I tamed beasts and achieved immortality in the world of cultivation.

Chen Qing regained his composure and looked into the courtyard.

Danyu stood under the pine tree, standing on one leg, its long beak tucked under its wing, already asleep.

Qingtian found the half-ripe green date, squatted on the stone bench and continued to gnaw on it. After a couple of bites, he yawned, his head nodding, and he was almost asleep.

Looking at them, Chen Qing suddenly remembered a question—

How do spirit beasts cultivate?

He asked Zhou Ruoqing and Song Yang, and the answers they received were surprisingly consistent: Spirit beasts rely entirely on their bloodline for cultivation, requiring no techniques or incantations, only... to live.

To be precise, it is as one grows older that one naturally absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and the potential of one's bloodline will gradually be stimulated.

The longer you live, the higher your spiritual level becomes.

Just like wild beasts in the mortal world, they will naturally become spirits if they live long enough.

Of course, if one has access to spiritual medicines, or if one mixes spiritual energy into the food of spirit beasts like at Beast Taming Peak, or takes special pills, the cultivation speed will be much faster.

Ultimately, it all comes down to perseverance.

"Until we find a way for you to cultivate yourselves, you can only rely on accumulating essence slowly."

Chen Qing shook his head, stopped thinking about it, closed his eyes, and focused his mind on his body.

……

He is currently at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and doesn't know many spells.

The four minor spells are: Rain of Light, Lightness of Body, Cleansing, and Sound Transmission. The first two are quite useful, while the latter two are just filler.

In addition, there is the main cultivation technique "Canglan Technique" and a technique for cultivating the soul called "Soul Nourishing Technique".

The "Soul Nourishing Technique" was taught to me by Shen Tu Yu in the Beast Taming Hall at the summit. After all, disciples of the Beast Taming Peak need to split their souls to contract with spirit beasts, so they should strengthen their soul foundation. According to Shen Tu Yu, although the "Soul Nourishing Technique" has no grade, it was left behind by the Nascent Soul Ancestor Wang Bu Huo. Even if you cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage, you can still use it.

As for offensive spells—

not a single one.

Chen Qing was silent for a moment, then suddenly realized that he had really been living a rather dull life for the past nine years.

He looked at the two sleeping spirit beasts in the courtyard.

Dan Yu possesses the potential of a third-tier low-grade bird, and is extremely fast; he will undoubtedly become a mainstay in the air in the future.

Qingtian, possessing the bloodline of the "Ancient Xuanhuang Ape," is a melee tank and will surely become the overlord of the ground in the future.

Chen Qing seemed to be deep in thought.

He possesses the three spiritual roots of earth, wood, and water, making offensive tactics unsuitable for him. Moreover, due to the system, if he dies, all the spirit beasts will perish. With Qingtian, Danyu, and other spirit beasts he will contract in the future taking the lead, he doesn't need to charge too aggressively. He only needs to ensure his safety and stay in the rear to avoid hindering them.

Therefore, what he needs is self-defense techniques!

Chen Qing stroked his chin. He remembered that the Lingyun Sect had quite a few suitable Qi Refining stage cultivators, for example:

Golden Light Shield – an introductory defensive technique of the Lingyun Sect. After casting, a layer of golden light shield can be condensed around the body, which can block even a full-force attack from a Qi Refining cultivator of the same level.

Wind Control Technique – A higher level of escape technique than Lightness Technique. After using it, one can feel as light as a swallow and briefly walk on air.

and also……

Chen Qing thought about it more and more and felt that next year, after the two thousand green carp were sold and the land rent and commission of the Beast Taming Peak were paid, he would have to go to the market or the "Scripture Pavilion" of Tianzhu Peak to buy a few defensive spells.

Once he made up his mind, he stopped thinking about it and continued to cultivate the Spirit Rain Technique and Soul Nourishing Technique, which he had not yet mastered, to consolidate his fourth level of Qi Refining and strengthen his soul.

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

At noon that day, Chen Qing and Xu Gui stood by the fishpond by the stream at the foot of Yushou Peak.

