Celestial Beast Taming

’And she even guessed, in an instant, that this thing in my hand was related to how the Xin Xia Federation uses Guardian Beasts to control the Bizarre.’

Qin Ruyue hadn’t taken out the Puppet Wood Demon Body just for fun.

The Puppet Wood Demon Body was a product condensed by the Thousand Wood Moon Demon using its Moon Eyes.

Having been separated from the Thousand Wood Moon Demon, the Puppet Wood Demon Body was cut off from its Energy supply.

Qin Ruyue needed to periodically replenish its Energy with materials of the Spiritual Attribute.

The journey back had been far too rushed.

Only now, back in her residence, did Qin Ruyue have the chance to replenish the Puppet Wood Demon Body’s Energy.

’And of all times, the Crying Moon Goddess had to see it!’

Qin Ruyue knew perfectly well that the Crying Moon Goddess’s uncharacteristic visit could not possibly be a coincidence. There had to be a reason.

’But this Puppet Wood Demon Body... I’m having a really hard time explaining this.’

’I can’t just say this Puppet Wood Demon Body is a trophy I won in the Xin Xia Federation.’

’And hand over the treasure Zhong Yi gave me to the Crying Moon Goddess.’

’Besides, even if I did, a powerhouse like the Crying Moon Goddess, whose strength has long reached the Peak of Ten Thousand Nations Level, isn’t that easy to fool.’

Qin Ruyue did her best to sort through her chaotic emotions, forcing a calm expression as she bowed to the Crying Moon Goddess.

"Lady Crying Moon Goddess, what brings you here?"

"If you needed me for something, you could have just given the order through the Purifying Moon Mother Gu."

A long moment passed after Qin Ruyue spoke before a figure finally entered. She wore a long red dress adorned with moon-white silk ribbons and a silver mask.

The carving under the left eye of the silver mask resembled a teardrop.

This teardrop-like carving gave the mask, worn on the red-dressed woman’s face, an air of sorrowful compassion for the world.

The woman wore a string of pearls around her waist that shimmered with a moon-like luster.

Each pearl was at least three centimeters in diameter.

The long string of over a dozen pearls adorning her waist was just heavy enough to weigh down the hem of her dress as she walked.

The Bright Moon Dragon Clam is a Guardian Beast possessing a pure Dragon Bloodline.

Only after their strength reaches the Eternal Tier can they produce pearls that condense their very essence.

The pearls produced by a Bright Moon Dragon Clam generally do not exceed two centimeters in diameter.

This string of over a dozen Bright Moon Dragon Clam Pearls, each exceeding three centimeters in diameter, was proof enough of the profound resources of a veteran Peak of Ten Thousand Nations powerhouse like the Crying Moon Goddess.

"Since you know that I was the one who bestowed your Purifying Moon Mother Gu upon you, surely you don’t believe its only functions are to create Moon Purifying Gu and to track the movements of those beneath you, do you?"

"I originally thought you went to the Xin Xia Federation to pursue the Rule Deceit Embryo that was secretly abducted by that traitor."

"But instead, you deliberately erased the Purifying Moon Mother Gu’s perception of the Moon Purifying Gu inside that traitor’s body."

"Then you stayed in the Xin Xia Federation for so long, and after receiving my summons, you deliberately waited three days before departing."

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"I have always had high hopes for you. Your strength has yet to reach the Immortal Tier, yet I made an exception and promoted you to Moon Judge."

"I even intended to make you a Moon Listener Apostle and have you inherit my mantle after you reached the Immortal Tier."

"Ah Yue, I could have let the Purifying Moon Mother Gu devour your flesh and blood."

"When it comes to traitors, I have never been merciful."

"But you are different from them. I came here this time because I want an explanation from you."

As she spoke, the Crying Moon Goddess calmly watched Qin Ruyue, who remained bowed before her.

Qin Ruyue didn’t feel much killing intent from her.

Hearing the Crying Moon Goddess’s words, Qin Ruyue’s expression became extremely complicated.

Only when she became a Moon Judge did Qin Ruyue learn that the Purifying Moon Mother Gu the Crying Moon Goddess had bestowed upon her was related to the Crying Moon Goddess’s own Lifebound Deceit Beast, the Purifying Moon Immortal Gu.

But Qin Ruyue had truly never imagined that the Crying Moon Goddess could use the Purifying Moon Mother Gu she had bestowed to precisely sense her location.

She even knew exactly how long Qin Ruyue had stayed in the Xin Xia Federation.

