Lu Zixun didn’t intentionally bring up the issue, nor did he want to be argumentative.
He was truly sincere.
After Gongsun Li’s explanation, Lu Zixun felt that the reason the Gongsun family had ended up in its current state was, firstly, due to the death of their family’s Guardian Beast.
Secondly, it was because the family disciples were too arrogant and overbearing, making too many enemies.
Gongsun Li, who was capable enough to be sent to negotiate with Lu Zixun, was observant. Seeing the look of difficulty on Lu Zixun’s face, she understood what he was thinking.
Thinking back to the enemies of the Gongsun family that still existed, Gongsun Li gathered her thoughts before looking at Lu Zixun, "The Gongsun family now is very different from before, those arrogant family members have been kicked out of the genealogy, and..."
She paused, then stood up to take a laptop computer, placing it in front of Lu Zixun.
"Those who had a deep-seated vendetta with the Gongsun family, after the arrival of the Abnormal Creatures, there are hardly any left."
As for why there were hardly any left, Lu Zixun pondered for a moment and understood.
If he were an Abnormal Creature, he definitely would also prioritize killing those ancient families that could threaten them.
But from another perspective, there being hardly any left didn’t mean total annihilation; certainly, a few powerful families remained.
A look of struggle appeared on his face, and Lu Zixun did not respond to Gongsun Li immediately.
At this time, Gongsun Li did not urge him.
She had laid bare the hidden issues of the Gongsun Family, revealing everything without any reserve.
Although she was very eager for Lu Zixun to become the family’s Guardian Beast, Gongsun Li did not want to, nor could she force him.
So, Gongsun Li gazed at Lu Zixun, waiting quietly for him to make a choice.
At this moment, Lu Zixun was contemplating something.
His initial purpose in visiting the Gongsun family was to obtain some Array Formation Plates to ensure Lin Siyin’s safety.
But now there was the additional matter of him being a Swallowing Sky Cat Demon, and that the Gongsun family wanted him to become some Guardian Beast.
If he didn’t agree, would he still be able to get the Array Formation Plates...
Lu Zixun was considering this issue.
As Lu Zixun’s silence grew longer, Gongsun Li began to feel increasingly disheartened, and just when she was about to despair,
Lu Zixun lifted his head and flashed a tiger-toothed smile at Gongsun Li, "Deal, but you have to give me several defensive Array Formation Plates."
"Ding—Joy Value from Gongsun Li +4000 detected."
Seeing the excitement on Gongsun Li’s face, Lu Zixun pursed his lips; he still couldn’t bring himself to be shamelessly demanding.
If he didn’t agree, they would certainly still give him the Array Formation Plates; that much was beyond doubt.
Lu Zixun was part of Long Jiuri’s faction, and the Gongsun family now needed to rely on Long Jiuri.
Gongsun Li, who was emotionally agitated, stuttered for a long time without being able to utter a complete sentence.
Taking a couple of deep breaths to calm her emotions, Gongsun Li then said with some embarrassment, "I apologize, according to Lord Cat, I was a bit too excited just now."
His tail swayed leisurely, and Lu Zixun lazily waved his paw, "No worries, it’s not a big deal."
"According to Lord Cat, please wait a moment."
She got up and walked to the desk, opened a drawer, and took out a vintage compass.
Coming up to Lu Zixun, "According to Lord Cat, please use your spiritual power to sense this compass."
How to sense with spiritual power?
Lu Zixun was taken aback for a moment. The instant his gaze landed on the compass, a blaze of white light burst in his head.
When he opened his eyes again, Lu Zixun found himself in a strange space.
This space was different from where Phoenix had been last time; it looked much more simple.
"Ding—Comfort Value from Hei Ye +10."
It was the lowest feeling value Lu Zixun had received since acquiring the system.
After looking around, Lu Zixun finally saw a cat cushion ahead, where a young black cat was lying down.
"I’ve finally... been waiting for you."
The body looked like a young black cat, but an old and tired voice echoed in Lu Zixun’s mind.
He slowly walked over to Hei Ye, crouched in front of the cat cushion, and quietly gazed at Hei Ye.
"Have you... seen Phoenix?"
Hei Ye struggled to stand up, looking at Lu Zixun with eyes full of affection: "Good child, you have decent potential."
Lu Zixun was sure he had never seen Hei Ye before.
But when Hei Ye spoke those words, Lu Zixun felt tears welling up from within.
With trembling steps, Hei Ye raised a paw and gently touched Lu Zixun’s forehead: "Life and death are uncertain, no one can escape this law, nor can I."
Hei Ye’s tone gradually became serious: "Listen, child, the Human Clan is at a vital point of life and death; you must ensure that the human bloodline does not die out—that is the duty and obligation of us Guardian Beasts."
After he finished speaking with seriousness, Hei Ye’s voice softened.
He looked deeply into Lu Zixun’s eyes: "It’s such a pity, not having been able to witness your growth, I truly regret it."
"To burden you with such heavy matters at such a young age, I’m sorry. After much thought, the last thing I can do for you is just this."
"Ding—Expectation Value from Hei Ye +1."
As soon as the last sentence was spoken, the space began to tumult violently.
Hei Ye transformed into a streak of black light that suddenly crashed into Lu Zixun’s body.
Lu Zixun exclaimed in surprise and woke up with tears in the corners of his eyes.
"Ding—Concern Value from Gongsun Li +4000."
"Lord Orange Cat, what’s wrong?"
Gongsun Li, who was working nearby, ran over with a look of concern upon hearing the noise.
Feeling an inexplicable sense of kinship from Gongsun Li, Lu Zixun fell silent.
Lu Zixun lifted his head and smiled gently at Gongsun Li, shaking his head: "It’s nothing, and since I am the Guardian Beast of the Gongsun Family, you don’t have to be so formal with me in the future, just call me Da Ju."
Hesitating for a moment, Gongsun Li nodded: "Alright, Lord... Da Ju."
While Lu Zixun was sorting through the things Hei Ye left him, he looked at Gongsun Li, who seemed hesitant to speak.
Lu Zixun spoke up: "Whatever you want to ask, just ask."
"Da Ju, did you meet him?"
Gongsun Li asked the question that weighed on her mind, feeling much relieved after asking.
Thinking of Hei Ye, who was extremely weak in the space but still waiting for their successor to arrive.
Lu Zixun was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "I did, a remarkable person who taught me something very important."
He rose from the sofa and walked towards the door.
Lu Zixun called out without turning back: "I’ll come find you later."