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  Only once they were inside Beast Master Zen’s cabin was the conversation allowed to resume, as Beast Master Zen broke the silence, “So you wish to keep such a momentous occasion a secret, then?”

  “I do,” Xiao Feng replied.

  “Hm,” Beast Master Zen intoned, his gaze drifting towards Liulian and Nova, who seemed to be playing with each other by wresting, if it could even be called as such— Nova had wrapped her forelimbs around Liulian’s right forelimb and seemed to be trying to topple the much larger feline beast, while the only retaliation Liulian offered was a playful pat on the crown with her free paw. “I can guess at your reasons, but it would be more appropriate to hear them from your mouth directly. I will give you an answer after.”

  Xiao Feng nodded, not having expected a direct acceptance to begin with, before delving into the explanation, “As you are aware, I came to the alchemy division because I no longer wished to be a piece on the board in the game that is played between powerful elders. I am already the Hero of the Zheyan Pass, a title that I suspected would be more trouble than it’s worth if I stayed in the Frontier Sect’s Martial Division. If I were to reveal talents as a Beast Master as well, I fear I will be summoned by the Azure Lotus Sect.”

  Beast Master Zen rubbed his chin as he considered Xiao Feng’s words, before replying, “Had you stayed in the Martial Division, there was a good chance they would have summoned you regardless. Given your accomplishments, it would be a waste for you to die on the battlefield so soon. But to become a Beast Master while having such accomplishments in the world of martial cultivation? That is a far rarer occurrence and one that is impressive enough for you to be accepted as an Inner Disciple directly, I would wager. Do you truly not wish to become an Inner Disciple of the Azure Lotus Sect?”

  “I no longer wish to fight for any cause but my own,” Xiao Feng replied, his tone earnest yet unyielding.

  “Is that so?” Beast Master Zen muttered, his question a rhetorical one. “Then what is it that you ask of me?”

  “As you know, the circumstances that I came to acquire the Beast Egg through were rather fortuitous. It would be a lot simpler if we were to say that I acquired the Beast Egg through you and you were the one that aided me in taming it, as I believe you have done for others before. There is no need to mention a true bond in the tale and it is very unlikely for others to suspect me of forming one, given my past profession and history,” Xiao Feng proposed.

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  “Indeed, if I were to speak on the matter, few would ever even think to suspect it,” Beast Master Zen agreed. “However, you do understand that you are asking me to take a significant risk here, correct?”

  Xiao Feng nodded.

  “Why should I?”

  “Uncle—,” Lianhua began, only to be cut off by Beast Master Zen.

  “Silence, Little Li. This is a matter between me and a fellow Beast Master and it involves the Azure Lotus Sect. You are well aware that it is not something to be taken lightly.”

  Lianhua’s features betrayed her as they crinkled in surprise at being cut off so firmly, but she only allowed her emotions to show for a moment before returning to a mask of calm and nodding once.

  “I know that you are interested in Nova’s origins, given how little information can be found on her species. Since you are the one who discovered her egg, I have no problem if you study and record your findings on her, as your own. After all, I am just an alchemist who happened to purchase the egg from you and given my schedule, I will not be able to take care of her during the day. So Nova will stay in the menagerie with her fellow beasts and I am happy to pay for the costs involved in her upkeep as well,” Xiao Feng said, his words flowing smoothly despite the nervousness he felt. Beast Master Zen was a man who could be moved neither with material resources nor with status or influence, so there was only one thing he could offer him.

  “Hmm,” Beast Master Zen hummed, his expression inscrutable as a minute passed in silence. “Yes, I suppose that since I discovered the egg, it would be fine to record such information as long as I have permission from the owner. Tell me, what is the name of her kind? There should be a record in her ancestral memories, though I understand that the details can be spotty.”

  “Fox of the Flowing Wind,” Xiao Feng replied without skipping a beat, already having expected this question and prepared an answer that was designed to mislead.

  “Fox of the Flowing Wind, eh?” Beast Master Zen muttered. “How curious. Most curious indeed. I truly wonder where she has come from and if her kind resides nearby. I must look into this. Very well, Xiao Feng, we have an agreement for now. However, if the truth of your… connection with Nova is discovered, I had no knowledge of it. Are we clear?”

  “As clear as the skies today,” Xiao Feng offered Beast Master Zen a deep bow, even as he smiled inwardly. If the truth of his talents were to be revealed, then he would be summoned to the Azure Lotus Sect alongside Nova— which would mean that Beast Master Zen would no longer be able to study her.

  Nova would have to be careful around Beast Master Zen and Xiao Feng would continue to warn her, but this was the only way he had if he wished to continue staying in the alchemy division, so Xiao Feng didn’t regret choosing this path.

  “Very well,” Beast Master Zen replied in a pleased tone. “These two can go out and play now, while I will start preparing various foods for Nova to try, so we can figure out what her diet is and what suits her best. You two are free to stay or leave, whatever your schedule permits. ”

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