The Master of Beasts

After infusing around a thousand portions of Jade Beast Bloodline, the changes in the purple Jade Tiger weren't significant; its aura had merely become stronger, and its purple, jade-like body even more dazzling.

It seems odd-colored Jade Beasts are already the limit, Chen Jiuge mused thoughtfully.

After all, the purple Jade Tiger was no longer absorbing the bloodlines of other Jade Beasts.

Still, it's not bad. It's almost reaching the level of a Sixth Rank Bloodline, and crucially, it looks great too—definitely marketable, Chen Jiuge was quite satisfied.

This batch totaled ten thousand Jade Beasts, which could produce, at most, about ten ultimate odd-colored Jade Beasts. Don't ask why he didn't make some that were slightly less perfect—the answer was his obsession with perfection.

After creating ten odd-colored Jade Beasts of different forms, Chen Jiuge discovered that these odd-colored Jade Beasts seemed to share some mysterious connections.

Gathering them together, some dots and lines faintly appeared above their heads.

Chen Jiuge took in a sharp breath. Could there really be a Treasure Map?

This secret couldn't possibly be unknown to others. The Jiuyou Sect, which originally pioneered this, must have known of it. However, for some reason, they didn't continue to explore this secret. No, perhaps Fire Medicine Child collecting the odd-colored Jade Beasts was a task given by the Jiuyou Sect.

Chen Jiuge felt a peculiar thrill. So, am I snatching food from the tiger's mouth? Stealing opportunities right under the nose of a Golden Immortal is indeed a sensational thrill.

「In the following period」

Chen Jiuge first bought a large number of Jade Beasts from the Treasure Pavilion, gathering them inside his Personal Cave Heaven.

The number of odd-colored Jade Beasts needed for a complete Treasure Map was astronomical. After all, Fire Medicine Child still hadn't managed to collect them all, making it impossible for Chen Jiuge to achieve it in one go. Moreover, continuously buying large numbers of Jade Beasts might arouse Fire Medicine Child's suspicion.

The breeding of Jade Beasts was also a bit strange. They didn't differentiate between male and female; or rather, they were hermaphrodites. They required only feeding on high-quality Spirit Jade to rapidly reproduce, though this consumption was also significant.

Watching piles of Spirit Stones turn into Spirit Jade and then disappear into the mouths of the Jade Beasts, Chen Jiuge began to hesitate. Although he possessed numerous Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he couldn't afford to waste them like this.

Let's call for help. After all, if it's a great opportunity even a Golden Immortal would envy, then a single True Immortal like myself definitely can't handle it alone. Better to call others to share the burden, Chen Jiuge felt his financial power was lacking.

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister Bai Yao, Senior Brother Jun Sandao, Senior Sister Wen Ruo."

Alas, only these four relatively affluent Fellow Daoists I can think of to contact with a long-distance Sound Transmission Talisman. My network is indeed too limited, Chen Jiuge shook his head dissatisfiedly.

As the Sound Transmission Talisman departed, Chen Jiuge's heart filled with anticipation, wondering if all four would be able to come.

「Nether Sea」

This was a black sea, teeming with Fierce Beasts of extremely violent dispositions, arguably one of the most unfriendly regions to Cultivators.

"HAHAHA, this is so thrilling!" Wudao Tian roared with delight.

As a colossal Divine General Dharma Image swung its blade, a massive Kun-like beast was cleaved in two, unleashing a torrent of bloody rain.

Wudao Tian's face showed a hint of interest. Eh? A message from Junior Brother Chen... let's see... Treasure Map... interesting.

Not far away, Die Luowu, who had already become a True Immortal, quietly approached.

"A message from Junior Brother?"

"Jade Beasts, a Treasure Map?"

"Interesting, very interesting. Weren't you just saying you were bored and wanted to go back? Then let's make Jade Immortal City our last stop," Jun Sandao said, looking tenderly at Bai Yao.

"As you wish," Bai Yao, despite her usually fiery personality, replied shyly.

Love indeed blinds; even Bai Yao, who had become a True Immortal, is no exception.

"What's going on with you lot? It's only been a hundred years or so, and Little Coal Ball has become like this?" Wen Ruo exclaimed with rare frustration.

What was once a cute and cuddly Little Coal Ball had now turned into a muscular canine brute, even having shaved the fur on its limbs and chest to display its robust muscles.

"This is the charm of a man," Little Coal Ball declared proudly.

Wen Ruo was both amused and exasperated. It seems it's time for some 'love punches.'

Wen Ruo was surprised. Eh? A message from Junior Brother? A Treasure Map? In need of Spirit Jade? My Junior Brother possesses considerable wealth, yet he's still seeking help?

Wen Ruo first went to Vermilion Bird Peak and recruited the Zhu Family siblings, who had already achieved the True Immortal realm. Then, she acquired a large amount of Spirit Jade from the ancient ones. Only then did she head towards Jade Immortal City with the two in tow.

Naturally, Wudao Tian and Die Luowu, with their highest Cultivation levels, were the first to arrive. However, before Chen Jiuge could go into detail about the Treasure Map, Bai Yao and Jun Sandao also arrived. Seeing this, Chen Jiuge decided to wait until Wen Ruo arrived to discuss it all together.

Barely a day later, Wen Ruo arrived with the Zhu Family siblings.

「Inside the Grotto Heaven」

Chen Jiuge had gathered the odd-colored Jade Beasts he'd been nurturing during this period. The number of odd-colored Jade Beasts had almost reached three hundred, and the expenditure of resources had indeed made Chen Jiuge's heart ache.

"Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, the Treasure Map I sent you a message about corresponds to these odd-colored Jade Beasts." As Chen Jiuge finished speaking, the odd-colored Jade Beasts below began to circulate their Spiritual Energy, and a highly incomplete Treasure Map materialized in the air.

