The Master of Beasts

"I never thought this old body could regain its youthful appearance again, how delightful," Granny Hua said, her eyes slightly red with emotion as she looked into the small mirror at her familiar face.

Elves actually have very short Life Spans. Non-cultivating Elves live for just over a hundred years. Those who can cultivate might live for four to five hundred years, a thousand at most. Only those truly talented Elves can break through to the Immortal Realm within a thousand years and obtain a longer Life Span.

The Empress of Demon City was such a being. She was reputed to have exceptional talent and had achieved immortality in just a few hundred years. Having been in power for ten thousand years, her Cultivation was now unfathomably deep, further solidifying Demon City's position.

After Xiao Qi returned, she had planned to use the Top Grade Spirit Stone she earned from guiding them today to buy another bottle of Flower Nectar. However, the transformed Granny Hua informed her it was sold out.

"Gone!!" This thunderbolt from a clear sky left Xiao Qi stunned.

"It was all bought by the guest you brought. You'll have to wait until next year," Granny Hua said with a smile, pointing at Chen Jiuge and his group.

Watching Jiao Yue and Da Bai frantically devour the Flower Nectar, Xiao Qi's eyes inadvertently reddened. So much Flower Nectar!

"Here, this is for you," Chen Jiuge said, handing a bottle to Xiao Qi.

However, the bottle was somewhat large for Xiao Qi, about half her height.

"Really? Truly?"

Seeing Xiao Qi clutching the bottle tightly to her chest, Chen Jiuge smiled. "Truly."

Having received a large bottle of Flower Nectar, Xiao Qi was bursting with enthusiasm for the rest of the journey. Especially whenever they reached a place selling delicious food, this guest would generously buy her a large portion.

Having completely emptied the Stone Elf's supply of Soft Mud Worms, the Stone Elf hugged the Spirit Stones with an expression that was both happy and sad. Her favorite Soft Mud Worms were gone, but there were so many Spirit Stones!

After buying the Soft Mud Worms, it was getting late, so Chen Jiuge and the others planned to head back to the inn. The food in Demon City was indeed excellent, with its unique flavors.

Back at the inn, Chen Jiuge entered the Grotto Heaven. He intended to sort out the Spiritual Beast cubs that hadn't been managed recently, especially since the Low-Rank Aquatic Spiritual Beasts used as ingredients bred with astonishing speed and in great numbers.

「Downstairs at the Zi Jing Inn.」

Xiao Qi, as if presenting treasures, pulled out an abundance of delicacies from her Storage Ring. "Auntie, look! Isn't it a lot? Feel free to eat!"

Zi Jing, facing enough food to completely bury them both, exclaimed in astonishment, "Oh my goodness, how many Spirit Stones must this have cost?"

"Lots and lots! The guest gave it all to me. He bought even more—at least, at least enough to fill all the rooms in our inn several times over!" Xiao Qi said, straining for a comparison.

GULP.

Zi Jing, looking at her naïve niece, gave a knowing, aunt-like smile. "Xiao Qi, why don't you quietly ask if the guest still wants an Elf servant like us? I think I could do it."

"Auntie, you want to sell yourself? I actually think so too! That guest has so many Spirit Stones, and I don't think he's a bad person," Xiao Qi whispered.

"So, we..."

Chen Jiuge had no idea that the two little Elves downstairs were already scheming about him.

For the next two days, Xiao Qi continued to be their guide, showcasing the unique charm of Demon City.

"Xiao Qi, why have I seen so few Human Clan Cultivators in the city these past two days?" Chen Jiuge asked curiously, looking at the streets bustling with little Elves.

"Because this is Demon City, of course, there are hardly any Cultivators of other races. But I've heard from Cultivators who come from outside that the cost of living in Demon City is too high. They said it's better not to come again," Xiao Qi imitated perfectly.

Indeed, the spending is really high. Even Cultivators at the Divinity Transformation or Returning to Void Realms would probably feel the pinch here. Chen Jiuge calculated the expenses of the past few days; they were indeed quite high.

Today was an important day in Demon City: the batch of Elves nurtured by the Fairy Sea was about to be born!

These newly born Elves were the new generation of Demon City and were naturally highly valued. Meanwhile, the few Cultivators present also headed towards the Fairy Sea, planning to witness this grand spectacle.

The Fairy Sea. As its name suggested, this was the Elves' domain. Unlike a normal sea, it consisted mainly of various plants.

