Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

"Not convinced?" Gun Gun remained as arrogant as ever. "If you're not, come at me, all of you!"

The spirit beasts immediately howled and charged.

Gun Gun didn't fight back. He let their attacks land with a flurry of thuds and crackles, only to sneer afterward. "Did Elder Ling forget to feed you all? Feels like you've got no strength at all."

The spirit beasts were furious. With howls of frustration, they pounced again.

Gun Gun dug at his ears lazily and mocked, "What's going on? You're getting even weaker?"

The crowd of beasts began to lose steam.

"You're terrible, Iron-Eating Beast! You've already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and you're still bullying us!"

"Exactly. If we'd been picked by that pretty senior sister, we'd be Foundation Establishment too by now."

"What's there to brag about anyway?"

They grumbled and muttered in a chorus of complaints.

Gun Gun puffed out his chest, utterly shameless. "That's because I'm cuter than all of you. My master chose me, and that was absolutely the right choice."

The other beasts ground their teeth. They were desperate to give him another beating.

But looking at Gun Gun's solid body, they gave up. Attacking him was a waste of strength.

Suddenly, a bright-furred Mingguang Beast spoke. "Gun Gun, since you're Foundation Establishment now, why don't you go spar with the Foundation Establishment spirit beasts?"

The others quickly agreed.

Gun Gun didn't back down at all. He was here to get beaten up, after all!

With all the arrogance in the world, he declared, "Fine, Foundation Establishment it is! I, Master Gun Gun, will show you what true invincibility looks like!"

And with that, he swaggered off toward the higher-ranked spirit beast area.

The Qi Refining beasts eagerly followed, eyes bright with excitement.

Ling Fei: "???"

What is going on here?

A spirit beast riot?

"Gun Gun! Stop! Where are you going?" Ling Fei called out.

Gun Gun stopped and began gesturing wildly.

Ling Fei squinted. "You want to go to the Foundation Establishment area?"

Gun Gun mimed punching.

"You're going to fight them? Don't be ridiculous. The Spirit Beast Pavilion isn't a battlefield!"

But the Qi Refining beasts all squealed their support. Their chatter was full of anticipation.

Ling Fei sighed in resignation.

Where had this Iron-Eating Beast picked up such rabble-rousing tactics? It couldn't have been Yun Jin's doing, could it?

Yun Jin was always calm and well-behaved. No, it had to be the beast itself. Twisted from the start.

Gu Jinghong, standing nearby, offered, "Senior Ling, Gun Gun's been training his Iron Armor skill. I think he wants to use attacks from the Foundation Establishment beasts to temper himself."

Ling Fei paused.

He knew Iron Armor. It was a powerful defensive technique, normally strengthened with specialized Iron Armor Pills.

But it sounded like Gun Gun had his own method.

"This was something the master taught him. So far, it's been effective," Gu Jinghong added.

Now Ling Fei was intrigued.

If Yun Jin taught it, it had to be reliable.

After some thought, Ling Fei said, "The Pavilion can't handle you all rough housing. If that's the case, go to the back mountain. I was just about to let the Foundation Establishment beasts out for exercise."

The Qi Refining beasts cheered.

Ling Fei gave them a gentle glance. "Yes, yes, you can come too."

The chaos finally settled.

On the training grounds, the Foundation Establishment beasts were brought out. Gun Gun still had that punchable expression as he provoked the group. After a couple of jeers, the Mingguang Beast's dream lover, a sleek Dian Guang Beast, let out a sharp cry and bolted toward him.

Its speed was incredible, lightning flickering as it lunged.

The Mingguang Beast watched, stars in her eyes.

Gun Gun didn't even move. A silver shimmer coated his body.

Bang.

The Dian Guang Beast slammed into him and was immediately bounced back.

Several female spirit beasts rushed over to check on the fallen beast.

Mingguang Beast: "???"

She saw all the other girls fussing over the Dian Guang Beast and burst into tears. Her dream beast, it turned out, was nothing but a playboy. The other Mingguang Beasts tried to console her.

Meanwhile, the Dian Guang Beast's harem charged Gun Gun, only to be flung away in turn.

"I haven't even fought back! You're all down already?" Gun Gun yelled, still full of bluster.

But this time, the Mingguang Beast didn't disagree at all. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.

"Forget that Dian Guang Beast, sis. There are better options out there," her sisters said.

The little Mingguang Beast pointed eagerly. "I've decided! From now on, I'm going to like Gun Gun!"

The others: "???"

Her eyes were literal hearts now.

Gun Gun noticed her gaze and glared. "What, you want a turn too?"

She blushed and looked down shyly.

Gun Gun was pleased. Apparently, his glare had quite the effect.

Ling Fei narrowed his eyes. "Rock Beast, your turn."

A stone-bodied spirit beast lumbered forward. It raised a heavy fist. Gun Gun stood his ground.

Thud.

The Rock Beast was launched skyward.

Ling Fei's interest only grew. He called out a few more Foundation Establishment beasts.

The results were the same.

Even those at the late stage, including one high-grade beast, couldn't pierce Gun Gun's defense.

Gun Gun kept shouting, "Come on! Don't stop now!"

Ling Fei finally said, "That's enough for today."

Gun Gun wanted more but obeyed reluctantly. He respected Ling Fei.

The senior cultivator sent the others away, but he kept his eyes on Gun Gun, deep in thought.

That Iron Armor skill was no joke.

"Gun Gun's skills are improving fast, aren't they?" Ling Fei asked Gu Jinghong.

"Master has her own taming method. Under her training, Gun Gun's progress has been astonishing."

Ling Fei considered for a moment, then said, "Gu boy, ask Yun Jin if she'd be willing to let me borrow Gun Gun for a day."

Gu Jinghong blinked in confusion.

"An old friend of mine, a top-tier beast master, will visit tomorrow. We usually spar our spirit beasts. I lose every time. But with Gun Gun among the Foundation Establishment ranks, I think we finally have a shot. He's from the Spirit Beast Pavilion, after all. If he wins, I can save some face."

Gun Gun thumped his chest. "I'll go! I won't lose!"

Gu Jinghong ignored him and said respectfully, "I'll ask my master first."

"As it should be," Ling Fei nodded.

Gu Jinghong left with Gun Gun in tow.

Moments later, Bai Yu appeared silently behind Ling Fei.

"You invited that man here because of Yun Jin, didn't you?" he asked.

Ling Fei smiled faintly. "That match—Yun Jin barely stands a chance. I can't sit back and watch her fall. That old friend owes me a favor. I was planning to ask for his help regardless. But now that Yun Jin has raised Gun Gun to this level, letting him showcase his strength might just tip the odds in her favor."

Bai Yu glanced at him. "You've taken quite a liking to that girl."

"Maybe it's just fate," Ling Fei said with a soft laugh.

Bai Yu said no more.

Back at Heshan, Yun Jin received Gu Jinghong's message and agreed without much thought.

Gu Jinghong relayed her answer.

Ling Fei smiled and began making arrangements.

Even a sliver of hope was worth fighting for.