1 Chapter 1: The Annoying Pet Life (1)

In the Feng Ze Empire palace, eight golden dragons were carved on the columns as if they were alive. The dragon's eyes were inlaid with two Night Pearls, dazzling and causing people's eyes to blur.

All the ministers raised their eyes to look at the envoy from Jiu Kingdom standing in the center of the hall.

Jiu Kingdom was a small neighboring country of the Feng Ze Empire. Although it was small, it had everything necessary. Its wealth was just slightly weaker than the Feng Ze Empire. Today's tribute brought by the envoys amounted to 5,000 rolls of silk, along with countless precious objects.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's care, our Jiu Kingdom has flourished peacefully. Last month, our king accidentally obtained a treasure and presented it to your esteemed country in hopes of bringing laughter to Your Majesty." The envoy bowed deeply, showing impeccable etiquette.

The ministers did not take his words to heart. Whenever a country came to offer tribute, they would claim that their gift was a treasure. But truly valuable treasures were few and far between. Gold, silver, and jade were abundant in Feng Ze Kingdom. Pearls and agate were also countless.

As if not seeing the ministers' contempt, the envoy smiled and beckoned to the outside of the hall. Immediately, a guard from Jiu Kingdom entered with a round tray. On the tray was an object, but it was covered with a black cloth, blocking everyone's view.

"Why don't you all guess what's inside?" The envoy placed his right hand on his chest, making a polite gesture, and bent slightly forward.

"Envoy from Jiu Kingdom, you don't need to be so mysterious. There are so many things in the world; if we each take a turn to guess, we'd still be guessing until sundown, unable to leave morning court." Left Minister Situ Feiyu said sarcastically, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

No wonder he said that; although Jiu Kingdom was wealthy, their military power was very weak. If it weren't for Feng Ze Kingdom's protection, their small country would have long been trampled by other countries' armies.

"Prime Minister Situ is right; it was my overstepping. In that case, let all the ministers take a look at what's in the dish."

The envoy lifted the black cloth, revealing a delicate cage. Inside the cage was a silver and white soft-furred animal with quivering pointy ears. Seemingly annoyed by the sudden bright light, its crystal-clear eyes opened a slit impatiently.

Its palm-sized body curled up, unwilling to be seen by others. In the middle of its forehead was a cluster of red fluff, like a flame burning fiercely.

Everyone looked at the animal, thinking — what a clever little mink!

In Feng Ze Kingdom, many wealthy families loved to keep small pets. Although this little mink was very adorable, to call it a 'treasure' was a bit of a stretch.

Left Minister Situ Feiyu stood up again, mocking, "Could it be that Jiu Kingdom has no treasures left and actually sent a little mink? If you want to fool our kingdom's tribute, at least find a decent treasure. Are you trying to humiliate Feng Ze Kingdom?"

The ministers began to criticize the envoy, causing the hall to become noisy.

At this moment, An Honghan, sitting on the throne, watched the mink in the cage at the center of the hall with a hint of interest in his eyes.

This little ball of fluff was none other than Xi Xizhi, who had been struck by the Thunderbolt Tribulation and nearly had her body destroyed. She had been cultivating for 20 years and was just about to ascend with her Master. However, she ended up dying instead. Fortunately, at the last moment, her Master's gift - a protective treasure - blocked the final blow, or else her soul would have dissipated in the Thunderbolt Tribulation as well.

When her soul first entered this animal's body, Xi Xizhi was very annoyed and wished to change bodies by committing suicide. But then she thought about how her Master had named her 'Xizhi' to cherish everything in front of her. Committing suicide would be counterproductive.

After observing for a few days, she discovered that this body seemed to be a spiritual energy container, constantly absorbing spiritual energy from all directions. With such a cultivation speed, it would only take a year or two at most to reclaim her human form.

Seeing the ministers and envoys arguing, Xi Xizhi sat up properly with her round body. With eyes full of interest, she looked like she was enjoying the commotion.

An Honghan's pitch-black eyes caught the little mink's every move. With a hint of interest, he said, "Bring the mink forward."

The ministers who had been arguing quieted down immediately, casting their gazes toward the emperor sitting at the head of the hall, unable to guess An Honghan's intention...

This cold voice carried a chilling aura. Just by its tone, one could guess how cold and heartless that person was.

Xi Xizhi shrank her round body, covering her face with her powerless little paws. Peeking through the gap between her paws, she secretly observed An Honghan above her.

An Honghan was a handsome man in his twenties, with a powerful, imposing demeanor that could not be ignored. His face was as beautiful as a sculpture; the only downside was his cold, intimidating eyes that deterred people from looking at him too much.

Could this man have a penchant for abusing animals? Xi Xizhi felt a little hesitant, her chubby legs moving toward the back of the cage. Throughout history, there have been many tyrants. Seeing the evil aura on this man, Xi Xizhi couldn't help but feel discouraged. Being in a cage forever would be better than having such a gloomy master. If he were to get angry, her life would definitely be in danger when she was powerless!

Seeing An Honghan's interest, the envoy's eyes were filled with joy as he handed the cage to Chief Steward Lin En.

Xi Xizhi gripped the cage tightly, afraid of getting too close to that person. She bared her teeth and screamed in a language humans could not understand.

Chirping noises.

"It seems that the mink also likes Your Majesty. In the past few days, it has always been sleeping in the cage, but seeing Your Majesty, it can't help but jump around happily."

The envoy shamelessly distorted the facts, and Xi Xizhi wished she could pounce on him and scratch him with her claws. She was clearly resisting...

"Take it out." The cold voice sounded again.

Steward Lin En opened the cage and held the little mink close to the Golden Dragon Throne.

When they were about a meter away from An Honghan, Xi Xizhi pushed off with both legs and jumped out of Lin En's palm. Just as she was about to run back, a large hand firmly grabbed her neck. Xi Xizhi turned her head and shrank, her face just about ten centimeters away from a cold, expressionless face.