The Master of Beasts

Few Flying Boats docked in Demon City, and Chen Jiuge and his companions had to wait three full days before they were able to board a merchant Flying Boat.

Chen Jiuge's destination this time was Fengming Immortal City in the Myriad Swords Domain. This Immortal City housed Heavenly Sword Mountain, renowned throughout the Immortal Realm and said to attract many cultivators. Regardless of whether they were Sword Cultivators, everyone tried their luck there. If chosen by an Immortal Sword, one would obtain a high-quality Spiritual Artifact for free. With even greater fortune, one might acquire an Immortal Sword with a legacy, propelling them straight to the skies. Thus, Heavenly Sword Mountain was also seen as a holy land by Loose Cultivators.

"If you ask me, there's no need for Heavenly Sword Mountain when Bright Moon Lake is so nice," Da Bai said, somewhat discontented.

"Idiot, Master obviously wants to see if he has the aptitude for sword cultivation. You know, 'Sword Qi spanning a hundred thousand li, a single sword illuminating nineteen provinces'—that's the ultimate fantasy for male cultivators."

"It's also the best cultivation method for attracting Female Cultivators," Yue Meng commented with the air of a sage.

Listening, Chen Jiuge couldn't help but sweat with embarrassment. "Don't read such nonsensical storybooks," he chided.

"Doesn't Master want that?" Yue Meng challenged.

Don't I want it? Of course, I do. Who wouldn't admire the dashing figure of a Sword Cultivator in flowing white robes, exuding an air of romantic heroism? It's a pity I've already embarked on the path of a dedicated beast-companion attendant. Even if I wanted to switch my cultivation focus now, it would be impossible.

"I've truly sacrificed too much for this found family," Chen Jiuge lamented.

Fengming Immortal City was located in the Myriad Swords Domain, the territory of Myriad Swords Mountain. However, the people of Myriad Swords Mountain differed from other sects in that they didn't meddle much in worldly affairs. Indeed, the Myriad Swords Domain was primarily occupied by various large and small families and lesser sects. Even a sufficiently strong Loose Cultivator could establish their own sect here, provided they didn't offend the people of Myriad Swords Mountain. Consequently, there were particularly many Evil Cultivators who specialized in ambushing passing merchant Flying Boats.

Unfortunately, Chen Jiuge's merchant group encountered one such attack.

After the Flying Boat shook violently, Chen Jiuge heard the sounds of fighting. Upon going out, he saw the Flying Boat had been nearly overrun; his fellow passengers were either still resisting or already lying on the ground.

"There's another one! Butcher him!" growled a bearded Tribulation Cultivator, his gaze vicious as he looked at the three—one adult, one older child, and one younger child—just stepping out of their room.

Da Bai executed a thunderous flying kick that shattered the Tribulation Cultivator's head. "Who are you underestimating, you mere Divinity Transformation weakling?!" he scoffed.

Could it be because I'm also at the Divinity Transformation stage? Chen Jiuge mused, looking at the violent child with a sense of speechlessness. He's clearly a Five Elements Fire Qilin, yet he disdains Fire Element Magic, preferring physical combat.

"They're tough ones! We need more men here!" another Tribulation Cultivator shouted to his comrades, having witnessed Da Bai's display.

At this moment, Nian Yu and Jiao Yue also emerged from another room.

"What's happening?" Jiao Yue asked, puzzled by the scene before her. Nian Yu, however, realized they had encountered Tribulation Cultivators and quickly pulled Jiao Yue behind Chen Jiuge.

"Look, two pretty Female Cultivators! Brothers, charge!"

Watching the Tribulation Cultivators pounce like rabid dogs, Chen Jiuge decided to stretch his limbs a bit, as long as he didn't use any abilities beyond the Divinity Transformation stage.

He faced a barrage of incoming Magic—"Fierce Wind Skill," "Heavy Rock Skill," "Blazing Fire"—and charged forward. He threw a left hook, then a right, and finished with a Rising Dragon Fist to the enemy in the center.

He watched three heads explode. Then, looking down at his five-colored vestment robe—unscathed and pristine, without a speck of blood—he smiled with satisfaction. "These Spirit Stones were well spent; the quality of this vestment robe is truly excellent."

