C16 Devil Beast Egg

"What kind of joke do you think you're playing?"

Yeh Yulin's entire body tensed, and he instinctively flipped his double-edged axe to the other side.

Faced with the other party's astonishing strength and her dangerous declaration, it was hard for him not to feel on edge.

Devil Beasts are oviparous, meaning they are born from eggs.

Many would capture Devil Beasts about to lay eggs and seize their offspring, as Devil Beasts naturally bond with the first creature they see upon hatching. With the right taming techniques, one could gain a formidable ally for the future.

But there were numerous challenges.

The greatest was time; Devil Beasts took much longer to mature than humans. Humans could grow up in just a decade, but even the most common low-level Devil Beasts required a century. If a human could live that long, they'd already be an unparalleled warrior, with no need for a freshly matured Devil Beast.

High Level Devil Beasts needed thousands of years to reach maturity, outliving even the history of the Empire.

Still, Devil Beasts had their uses, the simplest being as bodyguards.

Devil Beasts were stronger than humans of the same level. Though low-level Devil Beasts had a shorter maturation period, using secret methods to accelerate their growth and feeding them Spirit Stones could prepare them for battle for several years. In this time, they could effectively protect human children as they grew up, proving more useful than humans in many scenarios.

Yet, these factors meant that only nobility, particularly those of mid-level or higher, could own Devil Beasts.

The cost of a Devil Beast Egg had skyrocketed to a price that even influential figures couldn't overlook.

Now, this girl was accusing Yeh Yulin of stealing her Devil Beast Egg, essentially pronouncing a death sentence on him.

"You're holding my Devil Beast Egg in your hand!"

Her accusation was a blunt denial of any defense he might have had.

Yeh Yulin was at a loss for words, only then realizing that he indeed held a white sphere with golden-purple markings in his hand.

"This is..."

"The offspring of the tiger-shaped Devil Beast I hunted!" the girl in white spoke calmly. "For some reason, I sense it has formed a bond with you."

Yeh Yulin felt a chill run down his spine as realization dawned on him. He now grasped why the Devil Beast, despite its formidable presence, was taken down by a human girl. Even as one of the Ten Great Heroes, her youth meant she had yet to reach her full potential. She was no match for the towering tiger—unless it was expecting a child.

Regardless of the Devil Beast's level, it would weaken during gestation, particularly close to giving birth.

He also comprehended why such a powerful tiger-shaped Devil Beast would venture to the frontier.

The connection between Yeh Yulin and the Devil Beast Egg, while astonishing, wasn't beyond belief. Being part of the prominent Yeh Family, it wasn't far-fetched for Yeh Yulin to possess some of the Secret Techniques inherited through the millennia.

Moreover, each Cultivator is a microcosm within a larger system, shrouded in mystery and wonder. Some practitioners excel rapidly with techniques tailored specifically to them, while others may settle for the next best fit or, like Yeh Yulin, opt for none at all.

What might be 'occasional' in the grand scheme of the Human Clan Empire could be seen as frequent. Perhaps there was a unique resonance between Yeh Yulin and the Devil Beast Egg, an alignment that could be construed as destiny.

Regardless, the Devil Beast Egg was now Yeh Yulin's. This enigmatic link was more potent than any bond formed upon a Devil Beast's birth, bordering on a compulsory force.

Unless...

If the owner were to be killed before the Devil Beast Egg hatched, it might offer a glimmer of hope, though the outcome remained uncertain.

Yeh Yulin forced a smile, "You're not considering killing me, are you?"

"Shouldn't I?" The girl in white radiated a subtle chill.

Indeed, it seemed only natural.

Yeh Yulin himself believed it to be true.

In any place, let alone the treacherous No-falling Forest, the theft of a highly valuable Devil Beast Egg could drive anyone to murder, especially when the stolen egg belonged to a High Level tiger-type Devil Beast.

If Yeh Yulin's own Devil Beast Egg had been taken, he would not have hesitated to exact lethal retribution on the thief.

Yet, the perpetrator might not see things the same way.

"Even if you kill me, you may not get the Devil Beast Egg back," Yeh Yulin argued, clinging to a sliver of hope, fully aware of the vast gap in strength between himself and the woman.

"Not necessarily? So you admit there's still a chance to reclaim the egg, right?" the girl in white retorted icily.

Sweat beaded on Yeh Yulin's forehead as he felt the murderous intent in the air. Indeed, killing Yeh Yulin could potentially allow for the recovery of the Devil Beast Egg, but certainty was elusive.

Yet, without action, there was no chance at all.

Historically, anyone who demonstrated such a mysterious affinity would be immediately safeguarded by their family or courted by powerful factions, as it signified immense potential. Sadly, in the No-falling Forest, one could be killed or tortured for weeks on end without anyone noticing.

What was to be done?

Yeh Yulin's mind raced, but he couldn't conjure a convincing argument.

He recalled his own words to Twilight: "To act is to hold hope; to refrain is to forsake it."

Indeed, the girl's choice to kill him carried the hope of retrieving the egg; choosing not to meant abandoning that hope.

The irony was not lost on him.

Ultimately, he conceded with a bitter taste in his mouth, "I promise you a favor, one I will surely repay in the future. That is the only recompense I can offer."

The tiger-type Devil Beast was exceedingly precious. If nurtured to maturity, it would rapidly become powerful. Coupled with Yeh Yulin's personal strength, such a favor was significant, for the enigmatic bond with the Devil Beast Egg itself held enormous potential.

At that time, the extent of the girl in white's power was unknown. After all, she had slain a high-level tiger-shaped Devil Beast. Could its offspring possibly surpass the strength of its own parents? This made the offer far less enticing.

Hence, the girl in white remained silent.

Yeh Yulin's brow furrowed, and he felt a surge of irritation. Even if she was one of the Ten Great Heroes, she had no right to trouble him.

Moreover, the Devil Beast Egg had inexplicably chosen him as its master. It had nothing to do with him; he hadn't asked for it. Besides, at the moment of the mysterious bond's formation, he could have been on the brink of death. Such a bond was not something everyone could experience or survive.

He was merely an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of her battle!

What gave her the right to challenge him?

Simply because she was more powerful?

"What's the matter? Not happy? What do you want? You waited here for me to regain consciousness. Surely you're not planning to kill me now that I'm awake?" Yeh Yulin's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Hmph!" The girl in white finally responded with a disdainful snort. "You may not be very strong, but you certainly don't lack courage!"

Yeh Yulin clenched his jaw in silent frustration, unable to counter her claim.

His power paled in comparison to that of the girl in white.

He might become powerful in a few years, but the world never promised fairness. No one would grant him the luxury of time to develop his strength.

"Battle me!"

The girl in white's challenge sent a chill through Yeh Yulin's entire being.