Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

"Shall we proceed to the private room for the treatment?" Ling Fei asked again, double-checking.

The Iron-Eating Beast glanced at Yun Jin, then gave a shy little nod.

Ling Fei couldn't help giving Yun Jin a look of astonishment.

This girl... she could actually sense the Iron-Eating Beast's thoughts?

Unbelievable.

Truly a born beast-tamer.

There were too many things to deal with right now, so Ling Fei didn't press further, but the way he looked at Yun Jin had completely changed.

Once the spirit beasts were all tended to, he was definitely going to ask her just how she managed it.

Inside the private chamber, the Iron-Eating Beast was surprisingly cooperative.

Ling Fei's acupuncture skills were excellent. Before long, the beast's internal injuries were under control. The little one snuggled up against Ling Fei, a look of bliss spreading across its face.

Ling Fei gently patted its head, eyes soft. "Alright, go get some rest."

The beast nodded obediently.

Yun Jin had watched the entire process, and her respect for the elder only deepened.

He had truly devoted his entire life to these spirit beasts. Every single one of them treated him like family and relied on him completely. For someone like Ling Fei, this was likely the best reward life could offer.

"Please wait for me a little longer," Ling Fei said after settling the Iron-Eating Beast. "I still have other beasts to treat. If the wait is too long, you can return tomorrow. I'll be here all day."

"Elder Ling," Yun Jin offered, "I seem to have a faint sense of spirit beasts' emotions. Perhaps I can assist. Let me accompany you."

Ling Fei's eyes flickered.

Had Yun Jin claimed this outright earlier, he'd have dismissed it as nonsense. The gift of communicating with spirit beasts was exceedingly rare. Even those born with such talent needed years of refinement to truly understand them.

A new disciple like Yun Jin, with zero prior exposure to spirit beasts, suddenly claiming she could converse with them? Preposterous.

But the Iron-Eating Beast's case was undeniable. After a pause, Ling Fei nodded. "Very well. Follow me."

He led her to the next batch—a group of five Radiant Beasts.

All five bore minor injuries, quietly licking their wounds. Ling Fei assessed their emotions. Most were stable—except the smallest one, which seemed unusually dejected. He began bandaging the calmer ones while using his spiritual energy to soothe the little Radiant Beast.

Yun Jin, however, locked onto the one hiding in the corner.

The Radiant Beasts' chatter flowed freely into her ears:

"Hey, don't be upset, little sister. That Thunderlight Beast doesn't deserve you at all!"

"Exactly! There are so many spirit beasts around. With your looks, you could have anyone you wanted!"

"So what if he's a Thunderlight Beast? So what if he looks powerful and intimidating? So what if his elemental type complements yours? I'm telling you right now, you're too good for him!"

"Yeah, you'll definitely find someone better!"

The smallest Brightlight Beast sniffled. "Someone better? Like who?"

The group suddenly fell silent.

The little beast's nose twitched, and she almost burst into tears.

Wuuu… See? No one compares to the Thunderflash Beast!

Ling Fei blinked as the little one's mood plummeted further.

Was this… the infamous 'unfathomable female heart'?

Even among spirit beasts?!

His attempts to console it failed. He could only treat its physical wounds first.

Though its injuries healed visibly, its spirits remained crushed.

Ling Fei rubbed his temples.

Then—an idea struck. "Xiao Jin, can you sense anything?"

The moment he asked, he nearly laughed at himself.

Desperation truly made fools of men.

Yun Jin guessing the Iron-Eater's thoughts was already a miracle.

How could he expect her to repeat it?

Yet Yun Jin smiled. "Elder Ling, it's unclear yet. But may I ask—is there a Thunderflash Beast in this area?"

Huh?

The little Radiant Beast's head shot up.

Yun Jin winked at it.

The beast immediately ducked, embarrassed.

Ling Fei startled at the question. "There's only one here, but it's at the Foundation Establishment stage—it doesn't reside in this zone."

"Oh?" Yun Jin tilted her head. "When did this little one meet it?"

"How did you know they met?" Ling Fei gaped before explaining, "The zones aren't entirely segregated. Sometimes I take them to the back mountains. Last time, this Radiant Beast was with that Thunderflash Beast. Did… did it bully her? They seemed close then."

The little Radiant Beast screeched in protest.

NO! It was perfect to me!

Yun Jin chuckled. "Not bullying. Elder Ling, take me to see the Thunderflash Beast. I'd like to… ask it something."

Baffled but intrigued, Ling Fei agreed.

The little Radiant Beast watched anxiously as they left.

Yun Jin patted its head. "Relax. I'll get answers for you. And remember—we girls must know when to hold on and when to let go."

The beast blinked, confused but nodded.

Ling Fei observed their interaction with growing wonder.

Why did it feel like she really could understand beast language?

If she could truly do that, what kind of beast-taming talent would that be?

Could even the disciples of the Four Great Holy Lands match it?

Probably not.

Suppressing his shock, he guided Yun Jin to the Foundation Establishment zone. A few beasts here had been affected too, but all were now resting post-treatment. Among them, a particularly vain Thunderflash Beast preened its fur, looking downright smug.

"That's the one," Ling Fei said, stepping aside. He needed to see how Yun Jin would approach this.

"Elder Ling," Yun Jin said apologetically, "this concerns the little Radiant Beast's secret. It might prefer you not eavesdrop. Could you…?"

Ling Fei: "...Fine."

Grumpily, he sealed his hearing.

Without sound, he could only watch as Yun Jin spoke to the Thunderflash Beast. Then—

She plucked a tuft of its fur.

And the beast let her.

Holding the fur triumphantly, Yun Jin waved. "We can return now."

Burning with curiosity, Ling Fei followed her back.

Only for Yun Jin to give him that look again.

Ling Fei: "..."

Understood.

He'd stay deaf.

A pang of betrayal struck him.

After all his years raising them… his 'children' were keeping secrets now?!

Whatever Yun Jin said next worked like magic. The little Radiant Beast's mood instantly brightened.

Ling Fei's heart twisted.

Was his 'fatherly' status being usurped already?!