The Master of Beasts

Chapter 481 - 100

Chen Jiuge smiled bitterly as he took out the Green Rhombus Snake, shook it in his hand, and said, "This Third Rank little thing cost me one hundred thousand catties of Top Grade Spiritual Stones."

A smile touched Zhu Ying’s lips as she said, "One hundred thousand catties of Top Grade Spiritual Stones should be nothing to you."

"But this is only a Third Rank Spiritual Beast. No matter how high its potential, that’s still in the future," Chen Jiuge said gloomily.

"That’s our opportunity. In terms of quality, we could never surpass the Five Elements Pavilion. Their backer is the Five Elements Sect, one of the top forces even in the True Realm."

"That’s true. I do have some ideas. I’ll first go to the Secret Realm to acquire a batch of Spiritual Beasts and then try selling them," Chen Jiuge said, stroking his chin.

"Go on. The Jiang Family has given us ten years to prepare. With the help of the Time Bell, you’ll have a thousand years in there to breed Spiritual Beasts. I’ve also arranged the manpower you’ll need for the Secret Realm."

"Alright, I’m off then."

Zhu Ying had prepared a group of Wood Essence for Chen Jiuge. They resembled the Elves of legend—handsome men and beautiful women with pointed ears. Their hair and eyes were both a deep green, and they were skilled in Wood Element Magic and healing spells.

The most crucial part was that Wood Essence had extraordinarily long life spans. These Dharma Manifestation Realm Wood Essence possessed at least ten thousand years of longevity, enough to withstand the life-draining environment of the Secret Realm.

As for Chen Jiuge himself, it didn’t make much difference. After all, a True Immortal’s life span was practically infinite; time had become an utterly meaningless number.

The only pity was that such magical treasures, which could alter the flow of time, could not be used for cultivation. After all, the Secret Realm and the True Realm were not the same world, their Laws being different.

However, if one hasn’t reached True Immortal Cultivation, it wouldn’t be much of a problem. It’s said that true supreme Divine Weapons can alter the flow of time in the True Realm. Thinking about it, the great powers of the True Realm must possess such profound foundations... The very thought is despairing!

Upon entering the Secret Realm, Chen Jiuge assigned tasks to the three thousand Wood Essences: accelerate the growth rate of the Five Elements Spiritual Grass, heal injured Spiritual Beasts, and, as they developed, to also be responsible for assisting with the births of Spiritual Beasts.

HISS HISS HISS

Watching the Green Rhombus Snake constrict continuously around his arm, Chen Jiuge laughed heartily. "HAHAHA, I almost forgot about you. Let me see just how impressive the Five Elements Spiritual Beasts cultivated by the Five Elements Sect truly are."

With a thought, the Chaos Pearl emitted speckles of Spirit Light, and a stream of inexplicable information flowed into his mind.

"Nice one. At least five mutations. One hundred thousand catties of Top Grade Spiritual Stones wasn’t a waste after all," Chen Jiuge said, somewhat surprised.

A hazy Chaotic Power was infused into the Green Rhombus Snake’s body. Chen Jiuge also conveniently imprinted a Contract in its mind—after all, this was a Spiritual Beast he had paid for, and he couldn’t let it go to waste.

One after another, Chen Jiuge guided the Spiritual Beasts to mutate. He spent a full three months guiding almost the entire group of Spiritual Beasts.

That’s about enough. Let’s settle for this. We can ignore those Low Rank Spiritual Beasts that serve as Blood Food. From now on, it’s all down to persistent effort.

However, the Cultivation of these Wood Essences is rather lacking. As it happens, I’ve made some achievements on the Path of Wood. I might as well try to boost their Cultivation first.

DING DING DING

Gently ringing the Soul Control Bell in his hands, the Wood Essences currently toiling in the Secret Realm immediately put down their tasks and quickly gathered at the main camp.

On the spacious training ground, three thousand Wood Essences stood neatly arranged in a square formation. A closer look into their eyes revealed hardly any emotional fluctuations; after all, they were slaves whose lives and deaths were not their own.

"Ahem. I don’t know what you’ve experienced before, nor am I the one who destroyed your tribes and stripped you of your freedom."

"I can’t guarantee you’ll regain your freedom in the future, but while you’re with me, I can ensure you’ll at least live like people."

"I need help managing the Spiritual Beasts in the Secret Realm. Your Cultivation is too weak. From now on, I will carve out time daily to preach to you. The top one hundred performers will be taught the arts of Spirit Beast Breeding."

"If your talent is truly exceptional, perhaps you might even regain your freedom."

A subtle ripple appeared in the eyes of the Wood Essences below. They intently watched the not-so-tall figure on the platform as a seed called hope quietly sprouted in the depths of their hearts.

「Ten years passed quickly, and only one month remained in the final preparation stage.」

Zhu Ying stood at the entrance to the Five Elements Secret Realm, a hint of hesitation on her face.

The Light Gate rippled slightly. Chen Jiuge, his long hair draped over his shoulders, walked out, almost bumping into Zhu Ying who stood at the entrance.

