Chapter 146: Chapter 145: Clear Spirit Jade Marrow

On Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, peaks stood in great numbers, many of them majestic, perilous, and secluded.

On Red Sun Peak, the rosy glow of dawn spilled down, dressing the mountain in crimson.

Between cliffs that looked as if they were hewn by axes and carved by blades, a waterfall hung from the sky like an inverted Milky Way. The crashing water thundered like lightning.

"Master Yangg, and you two fellow Daoists, my master is up the mountain. Please follow me."

A delicate-featured female cultivator descended from a celestial crane. She waved for the other cranes to withdraw before leading the way toward the summit of Red Sun Peak.

"Young friend Honglian, you’re already at Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. The last time I saw you, you had only just reached Foundation Establishment. Master Hei Feng had just refined a furnace of Bone Strengthening Pills for you..."

Master Yangg sighed in admiration. The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect was truly flourishing; he had already seen thirty or forty Foundation Establishment Cultivators on his way here.

Most of them possessed vigorous lifeblood and vibrant vitality, and none appeared to be over a hundred years old.

"You have a good memory, Master Yangg. My meager cultivation is not worth mentioning in your presence... And you two fellow Daoists must be elite disciples of the Qingfeng Sect. Your spiritual light is full and bright; it’s clear you both have great futures ahead of you."

Honglian bowed gracefully. Her face was simple and elegant, yet the sway of her body’s curves exuded a startling charm.

Many Spirit Beasts also made their home on Red Sun Peak.

Within Bai Zichen’s line of sight, he spotted a Tier Two Golden Silk Monkey and a Tier Two Iron Eagle.

On the other side of the ridge, hidden by the shade of the forest, who knew how many more Spirit Beasts there were.

Upon reaching the summit, what greeted their eyes was unexpectedly a massive mud pit, a thousand feet across in both length and width.

A dark figure was rolling around in the mud pit, splashing muddy water everywhere.

"Haha, long time no see... Master Yangg, you’re as distinguished as ever!"

A booming voice made them realize there was a round-headed, round-faced cultivator standing in front of the mud pit. He was dressed in the silk robes of a wealthy mortal merchant, spattered with spots of mud.

"It’s been nearly twenty years."

Master Yangg cupped his hands in greeting and introduced the two juniors.

Only then did Bai Zichen dare to confirm that this unimpressive-looking, stout cultivator, who showed no trace of pressure, was a Core Formation True Man of the same Realm as Ancestor Yangg.

Or perhaps, even a step stronger.

This was because every Core Formation True Man from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had at least one Lifebound Spiritual Beast of the same tier, and often one or two levels higher.

SNORT! SNORT!

The dark figure in the mud pit rolled over. Seemingly curious about the outsiders’ arrival, it poked its head out of the muddy water to look around, revealing a fat-headed, big-eared pig’s head.

It lay sprawled in the mud pit, revealing a massive body. As the filth slid off, its gray hide became visible.

This Master Hei Feng’s Lifebound Spiritual Beast was actually a Pig Demon!

Bai Zichen quickly lowered his head, lest the Pig Demon notice his astonished gaze.

After signing a contract with a Ten Thousand Beasts Sect cultivator, this kind of Tier Three Spirit Beast would experience a great increase in intelligence, making it very different from a Tier Three Demon Beast.

Aside from being unable to speak, its Spiritual Wisdom was already close to that of a seven or eight-year-old child.

Master Hei Feng waved his hand, conjuring a long stone table and several stone stools by the edge of the mud pit.

The two Core Formation True Men exchanged a few pleasantries, lamented how difficult the Great Dao was to find, and discussed the changing situation in the Liang Country’s Cultivation Realm. Bai Zichen listened with great interest.

To other cultivators, it was just gossip and idle talk. But to Core Formation True Men, the changes in the Liang Country’s Cultivation Realm had a direct impact on them.

They even had the opportunity to participate and deeply influence those changes.

"According to what Fellow Daoist Hei Feng said, the Holy Lotus Sect has already decided to open the Lotus Secret Realm in six years?"

Master Yangg asked casually, feigning a nonchalant air.

