Chapter 780

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Xuan Huai Tian

Jiuzhou Continent

An ancient, unadorned small city located in the southern part of Central State

is precisely Shen Yao's birthplace for this mission

Mhm

This mission world differs subtly from other worlds; the identity Shen Yao transmigrated into seems human yet not human.

Shen Yao: ……

"System, your description isn't great. How am I not human? I clearly still have a human body, a human appearance — even masters with profound arts can't detect any issue."

"Host, you're too OP!" The system had already turned into a screaming chicken, crowing continuously in Shen Yao's mind for a good while.

"I'm OP because this body is special. She is a soul-bound companion creature, not a real flesh-and-blood person in the true sense."

"Exactly, so when are we going to save the unlucky bastard who woke the Host up?" The system was helpless; it thought the Host still had the mood to chat, hadn't she seen that person not far away bleeding all over? If they didn't act to save him he'd really kick the bucket, and then the Host would face mission failure before she'd even warmed her seat here.

Shen Yao rolled her eyes inelegantly, indicating the system was worrying far too much. She'd already said she was a companion creature, soul-bound to the master who awakened her, so she knew perfectly well whether that person lived or died.

"Relax, let me sort out the current situation first. That person can hold on."

Don't look at how scary he appears covered in blood from head to toe; in reality his physique is robust. If it weren't for the hard deadline of turning twenty, when he had no choice but to awaken a companion creature, that person still wouldn't have wanted to summon her.

Tsk tsk tsk

The two parties haven't even formally met yet, and I'm already disliked by my nominal master. Shen Yao felt this mission was actually quite interesting.

System: ……

The system was stunned by the Host's composure, but it still followed the Host's lead and continued, "The situation here is that cultivation took a fork and went down the beast-taming xuanhuan path."

Shen Yao: ……

"Explain in detail"

The system adjusted its speaking order and related the partial information it had obtained: "This mission world is a world under the jurisdiction of Xuan Huai Tian, called the Jiuzhou Continent.

The Lian Tang City where the Host currently is is a town located in the southern part of Central State. Anyway, the entire continent used to be a cultivation plane, but because the passage to the upper realm was severed, the people here, in order to seek longevity, had no choice but to embark on a new path.

From some unknown time, people here began manifesting the ability to awaken companion creatures.

But not everyone has this knack; most are still ordinary people. Spiritual energy still exists in the air here, now called energy.

Those with talent and comprehension can refine this energy to strengthen themselves and contract powerful non-human creatures — similar to animals, plants, etc. — for battle.

On this basis, even more outstanding and talented people possess the ability to awaken companion creatures. However, companion creatures are no different from contracted creatures in having varying strengths and being bizarrely diverse. Various drawbacks have appeared in the past, leading those with this ability to be unwilling to awaken companion creatures, this uncontrollable factor."

Obviously, that unlucky bastard lying on the ground belongs to the unwilling batch. Pity his unwillingness was useless; once the age arrived, even if he refused, the companion creature would still appear on schedule.

"Twenty is the final deadline. No one can escape it?" Shen Yao asked curiously.

"None. Starting from sixteen, four years' time. No matter how you delay, the companion creature will appear — unless this person dies."

"……"

Alive and well, who would seek death just because they have to awaken a blind-box companion creature?

"Host, there really are! After all, companion creatures are soul-bound to the awakener — die together. Quite a few people, because their awakened companion creature was too trash, had their weakness exploited and ultimately earned the reputation of a fallen genius."

The system indicated the unlucky bastard on the ground was a top-tier genius. Not yet twenty, already with a small reputation.

But now that he has a companion creature like the Host who drags him down… hmm, the road ahead is unknown.

The system worried for the unlucky bastard's future. Pity Shen Yao was completely unaware.

After simply understanding the relevant situation, Shen Yao lowered her eyes to look at her own still stark-naked body, and very calmly took out a pink Flowing Immortal Skirt from her space and put it on.

Lu Yan, lying on the ground with a splitting headache, didn't know what he had experienced. He only knew he had been cultivating properly, then his body suddenly became unable to move, until a cool art swept through his whole body — not only repairing his damaged meridians but also relieving his various discomforts.

He opened his eyes. His vision slowly focused. Lu Yan met the gaze of the pink-clad young woman standing before him.

A beautiful dress worn on her body further set off this young woman's peach-blossom face, delicate and lively.

