Chapter 2 – History

Perhaps it was because Yun Xiguang’s neck was too comfortable that Chi Qiong, who had only intended to take a brief rest, ended up sleeping from noon until nightfall.

Of course, a few hours of sleep meant nothing to Chi Qiong, who had once slumbered for a million years. Yet, Chi Qiong, who either didn’t sleep at all or slept for ten thousand years at a time, almost thought he had slept for tens of thousands of years when he woke up groggily on Yun Xiguang’s shoulder. He was momentarily puzzled about how this weak human could have stayed by his side for so long. Could it be that he had unknowingly bestowed spirit energy upon Yun Xiguang while he was asleep?

Fortunately, Chi Qiong could calculate Yun Xiguang’s actual age through the pulse and heartbeat in his neck. With a slight turn of his head and a gentle touch, he knew that only a few hours had passed.

A few hours? When did he start sleeping for a few hours? This shouldn’t be his routine. Chi Qiong pondered in confusion.

Chi Qiong believed he was in deep contemplation, pondering the grandest matters of creation and the most profound meaning of the universe. But in Yun Xiguang’s eyes, his little spirit bird had staggered and swayed after having slept for several hours, waking up to first nuzzle his neck affectionately before revealing a look of bewilderment in his black-bean eyes towards the world, an endearing sight indeed.

Yun Xiguang couldn’t help but speculate that this little spirit bird was either just born or had been sealed on Two Principles Mountain along with countless other spirit beasts right after birth tens of thousands of years ago. This little spirit bird was completely unfamiliar with the world and had a natural dependence on him.

This realization softened Yun Xiguang’s heart.

After his parents’ passing, he fell from the clouds into the abyss, stuck in the mire and unable to save himself. He gradually distanced himself from his past friends. Due to his injury, he could no longer become a Spiritbond Master, and the Yun family treated him as a discarded son. Those who once envied him now trampled on him, and he lost his kin.

Yun Xiguang had trained as a Spiritbond Master since childhood, knowing from a young age that he would have a spirit beast as a companion that would grow alongside him. He had always looked forward to having a spirit beast by his side and had even fantasized about what his spirit beast would look like. After his spirit root was destroyed, that hope vanished.

Alone, proud, and cold, he built countless thorny fortresses around himself to protect his inner self, never giving anyone the chance to enter his heart again.

At this moment, this soft and small spirit bird, entirely dependent on Yun Xiguang, touched the softest and most painful spot in his heart.

Yun Xiguang’s gaze softened, his fingertips gently stroking the little spirit bird’s head as he patiently told him about the world.

Yun Xiguang began, “Spiritbond Master isn’t a profession with a long history; it emerged hundreds of years ago with the Industrial Revolution.

“At that time, science flourished rapidly, and countless coal mines and oil fields were exploited by people, accompanied by the appearance of spirit beasts.

“The first spirit beast in the world appeared at the border between our country and Bear Country, during a very cold winter. The Bear Countrymen kidnapped a group of border civilians, forcing them to mine coal underground. Amidst the extremely unsafe coal mines, they encountered a spirit beast resembling a cow with only one foot, hidden deep within the coal mine.

“This was the Kuiniu, recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Its roar was like thunder, and every roar emitted a glow, akin to sunlight and moonlight in the darkness of the coal mine.

“However, the moment this ox awakened, a heavenly fire descended from the sky, instantly melting the snow into steam and burning the entire coal mine to ashes.

“Trapped in the heavenly fire, the Kuiniu let out a mournful cry like thunder. The target of the heavenly fire was precisely it, aiming to destroy the spirit beast that did not belong to this era.

“To survive, the Kuiniu used all its might to resist the heavenly fire, while the workers inside and outside the mine turned to ashes the instant the heavenly fire arrived. Only one person survived, who happened to be beneath the Kuiniu at that moment and was saved by the Kuiniu’s power.

“At this critical moment, a flash of spiritual light appeared above the Kuiniu’s head, entering the miner’s forehead. Instantly, the miner’s mind was filled with knowledge about spirit beasts and Spirit Contracts, as the Kuiniu transmitted the Spirit Contract laws in the face of life and death.

“Tens of thousands of years ago, humans became the rulers of all living things, wisdom replacing the primitive lifestyle. Since then, the laws of heaven and earth recognized the survival methods of humans, ancient spirit beasts dying or falling into slumber, providing an environment for human rest and recuperation.

“Once the law acknowledged humans, it would not allow spirit beasts beyond the capacity of this world to appear. Unexpectedly awakened spirit beasts must bind themselves to humans and form contracts to learn the rules of modern society to survive.

“The contract is equal; humans gain supernatural extraordinary powers and assistance from spirit beasts through the contract, while spirit beasts gradually imbibe the aura of humans. Eventually, they will undergo a metamorphosis, transform into humans, and become existences in accordance with the laws of heaven and earth.

“Understanding this truth instantly, the miner, to survive, followed the method taught by the Kuiniu, opening his spirit root and formed a Spirit Contract with the Kuiniu. In the light of the spirit, the heavenly fire dissipated, and the Heavenly Laws recognized this way, allowing the first awakened spirit beast, the Kuiniu, to finally survive.

“And that miner became the first Spiritbond Master in the world.”

