The Master of Beasts

After dealing with the language issues of his subordinates, Chen Jiuge wasted no time in selecting numerous Body Refining Techniques from the Scripture Pavilion for them to cultivate. During this process, the Book Spirit thoroughly fleeced him of quite a few Spirit Stones.

This Book Spirit is truly ruthless. Chen Jiuge felt a bit of heartache over the Spirit Stones.

His own Cultivation time was short. Since Li Qiwen and the others wanted to change their Cultivation Techniques, spending some Spirit Stones to get the Book Spirit's advice was the most appropriate solution. It was unnecessary to bother his Senior Sister and Master over such a small matter.

My own adventures are indeed hard to describe.

In the Fire Qilin Secret Realm, he had encountered no real danger. Instead, he met Senior Brother Huo Lie and safely reached the secure zone. The most anticipated event, the birth of the Fire Qilin, turned out to be a bit of a farce and ended without any excitement. Yet, he still managed to freeload a Fire Qilin Bloodline.

This time, in the Martial Arts World, he arrived with a strong force, intending to conduct an experiment and hone himself. However, the opposing side simply surrendered, no longer needing their intervention. He freeloaded Bali, improved his Cultivation Technique, acquired a city, and hadn't even needed to step out of Taiyuan City—it was simply incredible.

Could it be that I am a Child of Destiny? Chen Jiuge expressed his deep suspicion regarding this.

After handing over the Cultivation Techniques to Li Qiwen and the others, Chen Jiuge called over Black Eye, who was herding nearby. "They are newcomers," he said. "Tell them about Eden Garden. They will be responsible for selling Spiritual Beasts, as well as some miscellaneous tasks and security."

Black Eye solemnly nodded its large head twice. Chen Jiuge, somewhat vexed, vigorously rubbed its head a couple of times before deciding to head towards his Master's cave mansion.

As a Heavenly Immortal expert, Wen Tianming's cave mansion was remarkably "simple." It consisted of a few interconnected small wooden houses, with various Spiritual Medicines planted nearby. Drawing closer, Chen Jiuge gasped; these Spiritual Medicines were either Seventh Rank or already of Immortal Grade.

Seeing Chen Jiuge, a stranger visiting for the first time, those higher-Grade Spiritual Medicines transformed one by one into small humanoid figures. With wide, innocent eyes, they hid behind the Spiritual Medicines that couldn't take humanoid form, peeking out furtively and whispering amongst themselves. Although Chen Jiuge could not understand their language, he could roughly guess their meaning.

"Alright, little ones, return now. This is the Master's newest disciple," a wooden house door opened, and an old man in green attire said gently.

The old man turned and introduced himself, "I am the Master's Spiritual Beast, an Eternal Vine. The little Eternal Vine you possess is one of my children. My name is Guman."

"Senior Guman, I will take good care of the little Eternal Vine," Chen Jiuge quickly said, bowing respectfully.

"There's no need for such formality. You are the Master's disciple, so you can just call me by my name. Or, like your Master Wen does, you can call me Old Gu. As for my child, I believe he will thrive," Guman said with a smile.

"Guman, go prepare some tea. I want to chat with Jiuge," Wen Tianming said, emerging from the central wooden house.

While Guman went to prepare the tea, Wen Tianming carefully examined Chen Jiuge's cultivation state. "Peak of Fourth Rank Body Refinement, not bad," he commented. "However, the improvements to your Cultivation Technique aren't that great. Show me the Cultivation Technique from that minor world; I'll take a look at it for you."

After roughly examining these Cultivation Techniques, Wen Tianming closed his eyes, contemplated for a moment, and then infused a beam of Spirit Light into Chen Jiuge's mind. "I've merged these techniques with the Green Vine Immortal Body," he explained. "However, you can only cultivate it up to the Mahayana realm. The cultivation methods beyond the True Immortal realm will still require your own improvements. Nevertheless, the system from that minor world is quite compatible with the Green Vine Immortal Body. After these enhancements, it will significantly boost your recovery and defensive capabilities. Very good."

At that moment, Guman returned with two cups of tea.

