Dark Willow Forest

(Next Day)

(Dark Willow Forest)

The first rays of dawn stretched across the sky, painting it in soft hues of gold and pink as the sun rose over the horizon. 

 The morning air was crisp and filled with the faint chirping of birds.

The faint rustle of leaves greeted us as we stood at the threshold of the Dark Willow Forest, a place so dense with trees that even sunlight seemed to cower away. 

"Young Master, are you really sure about this?" Meiyara's sweet yet exasperated voice cut through the eerie silence, her delicate brows furrowing as she peered at me with skeptical brown eyes.

"Are you still doubting me even though we're already here?" I shot back, ducking slightly to pass under a low-hanging branch. 

Meiyara let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing her arms under her ample chest. 

"Sigh! Do you really think taming a beast in a forest like this is going to be easy, especially when you're not even a cultivator?" 

The nerve of this girl! Always mocking me whenever she gets the chance.

Her condescending tone grated on my nerves, and I clenched my jaw. One day, I'd put her in her place. But for now, I had to tolerate her attitude. After all, she was my strongest bodyguard at the moment. 

"So what if I'm not a cultivator?" I muttered under my breath. "I'm a transmigrator, destined for greatness. I'll show you." 

Aloud, I said confidently, "We don't need to aim for a high-level beast. A Level D beast in its early stage of cultivation will suffice." 

Meiyara raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curling into a smug smile. "And you think that's easy? Do you even know what you're talking about?" 

"Isn't your cultivation at Beast Tamer Initiate, 8th stage?" I asked, feigning casual curiosity. 

Her face lit up with pride, though she tried to downplay it with a dismissive wave. "Ah, yeah, it's nothing big." 

The smugness in her expression was undeniable, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and annoyance. 

For someone who served as a maid, reaching such a level of cultivation was impressive. Yet, her arrogance made me want to wipe that smirk off her face. 

"So, how strong are you? Could you handle a mature Level D beast?" I asked, feigning curiosity. 

Her confident demeanor faltered slightly, and she rolled her eyes. "Matured Level D? Are you joking, Young Master? At best, I can capture an early-stage Level D beast. Even going against a matured Level E is risky at my level." 

I blinked, trying to make sense of this absurd system. 

"Wait, so… an early-stage Level D is weaker than a matured Level E? Shouldn't Level D start after Level E? Isn't that how progression works?" 

Meiyara's eyes widened in disbelief, and she pinched the bridge of her nose as though I had given her a headache. 

"Young Master, have you forgotten even the basics? The only redeeming quality you had was your theoretical knowledge, and now that's gone too. Aren't you practically... useless?" 

Her words stung, and I glared at her. "Useless? Watch me tame a beast and start cultivating! Just you wait!" I snapped. "Fine. If you're so knowledgeable, tell me how it works!"

She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that?" 

"I—uh, I mean, explain it to me first," I said, trying to mask my embarrassment. 

With an exasperated sigh, she relented. "Oh, it's simple, Young Master," she began, her tone deliberately patronizing. 

"Beasts are born with a specific level, which determines the quality of their beast spirit. The stronger the beast spirit, the higher the cultivator's qi quality after taming them. Higher levels aren't about age or growth—they're about innate spirit potential."

"So that's how it works..." I muttered, nodding thoughtfully. 

She smirked, clearly enjoying my confusion. "So, taming a Level D beast isn't just about catching it. You'd better hope it even lets you approach without ripping you to shreds first."

"Just watch me," I muttered under my breath, determined not to let her have the last word.

"Young Master!"

Suddenly, Meiyara halted, her slender finger pointing at the dense bush ahead. Her voice carrying a strange mix of urgency and excitement. 

I frowned, clenching my fists instinctively. My muscles tensed, and my sharp gaze locked onto the bush she had pointed at. Adrenaline surged through me, and I prepared myself for a potential threat. 

"It's a Spirit Rabbit!" she squealed, her tone unexpectedly high-pitched and far more feminine than usual. Her eyes twinkled like she was looking at the most adorable creature in existence.

So, a Spirit Rabbit? Wait... isn't that just a low-level F-ranked spirit beast? My battle-ready stance immediately felt ridiculous.

I relaxed, letting out a breath. "That's it?" I muttered under my breath. A level F spirit beast? Really? This overly dramatic woman got me all worked up for this?

I stepped closer to the bush, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. 

"Aaa! Young Master, don't go!" Meiyara called out, her voice suddenly trembling with exaggerated emotion. She extended her arms toward me in a slow, dramatic motion that felt straight out of an over-the-top play. 

I raised an eyebrow. What is she going on about? It's just a rabbit, for heaven's sake! 

"Do you know what I've handled before, Meiyara? I once tamed an adult Rottweiler used in illegal fights like it was a playful puppy," I said, shaking my head at her theatrics. "Do you really think I'll be intimidated by—" 

Before I could finish, the bush rustled violently. 

Zshh!

A sky-blue rabbit with silky fur and piercing blue eyes shot out like an arrow. It was adorable—plush and soft, like a living cloud. My smirk widened. 

"Ha! See, Meiyara? Even beasts recognize my greatness. Look at it, throwing itself at me for a hug—" 

My words trailed off as the rabbit hurtled closer, and I finally noticed its eyes. Those were not the eyes of a cuddly creature yearning for affection. They were blazing with fury, glinting with a wild, feral intent. Its tiny claws gleamed like razor blades, poised to tear into me. 

"Young Master, dodge!" Meiyara screamed, her voice urgent. 

"Oh-oh!" I yelped, springing sideways just as the rabbit slashed through the space I had occupied moments before. 

Thud!

I landed with a graceless thud, sprawled on the ground, but managed to avoid the attack. Dust rose around me as I propped myself up on my elbows, glaring at the little menace. 

The rabbit landed gracefully, turning its cold, murderous gaze back to me. It stood poised, trembling with rage like a tiny avenger who had waited generations to exact revenge. 

"Why does it look like I murdered its entire clan in a past life?" I muttered, my brows furrowing. 

Before I could react further, it lunged again, its small body moving with unnatural speed. 

Boom!

Halfway through its charge, a sudden flash of light streaked past me. A sharp, concentrated energy slammed into the rabbit mid-air, sending it flying backward. It tumbled across the ground before coming to a halt, its body lying still. 

Stunned, I turned toward the source of the attack. There stood Meiyara, her slender hand extended, faint wisps of glowing qi dissipating around her fingers.

Her expression was calm, though a bead of sweat trickled down her temple, betraying the effort she'd just exerted. 

"You—you blasted it?" I gaped, half-impressed and half-horrified. 

She turned to me, her soft lips curling into a smug smile. "Relax, Young Master," she said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "It's not dead. I just put it to sleep." 

Her eyes glimmered with amusement as she tilted her head slightly, clearly enjoying my shocked reaction. 

I blinked at the rabbit's limp form and then back at her. For a moment, the absurdity of being nearly mauled by an adorable spirit rabbit and then saved by a woman who looked like she'd just stepped out of a painting sank in. 

"You're sure? It's not... you know, dead?" My gaze flickered between her and the rabbit, now motionless on the ground.

She chuckled softly, her melodious voice teasing. "If I wanted it dead, it wouldn't just be lying there. You're welcome, by the way."

I nodded awkwardly, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, well, I could've handled it myself."

She raised a delicate eyebrow, a sly grin playing on her lips. "Of course, young master. That's why you were about to get your face clawed off by a Level F beast."

I scratched the back of my neck, my pride taking a small hit.