It wasn’t long before Qin Jun, Fili, and the Phoenixbird reached the lake. The water was crystal clear yet unfathomably deep. Leaves occasionally drifted down, rippling the surface. An unnatural stillness hung over the place—as if a weak barrier spell had been cast here, similar to the one Qin Jun used on Fili but far less potent. His 99th-tier Isolation Barrier was in a league of its own compared to this 50th-tier imitation.

Hovering above the water, Qin Jun called to Fili, who was playfully teasing the Phoenixbird: "Stay here and keep it company. I’ll stir up the lake to find your pet."

Fili grinned. "Okay, Big Brother Dante! I’ll play with little Phoenix here."

During their journey, Qin Jun had told her the bird’s name was Phoenixbird, and she’d promptly nicknamed it. The mythical bird had no choice but to accept.

At the lake’s center, Qin Jun forged a magic wand on the spot. He’d stir the waters like the Monkey King himself, forcing the serpent out.

The calm surface instantly spiraled into a vortex. It widened rapidly, churning the entire lake into turmoil.

Qin Jun smirked. "Let’s see you stay hidden now."

A thunderous roar split the air. A colossal shape erupted before him—a serpent taller than a ten-story building. A faint horn was already sprouting on its forehead; it was on the verge of evolving into a dragon-serpent.

"Damn big," Qin Jun chuckled. "Would’ve made a great movie monster back home."

To his surprise, the serpent spoke, its voice deep and commanding: "Human. You dare disturb my rest?"

Most would’ve been awed into silence. Not Qin Jun. He blinked, intrigued. "You can talk? That’s wild. Even my 99th-tier Phoenixbird can’t."

The serpent sneered. "Foolish human. Any Monstrous Beast above 60th tier can speak. At 80th tier, we take any form we wish." It lowered its head slightly. "You’re strong. I seek no pointless battle. Leave, and I’ll forget this happened."

Qin Jun’s grin widened. "Sorry, but I’m not leaving. I need a favor."

"Name your price," the serpent conceded.

"How about becoming my little sister’s pet?"

The serpent’s eyes blazed. "Insolent worm! You dare enslave me? I’ll grind your bones to dust!"

"*Tidal Cyclone!*"

An 80th-tier spell surged. The entire lake obeyed the serpent’s will, twisting into a watery tornado that lunged at Qin Jun.

He didn’t flinch. No defense needed—such attacks couldn’t scratch him. But as he raised a hand to counter, a thought struck him: *Why not try warrior moves for once?* Casting spells from afar was efficient, but boring.

He forged a wooden staff mid-air—no blades; he didn’t want to kill the snake. Smiling faintly, he activated a protective barrier, raised the staff, and charged straight through the cyclone. In a blink, he stood beside the serpent’s massive head. Before it could react, the staff came down—*thwack!*—again and again.

From shore, Fili saw only a tiny black dot zipping around the serpent’s body. Then the beast swayed and crashed sideways.

Fili giggled to the Phoenixbird, "Look how adorably it wobbles!"

*Adorable?* the Phoenixbird thought dryly. *It’s in agony. Humiliated. Thank the heavens I never fought him.*

Qin Jun was having too much fun. The *thwack-thwack-thwack* of wood on scales was damn satisfying.

"Still refusing?" he called between strikes. "Still refusing?"

The serpent had planned to endure the pain. But the shame? No 80th-tier Monstrous Beast got beaten with a stick like a disobedient pup. What if its peers found out?

"*I agree!*" it finally roared. "*I agree!*"

Qin Jun lowered his staff. "Agree to what?"

The serpent’s arrogance had vanished. It coiled meekly, like a whipped dog. "Whatever you command, master."

"Good," Qin Jun nodded. "Prove it. I order you—" He paused, eyes glinting. "Don’t move. Let me hit you a while longer."

"*What?*"

The staff descended again. *Thwack! Thwack!*

*This is unjust!* the serpent wailed inwardly. *Is no one coming to save me?!*

No one came.

When Fili saw the shrunken serpent later, it looked utterly listless, drained of all spirit. She handed the Phoenixbird to Qin Jun and cradled the snake. "Big Brother Dante, you were too mean to it."

"He deserved it," Qin Jun laughed. "Stubborn fool."

*Stubborn?!* the serpent fumed silently. *I agreed! You kept hitting me!*

Then it noticed the bird on Qin Jun’s shoulder. *That aura… familiar. Do I know it?*

But there was no time to ponder. Qin Jun was forcing it to bond with this mere 8th-tier girl. Humiliating. Yet the master-servant contract left no choice.

After Fili chanted the incantation and the serpent numbly consented, the bond sealed. Its new master was this tiny human.

Seeing Fili’s radiant smile, Qin Jun ruffled her hair. "Don’t rely on it for training. Your strength must come from your own effort."

"I know," she promised. "But… what should I name it?"

"It can talk. Ask it."

Fili’s eyes widened. "Really?"

Qin Jun raised a brow. "You didn’t know?"

She stuck out her tongue. "I thought it was just stories adults told."

"Ask it yourself," he urged.

Fili turned to the serpent, bombarding it with questions: "What’s your name? Are you hungry? Do you like berries?"

The serpent endured in silent misery. The contract forced answers. *Torture.*

Qin Jun watched, amused. He already knew its name: Renault Cort.

He’d also bonded the Phoenixbird—keeping his promise.

Now, time to escort Fili back to Falcon City. He was eager to see this world’s cities. And more importantly… *Finally,* he thought, grinning inwardly, *time to meet those alluring ladies. Pleasure houses must exist here, right?*

The thought thrilled him. Of course, he’d never let Fili suspect a thing.