"What's a Spiritual Beast? That sounds powerful." Yu Rou asked Xiao Hua.
"They are magical beasts… but naturally more powerful, just like Divine Beasts. However, they're not quite as powerful as Divine Beasts. There's also a chance that a Spiritual Beast can evolve into a Divine Beast." Xiao Hua said.
She looked at the tiger cub and said, "It's very rare to find a Spiritual Beast this young since they're usually with their parents, and for you to make it into your servant… You got incredibly lucky."
Yu Rou picked up the ball of fluff and hugged it. "Hehe… I knew she was special the moment I saw her, but I didn't think she was this special. I really lucked out!"
Xiao Hua nodded and said, "That's why you should keep her hidden unless you absolutely need her. There are people out there who would steal others' servants out of jealousy, especially if they are rare creatures."
"What?! Really? How does that work? Stealing another individual's servant." Yu Rou asked.
"If the Master dies, the contract will naturally end. Though there are methods to forcefully sever a contract without killing the Master." Xiao Hua said.
"That sounds scary…" Yu Rou said.
Then she called Snowy back just in case.
"There shouldn't be many people who can recognize a Spiritual Beast in the Lower Heavens since they are so rare, but you should still be careful."
"I understand. Thank you, Xiao Hua." Yu Rou nodded.
"Does it have any special abilities?" Yuan suddenly asked her.
"Nope. The only thing she can do is bite, but she's too small to even fight effectively." Yu Rou said.
Then she turned to look at Xiao Hua and asked, "Is there any way to make Spiritual Beasts grow faster? I will have to look for another servant if it's going to take a few years before I can let Snowy fight."
Xiao Hua nodded and said, "Yes, there are treasures that can speed up a magical beast's growth, but they are incredibly rare."
"Great! I will keep that in mind." Yu Rou said.
Sometime later, Yuan said, "Let's do some quests together. You two can pick."
"Are you sure? The quests may be too easy for you." Yu Rou said.
"I don't mind. I just want to spend time with you."
"Okay. Then let's go look for some quests."
Sometime later, they entered the city and asked around to see whether there was any quest they could do.
After about an hour of looking, they accepted a quest that required them to gather some material that can only be obtained from a certain magical beast.
"The Black Horn Bull can be found at the Orange Field. They're around the seventh level of Spirit Apprentice. I will need as many horns as you can gather, and I will pay 10 gold coins for each horn." A middle-aged man said to them before handing them a map.
"I understand. We should return soon." Yu Rou said.
After leaving the place, Yu Rou said, "According to the map, the Orange Land is quite far away. It's going to take us around 10 hours to get there if we walk. However, if we travel by horses or carriages, it'll be much quicker."
"Carriages?" Yuan raised his eyebrows.
He then said, "I have never ridden in a carriage before. Let's try that out."
"Okay!"
"Where do we ride carriages?" Yuan then asked.
"There's a store that rents horses with carriage service. Let's go there." Yu Rou said.
Yu Rou proceeded to lead them to this store.
Ten minutes later, they arrived before a large building that had almost a dozen horses on display, and there were even a couple of carriages in the back.
"Hello, I would like to purchase the carriage service." Yu Rou approached the reception desk and asked the middle-aged man managing it.
"Sure thing, young lady. Where are you guys trying to go? And is it going to be a one-way trip or a round-trip?"
"The Orange Lands. Round-trip."
"Orange Lands, huh? Alright, give me a moment to do some calculations."
A moment later, he continued, "That would be 3 gold coins for the ordinary service and 10 gold coins for the premium service."
"What's the difference?" Yuan asked.
"The ordinary service will provide you… well, an ordinary horse and an average carriage. You will also have to drive the carriage by yourself. The premium service provides a faster horse, a larger carriage, and even a driver for the carriage for a better experience overall."
"We'll take the premium service," said Yu Rou.
"Alright. That'll be 10 gold coins."
Yu Rou nodded and handed 10 gold coins to the manager.
"Thank you for choosing us, young lady. Give me about ten minutes to find you a driver. If you have any preferences for the driver, let me know. We even have cultivators who can drive the carriage as well as guards if you need them. However, that will cost additional fees."
"An ordinary driver is fine." Yu Rou said.
After all, they had Yuan, who was infinitely stronger than any guard they could provide.
"I understand."
The manager disappeared for some time before returning, "Your carriage is ready. Please follow me."
Yu Rou and the others followed the manager to the outside, where a decorated carriage and a horse were waiting in the street.
Yuan looked at the square-shaped carriage with awe, as this is his first time seeing a carriage in this fashion.
A few moments later, they entered the carriage, but there was only room for 4 people. Any more and it'll become a little cramped.
"Here, Xiao Hua. I will make some room for you." Yuan said when everyone was seated beside her.
"It's okay. Xiao Hua will sit here."
Xiao Hua said before entering the carriage and taking a seat on Yuan's lap.
"Is it okay?" she asked him afterward.
"I don't mind." Yuan nodded.
When Yu Rou saw this, she had an idea.
"Snowy, come out."
Once the white ball of fluff returned, Yu Rou had it sit on her lap while she hugged it.
"Are we ready to move?" The driver asked them a moment later.
"Yes!" Yu Rou said.
"Then I shall start moving the carriage now. Hah!"
The driver said before commanding the horses to move, pulling the carriage along with it.