Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

After a long walk, the two finally arrived at a complex of gardens. It was the most expansive man-made area on Water Element Peak, primarily used for receiving distinguished Cultivators.

Water Element Peak was not actually a single mountain, but rather the territory encompassing the central peak and the surrounding hundreds of miles.

This particular garden complex was situated on a gentle slope. Thanks to the sublime skill of its creators, it harmonized with nature and gathered Spiritual Power. With a new vista at every turn and winding paths leading to secluded spots, it had become the premier location for Water Element Peak Cultivators to entertain their guests.

There were hundreds of individual gardens within the complex, but most were sealed and unused. This was because some were the exclusive property of Nascent Soul Cultivators, while others were reserved for receiving honored guests.

Xu Taichu’s standing on Water Element Peak was not low, yet even he did not possess a private garden here. He had to make arrangements in advance to be able to use one.

Cyan Cypress Garden was the one most frequently opened to outsiders and was typically used to receive Golden Core Cultivators. The fact that Fang Qingyuan, with his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, was brought here was a gesture from Xu Taichu, who had taken his background into account and elevated his treatment.

After being escorted to Cyan Cypress Garden, the disciple leading the way took his leave.

With no one else around, Fang Qingyuan did not hesitate at the garden gate and stepped right through. In an instant, the world around him transformed.

Outside, the ninth month blazed with fiery heat; inside, a frigid wind howled. Fang Qingyuan gazed at the emerald pines and cypresses flanking the path, which stood even taller and straighter in the biting cold. A thought surfaced in his mind: ’Water Element Peak is truly magnificent.’

’A single garden requires a constantly maintained Array, consuming Spirit Stones just to sustain its unique environment. With dozens, even hundreds, of such gardens, just how many Spirit Stones must they burn through in a year?’

’Compared to my Qingyuan Sect, which has only just started to get by more comfortably... forget building gardens, even constructing a few extra cultivation caves requires meticulous calculation of the Spirit Veins and Spiritual Qi, lest we damage the geomancy of our Spirit Vein.’

Before Fang Qingyuan could finish his reflections, several beautiful female Cultivators of the Qi Cultivation realm who served in the garden approached gracefully. They bowed to him before stepping forward to guide him.

Each of the attendant female Cultivators was a peerless beauty. In the White Mountain Territory, any one of them would be considered fit to be a Golden Core Ancestor’s concubine. Yet here, they were merely garden attendants, responsible for menial tasks like serving tea.

After the ceremonial cleansing of his hands and face, Fang Qingyuan followed the attendants to the deepest part of Cyan Cypress Garden.

Before a tranquil lake that spanned over an acre, an open-air pavilion stood. Within it, a fair-faced, beardless young man rose to his feet upon seeing Fang Qingyuan and spoke.

"It has been over seventy years. I trust you’ve been well, Fellow Daoist Fang."

A smile on his face, Fang Qingyuan approached Xu Taichu. He took in the sight of the Golden Core Cultivator—clad in a Daoist Robe, a gauze cloak, and a formal crown, radiating a natural authority—and slowly replied:

"Ever since we parted, I have hoped for a chance to share a drink and conversation with Brother Xu. Now that my wish is granted, I can say I have no regrets."

Fang Qingyuan’s words were clear flattery, intended to place Xu Taichu on a pedestal. Since he was the one asking for a favor, he naturally had to adopt a humble attitude.

Fang Qingyuan’s purpose in coming to Qi Yun was twofold. First, he wanted to sell the Blood Life Pills he had accumulated over the years and exchange them for Spirit Stones.

Second, and more importantly, he needed to acquire the Magical Artifacts and array materials he lacked for his Core Formation.

The Blood Life Pills were easy to sell; as long as he didn’t offload too many in one place, such life-extending Elixir Pills would never languish on the market. Acquiring materials and Magical Artifacts, however, was not so simple.

Letting Fang Qingyuan search on his own would be a matter of luck. It was obviously much faster to find a well-connected local for help. Xu Taichu’s channels were far more extensive than the clumsy method of blindly searching through shops.

Furthermore, when it came to precious materials and Magical Artifacts at the Golden Core Realm level, having enough Spirit Stones wasn’t a guarantee of purchase. The buyer’s identity and status were also crucial factors.

Some Independent Practitioner Golden Cores might be flush with Spirit Stones, but when a rare item appeared, they often couldn’t outbid the disciples from major sects.

This was because Independent Practitioner Golden Cores lacked a strong backing. It was far more beneficial to sell to a Major Sect Disciple. Such transactions could be used to build connections. Over time, repeated dealings could foster a closer relationship between the seller and the sect. Why sell to a Loose Cultivator? Just for a few more Spirit Stones?

Besides, who could vouch for the origin of their Spirit Stones? For all you know, that Loose Cultivator might have killed a Sect Disciple and sold their Magical Artifacts for that wealth. If the victim’s allies came seeking revenge and you were implicated, it would be a world of trouble.

Fang Qingyuan was no Loose Cultivator; he had a backing of his own. However, his status as a member of the Beast Taming Sect didn’t carry much weight in the Qi Yun Sect’s territory. Here, disciples of the Beast Taming Sect were often called by a common nickname: ’Beast Taming Barbarian.’

That moniker alone was enough to tell you how the Qi Yun Sect viewed disciples of the Beast Taming Sect.

In the eyes of the Beast Taming Sect disciples, cultivators of the Qi Yun Sect also had a nickname: ’Qi Yun Fool.’

And now, a ’Barbarian’ and a ’Fool’ were enjoying a very pleasant conversation.

With his discerning eye, Xu Taichu observed that Fang Qingyuan’s body and spirit were in perfect harmony, his Magical Power was profound, and his foundation was extraordinary. It was clear that Core Formation would not be a difficult task for him. All that awaited Fang Qingyuan was the process itself.

In Xu Taichu’s eyes, Fang Qingyuan was practically a Golden Core Cultivator who simply hadn’t completed the breakthrough yet. Factoring in Fang Qingyuan’s master, Lechuan, Xu Taichu saw no reason to be reserved or put on airs.

Once they were seated, eight female attendants served a spread of food and wine before retreating a short distance away to await further orders.