“Come out, Xiao Bai!”
The summoning beast of Dongfang Dieyu was stored in a gemstone ring on the index finger of her right hand. It was radiant and splendid, making Wu Ming’s summoning bracelet not only cumbersome but also coarse like bricks in comparison.
She chanted the incantation extremely fast; almost in the blink of an eye, a beam of summoning light emerged from the ring and landed on the ground, transforming into a young wolf pup with snow-white fur, a pink tongue, and an air of cuteness.
“A Frost Wolf of the Outstanding breed? No wonder she’s a heaven’s chosen…”
Wu Ming sighed inwardly, his eyes gleaming as he activated the ability of Observation:
…
[Frost Wolf (Xiao Bai)]
[Racial Rank: Outstanding (Yellow)]
[Racial Bonus: 2]
[Element: Ice]
[Stage: Juvenile Beginner]
[Technique: Frost Formation (Low Grade)]
[Enhancements: Basic Claws, Basic Pelt Defense, Basic Cold Resistance]
[Condition: Healthy]
…
“Outstanding breed… Yellow?!
The surge of information ignited an epiphany in Wu Ming’s mind: “That’s it! Common is red! Elite is orange! Exceptional is yellow! This must be how my Heavenly Eye ability manifests in this world… So the ranks of the phantom beasts follow the seven colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple?”
Although according to this hierarchy, even the King breeds would only be ranked as Cyan, Wu Ming was certain of his conclusion.
Because he was someone who knew the true existence of Divine Beasts!
Above the King breed, there naturally existed even more terrifying races of Phantom Spirits!
“But still, a racial bonus of two? Even at the juvenile beginner stage, this pup is already equivalent to a high-tier Gray Wolf!”
Sighing, Wu Ming summoned his Gray Wolf.
“Woof!”
Indeed, upon seeing the Frost Wolf, the Gray Wolf instinctively hesitated due to racial suppression.
“Huh?”
Seeing this, Dongfang Dieyu was somewhat surprised: “Shuo Ming, your wolf is so big! Did it already level up a stage?”
“Exactly…”
Wu Ming mentally commanded the Gray Wolf to charge forward.
“Actually… apprentice-level Spirit Tamers are the easiest to deal with, since they’re still struggling to control their Phantom Spirits and don’t focus much on personal defense…”
His gaze flicked toward Dongfang Dieyu’s pale, delicate neck, but he quickly dismissed the thought: “Alas, she’s not an enemy, just a sparring partner for training…”
“Woof!”
Prompted by Wu Ming’s will, the Gray Wolf finally regained its fighting spirit, letting out a sudden howl and baring its claws and fangs.
“Woof!”
Clearly, this provocation from a lower-ranked race thoroughly enraged the Frost Wolf pup.
The snow-white Frost Wolf leaped forward like an elf, raising its chubby pink paw. The crystal-bright claws on its paw didn’t seem menacing at all; instead, they were quite adorable.
“Xiao Bai, use Frost Formation!”
Dongfang Dieyu’s face showed both excitement and nervousness as she gave the command.
“Woof!”
The Frost Wolf pup howled, and a thin layer of white frost appeared around its body.
Innate Technique – Frost Formation!
This was a basic skill of ice-element Phantom Spirits, which could evolve as the creature grew, lowering temperatures, expanding range, and even transforming into frost armor or ice claws.
“But… she’s just too hasty…”
As an extremely experienced fighter, even when commanding Phantom Spirits, Wu Ming felt like he was bullying a child.
“Gray Wolf! Jump! Taunt Attack!”
Under Wu Ming’s control, the Gray Wolf moved like the wind, its claws and fangs repeatedly coming close to the Frost Wolf’s head, making Dongfang Dieyu extremely nervous. She kept shouting commands for the Frost Wolf to use Frost Formation to defend itself.
However, the opponent was merely a pup; even with extraordinary talent, how many times could it use its technique?
Soon, the Frost Wolf pup was panting with its pink tongue out, looking at its owner with big, teary eyes full of grievance.
“Cousin… your Gray Wolf is so cunning, running so fast!”
Dongfang Dieyu, immersed in the battle, said with a bit of irritation in her voice.
“Hehe…”
Wu Ming smiled without answering, secretly directing the Gray Wolf to approach closely, deliberately slowing its movements.
“Great opportunity!”
Dongfang Dieyu’s eyes sparkled: “Xiao Bai! Frost Formation!”
“Woof!”
The Frost Wolf tried its hardest, conjuring up a small frost whirlwind, but its power and range were significantly weaker than the first time.
“Woof!”
The Gray Wolf’s shoulder was grazed by the frost, causing it to leap back awkwardly, letting out a pitiful cry.
However, after this Frost Formation, the Frost Wolf was completely drained of energy, lying flat on the ground and not responding no matter how Dongfang Dieyu called to it.
“Haha… Cousin, your Frost Wolf is really impressive. How about we call this a draw?”
Wu Ming stepped forward to brush the frost off the Gray Wolf and comfort it.
“Mm… a draw it is then!”
Dongfang Dieyu was somewhat reluctant: “If only my Frost Wolf had also advanced to the mid-stage… Huh?”
As she said this, her expression suddenly changed dramatically: “You… you actually managed to draw with my Frost Wolf using just a Gray Wolf?”
“It’s a mid-stage Gray Wolf!”
Wu Ming smiled in reply: “After all, it’s only a small difference of one tier… Besides, Cousin, if you hadn’t shown off your techniques first to accommodate your younger cousin, my Gray Wolf would definitely have been at a disadvantage!”
