352: arrival

"Got it, got it..."

On the shoulder of Elder Beihai, a handsome man in a green robe with no beard, lay a Black Small Beast that had shrunk considerably again.

The Black Small Beast was lazy, its tail gently swaying, sweeping across the back of Elder Beihai's neck.

A tingling sensation spread from the back of his neck to the depths of Elder Beihai's heart.

Elder Beihai's expression sank.

Just as he was about to throw the Black Small Beast off, before he could even reach out, he noticed that the Black Small Beast had silently stopped moving.

Its breathing gradually stabilized.

"It fell asleep just like that?"

Elder Beihai's slightly raised hand paused, a wave of surprise in his heart.

"It actually trusted me so easily..."

Elder Beihai was speechless.

He truly didn't know if this Black-Winged Demon was too bold or if his charm was truly that great.

"Never mind..."

Thoughts flashed through his mind, and Elder Beihai shook his head helplessly, lowering his hand.

Who told him his name was Beihai (North Sea), like the morning sun, like the northern sea? He was also a Zhou Family Elder, and in his youth, he was one who held the precious bead. How could he bully a Foundation Establishment Small Beast?

As if sensing Elder Beihai's mood.

The small beast sleeping on his shoulder seemed to relax even more.

Elder Beihai no longer paid attention to the Black-Winged Demon.

His Divine Sense spread out, encompassing the entire Songchuo Mountain Range.

He confirmed that there were no other Foundation Establishment Yao Beasts present.

After some time.

Elder Beihai withdrew his Divine Sense.

He turned to look at Xiao Dashan and Xiao Dahai, who were already dumbfounded.

"Hmm..."

"Fellow Daoists, the matter has been resolved."

Elder Beihai pondered, slowly speaking. Although the method of resolution was somewhat peculiar, it was resolved nonetheless.

"Thank you, Immortal Master, for your assistance!"

Xiao Dashan and the other man quickly reacted, stepping back a few paces and bowing solemnly to Elder Beihai.

"No need for such formality."

The green robe Elder Beihai extended his hand, creating a refreshing feeling like a spring breeze.

"This Elder will not linger here any longer."

Elder Beihai lifted the two men up and prepared to leave, returning to Qingyang Peak.

"Immortal Master, please wait!"

"Immortal Master, you have resolved such a great danger for us Juniors. We do not know how to repay such a great kindness. This is a small token of our gratitude; we hope Immortal Master will not refuse."

Xiao Dashan saw that Elder Beihai was about to leave.

He hastily called out respectfully.

He produced a Storage Pouch and offered it to Elder Beihai.

"It was merely my duty; there is no need for such formality, Fellow Daoists."

The gentle voice lingered in the sky above the Songchuo Mountain Range. Xiao Dashan felt the Storage Pouch return to his hand, and when he straightened up, he found that Elder Beihai's figure was nowhere to be seen.

"The Immortal Master's demeanor is truly beyond our reach..."

Xiao Dahai, beside him, couldn't help but exclaim with emotion.

Afterward, the two exchanged glances, nodded, and turned to fly towards Xiaoyuan City...

"Do you have a name?"

Above Qingyang Prefecture, a streak of green light flashed.

Sensing the awakened Black-Winged Demon, Elder Beihai's heart stirred, and he asked the small beast, which was sitting upright on his shoulder with its hind legs bent, front legs straight, and tail gently moving, its large eyes filled with curiosity.

"I didn't before, but now I do. My name is Chao Xiaoyi."

The tender voice was clear, echoing in the air.

It fell into Elder Beihai's ears, almost causing Elder Beihai, who had his hands clasped behind his back and his robes fluttering, to fall from the sky.

"Cough, cough..."

"Who gave you that name?"

Elder Beihai glared.

"Myself."

"Aren't all you humans like this? Since I'm following you, I can only take your surname as my own, right?"

The Black Small Beast's eyes showed confusion.

She was not a Yao Beast with limited knowledge.

"Never mind, Xiao Yi it is..."

Elder Beihai thought about it; it was just a name.

After another thought, Elder Beihai took out a jade tablet, and a faint yellow light glowed in his hand.

