Vishnu's confidence didn't stem from nowhere. He knows how valuable he is to the sect and with a Gold-level Elder here he didn't think unless he does something extreme or undermines their interests he'll be harmed in any way.
"Huh! You think I can't do anything to you just because you're talented. Don't even think about it. We're the ones who found the beast and we're the ones who have a deal with master. You're just here cause we allowed you to and look what you did? Even if it was the beast who initiated the contract, you don't have the qualification to take it from us." Chen He didn't minx his words. This is one of the rarest and most powerful beasts on the continent and now he has a chance to make it his how could he back down but he still didn't get why Vishnu is so confident. Sure a Titan Wolf could become one's main weapon once it reaches rank 3 as it is the most powerful in its rank but Vishnu has the potential to surpass that and if he reaches his potential he'd be 100 times more terrifying than a Titan Wolf. This fact only a few understood and Veronica is one of them.
"Why don't you stop now? Yes, It is a fact that you guys found the beast but it was me who defeated the adult wolf and the newborn chose Vishnu as his partner so for your information I'll increase your cultivation resources by twofold for the whole year. I think that'll suffice and don't be too greedy, If you've contacted any other elder beside me they'd probably kill you three to bury the secret and take both wolves with them." The last part is a subtle threat but the angered Chen He wasn't even listening to Veronica. He was about to speak up when Chen Jiaxin interrupted him "Thank you, master. We'll be taking our leave first then." She said as she pulled his brother and Hogg away. Both wanted to say something but under her watchful eyes, they kept their mouth shut.
'Now what is she planning?' Vishnu thought to himself. He didn't believe that they'd just take this loss silently but he also didn't care too much about it.
Veronica looked at them leaving. She knew that their faction has risen to its heights mainly because of Chen Jiaxin. She may look like a chatty fool girl but she is the brain of that faction. Still, in her eyes it was all children's fight. But this time one of the children involved is like her boss's child so she couldn't just ignore it additionally Vishnu would owe her a favour too.
"Thank you, master." Vishnu just nodded. He knows he couldn't do anything for her at the moment but he would repay this favour later.
"Now then. Today was supposed to be your first lesson but as we're all exhausted let's skip it to tomorrow."
"sure"
"By the way, You're going to make an equal contract with the beast?" Veronica asked. In her opinion, the Master-servant contract is the best because to her, beasts are tools to use in fights or on battlefields.
"Yes, master" Vishnu didn't hesitate. It didn't matter to him what she thought and it's not like even if Veronica wanted she could make an Equal contract with Titan Wolf. It has to be initiated by the beast first. Veronica also didn't want to waste time persuading Vishnu as she could see how determined he is.
"Okay then. Let's get done with it so that we can leave." Veronica went toward the Titan wolf which was still bound to fire chains.
Vishnu looked toward the little wolf in his hands. The little creature is now looking at him with cute innocent eyes. Vishnu took a deep breath "Huh, Let's do this then."
He focused his attention inside his sea of consciousness. An Avatar of Vishnu appeared inside it. Vishnu could see a golden spark lighting up his dark sea of consciousness. He went close to it and finally touched it. As soon as Vishnu touched it, it melted in his hands as it entered his avatar. Vishnu could feel something happening but he couldn't understand exactly what.
The eyes of the little wolf also lit up golden. This took about 10 seconds. Opening his eyes Vishnu could feel that there is a kind of connection between him and the little beast.
Looking at it he thought he could even feel subtle emotions of the beast now. The little wolf jumped up to Vishnu's Shoulders. Vishnu thought now maybe he could communicate with the beast "Can you understand me?" Vishnu asked and the response he got?
"Woof Woof" is all that came but subtle emotions also passed to him. He couldn't understand exactly what that was but he theorised that it may be due to the beast being a newborn.
Vishnu then turned to look towards veronica and could see that she is also finished with her contract.
"Shall we go then?" Veronica said as she jumped on top of the Titan wolf. Seeing this Vishnu's eyes sparkled. Earlier he rode a huge bird now a giant wolf. Never even in his dreams had he thought of it. Now he couldn't wait to see his little wolf grow to such size.
Vishnu jumped on top of the titan wolf as they left. It took them another 2 hours to reach the sect.
…
As soon as Vishnu entered his mansion he ordered his maids to prepare for a bath. The day was mostly spent travelling but Vishnu still felt exhaustion, maybe due to forming a contract? He thought.
In the bath, Vishnu is now thinking about many things. In front of him, the little wolf is playing in the water.
"Gramps, can I make as much contract as I want or there is a limit to it?" Vishnu thought there had to be a limit to it otherwise everyone would have an army of beasts by their side.
'heh! Dream on brat, Every single contract you make takes a toll on your soul. The size of one's soul is limited. Even when one advances in cultivation the soul didn't increase in the same standard.' Arthur scoffed. He knows what exactly Vishnu is thinking about but Vishnu is not the only one who thought about it. Some crazy people had tried to contract as many beasts as they can. The result? Dead. All those who surpass the load that their soul can take died. They didn't die peacefully though. They went crazy as their soul went out of their control and cause havoc and eventually either self-destructed or got killed by an expert.
Vishnu hearing all his shuddered for a moment and discarded his ideas.
"So exactly how many beasts one can have." Vishnu still didn't discard the idea of having more beasts though.
'It changes person to person and depends upon circumstances. When one contracts a beast of the same level it generally takes more than when one contracts with one lower level than them, like you. And if one contracts with a higher level beast then it takes even more toll on the soul. Generally one could contract with at most 3 beasts of the same level.'
Arthur could see that Vishnu is thinking deeply about all this stuff so he reminded him 'You need to focus on your cultivation. Contracted beasts are all external help. If you don't advance in cultivation even with 100s of beast you'll still be a weakling. Discipline is the key when it comes to cultivation and you even have to study alchemy on top of that so you better be ready.'
" I know gramps." Suddenly Vishnu thought of something as he looked at the little beast. "We still haven't decided on its name." Vishnu became a little excited when he thought about naming someone even if it is a beast. Feeling his emotion the little wolf looked at Vishnu then jumped on his shoulder and started licking his face as if saying 'Give me a cool name'. Although that is not the case Vishnu still started thinking deeply about what to name his wolf. He doesn't want to call it something generic. After thinking long and hard he finally came up with a name. "Fenrir, From now on your name is Fenrir."
'Oh! Not bad. Even though sounds somewhat tacky.' Arthur 'praised'. Vishnu just eye-rolled this old man's comments.
Fenrir started licking Vishnu's face even more rapidly as if showing that he liked the name.
"Hehe, You like it right. Don't worry when you become as big as your mama everyone will know your name." Vishnu imagined himself riding Fenrir as he went to the battlefields.
'Don't think too much, You have to make sure that it gets some alchemy products too that way it'll grow faster and become much stronger too.'
At this moment a knock sounded on the door. Vishnu frowned he remembers that he ordered his maids not to disturb him unless urgent.
"What is it?" Vishnu asked. He knows that they'll disobey him so something must've happened.
"Master, Lady Chen Jiaxin is here to meet you. We informed her that unless something important you've ordered not to disturb but she says that she has something important to discuss." Vishnu's frown deepened hearing this then an amused smile appeared on his face.
"Let her wait inside the living room, I'll be down soon." He ordered.
"Yes, Master" The maid quietly left.
'Let's see what is this about.' The smile disappeared from his face as he got up to meet this senior of his.