8: Contracted Beast

Medicine Beasts mostly have calm temperaments, advance slowly, and have little combat ability in the early stages. For ordinary people, as long as they can form a contract with a Source Beast, the specific type naturally doesn't matter.

But for someone like Chu Shengfan, the son of a Different-rank Contract Master, a Medicine Beast is not the best choice.

Chu Jingyu looked at Chu Shengfan, patted his head, and said softly:

"For our Family, this is currently the best choice."

Although he didn't understand what the Medicine Beast the two elders were talking about was, Chu Shengfan looked at Sun Chunchen and said firmly, "I trust the choice Grandpa has made for me."

Hearing the absolute trust from the boy's mouth, a complex look flashed in Chu Jingyu's eyes, while Sun Chunchen sighed deeply.

Seeing that both were so persistent, Sun Chunchen didn't try to dissuade them further. "I happen to have three Medicine Beasts here suitable for contracting. Take a look before making your choice. Follow me."

Sun Chunchen led the two toward the backyard further behind the Central Hall.

Passing through the corridor, the courtyard was filled with lush green plants. Even in the middle of autumn, the leaves showed no signs of yellowing.

It made one feel as if they were deep within a dense forest.

The backyard was huge. Upon reaching an open space, Sun Chunchen slowly stopped, and then bits of spiritual light emanated from his fingertips, entering the depths of the green plants around the yard.

Before long, three little creatures of different appearances emerged from various directions and gathered obediently at Sun Chunchen's feet.

One looked like a beanworm, emerald green all over, about a palm's length. Perhaps because it was well-fed, it looked plump, and its two antennae were currently twitching curiously.

Sun Chunchen took it in his hand and introduced it to the two, "Green Leaf Insect. After contracting, it can awaken aura-type skills that speed up the growth of spiritual plants within its habitat and slightly improve their quality.

Its future evolution paths are also mostly focused on the cultivation of Spirit Medicines."

One looked like a rabbit, but there was a faint pink color on its forehead, and its limbs were adorned with fine pink crystals. At the moment, its front paws were held to its mouth, looking somewhat timid and uneasy.

Sun Chunchen looked down at the little rabbit. "This is a Medicine Crystal Rabbit. It likes to eat various medicinal herbs and can condense Medicine Crystals that heal many diseases. It's a type of Source Beast that can produce resources.

Compared to the Green Leaf Insect, it currently only has an evolution form to the Uncommon Rank, so I don't really recommend it."

The last one was a butterfly fluttering in the air. Its original body color was white, but perhaps due to the scales on its body, it reflected a brilliant spiritual luster under the sunlight, looking like a graceful beauty.

Sun Chunchen extended a finger, letting the butterfly land on his fingertip while continuing his introduction.

"Phosphorescent Butterfly. The scales on its body have the effect of detoxifying and healing external wounds. It is a very precious Medicine Beast that can directly treat illnesses. Moreover, it has a certain suppressing effect on the Curse Poison in Qin Hui's body."

Chu Jingyu insisted on Chu Shengfan contracting a Medicine Beast. As a longtime friend, how could Sun Chunchen not understand his true intention? It was nothing more than wanting his grandson's contracted Source Beast to alleviate the pain in his son's body.

But for the grandson, this was somewhat unfair. He hoped that in the future, when his grandson knew more about Source Beasts, he wouldn't hold a grudge.

Hearing Sun Chunchen's introduction of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly], Chu Shengfan's eyes brightened significantly. He turned to look at his grandfather, silently telling him that he had already made his choice.

Seeing Xiao Fan being so sensible, Chu Jingyu felt even more guilty. He looked at Chu Shengfan and said softly, "Xiao Fan, make your choice."

Chu Shengfan turned his gaze to Sun Chunchen. "Grandpa Sun, I want to choose that Phosphorescent Butterfly."

Sun Chunchen's expression didn't change much, he just offered one more piece of advice.

