The Master of Beasts

Chen Jiuge was unaware of the Chen Family's final decision. Instead, it was his Master, who knew that Chen Jiuge was about to enter the Small World, who bestowed upon him ten Daoist Soldiers who had achieved Perfect Returning to Void. He was given only this small number to ensure he would gain experience.

Otherwise, a Heavenly Immortal grandee could have easily given several hundred Returning to Void Daoist Soldiers, but that would have diminished the trial.

After a month of frenziedly refining Purple-Blooded Daoist Soldiers, he had finally, barely managed to gather one hundred.

In his possession, he also had a Fifth Rank top-tier Magic Treasure, the Heavy Water Pagoda—a unified offensive and defensive item—a Fifth Rank top-tier Magic Treasure called the Wind God Wings for preserving life, and a large number of High Rank healing and recovery Elixirs. This time, Chen Jiuge had truly upgraded his arsenal, arming himself to the teeth.

The day before he was set to depart for the Small World, the Chen Family's reinforcements finally arrived.

Following the notification from the Mountain Guarding Disciples, Chen Jiuge met with his family's support force.

"Dad?" Chen Jiuge exclaimed in surprise, seeing Chen Chen, fully armed, standing at the forefront of the troops.

"Son, the family has really splurged this time: a total of one thousand Nascent Soul Cultivation Red Armored Army soldiers, three hundred Divinity Transformation Cultivation Black Armor Army soldiers, and an additional thirty Returning to Void clansmen. This will absolutely help you conquer the Small World," Chen Chen explained nonchalantly.

Chen Jiuge looked at the military force, feeling a bit troubled. He wanted his family's support, but this seemed excessive. With such a force, he could probably steamroll everything upon entry, couldn't he?

"Son, this setup is quite normal. When a Small World's Dao faces a crisis, it will consume a vast amount of its Origin Power to create numerous powerful warriors. Although our family has sent many people, compared to an entire Small World, they represent only a slightly larger power," Hua Yu explained, stepping out from behind him.

Chen Jiuge was aware of this phenomenon, but having never experienced it personally, he wasn't sure if it was truly that exaggerated. Still, since his mother had said so, there wasn't much room for objection. Besides, more people meant more strength, making his mission easier and safer; there was no downside.

After agreeing on the time, Chen Jiuge arranged for his parents and clansmen to stay in the nearby Hundred Herbs Garden Immortal City. The mission would officially start tomorrow; all he needed to do was go to the Sect to collect the transmission Token, which was very convenient.

That same night, the siblings from the Zhu Family visited Chen Jiuge's Eden Garden again.

Zhu Yinghuang was as casual as ever. "Brother Chen, how are your preparations? This time, our family has provided my little sister and me with one hundred Returning to Void Daoist Soldiers, three thousand Divinity Transformation Daoist Soldiers, and quite a few Returning to Void clansmen."

Chen Jiuge looked at Zhu Yinghuang, his face a mask of questions. "Brother Zhu, so many Daoist Soldiers for a Small World where the limit is merely Returning to Void? Are you planning to punch right through it?"

Zhu Yinghuang glanced at his sister. "Little sister, you explain. I didn't quite remember the details."

Zhu Yingque gave her brother an exasperated look. "Senior Brother Chen, usually a Small World's limit is Mahayana. Immortals cannot enter, not even those who have begun the Transcendence Tribulation Stage."

"However, this Small World's limit is clearly one level lower, indicating its Heavenly Dao is quite stingy; consequently, its Origin Power will be extremely abundant. In a life-or-death crisis, this Small World's Heavenly Dao will release a large amount of Origin Power to create powerful fighters. Although it won't break the cultivation limit, mass-producing Returning to Void cultivators will be very easy."

"If possible, it's best to bring more support. If that's not an option, you can always join us."

"I see. There's no need to join you, though; my family has already sent people. I also want to earn Merits to exchange for territory," Chen Jiuge said.

