The Master of Beasts

Chen Jiuge hadn't actually left in anger. Although he was a little upset, it wasn't to an extreme degree. After all, in just a few short decades of training, the five beasts had all reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, so he wouldn't demand too much.

It was just that this situation was indeed a bit embarrassing, and on top of that, the next batch of Silver Iron Chickens was about to hatch, so he had to be there right away.

The first to discover the return of the five beasts was Black Eye.

He had just come back from herding and was planning to take his three little wives to the Spirit Lake District to catch some Spiritual Fish to replenish themselves when he saw the five strange Fierce Beasts not far away, and a fierce look appeared on his face.

"Black Eye, Black Eye," War Song waved his large hand, greeting his old friend whom he hadn't seen in a while.

"So, it's the five of them who have returned," Black Eye said, looking at War Song atop one of the unfamiliar Spiritual Beasts. Only then did he lower his guard.

Upon closer inspection, he realized these five beasts had indeed changed a lot. Each looked like an old man weathered by the elements. Though I'm not sure if this analogy is quite right, Black Eye muttered to himself.

"Who are these three?" War Song asked, looking hesitantly at the three shiny-haired Golden Dogs beside Black Eye.

"These are my three wives," Black Eye said somewhat proudly.

As the king of the Golden Dog clan, Black Eye had finally married three wives in front of his clan members a short while ago.

War Song, feeling both envious and melancholic, said, "I can't believe you already have wives, Black Eye. My poor Little Flower is still waiting for me."

"Uh, War Song…"

"Just let me think for a moment," War Song muttered to himself. "Tell me, if I sneak out, can I still find Little Flower? Hey, Little Flower seems to be in the Outer Sect, and Spiritual Beasts can't use the Transmission Array privately. What do you think? If I steal Master's Token, will I get beaten to death?"

"Actually, your Little Flower is already here," Black Eye said, somewhat exasperated by War Song's incessant rambling. Despite his tough-guy image, he was quite the chatterbox.

"What did you say?" War Song thought he had misheard.

Black Eye just jerked his chin, gesturing for War Song to look behind him.

Turning his head, War Song saw a beautiful figure holding two Spiritual Beast cubs, staring blankly at him.

What are those things in my sweetheart's arms? I haven't even had a chance to hold her yet! War Song suddenly thought.

He rushed forward, sneakily nudging the cubs out of Little Flower's arms. Thankfully, Black Eye caught them in time and could only silently express his exasperation at War Song getting jealous even over young children.

The cloying sweetness of romance made the other four good brothers wince. The four beasts were just planning to find a place to rest when Senior Brother Huo Lie's Fire Flood Dragon, Fire God, arrived. He brought a string of gifts and enthusiastically invited Ao Yi to lunch.

Watching the reserved Ao Yi follow Fire God away with demure steps, Yue Li ground his teeth and said, "Traitors, all of them! So fierce in the small world, and now they're just putting on airs. It's detestable!"

"That's right, Yue Li is correct!" said Ao Li, his eyes red with jealousy.

"Well, this doesn't really concern the rest of us much," Yang Huan commented. He, for one, didn't oppose his good brother finding a partner. Though it was a bit jarring to watch, it was still a good thing.

Meanwhile, after War Song and Little Flower exchanged some affectionate nuzzles, the two apes mounted the Fierce Beast War Song had brought back. They strolled across the grassland, recounting the hardships of their recent separation.

At last, as the topic shifted, War Song thought he had a fantastic idea: "Little Flower, why don't you persuade your master to stay in Eden Garden?"

"My master definitely wouldn't agree," Little Flower shook her head. "Sister Baili said my master's talent is excellent, and she'll very likely reach the Nascent Soul realm within sixty years. Considering that cultivators without any backing usually can't reach the Nascent Soul realm before they're three hundred years old, my master's talent is ranked very highly even in the Outer Sect."

"Then how about I ask my master to issue a mission, and you get your master to accept it?" War Song's eyes lit up.

"That might be possible... I don't know, but we can try," Little Flower replied. She also really wanted to stay with War Song.

The more the two beasts discussed it, the more feasible the plan seemed. They then went off separately to persuade their respective masters.

Whistling, with his hands behind his back, War Song paced back and forth behind Chen Jiuge several times. Seeing that his master didn't seem to be paying him any mind, he grew so anxious he started scratching his head and ears.

Luckily, Chen Jiuge finally spoke at that moment: "What are you up to? If you have something to say, just spit it out."

War Song's large monkey face showed a hint of embarrassment as he quietly moved closer to Chen Jiuge's ear and shared his thoughts.

After listening, Chen Jiuge looked with some surprise at this monkey, who usually only knew how to fight and typically had an IQ in the negatives. "It's rare for you to come up with such a sound idea," he said. "I can agree to this, but your Cultivation must not fall behind. If I find your progress lacking, I will cancel the mission outright."

"Don't worry, Master, don't worry! I'm not bragging, but in a few more years, I should be able to undergo Tribulation and achieve Divinity Transformation!" War Song boasted proudly.

"As long as you understand. If Chen Tingting agrees, just go and speak directly with Li Qiwen," Chen Jiuge said, gesturing towards Li Qiwen who was nearby.

"Okay, okay."

Watching War Song sprint away joyously, Chen Jiuge just smiled and shook his head.

At this, Li Qiwen remarked with some envy, "Senior Brother, your Spiritual Beast is certainly interesting."

"Didn't you also choose a Fire Flood Dragon? Nurture it well. Being interesting isn't the same as being strong," Chen Jiuge replied, carefully examining the Silver Iron Chicken in his hands.

Meanwhile, Chen Tingting found herself in a dilemma. Previously, when she was trying to break through to the Golden Core realm, she couldn't stand Little Flower's pestering and had come to Eden Garden. Now that War Song had returned and the two beasts had reunited, it should have been time for her to leave.

But now these two darlings had come up with such a terrible plan. If I really stay here, what will others think? she wondered.

However, the Spiritual Beasts in her Senior Brother's Eden Garden were indeed numerous and powerful, leaving Chen Tingting quite conflicted.

In the end, she sought out her good friend and Senior Sister, Baili Qing, hoping for some sound advice.

"So, you're worried about what others would say about you staying in Eden Garden?" Baili Qing said, somewhat speechless.

"Tingting, listen to me. Chen Jiuge is now a Direct Disciple of a Heavenly Immortal. It's said that not long ago, in a minor world, he was fortunate enough to be assigned a large city. Cultivation is for the sake of longevity; as long as you're strong enough, who would dare to criticize you?"

"Your talent is good; you're just lacking resources. This is a great opportunity. If you can win over Chen Jiuge, your cultivation path will be much smoother. Even if you can't, for Little Flower's sake, you'll surely gain some benefits."

Being a collateral member of the Baili Family, Baili Qing truly understood the importance of resources.

Chen Tingting found herself captivated by the future Baili Qing described. Although it wouldn't go as far as her having to sacrifice herself, taking on missions in Eden Garden was certainly feasible—at the very least, she could acquire as many resources as possible.

Her heart filled with joy, Little Flower ran into War Song, who had been sprinting all the way. Upon learning that both their masters had agreed, the two beasts happily scampered off to find Li Qiwen.

War Song's decades of longing had finally reached a partial fulfillment. At least he no longer had to suffer the bitterness of separation. Whether or not their relationship could achieve true fruition, however, was still uncertain. After all, the Snow Ape's Bloodline was inferior to War Song's, and whether Little Flower could become an immortal was a significant question mark.