The Master of Beasts

While Chen Jiuge was in seclusion, Jun Linseng, the Sect Master of Myriad Beasts Sect, had sought the services of the "King of Mediators" from the Heavenly Realm Stage Play to resolve the family disputes caused by the last incident involving the matchmaking red threads.

"Sect Master, are you serious? Aren't you afraid that those minor family disputes will turn into a massive brawl?" Ye Sheng's expression shifted as he heard the Sect Master's suggestion, unpleasant past experiences seemingly flashing through his mind.

This time, Third Elder Jiang Taiyuan also sided with the Great Elder, indicating that it would be fine if the Heavenly Realm Stage Play did not come at all.

"It's too late. I've already sent Yue Shanghua to handle it. I hear they're already on their way," Jun Linseng said, spreading his hands with an air of innocence.

"Sect Master, not consulting us on such a significant matter is truly disheartening! How can our Sect allow outsiders to come and go as they please?" Jiang Taiyuan stomped his foot in agitation.

Jun Linseng looked at Jiang Taiyuan, somewhat puzzled. What's gotten into this old fellow? Isn't he usually the first to enjoy a lively scene?

"COUGH, COUGH. Actually, I think it's not a bad idea. Old Jiang, everyone who needs to know about your little affairs already does. The manager of the stage play isn't one to gossip, so you don't need to be like this," Second Elder Jiang Shengyuan said unhurriedly.

Watching Jun Linseng's eyes light up with glee, Jiang Taiyuan cursed inwardly. That old fox Jiang Shengyuan talks too much! What does he mean, 'everyone who needs to know already does'? I'm truly finished this time!

That night, the entire Myriad Beasts Sect was enveloped by a Golden Immortal's phenomenon, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime. However, as the phenomenon dissipated, the mournful cries of Third Elder Jiang Taiyuan seemed to echo in the air.

......

Chen Jiuge emerged from his seclusion.

Dusty, disheveled, and sporting what could only be described as an afro, Chen Jiuge grudgingly paid the Merit points required for his recent Cultivation session.

"Well now, Junior Brother Chen, that's quite a unique hairstyle you've got there! My granddaughter mentioned that people in those little technological worlds call it an 'afro.' Don't tell me the Five Elements Secret Realm offers hairstyling services now?" the True Immortal Elder guarding the Secret Realm inquired with a curious expression.

Chen Jiuge's face darkened. "You could always try it yourself, Senior Brother," he muttered before hastily making his escape.

Could it really be true? Maybe I should give it a try? The Secret Realm Elder was tempted. My granddaughter always calls me old-fashioned. Perhaps an afro would be a pleasant surprise for her?

After smoothing his wild hair with Spiritual Energy, Chen Jiuge strolled into Eden Garden at a leisurely pace.

"Hm? Oh, you're back?" Moluo Shaye, dressed in a floral skirt and cuddling a Medicine Rabbit, looked up in surprise at the sight of Chen Jiuge.

"Next time we meet, address me as 'Boss.' Consider this a salary deduction," Chen Jiuge said airily, glancing sideways at the Thirteenth Princess of the Demon Clan, who had thoroughly defected.

Watching Chen Jiuge depart with such nonchalance, Moluo Shaye stood dumbfounded. SOB, SOB, SOB... That bastard actually deducted my salary! I'll have to buy less makeup this month.

"My, my, centuries have passed, and Tingting, you've grown even more beautiful!" Chen Jiuge praised cheerfully, looking at Chen Tingting, who was engrossed in her work.

Chen Tingting lifted her head. The prominent dark circles under her eyes made Chen Jiuge jump back in fright. "Whoa! Is dark-circle makeup in fashion now?"

"What dark-circle makeup? These are genuine dark circles," Chen Tingting retorted, clearly annoyed.

"You're this busy? Where's Su Mei? Isn't this her responsibility?" Chen Jiuge asked, noticing the documents related to the transportation of Spiritual Beasts from Eden Garden to various Immortal Beast territories.

"Over the past few centuries, the population in the Heavenly Bull Realm has exploded. Sister Su Mei is completely swamped. I heard they're even planning to expand Heavenly Beetle City soon; otherwise, there won't be enough space for everyone," Chen Tingting sighed.

"Wow, are they really that prolific?" Chen Jiuge remarked.

