Rebirth of the Ninth Princess

"Alright, let's continue exploring."

Yuanjiu's eyes scanned the names of the stores along the street with great focus.

When she saw a shop sign that read "Magical Beast Egg Specialty Store," she eagerly tugged Ouyang Qingcheng toward it, afraid the shop might disappear.

Ouyang Qingcheng indulged in the moment, pretending to resist slightly so Yuanjiu could pull him along.

"Daddy! Hurry up!" Yuanjiu urged, her eyes filled with anticipation.

It wasn't until she looked at him expectantly that Ouyang Qingcheng stifled his laughter and quickened his pace.

It was midday, the perfect time for a siesta.

The store clerk, having just finished his meal, was lazily leaning on the counter, fiddling with an abacus.

However, the moment he saw distinguished guests entering, he quickly straightened up to greet them.

The store was neatly arranged with five or six wooden racks, each over a meter tall.

The racks were divided into five levels, with each level holding multiple magical beast eggs of the same type.

A card next to each egg displayed the beast's species and level, making it easy to identify.

The variety was dazzling.

The clerk naturally ignored the small child and began introducing the eggs to Ouyang Qingcheng, listing options like leopards, wolves, and tigers.

"Uncle, don't you have... dogs?" Yuanjiu's crisp voice interrupted.

In her past life, she had always longed for a little dog.

Hearing the clear, childlike voice, the clerk froze for a moment before scanning the room.

It took him a while to spot the tiny figure standing beside Ouyang Qingcheng's legs.

"There is one, but its aura is unusual. It's like a dog but not quite..." The clerk hesitated, looking troubled.

"Bring it out," Ouyang Qingcheng commanded naturally, lifting Yuanjiu into his arms.

The clerk retrieved a black, oval-shaped egg from behind the counter.

As he placed it down, everyone noticed a faint glow enveloping the egg, flickering as if calling out to something.

Ouyang Qingcheng and his companions watched the scene with surprise.

Embarrassed, the clerk cleared his throat awkwardly. "This is the one. Little Miss, you can look at others. Everyone who has seen this egg didn't like it. Its aura is weak and makes it difficult to raise."

"I want this one!" Yuanjiu exclaimed, immediately taking a liking to it.

More importantly, the thought of finally having a dog thrilled her, making her a little impatient.

Ouyang Qingcheng pondered for a moment. "My darling, are you sure? Its constitution is bound to be weak, which will affect its combat ability."

Yuanjiu shook her head. "Daddy, I want a companion, a friend, not a tool for fighting..."

Her words left the other three adults visibly astonished.

In the this world, the relationship between a magical pet and its master was essentially that of servant and master.

During battles, the pet served as a key part of the master's combat force.

No one had ever heard of someone treating a magical pet purely as a companion or friend.

Yuanjiu's past life, with its unique identity, likely made her resistant to the idea of viewing living beings as mere tools.

Ouyang Qingcheng immediately understood Yuanjiu's perspective.

"Alright, darling. As long as you like it."

Yuanjiu gently touched the magical beast egg with great care.

To everyone's surprise, the egg emitted a stronger silver light, flashing briefly as though responding to her.

Ouyang Qingcheng chuckled and said, "It seems this magical beast egg likes you too, darling."

"Since this egg isn't particularly remarkable, the price will be 50 gold coins," the shopkeeper hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed.

Cailun paid the sum, while Ouyang Qingcheng held the egg for Yuanjiu to admire.

Excited, Yuanjiu fiddled with Ouyang Qingcheng's hands, examining the egg from all angles with intense curiosity.

As they left the shop, Cailun expressed his concern. "Little Princess, its aura is very weak. It may need some energy support."

What he left unsaid was that magical beast eggs required the owner to infuse them with energy, which would strengthen the bond between the magical beast and its master once hatched.

Since Cailun assumed Yuanjiu had no magical power, he skipped that explanation.

The alternative method was a blood recognition ceremony, followed by someone else providing the energy infusion.

Ouyang Qingcheng shared this information with Yuanjiu, explaining the standard process.

"I can't wait, Daddy! Let's go back now!" Yuanjiu exclaimed eagerly, her usual formality slipping in her excitement.

"My darling, we'll be back at the Heavenly Dragon Palace in just a few moments."

Yuanjiu blinked in confusion, unsure what he meant.

Suddenly, she felt a strange energy envelop her.

Before she could react, they were already inside Ouyang Qingcheng's quarters.

He dismissed the four palace maids at once.

"Father Emperor, what should I do next?" Yuanjiu asked, standing beside the plush couch in the outer chamber as Ouyang Qingcheng placed the magical beast egg gently on it.

"First, darling, you need to conduct the blood recognition ceremony."

Ouyang Qingcheng carefully pricked her soft, white fingertip, allowing a drop of blood to fall onto the egg's shell before tenderly bandaging her finger.

"Now, place your hand on the egg and channel your magical energy into it."

Cailun who is watching nearby, widened his eyes in shock as vibrant, multicolored light flickered continuously in Yuanjiu's palms.

Without lifting his gaze, Ouyang Qingcheng asked, "Cailun, what do you see?"

Cailun's reaction was swift.

Bowing his head deeply, he replied, "Your Majesty, Cailun sees nothing."

He understood that Ouyang Qingcheng had allowed him to witness this out of trust, and he valued that trust greatly.

At that moment, the black outer shell of the egg began to dim, slowly losing its color until it turned snowy white.

It then grew transparent, revealing a tiny, curled-up creature inside.

After about half an hour, Yuanjiu's face was glistening with fine sweat.

The egg shell gradually hardened and darkened again before cracking with a crisp sound.

A small, pure white creature, roughly the size of an adult's palm, whimpered as it crawled out of the shell.