Jie, along with the Pan siblings, soon returned to the Crimson Academy. The Pan siblings knew where to find Ithilix and the three of them gave the hive girl the spear from Jie and the Pan siblings.

Ithilix stared at them and then at the spear and back at them as though she couldn't quite believe what was happening and then thanked the three of them profusely.

Ithilix's sweet, stunned reaction brought a smile to all of their faces. But Jie felt that she'd spent too much time away from training as it was. So, she thanked Pan Tian and Pan Zhanshi for a great time in the city, wished Ithilix well, and made a beeline for her residence.

The Onyx Pavilion had bought up a few of those healing pills, and she was excited to see if they'd delivered them yet.

She doubted they'd help Ming much, but if they could even help just slightly... that would be wonderful. And she wanted it to start right away!

She rushed into her residence and sure enough, there were several bundles in the center of the room, black with a red trim much like the uniforms of the Onyx Pavilion. All neatly wrapped in the dark fabric. One of the boxes was a bit big though, which Jie thought was a little weird.

Had she really bought that many pills?

"Maybe they gave me some of their stockpile or something," she muttered.

She went to the smaller bundle first and opened it. A medicinal scent like sweet grass caught her nose and her smile only grew as she looked over the nine clouds healing pills. She stored one of the pills in her storage ring. Just in case she desperately needed some incredibly powerful, life-saving healing at some stage.

Then, she took the box containing all the rest of the pills and padded over to where Ming rested. His eyes were closed and his body was still. But Essence continued to flow into him and he breathed steadily.

"Uh... Ming... I bought a few lower-end healing pills for you. I thought they might help a bit. They'll keep delivering them along with some cultivation resources I got for myself. I hope you don't mind me spending the money, but I mean... I'm trying to do what you told me. I'm trying to get strong, and I also just thought that maybe the healing pills would help you a little, you know?" Jie said, she spoke so quickly that her words tumbled over one another.

Ming gave no response.

Jie nibbled softly on her lower lip. Was he too out of it to notice? He ate the food she brought for him when he felt like it though... would he do the same or would he just ignore the pills?

"So... um... I'll just put these next to you, okay? You can have them when you want. Just try not to squish them," Jie said.

Ming gave no response, his eyes were closed and his breathing steady.

Jie placed the box beside him and stepped away. No point in disturbing him further. She thought.

She returned to the other bundles. One contained her protection necklace, which Jie slipped on over her neck and the others contained a massive number of pills. She looked over everything and frowned. This looks like all of it... what the hell is in the other boxes? I hope they didn't bid on something without my permission! Jie thought.

She pulled the fabric off the largest remaining box, and her spiritual sense screamed of another presence. She leaped back on pure instinct, her qi armor and lightning step skills already activating. A pair of crystal-blue eyes stared back at her from behind the bars of a cage.

Jie froze.

The spirit tiger mewed.

Jie opened her mouth and closed it several times. She hadn't bought him. Why was he here? She glanced at Ming, who was still focused on his recovery.

She found herself holding the gaze of the cub and wondering how he could possibly be there. That's when she noticed the envelope on top of the cage.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

She opened it, breaking the qi seal, and looked at the letter.

Dear Liu Jie,

I noticed you seemed extremely interested in the spirit tiger cub when I first showed him to you. But, for some reason, you wouldn't bid. I thought perhaps your family might have set strict limits on what you could buy, but surely they'd have no problem with a gift?

I bought this cub for you at auction and caused quite a stir as you probably noticed. He is my gift to you. In case you don't know how to bind a magical beast to you, I've included notes on a separate page, so check inside the envelope for them.

I look forward to doing business with you in the future.

Yours sincerely

Jiang Feng

PS: This little rascal eats damn near anything as long as it has meat in it, but just in case I included a selection of tasty treats in another package. As well as everything required to bind him to your service. Oh, and name him whatever you wish. He doesn't have one just yet.

Jie finished reading and stared at the spirit tiger. Should I take him back? I... I want no part in this and I need to focus on my cultivation. I can't look after a pet! Jie thought.

The spirit tiger met her gaze. His eyes were impossibly large.

Jie closed her eyes and sighed. Yet, the cat's plaintive face remained burned in her mind, staring at her no matter how tightly she shut her eyes.

Who am I kidding? I can't take him back... what if he went somewhere horrible? Jie thought.

She quickly found the notes Jiang Feng had mentioned. They described the intricate qi patterns, the blood pact, and all the details needed to make a magical beast an obedient servant that had no choice but to follow its master's commands.

Jie didn't like it on principle, but she understood the necessity of it. After all, these weren't pets like on Earth and a simple leash wouldn't do the trick.

Still, the process involved invoking a one-sided contract that crushed the creature's free will.

And that was too far for Jie.

She considered the spirit tiger again. "No way am I making you my slave like this," she said, "I'll think of something better. In the meantime... what the hell do I call you?"

The spirit tiger watched her intently. He sat back on his haunches, his little chest stuck out proudly. His eyes sparkled with intelligence, and he didn't look so plaintive now. It almost seemed like he understood her on some level.

"So... any suggestions?" Jie asked the cat.

"Mew," said the spirit tiger.

"Cute, but I don't think it suits you. You won't always be a tiny bundle of fluff. You're a predator, so you probably want something that makes your enemies quiver in their boots. Do you have enemies? Well... I'm sure you will have," Jie said.

She found herself talking absently. It felt good. With this tiger, she didn't have to hide anything. Who would he tell? She didn't have to be on her guard at all.

Jie considered letting him out of his cage. He was weak enough that it shouldn't be a problem, but she quickly decided against it. Being careless was unwise and allowing him to roam freely without some kind of contract could lead to disastrous consequences for both of them.

She had no wish to make him such an absolute slave. But, she also didn't want to be stuck chasing after him or worrying about what he might do.

If he hurt one of the students, would he get put down? No, she wouldn't let that happen. This had to be done right. But done right her way.

"What about... Xue?" Jie muttered, "It means snow. And... you kinda look like a white tiger from Earth."

Xue tilted his head and stared at her.

"If you need a family name, just use mine," Jie said with a chuckle.

Xue meowed.

Jie shook her head. "You're freaking cute," she said, "now let me work out a different contract."

She looked over the one provided to her. It said it was the standard one. But, it suppressed all their urges, made them follow orders exactly, and crushed their free will. There were notes on how some measure of the beast it used to be could be brought back through a set of other orders, but it just wasn't the same. It would forever make them a shell of their former selves.

"This is horrific," Jie muttered.

She mulled over some contract phrases in her head. It wouldn't be nearly as safe, but it wouldn't destroy Xue's sense of self as much. He would still have to listen to her, but if he didn't that could cause trouble, so she didn't see that as being avoidable.

Still, he'd be able to change his mind and think for himself. And his instincts and thoughts and everything that was him would remain. He'd just have a very strong urge to do as Jie commanded.

Even that felt like it might be a bit much, but she couldn't just let him run rampant. He'd probably die in short order or get captured again and bound for real. She considered setting him free, but set him free where exactly? Besides, he was just a baby.

No, that wasn't a good idea. Not for now anyway. When he was stronger, she could look into it. While puzzling out the contract in her head, she opened the remaining bundles. There she found the promised treats for Xue as well as a metal tube covered in elegant engravings with a needle on either end. The needle on one end was much smaller and shorter than the other. About the length of a thumbtack.

The notes detailed how to use it as part of the binding contract and Jie spent a moment studying it together with the notes until she was fully confident that she could use it correctly.

Eventually, she puzzled out a simple contract that could be added to as needed. She crouched in front of the cage and opened it. The cub looked at the open door and stared at Jie.