Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

A month later, a joyous banquet was being held in another garden on Water Element Peak.

This garden was clearly much larger than Cyan Cypress Garden. It also had a lake, which spanned over a dozen acres, and the banquet was set up right in its center.

Perhaps because Water Element Peak was home to so many Water Spirit Root Cultivators, its gardens abounded with lakes and ponds, the waters of its spiritual pools running pure and clear.

In the center of the lake stood three pavilions, connected by winding railings that encircled the water. Flower lanterns floated on the surface, their petals glowing with a soft, translucent light, creating an elegant scene.

It was an evening banquet, and the atmosphere was more relaxed than when Fang Qingyuan had previously visited Xu Taichu. This was because most of the guests were brilliant young talents in their twenties and thirties.

A dozen or so Cultivators were spread evenly among the three pavilions. Fang Qingyuan and Xu Taichu occupied the seats of honor. The official purpose of the banquet was for Xu Taichu to introduce Fang Qingyuan to the others, making Fang Qingyuan the guest of honor. Of course, he was also the one footing the bill for the entire evening.

This single banquet would cost no less than one hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones—an amount equivalent to the Qingyuan Sect’s entire net income for a year, yet here it was being spent in just one evening.

And one couldn’t even complain about the cost. Countless people would kill for such an opportunity. Without a Golden Core Cultivator like Xu Taichu making the introductions, you couldn’t even get your foot in the door, no matter what offerings you brought.

Fang Qingyuan wasn’t very experienced with banquets, but with Xu Taichu by his side, there were no awkward silences. In no time at all, the three waterside pavilions were filled with cheerful laughter and a warm, congenial atmosphere.

Among the dozen or so Cultivators present, the weakest was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. They were all relatively young and carried themselves with an elegant air. They were either the children of Golden Core Cultivators or descendants of Nascent Soul Ancestors—every one of them a brilliant talent of their generation.

Among them was a young man named Cao Jie. With a straightforward and carefree personality, he was a leading figure in their little circle. His cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, and like many others, he was refining his core formation thesis in preparation for his breakthrough.

After a few drinks, Cao Jie looked at Fang Qingyuan and said,

"I hear your sect is in the White Mountain Territory, bordering the Barbaric Wilderness. Fellow Daoist Fang, could you tell us a thing or two about life there?"

Water Element Peak was part of the Qi Yun Main Mountain, located in the heartland of the Qi Yun Sect’s domain. It was fifty or sixty thousand li away from the Barbaric Wilderness, and this vast distance made these noble-born, third- and fourth-generation cultivator scions deeply curious about life in such a place.

Cao Jie was a direct descendant of a Nascent Soul Ancestor on Water Element Peak. Although he was only a Foundation Establishment Cultivator himself, his status was such that he could call Xu Taichu a brother—in fact, his standing was arguably even higher.

Hearing Cao Jie’s question, the others’ interest was piqued. For people like them, hearing about the Barbaric Wilderness was like listening to a friend recount strange adventures in foreign lands like Brazil or Mexico. Living in a stable place like Qi Yun, they naturally loved hearing stories about such chaotic territories.

Fang Qingyuan understood. ’These people came out of respect for Xu Taichu, but deep down, they still look down on me.’ He didn’t feel insulted, though. He just treated it as friends swapping tall tales.

So, Fang Qingyuan began to selectively recount some of his experiences in the Barbaric Territory, generously embellishing the details. He capped it off by mentioning the old Divinity Transformation Lion in Awakening Lion Valley, leaving everyone wide-eyed and stunned.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, you’ve been to Awakening Lion Valley? I’ve heard my ancestor mention that the Old Lion is incredibly powerful. Even among all the Divinity Transformation Ancient Beasts, it’s considered one of the very best. I wonder what it actually looks like."

Cao Jie casually flaunted his inside knowledge, drawing envious glances from the others. ’It really is good to have a Nascent Soul Ancestor,’ they all thought. ’You get to hear about things like this.’

"I’ve never been inside Awakening Lion Valley itself," Fang Qingyuan said, "but I have seen the Old Lion’s Divine Soul Incarnation. It’s a swarm of silver insects that shine like a river of stars. When they fly toward you, it’s as if the entire galaxy is pouring into your eyes. By the time you snap out of it, you’ll find your own corpse lying on the ground."

"Whoa, that’s terrifying! Fellow Daoist Fang, are you for real?"

