Beast Taming Immortal Clan

Chapter 603 Storm Gathers Outside the Spirit Control Gate [Please Subscribe]

Zhou Chun didn't care whether the Yu Ling Sect would be lost.

What he cared about was whether the fourth-tier high-grade demon beast from the Spirit Control Sect could truly survive the Heavenly Tribulation.

If we can truly survive the Heavenly Tribulation, then this is truly a golden opportunity!

Since learning about the "Emperor's Dew" in the far west, Zhou Chun had a new perspective and decided that this was the best way for him to help the Golden-Winged Tiger break through to the fourth rank.

After all, the Golden-Winged Tiger already possesses the three attributes of gold, wind, and space, and has already mutated twice. It is simply unrealistic to expect it to evolve again through mutation!

Therefore, most normal breakthrough methods are actually ineffective and worthless for it.

This was precisely the reason for Zhou Chun's previous headache.

In this situation, advancing through consuming the "Emperor's Elixir," a rare and wondrous substance, is undoubtedly the most effective method.

Moreover, if the Golden-Winged Tiger breaks through to the fourth rank by consuming "Emperor's Elixir," its bloodline aptitude will definitely be nourished and improved by this substance, greatly increasing the possibility of breaking through to the fifth rank in the future.

This can be described as a one-time solution, saving the effort of finding a breakthrough opportunity later.

However, before that, how to obtain "Emperor's Elixir" became Zhou Chun's biggest problem.

This item is only produced by fourth-tier demonic beasts after they have just survived the Heavenly Tribulation, and it is not easy to preserve. It is highly impractical to obtain it through trading.

Collecting it yourself is even more impractical.

Putting aside how he knew where a fourth-tier demon beast was undergoing its tribulation, even if he did know and rushed over, it would likely be a wasted trip with nothing to show for it.

After all, the probability of a fourth-order demon beast surviving the Heavenly Tribulation is no higher than that of a human cultivator who has reached the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage, and may even be lower!

Meanwhile, if wild monsters want to undergo the Heavenly Tribulation, they either need to find a fifth-tier demon king for protection beforehand, or they need to specifically hide in a desolate place to undergo the tribulation.

For cultivators to encounter a fourth-tier demonic beast undergoing its Heavenly Tribulation is not entirely impossible, but it's purely a matter of chance and luck.

Even if most cultivators happen to encounter such an event, they are unable to do anything about it.

Since they can't target the wild monsters, they can only try to take advantage of the guardian spirit beasts cultivated by various cultivation factions.

However, most forces capable of cultivating guardian spirit beasts to overcome the Heavenly Tribulation have Nascent Soul stage cultivators in charge, making them equally difficult for Zhou Chun to provoke.

Furthermore, in order to avoid unexpected situations and prevent people like Zhou Chun from coming to ask for the "Emperor's Dew," a rare treasure of heaven and earth, the news is usually kept secret until the moment the demon beast truly begins its tribulation.

Or you could simply take him to a deserted, desolate place to undergo his tribulation, without anyone knowing!

In short, under normal circumstances, it seems impossible for Zhou Chun to obtain such a rare and precious substance as "Emperor's Dew" from anywhere else.

One can only hope that one of their spirit pets will survive the Heavenly Tribulation and obtain a portion of the "Emperor's Essence" to use in raising other spirit pets.

If that's the case, I wonder if a third-tier high-grade Golden-Winged Tiger could survive until that day!

Who would have thought that things would turn out so unexpectedly, like finding a new path after seemingly reaching a dead end!

The west is dark, but the east is bright!

He couldn't get his hands on the [Binghuo Divine Crow] from the Holy Fire Cult, but the Spirit Control Sect gave him a huge surprise!

Compared to the Holy Flame Sect, which is full of powerful figures, the Spirit Control Sect, which doesn't even have a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, is clearly a pushover.

With Zhou Chun's current strength, while he might not be able to easily crush her, he could at least give her a good whack.

Moreover, it's not hard to tell from Zhou Daoyi's words that there might be a Nascent Soul stage cultivator involved this time.

After all, both the "Emperor's Dew" and a fifth-tier demon beast that had just successfully transcended its tribulation and was in a weakened state were treasures that would tempt even a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Therefore, after understanding the situation, Zhou Chun quickly and decisively stated, "Of course, the Zhou family cannot be left out of this matter!"

