I'm Just a Beast Tamer

’This breakthrough expanded my Qi Sea’s radius by another fifteen meters. To go from the third to the fourth level, even if my cultivation speed doesn’t slow, will take more than five years.’

’My Nine Flames Reincarnation Technique is holding me back now. Without devouring a Spirit Fire, it’ll take at least six years to break through.’

’There’s no news about a Spirit Fire from Cao Guangshan. Do I really have to go try my luck at the Artifact Refining Hall?’

Jiang Zuo mused.

He had kept in contact with Cao Guangshan over the past few years. Every so often, Cao Guangshan would inform him of major events and gossip within the sect, ensuring that Jiang Zuo wasn’t completely ignorant of the outside world while in secluded cultivation.

However, there had been no news about Spirit Fires.

The Outer Sect held a minor competition every three years. After two of these, there was a four-year gap before the sect’s grand decennial competition.

Only Outer Disciples could participate in the triennial minor competitions. Although a Spirit Fire occasionally appeared as a reward, "occasionally" in this context meant once every century or more.

The grand decennial competition was open to both Inner and Outer Sect disciples, but the main participants were the Inner Sect Disciples.

However, Inner Sect Disciples could only participate in matches for those at the Dao Foundation realm or above. The Qi Cultivation realm matches were still a stage for Outer Disciples.

In other words, even if a Spirit Fire was offered as a reward at the grand decennial competition, Jiang Zuo would have to participate in the Dao Foundation realm matches to get it.

’Let’s see... the next grand decennial competition is in a little over two years.’

’It’s not impossible for me to join the Dao Foundation matches. I can enter as a Beast Master and just have Xiaoqing fight for me.’

’As for Xiaoqing’s origins, even the Beast Taming System has no information on it, so I don’t have to worry about its true identity being recognized.’

’And with my current status, Xiaoqing’s origin story will be easy to explain.’

Jiang Zuo thought to himself.

Xiaoqing’s cultivation was progressing steadily; it was already a second-rank late-stage beast. If he had it fight, his chances of winning a reward were not small.

Jiang Zuo could also explain Xiaoqing’s origins. He could simply say that Xiaoqing came from a Pet Beast Egg he had previously bought at a market.

The stall owner at the time had thought it was just an ordinary turtle egg, but he had vaguely sensed something unusual about it and bought it.

Unexpectedly, after he handled it, the egg began to hatch on Taihao Peak. It absorbed a massive amount of Spiritual Qi and was born as a second-rank late-stage Spirit Beast.

Even though Xiaoqing was now a second-rank late-stage beast and had been with Jiang Zuo for over two hundred years, it was still in its infancy.

With Jiang Zuo’s current status, this explanation was completely plausible.

If others learned of it, they would only marvel at his judgment and luck.

’But to be on the safe side, Xiaoqing’s combat methods are too one-dimensional. I need to prepare in advance and get it some Magic.’

Jiang Zuo made up his mind. If a Spirit Fire appeared at this year’s grand decennial competition, he would take Xiaoqing to participate.

However, Xiaoqing’s Cyan Light attack looked far from simple. If there was any chance of it being recognized, it would be because of that Cyan Light.

So, Jiang Zuo planned to get it some other offensive abilities.

The method was quite simple. Hadn’t he acquired the Ability Transfer skill from the Venus Fish?

Jiang Zuo could cultivate some first-rank Magic himself and then transfer them to Xiaoqing.

With his Five Elements Spirit Body, cultivating a few first-rank Magic spells would be very fast, as long as he wasn’t aiming for the Great Perfection Realm.

’I hope there’s a Spirit Fire as a reward in the decennial competition this time. If not, I’ll really have to go try my luck at the Artifact Refining Hall.’

At first, Jiang Zuo had known that the Artifact Refining Hall possessed several types of Spirit Fires.

But when he looked into how one could actually obtain a Spirit Fire from the Artifact Refining Hall, he realized it was a bit tricky.

It was true that the Artifact Refining Hall had Spirit Fires, but what Artifact Refiner in the hall didn’t want one for themselves?

