Beast Taming Immortal Clan

Chapter 524 Yu Jinghua Takes the Bait [Please Subscribe]

"Fellow Daoist Xu, your Iron-Horned Rhinoceros is quite well-trained. As far as I know, the best and most suitable path for this kind of demon beast to advance is the intermediate-level demon beast Silver-Horned Rhinoceros."

"There are some successful examples of cultivating this kind of demon beast into a silver-horned rhinoceros within our sect. However, I am not currently in the sect and cannot access the library to look up information. I can only ask a friend in the sect to help Fellow Daoist Xu look up the relevant information. It may take some time before I can give Fellow Daoist Xu feedback."

In the backyard of the Imperial Spirit Pavilion, after examining the iron-horned rhinoceros that Zhou Chun had released, the manager, Zhao Wentang, offered him his advice.

Although he was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Spirit Control Sect, there were so many kinds of demonic beasts in the world that it was impossible for him to know how to help each one advance.

Generally, when Yu Ling Ge helps people develop a plan for advancing their spirit pets, it is done in the way he is saying now.

However, most of the time, they only offer this advancement program to cultivators who purchase spirit pets from their stores, in order to maintain the competitiveness of their goods.

Zhou Chun also knew that he couldn't be too hasty. Now that Zhao Wentang had agreed to help retrieve the information from the Yuling Sect, he had already achieved his goal.

He immediately bowed deeply to the other party with a grateful expression, saying, "Then I'll leave this matter to Manager Zhao. Please take good care of it. If the Iron Horned Rhinoceros can successfully advance, I, Xu, will certainly reward you handsomely!"

"Of course, of course. With Fellow Daoist Xu's words, I, Zhao, will certainly do my best!"

Zhao Wentang smiled slightly, quite satisfied with Zhou Chun's quick thinking.

After exchanging some experiences and insights on cultivation, Zhou Chun left first.

After leaving the Yuling Pavilion, Zhou Chun went into an inn in the market.

His current disguise is that of a cultivator from a small family who, having heard of the fame of the Spirit Control Sect, traveled thousands of miles to seek an opportunity for his spirit beast to advance.

The reason he wanted to help the Iron Horned Rhinoceros advance was because he was afraid that after his death, there would be no strong people to protect his family. Therefore, he wanted to cultivate this beast to become a guardian spirit beast of the family!

Given this background, he spared no expense, renting a room in a market inn for an extended period in an attempt to befriend disciples of the Yuling Sect.

"It's hard to say whether there are any other Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Spirit Control Sect who have tamed silver-horned rhinoceroses, but the one famous for taming silver-horned rhinoceroses is definitely Zhou Hui, a descendant of Zhou Zhenkun. He must have inherited the third-tier silver-horned rhinoceros that Zhou Zhenkun had!"

"So, as long as Zhao Wentang is willing to help, and as long as I'm willing to show an attitude of sparing no expense, I'll have a chance to meet Zhou Hui!"

"As long as I can meet with Zhou Hui this week and gain his initial trust, I can bring out the Wood Spirit!!"

Inside the room, Zhou Chun carefully reviewed his plan, his eyes gleaming.

He didn't have much time to slowly build relationships with Yu Jinghua's disciples.

Thus, the plan to lure the snake out of its hole was devised.

Xu Yun, disguised as him, inadvertently revealed information about the Wood Spirit, attracting Zhou Hui to verify its authenticity.

Once Zhou Hui confirmed the existence of the Wood Spirit, he realized that he was no match for it and would inevitably report the news to Yu Jinghua.

Faced with the temptation of a wood spirit, even if Yu Jinghua still had some vigilance in his heart, he would certainly not be willing to share the news with other Golden Core cultivators of the Spirit Control Sect.

When the time comes, as long as Yu Jinghua goes alone to track the Wood Demon, the Wood Demon can lure him into the ambush location and surround and kill him!

The plan was actually quite rudimentary, but fortunately, the allure of the Wood Spirit was strong enough, and Zhou Chun was very optimistic about its success rate.

After staying in Xuanqing Market for more than a month, when Zhou Chun went to Yuling Pavilion again, the manager Zhao Wentang invited him into the quiet room.