"Haha, that’s just what I heard. If I’d really run into it, do you think I’d still be here drinking and having a good time with all of you? To wine, to wine!"

With just a few words, Fang Qingyuan had everyone chuckling. They all cheerfully raised their goblets and drank the Hundred Flowers Thousand Day Spring, a wine that cost a full Top-grade Spirit Stone per jar.

After a few more rounds, Cao Jie, carefree as ever and getting boisterous from the drink, tapped his cup and called out,

"I heard Brother Taichu prepared a special troupe for tonight’s banquet. Why haven’t they come out yet?"

His voice was loud, and the three waterside pavilions fell silent for a moment before erupting in raucous laughter, with a few people wolf-whistling in jest.

The corner of Xu Taichu’s mouth quirked up. Giving in to popular demand, he gave a subtle nod, and a nearby serving maid, understanding the signal, quietly clapped her hands.

Instantly, a band by the lakeside began to play the gentle music of zithers and flutes. A line of gorgeous women, dressed in red gowns with bare feet, glided across the water’s surface, each wearing a veiled hat that hid her face. They landed gracefully upon the flower lanterns and began to dance, their bodies swaying in wondrous arcs. A clear, melodious voice began to sing, the words indistinct, but the enchanting dance and beautiful sound were more than enough to captivate the soul.

In the three pavilions, the eyes of the dozen or so young Cultivators lit up at the beautiful scene.

They were all young men in their prime. Even Cao Jie was not yet a hundred. With the life expectancy of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator being around two hundred and fifty years, someone in their forties or fifties was still considered a youth.

"Bravo!"

"Excellent!"

"A grand gesture, Fellow Daoist Fang!"

The flurry of compliments made Fang Qingyuan feel his Spirit Stones had been well spent. These young elites came from families with strict rules and weren’t usually able to enjoy such entertainment. But with Xu Taichu vouching for the occasion, they could relax and watch without concern.

With song, dance, wine, and a beautiful view, the atmosphere reached the perfect pitch Fang Qingyuan had hoped for. A moment later, during a pause between dances, Xu Taichu briefly mentioned the purpose of Fang Qingyuan’s visit. Immediately, many of them expressed their willingness to lend a hand.

And with that, the banquet that had cost Fang Qingyuan a hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones had achieved its purpose. He wasn’t expecting immediate results; he just wanted to open a few new doors and get his initial entry into this small circle. From there, he could cultivate the relationships over time.

But an unexpected boon came quite suddenly. As everyone was chatting and waiting for the next performance, Cao Jie sidled up to Fang Qingyuan with a grin.

"Brother Taichu just mentioned you’re looking for a Jade Chen Awakening Spirit Opening Heaven and Earth Gate Array. As it happens, I have a set. You want it?"

Fang Qingyuan’s face lit up. Seeing that Cao Jie wasn’t joking, he replied in earnest,

"If Brother Cao is willing to part with such a treasure, I will do my utmost to satisfy any request you have."

Cao Jie waved his hand dismissively and said with a proud air,

"The Array is just sitting in my family’s treasury. It was originally set aside for my own Core Formation, but I feel my thesis still needs some work. I don’t think I’ll be attempting my breakthrough within the next ten years. Since you need it urgently, it’s yours."

"It’s for your Core Formation, Brother Cao! If I take it, what will you do when your time comes? No, I can’t delay your progress."

Fang Qingyuan spoke with polite sincerity, but the more earnest he appeared, the more Cao Jie appreciated it. The young man put on a stern expression and said,

"When I say it’s yours, it’s yours. Just take it. All you have to do is reimburse the treasury for the cost. I’m doing this because I like your character. If it were anyone else, do you think I’d even bother talking to them?

"Besides, don’t worry about me. You should know that the Jade Chen Awakening Spirit Opening Heaven and Earth Gate Array originated right here in the Qi Yun Sect. We’re the source for this great Daoist Array. When the time comes, I’ll just ask my ancestor to have someone refine a new set for me. It’s easy."

Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan couldn’t help but envy Cao Jie’s powerful background while also admiring his temperament. ’He truly has a pure heart,’ he thought. ’Once he accepts you, nothing is too much to ask.’

Recalling how everyone from White Mountain seemed to have a thousand schemes brewing, Fang Qingyuan found Cao Jie’s straightforwardness incredibly endearing. ’Of course,’ he mused, ’only the scion of a great clan can afford to have a personality like this. Ordinary Cultivators would kill each other over a single Top-grade Spirit Stone. How could they ever be so carefree?’

