The Master of Beasts

The stage play performance continued, though no one was quite sure whether it was because the Sect Master stubbornly refused to intervene or because the first show had been too bizarre.

Huang Yi completely let loose. What followed was one shocker after another. Even the group of four embarrassed disciples and one dragon, seeking psychological balance, started ganging up on the Golden Immortals of the Sect. They clobbered them with 'confusion sticks,' knocking them out and tossing them into the performance, causing the Sect's Golden Immortals to quiver with fear.

The show lasted nearly ten years, until every Golden Immortal in the Sect had taken a turn. Only then did they call it quits.

I still remember why Sect Master Jun Linseng, at Yue Shanghua's request, had initially invited Manager Huang Yi over.

"To resolve some minor family disputes brought about by the last time we were bewitched by the red marriage threads."

「...」

"Eldest Senior Brother, did I hear right that the Sect Master invited Manager Huang Yi over to sort out family disputes within our Sect?" Chen Jiuge asked with some curiosity.

"Hehe, forget resolving family disputes; it's escalated to Elder disputes now," Wudao Tian said, unnaturally rubbing his bottom while taking pleasure in their misfortune.

"Why care so much? For the next hundred, no, thousand years, I don't plan on leaving the house. So there shouldn't be a problem with me staying here, right, Junior Brother?" Yue Yinghua recalled the mixed doubles beatdown from the two Golden Immortal big shots, her mouth twitching fiercely.

"Come on, you two aren't the most pitiable," Wen Ruo said delicately, as she placed a platter of juice made from Immortal Fruits on the table.

"There are people worse off than us?" The three of them perked up with interest.

"Of course, there are. Let me tell you," Bai Yao said excitedly.

「...」

"COUGH COUGH. Listen up, the following story is very explosive, so pay close attention," Bai Yao said, clearing her throat theatrically.

"Get on with it."

"Alright, let's start with Junior Brother Jin Xiao."

"It's said that the Peak Master of White Tiger Peak was unhappy with Junior Brother Jin Xiao's minor role as a common soldier in the first play, so he personally joined him in the performance. The Peak Master of Green Dragon Peak and Senior Brother Li Yao also got involved."

"And then what?" Wudao Tian pressed.

"And then, Junior Brother Jin Xiao became his Peak Master's lord, and Li Yao became his Peak Master's father. The story revolved around a struggle between the two families. The conclusion was the two Peak Masters eloping after killing Jin Xiao and Li Yao."

"Wow." The three showed interested expressions; this was explosive.

As Bai Yao continued her tale, the gossipy expressions on their faces grew more pronounced.

Then Jin Xiao, with a bruised and swollen face, and Li Yao, sporting two black eyes, arrived at Eden Garden.

"Junior Brother, we've come to take shelter. Where's the entrance to your Heavenly Bull Realm?" Jin Xiao mumbled, his words slurred.

Looking at them with a tinge of sympathy, Chen Jiuge silently pointed in the direction.

"That's tragic. Supposedly, because of this ending, the Peak Master of White Tiger Peak and the Peak Master of Green Dragon Peak fought for three days and nights. Since there was no victor, they started a competition on who could better train their disciples. I hear it's still ongoing," Jun Sandao revealed, sharing the inside story.

Compared to that, the Elders and the Sect Master actually seemed quite magnanimous.

Soon, Gao Danyan rushed into Eden Garden, flustered.

"Junior Brother, where's the entrance to your Heavenly Bull Realm?"

Chen Jiuge pointed it out with practiced ease.

"My gratitude is beyond words," Gao Danyan said, quickly vanishing into it.

Before long, Chen Jiuge's Eden Garden became a refuge for numerous True Immortal Disciples, both familiar and unfamiliar. Even Jin Yuanbao sneaked into the Heavenly Bull Realm with a mournful face.

"Now it's really lively," Wudao Tian commented with a chuckle, watching disciples enter the Heavenly Bull Realm one after another.

