《Entering The Dao Through Beast Taming [XIANXIA]》 01 : Caught By Trafficker Tick-tock... Tick-tock... Lu ming gradually regained consciousness. He opened his eyes and was met by a damp, cold air. Where is this? The air was thick with an indescribable musty smell, mixed with the scent of damp earth. The surrounding walls were covered in moss and dark mold, and the sound of dripping water echoed from somewhere, making the place feel even more cold and eerie. A prison cell? After observing the dim environment, Lu ming reached a judgment that felt absurd in his heart. He had just passed the immortal examination, preparing to follow the immortals to cultivate and pursue eternal life. How could he end up in a place like this? "Awake?" A sharp pain surged in his head, and before he could make further assessments, a weak voice came from nearby. Lu ming then realized he seemed to have a neighbor. He wanted to struggle, but found he couldn''t move; his body was incredibly stiff. "Don''t waste your energy," the voice said again. "We¡¯ve both been bound by a binding spell." "Who are you?" Lu ming asked. "Like you, I''ve been abducted by an immortal trafficker, I''m yuan ying," the person replied. "¡­" Immortal trafficker? What is that? Hearing this, Lu ming quickly recalled. He was a traveler from a blue planet. After arriving here, he discovered that immortals indeed existed. Now that he was here, Lu ming quickly found new motivation. He wanted to cultivate! His memory flashed back to when he desperately sought an immortal, eventually passing the entrance examination of a cultivation sect called "Jade Pure Sect" due to his astonishing talent and extraordinary physique. Then everything went dark, and he couldn¡¯t remember anything after that. He ended up locked up in this place. "Immortal trafficker?" Lu ming had no words. Don''t tell him that the cultivation sect he worked so hard to find turned out to be a human trafficking den... Damn it! Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. The weak voice came again. "By the way¡­ brother, what is your physique?" "The fact that the Yin Corpse Sect has set their sights on you means you are definitely a genius in cultivation like me." "Me? A genius?" Lu ming didn''t know whether to feel happy or distressed. Hearing what the other said, it was indeed the case; perhaps he truly possessed some talent for cultivation, otherwise, he might not even be worth being sold. But now, the only advantage he had after crossing over seemed to have become a death warrant. "Brother, don¡¯t panic. Just because we¡¯ve been abducted here doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re doomed." "I''m not panicking. What will happen to us next?" Lu ming took a deep breath. He was an optimistic person. During his illness, with encouragement from family and friends, he developed a positive outlook on life. With a good attitude, luck wouldn¡¯t be bad. Look, he didn¡¯t die after all; he had crossed over, right? He had unwittingly gained a new life. "...The Yin Corpse Sect is one of the three major demonic sects in the cultivation world, specializing in the illegal trade of human trafficking." "They capture low-level cultivators or mortals with rare physiques and sell them to higher-level cultivators for possession or as resources for cultivating demonic techniques." "Normally, our outcome is obvious; we either become the vessels for some cultivator to possess and restart their cultivation or be refined into great medicinal pills." "However, brother¡­" the person said, "we¡¯re not without a way out. The reason I¡¯m asking about your situation is that some special physiques might not meet a grim end." The weak voice continued, "For instance, I am a Original essence physique, which is the best dual cultivation furnace. Even if I die, it would only be from expending all my essence, dying in pleasure. If I¡¯m lucky, and the buyer is a kind female cultivator, I might not die at all... This is the glimmer of hope I mentioned." Lu ming fell silent. No wonder you¡¯re not panicking. How does it feel like you¡¯re a bit eager? "So, what about you, brother? Let me analyze your situation." "Me..." What is my cultivation physique? From what he understood, in this world, more than ninety-nine percent of cultivators start out as ordinary bodies, but there are a few lucky ones who are born with various attribute spiritual bodies or special physiques, allowing them to go further on the path of cultivation. When he joined "Jade Pure Sect," that Daoist Qing Niu seemed to say he had an extraordinary cultivation physique, a Longevity Body! A short-lived person matched with a Longevity Body; he himself found it surprising. The other person claimed that after stepping onto the immortal path, his lifespan would be at least ten times that of other cultivators of the same realm! The benefits of his physique seemed simple, but it was better than an ordinary body. Lu ming had already decided to survive for a few thousand years in the Daoist temple and then emerge after becoming invincible. But who knew, he hadn¡¯t been happy for long when... So, is my Longevity Body really true? "If I am a Longevity Body, what will the outcome be?" Lu ming asked. "Mm? Longevity Body?!" Yuan ying was stunned, then exclaimed in surprise, his tone became strong and no longer weak. "You are actually a Longevity Body!" "Then you are finished." Lu ming: ? "According to legend, although cultivators with a Longevity Body have long lifespans, their flesh and blood are said to be ''immortal'' when consumed. I¡¯ve heard that the flesh and blood of a Longevity Body is a great supplement for demon creatures, and it has unimaginable allure for demonic beasts." "You might¡­ be sold to some demon king by the Yin Corpse Sect, becoming a meal!" The Yuan Yang physique lamented