Rebirth of the Ninth Princess

Its round, sparkling eyes surveyed everyone in the room before it began to toddle toward Yuanjiu.

Ouyang Qingcheng observed the creature and was certain it was a dog.

Yet, for some reason, its aura wasn't purely that of an ordinary dog.

A thought crossed his mind, and he scrutinized the little animal more closely.

The more he examined it, the more convinced he became.

"Heh, darling, it seems you've gotten yourself a treasure too."

Although she didn't entirely understand what he meant, Yuanjiu still beamed with joy, carefully stroking its fur.

The little dog nuzzled against her palm affectionately.

"Father Emperor, it's so cute."

"Hmm, darling, why don't you give it a name?"

Yuanjiu thought hard for a long time before saying hesitantly, "Let's call it Xiaoding."

Ouyang Qingcheng chuckled heartily.

Cailun also smiled slightly.

It seems the ninth princess wasn't very gifted at naming things.

"Xiaoding, from today on, your name will be Xiaoding," Yuanjiu declared.

The little dog let out a whimper and began hopping around on the couch.

Ouyang Qingcheng ordered Cailun to prepare some magic crystal cores for Xiaoding to eat, then summoned Xiaoci and Xiaoyi. "You two must stay by the Ninth Princess's side at all times. No matter what, never let her be alone."

Xiaoci and Xiaoyi had become Yuanjiu's personal attendants since she moved into the Heavenly Dragon Palace.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Ouyang Qingcheng gave Yuanjiu a few more instructions before leaving with Cailun to return to the imperial study.

Since Yuanjiu couldn't carry Xiaoding yet, she removed her shoes and sat beside it, feeding the crystal cores Cailun had prepared, one by one.

Xiaoci, Xiaoyi, along with Xiaoer and Xiaosan, stayed nearby to keep her company.

"Master, I'm full," a voice said suddenly.

Yuanjiu froze. "Xiaoding?"

Xiaoding jumped into her arms. "Master, most magical pets can't communicate with their masters until they're about a year old, but it seems I was born knowing how to do it. Right now, I'm speaking to you through telepathy. Others can't hear me."

Yuanjiu nodded her head excitedly. "That's amazing, Xiaoding. My name is Ouyang Yuanjiu, but you can call me Yuanjiu. We're friends."

"Alright, Yuanjiu, we're friends."

The two palace maids exchanged bewildered glances, watching the Ninth Princess seemingly talk to herself.

They couldn't help but wonder: was she actually communicating with the dog?

Was it really possible for a magical pet who is just hatched from the egg, to use telepathy to converse with its master?

Then they reassured themselves: their princess had always been extraordinary, so naturally, her magical pet would be just as special.

This was normal… they'd get used to it…

"Xiaoding, what kind of magical beast are you? Father Emperor said you're not just an ordinary dog."

Xiaoding tilted its head playfully. "Hehe, do you know about the Dark Spirit Clan?"

Yuanjiu suddenly remembered something Aunt Yue had mentioned long ago and she stared at Xiaoding in shock.

Could Xiaoding actually not be a magical beast but a physical entity cultivated by the Dark Spirit Clan?

Xiaoding wagged its tail happily. "That's right."

Yuanjiu's eyes grew even wider. "Xiaoding, can you read my thoughts?"

Puffing out its chest with pride, Xiaoding replied, "Of course! I'm an elder-level member of the Dark Spirit Clan, one of the first to reach the form-shifting stage! Only high-level magical beasts can truly connect with their masters on this level."

"Then, Xiaoding, tell me your story," Yuanjiu said, her curiosity piqued.

Xiaoding nodded. "Well, to be honest, I've had some terrible luck. I never intended to take the form of a dog. A long time ago, when I was refining my physical body, I originally aimed to transform into a tiger. But just as I was about to succeed, a sudden gust of wind blew me into a magical beast egg, displacing its weak soul. I ended up trapped there, unable to escape. Over time, I had no choice but to grow within the egg as a magical beast.

Many years passed before I was discovered by a mercenary group. They sold me to the shop you just visited. That's how I finally met you. It was only after hearing you talk earlier that I realized I've become… a dog. By the way, Yuanjiu, you have the aura of the Dark Spirit Clan on you."

Yuanjiu froze. "Are you saying that I'm also from the Dark Spirit Clan?"

Xiaoding shook its head. "No, no, that's not it. You just carry a trace of the Dark Spirit Clan's aura. When we were in the shop, I sensed it on you, which is why I called out to you. Hehe."

"Oh, I see," Yuanjiu responded, recalling how Aunt Yue had shown such familiarity with the Dark Spirit Clan during their last conversation.

She was now almost certain that the aura must have come from Aunt Yue.

It most likely, Aunt Yue's ancestors were Dark Spirit Clan members who had cultivated into human form.

Still, whether or not Aunt Yue was a descendant of the Dark Spirit Clan didn't matter—she was family.

For Xiaoding, this was its first time walking freely in the world in a physical form, and it was visibly excited, it darting around on the floor.

"Yuanjiu, come on, let's go play!" it called out while bounding toward the door.

Yuanjiu quickly climbed off the bed as Xiaoci and Xiaoyi hurried over to help her put on her shoes.

"Xiaoding!"

Perhaps because it had just eaten a large number of magic crystal cores, Xiaoding was brimming with energy.

It bounced around joyfully, barking as it bolted out the door.

Yuanjiu followed closely behind, with Xiaoci and Xiaoyi staying right on her heels.

Unbeknownst to them, Jin Yi and Jin Er were secretly tailing them.

Ouyang Qingcheng had stationed four shadow guards in his residence, and ever since Yuanjiu had learned to walk, Jin Yi and Jin Er were assigned to protect her discreetly, while Jin San and Jin Si remained by Ouyang Qingcheng's side.

"Yuanjiu, hurry up! It's so beautiful here," Xiaoding exclaimed.