"Could this be the offspring of some forgotten clan?" An Yu's eyes were also filled with confusion. He had seen many strange things, but he had never heard of anyone worshipping an egg.
"Whether it is or not, we'll know if we try," Xing Yue leaped out of the formation. After a moment's hesitation, she placed her hand above the egg and slowly infused spiritual energy into it, ready to withdraw immediately if anything went wrong.
The egg trembled slightly, then as if sensing something, a ball of golden light was suddenly absorbed into it.
Xing Yue immediately pulled back, her expression shifting from shock to heartache. That was merit! How many good deeds had she done to accumulate it, only for it to vanish just like that?
Soon, the egg began to shake more violently. Its shell peeled off piece by piece, revealing a fluffy little head first. Then, its entire body was exposed to everyone's sight.
A pair of azure eyes looked around in confusion. Its white fur was as pure and soft as snowflakes, and on its back were wings as thin as cicada wings. It looked like a sacred beast lost in the mortal world, standing aloof and untainted by dust.
It stretched its body slightly, emitting soft whimpers, and then began to devour the eggshell. As the eggshell disappeared, the beast's strength grew, exuding a power that made hearts palpitate. Its once transparent wings became clearer, as if it could take flight at any moment.
"Is this... a Heart-Bewitching Beast?" An Yu asked hesitantly.
A stir rippled through the crowd. No one in the cultivation world was unaware of the Heart-Bewitching Beast.
Heart-Bewitching Beasts themselves did not possess great combat power, but as the name suggested, their racial talent was the ability to bewitch hearts.
A thousand years ago, this species had bewitched countless people and instigated that great war. Since then, except for the Joyful Union Sect, which was affiliated with the Demonic Cult and still revered them as sacred beasts, all other Heart-Bewitching Beasts in the cultivation world had migrated to the Demon Realm.
However, he recalled that Heart-Bewitching Beasts were usually gregarious, and they didn't hatch from eggs. Could this be a mutated species, or a child born from a Heart-Bewitching Beast and some kind of bird?
Still, its appearance was quite similar.
To maintain her image in front of her junior disciples, Xing Yue merely gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with displeasure. Regardless of what species this little creature was, she would not let it go until it returned her merit.
She leaped forward and returned to the formation. The formation seemed to have sensed the birth of a life within and had automatically activated a barrier.
Xing Yue waited patiently. Although she was angry that the little beast had swallowed her merit, she would not harm an innocent, ignorant infant.
Finally, the barrier dissipated. Xing Yue reached out and picked up the young beast. Its eyes were truly beautiful, like gemstones, seeming to glow.
The little beast sniffed Xing Yue's scent. This person gave it a feeling of familiarity and security! The newborn beast was only palm-sized. It gently nuzzled Xing Yue's palm, and then... fell asleep.
"Well, newborns do get sleepy easily," An Yu broke the silence.
Xing Yue glanced at the young beast sleeping soundly in her arms, her expression filled with helplessness. She truly owed this little creature from a past life.
"There's probably nothing else here. Let's return to our lodging at the Tianya Sect first. Later, I'll have some disciples escort you to the outskirts of the secret realm." After a moment of exasperation, Xing Yue regained her usual composure.
As they walked forward with ease, a dark glint flashed in Xing Yue's eyes.
She instantly cast a spell. The group felt a wave of dizziness, and after a brief moment of confusion, they continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Xing Yue gently crushed the ball of light in her hand. This contained their memories of the little beast. Although the beast before her was not exactly like the Heart-Bewitching Beasts described in records, she did not trust these people. Moreover, why not eliminate potential trouble with a simple move?
Xing Yue simultaneously cast a concealment formation on the little beast in her arms, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. This way, there would be no issues.
Given the difference in their strength, these people would never suspect that their memories had been altered.
A few days later, a man in a green robe suddenly arrived at the cave. Upon seeing that the cave was empty, his face was filled with despair.
It was over. If his master found out he had missed the deadline due to his own carelessness, he would be in serious trouble.
No, he had to bring back what his master wanted, otherwise... he would have to hide outside. He could never return to the Demon Realm. (╥﹏╥)
Upon returning to their lodging, Xing Yue summoned a few disciples.
She said calmly, "These people accidentally entered the inner part of the secret realm. Escort them out."
"Yes, Senior Sister," the disciples replied respectfully, bowing their heads.
Xing Yue went straight back to her room and placed the little beast on a soft couch, observing it with curiosity.
She had always been engrossed in cultivation and had never contracted a spirit beast. However, having read many books, she had once seen pictures of Heart-Bewitching Beasts, and this little beast resembled them, yet was also different.
She instinctively poked the sleeping little beast with her fingertip. It was quite soft. Perhaps raising it for a while would be nice.
The little beast was awakened by Xing Yue's poke. It opened its hazy eyes and let out a soft cry before biting her finger.
However, the little beast, whose teeth had not even fully grown, was harmless. Xing Yue only felt a slight tickle.
The little beast seemed hungry and cried incessantly. It seemed to realize that Xing Yue's finger was not edible, and it reluctantly spat out her finger and crawled towards Xing Yue.
Xing Yue smiled. "Are you hungry, little one?"
The little beast didn't understand and continued to crawl with all its might, only to be picked up by Xing Yue.
Xing Yue carried the little beast and walked out.
"Junior Brother Yan, what are you doing here?" Xing Yue's smile faded.
Yan Yan bowed respectfully, then fanned himself with a folding fan, exuding the aura of a graceful young master.
"I heard Senior Sister brought back a spirit beast. I was curious and wondered if I could take a look?" Yan Yan said earnestly, his eyes sparkling with intense gossip.
The Sect Master had previously found many spirit beasts with pure bloodlines for Senior Sister to contract, but they were all rejected. He was very curious about what kind of exotic beast Senior Sister had chosen.
"It was just a chance encounter. Junior Brother, you've come at the right time. Do you happen to know where to find beast milk in the secret realm?" Xing Yue rubbed her forehead in exasperation. The disciples of their Tianya Sect were as observant as ever! The news spread so quickly.
"Is that so!" Yan Yan was a little disappointed. So it was just a newborn cub. He was truly disappointed.