A moment later, a palm-sized jade tablet engraved with the three characters "Chao Xiaoyi" and bearing the Zhou Family's special snake pattern appeared in Elder Beihai's hand.

He then took out a spirit rope, strung the jade tablet, and hung it around the Black Small Beast's neck.

"This jade tablet is your proof of identity. Don't lose it."

"Once you have this identity jade token, you are like me, a member of the Zhou Family, and you must abide by the Clan rules."

"If I find out that you are using this Elder's name or the Zhou Family's banner to commit evil deeds."

"This Elder will certainly not show mercy."

After hanging the jade tablet, Elder Beihai's expression was serious as he instructed the Black Small Beast.

"Got it."

The Black Small Beast blinked its eyes.

Elder Beihai nodded.

His speed increased a bit.

After some time.

Outside Qingyang Peak.

A green streak of light appeared.

The token at his waist flickered with a faint light.

Under the curious gaze of the small beast on his shoulder, he entered the Formation.

They arrived before an ancient and elegant pavilion with numerous pavilions and terraces, and flourishing spirit flowers.

This was where Elder Beihai's Immortal Cave was located.

Upon reaching the destination, the small beast consciously jumped down...

More than a month later.

On Qingyang Peak.

By a clear stream.

A group of young Zhou Family Disciples surrounded a Black Small Beast, their eyes filled with affection.

Some Disciples cast Spells, catching spirit fish from the stream and feeding them to the Black Small Beast.

The Black Small Beast was not reserved, swallowing the spirit fish in one gulp.

Then, it narrowed its eyes and nudged the Zhou Family Disciple.

The Disciple's heart filled with joy; he dared not move, his eyes full of excitement.

"Alas..."

Inside the Immortal Cave.

Elder Beihai covered his face and sighed softly.

How much time had passed?

The Black-Winged Demon that returned with him had already become familiar with the Zhou Family.

Relying on its ability to change its form, being docile and adorable, it won the affection of the Zhou Family's younger generation of Disciples, and even Zhou Nanfeng was no exception.

From then on, the Black Small Beast never lacked food.

Elder Beihai had never thought of restraining her either.

After all, it was a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast that might soon form its Core Formation; as long as she did not violate the Clan rules, she was allowed to act freely.

By the stream.

The Black Small Beast blinked its large eyes.

However, thoughts continuously flashed through her mind.

The decision to follow that day was naturally not entirely because Elder Beihai offered spirit items to promote the ripening of the Source-Tracing Flower.

There was also Elder Beihai's cultivation and the faint, familiar aura on his body that she sensed.

However, she did not know where this sense of familiarity came from.

Since arriving at Qingyang Peak, during this period.

She finally confirmed that this sense of familiarity came from deep within her Bloodline.

It was as if it had been transmitted across vast stretches of time from her Bloodline.

And the strongest point of that feeling did not seem to be here.

The Black Small Beast looked in a certain direction.

That was precisely where the Xuan She Tribe of Barren State was located.

After a glance.

The Black Small Beast withdrew her gaze.

She was not in a hurry.

She comfortably nestled by the stream, enjoying the gentle caress.

Time flowed on.

After Zhou Xiangyu and the other three returned from the Secret Realm, they reported the matter of the Yellow Sand Secret Realm.

They also learned about the various Secret Realm tasks hanging in the Task Hall of the Clan.

They prepared to pay more attention to them in the future.

Zhou Xiangyu and Jiang Ningchan returned to Qingyu Peak and saw Bitter Heart and Demon Lord of Suffering leisurely brewing tea and playing chess.

Their hearts stirred.

Zhou Xiangyu stepped forward and lavishly praised the scene when the Old Ancestor made his move, causing heaven and earth to fall silent.

As expected, the Demon Lord of Suffering's face showed annoyance.

He had actually missed such a scene.

It was all the Ascetic Monk Kuxin (Pejorative nickname)'s fault!

Jiang Ningchan glanced at Zhou Xiangyu, pressing her lips together in a soft smile.

Time changed.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day.

In Barren State, within a tall stone house of the Xuan She Tribe, a high-ponytail figure, sitting cross-legged with purple lightning flowing around her, suddenly produced a token in her hand. A faint light flickered on it, seemingly guiding a direction.

On the token, the two characters 'sutuo' shone brightly.