Bears at the Helm, Bears to Govern Men!

Shi Jian withdrew his bear paw from Shi Mo's head, squinted, and carefully examined him.

The mutations weren't thorough enough, but the foundation was solid.

The bloodline power of the Dark Gold Ape has begun to merge with the origin of this black bear, as evidenced by the patch of Dark Gold fur on its back.

In the future, if I can obtain a treasure of the Metal Dao element, I might be able to advance even further.

But that's for later.

Right now, Shi Jian is more concerned about something else.

"Shi Mo."

Shi Jian spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying the majesty of bloodline suppression.

Shi Mo raised his vertical pupils and looked at him quietly.

"You've been with me for so many years, it's time for you to go out and see the world."

Shi Mo's ears twitched, as if he didn't quite understand.

What kind of future is there in just lying here doing nothing?

Shi Jian slapped the ground with his bear paw, kicking up a cloud of gravel. "Look at Xiao Mao, he's already running a business for the whole Lineage in his early twenties. And what about you?"

"You're not getting any younger, are you just holed up in Beast Valley all day playing with rocks?"

Shi Mo was silent for a moment, then lowered his head and let out a muffled whimper.

Sun Mao stood to the side, somewhat bewildered.

Shi Jian turned to look at him, his tone casual. "Sun Mao, that black dog beside you, I remember it's just of ordinary bloodline, isn't it?"

"Yes, Ancestor."

"It's not enough."

Shi Jian bluntly stated, "You are now the head of the Sun Clan, yet you don't have a single decent spirit beast by your side. Going out like this will only bring shame to the entire Lineage."

Sun Mao's heart skipped a beat. He had a vague idea of what was going on, but he didn't dare to say anything and just listened attentively.

"Shi Mo stay with you."

Five words, light and airy.

But to Sun Mao, it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

Shi Mo, one of the three bear demons personally trained by the ancestor!

Bearing a mutated bloodline, he is destined to grow into a being who stands shoulder to shoulder with the Ancestor. For the Ancestor to grant such a promise—what immense trust this is!

Sun Mao bent his knees and knelt down on one knee:

"Ancestor, this... what virtue or ability does Mao possess...?"

"Stand up."

Shi Jian interrupted him without even lifting his eyelids, "It's not like I'm giving it to you. Shi Mo is of my ethnicity, not anyone's vassal."

"You signed an equal contract, one of equality and mutual assistance, where neither is subordinate to the other. It will protect you and fight for you, while you are responsible for finding cultivation resources for Shi Mo and feeding it well."

"Did you understand?"

Sun Mao took a deep breath, stood up, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute:

"Mao understands, and will certainly not fail the ancestor's trust."

Shi Jian gave a satisfied hum and turned to look at Shi Mo.

Shi Mo immediately understood, stood up, walked to Sun Mao, lowered its head, and placed its broad forehead against Sun Mao's palm.

This action was exactly the same as when it first bowed to Sun Mao seven years ago!

At that time, Shi Mo only coveted that piece of beast bone.

Now, its choice carries a deeper meaning, an instruction from the ancestor, representing an understanding and obedience to the ancestor's will.

Sun Mao felt the rough, coarse hair in his palm. The huge bear head lay there quietly, waiting for his response!

Sun Mao bit his fingertip, forcing out a drop of Essence Blood.

Shi Mo opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue, and swallowed the drop of Essence Blood.

An equal contract is established.

A faint thread of spiritual energy connected the human and the beast.

Sun Mao sensed the steady and profound power within Shi Mo's body, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt at any moment.

Through the contract, Shi Mo also sensed Sun Mao's heartbeat, breathing, and his burning heart, as well as various emotional fluctuations!

"Alright, take him downstairs and let them work out together properly."

Shi Jian yawned, then lay back down on the rock, adopting a lazy posture, as if a major matter had been settled.

Sun Mao bowed again, then turned and left with Shi Mo.

Sun Bo'an stood there, watching Shi Mo's back as he followed behind Sun Mao, his heart filled with emotion. From this day forward, Sun Mao would be the first member of the Sun Clan to form a contract with the bear demon.

This honor will only grow stronger in the future.

"Ancestor, what's wrong with you...?"

