I Tame Beasts by Feeding

At the foot of the mountain, the two Elders were somewhat surprised as they watched five beams of teleportation light appear one after another.

"Someone’s been eliminated already?"

The teleportation light faded, revealing the three gate-blockers first. They were bleeding profusely, lying on the ground half-dead, their auras weak.

"What happened? How are your injuries so severe?"

Elder Cao was startled and hurried over to check on them. His expression slowly grew grave, then strange.

After feeding each of the three an Elixir, Elder Cao watched as their conditions improved slightly. He then questioned them, a flicker of anger burning in his eyes, "You three, tell me. How did you get injured so badly?"

The three gave a bitter smile, their faces filled with shame. They first managed a bow toward Elder Cao before speaking. "Thank you for saving us, Elder. Our skills were inferior. We have no one to blame."

Three against one, and they were still seriously injured by a single glance from their opponent. It would be too humiliating to speak of such a thing.

Besides, they were the ones in the wrong to begin with. If they told Elder Cao everything, they would likely just anger him, which wouldn’t be worth it.

Although such actions weren’t forbidden in the trial, admitting to it would certainly earn them scorn—especially from Elder Cao, who was famous for being righteous, upright, and despising evil.

"Hmm?"

Elder Cao raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. After giving the three a deep look, he didn’t press further and simply waved his hand, dismissing them.

"Go to the Medical Hall, get treated, and rest well."

"Yes, thank you, Elder."

Thanking him again, the three supported one another as they left.

Watching them go, Elder Cao and Elder Hai exchanged a glance, each seeing the surprise and astonishment in the other’s eyes.

"It seems they suffered injuries to their Divine Souls. Though severe, it’s clear the attacker held back."

"To have the spare energy to launch such an attack in that place... Tsk tsk, truly astounding."

Elder Hai clicked his tongue in wonder, finding it somewhat incredible.

"Who do you think it was? One of the Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

Elder Cao pondered, intrigued by the question.

"Probably," Elder Hai mused. He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I can’t think of anyone else."

As they spoke, the two teleportation beams behind them also faded, revealing the two people who had been eliminated by Yu Changsheng.

Compared to the previous three, these two were in much better shape. Their auras were merely weak, their faces pale with blood at the corners of their mouths. After leaving the Trial Land, their complexions improved significantly.

Elder Cao sensed their condition and said in surprise, "These two also suffered a Divine Sense attack? It’s just much lighter. Perhaps it was done by the same person."

With that thought, Elder Cao walked forward. After letting the two rest for a moment, he asked gently, "What happened? Were you in the same group as the three who were just eliminated?"

"No," the two said with an awkward laugh, waving their hands to hide their shame.

"We were outmatched. A small conflict got us eliminated."

Once their headaches subsided, the two exchanged a look, both seeing the awkwardness in each other’s eyes.

"Which peak’s disciple was it? Sword Control Peak?"

Elder Hai asked curiously.

"N-not Sword Control Peak." The two looked even more embarrassed.

"Oh? Then it must be Overlord Blade Peak. Was it Lei Jingtong, or Gu Zhen?" Elder Hai wondered, running through the possibilities in his mind.

"It wasn’t Overlord Blade Peak either. It was... a disciple from Beast Taming Peak!"

The two disciples forced bitter smiles, their expressions full of lingering fear as they patted their chests.

"Beast Taming Peak?!"

Elder Cao and Elder Hai stared at each other, clearly stunned.

"I’ve never heard of any experts from Beast Taming Peak. Interesting... It seems this year’s trial will be quite a show."

Elder Cao’s eyes flickered, and he lowered his gaze, his thoughts hidden.

「...」

On the steps. The twelve hundredth step, the thirteen hundredth step...

Yu Changsheng didn’t stop until the fifteen hundredth step. Only then did he feel a slight resistance, but his pace didn’t slow.

As he ascended the steps, the number of people around him visibly dwindled.

Upon reaching the two thousandth step, Yu Changsheng finally slowed to a halt. His gaze narrowed on the person sitting cross-legged on the steps before him.

The person before him had a resolute face and looked to be in his twenties. He had a rugged, untamed air about him and, surprisingly, wore a long beard. He was dressed in a yellow robe, and on his chest was the unique insignia of an Overlord Blade Peak disciple.

He held a Great Saber, its tip dragging on the ground. The spine of the blade was wide and thick, while its edge was narrow and dull. The blade itself was slightly curved, with a few cracks crawling across its surface. The long body of the weapon was engraved with a dragon pattern and was entirely earth-yellow. It pulsed with a vigorous, ancient power, its Spiritual Power circulating as it faintly glowed.

Yu Changsheng recognized him. Miao Wenlun had told him about certain disciples from each peak to watch out for, and this man was one of them: Lei Jingtong, ranked second in the Outer Sect of the Overlord Blade Sect.

He had been at the Peak of Qi Refining for many years. His Sword Skill was in no way inferior to those of Gu Zhen, the number one in the Outer Sect; the only difference between them was their Cultivation.

Lei Jingtong sat there quietly, his expression calm and composed, as if the surrounding pressure had no effect on him. He was currently staring at Yu Changsheng with curiosity in his eyes.

"Can I help you?" Yu Changsheng asked coolly, his expression unchanged.

"Impressive." A bright light flared in Lei Jingtong’s eyes. He praised Yu Changsheng first, marveling,

"First in the Alchemy Conference, and first in the Beast Taming competition as well. To reach such a level of Cultivation in less than a year since your initiation... you truly are exceptionally talented."

"And to maintain such a composed posture at this level... you’re clearly not simple. I never expected Beast Taming Peak to have another genius disciple besides Miao Wenlun. It’s just a pity. You should have joined our Overlord Blade Peak."

After speaking, Lei Jingtong looked at Yu Changsheng and slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with what seemed to be regret.

"What are you trying to say?" Yu Changsheng frowned slightly.

"Yu Changsheng, if you were in Overlord Blade Peak, with your talent, and given that I’ve always appreciated geniuses, I would have done my best to protect you. But it’s a pity..."

Lei Jingtong said slowly, his tone laced with regret, but the hand gripping the hilt of his saber was slowly tightening.

"What is your relationship with Huang Suyu?"

Yu Changsheng frowned, guessing the man’s intentions. He took a small step back, mobilizing the Cultivation throughout his body as he remained on high alert for Lei Jingtong.

"I simply owed Huang Suyu a favor from years ago and was asked to do something for him. But don’t worry, I won’t take your life. I just want to have a fight with you."

As Lei Jingtong spoke, he slowly rose to his feet. The fighting spirit in his eyes grew stronger, like a raging, burning Flame.

"I saw your performance back on the one thousandth step. I wouldn’t deign to join forces with those three idiots. I, Lei Jingtong, have my pride."

"I’m quite curious to see what’s so special about the person that arrogant fellow Huang Suyu takes so seriously."

Yu Changsheng’s expression grew solemn. With a wave of his hand, the Red Refining Snake and the Golden-Winged Eagle appeared by his side, ready for battle.