Beast Tamer Ascension

Chapter 18: Clash of the Prodigies

“Ahhhhh!”

With a loud “Boom!”, the spiritual bean exploded in the Black Bear Monster’s mouth, sending dark smoke streaming from its nose and mouth. Its frustration immediately erupted.

“Ahhh!”@@novelbin@@

It glared furiously at Elder Mo, Lín Jìng, and the stunned Pine Leaf Mouse.

This…

Lín Jìng and the Pine Leaf Mouse were thoroughly shocked. The enticing spiritual bean had exploded as soon as it was eaten?

Luckily, they hadn’t tried it themselves!

“I had a feeling the spiritual energy fluctuations in that bean were strange. It’s become a ‘malignant plant’!” Elder Mo sighed. While spiritual plants are nourishing, malignant ones are sparse in nutrition and highly dangerous.

“Infuriating! You guessed it was dangerous and still made me eat it?!” the Black Bear Monster roared in anger.

“A mere Pine Leaf Mouse at the important stage in cultivation made that bean, so what are you, a demon beast with a monster core, afraid of? The fact that you didn’t sense anything just shows your lack of vigilance,” Elder Mo chided.

The Black Bear Monster ground its teeth but couldn’t refute, feeling it had been too naive.

“All right, go back to sleep.” Ignoring his pet, Elder Mo withdrew the Black Bear Monster and turned back to Lín Jìng and the Pine Leaf Mouse with interest.

“Changing the nature rather than enhancing the quality—not bad at all. While not a top-tier ability, it’s certainly impressive!”

“Isn’t the Glazed Celestial Eyes considered a top-tier ability?” Lín Jìng thought it was already quite powerful.

“You underestimate rare beasts,” Elder Mo chuckled. “The divine abilities awakened during the mutation from a spirit beast to a rare beast can sometimes originate from immortal beings. Compared to those, the transformative power of Glazed Celestial Eyes is just one of many potent abilities.”

“For example, the ancient imperial clan had a rare beast called the ‘Boundary-Breaking Bird,’ which could help cultivators shatter the limits of their realms. Under its blessing, an exceptional imperial prince reached the unprecedented thirteenth stage of the important cultivation phase and developed a second and third constitution at the foundation establishment stage, possessing three unique cultivation constitutions.”

“And in the Spirit Dao Sect, there’s the ‘Insight Fish,’ a rare beast credited with enabling many of its cultivators to manifest the ‘Spell Spirit Origin’.”

“The Tianji Pavilion, the Lotus Chamber of Commerce…” Elder Mo listed other rare beasts associated with powerful factions, each holding abilities that bolstered their masters.

Of course, rare beasts varied in their capabilities. Some were astonishing, while others awakened bizarre abilities that ended up in ancient records. There was even a rabbit spirit with the “Hundred Fragrances” ability that emitted more than a hundred divine scents, only to be captured and eaten by a high-level Nascent Soul cultivator. It became renowned as the “Hundred Fragrance Rabbit,” the most delectable dish across the ages.

“In short, rare beasts with world-altering abilities can influence even higher-level cultivators early on. Compared to that, your spiritual beans or red flying leaves are still within the realm of the important stage. But even so, it’s impressive. Don’t be too greedy,” Elder Mo advised.

“Understood.” Lín Jìng chuckled and then asked, “Elder Mo, could we sell some of the synthesized resources in the sect to earn Spirit Stones?”

He described the effects of the golden spiritual rice.

Elder Mo listened and shook his head. “I wouldn’t recommend it. The golden spiritual rice may be remarkable compared to regular rice, but alternatives exist.”

“First- and second-grade pills help with digestion. The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect can obtain these through sect contribution points. And while the explosive beans are more deceptive, basic attack talismans could substitute them.”

“The Glazed Celestial Eyes must use significant energy. Rather than selling the resources, it would be better for you to use them. This way, you save on sect exchanges, which indirectly means more Spirit Stones for you.”

“Focusing too much on earning Spirit Stones will affect your dedication to cultivation. Rest assured, from now on, I will enhance your discipleship benefits, so you won’t have to worry too much about resources.”

“Thank you, Elder Mo,” Lín Jìng replied, taking the advice to heart.

“Just concentrate on improving your cultivation,” Elder Mo said. “As a Longevity Body, you don’t need to rush. Take this time to learn as much as you can, read widely—it’ll help you greatly in navigating the cultivation world in the future.”

Lín Jìng nodded, suddenly recalling something. “Elder Mo, didn’t you go to investigate the Yin Corpse Sect? What did you find?”

“No results,” Elder Mo replied. “However, the Yin Corpse Sect is likely too preoccupied to bother you.”

“I heard from a friend at the Demon-Slaying Bureau that the Grand Celestial Gathering is approaching. The prodigies from major sects are going on expeditions, and the Bureau, alongside the top sects, is intensifying its crackdown on the Yin Corpse Sect. They’re more likely to be in hiding.”

“By the way, do you know about the Grand Celestial Gathering?”

“No…” Lín Jìng admitted, shaking his head.

“The Grand Celestial Gathering is a grand event held by the Ancient Celestial Kingdom every sixty years, where sects and clans from the kingdom’s nine domains participate, and even the Ancient Emperor attends.”

“The gathering features combat competitions among the prodigies of the various sects. The most outstanding factions receive the favor of the True Dragon of Fortune, which boosts the sect’s luck.”

“Our sect master is currently absent because he’s leading several top disciples on an expedition in preparation for next year’s Grand Celestial Gathering.”

“While the Beast Taming Sect has always been a supporting player compared to the likes of the Spirit Dao Sect and the Heavenly Sword Gate, we still strive. Without striving, why cultivate?”

Elder Mo continued, “When I was young, I participated in the Grand Celestial Gathering. But my performance was mediocre compared to the true prodigies. I swore that one day, the Beast Taming Sect’s name would echo throughout the kingdom!”

“As I grew older, I realized that with my talent, achieving that goal was difficult. After giving up on forming a Nascent Soul, I stepped back to mentor disciples, hoping to cultivate talents that would fulfill that vision.”

“Are you curious why the Pine Leaf Mouse mutated into a rare beast?”

“When you joined the sect, I didn’t mention this, but any unique cultivation constitution forming a blood contract with a beast has a slight chance of triggering a mutation!”

“Based on this knowledge, I requested ample resources from the sect master to scout out promising candidates with unique cultivation constitutions. However, six disciples with special constitutions, including Ouyang with his Primordial Yang Body, didn’t trigger any mutations in their beasts.”

“But you, with your Longevity Body, and the Pine Leaf Mouse were the first and only success!” Elder Mo laughed heartily. “Now, when the sect master returns, I finally have something to report.”

“This year’s Grand Celestial Gathering might be out of reach, but by the next one, with your rare beast’s help, you will undoubtedly be one of the main contenders, clashing with the prodigies of the celestial sects and enhancing the prestige of our Beast Taming Sect.”

“For now… isn’t the Ascending Dragon Festival coming up? From what I’ve seen, the red flying leaf is extraordinary. Use the festival as a stage to showcase your talents. The sect has its own rules—only by standing out will the sect fully invest in you as the future of the Beast Taming Sect.”

“And don’t bother milking the small rewards from sect missions. If you win top honors at the Ascending Dragon Festival, resources and storage pouches will come to you.”