"Back then, the Yuling Sect sheltered that scoundrel Yu Jinghua, who stole our Zhou family's beast-taming inheritance. This is an irreconcilable feud, and we must avenge it!"

"Now that we have this opportunity, the Zhou family certainly cannot let it slip by; we must exact our revenge!"

Repay kindness with kindness and avenge wrongs with revenge; this has always been Zhou Chun's guiding principle.

The seeds of hatred between the Yuling Sect and the Zhou family were sown when they took in Yu Jinghua.

The Zhou family didn't retaliate against them simply because they didn't have the power to do so before.

Now that Zhou Chun is a formidable opponent in the Golden Core stage, and has encountered such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for revenge, how could he possibly miss it?

Whether it's to obtain the "Emperor's Dew" to help the Golden-Winged Tiger break through to the fourth rank, or to prevent the Spirit Control Sect from having a fifth-rank demon beast, he has to take action.

After hearing Zhou Chun's decision, Zhou Daoyi did not express any objection, but simply nodded and said, "Alright, since you intend to get involved, Zheng Chun, I will go and gather as much information as possible to see what the Yu Ling Sect plans to do!"

"I will also go and see Fellow Daoist Luo to see if she can have more detailed information."

Zhou Chun nodded and explained his own plans.

However, before leaving, he left his original magic weapon, the Taibai Dragon-Slaying Sword, and his badly damaged magic weapon, the Mountain Shield, to Zhou Daoyi.

After Zhou Daoyi successfully formed his core, apart from his natal magic weapon, he only refined the mid-grade magic weapon [Heavenly Wind Flag] that he had obtained from Yu Jinghua, so his strength was relatively weak.

Zhou Chun gave him these two magical treasures to make up for his weaknesses.

In addition, Zhou Chun also handed over the newly acquired fourth-order wolf-shaped puppet to Zhou Daoyi for safekeeping, as his trump card for survival.

Having learned of Zhou Chun's achievements in the cultivation world of the far west, Zhou Daoyi did not refuse the magical treasures he was given and readily accepted his kindness.

Zhou Chun then parted ways with him and went to visit Luo Qingni's cave.

The visit went smoothly. Luo Qingni did not go into seclusion to refine pills or do anything else. She quickly welcomed Zhou Chun into her cave.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Luo, on your breakthrough in cultivation! You have taken another step forward on the path of the Great Dao!"

Inside Qingni Residence, Zhou Chun looked at Luo Qingni, who had reached the same cultivation level as him, and offered his sincere congratulations with a smile on his face.

He hadn't seen Zhou Daoyi for almost twenty years, and the same was true for Luo Qingni.

The last time I met Luo Qingni, she had only recently failed to break through after taking the [Jade Dew Golden Glow Pill].

Unexpectedly, in less than twenty years, the other party had already successfully broken through the realm barrier and advanced to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

"Thank you for your congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zhou. Qingni has finally caught up with you again."

Luo Qingni smiled slightly and couldn't help but make a joking remark.

It's clear that she's in a very good mood now and has completely overcome the psychological shadow of her previous failed breakthrough.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, you flatter me too much. I dare not accept such praise."

Zhou Chun shook his head repeatedly and responded in a serious manner.

Then the two couldn't help but smile at each other, and stopped exchanging pleasantries and flattery.

Next, Zhou Chun began by recounting his experiences and observations during his travels in the Ice Kingdom and the cultivation world in the far west. Of course, he omitted the confidential matters that were not convenient for outsiders to know, only mentioning that he had obtained several excellent magical treasures.

After recounting his travels and experiences over the years, Zhou Chun finally stated his purpose: "Now that Fellow Daoist Luo's cultivation has broken through, the refining of the [Four Spirits Breakthrough Pill] must be expedited. Ideally, it should be refined before our cultivation reaches the late Golden Core stage!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is absolutely right. However, Qingni has also used her connections to search everywhere over the years, but she has indeed not found the whereabouts of the remaining two main ingredients. If we really want to settle this matter, it may be difficult for the two of us to do it easily!"

Luo Qingni's expression turned somewhat unpleasant as she spoke.

She knew that she was already lagging behind in this aspect.