and expressed regret. Lu ming: ? Is it like premium quality meat?!,of course for cultivators... "Well, that''s acceptable." However, in the next moment, Lu ming let out a sigh of relief. "I still have a glimmer of hope." "Why do you say that?" The Yuan Ying was taken aback. "Although I don¡¯t know much about Longevity Bodies, I speculate that the higher the cultivation realm of a Longevity Body cultivator, the better the effect of consumption." Lu ming also began to analyze. "In other words, after being sold, I might not be eaten immediately." "It''s possible that the demon king will forcibly increase my realm before consuming me." "Moreover, it would be too extravagant to eat me all at once. If I were the demon king, I would slowly improve my quality, taking blood and cutting flesh every day for cyclical consumption, maximizing value. I could suggest to the demon king that maybe we could collaborate long-term." "That¡¯s better than being possessed immediately..." "Ah?" The Yuan Ying exclaimed, greatly shocked. He wanted to ask him, "Are you a normal mortal? What have you been through!" But ultimately, he didn''t ask out loud... The two fell silent. Lu ming looked up at the sky again in silence. ... After an unknown amount of time. With a loud bang, the prison cell shook. Lu ming and the Yuan Ying, who had their eyes closed and were lost in thought, opened their eyes at the same time. Outside, there was a great commotion, as if someone was engaged in battles. Hearing the noise, Lu ming suddenly thought of some keywords and said, "Brother ying, didn¡¯t you say before that the Yin Corpse Sect engages in illegal activities and is a demonic sect?" "This means there¡¯s a ''righteous law enforcement organization'' in the cultivation world, right?" "If that¡¯s the case, do we still have another path to survival, which is to be rescued by righteous people before being sold?" Yuan Ying leaned out, surprised that this mortal was quick to react, and most importantly, his emotions were incredibly stable. "Is it?!" Lu ming remained calm, knowing that there¡¯s no absolute path for the people under heaven. This commotion¡­ it might be righteous immortals coming to rescue them! As soon as he finished speaking, the stone wall shattered, and the large prison cell was smashed to pieces. Amid the flying debris, a massive black bear creature, towering two people high, appeared in front of Lu ming. This black bear monster had muscles bulging, and its red eyes were fixed on Lu ming, drooling from its mouth filled with sharp teeth as it spoke in human language: "I caught a whiff of a delicious scent from far away..." "What luck! To find a ''Longevity Body'' in this little place, and there are only a few weak foundation-building cultivators guarding it." "It seems I can have a great feast¡­" As the bear spoke, Lu ming''s smile faded. Wait, where did this monster come from? 02 : Inner Disciple Hey... is it really necessary?! Looking at the monster that came in, Lu ming was speechless. It wasn¡¯t the righteous immortal who had come to attack the Yin Corpse Sect stronghold, but rather... a monster attracted by his physique? A black bear that was a foundational cultivator of the demonic sect... To be honest, if given the choice, he didn¡¯t really want to engage in a long-term partnership with a demon beast. Even if the other party was reasonable and consented, it would still hurt him. Just escaping from a wolf¡¯s den to fall into a bear¡¯s mouth, Lu ming felt very tired. Sensing the foul smell coming from the black bear''s mouth, Lu ming sorted out his thoughts and was about to introduce the proper way to eat him. During this time, thump, thump... Lu ming''s heartbeat accelerated, and his stiff body seemed to regain some movement, but even if he could move, he didn¡¯t think he could escape. "Great King, please hear me out..." Lu ming spoke, needing to appeal to emotion and reason. But the next second, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, leaving him in a somewhat complicated mood. "Elder Black Bear." The previously encountered Yuan Ying had somehow walked out of the collapsed prison cell, brushing off the dust from his body, and respectfully clasped his fists towards the black bear monster. "He¡¯s just a mortal; please don¡¯t scare him. What if he dies?" "Ah?" The black bear monster stretched out its palm to wipe its drool, its eyes turning to the Yuan Ying. "You¡¯ve done a great job this time." "I¡¯ve already dealt with the demonic sect cultivators in this Yin Corpse Sect stronghold..." "Next, we¡¯ll leave it to the Demon Extermination Division to handle. However, this guy..." The black bear monster licked its lips, looking at Lu ming. "I know." The Yuan Ying laughed heartily. Saying this, he looked kindly at Lu ming. At this moment, Lu ming could only remain silent. This is... The Yuan Ying smiled at Lu ming. "Brother, I know you have many questions in your heart, and I¡¯m here to answer them for you." "I am Yuan Ying, an inner disciple of the Beast Taming Sect. For the sake of the sect¡¯s mission, I deliberately disguised myself as prey to infiltrate the Yin Corpse Sect stronghold and provide intelligence for the sect."If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "It was originally a long-term mission to catch bigger fish, but I couldn¡¯t bear to see you fall into the jaws of a monster, so I contacted the sect early to set up a net." "Now, this Yin Corpse Sect stronghold has been destroyed, so you don¡¯t have to worry about your safety anymore." Lu ming looked up. He looked at the other person. Then he glanced at the black bear monster, which had somehow pulled out a Daoist robe and draped it over itself. On the back of the robe, there were three large characters that appeared to read "Beast Taming Sect." An undercover agent? "Of course, our