Beastmen are sometimes called the luckiest of the sentient cultivating species. And probably it is so.

A cultivator had its innate talent limit. Although possible to increase or even change, it was rare for a cultivator to advance more than a minor realm past his limit, even after spending hundreds of years.

A beast's spirit core would continue growing its entire life, and the level would do so in turn. But its growth depended on how well the beast could find spiritual food. And although not a limit per se, the race or bloodline was heavily related to the actual level a Beast would reach in life.

And bloodline factors were aplenty. With realms that the ancestors of the race had reached and the pureness of each bloodline. Or even the environment of a beast influencing the amount of spiritual energy the core would require. And so, a beast with nothing but common ancestors would hardly advance a few levels during its entire life.

But Beastmen were different. Although their first years and advances would be akin to a Beast, their bloodlines did not limit them after the so-called reasonable limit.

Be it by meditation, cultivation, seclusion as cultivators or hunting, devouring, or searching for energy as a Beast would, the Beastmen could grow past it.

And even after their Spirit Core turned into a dantian during the Exalted Realm transformation, they would never require anything but gather energy to advance further.

Beastmen were indeed a blessed race. And that without considering the absurd ratio of races that descended from one of the Four Sacred Beasts or other similar-tier ancestors.

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The night passed with no changes, but neither Kass Shaa'r, Huo Laohu, nor Hiaoshan Mao left. The process could take more than a single day easily, but still, they had not even thought about missing its end.

And while the [Mist Cat] remained on her knees, the two male Beastmen had sat down on the rim of the ravine, not attempting to approach, simply contemplating the spheres.

But when the sun rose enough for its first rays to enter the mile-deep ravine, the black sphere began shivering.

"What is happening?" Kass Shaa'r asked in a low voice, aware that no one would answer him anyway.

*Boom*

The sphere suddenly disappeared, and although the sound was akin to an explosion, the observers did not feel anything coming from it.

*Swoosh*

But from the center of what the sphere was, a figure was sent out flying.

*Splash*

A figure flew right into the waterfall. And then fell into the pond beneath.

The figure wasn't anyone but Bai Qi.

A few moments later, Bai Qi emerged from the water. And with a light jump, landed on the shore.

"Arrogant bastard! If not for your descendants, I would take it as a goal to end your bloodline!" He growled while shaking himself dry.

The same question crossed both the tiger and lizard beastmen's minds, immediately followed by another one.

But it wasn't so, as just a moment later, Bai Qi's gaze turned towards the distant figures as he loudly shouted, "Kass Shaa'r, Huo Laohu, and Elder Xiaoshan! You three should leave, quickly!"

While for Kass Shaa'r Bai Qi's words were akin to a command to act and he immediately began retreating, Huo Laohu only inclined his head to the side in doubt. As for the elder, she probably did not even hear him, being in a world of her own.

"Or at least defend yourselves!" Bai Qi shouted again. Huo Laohu could sense that the human wasn't making anything up, and he genuinely thought that the Beastmen were in danger.

The question had only formed the man-tiger's mind as the answer was made apparent.

*BOOM* *BOOM*

The white orbs disappeared with the same explosion-like sound as the black one had.

But nothing flew out of them, in place, both figures that had been inside continued floating with their bodies curled tightly.

{Spread your aura and pray that you do it in time!} Bai Qi's forceful qi transmission entered the mind of the three observers.

He had accompanied it with a push of mind-power enough even to awaken Xiaoshan Mao from her state, and thankfully, the three of them immediately did as instructed.

The curled figures shone in a white-colored light and slowly began uncurling. Standing straight but with eyes closed, it became apparent that the light wasn't just light, but their aura. And that aura wasn't even slightly as the one that the Bai sisters had.

This new aura was more savage, contained traces of true majesty, and was at least three levels above the one that they had before. But no one had time to wonder about that, as it suddenly expanded and forcefully crashed against the beastmen's one. And even Huo Laouhu, an 8th level Saint Beast, was forced to brace himself to resist being pushed back.

Kass Shaa'r and Xiaoshan Mao could not and were indeed pushed back a few steps, both leaving traces from their claws on the stone of the ravine's only descent.