After all, Zhou Chun provided the pill formula, along with two main ingredients and many auxiliary ingredients, while she herself had no information whatsoever!

But she also has her own difficulties.

As a rogue cultivator, it was difficult for her to establish any deep friendships with the Golden Core elders of those truly major sects, because those people naturally had other channels to find sect alchemists with better alchemy skills than her to collaborate on alchemy.

Most of the truly precious spiritual herbs in the cultivation world are only cultivated in the herb gardens of major sects and powerful forces.

Zhou Chun understood her predicament.

In fact, he himself was like that.

It was in Jing Kingdom that he had Su Yunniang as a connection, which meant he had someone to relay messages within the Moon Wheel Sect, the most powerful force in Jing Kingdom.

In the Great Zhou Kingdom, even if he is extremely wealthy and has several unused magical treasures on him, he still cannot exchange them for what he wants without knowing anyone.

As for the Moon Wheel Sect, Zhou Chun had already asked Su Yunniang, and they did not have the two main ingredients needed to refine the [Four Spirits Barrier-Breaking Pill].

Perhaps it could be found in the private medicine garden of a Nascent Soul cultivator, but that's information that even a Golden Core elder like Su Yunniang would have difficulty accessing.

So when Zhou Chun heard Luo Qingni's words, he couldn't help but frown.

After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Luo Qingni and asked, "Fellow Daoist Luo, do you mean you want to recruit more people to collaborate on refining the [Four Spirits Barrier-Breaking Pill]? Do you already have a suitable candidate in mind?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingni replied frankly, "I have indeed had this idea in mind, but I haven't found a suitable candidate yet."

Hearing her answer, Zhou Chun breathed a sigh of relief, but then said with a serious expression, "Since we haven't found a suitable candidate yet, let's not rush into this. It's best to be cautious about collaborating with others on alchemy; if we entrust the task to the wrong person, things could go very wrong!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is absolutely right. This matter indeed requires strict secrecy. Qingni will seriously consider this matter and will not easily reveal the truth!"

Luo Qingni nodded slightly, indicating that she understood the importance of the matter.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right. You and I have only recently advanced to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. We have plenty of time to slowly gather materials in the future. There's no need to cause trouble because of being impatient."

"Since there's no news about the main ingredient right now, let's collect all the auxiliary ingredients first. If we really still have no news at all, then we can consider bringing in other people!"

At this point, his meaning became clear: he did not approve of bringing other people in now.

Seeing this, Luo Qingni naturally couldn't object, since he had provided both main ingredients and the prescription.

So she quickly said, "Qingni understands. Let's leave it at that for now and proceed as Fellow Daoist Zhou suggested."

After the two reached an agreement, Zhou Chun inquired about the other spiritual herb needed to refine the Jade Dew Golden Glow Pill, namely the Jade Dew Flower, hoping that Luo Qingni would exchange it for another one so that he could refine another batch of the Jade Dew Golden Glow Pill.

Although the Jade Dew and Golden Cloud Pill was no longer of any use to the two of them, its value was still extremely high.

If we could refine another batch, it would be excellent whether we could leave one for Su Yuzhen and Lin Hongyu to help them break through the barrier of the mid-stage Golden Core realm, or use it in the future to exchange for spiritual items with other Golden Core cultivators.

Therefore, Zhou Chun made it clear that he would accept even the exchange of low-grade magic treasures.

Of course, the value of a spiritual herb is definitely not comparable to that of a low-grade magic weapon; he was simply willing to accept further compensation in spirit coins.

Luo Qingni naturally had no reason to refuse his request.

Even if she couldn't get any pills from it, just refining one more elixir of the [Jade Dew Golden Glow Pill] level would be a rare opportunity for her.

You have to understand that with her alchemy skills at this level, it would be extremely difficult to improve further. Every time she refines a spiritual pill of the [Jade Dew Golden Glow Pill] level, it is a very valuable experience.

Only when her alchemy skills truly rival those of the grandmasters trained by the major sects can she seize market share from the current grandmasters.

In this respect, alchemy is far more complex than weapon crafting.

At least those master craftsmen have no shortage of magical treasures and spiritual materials to practice with and improve their skills.

There's nothing we can do about it; pills are disposable items!