Inside the quiet room, after some polite greetings, Zhao Wentang spoke up, saying, "Fellow Daoist Xu, I have completed the task you entrusted to me. I now have three different successful examples. Fellow Daoist Xu only needs to follow the successful experiences of our sect's cultivators to nurture that Ironhorn Rhinoceros, and there is at least a 30% chance of successfully advancing its level!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun did not show any joy. Instead, he said in a low voice, "Only a 30% chance? Isn't that a bit too small?"

His words seemed to have stepped on Zhao Wentang's Achilles' heel, as Zhao immediately shouted excitedly, "A 30% chance is already very high!"

Then, with an air of "you can't talk about ice with a summer insect," he looked at Zhou Chun and said loudly, "Fellow Daoist Xu, don't you know that it's much harder for a low-level demon beast to break through its bloodline shackles and advance to a higher realm than for us cultivators to break through a major realm?"

"Think about how difficult it is for us cultivators to establish our foundation! Even a Foundation Establishment Pill can only increase the success rate by a few percent!"

"I'm not bragging, but without these successful examples I have for reference, if Fellow Daoist Xu were to try it haphazardly, let alone a 30% chance, there would be absolutely no chance, not even a 10% chance! And most likely, the Iron Horned Rhinoceros would die during the breakthrough process!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, and his spittle almost flew onto Zhou Chun's face.

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Chun's expression changed slightly, revealing an embarrassed look. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, please calm down. I had no intention of belittling you. It's just that whether this Iron-Horned Rhinoceros can successfully advance is of great significance to me and my family, which is why I want to make it as perfect as possible!"

Seeing his sincere apology, Zhao Wentang's expression softened considerably. He then shook his head slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, I understand your meaning. However, even if we disciples of the Spirit Control Sect want to cultivate a second-tier demonic beast, we still have to gamble on luck. There is no way to absolutely guarantee success!"

Zhou Chun nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes, I understand. But I've also heard a rumor that if a low-level demonic beast consumes a large amount of the essence blood of a corresponding mid-level demonic beast to evolve into a mid-level demonic beast, the success rate can be increased. Is that true?"

At this point, she looked at Zhao Wentang with a curious expression.

"This isn't just a rumor; such a situation does indeed exist. However, what Fellow Daoist Xu means by saying this is..."

Zhao Wentang looked at Zhou Chun with a hesitant expression, seemingly understanding his meaning.

"That's right. If Fellow Daoist Zhao could invite any fellow Daoist or senior from your sect who has tamed a silver-horned rhinoceros to provide their essence blood to me, I would certainly repay them handsomely!"

Zhou Chun nodded and solemnly stated his request.

Hearing this, Zhao Wentang hesitated and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu's idea is good, but currently our sect only has one disciple who has truly tamed a silver-horned rhinoceros, and that rhinoceros is a third-tier demonic beast!"

"Wouldn't that be even better! If I could obtain the essence blood of a third-tier silver-horned rhinoceros, my iron-horned rhinoceros's advancement would definitely be much smoother!"

Zhou Chun said loudly, looking extremely happy.

Zhao Wentang replied with a wry smile, "That makes sense, but as you know, Fellow Daoist Xu, that senior brother already has a third-tier demonic beast by his side. What need would he have for ordinary cultivation resources? If you want to ask him for help, I'm afraid he might not agree!"

"Since Fellow Daoist Zhao addresses that person as Senior Brother, does that mean that fellow Daoist is also a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Zhou Chun asked the question knowingly.

"Not only is he a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but his cultivation level is currently stuck in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage!"

Zhao Wentang sighed, his face full of envy, and said, "They're just lucky. Not only do they have a third-tier demonic beast passed down from their ancestors, but they also have a Golden Core cultivator as their master!"

"This...this is something I can only envy!"

Zhou Chun couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

After a slight hesitation, he said softly, "In that case, let's set aside the matter of obtaining the Silver Horned Rhinoceros's blood essence for now. I'll go and prepare other advancement resources first!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wentang's eyes flashed with a sharp light, but he quickly composed himself and nodded at him with an expression of appreciation, saying, "That's more like it, that's practical advice."

Then he took out the three prepared Iron Horned Rhinoceros advancement plans and exchanged them with Zhou Chun.

After exchanging the two thousand spirit coins for one plan with Zhao Wentang, Zhou Chun then privately gifted him a six-hundred-year-old spirit herb before leaving under the pretext of needing to collect resources for advancement.