The girls floated with their faces turned towards Bai Qi. Thus he was the only one that saw how their eyes opened, then glimmered in a golden hue. He knew that it would not affect him. On the contrary, he looked forwards to it.

*ROAR* *ROAR*

Both girls' mouths opened as a roar full of power and arrogance left it.

The roar of a [White Tiger]. A sound capable of making almost any being submit.

*Crash* *Crash* *Plop*

It was one of the most powerful, as well the most characteristic, of abilities of the Divine Beast.

Kass Shaa'r and Xiaoshan Mao were pushed back from their spots forcefully, only stopping after crashing into the stone wall behind. As for Huo Laohu, he fared better as he was stronger. But even so, he lowered down on one knee.

Bai Qi was the only one to be unaffected, and in turn of surprise, fear, or amazement, his face showed joy as he spoke up to both girls that were now slowly descending to the ground while the signs of their awakening dispelled, "Welcome back."

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Kass Shaa'r had only interacted with Bai Rui and Bai Ze a few times previously, but even so, when everything calmed, both groups approached each other, he couldn't notice the changes that both girls suffered.

The most notable one would be the color of their fur, which was now pristinely white in place of the different shades of brown before.

Less notable were the black stripes that adorned their tails or that their ears were now of the purest black color.

Someone who did spend a lot of time with them would notice the increase in the size of their fangs as well. And the augmented size of their paws, which now hid claws the size of a dagger.

Still, the change that he did notice instantly was their presence. An air of majesty, one that practically suppressed everyone around, hung around them. And their level! Both girls had been 1st level Saint Beasts before, but now, they released the aura of a 4th level one!

***

The lizardman's gaze lingered most on Bai Qi thought. And he could not help but notice how the latter had changed in the few months that they had not been together.

He not only looked and felt more experienced, but somehow it was apparent that he wasn't just a young man that had not even reached his 17th spring. Kass Shaa'r knew the truth, but even so, it had never been so apparent as now.

Physically he also had changed slightly. Bai Qi's long black hair now had a single strand of white on the right side, and his bare chest showed dozens of scars and burns. Some healed, others just beginning to.

Bai Qi's power also increased, and if not for the two beast girls nearby, Kass Shaa'r would be amazed at such an increase. Indeed, from a peak Soul realm cultivator to a 6th level Sage?!

***

While Kass Shaa'r and the others examined him and the girls, Bai Qi did the same in response.

Huo Laohu had not changed in the slightest during these months, not that it was surprising. The enormous man-tiger was very powerful and a true genius of his race, but even if he could advance to the peak of the Spirit Beasts, it would take at least a couple of years.

As for Kass Shaa'r, the changes and growth were apparent. Bai Qi knew that a lizardman would naturally reach the 3rd or 4th level of the Saint Beast quickly. And even if he had not done it because of the planar limits of [Seven Islands], here it happened with ease.

Physically the lizardman had not changed except for a small crest of needle-like protrusions on his head and neck that did not exist before.

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Huo Laohu decided to return after confirming that everyone was in good condition. He did not see any reason for staying there, and everyone had agreed. Plus, as anyone with beast blood, he preferred to make decisions while on his territory. Or as a beast would say, inside one's den.

For the fire-tiger, his den was nothing else but his tent. So after returning, he gathered the elders, the Bai sisters, and the human there. To avoid questions about the sisters' changes, they had entered the camp without revealing themselves. Not hard to do after the human presented a couple of talismans following the words about not making a scene.

"We need to discuss two things. First, I would like to know what you three want to do. And secondly, we need to discuss how to proceed." Huo Laohu sat down on the luxurious rug and spoke up.

"We will follow him after he leaves, but for now, we would like to request permission to stay. On his behalf as well." The two [Mist Cat], no, [White Tiger] sisters pointed at Bai Qi.

***

Both sisters had suffered another change, only made apparent now. Bai Ze was now far calmer than before, and Bai Rui seemed to speak up her mind with ease in turn.

Their decision to follow the human was one that Huo Laohu understood. Since he had heard that the two had mated with the human, he knew that something like that would follow. And he planned not to intervene. At least it was so before they awoke their ancestral bloodline.