"Yes, the inhabitants of this Small World have a very high potential when refined into Daoist Soldiers, especially Body Refinement Daoist Soldiers. They do hold considerable value," Zhu Yingque confirmed.

"Oh, right, Brother Chen," Zhu Yingque continued, "the main reason we came this time is to inform you that if you have the capability, you should prioritize seizing a city. The flow of time in Small Worlds differs: one hundred years there is equivalent to one year in the Heavenly Realm. Immortal Daluo Golden Immortals have already reversed causality, so our lifespans will only be affected by the passage of time in the Heavenly Realm," she reminded him.

"Thank you, Junior Sister," Chen Jiuge said gratefully.

This news was very important. Ordinary families were likely still unaware of it. After all, even when Chen Jiuge had been desperately refining Daoist Soldiers previously, he had taken the time to research this and hadn't come across this information.

Watching the retreating figures of the Zhu siblings, Chen Jiuge couldn't help but feel emotional. They are truly kind people.

"However, with plenty of time, if I want to nurture the natives of the Small World, it seems I need to prepare a few more things," Chen Jiuge mused.

Overnight, he went on a large-scale shopping spree for Low Rank Body Refinement Elixirs, filling dozens of Storage Bags before he was finally satisfied and stopped.

「Martial Arts Small World」

The original masters of the Imperial Palace had been replaced by disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect stationed there.

Embracing the former princess, the young man with the highest status in this land caressed the woman beside him with a hint of reluctance. He said to his indulgent fellow disciples below, "I didn't expect our stationing period to end so soon. It's really a bit hard to let go."

The disciples below teased, "Brother Baili, your family's ancestor is a Golden Immortal of Great Power! If you want to stay, isn't it just a matter of saying the word?"

Baili Wen glanced at the disciple, a wild smile playing on his lips. "Yes, my family's ancestor is a Golden Immortal."

Before the disciple could rejoice, Baili Wen filled the cup in his hand with Mana and smashed it onto the disciple's head. "Fool!" he roared. "Who do you think I am? I am Baili Wen! A mere Small World cannot stop my journey to becoming an Immortal!"

Seeing the disciple in the great hall on the brink of death, the other disciples immediately fell silent.

Baili Wen's eagle-like eyes scanned the room. He stood up and lifted the former princess, who had gone limp beside him. "During this period," he declared, "everyone has made their profit, and we've plundered plenty of resources. I, Baili Wen, have not treated you poorly. The Small World's counterattack is beginning, and I don't want any of my people to die here."

"We will obey Young Master Baili's instructions!" the disciples knelt and said in unison.

"Hmph. Stay out of trouble during this time," Baili Wen said, looking at his kneeling fellow disciples. "The disciples from the Sect replacing us will arrive soon. This time, an Immortal Daluo Golden Immortal has intervened to reverse causality. If anything untoward happens, you'll only have yourselves to blame for your deaths. Understand?"

"Understood!"

The absurd banquet ended. The departing disciples left with heavy hearts. According to the Sect's rules for pioneering Small Worlds, Baili Wen, as the one in charge of this first deployment, has violated all of them. Of course, as the Young Master of the Golden Immortal Baili Family, Baili Wen himself would naturally not face any consequences. It would be small fries like us who would suffer. How could we not be worried?

「Heavenly Realm.」

Early in the morning, Chen Jiuge went to the Main Hall to receive his Task Token.

The Steward issuing the Tokens said to Chen Jiuge, "This is your first time receiving a Small World task. I must inform you of some rules that absolutely must not be violated."

"Do not commit mass slaughter in the Small World. Essentially, we all belong to the Human Clan. Killing too many people will entangle you with Karma, which is detrimental to your Tribulation. Do not casually kill the original Imperial Family of that world, as you risk a backlash from its Heavenly Dao. Finally, do not excessively practice the Small World's cultivation system. It's better to integrate it into, and improve upon, the original Magic Techniques of the Heavenly Realm."