Chen Wan was quite surprised by Yuan Ming's appearance and, after asking, found out that Yuan Ming had taken on the task of taking care of Huo Chan'er. Naturally, her expression was priceless.

"Yuan Ming, there are some things... perhaps I shouldn't say, but I still feel that I should remind you," Chen Wan said hesitantly after looking at Yuan Ming for a long time.

"Senior Sister Chen, please feel free to speak." Yuan Ming guessed what the other was thinking and didn't feel surprised, so he responded.

"As a cultivator, having ambition is good, but after all, as a disciple of the Fire Refining Hall, you should still focus more on artifact refining and cultivation," Chen Wan said with slight hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming's expression remained unchanged, and he asked with a smile, "Sister, do you think I took this task with the intention of currying favor?"

Chen Wan stiffened upon hearing this, slightly unexpected that Yuan Ming would speak so bluntly.

"Beast taming is not easy. You are not a disciple of the Beast Taming Hall, and the master would not agree to you taking this task," Chen Wan said without replying directly.

"Perhaps you don't know, but Huo Chan'er holds a different meaning for the master; it's not an ordinary spirit beast. If anything goes wrong, you would not be able to bear the responsibility," Chen Wan added afterward.

"Sister, do not worry, I understand the situation fully and have made thorough preparations before coming here," Yuan Ming said confidently.

"Well, if you have already made your decision, I won't say much more. I will take you to see the master," Chen Wan said, sighing.

"Thank you."

Yuan Ming followed her through the bamboo forest, walking along a secluded winding path, arriving in front of a courtyard built with bamboo.

The courtyard was not very large, but its layout was quite ingenious. A ring of bamboo fences enclosed several bamboo buildings with roofs steeply sloped, all very neatly kept.

"Wait here; I will go in first to announce your arrival," Chen Wan told Yuan Ming.

"Thank you."

Yuan Ming waited outside the courtyard for quite a while before Chen Wan returned and opened the bamboo gate.

"Come in," Chen Wan called out, and Yuan Ming followed her into the courtyard.

The courtyard was paved with Green Stone slabs, with fine white gravel filling the cracks, and in the southeastern corner by the wall, there was a set of exquisitely made white marble table and chairs, with someone in red robes sitting between them.

Different from their last meeting, the Three Cave Masters wasn't wearing red soft armor but had changed into a red loose robe with a golden yellow silk sash tied around her waist, exuding a gentle temperament with a hint of laziness.

"I pay my respects to the Three Cave Masters," Yuan Ming stepped forward and bowed.

The Three Cave Masters glanced at him and frowned slightly, "The task you took on today?"

"Yes," Yuan Ming nodded.

After speaking, he felt that the question asked by the Three Cave Masters was a bit strange.

"You are not a disciple of the Beast Taming Hall, what makes you bold enough to take on this task?" the Three Cave Masters said in a cold tone.

"Yesterday, I studied the books on caring for spirit beasts in the Gui Cang Pavilion; I believe I can share and solve problems for the master," Yuan Ming said.

Hearing this, Chen Wan's face subtly changed. Just by reading a few books, he dared to take on this task? Wasn't Yuan Ming a bit too bold?

Sure enough, hearing such an answer made the Three Cave Masters's expression darken, she said, "If you truly are committed to this task, you should at least go and audit classes at the Beast Taming Hall for half a month before coming back."

Having said this, she waved her hand, signaling Yuan Ming to leave.

Yuan Ming saw this but remained still, his feet as if rooted to the spot.

Seeing this, Chen Wan couldn't hide her relationship as an old acquaintance with Yuan Ming and kept giving him meaningful looks, hoping he would know better and not infuriate their master.

However, Yuan Ming, as if he hadn't seen them at all, began, "Master, since I am here, I am naturally confident that I can handle the task. Why not let me try? Seeing is believing, after all."

The Three Cave Masters glanced at him, hesitating momentarily, then asked, "Are you truly confident?"

"I'll know once I try," Yuan Ming replied.

"Do you understand the habits of Huo Chan'er?" the Three Cave Masters questioned with a frown.

"The common trait of fire attribute spirit beasts is their love for sunlight and disdain for shadows. Before reaching adulthood, they are mostly active, liking to run around and chase, and after becoming adults, though they become more restrained, they are even more combative and fierce. Huo Chan'er is not yet an adult, currently in its active phase; it should be appropriately trained but not forcibly confined as it wouldn't be beneficial for its natural development and could impact its future achievements, I believe..." Yuan Ming spoke confidently.

After his speech, the expression of the Three Cave Masters gradually softened.

She then asked a few more questions, to which Yuan Ming responded fluently, causing the Three Cave Masters to nod slightly; although surprised, appreciation was more evident in her eyes.

Chen Wan listened, dumbfounded at the side, never expecting that just over half a month after joining, Yuan Ming had already grasped so much knowledge about beast taming.

She couldn't help but wonder in her heart, perhaps Yuan Ming would develop even better if he were to cultivate in the Beast Taming Hall?

But then she thought of Kun Tu in the Beast Taming Hall, and immediately dismissed the idea.

Just then, the Three Cave Masters said, "No matter how much you learn theoretical knowledge, the practical effects are what really matter. If you can call Huo Chan'er over from me, I will assign this task to you."

"Alright," Yuan Ming readily agreed.