Only the most outstanding Artifact Refiners in the Artifact Refining Hall could receive a Spirit Fire as a reward.

As an outsider, it would be impossible for Jiang Zuo to get a Spirit Fire from the Artifact Refining Hall, even if he was Luo Taidong’s Direct Disciple, and even if Luo Taidong asked for it personally.

The only way was to try his luck and see if any Artifact Refiner was willing to part with the Spirit Fire in their possession.

Shaking his head, Jiang Zuo continued his secluded cultivation.

「Several more months passed.」

The four Cloud Rock Eagles were successively tamed.

Jiang Zuo drew some blood from each Cloud Rock Eagle, stored it in the Mica Jade Dew Bottle, and then let them rest for a few days.

Afterward, Jiang Zuo took them to the Beast Taming Arena to hand them over.

After the handover, Jiang Zuo went to the Scripture Pavilion and learned several first-rank Water Attribute and Earth Attribute Magic spells.

What Jiang Zuo didn’t know was that the four Cloud Rock Eagles he brought back quickly caused a scramble.

Although Jiang Zuo had only tamed four Cloud Rock Eagles last time, with two of them being taken by Yu Xueyan, the remaining two had still gone on to make a name for themselves.

One of them had been acquired by a fairly strong Outer Disciple.

His own strength was originally insufficient to win the triennial minor competition.

But by relying on the Cloud Rock Eagle raised by Jiang Zuo, he continuously dodged and wore down his opponent from atop the eagle, eventually depleting all of his opponent’s Mana to claim victory.

His opponent also had a Cloud Rock Eagle, but the difference between it and his was extremely obvious.

His opponent’s Cloud Rock Eagle was already exhausted after repeated exertion, while his own showed no signs of fatigue.

The other eagle was obtained by another Outer Disciple.

This disciple went outside the sect on a mission to capture a criminal.

The criminal was extremely vicious and hid to the side, launching a surprise attack when the disciple was unprepared.

The disciple was about to be successfully ambushed, but the Cloud Rock Eagle standing behind him spotted the criminal.

While screeching a warning, the Cloud Rock Eagle also kicked at the criminal, causing him to stumble slightly.

Although the Outer Disciple was still injured by the sneak attack, the wound was not fatal.

He fought back furiously and ultimately managed to kill his attacker.

However, both of these incidents had only happened recently.

Not too many people knew about them yet, and those who did hadn’t spread the news widely. They were all thinking about how they could snatch one of Jiang Zuo’s tamed Cloud Rock Eagles for themselves next time.

But no matter how few people knew, dozens still showed up.

The disciples at the Beast Taming Arena had never seen such a scene and had to hurriedly ask Yan Bocheng to return and take charge.

An auction wasn’t a viable option, so with a wave of his hand, Yan Bocheng decided to settle it with a lottery.

In the end, four lucky disciples excitedly left with the Cloud Rock Eagles.

’Over the past few years, the sect has raised a new batch of Cloud Rock Eagles using Zhou Yong’s Taming Manual. But the gap between them and the ones he personally raises is still very obvious.’

’I have no idea how he does it. Perhaps it’s just talent?’

Yan Bocheng couldn’t help but shake his head as he watched the crowd of disciples disperse.

The newly raised batch of Cloud Rock Eagles had shown great improvement compared to the past.

They just still couldn’t compare to the ones Jiang Zuo raised.

’Now that this new batch of Cloud Rock Eagles has been raised, Zhou Yong’s talent has been completely confirmed, beyond any doubt. Perhaps I could have him try raising a different type of Spirit Beast.’

’With his talent, continuing to raise Cloud Rock Eagles is a pure waste.’

’Although Luo Taidong did instruct that he should prioritize his cultivation...’

’...since he can raise Cloud Rock Eagles on schedule while still cultivating, raising something else shouldn’t take up too much of his energy.’

’Mmm, I should talk to him now while he isn’t raising any other Spirit Beasts.’

’But I can’t just have him raise any random Spirit Beast. I need to consider this carefully.’

