The seven-foot or so lizardmen which could only be described as a scaly human with the corresponding claws and lizard-like head turned right as he heard the greeting.

Surprisingly he did not seem hostile or in fear as expected, more like happy to be called on, and so he responded

"Human! You speak!"

"Yes I do" Wu Guang still maintained his guard, but as he did not sense any hostility at all, he decided to use this opportunity to get more information and so asked in the same half growling, half hissing language that he learned during his life as Bai Qi

"What are you doing here?"

"Excuse me for the intrusion but humans tried to attack me on sight before while you and your mate seemed to be different. Still, I decided to look around before approaching. I left a few tracks and observed before as well. Still, I never expected someone to know who I am and our language" The dark green-scaled lizardmen answered in a jovial tone, at least in Wu Guang's impression.

Confirming that there was no danger Wu Guang dropped his guard and after motioning for the lizardmen simply sat on the ground.

A long talk followed from which Wu Guang learned that the lizardmen were not a traveler from another plane as suspected but actually evolved from a common 'Bloat Lizard' native to the hills. Normally this would be impossible as a non-spirit lizard could at max evolve into one of the lowest leveled Spirit beasts but after asking for details Wu Guang came to a conclusion. He still asked to make sure he was right

"So a blinding light appeared in the ruins and right afterward you lost consciousness?"

"Yes. Human, do you know what happened? I could not find any of my previous brethren in the zone and did not find even a single of the snakes that inhabited around and were our prey"

"I can try to explain, but this is a guess. But before I do, do you feel that you understand common language?" The latter question was asked in the common language as well, as Wu Guang supposed that a creature native to the world would most probably be granted the ability to understand the inhabitants.

"Hmmm? Yes. Not only the language you speak but several others were deeply engraved unto my mind as I found myself in this form" Albeit it had an extreme hissing accent the answer was still said in common, confirming Wu Guang's previous guess.

"I see. Well, let me tell you of the only explanation I see as viable" After saying this and taking a short pause, Wu Guang started to explain.

The explanation was not very long and did not touch very complex themes as he was not sure of the level of knowledge that was accessible to the lizardman at the moment. Granted, all beast races shared the same pool of knowledge originating from their bloodline, but the one in front was a bit special.

"In basic terms, the plane and heavens will sometimes evolve a creature to a far more advanced form of life. The process is extremely rare but in truth, it occurs naturally as the plane starts to evolve. From what I know and your inherited knowledge confirmed so, you were blessed or cursed to become this first real beastman"

"So there are no others like me?"

"Not now. But later as Spirit beasts that come from the lizards evolve further they will have a chance to become one"

"And what I am supposed to do now?" This question was normal and a lizard's expression was hard to read. Still, the voice made one understand the despair he felt after learning of his situation.

"I really don't know. This is what I meant for your evolution to be either a blessing or a curse. Your kind is not yet known in the plane and so the inhabitants will judge you based on your looks and strength. Humans will think of you as a dangerous and intelligent beast. While the beasts will instinctively sense the fact that you are a race somewhat closer to humans and so, treat you as such" Wu Guang had simply laid out facts until now.

But seeing the now downcast lizardmen he did not feel right to leave him to his strange fate of being the first and maybe only such being present in the plane. A situation at least for several dozens of years, if lucky. He quickly analyzed the situation in hopes of offering some way out. And he found one, albeit not the best, but still a manner to at least keep him alive.

"Forgive me for being blunt, but you have no real place in this world. I tried to find a solution to the problem, but the only one that occurs to me is not really something that I would consider fair"

"Please tell me human. I have tried to understand what to do now but even if my mind is flooded with information about my race and possible paths, it still does not give me any options that are viable in this... world? At least from what I can understand"

"You are right about there being no possibilities for you in this plane, at least not currently. Let me first elaborate on that before telling you about the only way for you to find a place that I can think of. Oh and also..."

"Yes?"

