I tamed beasts and achieved immortality in the world of cultivation.

Chen Qing took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and carefully examined the red-crowned crane in front of him.

It was tall and slender, with immaculate white feathers, a slightly curved long neck, and beady black eyes staring at him with a calm and composed gaze, as if it cared nothing for anything in the world.

Chen Qing suddenly recalled the myths and legends from his previous life.

Immortals ride cranes, soaring through the nine heavens.

Those legendary cranes, aren't they the red-crowned cranes?

He originally thought it was just a legend, but he never expected that in the world of cultivation, the red-crowned crane would actually have such potential—a third-grade low-level Golden Core cultivator. If given the opportunity, it might be able to advance even further.

Unfortunately, this red-crowned crane did not have any hidden true spiritual bloodline; the bloodline section simply stated "ordinary".

But Chen Qing was not disappointed.

The potential of a third-tier low-grade item has far exceeded his expectations.

If this red-crowned crane can be trained, it will become a Golden Core stage fighter in the future!

As he was thinking, he heard footsteps behind him.

Song Yang walked from the other end of the passageway, holding two pale gold talismans in his hand. The talismans were filled with spiritual light, and fine runes could be faintly seen.

"Junior Brother Chen, I've brought the contract talisman." Song Yang walked over and saw him squatting in the corner of the cave. Following his gaze, he asked, "What, you've taken a liking to this one?"

Chen Qing stood up and nodded: "Senior Brother Song, I'll take this one."

Song Yang looked at the red-crowned crane and suddenly paused.

"what?"

He blinked, looked at it more closely, and frowned: "Where did this... come from?"

Chen Qing was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

Song Yang pointed at the red-crowned crane, his face full of doubt: "I count the spirit beasts in the spirit beast cave every month. There are seventeen, not one more and not one less, but this one... I've never seen it before."

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow: "Senior Brother Song, you mean this one isn't from the Spirit Beast Cave?"

"Logically, it shouldn't be like that." Song Yang scratched his head and circled the red-crowned crane. "But it's here, and there are no tags, which means it's ownerless..."

He suddenly remembered something and slapped his thigh: "Could it be that some senior brother or sister brought back a cub from outside, and hasn't had time to register it yet?"

Chen Qing thought about it and agreed.

When disciples of Beast Taming Peak go out for training, they occasionally bring back promising young spirit beasts. They keep them in the spirit beast cave for a while and then register them when they have time.

This red-crowned crane is most likely in this condition.

"Can I form a contract?" Chen Qing asked.

Song Yang waved his hand: "Of course! Uncle Shentu said that as long as it's unclaimed on the peak, we can pick any one we want, no matter where it came from. Once it's here, it belongs to our Beast Taming Peak!"

Chen Qing smiled: "That's good then."

Song Yang handed him two talismans and then took out a jade slip from his pocket: "This is the contract method for the symbiotic spiritual pact. Take a look at it first, and ask me if you don't understand anything."

Chen Qing took the jade slip and placed it on his forehead.

After a while.

Chen Qing opened his eyes, understanding dawning on him.

This "symbiotic spiritual contract" method is complex in some ways, and simple in others.

It is nothing more than using one's own soul as a guide to plant an imprint in the soul of a spirit beast, so that from then on, the human and the beast are of one mind and live and prosper together.

But the cost is also high—

Each time a spirit beast is contracted, a wisp of the soul is separated, causing considerable damage to the soul.

Therefore, Zhou Ruoqing contracted three spirit beasts, with a gap of nearly ten years in between.

Chen Qing took a deep breath, handed the jade slip back to Song Yang, and sat down cross-legged. The red-crowned crane continued to watch him quietly, its black bean-like eyes seeming to hold a hint of curiosity.

Chen Qing looked at it, pondered for a moment, and said softly, "I want to sign a spiritual contract with you. From now on, we will be family. Are you willing?"

The red-crowned crane gazed at him quietly, and after a moment, it suddenly nodded gently.

Chen Qing smiled slightly and placed the talisman between its eyebrows.

At the same time, he silently recited in his heart:

"System, contract."

The next moment, the light screen in front of him suddenly lit up—

[Contract activated...]

[Target: Red-crowned Crane (Tier 1, Low Grade)]

[Potential: Tier 3, Low Grade]

[Do you confirm the contract?]

"confirm."

Chen Qing's mind stirred.

In an instant, he felt a heat between his brows, and a wisp of his soul seemed to be drawn by something, slowly leaving his body and entering the brow of the red-crowned crane.

At the same time, the red-crowned crane trembled, its black bean-like eyes widening as it stared blankly at Chen Qing. In its gaze, there was first bewilderment, then doubt, and finally a hint of closeness.

It took a few light steps, walked to Chen Qing's side, and nuzzled his shoulder with its long beak.

Chen Qing opened his eyes, reached out, and stroked the crimson mark on its head.

Soft and warm.

A strange feeling suddenly welled up in his heart, as if he could faintly sense the emotions of the red-crowned crane: calmness, curiosity, and a faint sense of attachment.

Is this the contract?

Chen Qing's lips curled up slightly.

Song Yang stared blankly at the scene, scratching his head: "Junior Brother Chen, your contract... seems a bit different from mine back then."

Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged: "How is it different?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it," Song Yang frowned. "It's just... it seems a bit faster? A bit smoother? Back when I contracted the Silver Moon Wolf, it took me almost half an hour, and my soul was nearly torn apart. And you... did it in the blink of an eye?"

Chen Qing smiled and casually said, "Perhaps it's because I'm very approachable."

Song Yang thought for a moment and nodded: "That makes sense. Senior Sister Zhou also said that you have a high level of affability. Even the Fire Spirit Fox took the initiative to get close to you, so it's normal that the contract was formed quickly."

He glanced at the red-crowned crane, then at Chen Qing, and grinned: "Alright, the contract is signed. Let's go, I'll take you to your lodgings."

Chen Qing stood up, and the red-crowned crane followed closely beside him.

The two people and the crane walked towards the cave entrance.

Just as they were about to step out of the cave, the red-crowned crane suddenly stopped, turned around, and let out a clear, long cry into the depths of the cave. The cry was melodious, yet it carried a hint of reluctance.

Chen Qing paused and turned around.

The cave was shrouded in mist, with stalactites standing tall, making it difficult to see clearly. One could only vaguely sense that something existed in the deepest part of the mist.

He frowned slightly, focusing his senses, but detected nothing.

The red-crowned crane called out again, this time with a hint of reluctance in its voice, as if it were saying goodbye to something.

Chen Qing looked at it and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

The red-crowned crane tilted its head, looked at him with its black bean-like eyes, looked back at the cave, and finally gently rubbed against his hand.

Chen Qing had already signed a contract with the red-crowned crane, and he sensed that it was telling him that everything was alright.

Although I had some doubts, I didn't think about it too deeply.

There may be other spirit beasts deep within this spirit beast cave. It's normal for the red-crowned cranes to feel attached to them and reluctant to leave, as they hatch here.

Chen Qing patted the red-crowned crane's neck and said gently:

"From now on, Beast Taming Peak will be your home. You can come back to visit anytime you want."

"belch--"

The red-crowned crane let out a soft cry, as if it understood.

Song Yang urged from the side, "Junior Brother Chen, let's hurry up, it's getting dark."

Chen Qing nodded, took one last look at the cave, and then turned to leave with Song Yang.

……

The two people and the crane left the spirit beast cave and headed down the mountain path.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we arrived at a secluded courtyard halfway up the mountain.

The courtyard is not large, and it still has blue tiles and white walls.

Several old pine trees stand in front of the gate, with strings of wind chimes hanging from their branches, tinkling as the mountain breeze blows.

Behind the courtyard is a bamboo forest, and a stream meanders down from the Beast Taming Peak, passing through the forest. In front of the courtyard is a small medicinal herb garden, which, although abandoned, still shows that someone once took good care of it.

"This is it." Song Yang pushed open the door and led Chen Qing inside. "We don't have many disciples on Beast Taming Peak, and our living quarters are spacious. This courtyard has been empty for several years; you can tidy it up and move in."

He took a cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to Chen Qing:

"These are your disciple robes, identity token, and this year's annual stipend—thirty low-grade spirit stones, ten times more than that of an outer disciple."

Chen Qing's eyes lit up. This was enough to buy a bottle of cultivation pills. He quickly accepted it and thanked him solemnly.

Song Yang waved his hand and chuckled, "Alright, you can start packing. I won't bother you any longer. Come find me anytime if you need anything. I live in the third courtyard on the east side."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Chen Qing stood in the courtyard, gazing at the tranquil little place, and took a deep breath.

From this day forward, this will be his residence on Beast Taming Peak.

He glanced back at the red-crowned crane following behind him. The crane was standing under the old pine tree in the courtyard, leisurely preening its feathers.

Chen Qing smiled slightly, turned around and went into the house.

……

A moment later, Chen Qing changed into his disciple's robes and went out.

The red-crowned crane remained standing under the old pine tree. When it saw him come out, it raised its head and glanced at him before continuing to preen its feathers.

Chen Qing walked to its side, squatted down, and whispered:

"You stay here for a bit, I'm going out."

The red-crowned crane tilted its head, its black bean-like eyes looking at him, as if asking, "Where are you going?"

"I'll go buy you some oranges. You stay here and don't move."

Chen Qing made a joke from his past life, but unfortunately the red-crowned crane couldn't understand. Chen Qing shook his head, gently stroked its feathers, and got up to walk out of the courtyard.

He is going to the Valley of Beasts.

The beast-taming method of Beast Taming Peak requires the consumption of one's divine soul when signing a spirit contract, and it also causes considerable damage to the divine soul. Zhou Ruoqing signed contracts with three spirit beasts, with a gap of nearly ten years in between, precisely to allow her divine soul to slowly recover.

But his system is different.

The system contract is based on his current soul strength. The contract process is like a non-invasive surgery. His soul is now as stable as ever, and he still has one contract slot left.

Moreover, because of the secret realm, the cultivators in the Canglan Domain have become much kinder to him, so Chen Qing is not worried about being targeted because of his "powerful soul"—at least within the Lingyun Sect, the probability is not high.

Of course, if Chen Qingsheng were in a demonic sect, that would be a different story.

If that's the case—

He certainly wouldn't miss that clever monkey.

Chen Qing quickened his pace, heading along the mountain path towards the Valley of Beasts halfway up the mountain.