Chapter 34: Training the Little Fox, Slaying the Lava Lion Tiger Beast!
Once a blood contract is signed, it cannot be broken.
The lifeline of the beast is closely tied to the beast master.
If the beast master dies, the beast will also lose its vitality and turn to ashes.
Dai Lu is now Xiao Xingyu's beast. Although she still feels defiant inside, from now on, she can only obey Xiao Xingyu's orders.
The Demon God's Eye activated once again.
In Xiao Xingyu's vision, Dai Lu's attribute panel data updated.
The data update primarily reflected two aspects, the first being loyalty.
[Loyalty]: 1
Xiao Xingyu stroked his chin, raising an eyebrow in thought.
"Before signing the blood contract, this female fox's loyalty was 0."
"After signing the blood contract, loyalty only increased by 1 point."
"It seems this female fox is only outwardly compliant but not inwardly convinced..."
"Yes, she will need long-term training."
The full score for a beast's loyalty is 100.
For example, the Hell Gale Wolf's loyalty is 100.
Loyalty is an important standard for judging a beast's trust in its master.
The higher the loyalty of the beast, the greater the rapport with the beast master.
When loyalty reaches 100, the beast and beast master will be in sync and perform exceptionally in battle.
Conversely, a beast like Dai Lu with a loyalty of only 1 is still defiant at heart and may cause unexpected trouble in battle.
The second aspect of the data update is pathological analysis.
[Pathological Analysis]:
The Demon God factor is protecting the heart meridians, so there is no longer a life threat.
However, the dragon force inside has not been cleared, greatly reducing strength, and requiring a long recovery period.
Xiao Xingyu increased his focus, and another set of data appeared before him.
[Recovery Treatment]:
1. Nourish the damaged heart meridians with the Demon God's blood weekly.
2. Take Longshe Grass, Withered Vine Blue, Blood Phoenix Lingzhi... for regulation.
3. Read more, watch the news, eat fewer snacks, and get more sleep.
Xiao Xingyu glanced at Dai Lu.
Dai Lu's condition had stabilized, but due to severe injuries, she still needed long-term recovery treatment.
"Lulu, remember this."
"To help you recover, I will need to nourish your heart meridians with my heart's blood every week from now on."
"In addition, I will need to find some natural treasures to brew potions to completely eliminate the dragon force in you."
As he said this, Xiao Xingyu paused and reached out to stroke Dai Lu's fox ears.
"So, since I'm doing so much for you, you should also repay the favor."
"In the future, when I encounter danger, you must stand in front of me!"
Dai Lu pursed her lips, looking unwilling.
"Don't worry, with the blood contract signed, I am your beast, and you are my master."
"If the master dies, the beast perishes."
"Even for the sake of my own life, I will protect your safety."
Xiao Xingyu hesitated to speak further.
The dark cave fell silent.
Dai Lu's loyalty to Xiao Xingyu was only 1.
There was no emotion or bond between the human and beast, maintained merely by a blood contract lacking warmth, barely sustaining the master-servant relationship.
"I must find a way to increase this female fox's loyalty."
Xiao Xingyu pondered for a long time and activated the Demon God's Eye again.
[Habits and Preferences]:
Cleanliness, afraid of dirt, loves to eat bamboo shoots.
Xiao Xingyu gave a wicked smile, a plan forming in his mind.
"The rain has stopped; I'm going out for a bit."
"Where are you going?"
"Just wait obediently in the cave."
"But..."
"This is an order."
Though young, Xiao Xingyu enjoyed playing the domineering master role.
The beast must absolutely obey the master's orders.
Half an hour passed.
It began to pour outside the cave again.
Dai Lu stayed alone in the cave; her heart meridians were protected, but the dragon force still rampaged within her, causing great torment.
"It's raining again..."
"Where did that brat go?"
"Heh, why am I worrying about a human?"
Dai Lu was hard-mouthed but soft-hearted, her brows gradually furrowing.
While spending time with Xiao Xingyu earlier, Dai Lu observed closely and knew that the young man was also seriously injured.
In a state of severe injury, having wounds washed by rainwater would inevitably lead to inflammation.
Just as Dai Lu hesitated about whether to go out to find Xiao Xingyu, a figure rushed into the cave.
"Damn, this ghostly weather, another downpour!"
Xiao Xingyu returned to the cave, soaked all over, and the rainwater aggravated his wounds, causing severe pain that made him grit his teeth.
"Hey, where did you go?"
"Lulu, my name is not 'hey.'"
"Master~ Master, where did you go just now?"
Dai Lu's tone softened considerably, being an old fox who knew how to adapt to circumstances.
"Here you go."
Xiao Xingyu opened his space ring and took out over a dozen bamboo shoots.
Dai Lu froze for a moment, drool spilling from the corner of her mouth, her eyes lighting up.
The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan's favorite food was mountain bamboo shoots.
Xiao Xingyu activated the Demon God's Eye.
[Hunger Status]: Five Stars
"Did you just go out to dig for mountain bamboo shoots?"
"Yeah, you have no idea how hard it is to dig for bamboo shoots. My fingers are about to break..."
Seeing Xiao Xingyu's bleeding fingernails and his body covered in mud, Dai Lu felt warmth in her heart.
"How did you know I like to eat mountain bamboo shoots?"
"Just a guess."
Dai Lu was puzzled.
"This guy seems to be just a one-star beast tamer, but he seems to be hiding many secrets."