Zhou Chun then searched for resources related to the Iron Horned Rhinoceros Evolution Plan throughout Xuanqing Market before leaving, seemingly intending to continue collecting resources elsewhere.

But in reality, he returned to the Zhou family to call for reinforcements!

Six months later, with everything arranged, Zhou Chun returned to Xuanqing Market and went to the Yuling Pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, I have gathered all the evolutionary resources required for this plan. Now, all that remains is to obtain the essence blood of the Silver Horned Rhinoceros so that the Iron Horned Rhinoceros can begin its evolution!"

Inside the quiet room, Zhou Chun, looking delighted, explained her purpose to Zhao Wentang.

Seeing his expression, Zhao Wentang couldn't help but smile and praise, "Fellow Daoist Xu, you really are incredibly efficient!"

Then he shook his head and said, "But the essence blood of the silver-horned rhinoceros...didn't I already tell you about this with Fellow Daoist Xu last time? This is truly not something I can handle!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun confidently replied, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, rest assured, I am very confident that I can impress your senior brother this time. All you need to do is arrange for him to come and meet me!"

"Oh, but I wonder how Fellow Daoist Xu plans to win over Senior Brother Zhou?"

Zhao Wentang's curiosity seemed to be piqued as well, and he looked at Zhou Chun with a surprised expression.

Zhou Chun, however, remained mysterious, shaking his head and saying, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, please forgive me, but what I have prepared is not some treasure, but important intelligence, which is not convenient for a third party to know!"

"An intelligence report?"

Zhao Wentang frowned, then looked at Zhou Chun with a serious expression and said, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please don't try to deceive me. What information could possibly be worth Senior Brother Zhou giving you the essence blood of a third-tier Silver Horned Rhinoceros? If he makes a wasted trip, I, Zhao, will have greatly offended someone!"

Upon seeing this, Zhou Chun replied confidently, "I will absolutely not let that fellow Daoist make a wasted trip. If he is not interested in this news, I, Xu, will not only forgo the essence blood of the Silver Horned Rhinoceros, but I am also willing to offer an eight-hundred-year-old spiritual herb as an apology!"

His words made Zhao Wentang even more curious, but judging from his expression, he was clearly not going to give an answer easily.

"Fine, if what he says is true, as long as this succeeds, I can also forge a good relationship with that Senior Brother Zhou!"

Zhao Wentang muttered to himself, but his face showed hesitation and doubt.

Only after Zhou Chun couldn't help but plead again did he reluctantly nod and say, "Alright, then I'll try to write a letter to Senior Brother Zhou to ask about the situation."

"Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Zhao!"

A look of joy flashed across Zhou Chun's face, and she quickly thanked him.

About half a month later, Zhou Chun came to the Imperial Spirit Pavilion again.

In addition to Zhao Wentang, a burly young man dressed in black was also seen in the quiet room.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you've arrived! Let me introduce you. This is Senior Brother Zhou Hui, a true disciple of our sect!"

As Zhao Wentang spoke, he bowed to the young man in black with a fawning expression and said, "Senior Brother Zhou, this is Fellow Daoist Xu Yun."

Upon seeing this, Zhou Chun quickly bowed to the young man in black and said, "Xu Yun greets Fellow Daoist Zhou and thanks Fellow Daoist Zhou for giving me this opportunity."

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you're too kind. Junior Brother Zhao said you want the essence blood of the Silver Horned Rhinoceros and are willing to exchange it for some important intelligence. May I ask what that important intelligence is?"

The young man in black waved his hand, not bothering with pleasantries with Zhou Chun, and went straight to the point.

Little did he know that this was exactly what Zhou Chun wanted, and he immediately transmitted his voice to him, saying, "To be honest, Fellow Daoist Zhou, after I returned to my clan, I received a report from my clansmen that they had discovered a spirit deer that resembled a wood spirit in a mountain range. Later, I went to search for it and indeed found a demon deer that knew the art of wood escape!"

After saying that, he added, "Although I'm not sure if that demonic deer is the legendary Wood Spirit, I think the tracks of a third-tier deer demon are enough to exchange for some Silver Horned Rhinoceros blood with Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

"What? Fellow Daoist Xu, are you sure that really is a wood spirit?"

