I Tame Beasts by Feeding

"Excellent. Changsheng has also broken through to the Foundation Establishment Second Layer. At this rate, it seems he might reach the Golden Core realm within sixty years."

Lu Ruikai chuckled, his tone teasing.

"Then if another opportunity like this comes up, I’ll have to ask for your continued support, Sect Leader."

Yu Changsheng chuckled and scratched his head, playing along with Lu Ruikai’s words.

"You kid, always looking out for yourself. Do you think the Sword Cleansing Pool can be opened so casually? Still, even though you aren’t my disciple, I can give you some opportunities."

Lu Ruikai laughed heartily, then turned to Shen Xingchen and said, "You and Changsheng must get along well in the future. You can consider him a junior brother of sorts. You should help each other."

"Of course." Shen Xingchen laughed, and as he looked at Yu Changsheng, a flash of profound meaning appeared in his eyes before vanishing.

After a bit more small talk, Yu Changsheng was the first to cup his fists and take his leave.

’What Shen Xingchen said isn’t without reason,’ Yu Changsheng mused. As he flew toward Beast Taming Peak, he took an item out of his pouch.

It was the dark yellow, ancient-looking beast hide map he had taken from Huang Suyu’s storage pouch.

’Could this be the clue?’

With a thought, Yu Changsheng held up the beast hide and examined it closely. He also meticulously scanned every detail with his Divine Sense, but unfortunately, he found nothing out of the ordinary.

’I don’t get it.’

Yu Changsheng shook his head and tried injecting Spiritual Power into the beast hide again. Seeing it still gave no reaction, he let out a soft sigh.

’Oh well. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I’ll just leave it to fate.’

After returning to his residence, Yu Changsheng had intended to visit Elder Wei and ask about the Profound Celestial Giant Sword. Unfortunately, after giving his last set of instructions, Elder Wei had gone off somewhere and was nowhere to be found.

’What on earth is that small sword in my Sea of Consciousness?’

Yu Changsheng frowned. No matter how he tried to move it, there was no reaction whatsoever. However, he didn’t sense any danger from it.

’Forget it. I’ll just wait for Master to come back and ask him then. It shouldn’t be a problem.’

With that, Yu Changsheng pushed the matter to the back of his mind. With a flash of light, he took a scroll from his Hundred Treasures Pouch, slowly unfurled it, and swept his Divine Sense across it.

’Shen Xingchen’s cultivation technique from his early years... I’m curious to see what’s so special about it.’

Filled with a bit of anticipation, Yu Changsheng quickly scanned it with his Divine Sense. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he slowly opened his eyes, a look of realization dawning on his face.

’The Five Elements Beast Technique... it’s a method for coordinating with Spirit Beasts, corresponding to the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. When used, its five incantations can enhance the corresponding abilities of one’s beasts. This is truly something good.’

’This cultivation technique is likely on par with the Beast Shadow. It corresponds to the Five Elements and strengthens one’s beasts, making it a standard Beast Taming Skill. It’s quite profound. Combined with my Spiritual Beast Four Extremes Formation, it will boost my beast taming abilities to their absolute peak. Excellent.’

’Such a profound magic skill... Shen Xingchen was really generous to part with it.’

After this moment of reflection, Yu Changsheng thought back to Shen Xingchen’s words, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. He was rather puzzled.

’Although I don’t know what Shen Xingchen is really up to, for now, it seems he’s worth befriending. Still, one can never be too careful. I’ll have to keep my guard up around him.’

With that thought, Yu Changsheng waved his hands. Three streaks of light appeared, and his three Spirit Beasts were summoned from his Inner Realm.

KREEE!

The moment the Colorful Star Deer appeared, it began to hop and skip about eagerly, its spiraling antlers shimmering with light.

Meanwhile, the Golden-Winged Eagle spread its wings and soared high, circling above Yu Changsheng’s head. The Red Refining Snake kept its head low, affectionately nuzzling Yu Changsheng’s palm.

During this period of cultivation, the three Spirit Beasts had also reached the peak of Tier One. A small portion of power had flowed to them, especially when Yu Changsheng broke through to Foundation Establishment and then again in the Sword Cleansing Pool. Therefore, while their realms had not yet advanced, their strength had progressed significantly. They were just one opportunity away from becoming Second-stage Spirit Beasts.

In fact, if Yu Changsheng hadn’t contracted so many Spirit Beasts during the Qi Refining realm, the feedback from his own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment would have been enough for them all to advance.

Unfortunately, since Yu Changsheng had contracted three Spirit Beasts, having them all break through at once was quite difficult. He would have to find another way.

In common parlance, he was trying to carry three teammates, but the carry was too heavy...

"I know you’re anxious, but just wait a little longer. I’ll find a way for all of you to break through soon."

After placating his three Spirit Beasts for a while and feeding them a few Yun Shou Small Pills, Yu Changsheng let them roam freely for a bit before heading to the Odd Demon Pavilion.

After this period of development, bolstered by occasional auctions, the Odd Demon Pavilion’s reputation had spread far and wide. Business was getting better by the day.

It was extremely popular. Besides Yu Dahai, they had even hired several more clerks, all of whom were Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, which was a respectable showing.

After revealing his identity, he proceeded unimpeded to the backyard of the Odd Demon Pavilion. Yu Dahai was already waiting, and when he saw Yu Changsheng, his face broke into a smile filled with reverence.

"Brother Changsheng, you’re here! I have a lead on that matter you asked me to look into."

Yu Dahai prepared tea for Yu Changsheng, his tone laced with reverence. Only after Yu Changsheng was seated did Yu Dahai sit down himself. He then began to update Yu Changsheng on the shop’s affairs.

"Mm, no need to be so formal." Yu Changsheng nodded with a slight smile. After sweeping his Divine Sense over Yu Dahai, a hint of surprise crossed his face, and he said:

"Not bad. I haven’t seen you in a while, and you’ve already reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. If you need anything down the line, just let me know. Your talent is no worse than Chang Ao’s."

Yu Dahai gave a simple-minded laugh and scratched his head. "It’s all thanks to your support, Brother Changsheng. With the resources the Odd Demon Pavilion provides, I’d feel like I was letting you down if I didn’t cultivate this quickly."

"Has anyone come looking for trouble these past few days?"

Yu Changsheng’s fingers tapped lightly on the table as he pondered for a moment.

"No, everything has been very peaceful. Just normal business. No one has dared to cause a disturbance," Yu Dahai said, shaking his head.

Regarding the incident a while back, it wouldn’t be difficult for anyone in the Wanxiang Sect who was determined to investigate to discover that the so-called Golden Core Ancestor of the Odd Demon Pavilion was, in fact, Yu Changsheng. This was why he hadn’t bothered with any special disguise for his visit today.

Yu Changsheng had been worried that once his identity was exposed, he wouldn’t be able to maintain control and that some reckless individuals would come looking for a fight. However, it seemed the outcome was positive so far. Nothing unexpected had occurred.

He wondered if it was partly because people were wary of Elder Wei.

’That’s true. By now, everyone in the Wanxiang Sect knows I’m Elder Wei’s disciple. Presumably, no one would dare to offend me openly, so the Odd Demon Pavilion should be safe as a matter of course.’

As these thoughts ran through his mind, understanding dawned on him. After taking a sip of tea, Yu Changsheng stopped tapping his fingers on the table, looked up at Yu Dahai, and asked:

"So, tell me about the information you were looking into."