But now, he felt that allowing them to leave was unthinkable. Two awakened [White Tiger] bloodlines! After a few years, they could become Exalted Beasts. And at last, someone capable of forming the [Steel Fang] that he dreamed would appear.

But the previously meek Bai Rui and hotheaded Bai Ze contradicted every one of his and the elders' words and reasons.

Dangerous? It wasn't safe here either, and exploring the plane would allow them to grow further.

Their duty as members of the pack? They only spent three years here and had no relationship with anyone bar Xiaoshan Mao. They were grateful for everything, but they should be allowed to leave freely.

Inability to leave offspring as only male Beastmen and female humans could intermix? Not something that the elders or the pack leader should worry about. After all, it was their own choice.

The matter that they would need to fend off by themselves? Again, not something to be worried about. Their level was high already, and they would outgrow most threats that they could encounter.

Lack of knowledge about the plane, human customs, and so on? They would have Wu Guang teach them.

Wu Guang's low level? This was a question from the elderly fire tiger that served as one of the elders, but in place of a calm answer, she got a roar in return.

Huo Laohu attempted to latch on to that emotional response but was rebuked. After all, without Wu Guang, they would have never even awoken their bloodline. And not only because of the deed, but also because he had reached them in time to supply half of the qi and aura they required!

Such a talk continued for a couple of hours, and surprisingly the human had not spoken up even once. And while probably others would have tried to provoke him because of allowing the girls to talk for him, here, no one attempted to. After all, he was allowing the girls to determine their fate by themselves, and that was something that Huo Laohu could not help but respect.

If Kass Shaa'r or someone that had spent a long time with Bai Qi were present, the same thought would cross their minds.

And strangely, they would have been not mistaken. One of the unexpected side effects of the ancestor's approval and Bai Qi's participation was a full link between the three. It wasn't just a consciousness link as before, but one that went even as deep as their souls. And while he was infusing his qi and aura to help them, not only their thoughts and feelings, but even their memories, had intermixed.

Such a happening did not affect Bai Qi as much as the girls thought. After all, what do the memories of a combined age of 34 years mean when compared to a pool of knowledge and experiences above the mark of 800 hundred?

It wasn't that either of the girls had not met her fair share of fortunes and misfortunes, but still, the White Immortal Bai Qi's memories and thoughts did affect them strongly. Especially Bai Ze, who even in an unconscious state, absorbed them like a sponge.

And while it wasn't as if they were one being now, it did allow each of them to understand the others. This was the actual reason why Bai Qi did not speak. He knew that the girls had made a decision, and he simply provided his silent approval.

***

In the end, it was decided that Bai Qi would be allowed to stay in the camp for however long he wanted. And while Huo Laohu did not share the idea of several elders about attempting to prolong that stay indefinitely, he did not forbid it either.

With the two sisters and the human leaving the tent, he dismissed the elders as well, before sighing and murmuring, "Such a great opportunity for the region, and it is my duty to at least make some effort for it to happen."

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In truth, Bai Qi considered that they could leave right away, but he respected the wishes of his two new companions. Indeed, companions.

During the intermixing, his reasons and feeling were made apparent to them. And just now, as they sat down to talk it out inside the girls' tent, he had been surprised by an absolute refusal from the girls to his attempt.

The girls liked him, apparent even before he started sensing their feelings. Not that he understood why. But it was a fact, or they would have never done what they did.

When he had decided to go after them, he decided to take responsibility for what happened. Not because he shared their feelings, just because he considered it the right thing to do. He did not dislike them, in fact, he did like both sisters, but he had never thought of them in such a way.

Sharing a glance with Bai Ze, Bai Rui started to speak, "No, we decided to do what we did."

She stopped for a few moments, and then added, "But we will not accept you forcing yourself."

Bai Ze followed right away with a half-growl, "We will not leave you either though. In the end, you will fall for us and be ours!"

Bai Qi found himself chuckling in response, and after finishing laughing answered, "Do you best then, and truly, thank you. I am unsure about the future, but be sure that I will remain near you until you two decide to push me away!"