They flew over the realm. A vast mountain range spread beneath them, populated with thick forest. A large river poured down a sheer cliff from the largest mountain, vanishing into a deep, round hollow cloaked in moss beneath. The wolf’s body undulated under Hui. He buried his hands in its soft fur.

Nodding to himself, Hui leaned down to press his face against the fluff. This really is the way to travel. When I get Zhubi back, I should get him to carry me around. It wouldn’t bother him any. He’s, what, four hundred meters long in his full size? Larger? He wouldn’t even feel me. I’m barely a fly compared to Zhubi’s true bulk! I’ve carried him around for long enough. It’s his turn to carry me around. Like when a mother carries her child while he’s young, and he carries her when she’s old.

Never mind that Zhubi is several hundred years older than me…

Anyways. No matter how sloppy the beast cultivator’s upheaval is, it’s still a revolt against Tseng Caihong. It can’t hurt to see how well they’re doing. Even if I only use them as a distraction, I can still use them.

Ah, I feel bad saying it, but it’s true. If I mean to take down Eight Tiers Palace, I can’t hesitate. The Southern Sect Conference is simply too weak. I can’t hesitate to use whatever I can, even if it’s the beast cultivators, who’ve done me no wrong. I’d rather not, but… at the end of the day…

Hopefully I can happily ally with them, and it doesn’t come to that. Ah! And, of course, I still have Xi Sanji. She cracked my head open without hesitation, even after saving my little life. I can’t trust someone like that. She’s just as willing to kill anyone who gets in the way of her goal as I am willing to pretend to die for my goal! Even if we end up on the same side, I shouldn’t trust her unless our goals completely align. Dangerous, she’s too dangerous! Too hair-trigger with the sword!

Ahead of them, the Tier Master and Lao Hu descended into the heart of the realm. A circle of friendly round tent-like structures awaited them, with fabric walls and bone supports. Children and young beasts spilled out as the beast cultivators descended, calling out to their parents, whether beast or human. Kittens, baby lizards, tiny apes, little birds and small snakes, all of them came running to greet their parents. Below Hui, a trio of young wolf pups yelped up at the wolf he rode, and the wolf howled back.

Hui’s heart melted. Sell out these guys? How could I ever do that? They’re so cute! So many tiny beasts… I have to protect them.

Argh, protect the beasts and the Southern Sect Conference? I’ve got my work cut out for me…

They touched down in the center of the tents. Hui and Wen Guo climbed off. The wolf pups ran up to Wen Guo. At the sight of Hui, they hesitated a beat, wary.

“He’s nice. It’s fine,” Wen Guo said, nodding at Hui.

The wolf pups looked at the large wolf, who lowered her head and nudged them forward. They stumbled over their paws, fighting not to be the first pup to Hui.

Hui knelt and held out his hand.

One of the pups lifted its head. He wandered forward, then tentatively sniffed Hui’s hand. Looking from the hand to Hui, he sniffed again, then lowered his head.

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Slowly, Hui ran his hand through the wolf pup’s fur.

The wolf pup stepped back, looked up at him, then stepped forward and lowered his head again, asking for more pets. Seeing that, the other two rushed forward all at once, this time tripping over one another in their rush to reach Hui first.

Wen Guo chuckled. “They’re usually afraid of strangers. If they like you, you must be a good person.”

“Ah, no, no,” Hui demurred.

“No?” Wen Guo tilted his head, frowning.

“No—no, I… I probably am, er, maybe a good person, I, er, yes,” Hui said, nodding. How do I say that without saying I’m a bad person, or, on the other hand, sounding like I’m bragging? I don’t know what to do!

Beside Wen Guo, all the wolf pups tilted their heads, too. Behind them all, the big wolf tilted its head.

Hui’s lip trembled as he bit back his expression, not sure whether to laugh or cry. Like father, like son? A pet grows like its owner? I shouldn’t laugh, but it’s hilarious. Hilarious, and sweet!

Wen Guo laughed, shaking his head at Hui. He gestured. “Come on, let’s go see the Tier Master. She probably has something to say to you, if she brought you all the way here.”

Er, I’d certainly hope so. Do you have the habit of bringing stray cultivators home, and then asking them if they agree with your little rebellion? Hui wondered, shaking his head. A moment later, he looked around him at all the spirit beasts. Oh wait, hold on. Bringing stray things home is basically these guys’ job description. It actually… it really might be possible.

He looked at his hands. Do I look that much like a stray? Not that I mind. It saved my little life and helped me avoid a conflict, after all!

Surrounded by wolf pups, Hui allowed Wen Guo to lead him to the center of the tents. The wolf pups jumped and cavorted around him, overjoyed to have a newcomer now that they’d gotten over their fear. Hui smiled despite his concern, while his mind continued to race. But if Tseng Caihong’s eyes can pierce through space… which I’m not sure of, but seems likely, given that it isn’t everyone’s go-to way to deceive her, then this place really is the pill cultivation sect’s fakeout rebellion, which means Tseng Caihong should know about it. If she knows about it, why hasn’t she crushed it? The beast cultivators don’t pose much of a threat to her, true, especially since she has their Sacred Beast, but since when has a cultivator let a threat go just because it doesn’t seem like much of a threat to them? Never! Cultivators usually knock over the fire and stamp out every ember of rebellion. And Tseng Caihong didn’t strike me as the type to stand idly by while her people rebel.

Well, okay. I take that back. She might watch on in amusement as they flailed helplessly, sure. But still. I wonder if there’s more to this? Does the beast cultivator sect, perhaps, have something on Tseng Caihong that prevents Tseng Caihong from crushing them?

Hmm. I’ll have to keep an eye out.

“Right this way,” Wen Guo said, lifting the flap of the largest tent. With a nod, Hui stepped inside.

And nearly collided with the flank of an enormous tiger.

Instinctively, Hui fell backward and went limp.

The giant tiger stood and wandered over to him. A wet nose twitched, sniffing at his face. The tiger turned away, looking at something over its shoulder, then reached out a paw and gently batted Hui into the air.

As he flew, Hui silently lamented. That’s right. Cats like to play with their food! Argh! Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

“Lao Hu. He is a guest,” the Tier Master said quietly but firmly.

The tiger looked at her, then reluctantly backed away, slinking back to the floor. Hui laid there for a moment, then climbed slowly to his feet, his eyes on the tiger the whole time.

The tiger watched him back, slowly batting its tail against the floor. It twitched its nose, pupils big and round.

Hui shook internally. Senior, please don’t pounce! I promise I’m not that fun to play with!

The Tier Master sat behind a desk at the far end of the space. She nodded at Hui. “Your beast, what happened? Report.”

“Ah, that is…” Hui frowned. Is that really what matters to her? What happened to Zhubi?

She looked at him expectantly and rolled her hand in the air, urging him on.

Er… I guess it is! She is a beast cultivator, after all. “Let me start at the beginning…”