Chen Tingting's expression clearly implied it was his fault for setting such favorable conditions. Even the unattached Loose Cultivators had started thinking about finding Daoist couples to start families, not to mention the mortals from those two small worlds. Now, dozens of babies were being born every single day.

Although Chen Jiuge sympathized with Chen Tingting's workload, he had no intention of getting involved personally. I will absolutely not handle this myself.

Hm? The aura of a True Immortal. Is there an outsider nearby? Even before reaching his small courtyard, Chen Jiuge sensed an aura that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw a young girl, barely a teenager, enjoying tea with his Eldest Senior Sister.

"HISS..." Chen Jiuge drew a sharp breath. "Are you Yue Meng?" He stared at the young girl. It's only been a few years, and Yue Meng is already a True Immortal!

"Junior Brother, you're finally out," Wen Ruo said, looking at Chen Jiuge with pleasant surprise.

"HUMPH. Just a True Immortal," Yue Meng declared proudly.

Patting Yue Meng's small head, Chen Jiuge turned to his Senior Sister to catch up on what had happened during his absence. It wasn't much: the Heavenly Bull Realm had submitted its dues twice, albeit only meeting the minimum requirements.

Furthermore, the number of Spiritual Beasts and Cultivators in the Heavenly Bull Realm had increased significantly and required adjustments, a task Chen Jiuge himself would need to arrange.

Lastly, regarding their Contracted Spiritual Beasts: War Song had ventured out to seek a breakthrough. Besides Yue Meng, Ming Yujing, Li Kui, Black Eye, and Bali had also officially advanced to the True Immortal realm.

"By the way, Junior Brother, you've also acquired another Immortal City—Three Water Immortal City in the Three Lights Domain," Wen Ruo suddenly added, remembering the unfortunate He Jiadao.

After getting up to speed, Chen Jiuge bowed deeply to his Senior Sister in gratitude. "Thank you, Senior Sister, for all your help these past years. I will personally extend my thanks to Eldest Senior Brother and Senior Sister Gao."

"Junior Brother, now that this seclusion has ended, you probably won't be entering another one anytime soon, will you?" Wen Ruo asked casually.

"No, I won't be going into seclusion for now." I'm currently sensitive to water and fire, so it's not a good time for seclusion.

"That's wonderful! There's an exciting event happening in a few days. Let's go watch it together," Wen Ruo invited.

"What kind of exciting event?"

"The Heavenly Realm Stage Play."

..........

Actors in vibrant costumes representing myriad worlds paraded jovially through a welcoming corridor of Myriad Beasts Sect disciples.

Some actors are even doing somersaults on the spot, and others are breathing fire. They look just like those circuses from my past life, don't they?

But these actors are all at least True Immortals! Chen Jiuge felt a little frantic.

What was even crazier was how the disciples shrieked in enthusiastic cooperation. One disciple, who had been gifted a flower, clung to an actor so tightly that if her fellow sect members hadn't pulled her away, they might have embraced until Heavenly Desolation.

Truly, the bigger the world, the more absurd things become. Chen Jiuge wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead.

On the high stage in the plaza, Jun Linseng grasped the hand of the stage play's manager, his voice brimming with excitement. "This marks the thirteen thousand eight hundredth performance of the Heavenly Realm Stage Play at our Myriad Beasts Sect! Let us give Manager Huang a thunderous welcome!"

Manager Huang was a Female Cultivator, though she maintained a low profile, appearing in public as a kindly old woman—a rare sight among powerful Female Cultivators.

Manager Huang, who also possessed Golden Immortal Cultivation, first tugged at the hand Jun Linseng was holding. Hmm? It didn't budge. Pull again?

Seeing Jun Linseng firmly gripping her hand, Manager Huang turned and offered him a slight smile. "I seem to recall your esteemed wife is due to emerge from her seclusion soon!"

Jun Linseng smoothly released her hand. "It's just that I haven't seen you in so long, Manager Huang, and I've missed you greatly, you see?"

Ye Sheng, listening nearby, felt his lips twitch. Back in the day, which Immortal didn't know Manager Huang was one of the Heavenly Realm's top ten beauties? If she hadn't spent these years disguised as an old woman to avoid harassment from her admirers, her popularity would never have waned.

Ye Sheng complained internally. Jiang Taiyuan, however, was different. Having been forced to reveal his own embarrassing incident earlier, he now showed no mercy, remarking loudly, "Someone was just captivated by beauty and couldn't bear to let go, eh? Good thing I recorded it with an Imprint Stone! I wonder, if a certain lady sees this, whether that someone will still be able to smile."

