A long discussion followed Mu Ran's proposal, in which Xiao Wu and Mu Ran were the only active participants. Han Xuhan ate his dinner in silence, nodding towards them occasionally when they asked for his opinions.
As he was about to get up and leave with his plate, Mu Ran said, "Underling Xuhan, are you really turning down the opportunity to eat the flesh of a spirited beast?"
Han Xuhan looked in the direction Mu Ran's fingers were pointing, confused. All he could see was a pile of discarded, semi-edible meat and bone of that catfish that Mu Ran had just finished feasting on.
"T-that was a...spirited beast? The catfish?!" Xiao Wu cried out in disbelief.
"Catfish? That's a baby shark!" Mu Ran shouted.
"The fuck is a spirited beast? Do you mean spirit beasts? Like that pet ball of meat Lady Luo Yi owns?" Xuhan said in an unsure tone.
"No, the counselor's pet is a spirit beast, also known as soulbeasts," Xiao Wu explained. "Pets like those are usually modeled after real-life creatures, but they aren't living beings themselves; sort of like your skeleton minions. They are manifestations of the techniques practiced by the members of the Beasthaven sect. Spirited beasts, on the other hand, are the type of creatures that can gain enlightenments through their instincts, becoming beast cultivators in their own unique way. For them, bloodlines, lineage, and ancestral factors matter most significantly. The only connection between spirit beasts and Spirited beasts is that it is often beneficial to use a spirited beast as a model to create your own spirit beast inside your soulslot."
"...Oh." Han Xuhan nodded slowly. Finally, another typical xianxia trope had been detected after so long!
He had been wondering why there wasn't any news of beast cultivators amidst the usual gossip in the sect. He could vaguely recall some news of heavy conflict between the mortal kingdoms and the beast societies back when he was still in the orphanage. It had seemed like nothing too serious when he entered the Crimson Snow Sect, or otherwise his fellow disciples would definitely have been chatting about it.
While he was busy recalling the information he had heard from Shen Hai, the mercenary who had accompanied him to the sect's recruitment ceremony, Xiao Wu cast an envious gaze at the remains of the fish in Mu Ran's plate.
"Man, you should've told us earlier. Meat of spirited animals can grant one useful attributes if he's lucky enough."
Xuhan's eyes snapped up towards Mu Ran's plate as well.
"Even if we aren't lucky, it could enhance our physique and sustain our bodies for a very long time. It's not easy digesting all the nutrition stored in their bodies. Not to mention, their meat can cure all sorts of rare ailments."
Han Xuhan had to grab the door handle to steady himself.
"You-you fished out something so rare as a spirited beast from the ocean?!" he spoke in a shaky voice, feeling his heartache at the loss of the opportunity to enhance his physique. Who would care about what comment Mu Ran had made so long as they got to eat a mouthful of spirited-beast meat?
"Yeah, I mean, why did you not recognize it by looking? It's so obvious that the fish had an evolved set of jaws, an abnormally elongated tongue, and fins containing qi channels that led to the serrated meridian running horizontally through its body!"
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Obvious?!
Han Xuhan did not reply to Mu Ran's question. He was too busy wondering how lucky one had to be to randomly fish out a spirited beast without any equipment from a source as large as the ocean. Of course, now that he thought about it, Mu Ran must have used a bait that only special creatures would be lured towards. Would someone like him be satisfied after catching something so ordinary and common as a catfish?
Han Xuhan could only lament that his sense of superiority and disdain towards Mu Ran had blinded his eyes to the point he had overlooked mountain Tai...
Neither he nor Xiao Wu was desperate enough to salvage the remains of the catfish after Mu Ran was done with it, however. Mu Ran looked rather displeased.
"I don't think you two realize what a huge opportunity you've missed. Had I been in possession of that prized spear of mine...tsk tsk. I could've really caught a real shark- I mean, a bigger shark or two easily. Heavens, I'm so unlucky..."
His groan startled Han Xuhan. "Spear? What spear?" he asked curiously.