’Under these circumstances, there’s no point in being stubborn anymore.’

’If the Crying Moon Goddess grew suspicious, she could simply order me to summon my Lifebound Deceit Beast, the Night-Cutting Spider.’

’By probing me and the Night-Cutting Spider with her Soul Power, she could easily discover that its Energy Core has been compromised.’

’Zhong Yi’s Guardian Beast’s method of controlling me is extremely sophisticated.’

’It might fool others, but not the probing of a Peak of Ten Thousand Nations powerhouse.’

Zhong Yi had once told Qin Ruyue that if she ever faced a crisis, she could crush any one of the Moon Eyes on the Puppet Wood Demon Body.

By doing so, she could instantly teleport to Zhong Yi’s side.

Qin Ruyue had never tried this function before, but she didn’t doubt the life-saving trump card Zhong Yi had left for her.

However, in her heart, Qin Ruyue didn’t want to use this trump card so soon.

’If I escape from the Crying Moon Goddess right now, not only might I bring huge trouble to Zhong Yi...’

’...but I would also be unable to participate in the Deceit Dao Assembly, making me worthless to him.’

Thinking of what Zhong Yi had told her before they parted...

Qin Ruyue looked up at the Crying Moon Goddess.

Before Qin Ruyue could speak, the Crying Moon Goddess spoke first.

"It seems you are indeed no longer just a Moon Judge of my Purifying Moon Sect!"

"You stayed in Starlight City in the Xin Xia Federation for so long; you must have been in contact with those Celestial Destiny Seekers there."

Here, the Crying Moon Goddess paused, her tone becoming noticeably grave.

"Answer me. Have you had any contact with the Star Emperor?"

Hearing the Crying Moon Goddess’s words, Qin Ruyue somehow detected a hint of urgency in her tone!

’The Crying Moon Goddess recognized my talent and promoted me. Even though I’ve now joined Soul Soil...’

’...Qin Ruyue still held great respect for her.’

"Lady Crying Moon Goddess, I have not had any contact with the Star Emperor."

"However, the person I have been in contact with meets with the Star Emperor frequently."

When answering the Crying Moon Goddess’s question, Qin Ruyue really only needed to say the first part.

The reason she added the second part was that she had sensed what topic the Crying Moon Goddess was interested in.

’Saying this might very well save my life.’

’It also fulfills the task Zhong Yi arranged for me, creating an opportunity to communicate directly with the Crying Moon Goddess.’

’And saying it this way won’t expose Zhong Yi.’

Upon hearing this, the Crying Moon Goddess gently raised her hand.

A ray of moonlight more brilliant than the rosy dawn, like a bolt of silk, drew the Puppet Wood Demon Body from Qin Ruyue’s hand into her own.

The Crying Moon Goddess studied it for a moment, then used a strand of Moonlight Silk to send the Puppet Wood Demon Body back into Qin Ruyue’s palm.

Then, she spoke, as if to herself.

"I’ve always been very interested in the methods various federations use to control the Bizarre."

"I once personally witnessed a Moon Eyes Bellflower Contracted by a Deceit Holder from the Xin Xia Federation."

"Although this thing in your hand has no Life, it not only contains the aura of a Moon Eyes Bellflower, but also the scent of a High-level Fairy."

"As far as I know, the Moon Eyes Bellflower happens to be the Guardian Beast of a Fairy."

"The Fairy who could create this thing must have at least three pairs of wings."

"If you are being controlled by this Fairy, it means the one controlling you is exceptionally resourceful."

"For him to be willing to place this in your hands, he must value you to some extent."

"I don’t care which faction you’ve joined or who controls you."

"Since he was willing to let you return to the Purifying Moon Sect, it means he’s interested in the sect, or rather, in me."

"Go contact him. Tell him I want Longevity Pills."

"As long as he can provide me with Longevity Pills—even just one—I will allow him to name any condition he wants."

Hearing the Crying Moon Goddess’s words, Qin Ruyue’s mouth fell slightly agape.

’I’m utterly astonished. I never thought a channel of communication between Zhong Yi and the Crying Moon Goddess would be established like this!’

’I haven’t even done anything since returning to the Purifying Moon Sect.’

’And yet the Crying Moon Goddess herself has proactively created this opportunity!’

Qin Ruyue hadn’t obtained enough Divine Origin Value to open the Divine Origin Store, so she had no idea what a Longevity Pill was.

But just from the name alone, she could tell it was most likely something that could extend one’s lifespan.