've happily brought out a large basin, so she could have enough to use!
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(1)'Eighty-one tribulations':
The number eighty-one is iconic in Chinese culture that references 'Journey to the West' or "西遊記". The monk Tang Sanzang and his disciples, including the Monkey King, must go through eighty-one tribulations sent by the gods to test their resolve before they can achieve enlightenment and retrieve the sacred scriptures.
Feng Xi doesn't mean she will literally face eighty-one tribulations, but just implying that her future would be filled with challenges and dangerous situations.