"Don't you remember the one that resonated with me in the weaponry pavilion? You were the one who tracked it down for me, underling! I told you it's a great treasure, remember?"
It took him a few seconds to recall that incident. That day, he was the one who had taken a liking to the spear. But Mu Ran had incorrectly assumed that his underling had picked out a good weapon for him. The memory made Han Xuhan sigh.
"Right, boss. Didn't you lose that thing in the Holy Land of Laws? It didn't make a strong impression, to be honest. I wouldn't have used it even if you handed it to me," he said.
"Underling Xuhan, you're too simple. You could see how valuable that spear was, and yet you're still uninterested! I wish I could be as selfless as you are!"
Mu Ran appeared emotional. Han Xuhan did not feel like explaining that he wouldn't have used the spear only because he didn't have the physical strength, or martial training to wield it properly. Out of all melee weapons, mastering the spear was said to be the hardest discipline.
Not to mention, Mu Ran praised the spear so much that it made Han Xuhan even warier of it considering any treasure could attract deadly foes to its possessor in the world of cultivation.
As long as ordinary weapons did their job, why use something special that's bound to invite trouble?
Suddenly, Han Xuhan found his nefarious thoughts taking a turn towards a shady business opportunity. Instead of humbling himself to give Mu Ran's ego the boost he was asking for, Han Xuhan threw out a bait.
"Boss, I might have a way to track down that spear...a costly way, perhaps. But maybe I can return that treasure to you unscathed."
........... ............. ............... ..........
Nighttime in Xiao Wu's house was not quite relaxing for Han Xuhan. He missed his own house, and more importantly, his anxiety was slowly rising despite his manifold attempts at keeping his mental state stable.
Xiao Wu was asleep, as per their shift system, while Mu Ran stood outside, guarding the house. Han Xuhan was supposed to be cultivating, and he was busy using this precious time to think.
"I suppose there is no point in prolonging this suspense," he muttered to himself before sitting cross-legged and entering meditation.
His dread regarding the development inside his dao tower had now shifted. He was far more terrified of the unknown entity occupying the tower, able to possess his body like a ghost and even use his body without his knowledge. But how long could he avoid that monstrosity?
As it had stated as soon as he became aware of its existence, escaping one's dao foundation was futile. Moreover, the entity had also answered a burning question he had in mind.
The cause behind his minions' disappearance was this entity's influence. Han Xuhan had no idea what it did, but the entity itself had said that Zhanxian and Tun Shi Tian would return. Not only would they return, but they would also provide him with some sort of information that may or may not show him a way to solve the issue with his meridians.
Just when he needed it most, a random expert suddenly possesses his body and guides him to salvation...Hah!
Han Xuhan had no doubts about the truthfulness of the entity. Whatever solution Zhanxian and Tun Shi Tian conveyed to him after being influenced by that person, it was likely to solve his condition.
But he also did not doubt that this entity was merely trying to reinforce the body it was currently capable of possessing. How would it use Han Xuhan's body if he became a cripple?
This realization did not elate him. Hours had passed since then. Now, Han Xuhan was ready to face the terror inside his dao tower. He wanted to see what had happened to his minions. He wanted to see what they would offer him, how they would try to tempt him...
The dive into his consciousness was smooth as usual and soon, he managed to enter his dao tower unscathed, uninterrupted.
"Master!"
"Hey, boss!"
Two voices, two avatars, rushed to him from two directions. Han Xuhan took a good look at both Zhanxian and Tun Shi Tian.
There were no visible changes in their avatars.
"You two look quite excited for some reason. Did something happen while I was busy?" Han Xuhan asked in a curious, unsuspecting tone.
His gaze wandered upwards, tracking down the law alphabet on the dome's wall.
The two lines written there in English had been erased. The alphabets were moving freely once more all over the walls.
"Oh, something happened, alright!" Tun Shi Tian replied.
"Yeah! We actually made another visit to that world of burning souls!" Zhanxian added.