CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56 MASTER’S EXAMINATION

He lingered for three days, and it was only then that Zhu Yinghuang returned to his Vermilion Bird Peak with the small Flame Demon.

Looking at Zhu Yinghuang’s seemingly insatiable expression, Chen Jiuge couldn’t help but feel speechless. A Cultivator at the Returning to Void stage acting so "lively"—it was truly a rare sight.

These past few days, Zhu Yinghuang had given the Spiritual Beasts in the Five Elements Ecosystem quite a hard time. Apart from a few headstrong beasts, the rest preferred to stay inside their caves and starve rather than venture out.

After instructing the Feeders of Eden Garden to stock the ecosystem with Spiritual Chickens and Snow Rabbits, Chen Jiuge didn’t meddle further.

Back at the small courtyard, Chen Jiuge saw the Fire Qilin, whose bloodline had been purified again, playing with the little monkey he had brought out a few days prior.

The little monkey was a Li Fire Monkey; Chen Jiuge had named it Da Shan. It was unknown if it had mutated, for despite possessing only a Fifth-Rank bloodline, it could release Li Fire, which was quite astonishing.

The newcomer, Da Shan, didn’t play well with anyone, not even War Song, who was also a simian. It was surprising to see that it got along with Da Bai.

"Da Bai, come here. Let me see how your bloodline is doing now," Chen Jiuge beckoned Da Bai over and then probed with his Golden Finger, his brow furrowing heavily.

What’s going on? Da Bai’s original compatible body was the Medicine Snake, and the Medicine Snake was a pure bloodline created by the Great Elder. After using Bloodline Transformation to eliminate the remaining Medicine Snake bloodline, Da Bai should be a pure-blooded Qilin. So why are other bloodlines re-emerging in his body? The Stone-Dragon Lizard didn’t have this issue. Chen Jiuge was baffled.

While he could faintly sense these other bloodlines, because their amount was so small, Chen Jiuge couldn’t determine exactly which bloodlines they were.

It seems my knowledge of Spiritual Beasts is still too shallow; I really need to enhance my learning in this area.

"Eh, Jiuge, have you mastered Divine Skills?" Wen Tianming suddenly appeared behind Chen Jiuge and asked with surprise.

"Ah, Master, yes. I just exited seclusion a few days ago and have achieved mastery," Chen Jiuge replied respectfully.

"Not bad, not bad. When I took you on as a disciple, it was solely because of this Fire Qilin. I didn’t expect your talent in the way of Guardian Beasts to be so high." Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Wen Tianming continued, "I thought it would take you a hundred years to achieve this; this has indeed disrupted my plan."

"How about this, show me what you can do." With a wave of his hand, Wen Tianming summoned Da Shan over. He took out a piece of spiritual material that shone like the sun, sliced off a small piece, and said, "This is Sun Essence. I collected a sun in a small world and condensed it. This piece should be enough for this little monkey; too much and it won’t be able to digest it."

"Thank you, Master." Chen Jiuge couldn’t help but admire Da Shan’s good fortune. This monkey is truly blessed.

Sitting cross-legged in front of Da Shan, with the completion of the Secret Technique hand seals, the Sun Essence slowly merged into Da Shan’s body. His initially small frame began to swell, and his red fur transformed into a golden hue.

An hour later, as the spell concluded, Da Shan, having undergone a dramatic change, lay there digesting the changes in his bloodline.

Wen Tianming saw this and nodded in satisfaction, "Good, good."

"Since you’ve shown an aptitude for the way of Guardian Beasts, as your Master, I should support you. These Jade Scrolls contain a comprehensive record of Spiritual Beast basics, common knowledge for those beneath the Immortal realm. This Token grants you access to various lecture halls. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can go to the Guardian Beast lecture hall to learn more," Wen Tianming presented a stack of Jade Scrolls and a White Jade Token.

"The way you’ve set up this Grotto-Heaven Magic Treasure is commendable. The resources I gave you last time are probably almost spent, so take these. Also, remember to inform your relatives to attend your disciple initiation ceremony in ten years."

