Chapter 530: Chapter 401: Kian Sterling’s Foundation Establishment

A mocking laugh suddenly came from the edge of the field ridge.

Soren Phoenix leaned against a tree, his fingertips twirling a stalk of foxtail grass, flicking it back and forth. "Little Jago is pretty clever."

His phoenix eyes turned slightly, gazing into the distance.

Caelan Phoenix and Lian Phoenix, those two old guys, were pretending to be busy digging a canal, but their ears were perking up high.

Soren Phoenix caught the look on their faces, lips curling into a light smile, deliberately raising his voice: "If you two want to go back to The Phoenix Clan, I, as Clan Leader, can send you off."

As soon as he finished speaking—

Caelan Phoenix and Lian Phoenix shot their heads up, shouting in unison, "We’re not going back!"

What a joke, they’d finally latched onto a big shot; leaving now would mean all their effort was wasted.

Soren Phoenix’s smile grew deeper. "Since you aren’t going back, then do your work properly. Don’t spend all day thinking about slacking off."

"Yes, Clan Leader."

The two responded in sync, and got back to work with newfound enthusiasm.

Luna Sutton naturally noticed the commotion over there, shaking her head with a chuckle, but said nothing more.

Since they don’t want to go back, just let them stay.

She wasn’t short on food for a few extra mouths anyway.

But, she did remove the Slave Mark from Jago, Caelan Phoenix, and Lian Phoenix.

The three instantly felt their souls lighten, an unprecedented feeling of relief washing over them, as if a weight was lifted, their faces full of shock as they looked at Luna Sutton.

Jago’s eyes reddened, his voice trembling. "Mistress, this is..."

Luna Sutton smiled gently. "Since you’ve chosen to stay, I won’t treat you as servants anymore. From now on, you’re free. If you ever want to leave, just tell me directly."

Her tone was calm, but to the three men, it sounded like music from the heavens.

Caelan Phoenix and Lian Phoenix exchanged a look, then suddenly knelt on one knee: "Thank you, Miss Sutton, for your great kindness! We swear on our souls to follow you for life, never to betray."

Jago also dropped to his knees, so overwhelmed he could hardly speak. "Thank you, Mistress, thank you for granting me freedom. I can’t say anything fancy, but my life is yours!"

Soren Phoenix raised a brow and laughed softly, flicking the foxtail grass between his fingers. "You three sure know how to pledge your loyalty."

Seeing their excitement, Luna looked pleased, waved them up, "Get up now. Just work hard from now on."

She was never the type who liked enslaving others—the contract with Jago and the others was a last resort.

Now, being able to dissolve the contract and grant them freedom, she finally settled a worry in her heart.

"Yes, Mistress."

The three responded together, unable to hide the smiles tugging at their lips.

Luna Sutton glanced over at them, unable to resist secretly probing their luck overhead with the Qi Observation Skill.

She found that Jago, Caelan Phoenix, and Lian Phoenix all had green luck, though the shades varied.

Green meant "small fortune," suggesting good things would happen—not bad at all.

Luna’s gaze flickered, she quietly checked their Spirit Roots, discovering Jago possessed Wood and Fire Dual Spirit Roots.

Caelan Phoenix and Lian Phoenix were both Fire Element Single Spiritual Roots, but unfortunately, they were too old; their roots had settled.

Even if they cultivated, their achievements would be limited.

Jago, on the other hand, was still young. If he trained well, he might achieve something.

With this in mind, she made up her mind—after spring planting, she’d guide Jago in cultivating the "Yao Dian" (Beast Code).

If he succeeded, he’d become a valuable helper at her side.

After all, an extra helping hand is always welcome.

As for Caelan Phoenix and Lian Phoenix, she’d let Soren Phoenix guide them in cultivating the Beast Code, so they wouldn’t feel unbalanced or think she favored Jago over them.

The sowing work lasted for three days before it was finished.

During this time, Corbin Crowley and others led the Beastmen of the tribe on several hunting trips to the mountains and forests, replenishing the tribe’s food supplies.

The snow season had just ended; the wild beasts in the woods were starving after a winter, at their fiercest.

But no matter how fierce the prey, in Corbin Crowley and the others’ eyes, they were just lambs awaiting slaughter.

That evening after dinner, Luna Sutton handed a copied "Beast Code" to Jago.

"Jago, this is a technique I obtained by chance, called ’Beast Code.’ It’s different from Beastman cultivation systems, but it’s far more powerful. Take it, practice well, if you don’t understand something, come ask me."

Jago held the beast skin scroll in his hands, trembling. He could actually read the words.

He’d secretly learned them from Rhys Blackwood when he was teaching the kids to read.

"Mi... Mistress, this is for me?"

His Adam’s apple bobbed, eyes hot with emotion, voice choking up.

Luna Sutton smiled calmly. "Practice as instructed. In half a month, I’ll check."

Just remembering something, she smiled and reminded, "Oh, right, Jago—now that you’ve regained your freedom, you don’t need to call me Mistress anymore. Call me Miss Sutton, or just use my name."

As soon as she finished, there came two muffled thuds in the yard.

She immediately looked toward the disturbance, to find Caelan Phoenix and Lian Phoenix tumbling down from the eaves, their old faces flushed bright red.

They meant to eavesdrop, but seeing Jago receiving something, and hearing the words "Beast Code," they got so excited they lost their footing and dropped right down.