meeting is fated. You must have entered the Yin Corpse Sect in search of immortality, so I wonder if you would be interested in returning with me to the Beast Taming Sect and become a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, cultivating beasts and seeking immortality?" Yuan Ying invited. "Beast Taming Sect?" Lu ming knew... His life was not meant to end here! "Yes, the Beast Taming Sect!" Yuan Ying seemed to see through Lu ming¡¯s caution and said solemnly, "You can rest assured that the Beast Taming Sect is a legitimate sect, recognized as a righteous path in the Tianyuan Ancient Kingdom." Lu ming nodded, but he still felt that the black bear monster¡¯s drool didn¡¯t seem to be fake. Moreover, "Beast Taming Sect" sounded like a place that raised many demon beasts. Since his Longevity Body was a great supplement to demon beasts, then entering such a sect would surely bring trouble. Lu ming expressed his skepticism. At this time, the Daoist robe-clad black bear monster turned its head and said, "Kid, do you still want to cultivate? If so, joining the Beast Taming Sect is your best option." "Although the Longevity Body has a long lifespan, its cultivation speed is extraordinarily slow, and there are no divine abilities to enhance it, making its combat power quite ordinary. According to normal cultivation methods, even with abundant resources, it would take a long time to successfully establish a foundation." "This physique gradually becomes extinct; in addition to being hunted by the demon clan, the difficulty of cultivation is also a factor." "Therefore, even if a Longevity Body is discovered, most sects can¡¯t afford to nurture it due to its overly harsh cultivation conditions!" "However, the Beast Taming Sect is different. The methods practiced there involve cultivators forming contracts with spiritual beasts and demon beasts, primarily assisted by pet beasts in combat. While cultivating the pet beasts, the cultivation results of the pets will also partially reflect back on the cultivators." "So, for cultivators whose cultivation speed is too slow due to innate talent and physique, choosing the path of beast cultivation in the Beast Taming Sect is the best option." "The Beast Path is more suitable for your Longevity Body than any other cultivation methods, such as law cultivators, sword cultivators, or body cultivators!" "What do you think?" Elder Black Bear stared at Lu ming, laying out the pros and cons. "I see." Lu ming understood. No wonder Brother Ying gave up his task to save him first. Hearing this, the Longevity Body cultivation physique indeed matched well with the cultivation methods of the Beast Taming Sect. Relying on his long lifespan... he could cultivate one pet after another, quietly increasing his cultivation in the background; that didn¡¯t sound too bad. "Benefactor... I am willing to join the Beast Taming Sect." Lu ming immediately said. For now, he didn¡¯t care if the Beast Taming Sect was reliable; he had no other options. He certainly couldn''t continue being an ordinary person. After experiencing being sold to the Yin Corpse Sect, Lu ming didn¡¯t want to wander around outside anymore. The hearts of people are treacherous. The hearts of beasts are treacherous. Having a Longevity Body was like being a walking premium quality meat; it was too dangerous. Moreover... his current life was saved by them. A drop of water of kindness should be rewarded with a fountain of grace; how could he forget a life-saving grace? He wanted to enter the sect... to seek an opportunity for repayment! "Good, good, good." Upon receiving Lu ming¡¯s answer, Yuan Ying smiled again. "Then from now on, you can call me by name,we are brothers. Let¡¯s return to the sect!" Finding a special physique for the sect was worth far more than the rewards of this mission. Yuan Ying looked at Lu ming as if he were a brilliant spirit stone, incredibly pleasing to the eye. "Okay, Brother ying... Oh! By the way!" Lu ming suddenly remembered something and said, "What about the Daoist temple that tricked me here?" Recalling that old Daoist riding a ox, Lu ming felt particularly resentful. The grudge of being trafficked was one that couldn''t be shared; if it weren''t for meeting the undercover agent, he would have almost met his end! He remembered this grudge, as well as the Yin Corpse Sect... he wouldn''t forget! Gratitude should be remembered, and so should grudges. Once he became a powerful cultivator, he would ensure that this trafficking organization was wiped out. "You don¡¯t need to worry about that. The Demon Extermination Division will take care of it." The black bear monster spoke while observing the surroundings. "This place isn¡¯t safe for long. We don¡¯t know if the demon cultivators in this stronghold have passed on your Longevity Body information to higher-level Yin Corpse Sect cultivators. For safety¡¯s sake, let¡¯s return to the sect first." "My Beast Taming Sect Elder Mo Wuya of the Beast Taming Sect, has been waiting for you. He is responsible for identifying special disciples, and it was he who discovered Yuan Ying and brought him into the sect. Both of you are talented with special physiques, and once you enter the sect, your treatment will be better than that of ordinary disciples!" Lu ming nodded, but with his Longevity Body, he felt that danger would not be scarce after stepping into the world of cultivation. Based on his character, should he raise a monkey to protect himself...? 