The Master of Beasts

After several years of cultivation, the Silver Iron Chickens had finally reached their third generation. These newly born Mutant Spiritual Beasts inherited the Spiritual Chicken's strong breeding and rapid growth characteristics.

The third generation of Silver Iron Chickens had undergone certain changes in appearance: their wings became larger, their eyes sharper, and their claws more pointed. Chen Jiuge was increasingly convinced they were evolving in the direction of eagles, though it was still too early to be certain.

Studying the Silver Iron Chickens in his hands, Chen Jiuge pondered, Perhaps in a few more years, these Silver Iron Chickens might transform into Silver Iron Eagles.

After dealing with the newly hatched little creatures, Chen Jiuge encountered his Senior Sister Wen, who had come looking for him.

Seeing the notice in his senior sister's hand, Chen Jiuge was quite surprised. Normally, his sister maintained a calm and unhurried demeanor, but today she seemed somewhat anxious.

"Junior Brother, the Sect's Beast Breeding Competition is going to start in one hundred years. Have you heard about this?" Senior Sister Wen asked.

"Yes, I specifically went to check on it," Chen Jiuge nodded.

"That's good. Junior Brother, the reward for first place in this year's Beast Breeding Competition is a Divine Beast cub. It's said to be the offspring of the Great Elder's chief Spiritual Beast, the Ba Snake. You must go and register to participate," Senior Sister Wen said excitedly, a reaction Chen Jiuge understood.

It was said that before the Great Elder took his position, the Beast Breeding Competition was indeed held, but on a much smaller scale with mediocre rewards. Since the Great Elder, a Beast Breeding Master, assumed his role, he had continuously increased the richness of the rewards. Coupled with the numerous Spiritual Beasts he personally cultivated, the Beast Breeding Competition had now become the Sect's premier event, its fervor surpassing even that of the Outer Sect or Inner Sect Grand Competitions.

"The offspring of the Ba Snake? A descendant of the Golden Immortal Ba Snake?" Chen Jiuge said in disbelief.

"Yes," Wen Ruo said, covering her mouth and chuckling softly. "It's said that for this reward, the Ba Snake even beat up the Great Elder. I heard the Great Elder specifically went to the Demon Abyss Battlefield to catch many Demon Snakes just to appease the Ba Snake."

However, Senior Sister, this Beast Breeding Competition might be the liveliest in many years, Chen Jiuge thought with a wry smile. The offspring of a Golden Immortal! That means True Immortals, Heavenly Immortals, and even Elders who are Golden Immortals themselves will all participate. It'll be difficult enough to even make the shortlist, let alone win first place.

The Beast Breeding Competition happened once every eight hundred years, and now only one hundred years remained. Even with the assistance of the Golden Finger, breeding a Spiritual Beast takes time. I wonder if I'll be able to prepare in time.

"Junior Brother, don't be discouraged. I believe you can do it! This is the notice for the Beast Breeding Competition; take a look. Our Hundred Herbs Peak hasn't reached the official competition grounds of the Beast Breeding Competition for many years. This time, we're counting on you, Junior Brother!"

"Elder Gu also said that if you need anything, he'll help. Just let me know what you need, and I will sort it out," Wen Ruo said, making an encouraging gesture.

Just as Chen Jiuge was about to discuss with his senior sister the possibility of entering the Silver Iron Chickens in the competition, a surge of powerful Spiritual Energy suddenly erupted from the direction of his cave mansion.

Sensing the familiar and scorching Spiritual Energy, Chen Jiuge exclaimed with joy, "Is Da Shan awake?"

"Junior Brother, what is this?" Wen Ruo asked, tilting her head.

"It's one of my Spiritual Beasts. Senior Sister, you might not have seen it before," Chen Jiuge explained with a smile as he recounted Da Shan's origins.

"Poor little fellow. But with your help, Junior Brother, and Master's, Da Shan has truly turned misfortune into a blessing," Wen Ruo said with a smile.

Da Bai, Qi Daoyuan, Yue Meng, and Black Eye, who was always nearby, had arrived at the small courtyard before Chen Jiuge.

