JSCMU-Chapter 65: Initiating the Contract

Yun Jin pretended not to see anything and continued, “Today, the Iron-Eating Beast doesn’t like me, so I won’t force it either. Senior Ling Fei, your good intentions have gone to waste. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”

Ling Fei didn’t have time to react. He listened in a daze, then opened his mouth in an attempt to convince Yun Jin otherwise.

But Yun Jin was very firm and turned to leave.

Seeing this human really intended to leave, the Iron-Eating Beast became anxious.

With a speed that didn’t match its round and plump body, it darted forward and grabbed onto Yun Jin’s pants leg.

“Iron-Eating Beast?” Yun Jin’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile. She deliberately put on a surprised expression and said, “Are you here to say goodbye to me? Alright, I understand. Thank you.”

The Iron-Eating Beast became even more anxious.

This human looked quite pretty, but why did her brain seem slow?

The noble Iron-Eating Beast was already right in front of her. Couldn’t she at least plead a little more?

She should beg a bit, and then it would reluctantly agree, unable to refuse her any longer!

The Iron-Eating Beast frantically shot glances at Yun Jin, hoping she would catch on.

At least give it some promises, give it a way out.

After all.

Beastmen will never be slaves, unless room and board are included!

Yun Jin pretended not to understand. She patted the Iron-Eating Beast’s head and said, “Alright, I know you like freedom. Don’t worry, I won’t force you.”

The Iron-Eating Beast got even more flustered.

What?!

She’s giving up this easily?

What is wrong with this woman!

She doesn’t understand persistence at all!

At least make an effort!

“Alright, let go of me. In eight or ten years, we’re bound to meet again someday,” Yun Jin said.

Ten years…

Eight years…

The Iron-Eating Beast showed an expression as if it had been struck by lightning.

It looked at Yun Jin pitifully. Seeing that she still didn’t get the message, it had no choice but to speak up, “Then… will you provide food and shelter?”

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that the bare minimum?”

“You also said you’d take me to find my former master,” the Iron-Eating Beast reminded.

Yun Jin looked confused. “That was under the condition that we form a contract. If you don’t sign a contract with me, it wouldn’t be right for me to trouble someone for no reason.”

The Iron-Eating Beast looked at Yun Jin with deep grievance.

It had made itself so obvious already.

Why can’t this woman understand?

The Iron-Eating Beast had changed its mind!

But looking at Yun Jin’s clueless face, the Iron-Eating Beast completely gave up.

Fine, fine, if the master is a bit dim-witted, then so be it. It would just take the initiative.

The Iron-Eating Beast suddenly extended its paw, then bit down hard on it.

Yun Jin’s eyes moved slightly.

This is… 

The next moment, a drop of blood welled up from the center of the beast’s paw and floated in front of Yun Jin.

After doing this, the Iron-Eating Beast kept urging her with its eyes.

“It’s trying to initiate a contract with you,” Ling Fei said hurriedly. “Xiao Jin, you also need to force out a drop of blood and merge it with its blood.”

Yun Jin nodded. She didn’t tease the little Iron-Eating Beast any longer and quickly forced a drop of blood from her fingertip.

The two drops of blood merged in mid-air.

The originally red blood, once fused, turned golden.

Originally, when forming a contract, Ling Fei would assist with the process.

But this time, Ling Fei did nothing.

He simply watched the little Iron-Eating Beast with a hint of emotion in his eyes.

It was casting one hand seal after another, taking the initiative to establish the contract.

When a spirit beast initiates the contract, it starts and completes the bond itself.

Such contracts are more stable and stronger than those formed with external help.

However.

If the spirit beast is abandoned, the consequences are much more severe.

At best, its power would decline.

At worst, it could lose its life.

After being abandoned once, the Iron-Eating Beast still chose to initiate a contract with Yun Jin. For the Iron-Eating Beast, this meant bearing tremendous emotional pressure.

With the Iron-Eating Beast taking the initiative, the contract was formed.

Yun Jin vaguely felt a mysterious bond forming between her and the Iron-Eating Beast.

“Senior Ling,” Yun Jin asked, “Is the contract complete? This seems different from what I heard about signing contracts with spirit beasts.”

Ling Fei sighed lightly and softly explained to Yun Jin, “Normally, when I mediate the contract, it would be an equal agreement. Either party can choose to terminate the contract later, paying a certain price to do so safely. But now that the Iron-Eating Beast initiated the contract with you, the restrictions aren’t as extreme as a master-servant contract, but from now on, it won’t be able to choose to leave you on its own.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “But you can still choose to abandon it. If you do, the contract will backfire on it. In severe cases, it could die.”

Yun Jin’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

In her past life, she never had the chance to form a contract with a spirit beast, so she didn’t know these things.

Later, she traveled through many worlds, including those with beast-taming systems,

but every world had different rules.

It was only through Ling Fei’s explanation that she realized how much risk the Iron-Eating Beast took to form this contract with a human.

Yun Jin gazed gently toward the Iron-Eating Beast. “Iron-Eating Beast, do you really trust me that much?”

The little Iron-Eating Beast felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze and turned around, leaving her with its thick back.

Yun Jin let out a soft laugh and warmly said, “Don’t worry. Now that the contract is formed, I’ll never break the contract nor abandon you. You are the spirit beast I’ve chosen. Naturally, you’ll stand with me at the peak.”

The little Iron-Eating Beast didn’t turn back. It wasn’t sure what the result of this impulsive decision would be.

But.

It was too late to regret it now.

It could only trust this new master.

Ling Fei patted the little Iron-Eating Beast’s head and said to Yun Jin, “It doesn’t have a name yet. Remember to give it one later.”

Yun Jin nodded in agreement.

“There are also some things to take note of when raising an Iron-Eating Beast. I’ll give you a manual later. Study it carefully. The Iron-Eating Beast also has a few commonly used items. Take those with you as well.”

Ling Fei busily gathered a large pile of items.

Yun Jin expressed her thanks and stored them into her storage pouch.

Lastly, Ling Fei took out a bottle of beast milk and said, “I’ll give this to you, you—”

“Senior Ling, you must have known I was thirsty and specially prepared this for me,” Yun Jin said, a little moved.

Senior Ling was so thoughtful. She really adored him.

Not wanting to let this kindness go to waste, Yun Jin took the bottle, twisted off the cap, and took a sip.

???

Ling Fei was stunned.

The little Iron-Eating Beast was also stunned.

It let out a cry, jumped up, and snatched the milk back.

“That’s mine, it’s my milk!” the little Iron-Eating Beast shouted angrily.

Yun Jin: “……”

Is that so?

This… feels a bit awkward?

Ling Fei coughed lightly twice and said, “This child is still young, technically only six years old. It has to drink some milk every day, especially before bed. If it doesn’t drink it, it won’t sleep. Make sure to give it some every day. Also, this milk was previously provided by the Spirit Beast Pavilion. Now that you have formed a contract, you’ll have to find it yourself. I’ve given you enough for three days. After that, you’ll have to handle it on your own.”

“I understand,” Yun Jin replied, her lips twitching a little.

By her ear, the Iron-Eating Beast was still ranting furiously:

“My milk! Wuwuwu!”

“I’ve never seen a master fighting with their spirit beast over milk before!”

“Is it too late to regret this now?”