"Yes, it was confirmed last month. My Senior Brother Fang received the news right away... I just wonder, of the nine spots for the Secret Realm this time, how many will be reserved for outsiders?"

The Senior Brother Fang that Master Hei Feng mentioned was none other than Fang Tiancheng, the current Supreme Elder of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and a Late-Stage Core Formation cultivator.

Publicly, every Core Formation True Man of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect held the title of Supreme Elder.

But within the Sect and among cultivators of the same realm, the title of Supreme Elder of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect referred only to Fang Tiancheng.

The entry threshold for the Lotus Secret Realm was high, and it contained countless opportunities. Treasures that could help Core Formation True Men break through to the Late Stage or even the Perfection Realm had appeared there on multiple occasions.

However, to obtain these treasures, one had to overcome numerous challenges, which were far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary Core Formation True Man.

Therefore, the Holy Lotus Sect had established a rule a thousand years ago: for each opening of the Lotus Secret Realm, they would offer a few spots to Core Formation True Men they recognized and approved of.

These Core Formation True Men were all far stronger than their peers and could play a significant role within the Secret Realm.

In any case, the entrance and exit of the Secret Realm were both within the Holy Lotus Sect’s territory, and any benefits obtained would have to pass through their hands—this was something agreed upon with every invitee beforehand.

This move by the Holy Lotus Sect both earned them a good reputation and ensured that the participants in each Lotus Secret Realm expedition were among the strongest Core Formation True Men of their generation, allowing the Sect to obtain the largest share of treasures.

The Supreme Elder of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, Fang Tiancheng, had naturally been invited in the past.

Moreover, if not for the restriction that one could only participate in the Lotus Secret Realm once, Fang Tiancheng would likely have taken up a spot every time it opened.

The matter of Master Ge Cang participating in this opening of the Lotus Secret Realm was still in a strictly confidential stage.

The Holy Lotus Sect would not publicize it, so as long as the invitees themselves kept quiet, the final roster would not be known until the last moment before the Lotus Secret Realm opened.

"Fellow Daoist Hei Feng, I wouldn’t have come without a reason... This time, besides catching up, I also wish to ask your esteemed Sect for three drops of Clear Spirit Jade Marrow."

Ancestor Yangg set down his teacup, his expression sincere.

"If this matter is successful, I will privately gift Fellow Daoist Hei Feng a Tongue Recognition Pill."

This last sentence was delivered via Sound Transmission, so the juniors present could not hear it.

At first, Master Hei Feng’s expression changed, and he was about to refuse outright. But upon hearing the condition, he was clearly taken aback for a moment.

The Tongue Recognition Pill was an extremely obscure elixir with only one function: to help a Demon Beast refine its Transverse Bone and master the ability of speech ahead of time.

This type of elixir could typically only be refined by a master of Great Virtue from a Buddhist Sect.

In the Cultivation Realm of Liang Country, at least, no one had ever heard of an Alchemy Grandmaster possessing this skill.

In the hands of a cultivator who had no use for it, a Tongue Recognition Pill was worthless.

But to a cultivator of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, its significance was immense, no less than that of a Tier Three Elixir that could increase one’s cultivation.

To be able to speak human language—that was something only a Tier Four Spirit Beast could do.

Only a very small number of Spirit Beasts with special bloodlines and innate intelligence could grasp some human language at Tier Three.

Master Hei Feng’s Lifebound Spiritual Beast, the Earth Steel Pig, had astonishing defense. Its thick fat could absorb most Five Elements Magic, and it possessed innate Divine Power. As long as it stood on the ground, it could continuously draw in Earth Essence Qi. It was said its strength could move mountains.

As a Tier Three Mid Grade Spirit Beast, its strength ranked in the middle among all the Tier Three Spirit Beasts in the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.

But because the Earth Steel Pig was ugly in appearance and had low, dull Spiritual Wisdom, Master Hei Feng was often ridiculed by Core Formation True Men from other sects, earning him the nickname "Black Pig True Man."

This matter had always been a sore spot for Master Hei Feng!

’If I had a Tongue Recognition Pill that could allow the Earth Steel Pig to speak, who would dare call it stupid? And I could save my own reputation at the same time.’

"A single Tongue Recognition Pill isn’t a guarantee. Does Master Yangg have any more in stock?"

