With a wave of his palm, Jiang Chen gently used his strength to lift Huo Ziluan to her feet.
"Zi Luan, although Jiang Shaoxia possesses extraordinary martial talent, your father's problem is not something that can be resolved with martial prowess," the middle-aged beautiful woman behind Huo Ziluan stepped forward, her tone filled with reason and concern.
She looked at Huo Ziluan earnestly. "Don't put Jiang Shaoxia in a difficult position."
---
"No… I believe Master Jiang can save my father!"
Huo Ziluan's gaze was filled with desperation as she pleaded with Jiang Chen.
"I implore Master Jiang to help. No matter the conditions, Ziluan will agree."
Although others might not know Jiang Chen's abilities, Huo Ziluan was keenly aware.
Just yesterday at the Lingyun City Alchemist Guild, Jiang Chen had impressed everyone by successfully passing the third-rank alchemist assessment with ease. Even Master Dan Yichen had expressed admiration for his mastery of alchemy.
If there was anyone she had met who might be able to save her father, it was undoubtedly Jiang Chen.
---
Jiang Chen smiled faintly.
"If Miss Huo wishes for me to save your father, I must first see him, correct?"
"Master Jiang, this way, please!"
Huo Ziluan's expression brightened as Jiang Chen agreed. Without delay, she led him toward her father's quarters within Fenghuo City.
---
Half an Hour Later
Huo Ziluan guided Jiang Chen to the room where Huo Wujin, the Huo Family's patriarch, lay.
Entering the room, Jiang Chen's gaze swept across its contents.
On the bed lay a pale and unconscious middle-aged man clad in a red robe—this was clearly Huo Wujin.
Beside the bed lay a massive red tiger, its size reaching nearly three meters tall. Its once-majestic aura had weakened significantly, and its breathing was shallow, indicating it was on the brink of death.
Jiang Chen's keen eyes, honed by his expertise as a fourth-rank beast trainer, instantly identified the creature as a second-rank advanced beast, the Flame Tiger.
However, it was clear that its life force was quickly fading.
---
Next to the tiger was an elderly man wearing the robes of a beast trainer. His face was drenched in sweat as he desperately applied healing techniques to the tiger.
Jiang Chen's brows furrowed slightly as he observed the scene.
"It's a Life Sharing Contract," he remarked.
---
"Master Jiang truly has a sharp eye," Huo Ziluan said, her voice tinged with bitterness.
"My father signed a Life Sharing Contract with the Flame Tiger. Half a month ago, the two of them worked together to fend off Xiang Tianlong, giving our Huo Family a momentary reprieve.
"But in that battle, the Flame Tiger suffered grievous injuries, leaving my father in this state as well."
---
Jiang Chen nodded, now understanding the situation.
In the Shenwu Continent, except for beast trainers, ordinary martial artists who wished to control beasts had to sign a contract with them.
The Life Sharing Contract was an equal partnership between beast and master.
If one party was gravely injured, the other would be compelled to share their life force to keep the injured party alive.
In this case, the Flame Tiger's survival depended entirely on Huo Wujin's life force, draining him in the process.
If the situation continued, both would inevitably die together.
---
"Miss Huo, the old man has done everything he can," the elderly beast trainer said with a sigh, his voice filled with resignation.
"The injuries sustained by this Flame Tiger are beyond saving. Even if you were to bring the most skilled sixth-rank beast trainer in the Great Xia Kingdom, it would still be hopeless."
---
Huo Ziluan's face turned pale at the old man's words, her heart sinking.
---
"Hmph!"
Jiang Chen's cold snort suddenly echoed in the room.
"Who said the Flame Tiger's injuries are beyond saving?"
He glanced at the elderly beast trainer with disdain.
"You can't save it, but that's not because it's impossible—it's because your skills are pitifully lacking!"