After obtaining Luo Qingni's promise, Zhou Chun finally brought up the matter of the Yu Ling Sect.

As a mid-level sect within the Great Zhou Kingdom, the Yu Ling Sect was exactly the kind of alchemist Luo Qingni mainly dealt with. Many cultivators in her network of contacts were from mid-level sects or Golden Core families.

However, Luo Qingni is usually either focused on cultivation or busy refining pills. Those who know her understand her personality and would not deliberately talk to her about such things.

So, faced with Zhou Chun's request, she hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, "I haven't paid attention to this matter before. Let me inquire about it for you, Fellow Daoist Zhou, and then I'll give you an answer!"

"Then I will trouble Fellow Daoist Luo."

Zhou Chun bowed with his hands clasped in thanks.

For a period of time afterward, Zhou Chun stayed temporarily in Zhou Daoyi's cave, waiting for more news to be delivered to him.

After waiting for almost a month, Zhou Daoyi received all the information he had gathered through "Tianzhilou" and Luo Qingni.

After comparing the information from both sides, Zhou Chun gained a general understanding of the incident.

The reason this matter has escalated to this point is, frankly speaking, because there was a traitor within the Yuling Sect who prematurely revealed the sect's most important secret.

Just as the Zhou family had various enemies, both overt and covert, in the Jing Kingdom, the Yu Ling Sect, having been passed down for so many years in the Great Zhou Kingdom, naturally also had its share of enemies and rivals.

Naturally, their enemies were either weaker than them or close in strength. In short, it was difficult for either of them to kill the other, yet they all wanted to kill each other!

The Yuling Sect is preparing for something big this time. They will use all their resources to help one of their guardian spirit beasts break through to the fifth rank. Then, relying on the power of this newly promoted fifth-rank demon king, they will suppress and defeat their enemies and rivals in one fell swoop.

However, they did not expect that someone in their own sect's higher-ups would leak the information to a sworn enemy sect.

After learning of this, the rival sect deliberately held back its actions.

Only after the guardian spirit beast of the Spirit Control Sect began to go into seclusion to accumulate power in preparation for a breakthrough did it spread the news widely, intending to use external forces to sabotage the Spirit Control Sect's plan.

The guardian spirit beast of the Yuling Sect has been in seclusion for several years, having consumed a spiritual item to aid its breakthrough, leaving it with no way out.

If the Spirit Control Sect were to terminate its plan at this point, not only would years of preparation be destroyed, but the guardian spirit beast might also be unwilling to give up what could be its only chance to break through in its lifetime!

Judging from the news, the Yuling Sect indeed has no intention of stopping the plan. They have now sealed off their mountain gates, completely cutting off the spread of information from inside and outside the sect.

Clearly, they were prepared to gamble on the sect's fortune, hoping that the guardian spirit beast could escape the human calamity after surviving the Heavenly Tribulation!

As long as the guardian spirit beast can survive these two tribulations, even if the Yuling Sect suffers heavy losses in this calamity, it will be able to rise again and create new glories in the future.

Information about the guardian spirit beast is also provided in the intelligence report.

That was a fourth-tier high-grade demonic beast, the Rock Armored Giant Rhinoceros, known for its defensive capabilities. It was a spirit pet left behind by a patriarch of the Spirit Control Sect a thousand years ago.

This beast has been with the Spirit Control Sect for over a thousand years, and has been hardworking and dutiful. It has earned the trust of the Golden Core cultivators of the Spirit Control Sect, and is also known for its defensive capabilities. That is why the opportunity to break through to the fifth rank was given to it!

With its profound accumulated resources and powerful defensive capabilities, coupled with the tribulation-crossing magic treasures and elixirs prepared for it by the Spirit Control Sect, the chances of it surviving the Heavenly Tribulation should be quite high.

"It's a pity I don't know if a Nascent Soul stage cultivator will intervene. If such a being does, and draws the attention of that [Rock-Armored Giant Rhinoceros], perhaps I'll have a chance to obtain some 'Emperor's Essence'!"

"Of course, even without a Nascent Soul stage cultivator intervening, this is my only chance to seize the 'Emperor's Elixir,' and I'll risk it even if it's like snatching food from a tiger's mouth!"