"What do you mean 'yours' and 'mine'? It's just about finding a good home for the little brat."

Shi Jian squinted. "Alright, you can go ahead and get busy. Tell that drab little thing to come see me."

Sun Bo'an was taken aback. "Gray... you mean the Lord Rat?"

"Nonsense, what, you bastard?"

Sun Bo'an sighed, then turned and retreated...

After everyone had left, Shi Jian lay on a rock, his eyes darting around. He had been calculating this move between Shi Mo and Sun Mao for a long time.

The three bear demons that Enlightenment cannot all stay in the back mountain; they must be released gradually. Shi Mo is the most intelligent and quick-witted!

Place it next to the core figures of the Sun Clan, fight alongside the Sun Clan cultivators, and advance and retreat together. Over time, they will gradually get used to the presence of the bear demon.

If it goes on for too long, you'll become dependent on it.

When the bear demon becomes an integral part of the Sun Clan, the foundation of the Lineage, and a totem in the bloodline...

At that time, bears were the primary force, and people were controlled by bears!

It all happened naturally.

Shi Jian licked the bear paw; he intended to infiltrate the Sun Clan's disciples little by little in this way.

Bind it tightly!

Before long, a gray shadow darted out of the grass, leaped onto the rock, and squatted down in front of Shi Jian, rubbing its two front paws together as if it were a little follower, very respectful.

It's Lord Rat.

This glossy gray rat has been following Sun Mao around all these years, but it has only ever truly been loyal to one master!

"Lord Rat, pay your respects to the Ancestor."

Upon hearing this, Shi Jian nodded.

The Lord Rat's power also came from his Enlightenment, and after so many years, he has reached the peak of Level 1 Demon Beast, comparable to the human Human Race's Qi Refining Perfection.

Although it lacks the combat power of the bear demon, it excels in its agility and stealth, and can command hundreds of thousands of rats, making it Shi Jian's most crucial eyes and ears.

"Tell me, what have you seen these past few years?"

The Lord Rat responded and began to recount the changes over the years.

Just like when he was a child, Sun Mao is focused and reliable in his actions. He is strict but not harsh in managing his subordinates, and treats his clansmen and spirit beasts equally.

Since gradually gaining power within the clan, he has placed increasing emphasis on the cultivation of spirit beasts over the past seven years. Whether it is the bear demon lineage, the spirit dog lineage, or the Spirit Rat Line, they have all grown considerably stronger!

The Autumn Cry Merchant Alliance is operating well, with a balanced distribution of benefits across the nine counties, and no potential problems have yet emerged.

As for White Cloud Temple, True Person Yunxiao remained unmoved, maintaining a relatively friendly attitude towards the Sun Clan and offering support, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

There's only one thing: recently, powerful Lineage have been infiltrating White Cloud Commandery from Fenghe Commandery, tentatively acquiring spirit mines and medicinal fields.

"Fenghe Commandery?" Shi Jian's eyes darted around.

The Lord Rat nodded and squeaked twice more.

Shi Jian remained silent for a few moments, then snorted.

He was unaware of the situation in Fenghe Commandery, but anyone who could reach out to White Cloud Commandery must have at least Golden Core cultivator behind them.

This matter needs to be kept an eye on.

After all, Shi Jian had previously thwarted the scheme of Yan Qiu, Golden Core True Person of the Fenghe Sect, preventing him from taking over White Cloud Commandery as he wished.

This infiltration from all sides must have been part of a calculated scheme!

"Continue to follow Sun Mao,"

"Report any unusual activity immediately. And you and your cronies, spread the word as widely as possible to gather more information."

"Yes, I understand."

The Lord Rat respectfully agreed, then darted into the bushes and disappeared.

Shi Jian lay back down on the rock.

As dusk deepened over the back mountain, the evening glow painted half the sky...

The lights of thousands of homes in the city lit up one after another, densely packed, like a sea of stars spread across the ground, as numerous as twinkling stars.

Thirty years have passed.

From Foundation Establishment bear demon in Mingqiu Mountain to a Foundation Establishment Late Stage demon with a clan and deep foundations, it's truly not an easy journey...

With everything under control, Shi Jian felt at ease.