I Tame Beasts by Feeding

Inner Sect Disciples are the true core of the sect, possessing authority far beyond what Outer Disciples could ever compare to. But even among Inner Sect Disciples, status is divided. First come the direct disciples of a Peak Master—the Chief Disciples—who enjoy the focused resources of an entire peak. Next are the Inner Elder Disciples, followed by ordinary Inner Sect Disciples.

’And right now,’ Yu Changsheng thought, ’as Elder Wei’s disciple, I’m no worse off than a Peak Master’s direct disciple. I have all the authority I should, and maybe even more.’

"Thank you, Master," Yu Changsheng said gratefully.

"We’re already master and disciple; there’s no need for such pleasantries. Besides, this is what you’ve earned. If you had agreed to study under that Lu Ruikai, you would have been the Vice Sect Leader’s disciple at the very least," Elder Wei said with a chiding smile, waving his hand.

Yu Changsheng scratched his head and gave a sheepish grin. "So what? When he sees you, Master, doesn’t he also have to respectfully call himself a junior?"

Elder Wei smiled and nodded, sighing. "He only respects my status. In terms of actual strength, I am no match for him."

"Status is fleeting; strength is what truly matters. As your master, I have high hopes for you. First, master these two Cultivation Techniques. One is for Body Forging, which is perfect for your current stage. The other is a Technique that can be used in coordination with Beast Taming, as their attributes are complementary. Don’t waste your time cultivating a messy assortment of other things."

"Mastery of techniques isn’t about quantity, but about refinement. That Beast Shadow you used before, and the Thousand Thoughts Slash I taught you—both are worth studying more deeply."

At the mention of Beast Shadow, Elder Wei took a sip of tea. The swirling mist rose, conveniently obscuring his expression and concealing the nostalgic, world-weary look in his eyes.

"Yes, Master," Yu Changsheng said obediently.

"Good. Go and focus on your Cultivation. You can come ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand. I’m just an idle old man sunbathing here in the Beast Garden, anyway."

As he spoke, a smile touched Elder Wei’s lips, and he patted the Little Profound Turtle on his knee.

An expression of displeasure flickered across the Little Profound Turtle’s face before it retreated into its shell.

"Your most urgent task is to raise your Cultivation level."

"You’ve already reached the Qi Refining Peak, so you can start preparing for Foundation Establishment. If you lack anything, just tell me."

Elder Wei said with a faint smile.

The two chatted for a while longer before Yu Changsheng took his leave. After he was gone, the smile on Elder Wei’s face gradually faded. He took a light sip of tea and muttered to himself.

’It hasn’t been that long, has it? Is this the good fortune of my Beast Taming Peak? Or is it his own serendipity?’

’A special Physique for Beast Taming... and a Divine Sense on par with a Golden Core Cultivator’s, despite only being at the Qi Refining stage... ’

’He’s so much like the Cao Jinxian of old... he just doesn’t use a sword.’

At this thought, Elder Wei’s eyes narrowed, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

He casually raised a hand and wiped it away.

’A man gets old... I don’t have much time left. I just hope he isn’t another Cao Jinxian. Heh, heh...’

Smiling, Elder Wei patted the Little Profound Turtle again, regardless of whether its retracted head could hear him.

’Old friend, don’t worry. Just trust me one more time... ’

...

’Since I’ve been promoted to the Inner Sect, I should find a new residence.’

Holding the Inner Sect Jade Tube from Elder Wei, Yu Changsheng considered his options. Having made a decision, he reported to the Affairs Hall and ultimately selected a new cave abode on the upper slopes of Beast Taming Peak.

Thanks to Elder Wei’s Jade Tube, he could have actually chosen from most places on Beast Taming Peak, even the summit. However, Yu Changsheng decided against being so conspicuous and picked a quiet, convenient spot with dense Spiritual Qi for his new home.

It was a scenic location with a small pavilion and a running stream—it had everything one could ask for. For a certain fee, he could even arrange for servants. It was leagues better than the Outer Disciples’ quarters, leaving Yu Changsheng quite satisfied.

After getting everything settled, he finally had some free time. He eagerly opened Huang Suyu’s Hundred Treasures Pouch to inspect its contents.

’Let’s see what kind of treasures this Huang Suyu had.’

Upon opening the Hundred Treasures Pouch, the first thing he saw was a small mountain of Spirit Stones. A quick glance suggested there were twenty or thirty thousand of them.

’He had this kind of fortune right after reaching Foundation Establishment?’

Yu Changsheng was stunned, clicking his tongue in amazement, but his shock quickly turned to delight. He swept his Divine Thought over the pouch, and all its other contents were revealed to him at once.

Besides the Spirit Stones, Huang Suyu’s Hundred Treasures Pouch also contained some Sword Manuals, but a cursory glance was enough for Yu Changsheng to lose interest.

However, a simple, ancient-looking, blood-red book in the corner did catch his eye.

"Four Swords of Annihilation?"

Yu Changsheng examined it closely, a sharp glint in his eyes. The Swordsmanship Huang Suyu had used was still fresh in his memory.

