Phoenixbird lay huddled there, barely clinging to life. Its dull eyes stared at Qin Jun, flickering with a trace of fear. It seemed to want to resist, but had no strength left. After one failed attempt to stand, it collapsed completely.

Qin Jun smiled. "You little thing. Quite stubborn, aren’t you?"

As he moved closer, Phoenixbird flinched harder, trying to drag its body away. Pain tore through its limbs with every twitch.

Just as it resigned itself to death, warmth suddenly enveloped its entire body. Its wounds began knitting together. Strength seeped back into its limbs. It glanced at Qin Jun, who was casting a Holy Light spell. This human wasn’t here to kill it.

Fully healed, Phoenixbird bounced excitedly on the ground.

Qin Jun’s smile remained. "I healed you. Now it’s your turn to help me."

Phoenixbird froze, tilting its head up to listen.

"I only need you to be my little sister’s pet. Protect her."

Phoenixbird shook its head firmly.

Qin Jun’s smile faded. "I saved your life. And you refuse such a small request?"

Another shake.

Confused, Qin Jun watched as Phoenixbird picked up a twig in its beak and scratched characters into the dirt—Chinese characters.

Qin Jun had mastered this world’s languages upon arrival, but seeing his native script felt unexpectedly warm. The words read: *My master—you.*

He understood instantly. Phoenixbird would bond only with him, not others.

"No compromise at all?" Qin Jun asked.

Phoenixbird shook its head again, writing: *No. I pledge only to the strong. You are strong.*

The flattery pleased Qin Jun, but the problem remained. If Phoenixbird became his pet, he’d still need another cute yet powerful Monstrous Beast for the girl.

"Where might I find a fierce but adorable Monstrous Beast?" he asked.

Phoenixbird wrote: *A serpent lives nearby. Very beautiful.*

Qin Jun frowned. "Snakes terrify little girls. Are you scheming something?" He narrowed his eyes.

Phoenixbird’s feathers ruffled guiltily. Truth was, that serpent had ambushed it earlier, causing its near-fatal wounds. It wrote hastily: *No tricks. It’s truly lovely. And over level 80.*

Qin Jun nodded. "If you’re lying, I won’t spare you. This decides whether you live—or become my pet. My time is precious."

A cold sweat broke across Phoenixbird’s body, divine beast or not.

"Can you shrink?" Qin Jun ordered. "Become a small bird on my shoulder. Limit your power to level 20."

Phoenixbird obeyed instantly, transforming into a tiny red bird—still standing on one leg.

Qin Jun didn’t care. He scooped it up and flew out of the volcano.

Instead of meeting Fili immediately, he hid nearby, watching her.

Fili waited at the crater’s edge. Her fear had faded—no creatures had appeared for hours. Now worry crept in. "Big Brother Dante hasn’t returned... Could he be in danger?" she murmured.

Qin Jun heard every word. He’d planned to scare her, but now felt awkward. He stepped out. "Fili! I’m back. This beast isn’t right for you. Let’s find another."

Spotting him unharmed, Fili rushed over. "It’s okay, Big Brother Dante! I don’t need one. See? I wasn’t scared out here at all!"

Qin Jun chuckled. "I noticed. Come on—I promised you a pet. We’ll keep that promise."

Fili beamed. "Okay!"

As they flew toward a lake, Qin Jun sensed a colossal presence beneath the water: *Lake Dragon Serpent. Level 86. Armored scales. Extreme aggression. Mastery of all water magic. Suspected dragon bloodline.*

*Dragon bloodline? Worth a look.*

Mid-flight, Fili noticed Phoenixbird hopping on Qin Jun’s shoulder. "Big Brother Dante," she said sadly, "that bird only has one leg. It’s so pitiful."

"It was born that way," Qin Jun explained. "Isn’t it cute?"

Relieved, Fili reached to pet it. But Phoenixbird dodged every time.

*Only the strong may touch me,* it thought haughtily. *A mere human child dares?*

Just as it felt smug, crushing pressure pinned it in place.

Qin Jun’s voice came, amused: "Fili, look—it’s not moving. You can catch it now."

Fili gently scooped Phoenixbird into her palms.

Qin Jun shot the bird a warning glance: *Obey, or I’ll end you.*

Despair washed over Phoenixbird. *A divine beast, reduced to this... Other sacred creatures would die of shame.*

*But... this man’s power is no joke.* It sighed inwardly. *Serving him might be harsh, but the future? Limitless.*