Zhou Hui's expression changed, and he looked at Zhou Chun with surprise, a hint of joy in his eyes.

He was clearly well aware of the value of the wood spirit.

Zhou Chun cautiously replied, "I'm not entirely sure either, after all, I'm just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But judging from how easily that demonic deer used the Wood Escape Technique and didn't actively harm anyone, it seems quite possible!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hui's expression changed several times before he nodded and said, "Alright, if what Fellow Daoist Xu says is true, then the essence blood of the Silver Horned Rhinoceros is naturally not a problem. However, I must first see the demonic deer you speak of with my own eyes!"

"No problem, I, Xu, can take Fellow Daoist Zhou to the mountains where that demonic deer appeared at any time!"

Zhou Chun readily agreed.

After the two of them reached an agreement, Zhou Hui quickly gave Zhao Wentang some instructions, and then eagerly urged Zhou Chun to take him to the site.

After thanking Zhao Wentang, Zhou Chun quickly led Zhou Hui to a mountain range three or four thousand miles away from Xuanqing Market.

Since he was planning to lure Yu Jinghua out, he naturally had to carefully select the ambush location.

The chosen mountain range was indeed a paradise for independent cultivators in the Great Zhou Kingdom.

For some reason, there were no particularly high-quality spiritual mountains and blessed lands within that mountain range that stretched for thousands of miles, so it did not attract any major sects or aristocratic families to establish their mountain gates there.

Only a few small and medium-sized families and independent cultivators seek out spiritual sites in the mountains to establish their mountain gates and strongholds, and then share the resources within the mountains.

After two days of travel, Zhou Chun led Zhou Hui to a lush mountain range, where they began searching for traces of the wood spirit.

After about three days of searching, Zhou Chun deliberately arranged for the Wood Spirit to appear and launch an attack on him.

Boom boom boom!

A series of explosions suddenly rang out in the mountains.

When Zhou Hui, who had separated from Zhou Chun to search for the Wood Spirit's whereabouts, arrived on his Silver Horned Rhinoceros, he saw Zhou Chun being knocked off a cliff by the Wood Spirit's magic, his fate unknown.

Upon discovering the silver-horned rhinoceros, the wood spirit seemed to be frightened and hurriedly began to flee.

"Chase!"

Without thinking twice, Zhou Hui hurriedly urged the silver-horned rhinoceros to give chase.

After he chased for a distance, he was quickly shaken off by the Wood Spirit using Wood Release Technique.

After witnessing the Wood Spirit's Wood Release technique, Zhou Hui had no more doubts about its identity.

"I've got it! It really is a Wood Spirit!!"

The green spirit deer had completely disappeared from the mountains and forests, but Zhou Hui was trembling with excitement, his eyes filled with joy.

He was merely verifying the authenticity of the information; he never imagined he could capture a third-tier wood spirit.

Now that this matter has been confirmed, he will surely receive a great reward when he presents the information to his master, Yu Jinghua.

After the initial excitement subsided, Zhou Hui seemed to remember Xu Yun, so he hurriedly returned to the spot where Zhou Chun had fallen off the cliff to check on the situation.

But in the end, apart from finding a pool of blood on the ground, no one else was found.

"He's seriously injured and hiding? This person is certainly cautious!"

With a slight frown, Zhou Hui felt a pang of regret.

He had originally intended to come and silence them, since the Wood Spirit was too valuable, and he didn't want anyone other than himself to know about it.

But they came up empty-handed.

"However, since that person is seriously injured, his priority should be recuperating. Besides, he also wants the silver-horned rhinoceros blood I have!"

"In this way, as long as Master acts quickly enough, there's no need to worry about the news leaking out!"

Thinking of this, Zhou Hui immediately rushed back to the Imperial Spirit Gate.

Meanwhile, in another valley about a hundred miles away, after Mu Mei returned, Zhou Chun immediately smiled at the group of elders who had been lying in wait for a long time and said, "Alright, the target has taken the bait. Now we just wait for that bastard Yu Jinghua to come over!"

Upon hearing his words, the Su family patriarch, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately looked at him and clicked his tongue, saying, "Tsk tsk tsk, Zheng Chun, you really know how to hide things. If it weren't for the need to use the patriarch this time, I'm afraid Yu Zhen and I would still be in the dark. We didn't know you had such a rare spirit pet as a Wood Sprite, or even a Wood Sprite that was about to advance to the fourth rank!"