Yan Bocheng thought.

He was extremely envious of Jiang Zuo’s talent.

He now somewhat regretted not having Luo Taidong’s boldness back then.

If he had taken Jiang Zuo as his disciple, the situation now would likely be completely different.

「A few days later,」 Jiang Zuo received a message from Cao Guangshan.

He learned that the Cloud Rock Eagles he tamed had become extremely popular among the Outer Disciples, and the number of disciples discussing him and his eagles had skyrocketed recently.

’Looks like I’ll have to find a way to show my face. Otherwise, I won’t be able to gain any Beast Taming Reputation.’

Based on experience, these disciples should be able to bring him a good amount of Beast Taming Reputation.

But since joining the Black Tortoise Dao Sect, Jiang Zuo hadn’t really shown his face in front of other disciples.

Even if they greatly admired his Beast Taming skills, people who had never seen him couldn’t provide him with Beast Taming Reputation.

’I should show my face at the grand decennial competition this time.’

Jiang Zuo quickly made up his mind.

Normally, if he went out to make an appearance, the number of disciples who would see him wouldn’t be very large.

But by participating in the grand sect competition, the number of disciples who had seen him would soar.

A few more days passed. Jiang Zuo was expecting a disciple from the Beast Taming Arena to deliver a new batch of Cloud Rock Eagles, but he was surprised to find Yan Bocheng at his door.

"Elder Yan, may I ask why you’ve come looking for me?"

Jiang Zuo got straight to the point.

Luo Taidong had not yet returned. Without a specific reason, Yan Bocheng would not have come all the way to Taihao Peak.

"It’s like this, Zhou Yong. I would like to ask you to raise another type of Spirit Beast and see if you can figure out a way to tame them."

Yan Bocheng said, getting straight to the point as well.

"Oh? And what Spirit Beast might that be?"

Jiang Zuo asked curiously.

"The Golden Lark! Soon after birth, they can reach the strength of a first-rank late-stage beast, and they can easily break through to the second rank upon reaching adulthood."

"Golden Larks have an extremely strong ability to sense Spiritual Qi, Evil Qi, and Killing Intent. Keeping one by your side allows you to sense danger."

"They can play a crucial role, especially when exploring unknown territories."

"However, Golden Larks are too difficult to tame. They are extremely wary of humans, especially strangers. Even a Golden Lark raised from a young age might be friendly with humans at first, but they often fly away without a word after just a few years."

"Right now, the dozen or so Golden Larks in the Beast Taming Arena are basically being held captive with restrictive seals to prevent them from escaping."

Yan Bocheng explained.

If the Golden Larks could be properly tamed—not necessarily to the level of the Cloud Rock Eagles, but just enough for them to stay voluntarily and not flee randomly when taken outside—they could be of immense use when needed.

Both Yan Bocheng and the previous heads of the Beast Taming Arena had high hopes for the Golden Larks, but in the end, they all had to give up, finding no way to proceed.

Over the past few days, just as he was wondering what Spirit Beast to have Jiang Zuo research, two Golden Larks happened to hatch.

Yan Bocheng felt this might be fate and immediately came to find Jiang Zuo to discuss the matter.

"I can do it, but researching how to raise them will certainly take up a lot of my time."

"My cultivation speed has slowed down recently, and I want to find a Spirit Fire to aid my cultivation. I would like to ask you, Elder Yan, to find a Spirit Fire for me as compensation."

Jiang Zuo thought for a moment and agreed.

But he also took the opportunity to ask for a Spirit Fire as payment.

The sect was willing to offer a Spirit Fire as a competition prize, and these Golden Larks sounded very useful. He figured it wouldn’t be unreasonable to have Elder Yan request a Spirit Fire from the sect.

"A Spirit Fire, you say? If you’re not picky about its quality, then that’s no problem!"

Yan Bocheng said immediately.

After Jiang Zuo made it clear he wasn’t particular about the Spirit Fire’s quality, it only took three days for Yan Bocheng to deliver one to him.