The Master of Beasts

The tragic event that had befallen Qi Daoyuan, Chen Jiuge had also heard about, though he couldn't help but crack a smile at the news.

Even if Qi Daoyuan had been a Heavenly Immortal in his past life, now he was just a late-stage Divinity Transformation Cultivator. Yue Meng had Bali, her loyal subordinate, so it seemed Qi Daoyuan was about to suffer Kutou.

However, why did the Spirit Awakening Pill that Yue Meng refined only work on Bali, with no effect on those Spiritual Beasts created through the Golden Finger? If push came to shove, couldn't it also be used to change those annoying quirks of the Fire Flood Dragons?

Now, as the Spiritual Beasts from Eden Garden were selling out, the Fire Flood Dragons' shortcomings had begun to come to light. Their habits were too bizarre. While Outer Disciples didn't care much, occasionally, some Inner Sect Disciples would buy Fire Flood Dragons with higher Cultivation levels as enforcers. Although their strength was fine, their image was lacking.

While Chen Jiuge was pondering how to deal with the Fire Flood Dragon issue, he suddenly received a message from his Senior Brother, Huo Lie.

"Ao Yi and Fire God have encountered danger?" Chen Jiuge found it hard to believe. White Lotus Mountain is close to the Main Hall. If the Myriad Beasts Sect's Contracted Spiritual Beasts were in danger at the sect's Main Hall, was Senior Brother Huo joking?

"Senior Brother, what's going on?" Chen Jiuge urgently inquired after connecting the communication talisman.

"Junior Brother, the situation is a bit complicated. Come over first; I'm already on my way. Head directly to White Lotus Mountain Top," Huo Lie's tone was somewhat cryptic.

Chen Jiuge had a bad feeling. His Senior Sister was currently in closed-door cultivation undergoing Tribulation, and it wouldn't be good to disturb her. Should he send a message to Elder Gu? Was he perhaps making a big deal out of nothing?

Forget it. Just to be on the safe side, I'll send one. If something really does happen, I'll regret it.

Having taken this precaution, Chen Jiuge delayed no further. He quickly used the Transmission Array to reach the Main Hall and rushed toward White Lotus Mountain, which was not far away.

「....」

Atop White Lotus Mountain, by the White Lotus Pond.

Bound into two lumps, the Fire Flood Dragons silently huddled in the corner, not daring to make a sound. An elderly woman looked at the devastated White Lotus Pond, her heart burning with rage.

"You two Flood Dragons really deserve to die! Daring to harm my White Lotuses! Tell me, should I braise you or steam you?" The old woman with a head full of silver hair glared gloomily at the two lumps of Flood Dragons in the corner.

"My master has Spirit Stones and will compensate for your losses. I've already informed him," Fire God said, somewhat frantic.

The old woman waved her hand, and a line of text appeared in the air: "Brother Lie, save me! Ao Yi and I have been caught by an old hag! Come save us!!!"

"Is this the compensation you spoke of?" the old woman demanded, veins throbbing on her forehead.

Fire God froze. Messages could be intercepted? This was bad; they were surely dead Flood Dragons now.

Releasing the intercepted message, the old woman said unruffled, "Let's see what your master can offer to convince me. If it's not enough, then I might just have to add an extra dish tonight."

Hearing this, Fire God broke out in a cold sweat. This old woman seemed so imposing! Could his end be near? And he'd even dragged Ao Yi into this? If only he hadn't been so meddlesome!

When Chen Jiuge was about to reach White Lotus Mountain, Huo Lie was already waiting at the foot of the mountain. Upon seeing Chen Jiuge, Huo Lie delivered the bad news: "Fire God destroyed the White Lotus Pond at the mountain top."

Seeing Chen Jiuge's somewhat perplexed expression, Huo Lie explained, "Junior Brother, you might not know, but an old woman lives atop White Lotus Mountain. We all call her Granny Silver. It's said that she was an old flame of the Great Elder."

"Granny Silver cherishes nothing more than the White Lotuses in the pond, regarding them as her treasures. This sudden capture of Fire God and Ao Yi... it must be because something happened to the White Lotuses in the pond."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiuge knew things were likely troublesome. "Then what should we do? Can we compensate with Spirit Stones?"