03 : Beast Taming Sect Towering mountains, enshrouded in clouds and mist, reached toward the heavens. This was the domain of the Beast Taming Sect. High among the peaks, nestled within the sea of clouds, Elder Black Bear swept Lu ming and Yuan Ying into the sect¡¯s grounds. One of the main peaks, Lotus Peak, shaped like a blooming lotus flower, appeared as if it had been carefully sculpted by nature itself. The black wind carried them to the peak, where clouds churned around them. As Lu ming¡¯s vision cleared, he found himself standing in a stone courtyard. The stone courtyard appeared simple and unadorned, yet breathing here felt like being in a celestial realm, refreshing the spirit and dispelling worldly cares. "Back, are we?" In the courtyard stood an elder in black Daoist robes, his sparse silver hair combed back, revealing a forehead etched with the marks of time. He seemed to have been waiting for a while, only showing signs of vitality in his eyes¡ªusually as still as a stagnant spring¡ªwhen someone arrived. "Master," the Black Bear spoke. "Elder Mo," Yuan Ying respectfully greeted. Lu ming followed their example and saluted. "I shall take my leave, then." Without waiting for Elder Mo¡¯s response, Yuan Ying withdrew voluntarily. The Black Bear yawned and transformed into a cloud of black smoke, vanishing into the distance. Soon, only Lu ming and Elder Mo remained in the courtyard. "Child, what¡¯s your name?" Elder Mo looked at Lu ming and asked. "Elder, my name is Lu ming." "Why do you pursue immortality?" His gaze deepened as he looked at Lu ming. Lu ming sighed, "Initially, I sought immortality for a longer life, but then I discovered I possessed an Eternal Life Constitution¡­" Elder Mo was at a loss for words. "And now?" "I dislike fighting and killing. I initially hoped to cultivate in peace and pursue the path to eternal life." "But I¡¯ve realized the Eternal Life Constitution can¡¯t remain hidden; it will inevitably attract the attention of demonic beasts." Lu ming shook his head. "So, I wish to cultivate formidable strength!" "Indeed, only with power can one control their fate," Elder Mo said. "However, with power, one must also use it for righteous purposes."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Lu ming looked solemn. "I have already decided. To repay the sect¡¯s life-saving grace, once I am strong enough, I¡¯ll use myself as bait to lure various demonic beasts to the Beast Taming Sect. This way, every disciple can have several beasts to subdue." "???" Elder Mo responded, "There¡¯s no need for that; the sect doesn¡¯t lack demonic beasts." "Moreover, enslaving beasts is an outdated path for our sect." "I meant that, given the sect saved you from the Yin Corpse Sect, you should help others in need once you gain strength. Seek virtue and avoid falling into darkness in your pursuit of power." "Enough." "Let¡¯s move on to official matters," he continued, though he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this Eternal Life Constitution seemed unusual, hoping it wouldn¡¯t cause trouble in the future. "In the Beast Taming Sect, disciple ranks are divided into servant, outer, inner, and true disciples." "You are now an outer disciple of the sect, but since you possess a special constitution, you¡¯ll receive enhanced training privileges." "The sect will grant you resources one level higher than your current status. As an outer disciple, you¡¯ll receive resources at the level of an inner disciple. When you reach the inner disciple status, you¡¯ll receive the resources of a true disciple!" "However, while your constitution is unique, advancement still depends on your efforts. You¡¯ll need to complete sect missions and contribute to the sect." The sect did not easily bestow knowledge, and while the Eternal Life Constitution was rare with great potential, it would take time to assess Lu ming¡¯s character and resolve. After Elder Mo finished, Lu ming nodded. "Understood, Elder. Thank you." "Good." "May you strive in your cultivation and not disappoint the sect''s support." He continued, "Do you know the types of beasts?" "Types of beasts?" Lu ming shook his head. "I don¡¯t know¡­" "There are four kinds," Elder Mo said, looking up at the sky. "Spiritual, Demonic, Rare, and Celestial!" "Those that absorb the essence of the sun and moon, or are nurtured by spiritual fruits and plants, developing wisdom and cultivation, are called Spiritual Beasts." "Those that feed on flesh, or devour souls, are called Demonic Beasts." "In the Beast Taming Sect, we keep both Spiritual and Demonic Beasts." "Usually, new disciples are provided with a low-level Spiritual Beast as their pet." "Yuan Ying should have explained this to you, correct?" "No, Elder Black Bear¡¯s speed made us dizzy on the way ¡­," Lu ming hesitated to replyabout yuan ying and asked, "Elder Mo, what about the Rare and Celestial types?" "Have you seen the night sky?" "In addition to the sun and moon, countless strange stars are scattered across the sky." "There is a legend that these stars are fallen immortals transformed." "They sometimes shine brightly, and when their light touches the Tianyuan Continent, it may cause various wild animals and plants to mutate!" "Whether a Spiritual or Demonic Beast, those altered by the light gain a mysterious ability, a supernatural power that gives them a unique racial talent distinct from ordinary beasts." "For example, they might master spatial or temporal powers in the Qi Refining stage." "Or they might regenerate from a single drop of blood, achieving near immortality." "Some may even enter the Netherworld or escape the Five Elements." "However, such beings are rare, and these mutated beasts are called Rare Beasts." "As for Celestial Beasts, with the severed immortal path, it¡¯s unknown if any exist on the Tianyuan Continent today." "Spiritual¡­ Demonic¡­ Rare¡­ Celestial¡­" Since joining the Beast Taming Sect, Lu ming naturally felt it was essential to understand these classifications. Herbivorous Spiritual Beasts seemed relatively less dangerous. Carnivorous Demonic Beasts¡­ as someone with the Eternal Life Constitution, he¡¯d best avoid those while he was