The twenty fishponds shimmered in the sunlight, with a few water lilies that Chen Qing had taken from Xiao Chunan, which he said could purify the water.

Qingtian perched on Chen Qing's shoulder, curiously examining the reflection in the water.

Dan Yu stood on a blue stone by the stream, head held high and chest puffed out, looking aloof.

"They're here."

Xu Gui suddenly spoke.

Chen Qing followed his gaze and saw a person walking along the mountain path.

The man was about forty years old, with a thin face, wearing a gray steward's robe with the emblem of Beast Taming Peak embroidered on the chest, and a palm-sized cloth bag attached to his waist.

It was indeed the Spirit Beast Bag.

He didn't walk fast, but he arrived in the blink of an eye.

"Brother Xu." The man bowed to Xu Gui.

Xu Gui smiled and returned the greeting: "Manager Zhou, thank you for making this trip in person."

"It's our own business, why are you talking about whether it's troublesome or not?" Steward Zhou waved his hand, his gaze falling on Chen Qing, looking him up and down. "This must be Junior Brother Chen, right? The newest disciple of Beast Taming Peak, I've heard so much about you."

Chen Qing quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Brother Zhou, you're too kind."

Steward Zhou smiled, said nothing more, reached down and took the spirit beast pouch from his waist. With a flash of light, the pouch opened—

The next moment, streaks of blue light emerged from the bag, like tiny dragons, and plunged into the nearest fishpond.

Chen Qing looked closely and saw that they were finger-length green carp seedlings, their bodies light green, with fine scales that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Manager Zhou raised his hand and gestured, and the streaks of blue shadows followed the water flow and fell into twenty fishponds one by one, one hundred fish in each pond, no more and no less, just right.

A moment later, no more fish fry emerged from the spirit beast pouch.

Manager Zhou put away the bag, clapped his hands, and laughed, "Two thousand tails, Junior Brother Chen, would you like them?"

Chen Qing gazed at the blue fish swimming in the pond, his heart stirred slightly, but his face remained calm. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Zhou is joking. You released them yourself, there's no need for any."

Manager Zhou laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, if you need anything in the future, just come to the seedling pond on the east side and tell me my name is Zhou Xun."

Chen Qing nodded solemnly: "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou."

Zhou Xun waved his hand, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xu Gui, and then turned and left, still with that leisurely and carefree demeanor, slowly disappearing at the end of the mountain path.

Xu Gui watched his departing figure and suddenly sighed:

"This Steward Zhou is quite a character. Back then, he was a master of Qi Refining, but unfortunately, he failed to establish his foundation and had no hope for the future. So he took on this seedling cultivation job and has been doing it for twenty years."

Chen Qing remained silent.

That's how the cultivation world is: some people rise to the top, some stand still, and many more don't even have the right to stand still.

Xu Gui withdrew his gaze, looked at Chen Qing, and instructed him again: "Chen Qing, we have the fish fry. From now on, it's up to you. Remember what I said, don't delay your cultivation."

Chen Qing nodded earnestly: "Don't worry, Master Xu, I understand."

Xu Gui glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end he just waved his hand and turned to walk towards his own courtyard.

The footsteps faded into the distance, finally disappearing into the depths of the bamboo forest.

Chen Qing was the only one left by the stream.

He stood by the pond, glanced at the blue fish swimming in the twenty fishponds, then looked towards the distant Beast Taming Peak shrouded in mist, and suddenly let out a long breath.

The fish farming project has officially begun.

He crouched down, reached into the pond, and felt the cool water slide through his fingers. Several bold carp fry swam over, gently nibbled at his fingers, and then quickly scattered.

Chen Qing's lips curled up slightly.

The eagle pokes its furry head out from the shoulder and, imitating Chen Qing, dips its paws into the water, only to be jerked back by the cold and squeaking as it tries to burrow into his neck.

Not far away, Dan Yu stood on a blue stone, her slender neck slightly bent, her black bean-like eyes gazing at the fish shadows in the pond. Suddenly, she let out a soft call, her clear voice echoing through the valley.