I Tame Beasts by Feeding

The value of the Four Swords of Annihilation was undeniable. It would be more than a fair trade for even a genuine Life-Returning Pill.

But Yu Changsheng understood that there was more to a trade than just the value of the items involved; many other factors could influence the deal.

As Yu Changsheng offered the scroll for the Four Swords of Annihilation, Shen Xingchen was just as decisive. He took it to examine and, at the same time, handed his own scroll to Yu Changsheng.

"This is?"

Yu Changsheng glanced at the scroll in his hand, then back at the broadly smiling Shen Xingchen, a look of confusion on his face.

"Fair is fair. Since Junior Brother Changsheng was willing to part with something so cherished, I can’t be stingy, now can I?"

Shen Xingchen laughed, then his expression turned serious. "I believe this cultivation technique will be of use to you, Junior Brother Changsheng. In my hands, it’s just a pearl gathering dust. It’s better off with you."

"Huh?" Yu Changsheng was taken aback.

"The technique itself may not be particularly profound, but it’s very effective. You probably won’t find it anywhere else in the sect. It’s a technique I used in my early years when I practiced Beast Taming. I figured it would be a perfect fit for your cultivation, making it a fair exchange."

Shen Xingchen explained calmly, his tone even and his expression neutral.

Yu Changsheng knew that Shen Xingchen had been a disciple of Beast Taming Peak before entering the Inner Sect to study under Lu Ruikai.

The fact that it was a technique he had personally cultivated piqued Yu Changsheng’s interest. He nodded, put the scroll away, and bowed with cupped fists to Shen Xingchen.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Shen. You’re too kind."

"It’s only proper," Shen Xingchen said, waving his hand. "Let’s get back to our training. We’re already more than halfway through our time here."

"Right." Yu Changsheng nodded. He took a moment to feel the increase in his physical strength and cultivation, then, after a moment’s thought, cautiously stepped deeper into the pool.

As he took a step forward, the oppressive weight of the pool’s water intensified, and the Sword Gang grew denser. Even the Profound Celestial Giant Sword at the center quivered almost imperceptibly, unleashing a vast and surging wave of Sword Qi.

However, for Yu Changsheng’s body, already honed to its peak and reinforced by the Thousand Mountains Technique, the pain was still excruciating—like being sliced by a blade. Yet, after a brief moment of adaptation, the flow of his qi and blood alleviated most of the agony, and he managed to maintain his composure.

The second level of his Spirit Platform began to slowly solidify once more.

"Incredible. I have no idea how you manage your cultivation, Junior Brother."

Watching this, Shen Xingchen clicked his tongue in amazement and also took a step deeper into the pool. Instantly, beads of sweat as large as peas streamed down his forehead. His face contorted, making it clear he was in agony.

"ARGH!"

Shen Xingchen grunted, gritting his teeth. As he exhaled a breath of foul air, his skin rapidly flushed crimson. His aura fell into disarray for a split second before becoming steady and powerful once more.

Yu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed. He gave Shen Xingchen a long look before turning his focus inward. Slowly closing his eyes, he began to fully circulate his cultivation technique. He continued to temper his physical body while simultaneously absorbing all of the potent energies within the pool’s water.

’It’s a shame. With the current physical strength of the Red Refining Snake and the others, they can’t withstand the baptism of the Sword Cleansing Pool. Otherwise, I could let them out for a soak.’

He felt a pang of regret but quickly dismissed it. With a slight shudder of his body, he moved even closer to the Profound Celestial Giant Sword at the center of the pool.

After some time, Shen Xingchen opened his eyes. He let out a soft breath, wiped the sweat from his brow, and turned to look at the Profound Celestial Giant Sword, now so close. With a complex expression, he spoke softly.

"Changsheng, do you know the origin of this Sword Cleansing Pool?"

"Hmm?" Yu Changsheng’s interest was piqued. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "I don’t. Why? Is there a story behind it?"

"I don’t know the specifics, but I have heard..."

Shen Xingchen shook his head. After a moment’s thought, he continued, "In any case, the Sword Cleansing Pool was likely constructed by an ancestor from my Sword Control Peak. I’ve heard that originally, it wasn’t meant for disciples to use for Body Forging."

"Body Forging is merely a side benefit. I’m not sure of its true purpose, but I’ve vaguely heard that it’s meant for suppression and a Seal."

Shen Xingchen spoke softly, his tone uncertain and hesitant. As he spoke, his eyes happened to lock onto Yu Changsheng, and an imperceptible glint flashed in their depths.

"Suppression? A Seal?"

Yu Changsheng’s expression froze. He fell silent for a moment as countless thoughts raced through his mind.

’I think I know what’s being suppressed and sealed,’ he thought. The story Elder Wei had told him was still fresh in his mind. ’To warrant such a serious measure, it could be none other than the Profound Turtle Ancestor.’

These thoughts flashed through his mind, but his face betrayed nothing. He simply gave Shen Xingchen a slight nod.

"It’s precisely because its primary function is the Seal, which keeps its true power contained, that we’re able to utilize it. We developed it into the Sword Cleansing Pool, and it became one of the sect’s Holy Lands."

"Otherwise, at this close a distance to the Profound Celestial Giant Sword, we would have been torn to shreds by its Sword Qi long ago."

Shen Xingchen finished speaking and suddenly let out a soft chuckle.

Yu Changsheng fell silent for a moment before remarking with a sigh, "So that’s how it is. If it truly is for suppression and a Seal, I wonder what kind of great being would warrant such extreme measures."

"That, I don’t know." Shen Xingchen shook his head. His eyes darted about for a moment, and he chuckled.

"But, Changsheng, would you like to know whose Magical Treasure this Profound Celestial Giant Sword is?"

"Oh? The Profound Celestial Giant Sword has an owner? I thought it was a Supreme Treasure of the sect," Yu Changsheng said with surprise, looking at Shen Xingchen in confusion.

"Of course it has an owner. It’s just that its master is no longer with us, so the Magical Treasure was repurposed by the sect."

"Back in its day, this Profound Celestial Giant Sword was a Divinity Transformation-level Magical Treasure. Its power was so immense you couldn’t even look at it directly."

Shen Xingchen was filled with deep emotion, and as he spoke of the Profound Celestial Giant Sword, his eyes shone with exceptional brightness.

"Then, its former owner was...?" Yu Changsheng trailed off, pondering. Even as he asked, he already had an inkling of the answer.

’Throughout the history of the Wanxiang Sect, there have been very few who reached the Divinity Transformation realm. There was only one person who fit the description,’ Yu Changsheng thought.

And sure enough, in the next moment, Shen Xingchen confirmed his suspicion.

"As for its owner, she has an intricate connection to your Beast Taming Lineage. She was the Peak Master of both your Beast Taming Peak and my Sword Control Peak—Cao Jinxian."

Shen Xingchen let out a long breath, seeming hesitant as he mentioned the name.

Within the Wanxiang Sect, Cao Jinxian’s name was taboo to most. Never mind the disciples; even many Elders, aside from the highest-ranking ones, were unaware of her. It was clear that Shen Xingchen only knew part of the story.

Aside from a select few, almost no one knew the truth of what happened back then.