I Tame Beasts by Feeding

Meanwhile.

Sword Control Peak, Spirit Cliff Cave Mansion.

BANG!

After a month of seclusion, the doors to Huang Suyu’s cave mansion burst open. Amidst billowing dust, a powerful Sword Intent shot into the sky.

"Haaah... Finally... Foundation Establishment..."

Feeling the Magical Power surging through his body, Huang Suyu exhaled a turbid breath. A rare smile touched his otherwise cold expression.

The commotion quickly attracted the attention of nearby disciples, who all stopped to watch and size up the situation.

"Senior Brother Huang is out of seclusion? What a terrifying aura! This is... Foundation Establishment!"

"That Sword Intent... As expected of Senior Brother Huang. I feel like even some veteran Foundation Establishment Cultivators don’t have this kind of oppressive presence."

"Congratulations on emerging, Senior Brother Huang! With this, your promotion to the Inner Sect is just around the corner!"

Voices of flattery and congratulations rang out from the crowd, their expressions filled with envy and admiration.

Among the crowd, Zhuang Yan watched silently. The razor-sharp Sword Intent was so intense it made his skin tingle with a faint pain.

’Huang Suyu has successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment. This is bad for Changsheng. No, I have to go tell him the news right away.’

Zhuang Yan took a deep breath. After one last glance at Huang Suyu, he wasted no time, immediately leaving Sword Control Peak and hurrying toward Yu Changsheng’s Spirit Chicken Garden.

...

"You’re saying Huang Suyu successfully reached Foundation Establishment?"

Seeing Zhuang Yan, who had come to warn him, a warmth spread through Yu Changsheng’s heart.

"Yes."

"You two have an irreconcilable conflict. I’m afraid he’s going to target you."

Zhuang Yan sighed heavily, his face etched with worry.

After Huang Li’s death, and especially after witnessing Yu Changsheng’s strength during the Outer Sect selection, he had put some key pieces together. He suspected that Huang Li had failed in his attack at the Fish Market and had been killed by Yu Changsheng instead.

That was why he couldn’t help but worry about Yu Changsheng.

"It’s fine. So he’s at Foundation Establishment, so what? Don’t worry about it."

Yu Changsheng waved his hand dismissively and patted Zhuang Yan’s shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile to tell him not to overthink it.

After his Red Refining Snake had devoured the bloodline and he himself had reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, the pressure from Huang Suyu didn’t feel as great as before.

"You’re certainly calm about this." Zhuang Yan shook his head, then his expression suddenly turned serious.

"Don’t ever underestimate Huang Suyu. He’s not like other disciples who just reached Foundation Establishment. And with his personality, he’ll definitely want to settle all his grudges before ascending to the Inner Sect. He will absolutely find a chance to kill you. That guy doesn’t play by the rules!"

"Changsheng, if you don’t have to, try not to leave Beast Taming Peak for a while. At least here, Huang Suyu will have some reservations."

"Alright." Yu Changsheng nodded in agreement.

But in his heart?

’So what if he’s at Foundation Establishment? If Huang Suyu doesn’t come looking for trouble, fine. But if he does, it’s not yet certain who will come out on top.’

Seeing Yu Changsheng agree, Zhuang Yan finally let out a breath of relief. He patted his chest and said comfortingly,

"That’s for the best, but it’s only a temporary solution. I believe with your talent, Changsheng, it won’t be long—ten years at most—before you have a shot at Foundation Establishment too."

’Ten years? Wouldn’t the daylilies be cold by then?’

A faint smile touched the corner of Yu Changsheng’s lips, but he didn’t comment one way or the other.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhuang Yan didn’t stay long and left.

As he was leaving, Yu Changsheng thought for a moment and gave Zhuang Yan a few Elixirs that were no longer very useful for his own advancement.

In any case, he was grateful that the other man had risked offending Huang Suyu to bring him this message.

