I Tame Beasts by Feeding

Seeing Yu Changsheng’s wary expression, Lei Jingtong tightened his grip on his saber’s hilt. A smile crept onto his face as a faint saber intent flickered in and out of existence, circling his body.

Yu Changsheng’s expression grew serious, and the Red Refining Snake and Golden-Winged Eagle positioned themselves in front of him protectively.

He wasn’t afraid of Lei Jingtong, but he was worried about other potential attackers.

The situation was already clear. Both the trio from before and Lei Jingtong had been sent by Huang Suyu to intercept him.

’It’s just that Lei Jingtong is too proud to work with those three, so he came alone. Or maybe he has other plans.’ What worried Yu Changsheng most was the possibility that Huang Suyu was also lying in wait, ready to strike.

"Where’s Huang Suyu? Why didn’t he come himself?"

Yu Changsheng asked. ’With Huang Suyu’s Foundation Establishment Cultivation, it would be far more effective and reliable for him to deal with me personally.’

Lei Jingtong seemed to notice Yu Changsheng’s anxiety. He chuckled softly and said, "Relax, Huang Suyu isn’t here."

"Those Foundation Establishment Cultivators don’t have time to waste here. According to the usual patterns of the trial, after the five-thousandth step, there’s a gift every thousand steps—it could be an Elixir, a Cultivation Technique, or a Magical Treasure..."

"So they have no time to delay on these steps; they’re all busy rushing ahead to claim their prize. If my own strength permitted, I wouldn’t be here waiting for you either."

"So that’s how it is," Yu Changsheng’s brow furrowed, but he felt a great sense of relief. ’If Huang Suyu isn’t here, I’m confident I can handle Lei Jingtong alone.’

"Alright, it’s been about half an hour. I reckon the Elders outside are starting to pay attention. In that case..."

Lei Jingtong took a deep breath, and in an instant, his aura surged as his saber intent soared to the sky.

"I’ll let you, Yu Changsheng, be my whetstone! You’d better put up a decent fight. Maybe you’ll even help me catch the eye of an Elder!"

The words had barely left his lips when, in the next instant, Lei Jingtong’s hand yanked his saber from its sheath. A flash of cold steel streaked through the air like a falling star or a dancing autumn leaf. For a moment, it seemed as if that single, brilliant flash of the blade was the only thing in the world.

"Quickdraw!"

Yu Changsheng’s eyes snapped open. Having been watching Lei Jingtong’s every move, he had already executed two consecutive Shadow Flashes the instant before the blade was drawn, just barely dodging the flash of light.

"ZZZZT..."

A gash over three meters long appeared on the step. Although it was repaired by the array moments later, the power of the strike was evident.

Yu Changsheng turned his head. Feeling the astonishing saber intent that filled the air, he couldn’t help but become fully focused.

"Nice reaction."

Lei Jingtong praised him, his aura flaring. He leaped into the air, raising his Dharma Saber high, and brought it down on Yu Changsheng with overwhelming force.

"Heaven-Burning... Flaming Saber! Heaven-Burning!!!"

Flames instantly engulfed the blade, first covering its spine, then its tip. Finally, even Lei Jingtong’s hand on the hilt was sheathed in fire. Flowers of flame bloomed in the air around him. The Flaming Saber seemed to magnify infinitely, and the scorching air and blade soon filled Yu Changsheng’s entire field of vision.

At that moment, Lei Jingtong was like a Fire God incarnate or a Sword God descended, the flame and the blade in perfect union.

The Red Refining Snake hissed and writhed as the Golden-Winged Eagle spread its wings and soared. A light blue membrane, the Water Illusion Spirit Armor, rapidly covered the snake. The eagle’s massive wings beat continuously, blowing away the flowers of flame one by one, causing them to waver and fall.

Meanwhile, Yu Changsheng tried to put as much distance between himself and Lei Jingtong as possible. ’Against this kind of brutish swordsman, the best option is to look for a chance to strike from the periphery.’

"BOOM!!!"

The very step shook from the impact. A long wave of fire slammed down, turning the stone glowing red before the array’s power restored it. Scattered flames danced restlessly. Amidst the fire, Lei Jingtong stood, one hand on his saber, his hair flying wildly. His eyes blazed with fighting spirit. The saber trembled and hummed, as if in excitement.

"Come!"

Lei Jingtong roared, his hand, holding the Flaming Saber, slashing a sudden semicircle through the air. Flames billowed, the blade shuddered, and layer upon layer of fire formed a great, roaring wave.

"Heaven-Burning Flame Saber... Boiling Sea!!"

Lei Jingtong wasn’t holding back. Unaware of Yu Changsheng’s true capabilities, he went all out from the very beginning, using his most famous signature technique.

At Lei Jingtong’s command, the long wave of fire roared and swept toward Yu Changsheng. The Red Refining Snake shrouded itself in Poisonous Fire. The Golden-Winged Eagle soared high, its wings turning to stone to shield Yu Changsheng. Using the eagle’s block as cover, Yu Changsheng executed several more Shadow Flashes, escaping the fire wave’s range.

As the wave of fire surged toward them, the Red Refining Snake shot through the flames. Its thick body twisted, aiming to entangle Lei Jingtong, its tail lashing out at him first.

Lei Jingtong looked up and swung his Flaming Saber upwards. A fiery blade projection, over three meters long, shot toward the Red Refining Snake’s tail with unstoppable force.

"HISSSS...!"

The Red Refining Snake hissed in pain. Its tail caught fire, its light blue Water Illusion Spirit Armor shattered, and its scales were visibly dented.

However, the Red Refining Snake used the momentum to get right in front of Lei Jingtong. It opened its massive jaws, its long fangs glinting coldly, and spat a mouthful of venom and Poisonous Fire right at him.

A point-blank ultimate for explosive damage!

At the same time, the tail that had been struck whipped around for another attack. Black light flashed as it bent sharply in mid-air, the tip curling into a dark red barb. The end of its tail, now as slender as a scorpion’s stinger, pulsed with streams of dark, crimson light.

Poisonous Tail Divine Hook!

Lei Jingtong flipped his blade, using the flat to let the flames incinerate the incoming venom and Poisonous Fire. He then brought the saber around again, slashing directly at the snake’s tail.

"CLANG!!!"

The clear ring of steel echoed through the air, and the surrounding flames rippled from the shockwave. The Poisonous Tail Divine Hook met the heavy, powerful slash. Sparks flew at the point of contact, and the immense force knocked the hooked tail aside, its attack thwarted.

The Golden-Winged Eagle was not idle. It shot through the fire wave, kicking up a furious wind. Just as Lei Jingtong parried the Poisonous Tail Divine Hook, the eagle closed the distance behind him in a flash of light, fast as an arrow. Its tail feathers suddenly morphed into a fish’s tail, which it whipped viciously at Lei Jingtong’s head.

Alert, Lei Jingtong sent the Red Refining Snake flying with a flick of his saber and simultaneously dropped into a squat, dodging the hit to his vitals. The Golden-Winged Eagle’s powerful strike slammed into his back instead.

In an instant, the clothes on Lei Jingtong’s back shredded, and a welt spread across his skin, visible to the naked eye.

"Urgh?!"

The immense force made Lei Jingtong stagger. He plunged the tip of his saber into the ground to keep his balance. His face flushed, a sweet taste filled his throat, and a trickle of scarlet blood ran from the corner of his mouth.

But Lei Jingtong reacted instantly. He used the momentum to pivot, rolling as he swung his saber. A wave of fire followed the blade’s motion, blasting the Golden-Winged Eagle away.