"He's earnest, and not without talent. In fact I'd say when I first met him he had more talent than confidence," I said, "it made me take an interest. Anyway, my other companion here," I indicated them, "as you tactfully put it, is Shuang. Xu Shuang. I'm sure you know what that means."
The rep sucked in a breath through his teeth. "Have you, you know..."
"No." I shook my head emphatically. "In fact, I have expressly forbidden them to enter into a pact with me of any kind."
They let out the same breath. "That is best. It shouldn't cause much trouble for now, but in the Middle and Higher Divine Heavens, there are many communities of Spiritual Beasts who routinely treat with human cultivators. They could be driven into rage by merely sensing a pact with one so clearly young."