“Woof…”
As he spoke, the Gray Wolf looked at Wu Ming with grievance, its eyes almost human-like in their expression of resentment.
Needless to say, Wu Ming was quite skilled at entertaining little girls. After a few sentences, he had Dongfang Dieyu giggling again. He casually offered her a few pointers, though whether she understood them was up to her own comprehension.
“Come! Xiao Bai is such a good boy! Let me give you something delicious to eat!”
Dongfang Dieyu lovingly picked up the Frost Wolf and took out a jade comb, carefully brushing its fur until it was spotless.
Later, she even casually took out several strips of meat with clear marbling and a fragrant aroma to feed the Frost Wolf.
“Meat from the Sāluō Beasts?”
Wu Ming looked on somewhat speechlessly as the Gray Wolf drooled.
Under the temptation of delicious food, the Gray Wolf shamelessly abandoned its master and went to Dongfang Dieyu’s feet, rubbing against her skirt hem in a fawning manner.
“Ahahaha… Shuo Ming, look! Your Phantom Spirit is about to defect! Here!”
Dongfang Dieyu was delighted, laughing so hard her body swayed like blooming flowers, and threw another strip of meat.
“Woof…”
Unexpectedly, the Gray Wolf took the meat strip but didn’t swallow it immediately. Instead, it wagged its tail and hurriedly brought it back to Wu Ming’s feet.
“People and wolves are just so… so…”
Dongfang Dieyu’s laughter froze, and she was almost at a loss for words.
“Haha… That’s exactly what they say: ‘Like the Phantom Spirit, like the master!'”
Wu Ming laughed heartily, completely unembarrassed, patting the Gray Wolf’s head: “Eat up!”
With its master’s permission, the Gray Wolf became excited and devoured the Sāluō meat, making satisfied growling sounds.
Sunlight poured down.
Dongfang Dieyu rested her chin on her white jade-like hand, watching the Gray Wolf and Frost Wolf playing on the grass under the sun. Suddenly, she turned to Wu Ming beside her and said, “I actually have quite a bit of Sāluō meat… Why don’t you let your Gray Wolf join in? After all, Xiao Bai can’t finish it all by herself!”
“Thank you! But that won’t be necessary!”
Wu Ming smiled in reply. While having Sāluō meat occasionally was fine, feeding the Gray Wolf several jin every day would be an astronomical expense, especially considering the Gray Wolf’s appetite would only grow larger. Although the Third Elder could afford it, Wu Ming knew that such a massive additional expense would certainly make the elder look at him unfavorably.
Wu Ming, who had already incurred the wrath of the Dongfang Ba faction, naturally didn’t want to offend this only potential source of support.
Moreover, he thought he still had some dignity.
After all, he had already accepted three thousand spirit coins. If he now let the other party take care of feeding his Phantom Spirit, what would that make him?
…
At the same time, on the other side of the Dongfang estate.
“You have no idea, Young Master… the way that bastard was gloating at the time…”
Luo Geng was crying as he complained to Dongfang Ba, who was in the middle of feeding his Phantom Spirit, the Hellish Wolf, with Sāluō meat.
Slap!
But the response he received was a resounding slap.
The slap was loud and harsh, immediately leaving a huge red handprint on Luo Geng’s face. He stood there, stunned and bewildered.
“Get out of here! You’re disturbing me while I’m feeding my baby!”
Dongfang Ba waved impatiently, clearly aware of where his foundation lay.
Dongfang Shuoming was merely a useless good-for-nothing, and his first Phantom Spirit was only a Gray Wolf. He would inevitably be far surpassed and was not even worth considering.
His true rivals were young Spirit Tamers within the family who also possessed Phantom Spirits of the Outstanding breed, like Dongfang Dieyu!
“Yes! Yes! Young Master! I deserve to die! I deserve to die!”
Luo Geng could act high and mighty outside, but before his master, he was nothing at all. He immediately stepped back and started slapping his own face.
After a long while, Dongfang Ba finished feeding his Hellish Wolf and turned to look at Luo Geng, whose face was swollen like a pig’s head: “Was everything you said just now true?”
Luo Geng’s cold sweat immediately poured down as he cried, “I deserve to die, Young Master! I did withhold some information before!”
He hurriedly recounted everything that had happened, ending with: “But Young Master, even if I’m a dog, I’m still your dog! That Dongfang Shuoming dared to disregard your face!”
“You’re just a useless good-for-nothing! But you did say one thing right!”
Dongfang Ba stood up. Though only fifteen years old, he stood seven chi tall, with a robust physique and an imposing aura: “Even if you’re a dog, you’re my dog. How can I let others bully you? But do you want me to avenge you? That’s too low-class!”
He took a few steps, exuding a presence like that of a tiger or dragon: “You go find the Dongfang Jie and Dongfang Ao brothers. Let them take action and cripple Dongfang Shuoming’s Gray Wolf before the Grand Competition!”
“Young Master’s brilliant plan! Brilliant indeed!”
Luo Geng turned from shock to joy, lavishing Dongfang Ba with flattery, while secretly shivering inside: “Who said I’m ruthless? Dongfang Ba is even more ruthless! He doesn’t act unless he does, and when he does, it’s to take someone’s life!”
Once a Phantom Spirit is crippled, the Spirit Tamer will undoubtedly suffer a severe setback.
Moreover, doing this right before the family’s Grand Competition would deliberately ensure Dongfang Shuoming ends up at the bottom and gets expelled from the family.
“Hehehe… Dongfang Shuoming, you humiliated me by relying on the Dongfang family’s name, didn’t you? After the Grand Competition, let’s see how proud you can still be?”
Luo Geng was ecstatic, slowly retreating outward.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage