The Master of Beasts

As the time for the Beast Breeding Competition drew near, the atmosphere in the Myriad Beasts Sect grew increasingly fervent. Even the Spiritual Beast Stores in the Myriad Beasts Domain began offering numerous discounts, and many novel spiritual creatures appeared in various shops.

Time passed, and the preliminary competition finally began.

On that day, Chen Jiuge left Eden Garden with the Silver King.

Even at the peak, Chen Jiuge could hear the clamor of various Spiritual Beasts and the angry scolding and reprimands of their masters.

"Senior Sister, once you're ready, let's go," Senior Sister Wen's voice came from nearby.

Senior Sister Wen was exceptionally striking today, having dressed up with particular care.

"Thank you for this, Senior Sister," Chen Jiuge expressed his gratitude.

"No need to be polite. Let's go," Wen Ruo said with a light laugh as she summoned her Seven-Star Mirage Dragon.

This was Chen Jiuge's first encounter with the Seven-Star Mirage Dragon. Compared to the earlier Heavenly Mirage Dragon, this one was much larger. Its surface was branded with various mysterious star patterns. Chen Jiuge, however, could not perceive its complete form, as the creature extended far beyond the range of his Divine Sense.

"Senior Sister, this Seven-Star Mirage Dragon is truly magnificent," Chen Jiuge said enviously.

"Hehe, Sanhua usually doesn't like to go out. Its large size makes it inconvenient," Wen Ruo said with a light laugh.

Hundred Herbs Peak was actually some distance from the Myriad Beasts Sect's main encampment, usually accessed via a Transmission Array. However, the array would undoubtedly be crowded that day. Since Senior Sister Wen also wanted to see the Beast Breeding Competition, the two planned to ride Sanhua, given its great speed.

Seated atop Sanhua, Chen Jiuge felt no wind and couldn't even see other Spiritual Beasts. Indeed, a Spiritual Beast as massive as the Seven-Star Mirage Dragon was not suitable as a flying mount.

It felt like only a short while had passed when Senior Sister Wen's gentle voice announced, "Junior Brother, we've arrived."

「Myriad Beasts Sect's Main Base」

As the Main Hall of the Myriad Beasts Sect, its sheer size was undeniably unparalleled.

At that moment, many Sect Disciples had already gathered in the Main Hall's square. Sanhua's appearance sparked gasps of amazement among the disciples.

"Whose Spiritual Beast is this? Does the sect actually have a Beast Breeder capable of raising a Mirage Dragon?" one disciple asked with a hint of despair.

"You country bumpkin! That's the Spiritual Beast of Hundred Herbs Peak's Eldest Senior Sister—the Seven-Star Mirage Dragon!" another disciple said disdainfully.

"Alright, Junior Brother, let's go down. Sanhua will return on its own; it doesn't like staying inside a Spiritual Beast Bag," Wen Ruo smiled.

The two descended gently from atop Sanhua using the Wind Control Technique. As they landed, they noticed most of the disciples staring at them.

Chen Jiuge said somewhat uncomfortably, "Senior Sister, why is everyone looking at us?"

"Junior Brother, it's always like this when I go out with Sanhua. You'll get used to it," Wen Ruo laughed.

Many disciples were participating in the Beast Breeding Competition. The judge for the preliminary competition was primarily the Mirage Dragon responsible for the sect's assessments.

The square was filled with large White Mirrors formed from coalesced white clouds. Disciples only needed to place their competing Spiritual Beasts and cultivation handbooks inside. These mirrors would then automatically simulate the nurturing process and provide an overall score to determine who would advance to the finals.

In other words, at least ninety-nine percent of the numerous disciples in the square would be eliminated.

"Senior Sister, should I just go line up to have Silver King scored?" Chen Jiuge, participating in the Beast Breeding Competition for the first time, felt somewhat at a loss.

Wen Ruo pondered, then said, "I'm not entirely sure either. The Beast Breeding Competition was held less than a hundred years after I joined the sect. Back then, I just followed Master to have a look around and watched for a bit. But we can see what the other Junior Brothers do first."

With Silver King, now shrunk to the size of a typical eagle, the two found a nearby White Mirror and decided to observe. Naturally, Chen Jiuge wasn't the only one with this idea.

In front of this White Mirror, a disciple holding an incredibly charming cat said confidently, "See my Sapphire? This is the Happy Cat I've cultivated through eight hundred years of dedicated research. Stroke Sapphire, and you'll gain endless happiness!"

Hearing the disciple describe the cat's supposedly miraculous effect, Wen Ruo grew curious and asked, "May I pet it?"

The disciple looked, and oh! It was Hundred Herbs Peak's Eldest Senior Sister. He immediately handed over Sapphire, saying, "Please do, Senior Sister. My Happy Cat will definitely bring you joy."

Wen Ruo gently took Sapphire. The kitten was quite docile and compliant. After she stroked its fur a couple of times, Chen Jiuge was shocked to see Senior Sister Wen actually smile—not her standard, gentle smile, but one that seemed to come from the heart. What kind of divine 'poison cat' is this?!

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Chen Jiuge also asked the disciple if he could experience the happiness Sapphire brought. The disciple agreed readily, perhaps out of respect for Senior Sister Wen.

Stroking Sapphire, Chen Jiuge felt the happiest memories of his life intensify in his mind, as if they had just occurred. A wide grin spread across his face, and he burst into laughter.

Somewhat alarmed, Chen Jiuge pulled his hands back and couldn't help but exclaim, "This is practically a poison cat!"

"Hey, how can you say that, Senior Brother? Our lives as cultivators are quite dull. The Happy Cat helps you recall happiness and relax your mind. These things are beneficial for cultivation," the disciple retorted, unconvinced.

Chen Jiuge realized his slip of the tongue and quickly apologized, "My apologies, my apologies! Your Sapphire is truly amazing, Senior Brother."

"I am Chen Jiuge. And you are, Senior Brother?" Chen Jiuge asked, now genuinely interested in this disciple. Anyone who could cultivate such an extraordinary creature like Sapphire couldn't be a bad person, right?

"Ah, you're Chen Jiuge from Eden Garden? I'm Yue Sheng from Cat Peak!" Yue Sheng exclaimed, a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Senior Brother Yue Sheng, you should go get scored first. The disciples behind you seem anxious," Chen Jiuge suggested.

"Just call me Junior Brother," Yue Sheng demurred.

Chen Jiuge watched as Yue Sheng placed the Happy Cat, Sapphire, and a Jade Scroll into the White Mirror together.

While Chen Jiuge and the other disciples couldn't discern any change in the White Mirror, Yue Sheng's expression grew animated. He kept muttering, seemingly pointing out errors in the mirror's simulation.

A quarter of an hour later, Yue Sheng retrieved the Happy Cat, looking as if he wished for more. "Truly magical! If I could experience that again, perhaps I could cultivate a Super Happy Cat!"

"Junior Brother, did you pass?" Chen Jiuge asked in disbelief, noticing a new green Token in Yue Sheng's hand.

"Just luck, Senior Brother," Yue Sheng replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

Chen Jiuge turned to Wen Ruo and said, "Is there perhaps a novelty factor in the Spirit Beast Breeding scoring criteria?"

"Perhaps," Wen Ruo mused, also looking puzzled. "The criteria change with each competition, though some benchmarks remain constant." If a Spiritual Beast like the Happy Cat, which is almost purely a pet, could pass, are this year's assessment standards too low?

Perhaps there are scoring standards we're unaware of, Chen Jiuge mused. He didn't believe the Elders would make such an error.