"I'm afraid that won't do. Remember, don't try to use your background to pressure her. Granny Silver not only has connections with the Great Elder but is also a Heavenly Immortal Practitioner. When we go up there, try to meet her demands as much as possible, as long as we can save Fire God and Ao Yi's lives," Huo Lie admonished with a solemn face.

Chen Jiuge had heard of Granny Silver's existence but wasn't very clear about the details. Most of what he knew came from rumors fabricated by the Outer Disciples. He hadn't expected them to be true. However, White Lotus Mountain was usually a place where many disciples came to play, and nothing like this had ever happened. Could Fire God and Ao Yi really have plucked the White Lotuses from the White Lotus Pond?

White Lotus Mountain was very tall, but for two Divinity Transformation Cultivators, it only took a moment to reach the summit.

The first thing Chen Jiuge saw was Ao Yi and Fire God, bound like rice dumplings and cowering in a corner of the White Lotus Pond. Looking further, he saw an old woman with a head full of silver hair and a grim expression. This must be Granny Silver.

"Are these the Spiritual Beasts of you two youngsters?" Granny Silver squinted, sizing up Huo Lie and Chen Jiuge.

"Speak up. What's to be done? Your Spiritual Beasts have destroyed nearly half of my White Lotus Pond behind me."

Facing a Heavenly Immortal, although Granny Silver didn't use her Cultivation to pressure them, Huo Lie and Chen Jiuge still felt very tense.

"Granny Silver, we will compensate in whatever way you deem fit," Huo Lie and Chen Jiuge said in unison after exchanging a glance.

"I won't make it difficult for you. You have three choices. First, restore my White Lotus Pond to its original state, and I'll release these two little Flood Dragons. Second, their lives belong to me, and I won't pursue the matter further. Third, help me with a task," Granny Silver considerately offered.

The second choice was out of the question. Fire God was Huo Lie's Lifebound Spirit Beast, so it was impossible for him to give it up. Chen Jiuge also didn't want to abandon Ao Yi, whom he had painstakingly cultivated.

The first choice was too difficult. These White Lotuses looked very ordinary, but they were actually an extremely rare and exotic flower. Although their Grade was not high, they were greatly treasured. For Chen Jiuge and Huo Lie, at least, it would be very difficult—nearly impossible—to make up for this loss in a short time.

So, they had no choice but to pick the third option.

After hesitating for a moment, Granny Silver looked towards the highest peak of the Myriad Beasts Sect's Main Hall, where the Sect Master and the Nine Great Elders all resided.

"I want to see your Great Elder."

"Granny Silver, our status is too humble. I'm afraid we can't manage that," Huo Lie said, forcing himself.

"I have less than a thousand years of Life Span left. Just get it done within this time. As for these two little Flood Dragons, they'll stay with me. Come and collect them when you've accomplished the task." Granny Silver ignored Huo Lie's attempt to refuse.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Chen Jiuge didn't have the courage to argue with a Heavenly Immortal, even though she seemed rather easy to talk to.

"May I have a few words with my Spiritual Beast?" Chen Jiuge sighed.

"You may."

Granny Silver unfastened the chains from the two Flood Dragons. Chen Jiuge looked at Ao Yi, whose eyes were brimming with tears, and sighed, "Ao Yi, I'm afraid you'll have to stay here for now."

"Master, I'm so scared! Can't I go back?" Ao Yi shook his head frantically.

"I'm afraid not. But don't worry, Master will come to rescue you as soon as possible. You must also cultivate diligently here," Chen Jiuge consoled him.

Granny Silver only gave them an hour.

At the foot of the mountain, Huo Lie suddenly bowed with an apologetic expression. "Junior Brother, this entire disaster was caused by Fire God. I will do my best to handle this matter. If it truly can't be resolved, and it causes you, Junior Brother, to lose Ao Yi, I, your Senior Brother, will agree to any compensation you ask for."

Chen Jiuge helped Huo Lie up and shook his head. "I've already asked. Although it was Fire God's idea, they picked the White Lotuses together. There's no need for you to act like this, Senior Brother."

Indeed, it wasn't solely Fire God's fault at this point. Chen Jiuge was not one to ignore right and wrong. Besides, the situation hadn't reached its worst yet.