Sitting at the stone table in the small courtyard, Wen Tianming said, "Try it. See what you think of your Master's Spiritual Tea."

Looking at the ordinary-looking tea, Chen Jiuge took a small sip. A massive wave of Spiritual Energy washed through his body. His previously somewhat unstable Body Refining Cultivation instantly stabilized and consolidated. Even his Qi Cultivation improved by a large margin, advancing directly to the late Nascent Soul stage.

Chen Jiuge, feeling the changes within himself, was filled with shock.

Wen Tianming sipped his tea and said, "It only has this effect with the first sip. When you return, consolidate your Cultivation well. Avoid being too rash."

"I've also learned a thing or two about the situation in that minor world. It was mainly Baili Wen of the Baili Family who broke the rules, which in turn gave the Imperial Family of that minor world the right to choose. That world would have been quite suitable for your training. It's a pity.

"Those hundred or so people you brought back are from that minor world, correct? Once individuals from a minor world achieve a certain level of Cultivation and join our Myriad Beasts Sect, they typically become part of the Guardian Army. Their duties involve expanding territory for the Sect in various minor worlds or battling the Demon Abyss.

"Since there aren't many this time, I've arranged for them to become your personal servant disciples. In the future, try to avoid bringing back people who haven't ascended on their own. Wait until your Cultivation is higher and you're preparing to go to the battlefront against the Demon Abyss before you recruit more.

"Also, set aside the Purple Blood Daoist Soldiers you refined for now. Concentrate more on the path of Guardian Beasts. For you, Daoist Soldiers are, at best, just manual labor; they're not as beneficial as nurturing Guardian Beasts. Besides, specializing in too many areas is detrimental to achieving immortality."

"Thank you, Master, for your guidance," Chen Jiuge said, expressing his gratitude with a bow.

"There's no need for such ceremony. I am nearing my Tribulation, so I'll have less energy to focus on you. If you have any questions in the future, you can ask Guman. As a Heavenly Immortal, he can resolve most general problems for you."

"By the way, your Eden Garden has gained quite a reputation recently," Wen Tianming said with a slight smile. "Elder Tian, who oversees the Fierce Beast minor world, mentioned wanting to find a Lifebound Spirit Beast for his granddaughter. Find a promising one for him. It might also bring some advantages when your Spiritual Beasts train there in the future."

"I understand. But Master, would a True Immortal still be lacking Spiritual Beasts?" Chen Jiuge scratched his head, puzzled.

"Everywhere lacks something," Wen Tianming explained. "Elder Tian ascended from the lowest ranks of servant disciples and now has only his granddaughter left. Our Sect's Spiritual Beast Hall primarily cultivates specific lineages of Spiritual Beasts. Their inherent qualities and potential are significantly better than those found outside, but they still aren't top-tier.

"There are actually many disciples and Elders in the Sect, like yourself, who cultivate high-potential Spiritual Beasts for sale. However, nurturing a truly exceptional Spiritual Beast is an extremely slow process, so demand always outstrips supply."

So that's how it is. Chen Jiuge had a moment of realization. He had always assumed the Sect was overflowing with Spiritual Beasts, given the consistently thriving business of its external Spiritual Beast Stores.

"I won't say much more about other matters. You're still at the Nascent Soul stage, so just continue your Cultivation step by step. The path of Cultivation is about following one's true heart. Since you've already chosen the way of Guardian Beasts, don't get too sidetracked. Having Body Cultivation as a means of self-preservation is sufficient. Return and focus on your training," Wen Tianming advised.

Chen Jiuge bowed respectfully and took his leave.

"Guman," Wen Tianming said to him, "I won't be able to leave my seclusion easily after this. When this young disciple of mine breaks through to the Returning to Void realm, take two little ones from the Medicine Garden to his Eden Garden to bolster its foundation. Since he shows talent in Spirit Beast Breeding, as his Master, it's only right that I support him."

"Understood, Master."

Unless one becomes an Immortal Daluo Golden Immortal, one will always be troubled by the limits of Life Span. Cultivation is arduous, achieving long life is difficult, and attaining coevality with the heavens is harder still. Wen Tianming sighed with emotion, then formally began his secluded Cultivation.