It didn't even consider that Zhang Yiyi might be unwilling to take it with her. Instead, it assumed that she simply didn't know the truth and was thus hastily trying to prove itself.

"Don't worry, I have a way to figure out whether or not you're truly from the Ancient Divine Clan. Quickly remove that layer of defense around you, hurry, hurry!"

"I'm not removing it!" Zhang Yiyi shook her head leisurely, smiling wryly as she asked, "Did you already forget that just a moment ago, you were dead set on trying to kill me?"

She paused for a moment and added, "Of course, even if I did take it down, you wouldn't be able to defeat me now. But why should I remove it?"

Its beastly face scrunched up in frustration. Although it was angry, it had learned a bit of a lesson and, needing her help, held back its temper.

"Go ahead and take it down. I promise I won't try to attack you again."

It spoke seriously, "We Spatial Thunder Beasts don't stoop to lying. As a mighty beast, my word is my bond. Let's wipe the slate clean and move on. You have no need to doubt me."

"But why should I let you figure out whether or not I have any connection to the Ancient Divine Clan? That doesn't matter to me. On the contrary, you keep bringing it up—what exactly is your goal?"

Zhang Yiyi remained calm and unmoved, clearly signaling that she wasn't going to cooperate unless it explained itself fully. After all, it wasn't her who needed anything from it so she saw no reason to rush.

It realized that if it didn't voluntarily reveal some things, this infuriating female cultivator would never comply. Thinking about how only a few members of the Ancient Divine Clan likely remained—much like the rare survivors of its own Spatial Divine Beast race—it became even more reluctant to let Zhang Yiyi slip away. After all, if it missed this chance, it might never meet another Ancient Divine Clan member again.

"My bloodline inheritance clearly tells me that we Spatial Thunder Beasts share a very special karmic connection with your Ancient Divine Clan. That's why our two races can communicate without any barriers."

It explained as thoroughly as possible, "Also, I want to find a way home. The appearance of an Ancient Divine Clan member could be my only opportunity to do so, so no matter what, I'm sticking with you!"

In its heart, it had completely convinced itself that Zhang Yiyi was a member of the Ancient Divine Clan. How else could she understand its language and suppress its space-based abilities? Whether Zhang Yiyi admitted it or not didn't matter. Maoqiu had already made up its mind to latch onto this Ancient Divine Clan cultivator no matter what.

"Oh... I see."

Zhang Yiyi listened, nodding as if she completely believed its explanation, showing no signs of doubt. However, she still didn't relent. "But that's your problem, not mine. Whether or not I'm from the Ancient Divine Clan, I won't be taking you with me."

"Why not?"

It was utterly baffled. It had laid everything out clearly, so why would this irritating human cultivator still refuse?

"Because you're a fierce beast, a huge hassle! You have a bad temper, don't listen to reason, and shoot lightning at people without a second thought. Why would I want to bring you along?"

Zhang Yiyi retorted matter-of-factly, "Even if you don't want to kill me anymore, I still don't want to take a troublemaker like you with me. If I did, you'd just bring endless problems—enemies and disaster. Why would I bother? I'd have to be out of my mind."

"You, you, you... I, I, I..."

It was left speechless by her pointed questions. It was a born fierce beast, causing trouble and killing was in its nature. What was wrong with that? But the female cultivator's last point also rang true. If it offered her no benefit, why would she take it along?

Suddenly, its immature little heart, which wasn't fully developed to begin with, felt even more inadequate. As a fierce beast, it didn't need external resources to cultivate or strengthen its abilities like human cultivators did, so it had nothing of value to offer Zhang Yiyi in exchange for bringing it along.

Zhang Yiyi wasn't in a hurry. She just sat there calmly, waiting for it to figure it out. In truth, the moment it had offered to follow her out of here, her thoughts had already begun to churn. Having a fierce beast as a companion, especially a Spatial Thunder Beast with a royal bloodline was something she would be more than willing to accept. After all, it was still just a cub and already had such powerful destructive capabilities. When it fully matured, it would become an unimaginable asset.

But the more valuable it was, the less initiative she could show. She needed it to willingly ask to become her contract beast, ensuring there were no flaws in the arrangement. After all, it was the little furball who believed that following her was the only way to find its way home, not the other way around.

It still had no idea it had already fallen into Zhang Yiyi's trap. It racked its brains for a long time until, finally, a flash of inspiration hit.

"I'll give you benefits!"

It said excitedly, "I know there are plenty of things in this cave that you could use. I'll take you to find them!"

Benefits—if that's what she wanted, it would provide them. After all, the things in this cave weren't even its own, and it didn't need them. But human cultivators surely would!

However, to its surprise, Zhang Yiyi remained unmoved. She sat there, smiling faintly, and said, "I came here for treasure in the first place. I can find it myself without your help."

"That's different! You're definitely not as familiar with this place as I am. If you search on your own, you'll miss out on good stuff!"

The beast panicked. If this wasn't enough to tempt Zhang Yiyi, then it truly had no other ideas.

"There's no need. This kind of minor favor isn't worth me taking such a big risk."

Zhang Yiyi said as she stood up, looking like she was ready to leave. "I'm done wasting time chatting with you. I need to find my companions. We've been separated for too long; they must be getting worried."

"Wait, don't go yet!"

It was truly desperate now. Afraid that Zhang Yiyi would leave without it, it blurted out, "What would it take for you to agree to take me with you?"

"I don't know. Unless you can give me a compelling enough reason, why should I take you?"

Zhang Yiyi folded her arms, looking very picky as she sized up the little furball. "Actually, I think it's better for you to stay here. Or just go wherever you want. There's no need to follow me, especially since I might have nothing to do with the Ancient Divine Clan."

"Who says that? I won't be wrong!"

It gritted its teeth and, with nothing left to lose, declared, "Take me with you, and I'll listen to everything you say. Whatever you want me to do—fighting, treasure hunting, anything—I'll do it. I'm strong, and I'll be even stronger when I grow up. You won't regret it!"