"His heart's blood can actually protect my heart meridians injured by the dragon clan."
"And he even guessed the food I love to eat."
Xiao Xingyu interrupted Dai Lu's thoughts.
"Don't just stand there, hurry up and eat!"
Xiao Xingyu stuffed a bamboo shoot into Dai Lu's arms.
Dai Lu, starving, devoured all the bamboo shoots in one go.
"Who would've thought, you, a mighty beast emperor, would eat vegetarian."
"I'm not interested in the flesh and blood of you humans."
The nine-tailed fox clan is quite special among magical beasts; they are entirely vegetarian, and bamboo shoots are their favorite.
Xiao Xingyu suddenly raised his hand, reaching toward Dai Lu's cheek.
"What are you doing!"
Dai Lu's expression changed drastically, her eyes wary, and she instinctively backed away.
Xiao Xingyu's hand touched the side of Dai Lu's face.
Dai Lu looked astonished, her mind blank.
At that moment, Xiao Xingyu gently wiped away the dirt and dust from Dai Lu's cheek with his palm.
Dai Lu's cheeks gradually turned red, clearly feeling the warmth of Xiao Xingyu's palm.
"Your nine-tailed fox clan has a cleanliness obsession, right? Having a dirty face must be uncomfortable."
"No~ no need, I can wipe it myself..."
For the first time in her life, Dai Lu showed a shy expression; she had never been treated so intimately by a human.
The Demon God's Eye activated.
Loyalty +1
Loyalty +1
Loyalty +1
...
After Xiao Xingyu cleaned Dai Lu's face, her loyalty increased to 23.
"23, still not passing."
"After all, this female fox is of beast emperor level, and also has mythical quality bloodline..."
"To completely tame her is not a one-day task."
Xiao Xingyu understood the principle that haste makes waste, so he wasn't in a hurry.
Another silence ensued.
The cave was dark and damp; Xiao Xingyu leaned against the cold rock wall, looking pale.
"Is your injury okay?"
This was the first time Dai Lu showed concern for her beast master.
"No problem, I won't die."
Xiao Xingyu's will was firm, enduring his weakened body.
"Your injury seems to be caused by a complete magical beast."
"This Yin Nan Mountain is the trial ground for new students of Qinglong Academy, and theoretically, there shouldn't be complete magical beasts."
"So... did you offend someone?"
Xiao Xingyu smiled faintly: "Yes, I did offend a beast."
Immediately, Xiao Xingyu's expression turned dark, his voice filled with murderous intent.
"I will make that guy pay the price."
Xiao Xingyu had murderous intent.
Wang Yan, including Wang Yan's father, Wang Dongsheng, were on his must-kill list.
"By the way, Lulu, tell me your specific situation."
"Where did your injury come from?"
Dai Lu pursed her dry lips, remaining silent.
"The 'Chronicles of Beast Tamer Civilization' records that purebred dragons were exterminated in the 'Dragon Slaying War' a century ago."
"But your wound is in the shape of a dragon claw, and there are several violent dragon forces within you."
"Give me an explanation, that's an order."
Xiao Xingyu's attitude was firm; he knew that this female fox had many secrets.
Dai Lu pondered for a long time, then shook her head.
"Some secrets are better left unknown for now."
"Heh, you, as my beast, are deliberately hiding things from your master. Do you believe that I..."
Dai Lu interrupted.
"Having signed a blood contract, if you want to suppress me, it's easy as pie."
"But I still say this: some secrets are not suitable for you to know right now."
Xiao Xingyu squinted his eyes.
"Why?"
"Because you're only a one-star beast tamer now. Even if you know my secrets, it will only bring you more trouble, even..."
"Even what?"
"Even overturn your worldview."
Xiao Xingyu fell into deep thought.
Dai Lu continued, "I can promise you that when you become a nine-star beast tamer, I will tell you all the secrets I know."
"Tch~ Who cares about your broken secrets~"
Xiao Xingyu's words didn't match his feelings; he said he didn't care, but in reality, he was intensely curious about Dai Lu's secrets.
"This guy is too weak now. Telling him those secrets won't do him any good..."
"This old fox, tight-lipped, it seems her loyalty is still too low, and must be trained..."
The two of them, human and beast, looked at each other with hidden motives.
Roar!
Suddenly—, a powerful tiger roar echoed from outside the cave.
Xiao Xingyu's hair stood on end.
"What a narrow world it is!"
The outside of the cave was pitch black, with visibility less than five meters.
Even though Xiao Xingyu couldn't see clearly, he could tell from the roar and aura that the magical beast outside the cave was the Lava Lion Tiger Beast!
Dai Lu remained calm and composed.
"Is the creature outside the cave the fully-formed magical beast that injured you?"
Xiao Xingyu nodded.
The heavy footsteps grew nearer.
"Lulu, you..."
"Don't worry, although I'm seriously injured, I am still a Beast Emperor."
With such a significant level difference, the injuries were negligible.
Dai Lu stood up and walked toward the cave's entrance.
Xiao Xingyu stayed inside the cave, unable to see what was happening outside.
Three seconds later, Xiao Xingyu heard a pitiful wail from outside the cave!
That wail was naturally the Lava Lion Tiger Beast's final cry.
"Truly worthy of being a Beast Emperor, the level suppression is undeniable!"
Xiao Xingyu was deeply impressed.