He was never stingy with his friends. Zhuang Yan instinctively refused at first, but when Yu Changsheng mentioned that he was also an Alchemist, he quietly accepted them.

Alchemists were never short on money.

"Huang Suyu..."

’Sword Cultivators may be the deadliest among all Cultivators, but how many can truly master the sword? It took even Grandfather so many years to forge his way of the sword. Huang Suyu? He’s too young. No matter how much of a genius he is, his Sword Intent couldn’t possibly be stronger than Grandfather’s.’

’With my Golden Core Level Divine Sense, combined with the Colorful Star Deer’s Soul Stepping, killing him shouldn’t be a problem... unless his sword is beyond my imagination.’

After seeing Zhuang Yan off, Yu Changsheng muttered to himself, shook his head, and put the matter out of his mind. Instead of continuing his seated Cultivation, he turned and headed for the Beast Garden to find Elder Wei.

The Foundation Establishment Realm did put some pressure on him, but that was all.

Beast Garden, Elder Wei’s Pavilion.

"Not bad. You actually beat Miao Wenlun."

Elder Wei’s eyes fluttered open. After glancing at his visitor, he offered a rare word or two of praise.

"That’s all thanks to your excellent guidance, Elder Wei. If it weren’t for your Spiritual Beast Four Extremes Formation and Thousand Thoughts Slash, it’s hard to say who would have won that battle."

Yu Changsheng gave a sheepish laugh, showing no hint of pride.

Elder Wei nodded, concealing the shock deep in his eyes. He said faintly, "Be that as it may, to be able to grasp both of these Divine Techniques in such a short time... you’re still quite remarkable."

"Just a fluke," Yu Changsheng replied casually. ’A fluke? Please. I’m basically cheating. It’s standard operating procedure, okay?’

"So... about what you said, Elder Wei..."

Yu Changsheng rubbed his hands together, looking at Elder Wei with sincere and intense anticipation.

"You little rascal. Afraid I’d go back on my word?" Elder Wei shook his head with a laugh. After the lighthearted scolding, he looked down and fell into thought.

He had promised before the competition that if Yu Changsheng won the championship, he would have a gift for him.

After a long moment, Elder Wei looked up at Yu Changsheng. "Judging by your aura, you’ve also advanced to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, haven’t you?"

"Yes," Yu Changsheng admitted freely.

"To what level have you cultivated the Refining God Technique?"

"Uh, the realm of Minor Achievement," Yu Changsheng said, scratching his head as he answered truthfully.

"Minor Achievement..." Elder Wei’s hand, which was preparing tea, paused for a fraction of a second, but his face remained calm as he nodded.

"Acceptable. While the Refining God Technique is decent, its upper limits are fixed. In that case, keep cultivating it for now. After you reach Foundation Establishment, I will bestow upon you a Cultivation Technique that is truly suited for you."

That was what he said, but inside, Elder Wei’s mind was reeling in utter shock.

Advancing in a Cultivation Technique is the most difficult part, even more so than advancing one’s Cultivation. And Yu Changsheng, in such a short time since he started, had already trained the Refining God Technique to the realm of Minor Achievement.

’No wonder his Divine Sense sometimes feels different, so much stronger than that of an ordinary Cultivator. Strong enough to form a Contract with three tamed beasts!’

’This Comprehension... it’s incredible! Did I stumble upon a treasure? And this Cultivation speed! If anyone dares to call him a Three Spirit Roots talent in the future, I’ll be the first to tear them a new one!’

Elder Wei thought to himself, his astonishment not diminishing in the slightest. He had been secretly watching the competition that day.

The Cyan Flower Deer’s rapid evolution into a Colorful Star Deer had already been shocking enough. But he never expected that, based on the kid’s performance that day, his Thousand Thoughts Slash had probably reached the proficiency realm as well. The strength of his Divine Sense was even more astounding, and now, on top of all that, was the Minor Achievement in the Refining God Technique...

All Elder Wei could say in his heart was, ’This boy... is terrifyingly talented!’