CHAPTER 917: BREAKTHROUGH TO MYSTIC SAINT REALM

The oppressive aura that had weighed upon the sacred beasts dissipated as Xiao Yun withdrew his power. His demeanor shifted in an instant, from an unfathomable, terrifying existence to a spoiled child rushing into his master’s arms.

"Master, I’m back," he cooed, nuzzling against Shenlian Yingyue affectionately.

She caught him instinctively, her mind still reeling from what she had just witnessed. She had always known Xiao Yun was extraordinary, but this... this was beyond anything she had imagined. The way he had effortlessly suppressed Qing Long, Bai Hu, Xuan Wu, and Zhu Que, beings of immense power, as if they were mere ants beneath his feet. Just who was he?

A faint smile touched her lips as she stroked his fur. It didn’t matter. No matter how unfathomable his origins were, he was still her Yunyun.

Unbeknownst to her, the five sacred beasts were frozen in shock, their expressions a mix of disbelief and awe. Qing Luan, who had remained aloof for millennia, now stared at Xiao Yun with wide eyes. She recognized him. Or rather, she recognized the terrifying presence he had briefly revealed.

That being, serving a human? Acting like a spoiled pet? Had the heavens gone mad?

The four sacred beasts exchanged glances before dropping to their knees in unison.

"Your Boundless Majesty," Qing Long spoke, his voice trembling with reverence, "we humbly request to form a contract with her. We vow to serve her faithfully, without betrayal, for as long as we exist."

The others echoed his words, their heads bowed so low they nearly touched the ground.

Shenlian Yingyue blinked in confusion. Just moments ago, they had been ready to fight to the death, and now, they were begging to serve her?

Qing Luan studied her reaction with a complicated gaze. This girl... she truly had no idea who Xiao Yun was, did she? If she knew, would she still be able to look at him the same way?

Xiao Yun’s whiskers twitched in amusement as he observed their submission. "That’s all?" he mused, his voice light but carrying an unmistakable edge.

The sacred beasts tensed.

"Everything within the Sacred Land, its treasures, its secrets, its very foundation, shall belong to her," Bai Hu added hastily. "We offer it all willingly."

Xiao Yun smirked before turning to Shenlian Yingyue, his paws cupping her cheeks. "Master, make a Soul Contract with them," he said cheerfully, as if suggesting something as simple as having tea.

"Oh... oh!" She blinked.

A Soul Contract, binding not just their bodies but their very souls to her. Such a thing was unheard of, especially with four sacred beasts at once. Yet, Xiao Yun spoke of it so casually.

Taking a deep breath, she approached the kneeling beasts. "Are you truly willing?" she asked softly. "To stand beside me, through trials and triumphs, even if the world itself crumbles?"

She knew their submission was due to Xiao Yun’s influence, but she would not force them. If they hesitated even slightly, she would refuse.

"Master," Zhu Que said, his voice firm, "we are honored to serve you."

Nodding, Shenlian Yingyue sat cross-legged, closing her eyes as she summoned the ancient ritual. Golden-red light erupted beneath her, intricate patterns weaving through the air before encircling the four sacred beasts. The energy pulsed, resonating with their very souls.

A moment later, the contract was sealed.

Their heartbeats synchronized. Their breaths aligned. A profound connection settled deep within their spirits, unbreakable and eternal.

Qing Luan’s lips parted in silent astonishment. She had actually done it, formed a Soul Contract with four divine beasts simultaneously, without so much as a strain.

As the light faded, Shenlian Yingyue’s disguise melted away, revealing her true appearance: radiant, untamed, and brimming with power.

Qing Luan could only stare, jaw dropped.

The moment the contract was completed, Qing Long, Bai Hu, Xuan Wu, and Zhu Que immediately sensed Shenlian Yingyue’s true identity. Their expressions shifted, a storm of questions flashing through their minds, yet none dared to voice them aloud. The weight of the revelation settled heavily between them, leaving an unspoken tension in the air.

"Her identity must remain hidden for now. Her enemies lurk in the shadows while she stands exposed in the light." Xiao Yun’s voice cut through the silence, firm and commanding.

"As you command, Your Boundless Majesty. We will guard this secret with our lives." The four sacred beasts bowed deeply, their voices unified in reverence.

Shenlian Yingyue shot Xiao Yun a puzzled glance. His title, the way they addressed him, made her want to know who he really was.

Noticing her silent question, Xiao Yun cleared his throat and muttered under his breath, "In front of others, just call me normally." He averted his gaze, pretending not to see the skepticism in her eyes.

"Then, we shall address you as Lord Yun." The sacred beasts exchanged glances before nodding in understanding.

Before another word could be spoken, an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy erupted around them. Light after light of breakthrough radiance enveloped Shenlian Yingyue, her cultivation soaring at an impossible rate. Had this spectacle occurred outside the Sacred Land, it would have shaken the Nine Realms to their core, drawing the attention of every power across the infinite universes.

Her advancement was nothing short of monstrous.

Peak of Primordial Immortal.

True Saint.

Peak-stage Golden Saint.

Early-stage Mystic Saint.

In the Immortal Realm, cultivators ascended through True Immortal, Golden Immortal, Mystic Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, and finally Primordial Immortal. Each realm divided into early, mid, late, and peak stages.

Above the Primordial Immortal realm lay the Saint Realms: True Saint, Golden Saint, Mystic Saint, Heavenly Saint, and ultimately, the Primordial Saint.

Those who stepped beyond the Immortal path into the Saint Realms stood at the pinnacle of existence. Each step was a monumental leap toward the divine. At the peak of the Primordial Saint Realm, one would be only a breath away from transcending into the Half-God Realm.

And yet, she had only just stepped into the Immortal Realm and had already reached the level of Mystic Saint.

This was absolutely terrifying.

She had shattered all expectations.

For someone who had only just entered the Immortal Realm to ascend to Mystic Saint in mere moments, it was unheard of. Terrifying.

Qing Luan, along with the four sacred beasts, stood frozen in shock. Was such a thing even possible? Could a single contract propel someone through multiple realms in an instant?

Before they could even process their disbelief, Qing Long, Bai Hu, Xuan Wu, and Zhu Que suddenly shuddered as an immense power surged into their own bodies. Their eyes snapped shut as they hurriedly began refining the energy, their own cultivations skyrocketing in response.

Qing Luan felt her legs weaken. If she hadn’t been standing amidst such a monumental event, she might have dismissed it as a dream. The sheer scale of what was happening defied all logic, all known laws of cultivation. Yet here it was real, undeniable.

For the first time in her long immortal life, Qing Luan understood how little she truly knew. The universe was boundless, its mysteries endless. No matter how much she learned, there would always be wonders beyond her comprehension.

Xiao Yun observed her reaction with mild interest before turning his attention back to Shenlian Yingyue. He moved silently to her side, sitting down to wait patiently for her to awaken.