As for why everyone came to Chen Jiuge, it was mainly because the Heavenly Bull Realm was a Golden Immortal's Pocket World, capable of blocking the Divine Sense scans of other Golden Immortals. It wasn't that they couldn't find other Golden Immortal Pocket Worlds; Chen Jiuge's was simply the most hidden. After all, he was now the sole manager of the Heavenly Bull Realm, so there was no fear of leaks.

The tumult caused widespread disruption and inflicted massive damage, leaving an indelible impression on the Myriad Beasts Sect. It came to be known as the "Sect Master's Turmoil."

Word has it that Manager Huang Yi, ever so petty, complained to the Daoist couples of the Sect about the Sect Master gripping her hand and not letting go.

The enormous phoenix phenomenon that thundered through the heavens lingered over the Main Hall of the Sect for a full seven days before disappearing. The Sect Master's agonized screams also lasted for exactly seven days.

When Chen Jiuge saw Jun Sandao next, he found him in high spirits. His face practically screamed, "I'm feeling great."

From a little birdie rumor provided by Bai Yao, they learned an astonishing fact: Sect Master Jun Linseng's Daoist couple was from the Phoenix Clan of the Desolate World. Her strength was among the most formidable, even among Golden Immortals. She had recently been in seclusion, attempting a breakthrough to the Immortal Daluo Golden Immortal realm.

As a result of Manager Huang Yi's tattling, she emerged from seclusion to deliver an unparalleled domestic thrashing. Conveniently, she also finalized her and Jun Sandao's Daoist couple Grand Ceremony.

That was one reason for Jun Sandao's good mood.

「...」

「Heavenly Bull Realm」

The influx of many True Immortal Disciples spurred a period of rapid development in Divine Bull City. These True Immortals all had status: they were either Golden Immortal Disciples or from Golden Immortal Families. Even if their backgrounds weren't prominent, each possessed unique talents. They couldn't just mooch off their refuge for free, right? They helped out a little here and there, sometimes taught the children of Divine Bull City, and occasionally gathered to discuss the Dao. They single-handedly elevated the average Cultivation level of Divine Bull City by an entire tier.

Su Mei, who managed Divine Bull City, informed Chen Jiuge of these changes; otherwise, he would still have been in the dark.

"Boss, you'll need to personally manage the Heavenly Bull Realm now. I'm going into seclusion for a breakthrough," Su Mei said with a grin.

With the influx of numerous Immortals, Su Mei, as the one in charge, reaped the greatest benefits. Even Heavenly Immortals like Li Yao, out of respect for Chen Jiuge, offered her some guidance. With no shortage of resources and sufficient accumulation, she could naturally attempt a breakthrough.

"Really? That's great news! Go ahead. By the way, do you have enough resources? If not, just go get some from the treasury," Chen Jiuge reminded her.

"Thank you for your concern, Boss. I've prepared everything. From now on, it's all on you," Su Mei said, nodding with a smile before departing.

"Merely administrative tasks? How could they ever trouble me? I'm just too lazy to do them. It's about time you saw why your boss is indeed your boss!" Chen Jiuge declared with high spirits.

「One year later」

Chen Jiuge looked at the document handed to him and then at the still-vast pile of unprocessed files on his desk. His face turned ashen. "Why are there so many?"

"And this! I have to deal with a cow having a difficult labor?" Chen Jiuge picked up another document in exasperation, demanding an answer.

The young assistant said fearfully, "Boss, you were the one who said last time that all Spiritual Beasts are property of the Heavenly Bull Realm, and every little matter must be dealt with properly.

"You also said that success is built from taking care of the little things.

"And this cow is a Sixth Rank Spiritual Beast; it's very valuable."

Looking at the assistant, who only had a Nascent Soul Cultivation, Chen Jiuge opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. When he first arrived, he had indeed said something like that. But was a Sixth Rank Spiritual Beast really that precious? Looking again at the assistant's Cultivation, it seemed that, to them, it was indeed quite valuable.

"Alright, alright. Come here and help me sort this out," Chen Jiuge said wearily.

"Junior Brother, what's happened to you?" Wen Ruo asked curiously, seeing Chen Jiuge's pained expression.

Finally having someone to complain to, Chen Jiuge wouldn't miss the opportunity and began to pour out his grievances.

