The Master of Beasts

"That's not likely. They should be a subordinate race of the True Dragon, but which specific one, I'm not sure."

The many Immortals seated in the air, each with Spiritual Wine in one hand and a Spirit Fruit in the other, were discussing.

"Sister Wen, Sister Wen, did my brother also join?" Chen Xiaoyu, who had just finished her secluded cultivation, found out about her elder brother's achievement of immortality. Before she could congratulate him, however, she discovered he had gone off to play soccer.

Back then, upon learning that Chen Jiuge had been roped in by the Four Seas Dragon Palace to participate in this soccer tournament, Wen Ruo had taken Da Bai and returned to the Sect.

"I didn't expect my junior brother to be interested in this," Wudao Tian chuckled.

In those days, Wudao Tian was also a main player on the Sect's soccer team; cultivators of the Power Dao were most suited for this competition.

"Speaking of which, our Sect's soccer team has a pretty strong lineup this year, right? They even sent out Yue Jun and Jin Xiao," Bai Yao inquired with curiosity.

"It seems it's because the Triple Sect wants to return, and the other Sects don't really agree. So, they've made a bet on this grand competition: if the Triple Sect can make it into the top thirty-two, they'll be allowed back," Jun Sandao whispered.

"It's starting, it's starting!"

...

The host was an Earth Qilin named Qi Wen, a Golden Immortal. Don't be fooled by his seemingly cultured name; he was actually a gossipy Qilin. Wherever there was excitement, he'd be there, so he always hosted these major events.

"Up next, please welcome today's first contending teams: the Four Seas Team from the Four Seas Dragon Palace!"

"And their opponents: from the Dragon Elephant Clan, the Dragon Elephant Team!"

...

Chen Jiuge looked at the five little giants, each over ten feet tall, and his mouth twitched. Playing soccer with the Dragon Elephant Clan… isn't this asking to get kicked to death?!

"Come on, victory is ours!" Ao Mei declared confidently.

As everyone took their positions, Qi Wen announced the start of the match.

The number one Dragon Elephant burst forth with tremendous strength, rushing viciously towards Wang Jiao.

Wang Jiao shouted, "Who do you think you're looking down on?"

The Dragon Elephant and Qiongqi phantoms faced off in the sky above, as the Immortals in the audience erupted into excited cheers.

Chen Jiuge zoned out for a bit, his gaze inadvertently falling upon the members of the Myriad Beasts Sect.

Wen Ruo mouthed, "Come on!"

Chen Jiuge responded with a smile, laughing inwardly. Am I overthinking things? Carefree, carefree... isn't this just another form of being carefree?

Chen Jiuge, letting go of his inhibitions, manifested a ten-thousand-foot-tall giant behind him and charged towards Dragon Elephant number three.

After a brief contact, Dragon Elephant number three, renowned for its power, was sent flying, drawing huge gasps of shock from the audience.

Qi Wen immediately began to read from Chen Jiuge's profile. "Let me see where this valiant warrior hails from... Oh, oh, oh, found it!"

"Chen Jiuge, from Hundred Herbs Peak of the Myriad Beasts Sect! A Beast Master with exceptional nurturing techniques, disciple of Third Elder Wen Tianming of Hundred Herbs Peak! Reportedly romantically entangled with his senior martial sister, and his recorded strength is... unknown!"

Hearing this, Chen Jiuge's face darkened. What does he mean, 'romantically entangled with his senior martial sister'? And what's this about 'strength: unknown'?! This damned host, isn't he afraid of getting beaten up?

He thought again. Oh, right. The host is a Golden Immortal. He really isn't afraid of a beating.

Chen Jiuge, his anger boiling over, channeled his fury towards Dragon Elephant number one. After a few powerful charges sent him reeling, Chen Jiuge stomped hard, causing the soccer ball to pop up, then unleashed a volley shot.

The ball, thoroughly ignited by the intense friction, struck fiercely against the goalie, Dragon Elephant number six.

SIZZLE!

The smell of charred flesh and the sound of feet scraping against the ground alternated.

THUD THUD THUD.

"It's been blocked! Chen Jiuge's attack has been blocked! What a pity!" Qi Wen said, his face a mask of disappointment. Then, his tone shifted to one of shock as he exclaimed, "Wow! No, wait, look! The Dragon Elephant Clan's goalkeeper has fainted! Knocked out by a single strike from Chen Jiuge!"

"It's unbelievable!"

...

The number one Dragon Elephant on the field broke out in a cold sweat, roaring inwardly with a tremor of fear, How is this possible? How?! We couldn't even block a single shot! We're Dragon Elephants!

As the soccer ball once more landed at Chen Jiuge's feet, the five remaining members of the Dragon Elephant Clan lined up to block the goal.

Chen Jiuge flashed his pearly white teeth in a light smile. The two legs of the ten-thousand-foot giant behind him suddenly multiplied to six. Excluding the one leg used as a pivot, the other five legs kicked the ball simultaneously.

This is it for me, I'm probably done for, thought the number one Dragon Elephant at the front, his short life flashing before his eyes in the brief moment before the ball struck him.

"It's too brutal! Just too brutal!" Qi Wen exclaimed dramatically. "The Dragon Elephant Clan—all five pierced by a single ball!"

"May the Great Dao protect them."

Seeing the five Dragon Elephants lying neatly on the ground, each with a massive hole in their chest, Chen Jiuge thought apologetically, I had to win this first match.

"Let's congratulate the Four Seas Team for securing their first victory!" Qi Wen announced.

"Brothers and sisters, let the cheers erupt!"

Amidst the audience's roars, the Four Seas Team left the field.

Ao Mei, very excited, gave Chen Jiuge a kiss on the cheek, which, as luck would have it, was seen by Wen Ruo.

Chen Jiuge swiftly pushed Ao Mei away and turned to Wen Ruo, explaining, "If I said I was ambushed, would you believe me?"

"Believe you? Why wouldn't I?" Wen Ruo replied, a hint of a smile touching her otherwise calm face.

In the end, Wen Ruo didn't hold it against Chen Jiuge. After all, her junior brother truly hadn't done it on purpose.

Chen Jiuge's current feelings were quite peculiar. Wen Ruo was clearly just his senior martial sister, yet there was something different about their dynamic now, leaving him unsure how to even begin a conversation with her.