Choice

The following morning, everyone gathered to eat breakfast.

Shu Ling prepared a nutricious meal made from an Earth stage Expert Blue Falcon that Shu Wei hunted the other day mixed with herb spices.

Everyone was enjoying the meal save for Qinlun who was obviously left in her room resting after giving birth together with the newborn Shu Kongxu.

"Father," Qai suddenly called, "I have made up mind."

"What is it, son?" his father quickly replied.

"I have decided that I'll have 'Beast Taming' for my first skill," Qai replied.

"Eh."

Everyone was dumbfounded.

They knew what kind of skill 'Beast Taming' was. But knowing that their father was the most knowledgeable among them, they waited for him to explain things to their youngest brother.

"Are you sure about it?" Shu Wu asked.

"Of course, big brother," Qai said.

After a quick moment of silence, his father began to explain.

"Son," Shu Wei said. "You know that 'Beast Taming' was a common skill, right?"

"Yes," Qai said.

"Not only is it a common grade skill, but learning it would mean you can only form a soul contract with only one demonic beast," his father said.

What his father meant was that the skill had an obvious downside in it. It is limited to only one 'contracted' demonic beast.

"That means, you run the risk of sacrificing one skill," his father continued. "Unlike any other skills, you can activate them anytime.. they are forever yours."

However, Qai's appearance seemed to be clearly determined and no one could change his mind.

"But as for 'Beast Taming',' Shu Wei concluded with a sigh, "..it's a one time soul contract. If your demonic beast dies, you can no longer contract another one. Besides, if you end up unable to breakthrough past earth stage, it means you will no longer have any other skill."

"I completely understand, Father," Qai said then paused.

After a few breath of silence, the head of the family took a glimpse at his wife and smiled.

"If that is your decision, son, so be it," Shu Wei sighed. "Well, the only advantage is that you can tame 'mortal' beasts without limit.. at least as much as your cultivation can handle."

"But what's the use of mortal beasts?" Shu Wu sarcastically interrupted. "They don't have cores and their meat does not offer anything for cultivators."

"Big brother, Father..," Qai answered with an assured look in his eyes. "Do not worry about me.. I think the black tiger is fated to be with me."

Qai's words obviously made everyone helpless. At least, they were certain that Qai was smart enough to handle everything himself.

"Little brother, be sure to teach your black tiger to fetch some herbs," Shu Liang said with a smile. "You're gonna join me soon gathering herbs."

"That's for sure, Big sister," Qai answered in jest as he rubbed his nose. "And Mother, please prepare more food next time, I think black tiger's gonna grow bigger than everyone anytime soon."

**************

In the beast taming path, a contracted beast's level was actually dependent upon the level of the 'master' cultivator. Meaning, a 'contracted' demonic beast's level was stuck at the level of the 'master' and would not eventually go beyond that unless the 'master' himself broke through to the next level.

That was practically the other disadvantage for those who chose 'Beast Taming' skill.

However, if the 'master' reached an emperor level, it would obviously appear as if the strength of the cultivator was doubled--that was because it would mean that the 'contracted' beast would also be in the emperor realm. And that was assuming that the beast survived together with the 'master' to reach such level.

***************

"By the way," Qai suddenly exclaimed intending to change the subject of discussion. "I actually have something for everyone.."

Everyone was surprised by the words of Qai.

"And what would my youngest son have for me.. I wonder," his mother asked with big smile.

Qai made a wave gesture with his hand and summoned few things from his spatial ring.

Everyone was once again stunned--but this time they were shocked to see Qai to have his own spatial ring. Only Shu Wei had one in the family.

And with the appearance of the spatial ring, they were even more convinced that Qai had fortuitous encounter back in the Darkwood forest.