The next morning, at dawn.
Xu Bai opened his eyes and shot upright, bracing himself with one hand as he gasped for breath.
Just moments ago, he'd had a nightmare. He'd dreamed he was licking a pair of sweaty feet, size 46.
The dream had felt so real that he could still smell the sour stench.
Wait, no!
Xu Bai suddenly came to his senses. That awful smell was clearly coming from his own body.
He hurried to his feet and dashed out of his room. Without even heating any water, he took a thorough cold shower.
He could get away with that only because he had become a Soul Grandmaster, and his physique far surpassed that of ordinary people.
Otherwise, if an ordinary kid tried that, even if he didn't catch a cold or come down with a fever, he'd be left feeling chilled and miserable for quite a while.
After scrubbing himself clean, Xu Bai felt refreshed and invigorated.
He had just changed his clothes when First, who had been waiting eagerly for ages, trotted over.
It gently tugged at his hem with its teeth and pulled him toward the kitchen. Its intentions were obvious. Xu Bai could read them clearly without even using his Telepathy talent.
First: Beast Tamer, hungry-hungry, food-food! No more premade meals!
Xu Bai chuckled and patted First on the head. Under First's hopeful gaze, he went into the kitchen.
After eating premade meals for three straight days—meals that even Xu Bai thought tasted pretty lousy—First, now awakened to its foodie nature, was nearly at its breaking point. It desperately needed a deluxe feast to save it.
After a delicious breakfast, First returned to its usual languid self, contentment written all over its face. It sprawled comfortably in the middle of the courtyard to bask in the sun.
Seeing this, Xu Bai shook his head helplessly. He quickly tidied up, then leisurely made his way over to First.
Then, smiling, he took out the bottle of Spirit Ascension Liquid he'd painstakingly concocted.
Pop~
The stopper came out, and a strange medicinal fragrance drifted from the bottle, slipping straight into First's nostrils and rousing its already-sated cells once more.
Beast Tamer, what's this? It smells so good~~
First instinctively leaned in and took a deep sniff. Its tiger face immediately took on a blissful expression, making it look just like a kitty under the influence of catnip.
"Did you forget what I promised to give you?" Xu Bai asked with a smile.
What you promised to give me...
First hesitated for a moment, then suddenly remembered. Its face lit up with delight.
Could the stuff in this bottle make me stronger?
"Let's see how well it works." Xu Bai didn't deny it. He tilted the little bottle, signaling First to open its mouth.
First got the hint at once and hurriedly opened its jaws wide.
The pale green liquid trickled into its mouth. First found it sweet on the tongue, with a lingering taste that left it wanting more.
Beast Tamer, is there any more? I want more!
After savoring every last drop, First asked expectantly.
Xu Bai just wagged a finger. "Once every seven days. Don't overindulge."
Ah~
Little White Tiger hung its head in dejection.jpg
"What a little glutton."
Seeing First's expression, Xu Bai gave it a playful smack on the head, then asked, "Check how the medicine is working."
At that, First froze. It hurriedly closed its eyes and carefully sensed its body. Only after a long while did it open them again, looking uncertain.
Beast Tamer, if I said I can't feel it doing anything right now, would you believe me...
"Nothing?" Xu Bai furrowed his brow. He thought for only a moment before his face darkened.
Damn it, don't tell me it failed again!
Beast Tamer, are you okay?
Seeing Xu Bai's expression turn gloomy for no apparent reason, the resentment around him practically tangible, First hunched its shoulders and asked cautiously.
"I! Am! Fine!"
Xu Bai ground his teeth, then flung the bottle that had held the Spirit Ascension Liquid aside. Turning around, he strode toward the room where he kept his equipment, tossing a few words over his shoulder as he went:
"First, I'm going into seclusion for a while. You'll have to put up with a few more days of premade meals."
More premade meals!
Horror flashed in First's eyes. It stumbled two steps in place and felt as if the sky had fallen.
Beast Tamer, don't go! How am I supposed to live without you...
Seeing the Beast Tamer about to enter that accursed room again, First lunged forward and wrapped its forelegs around his legs.
Xu Bai frowned and scolded it. "First, I'm doing this so you can get stronger! If you want to get stronger, can't you even put up with a little less good food?
"If you can't endure even this hardship, how can you ever become strong? How will you get your revenge?"
His voice was childish, but his tone was stern, and he spoke loudly.
If there had been any birds nearby, they would surely have been startled into flight.
Meanwhile, Little Blue, which had been happily basking in the sun, trembled in fright. It didn't understand why the Beast Tamer, who was usually so easygoing, had suddenly gotten angry.
And why was he speaking so loudly? He'd scared it...
Unlike Little Blue, First was struck as if by lightning. It froze in place, pain and struggle flashing through its eyes.
After a long while, it finally made up its mind. Slowly, it released its forelegs from around Xu Bai. Compared to the pleasures of the palate, it wanted revenge more.
Only then did Xu Bai's expression soften. He gently rubbed First's head and said warmly, "Don't worry. I shouldn't be in there for long this time. I should be out again soon."
The main thing was that he didn't have enough ingredients left to waste many more attempts at making Spirit Ascension Liquid.
After saying that, he was about to turn around when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Little Blue trembling in the corner by the wall, trying to make itself as inconspicuous as possible.
The ingredients are precious. I'd better bring Little Blue along this time.
With that thought, Xu Bai headed straight toward Little Blue.
Little Blue: ?????
Wait, what did this have to do with me?
Beast Tamer, is something the matter? Little Blue asked timidly.
"I need you to help me cultivate," Xu Bai said calmly.
Little Blue: ?????
Xu Bai burst out laughing. "I'm kidding. I'm making medicine, and I can't focus properly. I need your help to 'calm my mind and soothe my spirit.'"
Oh, I see. Little Blue let out a sigh of relief. If you need help, just say so! I thought you were going to scold me too.
"You're so cute. How could I ever scold you?"
Xu Bai smiled and rubbed Little Blue's leaves. "Come on. Let's finish as soon as we can."
Oh, I'm not cute at all...
Little Blue was a little embarrassed by the praise, but it didn't forget what they were there for. It quickly pulled its roots free and followed Xu Bai.
Wait, Beast Tamer!
Just then, First seemed to remember something and called out to stop him.
"What is it?"
Xu Bai turned around, his brows knitting together again.
"Well, Beast Tamer, maybe I should try cultivating. Your medicine might speed up my cultivation..."
First lowered its head slightly, glanced up at its Beast Tamer, and spoke cautiously.
Xu Bai's frown eased a little. After thinking it over, he decided he ought to be more confident and said, "All right, give it a try. But be quick."
Okay, Beast Tamer.
First answered, then settled down where it was. Controlling the rhythm of its breathing, it began the most primitive cultivation method of a Soul Beast: breathing in and out to absorb spiritual energy.