Chapter 21: Let's Call You Little White

Contracts are a common practice among martial cultivators on the Extreme Martial Continent, primarily used to subdue beast companions or subordinates and exert control over them.

There are many types of contracts, and quite a few have been lost to history. Presently, the most widely used are the ordinary contract and the compulsory contract.

An ordinary contract requires both parties to willingly agree before it can be successfully established. It provides a measure of restraint over beast companions or subordinates, but its effect is rather limited.

If the beast companion or subordinate is stronger than the master, they can unilaterally dissolve the contract, severing all ties without causing harm to either side.

The compulsory contract, however, holds much greater force, as it is sworn upon one’s Dao heart. Once signed, betrayal of the master is impossible, lest one be struck by heavenly retribution.

Such a contract may be signed by mutual consent, or a powerful master may force it upon the other party. Afterwards, only the master can dissolve it, or it will terminate automatically upon the master’s death.

The soul blood contract that the little fox signed with Mu Tianhen is an ancient form of blood contract, the most demanding of all, and exceedingly unfair to beast companions or subordinates.

A soul blood contract is forged with both soul and vital blood. Once signed, the beast companion or subordinate will never again know freedom.

Unless the master actively breaks the contract, even if the master’s life ends, the contract remains unbroken, and the beast companion or subordinate dies alongside them.

Moreover, this contract can be signed voluntarily by both parties, or either side may initiate it by force. Of course, for a master to compel it, their cultivation must far surpass the other’s.

The party to be bound, should they wish to become someone’s beast companion or subordinate, may initiate the forced signing, and it will succeed regardless of their strength.

Just as the little fox did moments ago—she succeeded at once, binding herself to Mu Tianhen.

Gazing at the snowy-white creature before him, Mu Tianhen felt both amused and helpless.

For this little one was but an ordinary snow fox, still a young cub, offering him little aid—at most, she was ornamental.

Yet, looking into the snow fox’s eyes, Mu Tianhen could not bring himself to dissolve the contract. After all, it was a soul blood contract, a sign of the fox’s profound trust in him.

Thus, Mu Tianhen smiled and said, “Very well, since that is so, you shall follow me. Now that you are my beast companion, you deserve a name of your own.”

“You are entirely white and free of any blemish, so small and adorable—let’s call you Snowy. Do you like it?”

“Thank you, Master, for granting me a name. Snowy likes it very much.” A childish voice sounded in Mu Tianhen’s mind, sweet and pleasant.

Mu Tianhen knew this was Snowy’s answer, a soul-to-soul communication between master and beast companion, inaudible to others.

He reached out, picked up Snowy, and smiled, “Snowy, let us search for spirit herbs together. Since you were born and grew up here, you must know where the good things are.”

Suddenly, Snowy leaped out of Mu Tianhen’s arms and perched atop his shoulder, extending a forepaw to grasp his hair for balance.

Then Snowy raised her other forepaw, pointing ahead, her voice again sounding in Mu Tianhen’s mind: “Master, there’s a deep mountain hollow ahead where many spirit herbs grow.”

“What a wonderful guide!” Mu Tianhen laughed happily and strode swiftly in the direction Snowy indicated.

The terrain here was uneven, a series of undulating hills that grew steeper and taller until they became towering mountains.

Thus, Mu Tianhen had to slow his pace as he advanced.

Along the way, following Mu Tianhen’s instructions, Snowy used her unique senses to help them avoid fierce beasts, making their journey smooth.

Some small animals became targets for Mu Tianhen, providing food for the man and his fox.

After three days, they finally reached the edge of a cliff.

Beyond lay a vast mountain valley, shrouded in mist, its breadth and depth unknown.

Staring at the clouds and mist beneath his feet, Mu Tianhen frowned slightly, for he could not see any path downward.

Snowy seemed to sense Mu Tianhen’s thoughts and communicated, “Master, walk five li to the left and you’ll find a place to descend into the valley.”

“You’ve been there before?” Mu Tianhen asked.

“I was born inside, but left the valley later to search for my parents. By chance, I encountered a striped tiger who failed in its tribulation, and I took its beast core.”

“That’s why the wild bull monster chased me—he arrived a moment too late and found me instead. I met you and thus survived.”

Hearing this, Mu Tianhen was delighted and walked left at once.

Since Snowy was born and raised in the valley, she must be well acquainted with its secrets. This descent might yield great rewards—perhaps he could find all the spirit herbs he needed in one go.

Five li was no great distance for Mu Tianhen; he soon arrived.

Though the mist here was still thick, obscuring any way down, under Snowy’s guidance, Mu Tianhen found a slightly sunken opening.

“Snowy, there’s no path down here either.”

Looking at the sheer cliff below his feet, Mu Tianhen doubted whether Snowy had remembered correctly.

Snowy replied confidently, “Master, this is the only way down. Jump, and ten zhang below you’ll find a platform. From there, you can use the mountain vines to reach the bottom.”

Jump?

Mu Tianhen could hardly believe it.

Were it not for the soul blood contract, he would have thought Snowy was plotting against him, sending him to his death.

Another question arose, so he asked, “Snowy, the platform is ten zhang below. How did you reach this height?”

By common sense, a young fox without any leverage could not possibly climb ten zhang.

Snowy explained, “Master, there are small trees on the cliff that can support up to fifty catties. I climbed up using them without difficulty.”

With this answer, Mu Tianhen was reassured. He took a deep breath and leaped downward, sliding close to the cliff and spotting many small trees growing in the cracks.

These trees were fragile and could bear only a limited weight.

Ten zhang down, an outcropping platform caught Mu Tianhen, easing his worry.

Next, Snowy pointed to a thin vine hidden among many mountain vines, instructing Mu Tianhen to grip it and slide down—he must not choose the wrong one.

Naturally, Mu Tianhen trusted Snowy, grasped the specified vine, and slid down the cliff. He tugged at other thicker vines to test their strength.

Snap!

The thicker vines broke instantly, as if made of paper. Had he chosen wrongly, he would have plummeted to the base, his body shattered.

The height of the cliff was unknown. Mu Tianhen only knew he had been descending for a long while—at least the time it took to burn a stick of incense. Yet he remained within the mist, unable to see below.

After another quarter of an hour, he finally broke through the mist and saw a lush forest beneath, with small plains nestled among the trees. The scenery was beautiful, like a paradise untouched by the world.

But just then, something utterly unexpected occurred.

PS: Another guessing game! What happened next? Same rules as before, valid until Chapter 22 is released.