However, the most critical battle was unfolding in the Mahayana Battlefield high above. Chen Jiuge pondered for a moment, then quietly released Li Kui, instructing it to conceal its form and assist the cultivators above in driving away the Tribulation Cultivators.

Li Kui reluctantly agreed, though Is this disguise a bit off? it wondered.

Chen Jiuge watched as Li Kui casually covered its face with a piece of black cloth. He couldn't help feeling he had walked onto the wrong set; this was supposed to be the Cultivation World, not a martial arts drama.

Regardless, Li Kui had taken action, and the attacking Tribulation Cultivators were swiftly dealt with. Just as the captain was about to express his gratitude, Li Kui had already vanished.

"That was rather clean and decisive," Chen Jiuge remarked, observing the unresigned expressions in the eyes of the dead Tribulation Cultivators. The captain leaned over in an awkward bow, attempting to thank someone who had already disappeared, creating a rather eerie scene.

Nevertheless, the impact was minimal. Under the captain's guidance, the cultivators, relieved the crisis was over, sped through the Tribulation Cultivator-infested region. They traveled day and night at full speed, finally arriving safely at Fengming Immortal City three days later.

"Fellow Daoists, we have reached Fengming Immortal City. May fate allow us to meet again."

As he watched the Flying Boat hurry away without pause, Chen Jiuge suddenly felt a pang of regret for not getting to know the captain better. That man is probably a fellow practitioner of the art of cautious survival.

"Alright, next we'll eat well, sleep well, and then head to Heavenly Sword Mountain."

"Hooray!"

Watching Jiao Yue cheer along with the three little ones—Da Bai, Yue Meng, and Xiao Qi—Nian Yu felt a bit weary, a sentiment shared by Zi Jing.

It always feels less like a training expedition and more like I'm chaperoning a children's tour group.

In Fengming Immortal City, one could see Sword Cultivators rarely encountered elsewhere; here, they were so common you could find them anywhere on the streets. He observed the Sword Cultivators: some wore Spirit Swords at their waists, others carried them on their backs or cradled them in their arms, and some even had multiple Spirit Swords slung across their backs. They all radiated a sharp aura, as if each person was a sword themselves. Of course, not everyone was a Sword Cultivator. For instance, to blend in, Chen Jiuge and his companions each bought a Spirit Sword; even the petite Xiao Qi and Zi Jing acquired specially made ones.

"Brother, isn't your group taking the 'fitting in' a bit too far? Even the Zijinghua little elf is carrying a Spirit Sword?" a young cultivator remarked, looking astonished at Chen Jiuge's party.

Da Bai turned and eyed the young man's wine gourd and the Spirit Sword at his waist, which was adorned with various colored Spiritual Ores. Feeling a bit envious, he retorted, "What's it to you, showoff?"

The young man had a good temper. He simply took out the flashy sword at his waist and asked, "Kid, do you want it?"

"Call me 'Big Brother,' and I'll give it to you."

"Who do you think you are?" Da Bai replied scornfully.

"This piece isn't expensive. Including the Sword Scabbard, it costs only one thousand Top Grade Spirit Stones," the young man said lightly.

"Big Brother! You're my dearest Big Brother!"

「Fengming Building」

This was the best restaurant in Fengming City and also its most luxurious inn. At this moment, Chen Jiuge and his companions had been invited by the young man to a private room here.

"Brother Chen, what do you think? Does it meet your standards?" Jian Wuli gestured towards the luxuriously decorated private room.

After a thorough inspection, and comparing it to other inns and restaurants he had seen, Chen Jiuge found it clear that this place was top-tier.

So, he responded politely, "Brother Wu, you're too kind. Thank you for your generosity."

"Ah, don't say that! It's not as if I'm short on Spirit Stones. The moment I saw you, Brother Chen, I felt we must have been close friends in a past life," Jian Wuli said with great enthusiasm.

"Let's get the dishes served first so Brother Chen can taste the signature Spirit Food of Fengming Immortal City. I guarantee you'll find it unforgettable," Jian Wuli added with a hearty laugh.

Chen Jiuge didn't quite understand Jian Wuli's inexplicable enthusiasm, but he didn't refuse. After all, Jian Wuli was only at the Divinity Transformation stage. Even if he dared to try anything like drugging him, Ao Li and Li Kui were still in his Personal Cave Heaven.

Strength was Chen Jiuge's ultimate assurance.