With several previous experiences as a foundation, he believed that this task should not be difficult for him.

After all, Huo Chan'er had eaten Fire Jade from his hands; there's an old saying, "he who takes a gift finds himself in debt," so he thought that Huo Chan'er probably wouldn't refuse him this little favor.

Chen Wan, however, shook her head secretly at the side.

Huo Chan'er was indeed a very peculiar creature. Even the senior brother, who had been with the master for the longest and tried to lure it with Fire Jade and Flame Crystal Stones, had always been treated indifferently by it, let alone Yuan Ming, a stranger.

The Three Cave Masters slapped the red Spiritual Beast Bag hanging around her waist, and with a flash of light, a fiery red shadow sprang out of thin air. She grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and held it in mid-air.

The newly released Huo Chan'er immediately kicked with its four legs, fully venting its displeasure at being confined in the Spiritual Beast Bag.

After struggling for a while and seeing that it could not break free from the Three Cave Masters' grasp, it finally drooped its head like a defeated rooster, ceased its struggle, and lay down, limbs hanging.

At that moment, the Three Cave Masters gestured to Yuan Ming, asking him to call Huo Chan'er.

Yuan Ming nodded and softly called out, "Huo Chan'er." MyVirtualLibraryEmpire(*)hoststheoriginal.

The somewhat disheartened Fire Mink, upon hearing the call, immediately struggled and twisted its neck to look at Yuan Ming.

"Really responding?" Chen Wan said, somewhat surprised at the scene.

She had tried calling Huo Chan'er herself on many occasions but usually only received a cold stare in response and seldom a direct reaction.

Yuan Ming's lips curled into a smile as he waved at Huo Chan'er.

The Three Cave Masters timely released her hand.

Upon gaining its freedom, as soon as it hit the ground, the Fire Mink sprang out, leaping over the bamboo fence and disappearing into the distance.

The three people by the stone table looked at each other, and the scene fell silent for a moment.

"Just as I thought…" Chen Wan's previous guess was confirmed, she thought to herself.

A hint of disappointment flashed across the eyes of the Three Cave Masters as she began, "It seems your attempt has failed, I..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a fiery red shadow jumped back over the wall and the moment it landed, it quickly climbed up Yuan Ming's pant leg and darted onto his shoulder.

The returning Fire Mink, as if its feet were on burning coals, scampered back and forth between Yuan Ming's back and shoulder without pause, but its head continuously nuzzled his cheek, appearing extremely affectionate.

Seeing this, Chen Wan's mouth fell slightly open, stunned.

"Last time I thought it was just an accident, but it seems it truly has a natural fondness for you," the Three Cave Masters expressed in surprise.

Yuan Ming extended his arm, and Huo Chan'er immediately climbed up it and settled in the palm of his hand.

"Huo Chan'er, come here."

The Three Cave Masters had never seen it so obedient and, as its master, could not help feeling a competitive spirit.

To everyone's disbelief, Huo Chan'er's small head turned around, glancing between her and Yuan Ming, then finally settling its gaze on the Spiritual Beast Bag at the Three Cave Masters' waist, yet it made no move to return.

Even the Three Cave Masters were a bit unsettled by this.

She first twisted her wrist, conjuring a dark gold token in her palm; after pondering for a moment, she put it away.

Then she raised her hand and touched another delicate white cloth bag at her waist. This time, a red-translucent crystal stone appeared in her palm.

The moment Huo Chan'er saw this crystal stone, its eyes brightened and it leapt from Yuan Ming's hand, heading straight for the stone.

However, just as it flew toward the stone, someone grabbed the scruff of its neck and lifted it up again.

The tempting Red Crystal Stone vanished before its eyes.

Huo Chan'er immediately started yowling discontentedly and flailing its limbs furiously.

The Three Cave Masters tossed it out with a flick of her wrist.

Yuan Ming reached out and caught Huo Chan'er in his arms.

"In the coming month and a half, I will be in seclusion to refine a Magic Artifact, and I am entrusting the care of Huo Chan'er to you. We will settle the task's reward once the period is over," the Three Cave Masters stated.

"Okay," Yuan Ming replied joyously, placing Huo Chan'er on his shoulder and immediately saluting with his fist.

Just then, the Three Cave Masters took off the silver-white cloth bag from her waist and tossed it to Yuan Ming.

Upon seeing this, Chen Wan's eyebrows slightly raised, evidently surprised.

"Three Cave Masters, what is this?" Yuan Ming asked in surprise as he caught it.

"Inside are some Fire Crystal Stones and Fire Jade. Feed Huo Chan'er one stone daily… at most two," the Three Cave Masters said after a moment of contemplation.

Yuan Ming nodded, pulled at the opening of the bag and tried to look inside.

Upon pulling it, he realized, for some reason, that he couldn't open the bag.

Seeing this, the Three Cave Masters said, "This is a Storage Bag, not something you can force open. Let me teach you a refining formula, try to refine it and see."

Yuan Ming did not understand why the Storage Bag could not be forced open but merely nodded in acknowledgment.

The Three Cave Masters then immediately began reciting the mnemonic, looking at Yuan Ming, waiting for him to ask questions, but he only slightly lowered his gaze, apparently contemplating something.

Huo Chan'er, still restless, continued to dart around on him.

However, after waiting for a moment, Yuan Ming still did not ask anything; seeing this, the Three Cave Masters frowned slightly.