CHAPTER 906: ANALYZING THE CAPTURED BEASTS

As evening cast long, bloody shadows across the devastated valley, the soft, fragrant light from the spirit-flowers within Wang Jian’s sanctuary offered a stark, peaceful contrast to the world outside. The day’s initial hunt had been a resounding success. Yue Lingshan and Chen Ying returned to the sanctuary, their movements weary but their auras sharp and victorious. They presented Wang Jian with their spoils: two dozen shimmering, palm-sized orbs, each containing a powerful, sealed spirit beast.

"Excellent work," Wang Jian praised, his voice a warm balm on their tired spirits. "Your efficiency was flawless."

He led them to one of the secure, empty chambers he had carved out earlier, one he designated as a temporary bestiary. The air within was cool and still. Liu Ruyan followed them, a silent, attentive observer, her veiled gaze fixed on Wang Jian, watching his every move.

"Let us see what treasures you have brought me," he said, a hint of a collector’s excitement in his voice.

He took the first orb from Yue Lingshan. It pulsed with a heavy, earthen energy. With a casual flick of his wrist, he shattered the sealing talisman. The orb exploded in a flash of light, and a massive, hulking Armored Boar, its hide like overlapping plates of dark stone, appeared before them, still paralyzed and unconscious.

Wang Jian approached it, his expression one of a discerning scholar. A single, thin, and almost invisible wisp of his dark, star-flecked Stellar Qi flowed from the tip of his finger, entering the beast’s forehead. He closed his eyes for a moment, his mind instantly flooded with information.

’First Grade. Standard Earth-Lineage Boar. Bloodline purity: common. Innate abilities: minor earth manipulation, enhanced charge. No significant growth potential.’

"Standard," he declared aloud, his voice flat. He did not even bother drawing his saber. A single, focused pulse of his spiritual energy erupted from his palm, striking the beast’s head. There was a soft, wet thud, and the massive boar’s life was extinguished instantly, a merciful and brutally efficient end. With a few more precise movements, he expertly harvested its beast core—a small, muddy-brown crystal—and its two sharp tusks. "The core is of decent quality, and the tusks can be ground into alchemical ingredients. A minor, but not entirely worthless, gain."

He continued this process with a cold, methodical precision. He unsealed a Rock-Skinned Serpent, a flock of Screechwing Bats, and a pack of Razor-Toothed Hares. Each time, he would probe them with his unique Stellar Qi, assess their potential in a matter of seconds, and, finding them wanting, dispatch them with a clean, merciful strike before harvesting their useful materials.

Yue Lingshan and Chen Ying watched, their initial pride in their haul slowly turning into a profound awe at his deep, almost instinctual knowledge of bestial lore. He was not just a warrior or an alchemist; he was a master of all things.

After culling nearly a dozen common beasts, he picked up an orb from Chen Ying’s collection. This one pulsed with a faint, shadowy energy. He unsealed it.

A sleek, beautiful Shadow Leopard, its fur the color of a moonless night and seeming to shimmer and fade into the surrounding shadows, appeared.

Wang Jian’s eyes lit up with a genuine interest. "Interesting..." he murmured. He probed it with his Qi. ’Third Grade. Shadow-Lineage. Bloodline purity: high. A recessive spatial-phasing bloodline is present. Rare. Very rare. With proper nurturing, it could evolve into a true Void-Walker Panther. Excellent potential.’

He did not kill this one. Instead, he placed a hand on the paralyzed leopard’s forehead. Dark, complex, and utterly demonic-looking runes, formed of pure Stellar Qi, flowed from his palm. They burned themselves not onto the beast’s skin, but directly into its very soul. The leopard’s unconscious form trembled violently for a moment, then went still. Its fierce, wild aura was gone, replaced by one of absolute, fearful subservience.

"This one has potential," he said simply, before moving on.

Next, he picked up the last orb from Yue Lingshan’s collection. He unsealed it, revealing a Second Grade Jade-Eyed Ape. It was a beautiful creature, its white fur immaculate, its large, intelligent eyes the color of the most perfect, vibrant jade. It sat paralyzed, yet even in its stillness, the air around it seemed to hum with a gentle, wood-elemental energy. The moss on the floor near its feet grew a fraction of an inch greener.

Wang Jian smiled. He turned to Yue Lingshan, his expression warm. "Lingshan, this one has an exceptionally high affinity for Wood Essence. Its innate abilities would complement your own techniques perfectly. A fine companion for an array master."

Yue Lingshan’s eyes widened with a surprised, delighted joy. "For me, Jian? It’s... beautiful."

He nodded, then performed the same demonic taming ritual, branding the ape’s soul with his mark of absolute ownership. With the contract formed, he then, with a complex series of hand seals, transferred a portion of that ownership to Yue Lingshan, binding the ape to her as its new secondary master.