"You’re looking for me? What a coincidence, I was just about to look for you. I’ve already prepared a batch of Spiritual Beasts."

Looking at Chen Jiuge, who resembled a wild man, Zhu Ying couldn’t help but show a flicker of emotion on her usually cold face. "What have you been doing in there?" she asked.

"HEHEHE, I’ve prepared quite a few unique Spiritual Beasts. Ah, forget it, it’s hard to explain. Come with me." Chen Jiuge took Zhu Ying’s hand and led her through the passageway.

Multicolored Spirit Grass grew rampantly. Various Spiritual Beasts, the likes of which Zhu Ying had never heard of, roamed the land. From afar, occasional roars startled the grazing Spiritual Beasts, causing them to flick their ears incessantly.

"These...?" Zhu Ying really wanted to ask what kind of Spiritual Beasts they were.

However, Chen Jiuge pulled her along until they reached a small lake.

Its body, several yards long, was covered in mysterious blue patterns. It had a slender mouth filled with sharp teeth, a short, stout tail like a siege hammer, and a single horn on its head resembling a Dragon’s horn. It looked rather extraordinary.

"This is a mutation from a Blue Water Alligator. I’ve named it the Ghost Water Alligator Dinosaur," Chen Jiuge said proudly. "Its body contains a trace of Flood Dragon Bloodline, and it’s capable of commanding ghost water. Its horn can release a terrifying Spirit Light that can dissolve enemies directly into pus."

Although Zhu Ying was surprised, her face showed no expression. She simply took out a ruler made of White Jade and, with a light wave, a trace of blood floated from the Ghost Water Alligator Dinosaur’s body to merge with the ruler.

"This is the Heavenly Destiny Ruler," Zhu Ying explained briefly. "It can roughly measure a Spiritual Beast’s potential. Although not very precise, it’s generally accurate."

The light column on the Heavenly Destiny Ruler rose quickly, finally stopping at ’Eight.’

A Fourth Rank Spiritual Beast with Eighth Rank potential?

"How about that? Not bad, right? The breeding speed of this Ghost Water Alligator Dinosaur isn’t slow either," Chen Jiuge said, raising an eyebrow.

Zhu Ying spoke frankly, "It’s average. Its appeal to ordinary Loose Cultivators is decent, and some destitute Small Families might be interested. However, larger forces probably won’t value it."

"Then take a look at this!" Chen Jiuge, somewhat unconvinced, led Zhu Ying to a Huo Shan crater.

This Huo Shan crater was specially built by Chen Jiuge, who had spent a vast amount of resources on it—though these resources were all gifts from the Jiang Family.

A Spiritual Beast that strongly resembled the Pokémon, Charmander, appeared before them.

Chen Jiuge picked up one of these creatures, which was gnawing on a Red Flame Crystal, and introduced it, "This is a Fire Crystal Beast. It’s fond of Fire Element Spiritual Objects and mutated from a Phantom Flame Dog. After losing its faint illusory abilities, its Fire Element Power was greatly enhanced, and it naturally controls Earth Fire Power."

"Not only is its potential ample, but it’s also cute, and its Spiritual Wisdom isn’t low either!"

As Chen Jiuge was introducing it, Zhu Ying had already finished measuring it with the Heavenly Destiny Ruler.

"A Fifth Rank Spiritual Beast with True Immortal potential... This one’s good. But if this is all we have, I’m afraid we might not pass muster," Zhu Ying said lightly.

"Of course, that’s not all. Using the Fire Crystal Beast as a template, I’ve bred the Crystal Beast, Golden Crystal Beast, Wood Crystal Beast, and Earth Crystal Beast. To ensure complete success, all five types of these Spiritual Beasts have true adult specimens as templates."

"Additionally, there are several other types of Spiritual Beasts that are very difficult to cultivate and have low reproduction rates, but possess extraordinary potential and abilities. I believe they should be enough to make a splash for the grand opening of ’Friends of Spiritual Beasts’," Chen Jiuge said confidently.

"If it’s really as you say, then it should be enough," Zhu Ying nodded.

"Then I’ll leave the rest to you. There’s only one month left. Can you manage it in time?"

"There’s no problem on my end. I inquired with Jiang Fu a few years ago. According to the Jiang Family Head, the opening of ’Friends of Spiritual Beasts’ doesn’t require any grand arrangements; simply opening the doors for business will suffice."

"If that’s the case, then so be it. By the way, do you need any help? In recent times, the three thousand Wood Essences under my command have significantly improved their Cultivation," Chen Jiuge said, raising an eyebrow.

Zhu Ying, looking at the Wood Essence shadows flitting by not far off, was slightly taken aback. True Monarch Realm?

"If you’re willing to part with them, I could really use the help," Zhu Ying said without any courtesy.

"Of course, I’m willing. Besides the one hundred Wood Essences currently learning Spirit Beast Breeding, we just need to leave about a thousand to maintain the Secret Realm. That should be enough. How many do you want?"

"I’ll take all the others. I’ll provide you with a new batch of Wood Essences in return. As for the Wood Essences you are keeping from the current batch, I’ll transfer all their slave contracts to you."

"Alright."