still weak. As for Rare Beasts, with their rarity, he figured they wouldn¡¯t concern him either. "Now, let¡¯s choose your pet beast." "The sect recently recruited a large batch of outer disciples, so the number of available pet beasts is limited." "But since you¡¯re new to cultivation, you don¡¯t need to contract a particularly powerful pet beast just yet." "You have ample time to build a foundation. When your cultivation is stronger, you can then contract a more powerful pet beast with a strong bloodline." "I will follow your guidance," Lu ming said without complaint. "Good." Elder Mo continued, "Currently, we have basic Spiritual Beasts of four attributes remaining¡ªWater, Fire, Earth, and Wood." "These are the Water-attribute Rain Frog, of which there are seven left." "The Fire-attribute Fire Spirit Finch, with two left." "The Earth-attribute Horned Ox, with three available." "And the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse, with only one remaining." "I¡¯ll introduce them," Elder Mo explained. "The Beast Taming Sect cultivates five kinds of basic pet beasts suitable for Qi Refining cultivators, one for each attribute: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth." "These five pet beasts are not only friendly but also have potential to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Additionally, they can quickly help disciples gather cultivation resources." "The Metal-attribute Battle Ape is efficient in mining. Those who choose it can take mining missions in the spirit mine area, earning daily resources and strengthening the Battle Ape. But this batch has already been chosen." "Of course, the other four types are equally good." "The Water-attribute Rain Frog is adept at water techniques, and, when nurtured, can summon rain to irrigate the spirit fields." "The Fire-attribute Fire Spirit Finch is skilled in fire techniques and can assist in the fire kitchens and fire refining rooms." "The Earth-attribute Horned Ox, with its boundless stamina, helps transport supplies between peaks." "Lastly, the Wood-attribute Pine Leaf Mouse excels in wood techniques, with a spirit power that accelerates the growth of spiritual plants." "Among the five, the Battle Ape, Horned Ox, and Fire Spirit Finch are better in combat, while the Rain Frog and Pine Leaf Mouse are more peaceful and offer higher rewards in daily sect missions." "However, the most crucial factor in choosing a pet is compatibility with yourself." "For your constitution, which is like a normal one and without any elemental affinity, any of the Spiritual Beasts would suit you without causing conflicts." As he spoke, two shadows appeared in the clouds¡­ shortly, two beautiful celestial cranes landed before them. "Greetings, Elder Mo. Where to next?" one of the cranes inquired in a pleasant, feminine voice. Elder Mo looked to Lu ming, signaling him to choose his pet type. These cranes would carry them to the mountain where the selected Spiritual Beast resided. 04 : Choosing a beast Lu ming understood that his constitution, like that of an ordinary person, was without any elemental attributes. Looking at Elder Mo, he said, "Then Elder Mo, I¡¯ll choose the Pine Leaf Mouse." "Oh?" Elder Mo asked, "Are you certain?" Lu ming nodded. "I am certain." His reasoning was simple; as an Eternal Life Constitution, he was not suited for fighting and killing in the early stages. Raising a Wood-attribute pet beast that could assist in farming and nurturing spiritual plants seemed a better option for gradually increasing his strength while staying within the sect. Moreover, even though his constitution had no elemental affinity, Wood techniques were generally related to vitality and life force, making a Wood-attribute spiritual beast evidently more suitable for him. As for combat-oriented beasts, he could look for those later, once his cultivation improved and he became an inner disciple. "Elder Mo, is there a problem with this Pine Leaf Mouse?" Lu ming asked, a bit concerned. "Well¡­" Elder Mo began, "The sect raises many spiritual beasts, and from the moment they are born, we instill a sense of purpose in them and help them develop their intelligence. Each month, we provide them with spiritual stones to aid in their cultivation." "Those available for disciples to choose from are generally under a year old, nurtured by the sect''s resources to reach the third layer of Qi Refining and possess enough intelligence to understand human speech." "After all, if a beast can¡¯t reach the third layer with this level of training and can¡¯t understand human speech, it simply isn¡¯t suited for cultivation. Let alone assisting human disciples, it would be a burden." "This one, however¡­ during the last selection, only reached the second layer of Qi Refining and does not meet the standard." "Normally, it would be released to roam the Pine Forest and would not be given to disciples." "However, the elder responsible for basic spiritual beast training discovered that this Pine Leaf Mouse only reached the second layer due to some special circumstances." "What kind of circumstances?" Lu ming asked, startled. Elder Mo hesitated before explaining, "This Pine Leaf Mouse has some peculiarities; it treats the resources provided by the sect like treasures, hoarding them away without using a single piece, relying solely on its talent to recently reach the third layer of Qi Refining." "I don¡¯t understand its reasoning; can hoarding spiritual stones increase their amount?" "¡­Perhaps it¡¯s about a sense of security," Lu ming speculated. "Given its talent isn¡¯t bad¡ªindeed, it could be considered exceptionally rare¡ªthe elder decided not to revoke its eligibility and granted it a second chance to enter the outer sect."Stolen novel; please report. "Anyway, let¡¯s go take a look first. If it doesn¡¯t suit you, we can look for other pet beasts. If you can subdue it, its talent will greatly benefit your cultivation," Elder Mo said. "Understood, Elder¡­" Lu ming responded, intending to see it first. *Pine Forest Peak.