"Don't call me human, my name is Wu Guang"

"Wu... Guang? Is a name important for your race?"

"Yes. Humans can be identified by name only, albeit we do have ranks and hierarchy, the name is still the only basic way to tell one apart from other" Saying this Wu Guang motioned for the lizardmen to wait and proceeded to explain about the plane and limits.

He did not explain much about other planes. Neither he touched the levels and ranks of the beasts, but he stressed out that Lizardmen were already Saint beasts when born. A Saint beast was similar to a Spirit one, but their strength and intelligence far surpassed them. If compared to humans, they would be in the lower tier of the Earth realm. Being such, he would have no opportunity to grow or evolve further while the limit of this plane was so low. Sensing the interest in the fact that he specifically mentioned planes, Wu Guang made a quick explanation about the tiers of the planes and their possible maximum growth.

"So... If I travel outside this plane I may grow and use the knowledge I was granted with? And also meet others like me?"

"Yes. Beastmen are present in almost all of the medium-tier plane"

"Before asking how I can achieve this, can you explain the method you had thought to give me a place for now?"

"Both are actually connected. I also intend to leave after reaching the strength enough to do so. So if you follow me, we will try and reach the Astral Gate together. Afterward, we can both leave the plane. Now about your place... Right now you will be considered hostile by both beasts and humans. The former is hard to deal with as there are not many fully intelligent beasts in a lower-tier plane like this, but the humans can be tricked"

"Tricked?"

"Yes. It's normal for cultivators like me to have contracted beasts or beast mounts. Your race is unknown yet, so I can easily cover your origin. Although the situation may get worse if they see that you have an equivalent intelligence to them"

"How so?" Interrupted the lizardmen

Wu Guang did not get upset because of this interruption and even cut short his previous phrase to explain

"If beasts so intelligent as the humans appear, it would be considered dangerous. Just think about it, an unknown race that can command beasts to attack while having the capacity to strategize and understand his opponent"

"But... Beasts are hostile to me as well?"

"Yes. But the humans would think of you like a beast. Also, beasts are hostile to you now because you are instinctively retracting the beast aura that you should have"

"Beast aura?" Mulling this the lizardmen went deep into thought, but after a while, he almost jumped

"You are right! I feel that I can change my aura to be more beast-like. Will this make me able to interact with beasts?"

"Yes. At least with the ones that will not consider you as a threat. But even the latter would submit if you win over them in battle, which should be possible considering your natural level"

"But I don't feel like being able to fight"

"You are just newly ascended. This is normal, at least for intelligent beast races. With time your knowledge will settle and you will recall techniques and ways to fight. All this comes from the inheritance of the beast race that you received alongside the evolution"

Now Wu Guang was sure that the Lizardman was indeed a real one and his bloodline was active, as after being told of anything, he would be able to recall the corresponding information and terms.

"I see. So... a contracted beast can stay and travel without being hunted by humans?"

"Basically yes. At least while the contractor is around the beast can not be attacked in any way without fighting him first"

"And you would accept me as a contracted beast?"

"I would... But before that... Do you really understand what is to be one? I would also be unable to do so right now anyway"

"My mind has information about this... It's something like accepting you as a master? And what do you mean not right now?"

"For the first part, yes. A contractor is the master of the beast. You would need to follow me and my commands would take priority even over your own thoughts, but in case we do a contract I am ready to swear the fact of freeing you right as we are ready to pass through the Astral Gate. As for the latter... I am just too weak to form such a contract right now. A cultivator needs to reach the Soul realm before even having the chance to sign one"

"So there is no way..."

"I will reach the level sooner or later, well, it should not take me more than a few months. And I swear by heaven's law that when I reach the Soul realm I will come here and meet you. If you agree to it then we will form a contract, if not, I will try and find a way for you to at least travel the human lands"

"Thank you... I do believe you Wu Guang and accept your oath. Come when you are ready and we will form this pact"