Chapter 67: Hand Over That White Cat!

The leader, a tall and broad-shouldered man with sharp features weathered by years of rigorous training, halted a short distance from Reon.

His dark robes, embroidered with the distinct insignia of the Inner Sect, fluttered lightly in the breeze, a silent reminder of the authority he carried.

His piercing eyes swept over the strange scene before him: the young Outer Sect disciple seated calmly on the ground, a silver-haired Mist Cloud Fox standing protectively by his side, and a small white cat peeking nervously from behind the fox.

His gaze lingered on the beasts, his brows furrowing as if he were trying to solve a riddle. Finally, he straightened, his voice firm but tinged with suspicion as it broke the silence.

"You there," he called out, his tone that of someone accustomed to being obeyed. "Who are you, and what are you doing here in the outskirts of the Whispering Grove? This is no place for Outer Sect disciples."

Reon remained seated, his expression calm but his senses heightened. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, a subtle but deliberate motion. "Just a simple disciple passing through, Senior," he said evenly, his tone giving nothing away.

The leader's eyes narrowed at the response, his suspicion deepening. "A simple disciple?" he echoed, stepping forward. "Cooking a feast in the middle of a dangerous forest, with beasts like a Mist Cloud Fox standing guard? That doesn't sound so simple to me."

The leader's sharp eyes flicked toward the small feline hiding behind Cloudia. "Enough games," he snapped, his voice rising. "Hand over that white cat—it belongs to us."

At his words, the little cat flinched, letting out a soft whimper before ducking further behind Cloudia.

The Mist Cloud Fox growled low in her throat, her silver fur bristling as she stepped protectively in front of Reon and the cat. Her piercing gaze locked onto the group, a clear warning.

Reon's gaze didn't waver. His mind worked quickly, assessing the group. Six of them. Inner Sect disciples, judging by their attire. Maybe on par with my strength or Stronger than me. But their focus isn't on me—it's on the little white cat. Why?

Reon glanced at the cat, his expression softening for a brief moment before he returned his focus to the leader.

His voice remained calm but carried an edge of steel. "I'm afraid you're mistaken, Senior. That little one became my Companion Beast not long ago. Whatever claim you think you have on her, it's irrelevant now. She's mine now."

The leader's eyes widened, his disbelief palpable. "Y-Y-Your Companion Beast?" he echoed, his voice laced with incredulity.

His thoughts raced, struggling to reconcile what he had just heard. A Thunderous White Tiger, one of the Imperial Lineage Beasts, forming a contract with this... nobody? Absurd!

He had read about such creatures—beasts of the White Tiger Clan from Howling Wilds Continent, their bloodline as rare as it was noble.

Beasts of Imperial Lineage were notorious for their pride and arrogance, bowing to no one except their kin or a figure of unmatched power.

And this one wasn't just any Imperial Lineage Beast of White Tiger Clan; it was a Legendary Lineage creature, a direct descendant of the clan's Supreme Ruler, bearing the sacred bloodline of the Divine Beast—the Heavenly Thunder Sovereign White Tiger.

They are akin to the princes or princesses of an empire, their status unparalleled. It is inconceivable for such a proud and noble creature to form a contract with a mere human.

Forming a contract with a beast signifies absolute submission to its master, binding it for life. A beast can only have one master and can never act against them, unless the master is killed and the contract forcibly nullified.

Such beasts would never willingly submit, as they are destined to become future Supreme Rulers. His plan was to turn it into a Slave Beast, forcing it into submission with a Slave Collar for Young Master Niu. That way, it wouldn't be able to rebel until it reached a certain level of strength.

From the looks of it, this creature was saved by that person. But even so, that alone wouldn't justify it forming a contract with him in such a short time.

For a beast like that to form a contract with an Outer Sect disciple? Impossible! He must be lying. Even a Sect Master would struggle to accomplish such a feat!

"You're lying," the leader snarled, his voice rising with frustration. "There's no way a beast like that would bond with someone like you! Stop wasting my time and hand it over. If you really did form a contract, then I'll just kill you to break it."

The other disciples stirred uneasily at the leader's words, but their ambition overpowered any hesitation.

They knew the stakes. Killing Reon to break the contract wasn't just an option—it was their best chance to claim the white tiger for themselves and the glory it promised.

One of the disciples, a wiry young man with sharp features, stepped closer to the leader and whispered into his ear. "Big Brother, I think I've seen this guy somewhere before. Not in person, but in some place. He looks familiar."