* The two celestial cranes landed. Soon, Elder Mo and Lu ming arrived at the edge of a pine forest. "This is Pine Leaf Mouse territory," Elder Mo stated. Within the forest, Lu ming spotted many mice. The Pine Leaf Mice resembled ordinary squirrels but were enchanting, possessing soft, shiny fur adorned with delicate yellow stripes¡ªvery adorable. What set them apart from ordinary squirrels were their vibrant green eyes, which seemed to reflect the dreamlike colors of leaves dancing in the morning light. "Chirp¡­" The Pine Leaf Mice leaped around, but those who had just awakened their intelligence or hadn¡¯t at all clearly couldn¡¯t speak like Elder Black Bear or the celestial cranes they had just met. "Most of the Pine Leaf Mice living in this forest are those whose potential doesn¡¯t meet the contract standards." As they reached their destination, Elder Mo walked ahead with Lu ming following closely. "Except for the one I mentioned that¡¯s a bit special." Under Elder Mo''s guidance, Lu ming quickly spotted the specific Pine Leaf Mouse. It sat atop a pine tree, eyes closed in meditation. Upon noticing someone approaching, it opened its eyes. "Chirp?" The two locked eyes. At that moment, several rebellious strands of Elder Mo''s hair danced in the wind, giving him an air of carefree wisdom. "I¡¯ve spoken with Elder Jiang ; this is a new disciple of the sect who wishes to select you as his first pet. What do you think?" he asked the Pine Leaf Mouse, hands clasped behind his back. "Chirp¡­" The Pine Leaf Mouse hesitated before turning to Lu ming, its voice soft. With its emerald green eyes, it scrutinized Lu ming. Beside them, Elder Mo added, "You need to introduce yourself. Generally, spiritual beasts will decide whether to follow a disciple based on their situation." "Choosing a pet beast in the Beast Taming Sect is always a mutual decision; to take a beast, the disciple must earn its acknowledgment." "This process is also a test for the disciple; whether they can win the beast¡¯s recognition based on their capabilities is very important for disciples of the Beast Taming Sect." "Only when both the cultivator and the pet acknowledge each other can they achieve double the results with half the effort in their cultivation." "Understood," Lu ming nodded. He wasn¡¯t one to boast. "My name is Lu ming. Due to my special constitution, my cultivation speed is somewhat slow. If you become my pet beast, you may need to put in extra effort." Lu ming looked at the Pine Leaf Mouse, giving it a heads-up; since he wanted its assistance in his cultivation, he didn¡¯t hide his constitutional flaw. After all, the Eternal Life Constitution was known for being extremely slow in cultivation. He believed that sincerity would be enough to win its favor. However¡­ "Chirp!!" The Pine Leaf Mouse was startled. If its cultivation speed was slow, wouldn¡¯t that mean using up the spiritual stones it had hoarded for so long? It took a small step back. Seeing this, Lu ming fell silent. As expected, true feelings were hard to keep. Elder Mo, watching from the side, couldn¡¯t suppress a hint of amusement. Such a peculiar pet often had a quirky personality and unique perspective; capturing it wouldn¡¯t be easy. Yet Lu ming wasn¡¯t just any person. Faced with a mouse that could hold onto spiritual stones, resolute like an addict, he pondered and said: "Storage bag." Since sincerity didn¡¯t seem effective, Lu ming decided to appeal to its interests. He spoke, "Once you become my pet beast, I¡¯ll save up spiritual stones to gift you a storage bag that can hold countless items in a separate space." "When we reach a higher cultivation level, I can even give you ten larger storage rings." "Don¡¯t you enjoy hoarding resources? Once you have a lot of items, where will you put them?" For a mouse that loved to hoard, the worst thing would be running out of backpack space. Lu ming was certain of this. Pine Leaf Mouse: !!?? "Chirp!?" In the next moment, the Pine Leaf Mouse''s eyes lit up, instantly captivated by Lu ming¡¯s offer. "This Lu ming boy is quite clever," Elder Mo remarked, taken aback. "It has a peculiar habit of hoarding items, and a storage bag¡­" Given his prior experience as a seasoned hoarder in his past life, Lu ming knew exactly what this mouse needed. "It¡¯s just that this Pine Leaf Mouse doesn¡¯t seem very smart." "But it has only just awakened its intelligence." Elder Mo shook his head, seeing how the situation unfolded. A storage bag could be quite costly. Regardless, it appeared that the Pine Leaf Mouse was hooked. Soon enough. One piece, two pieces, three pieces¡­ dozens of low-grade spiritual stones were tossed out of a tree hole by the Pine Leaf Mouse while the two of them watched in silence. Eventually, the Pine Leaf Mouse emerged again. "Chirp chirp chirp!" Looking at Lu ming, the Pine Leaf Mouse seemed excited, as if it had recognized him and planned to bring all its belongings along, embarking on a new cultivation journey together. Lu ming smiled in return. "In order for us to buy that storage bag soon, I¡¯ll help you keep these spiritual stones for now so we can plan and use them wisely." The Pine Leaf Mouse stared at Lu ming¡¯s earnest gaze, confused but nodded slightly. It was filled with anticipation for the future. 