He hastily flipped through it, only to be disappointed moments later.

’It’s just a fragment. I have no use for it, but its power is astonishing, so it must be valuable. I’ll have to figure out how to sell it later.’

Yu Changsheng pondered. Other than these items, the rest were mostly miscellaneous odds and ends. A quick look revealed very little that was useful to him.

"Hm?"

Just as Yu Changsheng was about to withdraw his Divine Sense, his expression shifted in surprise. A thought, and a gray sheet of Beast Hide appeared in his hand, plucked from an inconspicuous corner of the pouch.

The Beast Hide was ancient, made from the hide of some unknown Spirit Beast. The marks of age were obvious, and its grayish-black color made it difficult to spot without a close look.

’I didn’t even notice this thing before?’

Holding the Beast Hide, Yu Changsheng was both curious and surprised. He gently ran his fingers over it, feeling a faint coolness. He couldn’t identify the material, but it felt remarkably pleasant to the touch.

’This material is extraordinary,’ Yu Changsheng mused, slowly unrolling the Beast Hide.

Ancient lines, one after another, appeared on its surface, looking as if they had been etched in blood. A faint, bloody scent drifted up to his nose.

Yu Changsheng’s eyes narrowed. He carefully scanned every inch of the Beast Hide with his Divine Sense but found nothing else, nor did he detect any sense of danger.

’Is this a map?’

The blood-red lines on the Beast Hide weren’t chaotic; they were orderly, as if they were recording something. Unfortunately, no matter how Yu Changsheng studied it, he gained no insight, and nothing unusual occurred.

’You couldn’t have left a single note? Who’s supposed to understand this?’

Yu Changsheng shook his head in resignation. After a few more fruitless examinations, he gave up and stored it in his system inventory, not dwelling on it any further.

Perhaps Huang Suyu had known what it was, but he was now as dead as could be. Yu Changsheng could only leave it to fate.

’This Huang Suyu doesn’t seem all that wealthy, after all. This is his entire fortune?’

After inspecting everything in the Hundred Treasures Pouch, Yu Changsheng curled his lip, somewhat dissatisfied.

Huang Suyu’s Hundred Treasures Pouch contained a decent number of Spirit Stones, as well as a lot of miscellaneous items like Elixirs, herbs, and Talismans. While they had some value, most were items for the Qi Refining stage. For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, such a fortune was somewhat unbecoming of his status.

But on second thought, Yu Changsheng remembered that Huang Suyu had only recently reached Foundation Establishment, and he came to terms with it.

’Besides, the most valuable thing isn’t any of this, but Huang Suyu’s Dragon’s Roar Sword.’

With a thought, the Dragon’s Roar Sword from his inventory appeared in his hand. Its blade gleamed with a cold light. Yu Changsheng smiled faintly and gently flicked it with a finger, causing a clear ringing to echo through the room.

CLANG!

"Not bad," Yu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction. "It seems Huang Suyu poured his entire fortune into forging this sword. It truly is a high-quality Magical Treasure."

’Most importantly, it has even birthed a faint Artifact Spirit. It looks like it’s already reached the standard of a Low-grade Spiritual Treasure.’

There is a hierarchy for armaments. The most basic are Mortal Soldiers. These are followed by Magical Artifacts, then Magical Treasures, and finally Spirit Treasures. Each tier is astonishingly valuable.

Huang Suyu had clearly refined this Dragon’s Roar day and night, pouring countless hours and precious materials into it. Its quality was the finest Yu Changsheng had ever seen.

More importantly, it had already achieved Spirit Communication, providing the foundation and possibility for it to one day be promoted to a Spirit Treasure. That was what truly mattered.

It was safe to say the most valuable thing Huang Suyu possessed was this Dragon’s Roar Sword. Its value was greater than all his other possessions combined.

Lost in thought, Yu Changsheng gently tapped the Dragon’s Roar Sword with his finger.

The Dragon’s Roar Sword trembled lightly as unseen flows of energy circulated within, as if it were struggling.

’Interesting.’ Yu Changsheng’s brow furrowed. He increased the pressure of his grip as his vast Divine Thought enveloped every inch of the Dragon’s Roar Sword.

"Considering the difficulty you had achieving Spirit Communication, I’ll give you two choices. One: submit and serve me. Two: be erased by me, right here and now."

Yu Changsheng spoke coolly, his voice devoid of emotion. Beneath his vast Divine Thought, he could sense the single A Point of Spirit hidden within the Dragon’s Roar Sword.

It already possessed a weak will, and now, enveloped by Yu Changsheng’s Divine Thought, it trembled violently. The sword’s body shook in tandem, emitting a continuous, mournful cry.

But Yu Changsheng didn’t care. The spirit within began to struggle violently, stubborn and defiant, as if it would rather be destroyed than submit.

"Hmph?" Yu Changsheng frowned. His vast, surging Divine Thought transformed into a monstrous wave, about to obliterate the faint spirit within the blade.