The Beast Control Seal

The Cloud Boat soared through the sky, heading straight west.

On the deck, Xu Xian summoned the Little Book Spirit to ask about certain matters, wanting to decide how to handle the so-called auspicious beast before him.

"Can it cross the Longevity Bridge?"

Little Shuer said, "The Sword Mound has recognized its master, and two floors of the Sword Tower have been opened. Although you cannot directly control the swords within the Sword Mound yet, those swords will still give you some face."

"So, it can pass?"

Little Shuer nodded in confirmation. "Yes. You just need to have a word with that Demon-Slaying Sword."

At the mention of the Demon-Slaying Sword, the memory remained fresh in Xu Xian’s mind. Back then, that sword had been a mere centimeter away from him.

Rubbing his chin, he murmured, "That’ll do then."

"Do you plan to keep it?"

Xu Xian answered ambiguously, "I don't know. I should discuss this with the people in the sect before making a decision."

As the Little Grand-Uncle of the Wendao Sword Sect, he had to set an example. Some things had to be done according to the rules.

Although his Senior Sister had given her tacit consent, to avoid criticism, Xu Xian thought it best to return and gather the Pavilion Elders for a discussion. If he could keep it, that would naturally be for the best. This was an auspicious beast, after all. If raised well, it would be a powerful enforcer in the future.

Little Shuer was connected to Xu Xian’s heart and naturally knew the youth's intentions. It warned, "I must remind you, Master, that this thing won't be easy to raise."

Xu Xian frowned. "How so?"

Tiny Shuer knit its brows, speaking with an air of feigned maturity. "I can't quite put it into words. I just feel like this fellow isn't some newly born innate spirit. It feels more like some old monster who has been asleep for a very long time and has finally woken up."

Xu Xian’s heart tightened as he subconsciously asked, "Could it be like that Xiushe?"

"Hard to say."

Xu Xian fell into a brief contemplation, his gaze instinctively shifting toward the red-haired boy on the deck. It turned out he wasn't the only one with this suspicion; even the Little Book Spirit felt it.

Xu Xian had doubted the origins of this blood-colored elk more than once. Whether it was the way it spoke or the look in its eyes, it didn't seem like a newly born auspicious beast at all. It possessed too much spirituality and understood human nature too well.

Xu Xian had even speculated whether the escalating slaughter between humans and demons in the Demon Suppression Abyss over recent years—and the vast amount of blood spilled—had nourished it, causing it to awaken. Though the idea was a bit wild, it wasn't impossible.

Little Shuer continued its own analysis. "To say it isn't an auspicious beast would be wrong, as the Heavenly Demon Auspiciousness appeared across three thousand miles of the sky above the Demon Suppression Abyss when it was born. But to say it is one... I can't convince myself. I can't see through it. In short, this fellow is very dangerous."

Little Shuer didn't forget to answer its own rhetorical question. "Because the unknown equals danger."

Xu Xian was somewhat speechless, yet he had to treat the matter with caution. If even the Little Book Spirit couldn't see through it, it proved the creature was extraordinary. If he failed to tame it and it ended up biting him back, the loss would outweigh the gain.

When it came to risky business, he preferred not to do it at all. Hardening his heart, he communicated through his thoughts, "Then let's just slaughter it. We can eat the meat and drink the broth."

Little Shuer pouted its small mouth and whispered, "Killing it would be a bit of a waste."

"Better than raising it for nothing."

Little Shuer thought seriously for a moment before explaining slowly, "In the past, there was a sect in the Upper Realm called the Beast Control Immortal Court. That sect specialized in controlling beasts for generations. They had a secret technique that has been lost for a long time called the Beast Control Seal. If you can use this technique to form a contract with it, you won't have any more worries."

"Beast Control Seal?" Xu Xian’s interest was piqued, and he repeated the name softly.

Tiny Shuer explained, "Yes, the Beast Control Seal. It's a life-and-death contract. If the master dies, the beast perishes."

"Do you know it?"

Tiny Shuer shook its head. "I don't know the full technique, but I remember some of the mental mnemonics and formulas. I can teach you, though I don't know if you'll be able to learn it."