A refrain of 'I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed' echoed in Jun Linseng's mind as he watched Jiang Taiyuan holding the Imprint Stone.

Manager Huang was not in the mood for idle chatter; she was here to perform.

"Dear Fellow Daoists of the Myriad Beasts Sect, it's a pleasure to perform here once again. I won't waste words; let's officially begin the stage play!" Manager Huang's soft voice reached the ears of every disciple present.

....

"So this is Huang Yi, one of the reputed top ten beauties of the Heavenly Realm?" Chen Jiuge mused aloud, looking at the old woman on stage with surprise.

"Yes," Eldest Senior Brother Wudao Tian appeared at the right moment to explain. "Huang Yi is a Golden Immortal. During her prime, she was renowned as one of the Heavenly Realm's top ten beauties and was even considered a strong contender for the foremost title. Unfortunately, after she took over the Heavenly Realm Stage Play troupe and became its manager, she adopted the guise of an old woman to avoid harassment from her numerous admirers."

Chen Jiuge looked confused. "Eldest Senior Brother, weren't you and sister-in-law out traveling?"

"Traveling? How could that be as interesting as this?" Wudao Tian exclaimed, his face alight with excitement.

Chen Jiuge looked at his excited Eldest Senior Brother, his eyebrows twitching slightly. So you're the real gossip enthusiast, huh? Wherever there's a spectacle, you're sure to be found!

The Heavenly Realm Stage Play was different from ordinary stage plays.

In Chen Jiuge's understanding, ordinary stage plays involved actors performing according to a script, relying on emotional resonance to move the audience, thereby expanding their influence and fame.

The Heavenly Realm Stage Play, however, was different; they had no script. Apart from a few core actors who appeared to guide certain plot points, all other performers, including the protagonists, were chosen at random.

Huang Yi smiled at the Golden Immortal Elders on the stage. "Fellow Daoists, would any of you be interested in joining us for a performance?"

Jiang Taiyuan shook his head repeatedly. Unfortunately, Jun Linseng, who had already been eyeing him, heard this and, with a flying kick, sent him hurtling towards the large aerial screen. "Still trying to wriggle out of it? Don't even think about it!" Jun Linseng sneered.

"You go too," Huang Yi said, abruptly pushing Jun Linseng forward.

Yue Shanghua's face lit up with excitement. "Interesting! The Sect Master and the Third Elder are both in. Shouldn't we join the fun?" With that, she also entered.

The remaining Golden Immortals exchanged glances. In the end, Ye Sheng, as the Great Elder, was also jointly nominated by the others and compelled to participate.

Besides them, Azure Dragon Ao Tian, who had just returned from some rather 'fruitful' endeavors, saw how much fun it was and joined in as well.

The entry of numerous Golden Immortals led to a surge in spontaneous sign-ups among the Myriad Beasts Sect disciples.

Wudao Tian, seeing his master enter, turned to Chen Jiuge with an excited expression. "Junior Brother, shall we go together?"

Chen Jiuge wasn't particularly keen, but his Eldest Senior Brother leaned in. "In the play, everyone's identity and status are different. That means we could even end up as the Sect Master's elders, perhaps even his father, you know!"

This is too interesting! Chen Jiuge couldn't resist his Eldest Senior Brother's enticement, and the two of them plunged into the aerial screen.

As the number of actor slots indicated by the screen gradually decreased, Die Luowu eagerly invited Wen Ruo, "Should we go in and see how those two perform?"

Wen Ruo smiled. "Aren't you afraid your role might be someone else's wife?"

Die Luowu's enthusiasm immediately deflated. Oh, right.

As the available slots dwindled, Core Disciples, disciples who had rushed over, and various Elders began to pour in. Soon, all the actor slots for the performance were filled.

Huang Yi looked down at the disappointed Myriad Beasts Sect disciples below and offered a slight smile. "Then, let the stage play officially begin!"

With that, she too leaped into the screen.

This left the more reserved Elders utterly regretful. We missed the chance to share the stage with one of the Heavenly Realm's greatest beauties! This might have been the only opportunity in our lifetime! Damn this wretched shyness!

A thrilling Heavenly Realm Stage Play officially began. With a cast that included over a dozen Golden Immortals and countless other Immortals, it was the most star-studded performance the Heavenly Realm had seen in recent years.