The ape, now conscious, looked at Yue Lingshan with its intelligent jade eyes, not with fear, but with a look of pure, devoted loyalty. It let out a soft, happy chitter and bounded over to her, climbing onto her shoulder and nuzzling her cheek.

Yue Lingshan laughed, a sound of pure, unadulterated happiness, as she gently stroked its soft, white fur.

Wang Jian watched them, a satisfied smile on his face. He had rewarded his woman, asserted his absolute authority, and acquired two valuable new assets. His mind was already formulating long-term plans. ’The Shadow Leopard can be a perfect assassin. The Jade-Eyed Ape, a guardian and a source of Wood Essence. With the Verdant Eternal Spring Essence, I can accelerate their growth, purify their bloodlines... perhaps even breed them. A private army of rare, powerful beasts... yes. A worthy long-term investment.’

After a shared meal, a quiet, tense affair where the rescued disciples ate in a silent, awestruck fear of the man who had saved them, Wang Jian stood. The sun had long set, and the only light in the main hall was the soft, fragrant glow of the spirit-flowers.

"The real hunt begins tomorrow," he announced to his three women, his voice calm but firm. "The true Beast Kings will likely show themselves soon. You all need a good night’s rest. Conserve your strength."

Yue Lingshan and Chen Ying nodded, their expressions ones of grim, focused determination. They trusted his judgment completely and retired to the private chambers he had assigned them, their minds already preparing for the next day’s battle.

As they left, Wang Jian turned his gaze to Liu Ruyan, a subtle, almost imperceptible shift in his expression.

"Junior Sister Liu," he said, his voice a low, confidential murmur. "Would you please do me a favor? Inform Lingshan and Ying’er that I will be conducting a perimeter sweep of the valley. With the tide so active, I want to ensure no powerful nocturnal beasts are lurking nearby while we rest. Our safety is paramount."

It was the perfect excuse. A responsible, diligent leader, taking on the dangerous night watch himself to protect his subordinates.

Liu Ruyan’s heart, which was already a chaotic flutter of love, fear, and a dark, thrilling excitement, hammered against her ribs. She understood the true meaning behind his words. This was her part to play. Her test of loyalty.

"Of course, Senior Brother Wang," she replied, her voice a soft, breathless whisper. She bowed her head, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson beneath her veil. "I... I will let them know you are ensuring our safety."

She went first to Yue Lingshan’s chamber, then to Chen Ying’s. She delivered the message with a perfect, calm sincerity. "Deacon Wang has gone to patrol the perimeter," she told them. "He wishes for us to rest well. He says he will be searching for some of the more dangerous nocturnal beasts to capture before they become a threat."

Yue Lingshan, though worried for his safety, accepted the news with a proud sigh. ’He always takes the greatest burdens upon himself. He is a true leader.’

Chen Ying’s reaction was one of cold, stoic approval. ’The Master is ever diligent. He leaves nothing to chance.’

They both accepted the excuse without a single flicker of suspicion and settled in for a night of deep, restorative meditation.

Liu Ruyan returned to the main hall. Wang Jian was waiting for her. The rescued disciples were huddled together on the far side of the hall, talking in nervous, hushed whispers.

"They have retired for the night," she reported softly, not quite meeting his gaze.

He gave her a slow, appreciative nod, a secret signal that made her entire body tremble. "It is time," he murmured. "Bring them."

Liu Ruyan’s heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. She took a deep, steadying breath and walked towards the group of rescued beauties. Li Mei and the five stunning, mature married women looked up as she approached, their faces a mixture of hope and a deep, gnawing fear.

"Deacon Wang requires you," Liu Ruyan announced, her voice a cold, official command that she did not recognize as her own. "He is ready for your ’deeper inspection’ now. Follow me."

A wave of pure, unadulterated fear washed over the women’s faces. They knew. They knew exactly what this "inspection" truly was. They had spent the entire afternoon in a state of terrified, anxious anticipation, their bodies still tingling from his earlier, brazen touches.

They rose, a small, nervous flock of lambs being led to the slaughter. Liu Ruyan, their beautiful, gentle shepherdess, led them through the silent, vine-covered corridors of the sanctuary. She did not look at them. She could not bear to see the fear in their eyes. She simply focused on the task, on the overwhelming, all-consuming desire to please the man who waited at the end of the path.

She brought them to the entrance of the special, soundproof chamber. She pushed the heavy stone door open.

The scene within was one of stark, predatory intent. Wang Jian was sitting on a large, stone divan covered in soft beast furs, his outer robe discarded, his inner robe hanging open to reveal the hard, muscular planes of his chest. The only light came from a single, flickering spirit-flower, which cast long, dancing shadows that seemed to accentuate the demonic, predatory grin on his handsome face. He was a king in his throne room, a demon in his lair, waiting for his tribute.

Liu Ruyan gave a low, submissive bow. "Master," she whispered, using the title that felt so natural in her heart. She then closed the heavy stone door, sealing the six beautiful, terrified women inside with their fate.