After settling the matter, Cao Jie rejoined the others to drink and make merry as if nothing of importance had just happened.

Just then, Xu Taichu came to Fang Qingyuan’s side and congratulated him.

"Congratulations, Younger Brother Qingyuan. You’ve solved the Array problem. Now all that’s left is the Dongzhen Incense."

Fang Qingyuan returned the smile. ’It’s true,’ he thought. ’I’ve gained a great deal from this one banquet.’ Over the past month, Xu Taichu had already used his connections with the heads of major merchant houses to procure a Seven-Star Sacrificial Sword for him.

This Seven-Star Sacrificial Sword was a key component for the Seven-Star Stepping Dipper Celestial Sacrificial Altar. If he could just obtain the Dongzhen Incense, his purpose for coming to this place would be fulfilled.

Fang Qingyuan was overjoyed at how smoothly everything was progressing. If he hadn’t befriended Xu Taichu, he’d probably still be stuck slowly selling off his Blood Life Pills just to get by.

Ninety bottles of Blood Life Pills were worth twenty-four to twenty-five thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones. Even though bandits were rare within the Qi Yun Sect’s territory, carrying such a vast fortune was a massive risk. If Fang Qingyuan’s identity were exposed, he would surely be targeted, inviting all sorts of needless trouble.

This batch of Blood Life Pills represented his entire stockpile, accumulated over many years. Back when he was in the Outer Sea, he had discovered a summoning altar for a Dead Water Demon Earthworm. By offering blood sacrifices in exchange for Demon Water, he had enabled the Bee Queen to refine these pills. Now, having sold his entire stock for the sake of his Core Formation, Fang Qingyuan’s savings were completely wiped out.

The Jade Chen Awakening Spirit Opening Heaven and Earth Gate Array that Cao Jie had mentioned was incredibly expensive, costing four to five thousand Top-grade Spirit Stones for a single set. An ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator could never afford such a thing. Only clans with a Nascent Soul Ancestor would have one in reserve.

The Seven-Star Sacrificial Sword was a Top-Grade Magical Artifact in its own right. The total cost of the complete Seven-Star Stepping Dipper Celestial Sacrificial Altar put it in the same class as a Dharma Treasure. While not as expensive as a Dharma Treasure made purely for combat, it could still fetch an exorbitant price if sold to the right buyer.

And right now, Fang Qingyuan was that desperate buyer. He had been thoroughly fleeced on the price of the Sacrificial Sword, but he had no choice but to accept it.

The revelry continued late into the night, only ending when Xu Taichu’s "little junior sister" stormed onto the scene. Everyone else dispersed with knowing chuckles, leaving poor Xu Taichu to deal with his demanding junior.

Fang Qingyuan shot Xu Taichu a sympathetic look before following the others out. He had to get to the after-party. They were heading off Water Element Peak and into Qi Yun City to have some more fun with the other scions.

Cao Jie declared that the fire stirred within them by the dancing female cultivators could not be forcibly suppressed, as doing so would be detrimental to their state of mind. It was, he argued, a perfectly legitimate cultivation-related pretext.

’I can’t be a wet blanket now,’ Fang Qingyuan thought. ’Cao Jie just did me a huge favor, so I have to show my appreciation. The best way to do that is to go along with whatever he wants.’

However, when they arrived at a high-class brothel in Qi Yun City that Cao Jie and his friends frequented, the courtesan Cao Jie usually saw had been summoned by another party. Wanting to put on a show for Fang Qingyuan and egged on by his friends, Cao Jie went to confront them.

As it turned out, the other party was none other than a group of scions from Fire Element Peak, who were rivals of Cao Jie’s clique. And so, predictably, a massive brawl erupted.

At first, Fang Qingyuan just watched from the sidelines, with no intention of joining in. Fights between these scions were practically a recurring spectacle. A crowd of onlookers had already gathered, packed three layers deep. Whenever someone landed a good hit, they would even cheer loudly. It was far more entertaining than watching an opera.

That is, until one of the Fire Element Peak scions, having just knocked his opponent unconscious, fixed his gaze on Fang Qingyuan—the unfamiliar Cultivator who had arrived with Cao Jie. The victor spat out a mouthful of blood, let out a savage roar, and charged straight at him.