Lu Yan felt a sense of familiarity toward her, but in his memory, this young woman clearly did not exist. Just who was she?

"I am your companion creature." The "creature" in companion creature refers to many things. Shen Yao acts like a human on the outside, but ultimately she is different from humans.

Lu Yan was not shocked upon hearing this. He knew he had the ability to awaken a companion creature; he just hadn't expected the companion creature's timely appearance to happen like this. After all, right now it was only the third month of spring, and there was still more than half a year until his twentieth birthday.

Lowering his long lashes to cover the strange, complex emotions in his eyes, Lu Yan did not ponder for long. Although his body had improved considerably, he was still covered in blood from head to toe.

He stood up and nodded calmly at Shen Yao. "I am Lu Yan. I need to go to the bathhouse to clean up my body. You wait in the room."

Finished speaking, not caring about Shen Yao's reaction, Lu Yan directly lifted his stride and walked out.

Shen Yao discovered Lu Yan was quite tall — a head taller than herself. Although the bloodstains covered his true features, just judging by that bearing and manner of speech, he probably wouldn't be too ugly.

Hands clasped behind her back, she looked around. Shen Yao discovered many antique books placed on a bookcase not far away.

Since there was nothing to do, Shen Yao simply walked over and flipped through a few — both to learn current information and to kill her boredom.

Thump thump thump

When Shen Yao finished reading a not-too-thick travelogue and was about to find the next one to continue, a knocking sound suddenly came from not far behind her.

Hm?

Shen Yao turned her head slightly. Her beautiful eyes blinked. Without saying anything, she heard a creak — the previously tightly shut room door was pushed open from outside.

Shen Yao did not see a person.

"Hiss… hiss hiss hiss"

Shen Yao lowered her head and met a pair of protruding eyes like rubies.

Oh.

Turns out feelings really aren't human — this must be Lu Yan's contracted beast.

Speaking of which, how many contracted beasts does Lu Yan have? Supposedly contracts relate to individual talent; as Lu Yan's companion creature, Shen Yao tried hard to recall, and actually sensed three faintly flickering little points of light.

So he contracted three beasts — the one before her is a black-and-white patterned snake; where are the other two?

Thinking this, Shen Yao simply asked aloud; although contracted beasts cannot speak, Shen Yao isn't human either — they can communicate through special signals, so Shen Yao quickly obtained the current locations of the other two beasts.

They're actually guarding Lu Yan? Pity it's of no use.

Earlier Lu Yan lay on the ground for one hour, and these three stupid beasts still didn't notice; moreover the other two — one is a Blazing Lion known for explosive temper, one is a Gale Wolf famed for speed, plus the Black Feather Snake with extremely potent venom.

Tsk tsk tsk.

Lu Yan's three contracted beasts really have personality — can run, can fight, can ambush — just completely mismatched with the bearing he displays.

But mismatched or not, living in this world, staying alive is the point; whether one walks the glorious orthodox path or whatever doesn't matter.

Chatted with this Black Feather Snake for a while — basically Shen Yao asking, the other answering; after all Shen Yao counts as one of their own, Xiao Hei held no hostility toward Shen Yao.

Soon, a washed Lu Yan entered wearing a crescent-white long robe; his hair was tied up with a cord, revealing a smooth forehead and a handsome face.

Truly very pretty — a boy with a girl's looks yet not overly effeminate.

Shen Yao simply propped her chin, no longer bothering with Xiao Hei who had already climbed onto the table, instead fixing her eyes steadily on Lu Yan as he entered.

Lu Yan: ……

Truthfully, because of his appearance, Lu Yan had been sized up by many people since childhood — those gazes either malicious or infatuated — but Shen Yao's scrutiny stood apart among them, being merely scrutiny and nothing more.

Lu Yan: ……

In just a few minutes, Lu Yan had been rendered speechless several times; he truly had nothing to say.

Shen Yao smiled and waved her arm, like a beckoning lucky cat swaying left and right.

"What's your name?" Lu Yan's gaze met Shen Yao's directly as he asked her name.

Companion creatures come in all shapes; ones with human appearance like Shen Yao have appeared before — Lu Yan had long been prepared, only Shen Yao showed up a bit early, catching Lu Yan off guard.

"Shen Yao"

Shen Yao felt Lu Yan's mindset was very good — at least no need to worry about her own safety; she can lie low for a short time; as for the future? That requires completing missions.