Inside the cave, Zhou Chun looked at the intelligence information in his hand with a very solemn expression.

With his current strength, it's not impossible for him to seize some "Emperor's Essence" from a fifth-tier demon beast that has just successfully transcended its tribulation and is still in a weakened state.

However, this will inevitably make them see you as an enemy who is blocking your way, and you will face their fierce retaliation in the future!

Therefore, if a Nascent Soul cultivator hadn't intervened to kill the [Rock Armor Giant Rhinoceros], even if he had obtained the "Emperor's Essence," it would have brought great trouble to himself and the Zhou family.

To prevent this future trouble, he might take advantage of the situation to go even further after seizing the "Imperial Dew"!

In light of this, Zhou Chun quickly took action.

He and Zhou Daoyi split up into two groups. He went to the area near the gate of the Yuling Sect and secretly made contact with several forces that were at odds with the Yuling Sect.

Zhou Daoyi then went to Jingguo and brought Zhou Mingde and Lin Hongyu to Da Zhouguo.

Given Zhou Chun's personality, once he decides to take action, he will definitely go all out!

After arriving near the gate of the Yuling Sect, he quickly made contact with its mortal enemy, the Shenmu Sect.

The Divine Wood Sect is the sect that is rumored to be undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation of the Rock Armored Giant Rhinoceros. Its sect power is slightly inferior to that of the Spirit Control Sect, and it has suffered a lot in the open and covert struggles with the Spirit Control Sect.

But no one expected that the Shenmu Sect had quietly planted a spy within the upper echelons of the Yuling Sect.

It is said that the person who spread the news was a concubine of an elder of the Yuling Sect, and this person herself was a descendant of a deceased Golden Core elder of the Shenmu Sect!

Now that the Yuling Sect has sealed off its mountain to protect itself, the Shenmu Sect is no longer hiding its true intentions and has openly stepped forward, clearly stating its intention to destroy the Yuling Sect.

Of course, their slogan was not to strike at their enemies, but to act on behalf of Heaven, eliminate the high-ranking members of the Yuling Sect who were controlled by the demon beasts, and rescue the innocent Yuling Sect disciples who were unaware of the inside story!

In short, we must stand firm on moral grounds.

The Divine Wood Sect itself is quite powerful, with its Grand Elder being a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, along with a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator and three early-stage Golden Core cultivators.

If it weren't for the fact that the Yuling Sect had several fourth-tier demonic beasts, the Shenmu Sect would be no weaker than them on paper.

When Zhou Chun made contact with the Shenmu Sect, he did not reveal his identity as the head of the Zhou family. He only said that he was a rogue cultivator who had a grudge against the Yuling Sect and was willing to help deal with the Yuling Sect when the time was right.

The main reason for doing this is to avoid being mistaken for an accomplice of the Spirit Control Sect when the time comes to take action. Another reason is to gather information and see if any Nascent Soul stage cultivators will be involved.

Unfortunately, judging from the results of several contacts, it seems that the Shenmu Sect has not been able to persuade a Nascent Soul stage cultivator to join them.

However, we learned another noteworthy piece of information: the [Rock Armor Giant Rhinoceros] of the Spirit Control Sect should be undergoing its Heavenly Tribulation in one or two years at most!

Under these circumstances, Zhou Chun could not leave the vicinity of the Yuling Sect's mountain gate to seek other helpers.

He could only join Lin Hongyu and Zhou Mingde, who had already arrived, and wait for the right moment to make his move.

As for Zhou Daoyi, he needed to impersonate Zhou Mingde to oversee the Zhou family, so it was inconvenient for him to join the operation.

After all, he was nominally a member of the Zhou family who had been declared dead, and he still had the network of connections that he had painstakingly built up in Tianyuan Immortal City.

Time passed slowly, and soon the three members of the Zhou family had been lurking in the mountains and fields near the Yuling Gate for more than a year.

During this period, as the news spread, the number of cultivators who came to the vicinity of the Yuling Sect to join in the fun increased, including many Golden Core cultivators.

This was naturally good news for Zhou Chun.

The more chaotic the situation becomes, the less likely his actions will attract attention.

On this day, a sudden gale arose above the Yuling Sect's mountain gate, and thunderclouds gathered. Zhou Chun knew that the time he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

(End of this chapter)