Looking at the bulging Storage Ring, Chen Jiuge’s heart was filled with immense gratitude. Even if these resources were of little significance to a Heavenly Immortal Venerable, for Chen Jiuge, they were incredibly precious.

"Master, I..." Chen Jiuge felt somewhat embarrassed to take them, as the resources this time were probably tenfold that of the previous installment.

"Just take them. As my disciple, if your Cultivation resources are insufficient, wouldn’t my friends laugh at me? Cultivate in peace and strive to achieve Divinity Transformation as soon as possible. Without reaching Divinity Transformation, you won’t even qualify to travel the world," Wen Tianming said, shaking his head.

"Yes, Master," Chen Jiuge replied gratefully.

"I’ll make do with whatever you have for a meal today; that’s not a problem, right?" Wen Tianming smiled as he looked around the small courtyard.

"Master, just wait."

With all the effort he could muster, Chen Jiuge was taking his cooking skills to the limit. I hope Master doesn’t find my cooking lacking.

Picking up a piece of tender fish, Wen Tianming said thoughtfully, "Jiuge, remember that an Immortal, an Immortal, is still a human. If you abandon everything that makes you human to become an Immortal, then you are not an Immortal but a demon. Only by staying true to your own heart can you truly become an Immortal."

"I will heed Master’s teachings," Chen Jiuge said earnestly.

"Hmm."

Having finished off the food on the table, Wen Tianming stood up and said, "Jiuge, my Life Span Tribulation is approaching. During this time, you’ll need to cultivate on your own. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can either wait for your senior sister to come out of her seclusion to ask her, or go to the Sect’s lecture hall and ask the instructors there. My Token should still carry some weight."

"Yes, Master," said Chen Jiuge, a hint of worry in his voice.

"Don’t worry. It’s only my second Life Span Tribulation; I still have confidence. Don’t think too much, just concentrate on cultivating." With everything taken care of, Wen Tianming departed on the wind.

Chen Jiuge could only silently wish his Master well in his heart.

"Master, that scary old man is gone," Da Bai, who had been hiding in the small building, poked his head out and looked around.

Seeing the timid Da Bai, Chen Jiuge laughed and said, "That’s my Master; what are you afraid of?"

Da Bai shivered and said, "Master, you don’t understand."

Chen Jiuge was speechless. How could I not understand? That’s a Heavenly Immortal! If he so much as breathes on us, not even our ashes would remain!

"Eh, is this Da Shan?" Da Bai curiously poked at Da Shan.

"Enough, don’t touch Da Shan," Chen Jiuge said with distaste, looking at Da Bai.

"Fine, then I’ll go play with Sister Yue Meng," Da Bai said, somewhat disappointed, as he left.

Da Bai’s Cultivation had indeed increased rapidly, reaching the late Nascent Soul stage in just thirty years. However, his personality remained childish, and he was timid. I should find an opportunity to let my Spiritual Beasts undergo some trials; high Cultivation alone isn’t enough, Chen Jiuge mused.

Under the starlight, Chen Jiuge took out a Jade Scroll on Guardian Beasts of the Qi Cultivation Realm that his Master had given him and began to meticulously study it.

It wasn’t until the crowing of the Spiritual Chickens, one after another, that Chen Jiuge was startled awake, realizing that it had already dawned.

"I had no idea there was so much to Guardian Beasts of the Qi Cultivation Realm. It seems my knowledge is indeed lacking," Chen Jiuge sighed.

What Chen Jiuge did not know was that this Guardian Beast knowledge was personally compiled by the Great Elder of the Sect’s Main Hall. He was a Golden Immortal, also adept in the way of Guardian Beasts. His knowledge and understanding in the way of Guardian Beasts were of a much higher quality than the ordinary Jade Scrolls found in the Sect’s Scripture Pavilion.

"I almost forgot; I still need to inform my family," Chen Jiuge suddenly remembered, nearly forgetting because of the Jade Scroll.