"That’s all I have. Fellow Daoist Hei Feng, you should know that besides your Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, other cultivators rarely have a use for a Tongue Recognition Spirit Pill. I only happened to acquire this one years ago when I was traveling. I met a Buddhist Sect cultivator and got it from him through barter." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Master Yangg was confident. He knew very well how tempting the Tongue Recognition Spirit Pill was to Master Hei Feng.

"This is a major issue. I can’t give you an answer right away. Let me think of a way!"

Master Hei Feng scratched his round face, his multiple chins completely obscuring his neck.

Previously, he, as a Core Formation True Man, could have made the decision about three drops of Clear Spirit Jade Marrow directly.

But now, circumstances had changed, and he didn’t dare agree to it right away.

"Honglian, prepare a few guest rooms for our friends from the Qingfeng Sect to rest. I’m going to find Senior Brother Fang to discuss something!"

Master Hei Feng whipped up a dark cloud, still carrying specks of mud, and flew directly off Red Sun Peak toward the highest point of Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain.

Honglian was stunned. Her master was usually the laziest person imaginable, refusing to even leave Red Sun Peak.

Yet today, because of a request from an outsider, he was going directly to consult the Supreme Elder.

’As I recall, Master’s relationship with this Master Yangg from the Qingfeng Sect isn’t that good!’

Though she was puzzled, Honglian still led the three from Qingfeng Sect to a row of courtyards and began explaining the layout.

"Young friend Honglian, I remember the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has a Market that specializes in selling all sorts of Spirit Beast cubs and eggs... These two juniors of mine do not have companion Spirit Beasts. Could I trouble you to lead the way and give them an introduction? That way, their trip won’t have been for nothing."

Ancestor Yangg suddenly called out to Honglian, who had been about to leave, and made this request.

"Well... since it is Master Yangg’s request, of course there is no problem."

Honglian hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, it was difficult to refuse a not-so-unreasonable request from a Core Formation True Man, so she nodded in agreement.

Ancestor Yangg tossed out two storage bags, one landing in Bai Zichen’s hands and the other in Su Li’s. "Go to the Market and pick out a Spirit Beast for yourselves. In all of Liang Country, and even in the several surrounding countries, you won’t find a place with a more complete selection of Spirit Beasts than the Market of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect."

"Core Formation Spiritual Objects... If only the Qingfeng Sect had its own Secret Realm that could produce them!"

Only after Bai Zichen and the other two had left did Ancestor Yangg let out a long sigh.

This kind of transaction, where you were at the mercy of others and success depended entirely on their mood, always left one feeling a bit heavy-hearted, regardless of the outcome.

Ninety-nine percent of the cultivators qualified to come to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect to request Clear Spirit Jade Marrow were Core Formation True Men.

Although the users were Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators, if they came to the door themselves, a Core Formation True Man from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect wouldn’t even come out to meet them, let alone discuss the matter of a Core Formation Spiritual Object.

Only by bringing a Sect Elder or a clan Ancestor, someone who could speak on equal terms with an Elder of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, was there any possibility of acquiring a Core Formation Spiritual Object.

...

Master Hei Feng frantically landed his dark cloud, straightened his appearance, and rushed into the Hall of Ten Thousand Beasts.

He found that in addition to Supreme Elder Fang Tiancheng, another of his senior brothers, Master Huoya, was also present.

"Senior Brother Fang, Senior Brother Huoya, are you in the middle of a discussion? If so, perhaps I should come back later..."

There was an age gap of nearly two hundred years between Master Hei Feng and Fang Tiancheng. Their relationship was that of both master and senior brother, and he held a great deal of fear for him in his heart.

Seeing Master Huoya, with whom he did not get along, also present, he felt his courage waver and prepared to turn back and return later.

"Junior Brother Hei Feng, don’t be in such a hurry to leave. It’s a good time for you to listen in... The Sect Leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect has come to request a drop of Clear Spirit Jade Marrow. Senior Brother is discussing with me whether or not to sell it. You can offer your opinion as well."

Master Huoya had a sallow, yellowish complexion and extremely small eyes. His red robes exuded a fiery aura, as if real flames were burning upon them.