Soren Phoenix leaned against the doorframe, sneering. "Pathetic."

The two old men blushed even harder, but their eyes stayed glued to the beast skin scroll in Jago’s hands.

Caelan Phoenix rubbed his hands, smiling apologetically. "Miss Sutton, about that Beast Code..."

"Go beg your Clan Leader."

Luna Sutton didn’t even look back as she walked into the house, yawning lazily, "I’m tired."

With that, she turned and went inside.

Soren Phoenix, half-smiling, glanced at the two old guys, "Want it?"

Lian Phoenix lunged and hugged his leg, "Clan Leader, I’ll even be your mount as an old slave!"

"Pathetic."

Soren Phoenix scoffed lightly, tossing out a beast skin scroll, "Copy this yourselves. Give it back later. Then get to training in the back mountain. If you dare leak even half a word..."

His peach blossom eyes narrowed dangerously, and a burst of Phoenix True Fire flashed in his palm, scaring the two old men as they grabbed the scroll and bolted.

Still fighting over it as they ran.

Corbin Crowley stepped out of the shadows, his black hair shimmering coldly in the moonlight. "Luna, you sure are generous."

Soren Phoenix looked back at him, half-smiling, "What, jealous?"

Corbin Crowley scoffed coldly, said nothing, and turned into the house.

Tonight was finally his turn.

Inside the master bedroom.

Luna Sutton was lounging on the soft couch reading, the Starlight Stone Kian Sterling had polished as a lamp bathed her profile in warm yellow light, making her eyes and brows look softer than ever.

Corbin Crowley entered and caught her flipping a page of the beast skin scroll.

Hearing his footsteps, she looked up, lips quirking. "All washed up?"

"Mm."

Corbin Crowley came to sit beside her, still carrying the scent of a bath. He reached out, sweeping her straight into his arms.

He lowered his head, sniffing lightly at her neck, voice deep, "Luna smells so good."

Her face instantly went rosy, shooting him a playful glare, "Always taking advantage when you can."

Corbin Crowley chuckled deeply, his chest rumbling, chin resting on her shoulder, voice deep and magnetic: "What are you reading?"

She shook the scroll in her hand: "A book called ’Spirit Value Atlas’ I got by chance. I’m studying it in case I come across treasures I don’t recognize."

Corbin Crowley knew she had secrets, but didn’t ask where the Spirit Value Atlas came from. He took the scroll away and scooped her up in his arms. "It’s late, read tomorrow. Time to rest now."

Suddenly, a gust swept out the Starlight Lamp by the bed.

In the darkness, the sound of clothes rustling could be heard.

Luna Sutton’s cheeks were flushed. Suddenly thinking of something, she pressed a hand to his chest, "Wait, I used Qi Observation Skill on Jago and them today..."

Corbin Crowley bent to nibble, chuckling low, "Thinking of others at a time like this?"

Outside the window came a sudden thud.

The two turned to look at the window, seeing eight little heads silhouetted against the glass, stacked like acrobats, with the youngest snake kid at the bottom sticking out his tongue from being squished.

"Rhys... Blackwood... take care of your sons."

Corbin Crowley grabbed a pillow and hurled it at the window.

In the yard, Rhys Blackwood appeared out of nowhere, grabbing eight snake tails and sneering, "Looks like I’ve been too lenient lately as your father."

The little snake kids instantly went stiff as ropes.

Soon, the yard echoed with ’pop pop’ sounds and the snake kids’ howling wails—just hearing it made your own backside ache.

Luna heard her sons getting spanked, and the heart of an old mother instantly ached.

She shoved Corbin Crowley aside and hurried to put on shoes, but was yanked back into his arms, her wrist held tight by him.

"Rhys Blackwood knows his limits."

Corbin Crowley’s large hand gently stroked her waist, voice rough and low, "And you... tonight, there’s no escape."

Outside, the snake kids’ wails gradually faded—it was clear they’d been taken away.

Inside the master bedroom, sounds began that would make faces flush and hearts pound.

In Kian Sterling’s room, warm yellow light spilled quietly throughout the space.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, holding a bright red fruit in his hand, giving off a faint fragrance. It was a vermilion fruit he found by chance on Eagle’s Nest Mountain in Aetheria.

He wasn’t sure if the vermilion fruit could help him establish his Foundation, but wanted to try.

He was just about to swallow it in one gulp—

When the ambiguous noises from outside filtered in, making his face flush and heart race, leaving him unable to calm down.

All kinds of messy images filled his mind.

His androgynously handsome face darkened. "Looks like there’s no way to cultivate in peace tonight."

With a sigh, he jumped out the window, his white robes trailing a graceful arc in the moonlight.

He had barely landed when he ran into Zeke Veridian, carrying a wine jug toward the back mountain.

The two exchanged a look, both glancing toward the master bedroom.

Zeke Veridian shook the wine jug, "Back mountain?"

"Mm."

Kian Sterling tucked the vermilion fruit into his robe, "Foundation Establishment."

The bamboo forest in the back mountain was crisp, waterfalls roaring—a perfect cover.

Kian Sterling found a flat green stone, sat cross-legged, took out the vermilion fruit and swallowed it in two or three bites.

Soon, the medicinal power flowed into his body as warmth.

Kian Sterling closed his eyes, focusing his mind, working the Beast Code to guide the medicinal power into his Dantian.

Zeke Veridian said nothing, just perched on a nearby treetop as protector, quietly standing guard.