When Li Miao caught up to Jia Yunwan by following her bond with her beast companion, the husky was lying limply on the ground.
The husky gazed at Li Miao as if she were a savior, eyes brimming with tears.
"Woof woof woof!"
Master, master, I'll never complain about you again!
Next time, I'll ride with you!
Li Miao rode up on her sputtering electric scooter, slamming the brakes right in front of the husky.
A cloud of dust settled on its face.
"Hmph!"
Now it was the master's turn to be angry.
With her actions, Li Miao made it clear to the husky—
This! Is the consequence of disrespecting your master!
Husky: "…"
Gomenasai.
I won't dare do it again.
The husky knew when to yield. It lowered its head in apology.
Li Miao decided to let it go and hoisted the limp, noodle-like husky back onto its feet. Then, she curiously examined the enormous tree trunk before her.
They had returned to the spot near the coast where they'd first arrived.
Here, a spatial-type beast lived. The massive tree trunk was so wide it would take thirty people linking hands to encircle it, and looking up, its full height was impossible to discern—its branches alone blocked out most of the sunlight.
"Teacher, is this the spatial-type beast you mentioned before?"
"Correct."
Jia Yunwan lazily leaned against her parked motorcycle. "Her name is Jiajia. She's my father's second beast companion."
"Jiajia is gentle but reserved. She doesn't talk much, but she loves listening to others. Next time you get the chance, chat with her—she might just surprise you."
As for what kind of surprise?
Jia Yunwan didn't elaborate. Instead, she led Li Miao and the husky to stand beside the trunk.
"Jiajia! Take us to the Land of Bones!"
The moment the words left her lips, the tree trunk reacted.
First, faint green light gathered, then fused into a circular ring. Within the ring, a spatial vortex swirled into existence.
As the vortex stabilized, Li Miao saw the landscape of the other space through the portal—
A desolate expanse of yellow earth and sand dunes.
"Let's go."
Jia Yunwan pushed her motorcycle through the portal.
Following her lead, Li Miao placed the husky on the scooter and wheeled it in as well.
The moment they crossed over, a wave of scorching heat struck Li Miao's face. Within a few steps, sweat beaded on her skin.
The temperature here had to be over 40 degrees Celsius!
Even the usually energetic husky was panting heavily under the relentless heat.
Staring at the boundless, barren landscape ahead, Li Miao couldn't help but feel puzzled.
What kind of Beast Soul Stone would be kept in such a desolate place?
"You're wondering why we're here?"
As if sensing her confusion, Jia Yunwan said, "You'll understand soon."
She mounted her motorcycle and sped off. Li Miao quickly followed on her scooter.
The husky sat firmly on the back of the scooter, the hot wind whipping past its fur, making it even more miserable.
The vast plain seemed devoid of all life except for Jia Yunwan and Li Miao. From above, they looked like two tiny ants crawling across a yellow canvas, inching toward their destination.
Jia Yunwan stopped her bike and surveyed the area, finally nodding. "This is the spot."
Before them stood a stone stele, inscribed with six large characters: "Family Member, Jia Chen's Grave." Beside the inscription were smaller engravings—dates marking the day of birth and death.
Li Miao stared at the dates, frozen for a moment.
"This is…"
Jia Yunwan ran her fingers over the tombstone, her eyes tinged with sorrow.
"He was my father's first beast companion."
"His name was Jia Chen."
Li Miao pressed her lips together. "I'm sorry."
"It's been many years. I've long since come to terms with it." Jia Yunwan smiled faintly, then bent down, searching the soil beneath the tombstone until she found a hidden switch.
She pressed it.
"Come. I'll take you to the Beast Soul Stone."
As soon as she spoke, the world around Li Miao shifted violently. A storm of yellow sand erupted, obscuring her vision. Translucent white bones slowly emerged from the earth, one after another, the rising dust swirling like a sandstorm—
Amid the raging winds, Li Miao closed her eyes and crouched down, covering the husky's snout with her hand.
Jia Yunwan, however, seemed unaffected. An invisible barrier surrounded her, deflecting the sand.
Watching Li Miao and the husky struggle, she walked over and pulled them inside her protective shield.
"Don't be afraid."
"This is Jiajia's space. There's no danger here."
Li Miao cautiously opened her eyes.
As the ground settled and the sandstorm subsided, she and the husky looked up—and gasped.
Before them stood the skeletal remains of a beast nearly a kilometer tall.
Standing at the foot of the tombstone, they seemed insignificant in comparison.
Li Miao stared in awe at the massive canine skeleton.
"Is this…"
She couldn't believe it. "Is this the Beast Soul Stone!?"
Jia Yunwan smirked.
"As my father said, you're very sharp."
"Yes. Most Beast Soul Stones are formed from deceased beast companions."
"But to prevent greed-driven exploitation and to protect living beasts, the stones available to the public are processed and refined versions. And now…"
"I brought you here because I wanted you to understand something."
Gazing at the giant skeleton, she seemed lost in memory.
As a child, she'd barely reached its size. The beast would always look at her with fond exasperation.
It was so large she couldn't even wrap her arms around a single toe. So it shrank itself down, carefully bending to kiss her forehead. Even when she ruffled its fur, braided it, or adorned it with glittering bows, it tolerated everything with endless patience.
It was family.
Maybe it had its temper.
Maybe it made her angry sometimes.
But…
It was family. No matter how upset she was, she could never abandon it.
Jia Yunwan's lips quivered, and her nose stung.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Li Miao."
"Listen well."
She said, "Every beast companion leaves behind a Beast Soul Stone upon death."
"And this stone… is both an inheritance and a new beginning."
"When your beast inherits the will within the stone, they will grow stronger. But they could also lose themselves in that will—until they fail to awaken."
"This awakening could last a day, or ten days. During that time, you must stay by their side. No matter the outcome, I want you to remember one thing—"
"A beast companion isn't just your partner or friend."
"They are family. Bound to you through life and death, never to be parted."
Wahhhh.