05 : First Level of Qi Refining Within the Beast Taming Sect, the outer disciples and miscellaneous disciples were active at the foot of the mountain. After Lu ming chose the Pine Leaf Mouse, Elder Mo somehow summoned the two cranes again. Riding on the cranes, they quickly arrived at the external courtyard at the foot of the mountain, landing in a beautifully scenic courtyard. In the courtyard, there was a pond and green trees. Lu ming, carrying a bag of spirit stones, never expected that his first pet would come with funding, while the Pine Leaf Mouse stood on his shoulder, waving its paw to greet the elder crane. ¡°From now on, you will cultivate here for a while,¡± Elder Mo said. ¡°Even the outer disciples of the Beast Taming Sect have their own separate courtyards.¡± ¡°However, the facilities in the outer sect are certainly not as good as those in the inner peaks. Therefore, you will need to work hard in your cultivation to meet the assessment standards for inner disciples, which is to reach the seventh level of Qi Refining.¡± ¡°As long as either the disciple or the spirit beast reaches the seventh level of Qi Refining, they can participate in the inner sect assessment.¡± ¡°I have already informed the elders of the outer sect; from now on, you just need to wait. Someone will come to deliver the resources you need.¡± ¡°Thank you, Elder.¡± Lu ming cupped his fists in gratitude. ¡°Chirp, chirp, chirp!¡± The Pine Leaf Mouse also cupped its fists in thanks, feeling that this old man was rather nice, even giving them a cloth bag for spirit stones. ¡°Um¡­¡± Elder Mo hesitated to speak. Looking at Lu ming with the bag of spirit stones, he felt that the little squirrel might be in for a tough time. The longevity body¡¯s cultivation speed was extremely slow, and to progress faster, a large amount of resources was required. This bag of spirit stones might not last long¡­ But that wasn¡¯t something he needed to worry about. ¡°Take this talisman; wear it on you. Ordinary monsters and cultivators won¡¯t be able to discern your physique without specific means,¡± Elder Mo said, handing Lu ming a jade talisman before leaving. Lu ming received the square jade talisman with great appreciation. He felt that the Beast Taming Sect had a very humane quality. Such a sect was worth fighting for as a disciple. ¡°Alright, do you have any questions?¡± Elder Mo asked. ¡°Elder Mo, I¡¯d like to inquire about Senior Brother Yuan Ying.¡± Lu ming asked, as he was unfamiliar with the Beast Taming Sect and, besides Elder Mo, only Yuan Ying , who knew about his background, seemed suitable for him to befriend. ¡°Yuan Ying?¡± Elder Mo sighed. ¡°He is one of the best among the inner disciples.¡± ¡°He is at the ninth level of Qi Refining, just one step away from foundation establishment, ready to challenge the ranks of true disciples.¡± Elder Mo continued, ¡°Although I brought him back to the sect, he is highly favored by the Sect Master. After foundation establishment, he may even become the Sect Master¡¯s disciple.¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Lu ming cautiously asked, ¡°Is our Sect Master a male or a female?¡± Elder Mo: ¡°¡­¡± ¡°The Sect Master is a man, not what you might be thinking. You¡¯ll understand in due time.¡± Elder Mo did not wish to elaborate further. Lu ming, upon hearing this, felt a mix of emotions. It seemed that Senior Brother Yuan Ying¡¯s talent was higher than he had imagined. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. He actually had the chance to become the Sect Master¡¯s disciple. Unfortunately, inner disciples typically operated on the peaks, and under normal circumstances, outer disciples were not allowed up the mountain. It seemed he wouldn¡¯t be able to visit often. Before long, Elder Mo rode off on the crane. After Elder Mo left, the Pine Leaf Mouse jumped onto the stone table. Seeing this, Lu ming smiled slightly, ¡°From now on, we¡¯ll cultivate together. How should I address you?¡± ¡°Chirp,¡± said the Pine Leaf Mouse. ¡°¡­¡± Lu ming fell silent for a moment before saying, ¡°When will you be able to speak like Elder Black Bear and the cranes?¡± The Pine Leaf Mouse shook its head, indicating it didn¡¯t know. ¡°It seems you still don¡¯t have a name. Let me give you one.¡± Lu ming decided to make a grand gesture. Before he could think further, a crane''s cry interrupted his thoughts. Another crane arrived. It came from the clouds, holding a burlap sack, and placed the sack on the stone table. Lu ming and the Pine Leaf Mouse looked at the ¡°crane.¡± The crane looked back at them. ¡°What are you staring at?¡± the crane said in a rough male voice. ¡°The items have been delivered; I¡¯m leaving.¡± Then, it flew back into the clouds. ¡°It seems that the Beast Taming Sect¡¯s transportation and delivery services are all done by cranes,¡± Lu ming speculated. ¡°Ox demons handle land transport, while cranes handle air transport.¡± Lu ming stepped forward and opened the burlap sack, with the Pine Leaf Mouse peering in as well. Inside the sack, there was a jade slip, a manual, a set of outer disciple clothing, a token, ten spirit stones, and a bag of spirit rice. The manual was the ¡°Sect Handbook,¡± introducing some important matters that disciples of the Beast Taming Sect should pay attention to. The jade slip contained the cultivation method ¡°Beast Taming Technique.¡± As for the spirit stones, the official disciples of the Beast Taming Sect were divided into three levels: outer sect, inner sect, and true transmission. Among them, outer disciples received a fixed monthly cultivation resource of one low-grade spirit stone, while inner disciples received ten low-grade spirit stones. If they wanted more cultivation resources, they could only go out and perform tasks to earn them. For instance, mining, farming, or cooking¡­ Lu ming received special treatment as a disciple, so the number of spirit stones he got was on par with inner disciples, plus an extra bag of spirit rice. ¡°The Sect Handbook!¡± He first picked up the handbook and began to read, while the Pine Leaf Mouse climbed back onto his shoulder to join him. After a while, the most valuable information was related to the ¡°Beast Taming Technique.