The moment the door boomed shut, the atmosphere in the soundproof chamber became a crucible of terror and lust. The six women huddled together, their backs against the cold stone wall, their eyes wide with fear as they stared at the demonic figure on the divan.

"Deacon Wang..." one of the married women, a proud, fiery beauty named Sister Mei, stammered, her voice trembling. "This is... this is not right! We are loyal disciples of the sect! We have husbands! We..."

Wang Jian simply laughed, a low, dark, and utterly merciless sound. He did not rise. He simply beckoned with a single finger. "Come here."

When they hesitated, a flash of cold, brutal anger crossed his face. He moved with a speed that was a blur to their eyes. One moment he was on the divan; the next, he was in front of them, his presence an overwhelming, suffocating wave of power.

With a roar of pure, animalistic lust, he reached out, his hands seizing the front of Sister Mei’s robes. With a single, violent motion, he tore them from her body, the sound of ripping silk a sharp, shocking violation in the silent room.

"You have husbands?" he sneered, his eyes raking over her magnificent, naked, and trembling form. "Your husbands should be on their knees, thanking me for saving your pathetic, useless lives! Your bodies are the price of your survival! A price you will now pay, willingly or not!"

The other women screamed, a mixture of terror and outrage. They banded together, a desperate, futile act of defiance, trying to push him away, to scratch at him with their nails.

He found their resistance utterly, profoundly erotic. He laughed again, a sound of pure, sadistic joy. "Yes! Fight me! Struggle! Your fear... it only makes you more delicious!"

What followed was not an act of love, or even of seduction. It was a conquest. An orgy of pure, untamed, and demonic passion. He was utterly ruthless, an animal let off its leash. He took them all, one by one, and then in groups of two and three, in a display of endless, monstrous stamina.

He took special, sadistic pleasure in breaking the five married women. He would pin one down, her body thrashing beneath him, and he would whisper cruel, depraved things in her ear as he fucked her.

"Does your husband make you feel like this, my sweet Mei?" he growled into her ear as he pounded into her, his hips moving with a relentless, punishing rhythm. "Does he know how to find this spot, right here, that makes you tremble like a leaf? Scream my name! Scream it, so the heavens know who your true master is!"

And she did. Her cries of "My husband will kill you!" quickly turned into choked, sobbing pleas, which then, inevitably, transformed into high, piercing, shameless screams of his name as he drove her over the edge of a pleasure so intense it was a form of annihilation.

The women, initially resistant, were completely, utterly overwhelmed. His skill was demonic, his power absolute. Their shame, their guilt, their loyalty to their distant, faceless husbands—it was all washed away in a relentless, unforgiving tide of pure, mind-shattering pleasure.

And as he moved from one beautiful, voluptuous body to the next, as he climaxed again and again, absorbing the unique, potent feminine essence of so many different women, he felt a strange, subtle, yet undeniable change within his own body.

A warm, nourishing current was flowing into his dantian, a current that was being eagerly absorbed by his Stellar Demonic Meridian Scripture. The dark, starry Qi in his body was being nourished, strengthened, and subtly refined by the act of this mass debauchery.

’So, that’s how it is,’ he thought, a moment of cold, analytical clarity cutting through the haze of his lust. ’The demonic aspect of my scripture... it thrives on this. It can convert Yin essence directly into a purer form of Stellar Qi.’

He analyzed the effect. The boost to his cultivation was minor, a tiny drop in the ocean of his vast reserves. It was far less efficient than consuming a single high-grade pill or a few hours of dedicated cultivation.

’Inefficient for cultivation, perhaps,’ he concluded, a demonic grin spreading across his face as he looked at the six beautiful, blissed-out women now lying in a tangled, exhausted heap around him. ’But the pleasure... the psychological thrill of conquering these proud, loyal women, of hearing them scream my name while their hearts belong to other men... that is a reward all its own.’ He decided then and there that while it would not be a primary method for his advancement, it was a very, very enjoyable supplement.

The orgy lasted the entire night. As the first, faint hint of dawn began to touch the sky, he finally left the exhausted, broken, and now utterly devoted women in the soundproof chamber, their minds and bodies completely re-written by his will.

He returned to the main hall, his robes immaculate, his hair perfectly in place. He looked as though he had been on a long, arduous, and entirely professional patrol all night.

He timed it perfectly. Just as he sat down to meditate, feigning a weary recovery of his Qi, Yue Lingshan and Chen Ying emerged from their chambers, their own auras sharp and refreshed.

"Jian," Yue Lingshan said, her voice filled with a soft concern as she saw his ’weary’ state. "Did you not rest at all?"

He opened his eyes, giving her a tired, loving smile. "The perimeter is secure," he said, his voice a perfect imitation of a diligent, selfless leader. "Nothing will disturb us today."