Inside the cave.

  Seeing its master leave, the small blue figure immediately lost its playful mood. Lying listlessly on the ground, ignoring Bai Wushang and Mu Xiaoxiao, it curled its body into a ring, tucked its nose into its fluffy tail, and fell asleep.

  "Brother Wushang, this Senior Jiang is so amazing! She's only one year older than us, but she can instantly kill an Ironclad Zombie. Maybe her strength is almost catching up to Brother Tianxing..."

  Having escaped danger, Mu Xiaoxiao's spirits had clearly revived, her gaze filled with considerable admiration.

  "Yes, that Iceflame Fox is strong, very strong. Don't be fooled by its cute appearance."

  Bai Wushang nodded, saying no more, turning his focus to applying medicine to his wounds.

  He also swallowed the green Spirit Replenishing Pill. Soon, a warm energy rose from his lower abdomen, surging continuously into his limbs and bones. His whole body felt as if enveloped in a warm, cozy world, indescribably comfortable.

  ...

  In the morning desert, the scorching heat had yet to rise, and the breeze was pleasant.

  Bai Wushang opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and in excellent condition.

  He briefly checked his body; his internal injuries were mostly healed, and his external wounds had scabbed over, feeling itchy. He believed they would fully recover in just a few days.

  While enjoying the breakfast provided by Jiang Lingyue, Bai Wushang recounted the story of how their skyship had crashed.

  He also learned that Jiang Lingyue had found nothing else the previous night; the two of them were indeed the last survivors.

  "After returning to the academy, I will report this truthfully. Academy personnel will handle the aftermath for the students involved in the accident."

  After a pause, Jiang Lingyue continued:

  "As for the Violet Lightning Dragon Vulture that attacked you, there's nothing that can be done."

  "Based on the academy's usual procedures, they might send people to investigate why the Violet Lightning Dragon Vulture appeared, but it's highly unlikely they will attempt to hunt it down."

  "After all... that's no ordinary Ultimate Body stage creature. Most instructors in the academy haven't reached that level."

  Bai Wushang nodded. Although he and Mu Xiaoxiao were direct victims of the incident, he could understand Shanhai Academy's stance.

  Ultimately, it boiled down to a matter of strength.

  Extraordinary creatures at the Ultimate Body stage possessed extremely formidable combat power. Wherever they appeared, they were overlords, kings among beasts.

  Moreover, the Violet Lightning Dragon Vulture was an Ancient Giant Species with an exceptionally high bloodline quality, rumored to feed on heavenly lightning. Among Ultimate Body stage creatures, it was surely one of the most powerful.

  Therefore, from the very beginning, Bai Wushang had never expected the academy to crusade against the Violet Lightning Dragon Vulture for a group of prospective Beast Tamers who hadn't even formally enrolled. It wasn't realistic.

  "If there are no other issues, let's hurry and perform the Natal Summoning," Jiang Lingyue said with a faint smile, leading the way out of the cave.

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  Bai Wushang and Mu Xiaoxiao quickly got up and followed her.

  Finding a nearby open, flat area, Bai Wushang sat down cross-legged, while Mu Xiaoxiao stood at a distance to watch.

  "Junior Brother Bai, to avoid unnecessary trouble, I'll give you a simple explanation first," Jiang Lingyue said, standing beside Bai Wushang with her arms crossed, guiding him. "Right now, within your Book of Covenant, there should be two Soul Seals, one black and one gold."

  "The black Soul Seal is a Standard Soul Seal that Beast Tamers receive each time their soul power advances by a major realm. It can only be used for on-the-spot contracts."

  "The golden one is what makes Spontaneous Awakeners special – the Natal Soul Seal, transcending the ordinary. By infusing it with soul power, you can activate the Natal Summoning formation."

  "The formation will center on you and randomly select the most suitable extraordinary creature for you from a random distance and space, establishing a pet beast contract."

  After speaking, Jiang Lingyue casually waved her hand. A large, ice-blue Book of Covenant appeared out of thin air. Its pages flipped rapidly, and a golden seal floated out.