Various exotic flowers and herbs were visible everywhere. In mid-air, many colorful, cloud-like objects floated. Xiao Qi explained that these were the cradles for the Five Elements Elves and other special Elves.

Although Chen Jiuge was eager to activate his Heavenly Eye and uncover the secrets of the Fairy Sea, he gave up on the idea under the strict gazes of the Elf guards, whose Cultivation levels were all at least Mahayana.

Sometimes, the unknown is the most captivating, isn't it?

As a True Immortal Elf, not much different in size from a human, descended, the spectacle of the little Elves' birth officially began.

In the sea of Elves, countless flower buds began to bloom, revealing the pure and innocent little Elves within. Stone Elves quietly emerged from the rocks, and the colorful clouds in mid-air split in half, revealing the Five Elements Elves inside.

As the number of newborn Elves increased, the Fairy Sea gradually emitted a brilliant light.

"It's coming, it's coming! The Elves' Blessing!" Xiao Qi said excitedly, tugging at Chen Jiuge. She then devoutly pressed her palms together, continuously chanting under her breath.

The colors were countless times more beautiful than the auroras of his previous life, and they deeply imprinted themselves in Chen Jiuge's eyes.

Perhaps this is the meaning of becoming immortal: to witness all the beauty in the world.

Chen Jiuge's Dao Heart was cleansed of another speck of dust at that moment.

Beautiful moments are always fleeting. After the Elves' Blessing ended, it was time for the part most beloved by the visiting Cultivators: the Elves choosing their masters.

This phase would last for one hour. If an Elf took a liking to you during that time, you could purchase it with Flower Spirit Stones.

Of course, the most gifted of these young Elves had already been taken away by the True Immortal Elf; one could not simply sell off their own prodigies.

"HAHAHA! An Elf has chosen me!" a young Cultivator not far from Chen Jiuge exclaimed, carefully holding a white little Elf in his hands and laughing heartily.

Xiao Qi said enviously, "That's a Medicine Elf. They possess abilities related to Spirit Plants far exceeding those of common little Elves like us."

"But you are just as cute," Chen Jiuge consoled.

"That's right, we are just as cute!" Xiao Qi cheered herself up.

Not long after Chen Jiuge said this, a pale yellow little Elf, blinking its large eyes, appeared before him.

Is this an Earth Elf? Chen Jiuge was somewhat surprised; Earth Elves were a very rare type of Elf.

He happily accepted the Elf, feeling quite pleased. At least in the eyes of the Elves, I'm a pure and kind person, he thought.

By the time the hour was completely over, Chen Jiuge had only obtained one Earth Elf. No other person or beast had received any.

Da Bai, who was itching for some excitement, claimed it was because Li Kui was too fierce, which had deterred the little Elves. Presently, Da Bai was still in the Grotto Heaven, taking on Li Kui one-on-one.

An Earth Elf for one thousand Top Grade Spirit Stones. The price was fairly standard, especially since it was unknown whether this newborn Earth Elf could cultivate or what its talents were.

After placing the Earth Elf, whom he named Qimi, into his Personal Cave Heaven, Chen Jiuge decided to first let Ao Li, whose paternal instincts were overwhelming, take care of it.

Qimi was bold and not shy, quickly hopping onto Ao Li's head and making joyful noises. Chen Jiuge was very satisfied. Having courage is good, he thought.

After witnessing the spectacle of the Elves' birth, Demon City held little attraction for Chen Jiuge in the short term. It was time to leave.

On the night before leaving, Zi Jing and Xiao Qi came to Chen Jiuge's room.

Looking at the two Elves who wanted to sell themselves to him, Chen Jiuge was caught between laughter and tears. "What are you two doing? Aren't we friends?"

"This is the rule. Only if you purchase us can you take us with you," Zi Jing said, pulling out a Lawbook and pointing to the relevant passage.

"That's right, that's right! Please take us with you! I can eat less," Xiao Qi agreed.

Chen Jiuge was caught between laughter and tears but finally agreed to buy the two. After all, these two Elves were indeed good-looking, and Xiao Qi was very cute.

After paying the Spirit Stones for their servitude, Chen Jiuge started planning his next destination.

"Which of these do you think is best?"

Looking at the three closest Immortal Cities he had selected, Chen Jiuge found it difficult to decide, as all three seemed quite interesting.