In the following time, Lu Yan straightforwardly briefed Shen Yao on some circumstances of Lian Tang City where he resides.

First, Lu Yan is not from Lian Tang City, but comes from the central Floating City of Zhongzhou.

Second, the Jiuzhou Continent is divided into Nine States; Zhongzhou is not the core of the Nine States — it was the former core; currently the core of the Nine States is Chen Zhou.

Afterwards, Lu Yan belongs to those exiled by the Lu Family, and has certain grievances with the Lu Family; coincidentally Lu Yan's birth mother died early, and his birth father lacks no other sons or daughters, so Lu Yan coming to Lian Tang City on the southern edge was no concern.

Finally, Lu Yan will still return to the Floating City — the reason being he still has personal grudges to settle; when the time comes it will be extremely dangerous; given the strength Shen Yao has currently shown, he advises her to stay in Lian Tang City — this counts as Lu Yan's base camp.

Shen Yao: ……

So her Owner actually carries some blood-deep hatred?

With a background like this, Lu Yan's future achievements are boundless.

"Not some blood-deep hatred — merely a grudge formed in childhood," Lu Yan didn't wish to dwell on it, but the other party targeted him again and again; Lu Yan isn't made of mud, so naturally he must reclaim his standing.

Shen Yao: ……

Don't quite understand these people's brain circuits — just like characters in a novel, before awakening they keep serving as cannon fodder for the protagonist.

Couldn't help puffing her cheeks; Shen Yao said nothing — after all they're still in Lian Tang City, and from Lu Yan's meaning they have a long time before leaving; since so, no need to over-worry — as the proverb says, the cart will find a way round the hill when it gets there.

Raised a hand and tugged Lu Yan's sleeve; as Lu Yan lowered his eyes, Shen Yao spun a circle, "Do you feel I'm missing something?"

Shen Yao signaled the other to get her some clothes and jewelry — she is Lu Yan's companion creature; they are soul-bound; in a sense, neither side would choose betrayal.

Lu Yan: ……

Lu Yan sighed helplessly, waved his hand for Shen Yao to find the servants outside the door; Lian Tang City may be remote, but it's not desolate; moreover no place lacks people — it's just he needs to cultivate and raise his strength, and cannot accompany Shen Yao out.

Okay.

Shen Yao isn't insisting Lu Yan accompany her either — after all their relationship was just established, and they've known each other less than a day so far.

But before going out, Shen Yao still reached up and snatched the white cord from Lu Yan's hair — loose hair was too relaxed; Shen Yao simply tied the white cord properly, then walked out with chest out and head high.

Lu Yan: ……

Now it was Lu Yan's turn to have loose hair; strangely Lu Yan didn't get angry — even though Shen Yao was spoiled beyond measure; with Lu Yan's former temper, not to mention beating her to death, at least half-dead would be certain.

For now, Lu Yan stood silently in place for a while, then fished out a pale-blue cord from his cuff and tied it on himself.

Xiao Hei waiting to one side: ……

Say, has their Owner's temper gotten much better? Xiao Huo and Xiao Feng didn't believe it — this is proof!

"Xiao Hei, go out and train."

Lu Yan expressionlessly tossed the Black Feather Snake out to keep company with the Blazing Lion and Gale Wolf, while he himself crossed his legs, sat on the laid-out steam cushion, and closed his eyes to cultivate.

Although today's events somewhat exceeded his prior plans, cultivation still must be cultivated — at least if Lu Yan wants to live he cannot slacken.

Lu Yan's diligent effort Shen Yao naturally doesn't know; right now she, full of curiosity, is following the Lu Mansion's servants out to stroll the streets.

The Lu Mansion's only master is Lu Yan; the three contracted beasts normally either train or sleep, never running around outside; as servants of the Lu Mansion, normally they can be said to be very relaxed and at ease.

Now the Lu Mansion has added a pretty young girl; the servants couldn't help buzzing with discussion — where did Young Master Lu bring this person from? They have no impression at all.

The carriage moved along the road making a ding-ling-ling sound; Shen Yao lifted the curtain beside her.

Outside were antique streets and men, women, old and young dressed in ancient-style clothing; occasionally one could also see special beasts or plants.

Lian Tang City doesn't only have Lu Yan as a cultivator — there are also quite a few individual cultivators of ordinary birth but possessing talent; as for Lu Yan, they may be ordinary and common, but they are also existences that ordinary people must look up to.