"This looks somewhat familiar," Jun Sandao said with some surprise.

"Senior Brother Jun, you recognize it?" Chen Jiuge hadn't expected this delightful surprise.

"Let me think... I seem to recall reading a description like this. Just seeing the Jade Beasts gave me a sense of familiarity," Jun Sandao mused, starting to pace. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

"HISS! We might have truly found an incredible opportunity!" Jun Sandao exclaimed, his earlier listlessness replaced by sheer excitement.

"Junior Brother, speak up! Don't beat around the bush," Wudao Tian grumbled, clearly dissatisfied. Doesn't he know I hate thinking the most?

"In ancient times, there was a Great Power known as the Jade Daoist. His mastery of the Jade Dao was considered supreme in his era, allowing him to create living beings entirely from jade. This race became known as the Jade Clan."

"Later, for reasons unknown, the Jade Daoist suddenly vanished. The Jade Clan subsequently suffered attacks from other races and gradually faded into the annals of time."

"From the great upheavals of the ancient era to the present day, no trace of the Jade Clan has ever been found, nor has the Jade Daoist reappeared."

"I read all this in an ancient scripture. I always doubted its veracity, but seeing these Jade Beasts has convinced me of the Jade Clan's existence."

Jun Sandao simply described what he knew.

"So, you're saying this Treasure Map is very likely a legacy left by the Jade Daoist?" Wudao Tian asked impatiently.

"Exactly. It's not just likely, it's definite," Jun Sandao speculated. "The appearance of such peculiar Spiritual Beasts as Jade Beasts, with our Myriad Beasts Sect being unaware, means the Jiuyou Sect undoubtedly sealed off the news. Those who initially developed Jade Immortal City definitely did not know about the Jade Daoist's existence. This has led to the current situation. After all, the Treasure Pavilion is now involved, so they can't possibly eliminate everyone who knows."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's just use Spirit Jade to nurture the odd-colored Jade Beasts!" Zhu Yinghuang said excitedly; this was his first time participating in a treasure hunt.

"Big Brother, don't rush. If we openly purchase large quantities of Spirit Jade in this area, it will attract Fire Medicine Child's attention. After all, he is a Golden Immortal," Zhu Yingque cautioned, frowning.

"Let's buy the Spirit Jade in batches. As for the Jade Beasts and odd-colored Jade Beasts, we can only rely on Junior Brother to cultivate more," Wen Ruo said.

"That won't be a problem. As long as there's enough Spirit Jade, I can rapidly cultivate odd-colored Jade Beasts," Chen Jiuge assured.

With everyone's help, Chen Jiuge's cultivation speed became ridiculously fast, more than ten times as efficient as when he worked alone.

As the number of odd-colored Jade Beasts grew, the revealed Treasure Map became increasingly complete.

With the emergence of the ten-thousandth odd-colored Jade Beast, the Treasure Map in the sky was finally about to fill its last blank space.

As the final piece of the puzzle slotted into place, the ten thousand odd-colored Jade Beasts suddenly erupted in agonized howls. Streaks of multicolored light were absorbed by the Treasure Map floating above, ultimately forcing open a Void Channel within the Personal Cave Heaven.

"HISS! Now I'm certain this is truly the Jade Daoist's legacy!" Jun Sandao exclaimed, somewhat dazed. "To open a Void Channel in a Pocket World that leads directly to the Heavenly Realm... this is beyond the capabilities of a Golden Immortal unless they are proficient in the Dao of Space!"

"Let me go first," Wudao Tian volunteered.

Die Luowu anxiously grasped Wudao Tian's hand. The legacy of such an ancient Great Power must be fraught with danger.

"I'll go. After all, I am the initiator," Chen Jiuge grinned, and amidst Wen Ruo's unspoken words of caution, he plunged into the pitch-black passage.

Chen Jiuge was no reckless fool; he dared to enter directly because he had his reasons. The specific reason was a reminder from his Calamity Immortal Sword, Black Qilin: there were many good items inside, and it hadn't detected any danger. Black Qilin had awakened this highly accurate ability by devouring Chen Jiuge's Luck, day after day, year after year.

Following Chen Jiuge's entrance, Wen Ruo also quickly followed. Seeing the two of them enter, the rest hesitated no longer.

However, Yue Meng and other Spiritual Beasts were blocked outside.

Rubbing his slightly bumpy head, Yue Meng cursed, "What is this, racial discrimination? This is too much! OUCH, that hurts!"

His eyes also revealed a hint of worry. Master, please don't let anything happen to you!

"What's going on? Why have the Jade Beasts gone into a frenzy?" While Artifact Refining, Fire Medicine Child suddenly sensed that the Spiritual Beasts in his Pocket World had become chaotic.

A closer look revealed that the usually placid Jade Beasts were now in a frenzy, attacking other Spiritual Beasts—even those whose Cultivation far surpassed their own—in fearless, suicidal charges.

"What in the world is happening?" After subduing all the Jade Beasts, Fire Medicine Child was perplexed.

When in doubt, he consulted his wife. Fire Medicine Child sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to his Daoist partner, and soon received a reply.

"Don't bother with it anymore. It must be that the Jade Daoist's legacy has been activated. These Jade Beasts are now useless. In no time, they'll self-destruct."

"You can come back; it seems this opportunity doesn't belong to our Jiuyou Sect."

Fire Medicine Child stared at the message for a moment and then sneered, "Stealing an opportunity under my watch? What a joke."

Coming from a Loose Cultivator background, Fire Medicine Child had not given up. He had painstakingly collected Jade Beasts for ten thousand years, all for the hope of seizing the Jade Daoist's opportunity and advancing further. Now, just because someone else had obtained the opportunity, he was expected to give up? Impossible!