After hearing the whole story, Wen Ruo smiled and took some documents. "If Junior Brother doesn't mind, I could give it a try," she said.

Chen Jiuge realized that when a Cultivator says they'll "give it a try" or that they "know a little bit," it means they're at least quite proficient.

In just three days, the pile of files on the desk had vanished. The administration of the Heavenly Bull Realm began to operate smoothly, and even the issue with the laboring cow was resolved.

"Senior Sister, sometimes there's no need to be so modest," Chen Jiuge said, his back to Wen Ruo.

Wen Ruo tilted her head and said, "It wasn't hard. Su Mei had already set up the framework. All that was left was to follow through. And really, I only know a little. Eldest Senior Brother and Senior Sister Yue would have done even better."

Chen Jiuge turned around, a questioning look on his face. Who did she just mention? A brute and a battle maniac? They both had these skills?

As if to prove she was telling the truth, Wen Ruo specifically brought the two—who spent their days like retirees, sunbathing and drinking fruit juice—to the Heavenly Bull Realm.

Then, Chen Jiuge truly witnessed what it meant to be an Immortal. Could someone who wasn't all-rounded even be called an Immortal?

Eldest Senior Brother handled affairs boldly and unrestrainedly. A problem? Fight it. A tough question? Fight it. Insufficient funds? Rob them. Disobedience? Cut them down!

Senior Sister Yue was slightly better. Generally, she didn't take action personally, only having her personally trained Law Enforcement Team do so. Their methods were exceptionally cruel.

I've learned something new! So, you can handle affairs this way too, Chen Jiuge mused thoughtfully. Aside from not being very good at administrative tasks myself, I'm still capable of beating people up or training others to oversee things.

In short, it was about maximizing both pressure and rewards. There would always be talented individuals wanting to climb the ranks. As long as they were given the hope of achieving immortality, everything else was negotiable.

Following his Eldest Senior Brother's and Senior Sister's methods, Chen Jiuge also cultivated quite a few talented individuals. Coupled with his Senior Sister Wen Ruo watching over things, the Heavenly Bull Realm began to develop healthily.

「Ten years later」

Su Mei still hadn't emerged from her seclusion. Chen Jiuge found his Senior Sister Wen Ruo watering plants.

"Senior Sister, I might need to continue my comprehension of the Five Elements soon, so the Heavenly Bull Realm might be a trouble for you in the meantime," Chen Jiuge said, a bit embarrassed. Over the years, it seemed like he always asked for her help whenever he went into seclusion.

"It's fine. Go ahead, Junior Brother," Wen Ruo said, nodding with a smile.

Her attitude made Chen Jiuge feel even more guilty. He inadvertently noticed Mo Yu on the side, diligently practicing tea-making, and an idea suddenly struck him. "Senior Sister, I see that Mo Yu has been learning tea-making from you. Why not also teach her some management? That way, I won't always have to trouble you, and it won't affect your Cultivation."

Wen Ruo heard this and thought it would be good to cultivate more management talent for her Junior Brother. After all, his influence was bound to grow day by day.

"Alright, Junior Brother. Leave this small task to me. You can focus on your seclusion."

After bidding farewell to his Senior Sister, Chen Jiuge once again arrived at the Five Elements Secret Realm.

"Whoa, Elder! What's with that look?" Chen Jiuge was stunned by the enormous afro hairstyle before him.

The Elder of the Secret Realm flipped his hair with a flourish and said, "What do you think? Isn't my new hairstyle cool? My granddaughter said it's trendy."

Chen Jiuge opened his mouth and said dryly, "Truly a handsome hairstyle."

"I'm happy you complimented me, but the Merit points for the Secret Realm still can't be discounted," the Elder said coolly as he registered Chen Jiuge's Token.

"No need," Chen Jiuge said.

As Chen Jiuge was about to enter the Secret Realm, he turned his head and saw the Secret Realm Elder admiring himself in a Spirit Mirror. Judging by the ecstatic expression on his face, he really loved this hairstyle.

The bigger the world, the more oddities one finds. And the higher the Cultivation, the more unique the hobbies!