At this point, Yun Xiguang paused for a moment before continuing, “He is also the ancestor of our Yun family, originally named Yun Dasha. After becoming a Spiritbond Master through the Kuiniu, he changed his name to Yun Qi.”

From then on, Yun Qi and the Kuiniu ushered in an era of Spiritbond Masters, giving this agrarian civilization nation sufficient strength to resist the invasion of industrial civilization.

Spiritbond Masters supported the true heroes serving the people and turned the tide in that chaotic era, saving the nation from the flames of war.

The above was the content recorded in the history books of the Zhuzhao Spiritbond Academy where Yun Xiguang was located, a compulsory subject for them, and the unknown history of this world.

Chi Qiong listened attentively to Yun Xiguang’s narrative, a question rising in his tiny mind —

What is the Industrial Revolution?

Even in slumber, Chi Qiong was aware of everything happening in the outside world.

Only from the “Industrial Revolution” mentioned by Yun Xiguang did he lose connection with the world.

Simultaneously, the ancient divine beasts that had been like sacrificial offerings, slumbering alongside him, awakened and established a deeper relationship with humans.

Was it because of the awakening of the ancient divine beasts or this so-called “Industrial Revolution” that he lost his perception of the outside world?

Seeing the puzzled expression in the little spirit bird’s eyes, Yun Xiguang thought that this juvenile spirit beast was too young, not yet understanding human language. He had narrated such complex history, which the little spirit bird might not comprehend.

“It seems I’ll have to teach you human language first before explaining these things slowly,” Yun Xiguang said softly.

But not now! This wouldn’t do! Chi Qiong was determined to find out what this “Industrial Revolution” was about; otherwise, he couldn’t find peace.

However, he didn’t necessarily need this human to explain it; he could see it himself.

Chi Qiong’s spiritual vision could span the entire world, seeing through five thousand years of history, with all things under heaven within his sight.

Thus, Chi Qiong moved a few steps with his short legs, stood proudly on Yun Xiguang’s left shoulder, and spread his enormous wings…

Wait? Chi Qiong’s round body froze, struggling to twist his head to look at his wings.

Chi Qiong knew that he was currently small in size. After all, he could change infinitely, large enough to obscure the sun and moon, small enough to rival the tiny creatures, perching on the eyelash of a mosquito. Being merely the size of a fledgling wasn’t a concern for Chi Qiong, as he could still transform.

But just now, as he was about to display his peerless figure before this human, Chi Qiong was surprised to find that he couldn’t enlarge himself!

Where was this Exalted One’s spirit energy? Where were this Exalted One’s infinite transformation abilities? Where were this Exalted One’s feathers? Where were this Exalted One’s powers?

Chi Qiong couldn’t believe that he would awaken to become such a weak fledgling. Unwillingly, he flapped his chubby, short wings, striving to fly towards the sky, while extending his elegant neck and emitting a melodious phoenix cry —

“Chirp chirp!”

In the chirping sounds, a tender yellow little spirit bird clumsily flapped his fleshy wings and dove headfirst from Yun Xiguang’s shoulder, plummeting to the ground with his head down.

Yun Xiguang, quick-eyed and agile-handed, caught Chi Qiong, cradling him in his palms, cherishing their eye contact.

Chi Qiong’s frightened little eyes met Yun Xiguang’s seemingly cool but actually warm gaze.

“You want to learn to fly already?” Yun Xiguang chuckled lightly. “You’re still young. Don’t rush. One day, I will help you soar among the nine heavens.”

Chi Qiong had seen the world; he quickly suppressed the shock of losing his powers, scratched his claws twice, raised his head, and solemnly addressed Yun Xiguang. “Since you have the heart to serve this Exalted One, this Exalted One shall accept you as a spirit servant, bestow upon you glory for ten thousand years, and protect your generations.”

To make himself more convincing, Chi Qiong even shed a noble phoenix feather, placing it in Yun Xiguang’s palm.

This would be the treasure passed down through Yun Xiguang’s generations. If his family ever faced difficulties in the future, they could summon all beasts with this phoenix feather!

Yun Xiguang watched as a small fluff fell from the little spirit bird’s body, and using his claws, he pushed the fluff into Yun Xiguang’s hand, as if urging him to preserve the feather.

All spirit beasts had their preferences and temperaments, and respecting the spirit beast’s preferences was also a mandatory part of being a Spiritbond Master.

“Since you want to collect the molted down feathers, I will carefully collect each one. When you grow up, you can handle them yourself,” Yun Xiguang promised and placed the fluff in his chest pocket with reverence.

Chi Qiong: “…”

No, this Exalted One didn’t mean it like that. Come here; this Exalted One will perform the enlightening ceremony for you, letting you understand this Exalted One’s intentions.

Chi Qiong extended his wing towards Yun Xiguang.

“Mm-hmm, I understand.” Yun Xiguang nodded, placed Chi Qiong back in the crook of his neck, and continued his descent towards the mountain’s foot. Having found his spirit beast, there was no need to remain on Two Principles Mountain; descending immediately was best.

Chi Qiong, placed back in the warm neck nook, felt drowsy again, believing that his inability to exert power was due to insufficient sleep.

He decided to take another nap, planning to properly educate this ignorant human later.