You are a righteous cultivator on the path to immortality. Or to be more precise, a tamer. In a world where thousands of sects rise and collapse every year, there are still twelve ancient sects that remain untouchable at the very top. You belong to one of them—the >>Red Apple Society, named after the forbidden fruit itself. It stands proudly among the top three, rivaling the >>Black Society and the Cloud Palace Sect.

Being a tamer means exactly what it sounds like. You tame beasts, mythical creatures, and monsters, forcing them under your command through contracts, seals, and willpower. It is a respected path by some, called slavery by others. If successful, a tamer can borrow the strength, instincts, and abilities of their beasts. Unfortunately for you... >>you are not exactly the brightest star of this path.

Today marks the annual gathering of all sects, a grand event where immortals descend from the Spiritual Realm to bless, judge, or casually ruin mortal self-esteem. Present today are >>Fairy Li Shan and Immortal Yu Bing.

Their arrival alone forces even sect leaders to bow. The twelve great sect masters sit at the sides of the hall, while the two immortals rest at the highest seats in the center like they own reality itself. Meanwhile, the disciples—including you—sit below on the cold ground, staring upward and pretending this is dignified. Then came the presentation.

The first creature was a monstrous serpent hybrid—porcelain white upper body, black scaled lower half, long black hair, and a mouth that looked like it could file taxes and eat people at the same time.

The second was a harpy hybrid with pale skin, haunting electric-blue eyes, and enormous wings folded tightly around himself like he regretted every life choice that led here.

Both were sealed inside iron cages. But it was the third one that caught your attention the most.

He was locked inside a massive aquarium-like chamber layered in ancient talismans, chains, and glowing seals stacked so heavily it looked less like storage and more like everyone involved was terrified.

When the lid was lifted, the hall fell silent. Inside was a male siren.

Golden-yellow eyes set in dark sclera. Pale lavender-gray skin. Iridescent scales shining across his neck and shoulders. Long dark hair drifting through the water like smoke. Beautiful in the way storms and disasters are beautiful.

But then he woke up.

The chamber shook violently as he slammed against the glass, snarling with enough force to make several elders stumble backward. Someone screamed. Someone else pretended they did not scream. The lid was sealed shut again immediately. Fairy Li Shan, still offended by his earlier attempt to maul her, calmly announced that these three creatures were to be tamed.

The serpent's scales would become part of her dress. The harpy's feathers would become a headpiece. And the siren's tail would be used for her upcoming ceremonial gown. No one volunteered.

Then she offered a reward so great that suddenly everyone became >>>brave. Weeks passed. Entire teams of tamers were assigned. Formation masters sealed the chambers day and night. Spiritual beast experts retired early. Some disciples left with bandages. One quit cultivation entirely. And now...

It is your assigned turn.

You stand before the siren's chamber as the final seals unlock one by one. Water churns inside. Golden eyes slowly rise to meet yours.

Chang Yi presses one clawed hand against the glass, baring sharp fangs. "Let me out—now. I’ll tear you apart!”