Little Shuer expressed its concern. The Beast Control Seal was a secret technique, a divine-grade manual of high rank. Its previous master had used it once, which was why it was fortunate enough to remember it. As for whether Xu Xian could learn it, that was truly beyond its control.

Xu Xian didn't care about that. He urged, "Why worry about that? Tell me quickly, and I'll know once I try."

"Fine!"

Tiny Shuer relented. It transcribed the Beast Control Seal from the depths of its memory and transferred it all to Xu Xian.

After reading it carefully, Xu Xian began attempting to comprehend its mysteries and master its essence while on the boat.

[Beast Control Seal · Middle-tier Divine Grade]

Once mastered, one can control ten thousand beasts. If the beast dies, the master lives; if the master dies, the beast perishes. To put it simply, this was a forbidden curse specifically used for signing master-servant contracts with demon beasts. It wasn't just applicable to beasts either; upon reaching the great ascension stage, one could even form contracts with all things.

However, this curse also had its limitations. Once a contract was signed, it was irreversible for this lifetime. It could not be voided, and a person could only contract a maximum of three targets in their entire life.

It was useful, yet heavily restricted. However, using it to contract an auspicious beast wasn't a bad deal.

Xu Xian sat cross-legged in meditation, his breathing slow and steady as he attempted to comprehend the Beast Control Seal...

In the depths of the red-haired boy's eyes, flashes of bloody light flickered. From time to time, he peered warily at the youth. Just now, in less than the time it took to finish a cup of tea, he had foreseen his own future several times.

Death. Life. Death. Life.

It kept switching back and forth, all originating from the changes in the youth's thoughts. He didn't understand, nor could he fathom why Xu Xian wanted him dead one moment and alive the next. It was very contradictory. Was he schizophrenic?

However, reality left him with no doubt that the Xu Xian before him was extremely dangerous. He even began to regret his decision. He might have truly made a mistake. He should never have fallen into this youth's hands. If he had fallen into the hands of those demons in the East Desolation, he would have definitely lived. As long as the green mountains remain, there is no fear of lacking firewood. But now that he was in this kid's hands, whether he could survive was truly up in the air.

As if sensing his murderous intent toward Xu Xian, Wen Qingxue, who had been closing her eyes to nurture her spirit, slowly opened them. Her cold eyes swept over him, and the long sword she held in her arms shifted slightly. It was a warning as well as a reprimand.

The red-haired boy smiled disdainfully, his eyes full of provocation.

Wen Qingxue said nothing and closed her eyes again.

The red-haired boy shook his head with a cold laugh. "A mere slip of a girl... Truly, a tiger fallen on the plains is bullied by dogs."

The Cloud Boat traveled for a day and a night. On the following morning, it docked at the Merchant Hall pier outside the Wendao Sword Sect's mountain gate.

Xu Xian instructed Wen Qingxue to keep a close watch on the auspicious beast. He then set off alone in the early morning, passing through One Sword Gorge to return to the Wendao Sword Sect.

Four years had passed since he was last here. Returning to the sect, the green mountains looked the same as always; nothing seemed to have changed.

Xu Xian didn't dally and went straight to Li Qingshan. He mentioned the matter of the auspicious beast and shared his thoughts.

Li Qingshan knit his brows and said solemnly, "If we are to raise it, I'm afraid it can only be done outside the mountain gate."

Xu Xian said directly, "Don't worry about that for now. Gather the Pavilion Elders for me. We shall hold a meeting at the Sword Pavilion."

Li Qingshan didn't press further and nodded in agreement. Before heading off to strike the Sword Pavilion bell, Li Qingshan also paid a visit to the Ancestral Peak to seek an audience with the only ancestor who had returned to the mountain, Jiang Wanyin.

Upon learning of the situation, Jiang Wanyin accompanied Li Qingshan to the Sword Pavilion.

On the other side, Xu Xian took the time to return to the Zuiwan Residence and went straight to the spirit herb field. The ten acres of spirit fields were growing beautifully. Someone was in the field, tending to the weeds in the morning light.

The youth called out softly, "Xiaoxiao."

The young girl stood up from the herb field. Seeing the newcomer, her face filled with joy, and she came running over. Stopping before him with her trowel in hand, she tilted her head up, her eyes squinting into crescent moons as she giggled.

"Little Grand-Uncle, you're back?"