Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 3 Chapter 37: A Grand Background

Tianqing City.

Qingming Pavilion.

On the pavilion’s upper floor, Bai Xuan Zun-zhe of Tai Xuan Sect faced off against Ling Quan Zun-zhe of Qingming Commerce Guild.

“Ling Quan, you still dare claim that you didn’t deliberately let that alchemist go? I captured over a hundred cultivators who were in and around the commercial district at the time. Every single one of them testified that as soon as the Cavern Heaven appeared, your Qingming Commerce Guild immediately sealed off the area! Some even saw you personally outside the entrance!”

The speaker, an elder with long white whiskers draped in a white Daoist robe, pressed forward with his questioning. Across from him, Ling Quan Zun-zhe responded indifferently,

“I put up your sect’s wanted notice the moment you issued it. What more do you expect from me?”

“That alchemist’s master is called Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign. You should understand the weight of that title.”

“I acknowledge that the life of a Tai Xuan Sect core disciple is important. But do you expect me to make an enemy of a Pill Sovereign because of it?”

“In this case, no matter how you argue, you’re in the wrong. Are you really going to risk offending a Pill Sovereign just to avenge your descendant?”

“Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign?” Bai Xuan Zun-zhe sneered in disdain. “Never heard of him. He’s not even a fifth-tier alchemist from Tongtian Tower. Our Tai Xuan Sect has eight Zun-zhe, all fifth-tier alchemists, all at Nascent Soul Transformation. What kind of nobody is this Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign?”

He understood that anyone capable of killing his grandson must be the disciple of a powerful figure. However, Tai Xuan Sect was a first-class force in Qingzhou, backed by sheer numbers. So what if this so-called Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign was the master of that alchemist?

At most, he was a rogue cultivator, likely at Nascent Soul Transformation, with nothing but fifth-tier alchemy skills. Even if he decided not to demand the disciple’s life, he had to extract some form of compensation.

“All of my descendants are marked with soul-blood for precisely this reason—to track down their killers and demand reparation. And Luo’er was one of my most talented granddaughters, lucky enough to enter the Cavern Heaven.” Bai Xuan Zun-zhe grew increasingly resolute.

He had to make this Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign and his disciple pay a heavy price.

“Ling Quan, how are you so sure that my granddaughter attacked first?” Bai Xuan Zun-zhe pressed on.

“Because before you arrived, Ji Geng, the alchemist from Tongtian Tower, was already in Tianqing City. One of her Foundation Establishment alchemy attendants also entered the Cavern Heaven but didn’t fight for its treasures. Instead, he observed everything firsthand.”

“Where is he now?” Bai Xuan Zun-zhe’s face darkened.

“He left once he learned that the alchemist had escaped from Tianqing City.”

“Bai Xuan, I advise you to reconsider. That young alchemist is not only strong but also monstrously talented in alchemy. His master is bound to be extraordinary—certainly not as simple as you assume. Dropping this matter might actually be in your best interest. The rules of the Cavern Heaven are clear: your descendant insisted on fighting, so you can’t blame others for the outcome.”

“Hmph! My grandson’s death is a blood feud! Even if his master were an immortal king, I wouldn’t let this go!!!”

“Oh? Is that so?”

A voice suddenly drifted into the ears of both Nascent Soul cultivators, startling them. They hadn’t even noticed someone approaching.

A woman clad in a robe of green and white feathers stepped onto the pavilion, landing lightly on the railing. She looked down at the two powerful cultivators with an air of dominance.

“Where did this mere Nascent Soul brat come from?” Bai Xuan Zun-zhe snapped. “Ling Quan, since when does your Qingming Pavilion let just anyone waltz in?”

Then, as if realizing something, his expression shifted.

“Wait… you know that alchemist? Don’t tell me—you’re Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign?” Bai Xuan Zun-zhe turned to the feather-robed woman, raising his hand to suppress her.

But before he could act, an overwhelming pressure locked onto him.

And onto that alchemist’s master.

Cold sweat streamed down their backs. Their bodies broke into goosebumps. For a brief moment, their minds went blank.

Even when facing the Void Mystical Ancestor of their own sect, they had never felt such an oppressive aura of impending death.

Just before Bai Xuan Zun-zhe’s vision went completely white, his eyes flickered to the token in the feather-robed woman’s hand. He swallowed hard.

The terrifying beast insignia on that token nearly made him drop to his knees.

A hoarse whisper escaped his throat.

“Demon Emperor’s Might… the Holy Son’s Token…”

“She… she’s the Holy Son of the Demon Court!”

“Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign… Fire Dragon… That alchemist’s master isn’t human! He’s a fire dragon! A member of the Demon Court!!”

In that instant, everything became clear to Bai Xuan Zun-zhe.

Ling Quan Zun-zhe, meanwhile, confirmed his suspicions. He had assumed Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign was merely a “wild dragon.” But who could have expected he hailed from the Demon Court itself?!

The Demon Court’s Demon Emperor ranked among the strongest of all demon emperors.

It was a top-tier demon faction, rivaling even Tongtian Tower—far beyond Tai Xuan Sect’s reach.

And the three Holy Maidens of the Demon Court?

They were infamous.

Especially the woman before them—Bai Xuan Zun-zhe finally recalled her identity.

The Third Holy Maiden of the Demon Court.

Xu Qingyao.

A monster with peacock demon blood, nearly invincible among Nascent Soul cultivators, always accompanied by several Nascent Soul Demon Emperors as her protectors.

Not long ago, a Nascent Soul sect had provoked this demoness… and was promptly burned to the ground.

He had kicked an iron plate.

For a long moment, Bai Xuan Zun-zhe was speechless.

“Holy Maiden…” His knees nearly buckled. He wanted to say something, but Xu Qingyao, seeing that he wasn’t truly seeking vengeance but simply acting out of arrogance, lost interest in fighting.

“Forget it. Since your grandson is dead, but none of mine are, I won’t make things difficult for you. Withdraw the wanted notice and issue a public apology.”

“…Thank you, Holy Maiden.” Bai Xuan Zun-zhe exhaled in relief and bowed slightly.

That same day—

Tai Xuan Sect revoked the wanted notice for the nameless alchemist. Bai Xuan Zun-zhe publicly apologized, claiming he had acted out of momentary rage. He admitted that his grandson had died due to the Cavern Heaven’s rules and should not have blamed others. As for any damage done to the Demon Court’s Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign and his disciple’s reputation, he was willing to offer compensation.

Tianqing City was in an uproar.

The entire cultivation world felt as if they had witnessed a celestial scandal.

The mysterious alchemist who had entered the Cavern Heaven—his master was from the Demon Court!

A human taking a demon beast as a master was rare, but not unheard of.

But for that master to be from the Demon Court?

No wonder Bai Xuan Zun-zhe had backed down so quickly.

That was one of the top-tier demon factions!

At the Nameless Pill Pavilion—

“Ouyang, this Fire Dragon Pill Sovereign was clearly something Junior Brother made up,” Wu Ouyang questioned. “Why go along with it?”

Xu Qingyao shot him a glance.

“That guy wants to roam around refining pills. But with his troublemaking skills? No chance.” She smirked. “This fake identity is perfect. I’ll just have him stick by my side instead.”

“Don’t worry—I have ways to make him agree.”