"Although the Phosphorescent Butterfly can evolve to the Spirit Rank, unlike the Medicine Crystal Rabbit, the evolution conditions are extremely difficult. Do you still want to choose it?"

Chu Shengfan bowed with his hands clasped toward Sun Chunchen. "Shengfan is young and cannot see far into the future. I only know that this Phosphorescent Butterfly is the most important for my Family right now. Even if it truly cannot advance in the future, Shengfan will never regret it."

Sun Chunchen glanced at Chu Jingyu. "You have a good grandson."

Saying that, he gently moved the butterfly on his fingertip to Chu Shengfan. "Do you know how to form a contract?"

Chu Shengfan looked at the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] quietly fluttering its wings in front of him and replied, "On the way here, Grandfather already told me."

"Your grandfather and I will act as Protectors for you. Start the contract now."

Chu Shengfan nodded, suppressing his excitement. A speck of spiritual light was drawn from his forehead and then enveloped the butterfly before him.

Perhaps because Sun Chunchen and Chu Jingyu were acting as Protectors, the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] did not resist at all during the entire contract process.

A faint consciousness appeared in Chu Shengfan's mind. Through this consciousness, he could sense the emotions and needs of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly].

Most importantly, he could directly issue commands to the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] through the conscious connection in his mind, making it act according to his thoughts.

Furthermore, the information regarding the abilities of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] became known to Chu Shengfan at this moment, in more detail than Sun Chunchen's brief introduction earlier.

Knowing that the grandfather and grandson were in a hurry to get back, Sun Chunchen simply set out a small banquet. After a few drinks, he let them leave.

After leaving Medicine Heart Hall, the two went to the market and shops to buy some other daily necessities. Especially, they couldn't forget the gift promised to Xiao Yuan, otherwise, that boy wouldn't know how to stop fussing.

Once the two empty back-baskets were filled, the grandfather and grandson returned to the outskirts of town where the ox cart was kept. They boarded the ox cart and set off on the road back to the village.

After all, he had the Heart-Nature of a youth. Although he had opened a special space that could house Source Beasts, Chu Shengfan did not recall it into the space. Instead, he let it flutter around him, and when it got tired, it would rest on his shoulder.

Chu Shengfan couldn't stop staring at the [Phosphorescent Butterfly]. As his first Source Beast, he cherished it greatly.

Sitting on the ox cart, feeling the swaying mountain road, with only the two of them left, Chu Shengfan asked curiously:

"Grandpa, what is your relationship with Grandpa Sun? He was actually able to provide such a rare Source Beast for me to contract."

Chu Jingyu looked at the mountain roads on both sides, a reminiscent look appearing in his eyes. Perhaps he felt guilty toward Xiao Fan, or perhaps he felt that Chu Shengfan was old enough and should know more things.

"It's not much of a friendship, it's just that I saved his life once over ten years ago.

However, I had never used this favor. There were only two times: once was to treat the Curse Poison in your father's body, though it wasn't completely successful, and the other was for you to contract a Source Beast.

If there is one more time, this sentiment will be exhausted."

Chu Shengfan was thoughtful. "But Grandpa Sun looks even stronger than you." He found it hard to imagine the process of his grandfather saving Sun Chunchen.

Chu Jingyu laughed and lightly patted Chu Shengfan's head. "You brat, I gathered a Spirit Medicine in the mountains and saved his Life-bound Beast's life. That counts as saving his life too, right?"

Hmm, that seems reasonable. Chu Shengfan nodded.

"Then what rank is Grandpa Sun? He just feels very strong."

"Spirit Rank, probably. As for the specific level, I'm not sure. However, you just need to know that his identity is mysterious, and even the largest Family in town doesn't dare to provoke him easily."

"Alright, Grandpa, can you tell me about the division of ranks?"

Accompanied by their casual conversation, the shadows of the grandfather and grandson stretched longer under the setting sun.