CHAPTER 452: CHAPTER 89

Zhu Ying handled matters with swift efficiency. By that afternoon, the thirty elite savages were sent to the small courtyard.

Clad in black armor yet with disheveled hair, the savages appeared before Chen Jiuge, standing in a disorderly line.

The female official responsible for delivering the savages reminded him, "Manager Chen, these savages possess low Spiritual Wisdom, roughly equivalent to that of a ten-year-old child of our Human Clan."

"Their Cultivation is all at the Heavenly Origin Realm; they will require close supervision."

"That won’t be an issue. Big Bone, Second Bone, this group is your responsibility now. I expect them to be obedient."

"CHITTER CHITTER."

A fiery red mouse, about the size of an adult’s palm, emerged sleepily from beneath Chen Jiuge’s long hair.

This was a Fire Spiritual Mouse, but one that had mutated four times. Not only had its cultivation reached the Dharma Manifestation Realm, but its potential was also extremely high; reaching the Great Divine Power Realm was certainly feasible. More importantly, it could still mutate. It was currently undergoing its fifth mutation and would eventually become, at minimum, a Spiritual Beast of the Divine Storage Realm.

"TRILL TRILL."

Fire Spirit led its kin past the courtyard gate. It couldn’t resist peeking at the Holy Infant Fruit Tree in the corner of the courtyard. Seeing it had not yet matured, Fire Spirit, somewhat disappointed, led its kin away.

Last year, Zhu Ying had said that once ten thousand Green Jade Mice were cultivated, Fire Spirit would belong to Chen Jiuge. Chen Jiuge had immediately formed a contract with it. The task of cultivating a mere ten thousand Fire Spiritual Mice was hardly a challenge.

However, even after more than a year, Fire Spirit’s first mutation was not yet complete. This left Chen Jiuge somewhat disappointed; it was taking too long.

「Beian City」

Beian City was one of the Qingming Ancient Country’s most remote cities. Yet, it was extremely prosperous because it was far from the Emperor’s reach. Consequently, it attracted many cultivators, a large number of whom were fleeing prosecution for their crimes.

Snow Concubine Hall was situated within Beian City.

A city of this nature would inevitably host some powerful and influential families, and Beian City was no exception. In fact, the powerful families in this city were exceptionally influential.

「The Bei Family」

Beiming Hai, one of the Northern Territory’s current four guardian generals, was from the Bei Family. With a True Immortal Great General supporting them, the Bei Family was powerful enough in Beian City to essentially rule unopposed. Consequently, even the most lawless and offending cultivators dared not cause disturbances in Beian City.

Bei Long, the Family Head of the Bei Family, examined the clan’s income for the year and couldn’t help but frown. "Why has the revenue from low-rank Magic Artifacts dropped by a full ten percent?"

This ten percent represented tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. The Bei Family was a large power with many people to support, so their expenses were always tight. Such a sudden drop in income naturally caught Bei Long’s attention.

The Bei Family’s Third Elder, Bei Qiwen, who was responsible for Artifact Refining, gave a wry smile. "Family Head, it’s Snow Concubine Hall."

"Snow Concubine Hall?" Bei Long frowned.

"Yes. I’m not sure what’s going on with that Lady, but Snow Concubine Hall suddenly began producing a large quantity of low-rank Magic Artifacts infused with Wind Spiritual Power. These artifacts are quite potent and, crucially, can be activated quickly, making them very popular among low-rank cultivators. If they weren’t limited to only the Wind Spiritual Power attribute, our losses would likely be even greater," Bei Qiwen lamented.

I recall Snow Concubine offended a significant figure in the palace. That’s why the King grew displeased with her and she was relegated to this neglected place, wasn’t she? Bei Long mused.

"That is so, but the Jiang Family’s strength is also not to be underestimated," Bei Qiwen sighed.

In the eyes of the various Ladies in the harem, the Jiang Family was merely a Small Family. To the Bei Family, however, the Jiang Family was a behemoth. The Jiang Family had at least several True Immortals, while the Bei Family only had Beiming Hai. The difference was substantial.

"Send a formal request for a visit. I shall go myself," Bei Long said, sensing the thorny nature of the situation.

"Very well."

"Also, bring me some of the Magic Artifacts that have circulated from Snow Concubine Hall. I want to examine them."

"Understood."

「Meanwhile.」

Scorching flames surged from the Fire Spiritual Mouse. The terrifying temperature instantly vitrified the ground beneath its feet. Most peculiarly, the Fire Spiritual Mouse itself was continuously shrinking.

It is known that the more powerful a Spiritual Beast becomes and the more mana it accumulates, the larger its physical body tends to grow.

Fire Spirit snorted curiously, observing the tiny thing it was becoming. The flames rising from it actually caused a nearby Heavenly Fire Steed to feel a trace of fear.

FZST. With a peculiar sound, the Fire Spiritual Mouse’s fifth mutation was complete. Its body had shrunk only slightly, and its fiery red fur had become crystalline and translucent.

A particularly vibrant tuft of fur on its forehead resembled a burning flame, faintly emitting a golden glow.

Most importantly, its Cultivation had actually advanced to the Great Divine Power Realm. Keep in mind, this Fire Spiritual Mouse was not yet an adult, making its level of talent and potential truly astounding. Even more astonishingly, it could still undergo a sixth mutation!

Good heavens, have I found a peerless prodigy of the mouse clan? Chen Jiuge thought, utterly shocked, as he watched the Fire Spiritual Mouse rolling in his palm.

"Little one, you should be able to speak now, right?" Chen Jiuge said, stroking its soft belly with his finger.

"F-father..." the Fire Spiritual Mouse stammered.

"I’m not your father," Chen Jiuge deadpanned. He was certainly not a giant rat.

"F-father..." the Fire Spiritual Mouse repeated, pitifully clinging to Chen Jiuge’s index finger.

Its adorable display softened Chen Jiuge’s heart somewhat. "Alright, have it your way," he said resignedly. "But since you can speak now, you should have a name."

It’s red, small, and female... How about Little Red?

No, that’s not imposing enough. How about Wufu?

"I’m Wufu! I have a name!" Wufu exclaimed, happily rolling in Chen Jiuge’s palm.