As the golden sun sank in the west, the sky became clear and serene. The red and orange hues reflected off the clouds, gradually fading into amber, casting a warm glow that painted half the heavens crimson.
Before night fell, Wei Yun arrived at Wei Manor.
The Wei Manor faced south, with a pair of imposing stone lions over three meters tall standing at the entrance. Lanterns hung on either side of the red-painted gates, their dim, yellow light swaying gently in the breeze.
The wide-open gates were flanked by four tall and sturdy guards standing in two neat rows. Each held a long staff, exuding an air of authority.
Thanks to the efforts of over ten generations, the Wei family thrived. The clan itself boasted several hundred members, while the number of servants and guards was too many to count, making the Wei clan one of the most prominent families in Luo City.
“Welcome back, Young Master Yun!”
As soon as they saw Wei Yun, the guards respectfully saluted. The Wei family was known for its strict rules, and even though Wei Yun’s parents were long gone, leaving him with a relatively low status in the family, he was still a master of the house, and a Beastmaster, no less. There was no way a servant would dare to mistreat him.
Wei Yun nodded slightly and stepped through the gate.
Inside the Wei Manor
Upon entering the estate, he was greeted by the sight of pavilions, flowing streams, and the soft murmur of water. Dim lantern light reflected off the lush trees, whose tangled branches swayed over the water, casting jagged, rippling shadows.
The pavilions were surrounded by ornamental rocks, each unique in form. Some were crystal clear, resembling ice and reflecting a cool radiance; others were lush green, like carved jade. There were rocks shaped like crouching tigers and coiling dragons, while others took on the forms of ancient pines, soaring phoenixes, or pearls spewed by mysterious dragons. Their natural textures intertwined to create a vivid, artistic scene.
Though the Wei Manor appeared vast, sprawling over what seemed to be a thousand acres, the estate’s grandeur felt modest when considered against the many family members who shared it.
Wei Yun quickly arrived at a small courtyard in the northeastern corner of the estate; his usual residence.
Wei Yun’s Courtyard
The courtyard was simple yet charming. Upon entering, a corridor guided the way to a pebble-paved path. The outer walls were whitewashed, and vibrant clusters of flowers surrounded the courtyard, adding a lively touch to the serene setting.
As Wei Yun stepped inside, he saw his second uncle reclining lazily on a chair. His chin rested on his right hand, his eyes half-closed in a state of near slumber.
His uncle’s name was Wei Jianfeng. Handsome and charming, he wore a black robe that accentuated his jade-like complexion. His three strands of neatly combed beard and unbound shoulder-length hair lent him a carefree and somewhat roguish aura.
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Based on appearance alone, Wei Jianfeng was undeniably striking. In his youth, he had been the dream of countless women in Qiyun City. Still, compared to Wei Yun, he fell just a touch short.
In Wei Yun’s mind, his second uncle was lazy and opportunistic, often taking advantage of others without any semblance of dignity as an elder. Perhaps because Wei Yun had shown extraordinary good looks and charm from a young age, Wei Jianfeng frequently used “education” as an excuse to tease his nephew.
Of course, this so-called “teasing” was all in good fun.
Yet from Wei Yun’s perspective, his second uncle’s “wicked deeds” could fill an entire scroll!
“Ah, Yun is back!”
Wei Jianfeng seemed to hear the movement. He opened his eyes and stretched with a yawn, his sleepy face giving way to a bright smile. As he sized up Wei Yun, his attention quickly shifted to the little creature in Wei Yun’s arms.
For some reason, Mira usually lively and energetic, went quiet under Wei Jianfengs’s gaze. It shrank back into Wei Yun’s embrace, its instincts as a beast clearly kicking in.
“Hmm, not bad! No wonder you rejected those so-called ‘garbage’ spirit beasts the family offered and ventured into the wilderness alone. So, what’s its quality?”
Wei Haoqiong’s sharp eyes sparkled as he observed Mira. He had a keen sense and could tell at a glance that Mira was extraordinary.
“Excellent grade,” Wei Yun replied without hesitation. There was no need to hide it. Mira was his lifebond spirit beast; no one could take it from him. Besides, Wei Jianfeng had practically raised him, and their relationship was excellent.
Of course, Wei Yun wasn’t about to disclose his unique ability, that was his secret to survival.
“Excellent grade!”
Wei Jianfeng’s eyes widened in shock, and his usual nonchalant demeanor crumbled. He hadn’t expected Wei Yun to return after just a few days with an Excellent-grade spirit beast, especially a fierce creature like a white gale tiger cub!
Still, his years of experience quickly helped him regain his composure. Smiling with approval, he said, “Good, good, good! As expected of my nephew, you’ve inherited your second uncle’s style!”
Excellent-grade spirit beasts were exceedingly rare. Even with the Wei family’s resources, there were fewer than five in total, and Wei Jianfeng’s own fairy was one of them.
To him, Wei Yun’s success in contracting a top-grade fairy was likely a stroke of luck, and he didn’t overthink it.
“Second Uncle, you’re bragging again!” Wei Yun pursed his lips, silently rolling his eyes. He had heard countless tales of his uncle’s so-called legendary exploits. For example, there was the time Wei Jianfeng accidentally stepped on a newly hatched snake, which turned out to be an excellent-grade spirit beast after he contracted it.
Really, who would believe that?
After chatting with his uncle for a while, Wei Yun went to his room. Tossing his bag aside, he collapsed onto the bed, too tired to move.
The past few days had been grueling. Wei Yun had constantly teetered on the edge of danger, his mind and body perpetually tense, leaving him little opportunity to rest.
The peril and hardship he had endured were things no one else could truly understand.
Now that he was home, his body instinctively relaxed, and he felt an overwhelming fatigue. All he wanted was to sleep.
But Wei Yun didn’t sleep. After resting for a moment with his eyes closed, he forced himself to get up.
He washed his face and stood before a mirror, staring at his reflection.
After freshening up, Wei Yun extended his mental energy to confirm no one was watching. Then, he took a thick book from his bookshelf.
The book, titled Spirit Beast Encyclopedia, was a well-worn compendium of information on various beasts. Judging by its condition, Wei Yun had nearly read it to pieces.
To raise and train a spirit beast, one first had to understand it. This included memorizing basic details as well as its skills, strengths, and weaknesses.
However, Wei Yun didn’t immediately turn to the section on the white gale tiger. Instead, he held the thick cover between his fingers and flicked it a few times. A faint crack appeared, revealing a trace of golden light from a hidden compartment inside.