"Where's Da Shan?" Chen Jiuge asked.

Da Bai shook his head. "Da Shan said he's become ugly and doesn't want to come out. He's hiding in his room now."

???? Chen Jiuge was utterly confused. He was clearly much cuter now, wasn't he? Could this be a monkey's perspective on aesthetics?

"Go and comfort that little monkey first, Junior Brother. I'll visit next time," Wen Ruo said with a light laugh.

"Pardon me," Chen Jiuge said, arriving at the door of a room. The familiar fluctuation of Spiritual Energy told him Da Shan was inside.

Upon opening the door, he saw a red monkey butt sticking out, Da Shan's body trembling slightly.

Chen Jiuge patted Da Shan on the back and asked, "Da Shan, what's wrong?"

Not daring to show his face, Da Shan clutched the blanket tighter around himself and mumbled, "I've become ugly! I can't let any beast see me!"

This blunt statement nearly left Chen Jiuge speechless.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Da Shan, as a male, appearance isn't everything. Do you think Black Eye is handsome?"

My apologies, Black Eye, Chen Jiuge thought. There was no denying Black Eye was probably the homeliest Spiritual Beast under his command—though 'homely' wasn't quite right either. Hellhounds were inherently savage beasts, after all, so a terrifying appearance was normal.

"Ugly," the naive little monkey replied without hesitation after a moment.

"See? Even you think Black Eye is ugly, yet he married three beautiful wives. So, Da Shan, do you know why?" Chen Jiuge prodded.

"Why?"

"Because Black Eye is the Clan Leader of the Golden Dog Clan; his strength is paramount. For males, it's not about looks, but about strength and reliability," Chen Jiuge explained.

Having never been exposed to toxic "chicken soup" for the soul, Da Shan now naturally lowered the blanket covering his head. His monkey face, wet with snot and tears, looked expectantly at Chen Jiuge as he asked, "Really?"

"Really. Why would Master lie to you? So, Da Shan, you need to work hard on your cultivation," Chen Jiuge said, struggling to suppress his laughter.

The truth was, Da Shan's appearance was just too comical. Perhaps when he awoke, he hadn't controlled the erupting Li Fire properly, causing his scalp to be burned bald. He had become a monkey with a comical bald patch on top of his head.

Watching Da Shan walk out with newfound masculine confidence, chest puffed out, a burst of loud laughter suddenly erupted outside.

Chen Jiuge cursed inwardly. This bunch is so thoughtless! And Da Bai, of all creatures! It's one thing for the others to laugh, but you're Da Shan's good friend, and you're laughing the loudest! What a terrible friend.

It was hard to say whether the "chicken soup" had been too potent or if Da Shan had genuinely overcome this hurdle. He walked past them with an expressionless face, even kicked Da Bai, who was rolling on the ground with laughter, before calmly exiting the courtyard and disappearing into the vast plains.

Only after Da Shan's figure disappeared from sight did Chen Jiuge, exasperated by their insensitivity, point at the beasts and scold, "He's still just a child! How could you all laugh at him like that?"

"But... but it was just too funny!" Da Bai was the first to respond.

"Boring. You're wasting my Alchemy time," Yue Meng said coolly.

Chen Jiuge was speechless. You were laughing quite heartily just now too, Yue Meng! And after all these years, have you still not reached the Fourth Rank?

Just as he was about to ask about her Alchemy progress, he saw Yue Meng dragging Da Bai (who was still rolling on the ground) away, with Qi Daoyuan following. The Three Beasts left together.

Chen Jiuge was confused. "How did those three end up together?"

Black Eye explained honestly, "Apparently, Sister Yue found the peculiar aura of those two Fire Flood Dragon Chickens you sent over distasteful, Master. She said it compromised her dignity as a Great Alchemist, so she roped Da Bai into being her Fire Burning Boy."

Chen Jiuge was speechless. That 'peculiar chicken-like aura' really is a problem, huh? Every Fire Flood Dragon Chicken has this issue, just to varying degrees.