Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

’Is he waiting to ambush me?’

Fang Qingyuan turned to leave. Fighting in a location preset by the enemy was extremely unwise.

"Sect Leader Fang, please wait."

A voice called out, ringing in Fang Qingyuan’s ears, but he paid it no mind, single-mindedly focused on getting away. He could sense that the hidden cultivator was in the Late-stage Golden Core Realm. Given how furtive the man was, how could Fang Qingyuan possibly believe he had no hostile intentions?

However, Fang Qingyuan had only just reached the Core Formation Realm. He had participated in the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect’s reclamation war before he had a chance to upgrade his magical artifacts. As a result, the speed of the flying magical artifact he currently used was not up to his standards.

The Late-stage Golden Core cultivator behind him, however, was a different story. At such a high realm, whether it was his Lifebound Magical Treasure or the magical artifacts he used for travel, they were all of the highest quality.

Thus, the man quickly caught up to Fang Qingyuan. Seeing that he couldn’t escape with speed alone, Fang Qingyuan had no choice but to stop his flying magical artifact, curious to see what tricks this person had up his sleeve.

The newcomer was an old man with graying hair. He had the dignified air of an immortal, but a pair of down-turned eyes ruined his overall image, giving him a sinister feel.

"I am Yu Ran. Greetings, Sect Leader Fang."

Yu Ran’s attitude was reasonably polite. Standing opposite Fang Qingyuan, he first clasped his hands in a formal salute before stating his purpose.

"I’ve come to inform you, Sect Leader Fang, that I have inadvertently misplaced a magical artifact. I’ve heard it has fallen into your hands, and so I have come to ask for it back."

As soon as he said this, Fang Qingyuan’s heart skipped a beat. ’Could this Yu Ran be talking about the Taihao City-Breaking Bow?’

’Indeed, such a priceless item is valuable enough to warrant a Late-stage Golden Core cultivator coming to reclaim it. But how can he be so sure the bow is in my possession?’

Fang Qingyuan couldn’t figure it out, so he asked:

"Fellow Daoist, what makes you so certain this magical artifact is with me?"

Yu Ran studied Fang Qingyuan’s expression, then said with conviction:

"A moment ago, I was only thirty percent sure. Now, I’m eighty percent sure. Sect Leader Fang, let’s not beat around the bush. Hand over the magical artifact, and I’ll turn around and leave."

Yu Ran’s expression grew fearless, as if he had nothing to worry about. His days of lying in ambush here had not been in vain. This was the main route from the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect’s army encampment to the Qingyuan Sect. If Fang Qingyuan wanted to return to the Qingyuan Sect, he was highly likely to pass this way.

Seeing Yu Ran’s expression, Fang Qingyuan knew he had just revealed a flaw. When it came to reading people, even with his Divine Technique for sensing emotions, he was no match for these old foxes who had lived for three or four hundred years.

’But this is my spoil of war. Does he think he can just take it with a few words? It’s not that easy.’

"Let’s not even discuss whether I have this magical artifact. Even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you. Demanding a priceless artifact with just a few words—are you here to rob me?"

The time for talk was over. Once Yu Ran confirmed the Taihao City-Breaking Bow was in Fang Qingyuan’s possession, he began to discreetly gather his aura.

It seemed Yu Ran had never expected to get the magical artifact from Fang Qingyuan with words alone.

’But he was quite curious. How did a mere junior who had just entered the Golden Core stage dare to speak so brazenly before him, a veteran Late-stage Cultivator?’

But in the next moment, Fang Qingyuan showed Yu Ran the ace up his sleeve.

Within the Immortal Mansion, the sun vanished and the stars appeared. As the countless stars trembled in unison, a surge of Star Power was drawn out from the Immortal Mansion.

This Star Power converged in front of Fang Qingyuan. In the blink of an eye, it coiled and twisted, its outline taking shape. The star aspect’s frame was massive, its back arched and body low, in a posture that was part crouch, part pounce.

At the same time, the starlight above Fang Qingyuan’s head was also drawn down. Wisps of ancient, ferocious Star Power filled the star aspect’s frame. In an instant, flesh and blood filled it out, and fur clung to its form. Not even half a breath later, a lifelike White Tiger, shaking its head and swishing its tail, appeared before Fang Qingyuan.

Seeing the White Tiger take form, Yu Ran was startled. ’This White Tiger’s cultivation is clearly already at Mid-stage Golden Core! And as the starlight continues to pour down from above, its cultivation is still rising!’

’So you do have a trick up your sleeve. But with this alone, you’re still no match for me.’

Yu Ran slapped the top of his head, and a sun-wheel-shaped magical artifact instantly shot out. A brilliant star seemed to appear overhead.

The next moment, the sun-wheel exploded. High in the sky, it erupted with a glare even more blinding than the great sun above, instantly enveloping Fang Qingyuan and the manifested White Tiger Star Aspect.

The sun-wheel burst, but no physical object attacked—only a wave of heat washed over them.

In the blinding light, Fang Qingyuan squeezed his eyes shut as hot tears streamed involuntarily from them. Then he felt the terrifying heat roll over him, crashing against his body like he was being roasted over a fire and doused in oil.

But strangely, as this intense heat seeped into his bones, it transformed into a bone-chilling cold, forcing him to shiver several times.

Between the alternating hot and cold, he broke out in a sweat without realizing it. In that sweat, he lost nearly half his strength.

Fang Qingyuan had no good way to defend against such a technique. Only the White Tiger Star Aspect was unaffected. As the sun-wheel exploded, it lunged forward, pouncing out of the void at his side and forcing Yu Ran’s hidden figure out into the open.

With a pounce and a slash, the White Tiger attacked. Its claws and fangs were made of the purest Gold Spirit Power, infused with the ferocious intent of the White Tiger Star Realm. Caught off guard, Yu Ran’s robes and the Soft Armor he wore underneath were torn open in several places.

Seeing the White Tiger Star Aspect’s attack, a cold sweat broke out on Yu Ran’s back. The White Tiger Star Aspect’s consciousness had locked onto him, and its body could gather and disperse at will. No matter what techniques he used, he found himself flustered and struggling to cope.