Beast Taming: Slaughter Atlas

The next evening, Long Yunxiao returned to the Celestial Dragon Training Camp, dragging his exhausted body.

He hurriedly approached Liu Hong and eagerly asked, "Elder Liu, am I the first to complete the mission?"

Hearing this, Liu Hong was momentarily at a loss for words, fearing that his response would hurt this kind child.

Seeing this, Long Yunxiao had his answer, and with some reluctance, he asked, "Did Chu Chen finish the mission first?"

Liu Hong nodded in response and said, "You're tired too, go rest for now."

Upon observing this, the light in Long Yunxiao's eyes dimmed slightly.

As a member of the Long Family, the information he had access to far exceeded that of an ordinary person. He had long known about Lei Yao's recovery but kept it to himself without telling others.

He was also well aware of the content and restrictions of Chu Chen's mission.

In terms of difficulty, his mission was slightly less challenging than Chu Chen's, and the latter wasn't allowed to use his most powerful Guardian Beast.

To lose under such circumstances was something he found hard to accept.

He gestured respectfully to Liu Hong and returned to his room.

Liu Hong watched the boy's somewhat forlorn figure and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Alas, being born in the same era as him, I wonder if it's fortune or tragedy," Duan Yanyang lamented.

Liu Hong nodded in deep agreement and said, "Indeed, but it's good for us. Perhaps he might even change the current state of humanity."

Duan Yanyang was surprised at Liu Hong's words and couldn't help but ask, "Master, isn't your estimation of that lad too high?"

Liu Hong shook his head upon hearing this, "Too high? I think I've been too conservative. The shock he's given you over the past six months isn't insignificant, is it?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Yanyang's expression changed. His master had seen close to a thousand geniuses, all from A-level and above, and his standards were exceptionally high. For an ordinary genius to receive a single compliment from him was extremely difficult, let alone today's words, which were unprecedented.

"Alright, do what you need to do. His future requires time to reveal itself." Seeing his disciple lost in thought, Liu Hong said in a deep voice.

Duan Yanyang snapped out of his daze upon hearing this and hurriedly gestured respectfully, "I understand, Master."

In Long Yunxiao's room, a young man stared at the wall, his eyes vacant.

After some time, there was finally a glimmer in the young man's eyes. He shook his head and revealed a bitter smile.

"Sigh! This guy is truly abnormal, but in a way that's a good thing. The stronger you get, the more motivation I have to cultivate."

On the rooftop, Liu Hong gazed at the starry sky. Hearing the young man's muttering, he let out a sigh of relief, feeling very satisfied with the young man's demeanor.

He had no habit of eavesdropping; he was merely concerned the young man might succumb to the blow and stray off path, which would be a significant loss for the Cyan Dragon Daoist School.

Long Yunxiao was a child with a vision for the bigger picture and gifted with extraordinary talent. Were it not for the variable that was Chu Chen, he would have grown smoothly, and Long Batian had long regarded him as a successor in training.

At noon the next day, Zhang Yuyan and the others returned successively. Witnessing their weary expressions, it was evident the mission had given them quite a challenge.

Wang Lei looked at Zhang Yuyan and the others with curiosity and asked, "Haven't Chu Chen and Long Yunxiao returned?"

"That's very likely since their mission was significantly more difficult than ours," Zhang Wei said in a deep voice.

"Impossible, with their strength they should have been back long ago," Sun Mengqi retorted.

"Mengqi is right. They surely returned a long time ago," Li Wanyi agreed.

At this point, Liu Hong waved his hand and said, "Alright, stop guessing. They returned a while ago. They should be cultivating now. You should also rest early; there will be a graduation ceremony for Chu Chen this evening."

Zhang Yuyan and the others were stunned to hear this, disbelief in their eyes.

"Elder Liu, did you say a graduation ceremony for Chu Chen?" Wang Lei exclaimed.

Hearing this, Liu Hong did not reprimand Wang Lei but nodded with a smile.

"How is that possible? Has he broken through to the Soul Master level?"

"Congratulations, you guessed right," Liu Hong replied with a hint of amusement.

"Ah, I've just reached the Third Rank Lord Level, and suddenly he's at the Soul Master Level. I remember just a few days ago, he was at the Fifth Rank Lord Level. What has happened during this time?"

"Indeed, how could this be possible? Even consuming Heavenly and Earthly Treasures wouldn't result in such rapid progress. Did he obtain a Celestial Tier artifact?"

...

Seeing everyone's expression, Liu Hong said, somewhat exasperatedly, "Alright, this matter is classified, don't be curious."

Upon hearing this, everyone lost interest in further discussion and retreated like defeated roosters to their respective dwellings.

Zhang Yuyan deliberately stayed behind, and after Wang Lei and others returned to their accommodations, she quietly sneaked into Chu Chen's room.

The creak of the door roused Chu Chen from his meditation. Spotting the graceful silhouette at the entrance, he couldn't help but smile.

"You're back, how did the mission go?" Chu Chen quickly stood up and asked.

"Though there were some hiccups, it was barely manageable," Zhang Yuyan replied with a smile.

Chu Chen breathed a sigh of relief at this, "That's good."

Zhang Yuyan sized up Chu Chen, hinting with meaning, "Isn't there something you'd like to tell me?"

Chu Chen scratched his head upon hearing this and said, "Ah, so you noticed."

"The change is obvious; how could I not notice?"

"I guess you can sense my thoughts."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuyan's face flushed slightly, and she stomped her foot in embarrassment, "That's not what I meant. I was talking about your realm."

Chu Chen realized the misunderstanding and awkwardly scratched his head, revealing the matters of Lei Yao and Nirvana.

"Is that possible? Your luck is truly remarkable," Zhang Yuyan said, somewhat surprised.

"It was indeed luck. Were it only Lei Yao, I wouldn't dare to cultivate this quickly. After all, the vast difference in our realms could have led to a disrupted contract."

"What are your plans next?" Zhang Yuyan inquired with a smile.

Chu Chen rubbed his chin and replied softly, "I still need to discuss this with the teacher, but Cyan Dragon Academy hasn't been much help to me. I think the teacher won't want me to continue schooling."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuyan nodded seriously, "Indeed, the academy doesn't help you much. Lei Yao needs blood to grow stronger, and Nirvana requires souls. I've thought of an excellent place for you."

Chu Chen's interest was piqued upon hearing this, and he quickly asked, "Tell me, where is suitable for me?"

Zhang Yuyan solemnly replied, "The front line."

Chu Chen contemplated this and nodded, "The front line, where there's never a shortage of bodies, would indeed be a good place to quickly enhance my strength."

However, Zhang Yuyan immediately gestured to stop him, "No, I'm just suggesting it. The front line is extremely dangerous; even a Soul King could fall at any moment."

"Then what do you mean?" Chu Chen was confused by her inconsistency.

Zhang Yuyan's expression dimmed slightly as she lowered her head and explained in a soft voice, "I've received word from my grandfather; the front line is strained. He wants me to return early..."

"Does the old man want to groom you as the successor?" Chu Chen asked with a frown.

Zhang Yuyan nodded heavily, "I am my grandfather's only relative."

Upon hearing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but sigh. His eyes were full of reluctance as he looked at the girl. He wanted to persuade her to stay, but he knew he couldn't be so selfish.

After a moment of silence, Chu Chen suddenly raised his head, pulling the girl into an embrace, and said with firm determination, "Rest assured, I will come to the front line to find you. I vow to protect you a lifetime of peace."