These words carried a hint of resentment towards Zhou Chun for treating him like an outsider.

But what he said was the truth.

Therefore, Zhou Chun was somewhat embarrassed and didn't know how to explain.

Fortunately, Zhou Mingde quickly came to his rescue: "Fellow Daoist Su, please don't blame him. The Wood Spirit is a very important matter. If people find out that he has such a spirit as a pet in addition to the Four-Clawed Thunder Dragon, it's hard to guarantee that it won't arouse envy and jealousy, and that the stronger will bully the weaker one. Therefore, I specifically asked him to keep this matter a secret and not let more people know!"

He paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, this matter shouldn't be kept from Yuzhen, no matter who else it is!"

Then he bowed to Su Yuzhen and said, "Yuzhen, it was I who forbade Zhengchun from explaining this to you. If you want to blame someone, blame me. I apologize to you here!"

Seeing this, Su Yuzhen quickly stepped aside and said, "Senior, you are too kind. I am not an unreasonable person. How could I hold such a thing against you!"

After saying that, she gave the Su family patriarch a reproachful look.

Seeing that the fire was now burning him, the Su family patriarch could only cough awkwardly twice and say, "Ahem, I was just saying it casually, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you don't need to take it seriously. Which of us cultivators doesn't have things we can't say to others?"

They then dropped the matter and didn't bring it up again, so as not to make things awkward for everyone.

Meanwhile, Zhou Hui knew the matter was of great importance, so he traveled with his pet at full speed and returned to the Yu Ling Sect's mountain gate in less than a day, reporting to Yu Jinghua about the Wood Spirit.

"Hui'er, are you sure that really is a wood spirit? Don't make a mistake!"

Inside the cave, Yu Jinghua was both surprised and delighted after hearing Zhou Hui's report. Then, still feeling uneasy, he looked at his disciple again and again to confirm.

"Master, you are wise. I dare not say I am 100% certain, but I am at least 90% sure it is a wood spirit!"

Zhou Hui responded respectfully.

After saying that, he added, "Furthermore, even if it's not the legendary Wood Spirit, a third-tier spirit deer proficient in Wood Release techniques is still incredibly valuable, and it's worth your personal intervention, Master!"

"Hmm, what you said makes sense."

Yu Jinghua nodded in agreement with his apprentice's words.

However, being cautious and suspicious, he still didn't decide to set off immediately. Instead, he instructed Zhou Hui, "Go to the Yuling Pavilion in the market and call the manager over. I have some questions for him!"

"Yes, Your disciple obeys."

Zhou Hui responded and left quickly.

Then, in less than half a day, Zhao Wentang was taken to Yu Jinghua's cave.

"...Uncle-Master Yu, you are wise. That's all I know!"

Inside the cave, after Yu Jinghua finished recounting his entire interaction with Xu Yun, he waited anxiously for Yu Jinghua to continue.

He didn't know why Yu Jinghua, a Golden Core cultivator, would suddenly be so interested in a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. He guessed it might be related to what Zhou Hui had done before, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions.

After carefully considering Zhao Wentang's words, Yu Jinghua felt that Xu Yun's personal information was still somewhat vague, but he couldn't find any loopholes.

Time was of the essence, and he was also afraid that once Xu Yun recovered from his injuries, he would leak the information about the Wood Spirit.

Therefore, after weighing the options in his mind, he nodded and said, "I understand. Junior Nephew Zhao, you must be tired from your hasty arrival. Please rest in my cave for a day. I will have Chen'er come and keep you company!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhao Wentang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately dared not disobey the orders of a Golden Core cultivator, and could only agree with trepidation.

After summoning another disciple, Wang Chen, to keep an eye on Zhao Wentang, Yu Jinghua immediately made an excuse to tell the Grand Elder of the Yuling Sect that he needed to go out for a while. He then took Zhou Hui and left the Yuling Sect's mountain gate, heading straight for the place where the Wood Demon had appeared.

With Yu Jinghua's current mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, traveling thousands of miles would only take one or two hours. Soon, under Zhou Hui's guidance, he arrived at the place where he had previously fought the Wood Demon.

The master and apprentice then split up to search for traces of the wood spirit.

(End of this chapter)