¡± ¡°By activating the jade slip, the cultivation methods of the ¡®Beast Taming Technique¡¯ will emerge in your mind.¡± ¡°At that point, you can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth through a specific breathing method, integrate it into your body, and transform it into true Qi for nurturing yourself!¡± ¡°After reaching the first level of Qi Refining, the cultivator¡¯s body will give birth to a drop of special blood that can be mobilized by true Qi, thanks to the nurturing of true Qi.¡± ¡°Using blood as a medium and pressing it onto the spirit beast¡¯s forehead, a blood contract can be completed, linking the spirits of both parties.¡± ¡°On the path of cultivation, the stages are Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divine Transformation, Void Profound, Mahayana, and Ascension. This ¡®Beast Taming Technique¡¯ can be cultivated up to the Foundation Establishment stage.¡± ¡°Disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage, after passing the true transmission assessment, can learn many true transmission secret techniques in the sect, crafting life-space magical tools to store their pets within¡­¡± Lu ming thought, ¡°It seems I need to improve my cultivation as soon as possible.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t learn any more advanced techniques right now.¡± ¡°Chirp!¡± The Pine Leaf Mouse nodded, already at the third level of Qi Refining, while Lu ming still looked like a mortal. For Lu ming, the urgent matter was indeed to elevate his cultivation. ¡°The spirit stones contain pure spiritual energy. With so many spirit stones, I should be able to reach the first level of Qi Refining soon,¡± Lu ming said. The Pine Leaf Mouse nodded again in agreement. It lifted a spirit stone given to Lu ming by the sect and held it up, signaling Lu ming to hurry up and cultivate. It was also waiting for their mutual contract so that they could work together to earn more spirit stones to buy a storage bag. The sect had taught that disciples cultivating the Beast Taming Technique, in conjunction with various beast-taming methods, could significantly enhance the capabilities of their spirit beasts. Lu ming stopped hesitating and picked up the jade slip. He closed his eyes and recited the corresponding incantation. Soon, the jade slip flickered, and the cultivation information surged directly into his mind. Beast Taming Technique, Qi Refining Chapter! There are a total of nine levels. At the first level, one can contract with a pet. Some of the pet¡¯s cultivation achievements will feedback to the cultivator. In addition, the cultivator can also communicate spiritually with the pet. Once they reach the seventh level, they will be able to master the beast-taming methods to transfer their true Qi to the pet, or allow the pet to transfer its spiritual or demonic power back to themselves, quickly recovering their own true Qi. The basic techniques recorded in the Qi Refining chapter of the Beast Taming Technique include how to use spirit stones and the fundamental skills for enhancing Qi Refining cultivation. To cultivate other beast-taming methods, one must reach specific standards and apply to the sect for learning. For Lu ming, having this basic Beast Taming Technique was enough at the moment. The specific breathing methods that came with the jade slip, along with the techniques for using spirit stones for cultivation, were sufficient for him to step into the door of cultivation. Taking a deep breath, he grasped the spirit stone. The spirit stone in his hand shimmered slightly, and mysterious whirlwinds surrounded him. However. While Lu ming was cultivating, and the Pine Leaf Mouse was waiting for him to begin, neither seemed to realize that the longevity body¡¯s cultivation was indeed very slow. The Pine Leaf Mouse quietly waited for Lu ming, and after a while, it began to cultivate as well. Until¡­ A few days later. The spirit stones given to Lu ming by the sect had all been used up. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m almost there,¡± he said as he looked at the confused Pine Leaf Mouse. After a moment of overload, the Pine Leaf Mouse tentatively took its remaining spirit stones and asked Lu ming if he wanted to use them. Lu ming gratefully accepted. Half a month after entering the sect, Lu ming became increasingly proficient at transforming spiritual energy. However, the Pine Leaf Mouse¡¯s accumulated resources were nearly depleted. There were only about three or four spirit stones left. Yet Lu ming still showed no signs of success in Qi Refining. Seeing this, the little squirrel¡¯s eyes turned red as it was pushed to its limits, its paws waving frantically. This was no longer just a matter of being slow. It had hoarded spirit stones for so long¡­ and most of the spirit rice had been consumed by Lu ming. It regretted ever suggesting to give spirit stones. If it had thrown them in the pond outside, at least it could have seen the splashes. The Pine Leaf Mouse was on the verge of tears, but just then, Lu ming suddenly opened his eyes, exhaling a breath of turbid air. A surge of life force circulated from within, and a drop of golden blood condensed in his body. He had successfully reached the first level of Qi Refining! After half a month, he finally succeeded! Lu ming took a deep breath, feeling this sensation¡­ he looked at the Pine Leaf Mouse and couldn¡¯t help but share his joy with it. But all he saw was the Pine Leaf Mouse looking at him with a face full of despair. Lu ming silently gazed at the pile of spirit stone dust on the ground, saying, ¡°It won¡¯t be long before I¡¯ll repay you double!¡± The Pine Leaf Mouse didn¡¯t know whether it heard that or not, tremblingly holding a handful of spirit stone dust. ¡°Chirp¡­¡± Really?