  The color of that golden seal was slightly dull, indicating it had already been used.

  "So Senior Jiang, you're also a Spontaneous Awakener..."

  Bai Wushang paused, stunned, then understanding dawned.

  No wonder Jiang Lingyue was so strong despite being only a year older. If she was one of the top Spontaneous Awakeners, it seemed plausible.

  Closing his eyes, Bai Wushang calmed his mind. His consciousness first entered his Sea of Consciousness space, summoning the Book of Covenant floating within the soul power vortex into the real world.

  Since he hadn't signed any contracts yet, Bai Wushang's Book of Covenant still had its very simple, original appearance, nothing distinctive.

  However, Bai Wushang didn't care about that. He focused his attention on the Book of Covenant, soon sensing threads of soul power extending from within his body and finally entering the book's interior.

  Instantly, he saw two Soul Seals, one black and one gold, rising and falling within the inner world of the Book of Covenant, pulsing faintly like breaths.

  With a flicker of intent, the golden Soul Seal flew out of the Book of Covenant, shining, and landed in his hand.

  "Focus your willpower! Pour as much soul power as possible into the golden Soul Seal! Don't stop until you're completely exhausted!"

  After a pause, Jiang Lingyue added:

  "The extraordinary creature from the Natal Summoning, regardless of its species quality, will at least have a life level matching your soul power level. You need to ensure you exhaust your soul power, and naturally, you'll obtain a creature of a corresponding level."

  Bai Wushang nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

  With a somewhat solemn expression, he began channeling his soul power into the golden Soul Seal.

  Ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes... Time slowly trickled by.

  Jiang Lingyue suddenly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

  Based on her past experience, even among Spontaneous Awakeners at the peak Spirit Master level, individual physique differences inevitably led to variations in soul power reserves.

  Even so, those with deeper soul power reserves would find it very taxing to maintain the flow for thirty minutes during the Natal Summoning. Yet, Bai Wushang showed no signs of fatigue.

  Only after a full hour had passed did large beads of sweat appear on Bai Wushang's face, his lips gradually turning pale.

  "Huff— Huff—"

  Suddenly opening his eyes, Bai Wushang gasped for breath, looking forward with intense anticipation.

  A circular summoning formation had appeared before him, over thirty meters in diameter, shining with dense golden light. Vaguely, the shadow of a beast emerged within it.

  The golden light rapidly contracted, finally drilling entirely into the beast's figure. Bai Wushang clearly felt a living entity establish a connection with him.

  The three people present looked over simultaneously. Even the lazy Iceflame Fox craned its neck for a rare glance.

  It was a rabbit-like creature, even smaller than the Three-Tailed Iceflame Fox. Its fur was snow-white all over, and on its forehead was a crescent moon-shaped mark. Its pinkish ears were pricked backwards, and its silver-white eyes were large and bright, appearing exceptionally lively and cute.

  "This is... a Moon Rabbit?"

  Jiang Lingyue frowned slightly, somewhat surprised.

  In the valley, the traces of the formation faded like water ripples on the yellowish-brown sand, leaving only a small white rabbit.

  The little rabbit wasn't shy. Its large, silver-white eyes glanced around, identified Bai Wushang's direction, and then it pattered over on its short legs.

  At this moment, Bai Wushang was still sitting on the ground. With just a small hop, the little creature leaped into his lap.

  "Kyuu~~~"

  A soft, gentle cry came from the little rabbit's mouth as it tilted its small head up, looking expectantly at its master.(?ˇ?ˇ?)

  For the first time, Bai Wushang felt that an extraordinary creature could be this adorable!

  Stroking the rabbit's fine, smooth white fur, watching it squint its eyes in comfort, a smile spread across Bai Wushang's face.

  Sixteen years, and he finally had his very own pet beast!

  When long-held anticipation finally became reality, when a lonely soul gained a companion, Bai Wushang's mood at this moment was elated beyond measure!