Boom!

Huang Lin Yuan quickly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the blood mist scattered on the ground. He lifted his head, looking around with a fluctuating expression, his eyes filled with solemnity.

Indeed, he suspected that someone had secretly taken action.

After all, Jiang Xiao Bai, a newcomer who had just arrived, couldn’t possibly have such ability.

At this moment, his own strength was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and for someone to have killed Yang Cheng without anyone noticing, they had to be more powerful than him, undoubtedly.

Could it be that this person was already at the Foundation Building level?

That level was not something he could compete with.

Above the ninth level of Qi Refining was the Foundation Building stage, and while it was only one level higher, the difference was like comparing heaven and earth.

Thinking of the elders of the sect who were at the Foundation Building stage, Huang Lin Yuan suddenly thought of someone.

Could it be ‘that person’?

Yes, Jiang Xiao Bai was brought to him by Chu Yao.

And Chu Yao was a disciple of ‘that person’.

Thinking of this sent shivers down his spine.

He had always thought Jiang Xiao Bai was merely saved and sent to him casually by ‘that person’.

But now, he felt as though things were not as simple as they seemed.

It was highly possible that the two of them knew each other from before.

After all, knowing the personality of ‘that person’…

Thinking about this, he really wanted to slap himself for overlooking such a crucial point.

Watching Jiang Xiao Bai’s miserable state, Huang Lin Yuan did not hesitate to take out a high-quality medicinal pill and stuffed it into Jiang Xiao Bai’s mouth.

Then he lifted his head and said to Yang Cheng’s two lackeys, “What happened here must not be spread. Otherwise, I will not spare you!”

“Yes, Elder!” The two said with a trembling voice, clearly understanding the implications.

At this moment, the sound of hurried footsteps rose again, and Zhou Bin was seen running back from a distance.

When he saw the blood-stained Jiang Xiao Bai, his complexion changed.

Before he could speak, Huang Lin Yuan’s voice rang out, “Zhou Bin, take good care of him. Once he wakes up, bring him to see me!”

After leaving these instructions, Huang Lin Yuan took one more deep look at Jiang Xiao Bai and left.

Zhou Bin paused for a moment, then turned to Yang Cheng’s lackeys and asked, “Where is Yang Cheng?”

Yes, he saw Yang Cheng’s two lackeys, but Yang Cheng was nowhere to be found.

If he had died, at least there would be a corpse.

But… there was nothing around but bloodstains.

“He’s dead!” One of the lackeys said with a trembling voice.

“Dead?” Zhou Bin swallowed hard, feeling goosebumps all over.

Looking at Jiang Xiao Bai, waves of shock rose in his heart.

He… really did it!

…

When Jiang Xiao Bai woke up, it was already the next day.

As he opened his eyes, an excited voice rang out beside him, “Brother Jiang, you’re finally awake!”

That night, he had hardly closed his eyes, fearing something might happen to Jiang Xiao Bai.

Now that he saw Jiang Xiao Bai waking up, he finally felt relieved.

Jiang Xiao Bai looked at Zhou Bin, did not speak, just lay there, and started to laugh to himself.

As the laughter got louder, severe coughing could not be contained.

Zhou Bin approached and patted Jiang Xiao Bai’s chest.

After Jiang Xiao Bai stopped coughing, he looked at him with admiration and said, “Brother Jiang, I really admire you this time!”

He was curious about how Jiang Xiao Bai had managed to do it, but he was wise enough not to ask.

After all, everyone has their secrets, and he was no exception.

“Comfortable!”

Jiang Xiao Bai replied with two words, then with Zhou Bin’s help, sat up halfway.

After coughing a few more times, Jiang Xiao Bai looked at Zhou Bin and asked, “Did Elder Huang say anything?”

“He did. He asked me to take care of you. Once you wake up, I should bring you to meet him,” Zhou Bin replied. “Nothing else.”

“To meet him?” Jiang Xiao Bai raised his eyebrows, pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said, “Then let’s go!”

“Ah, shouldn’t you rest a bit more?” Zhou Bin was taken aback.

“No need!” Jiang Xiao Bai shook his head, his eyes flickering, “I would feel more at peace if I get through this last hurdle sooner.”

Zhou Bin naturally understood what he meant and nodded as they both left the dwelling together.

As the two arrived at the cave dwelling, Huang Lin Yuan was still sitting in meditation. Seeing them come in, his gaze first fell on Zhou Bin and said, “Zhou Bin, wait outside for now.”

Zhou Bin’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Jiang Xiao Bai worriedly.

But faced with Huang Lin Yuan’s instruction, he respectfully nodded and stepped outside.

When the cave dwelling was only left with the two of them, Huang Lin Yuan, looking at the pale-faced, frail-looking Jiang Xiao Bai, asked, “I haven’t yet asked, where is your family from?”

Jiang Xiao Bai’s gaze flickered with confusion.

He had thought Huang Lin Yuan would inquire about yesterday’s incident, but he was asking about his family background instead.

Despite the confusion, he respectfully replied, “I report to the elder, I come from the Imperial City of Dong Sheng State at the foot of the mountain, born to the Jiang family!”

“The Jiang family?” Huang Lin Yuan asked doubtfully, “Does your Jiang family have a relationship with the royal family of Dong Sheng State?”

“Yes, my father is a great general of Dong Sheng State. I also have an aunt who is the current sovereign’s empress!”

Jiang Xiao Bai explained.

“Indeed…” Huang Lin Yuan murmured, taking a deep breath before speaking to Jiang Xiao Bai, “Jiang Xiao Bai, I plan to take you as an official disciple. Would you be willing?”

“To take me as a disciple?” Jiang Xiao Bai’s face went blank with surprise when he heard Huang Lin Yuan’s words.

This was far from what he had anticipated.

Moreover, he remembered Huang Lin Yuan had clearly stated that he could become his disciple only after reaching the second level of Qi Refining.

He hadn’t even reached the first level, so why would he take him as a disciple?

As he puzzled over it, he heard Huang Lin Yuan’s voice rise again, “Correct. I plan to teach you the way of Beast Tamers!”

Saying this, Huang Lin Yuan paused, giving Jiang Xiao Bai a deep look, and added, “This way of Beast Tamers also includes the concept of taming longevity.”

“Hmm?” Jiang Xiao Bai didn’t fully understand what Huang Lin Yuan meant by his last comment.

“As everyone knows, demonic beasts live far longer than humans!” Huang Lin Yuan explained, “And this way of Beast Tamers… it can extend your life even further!”

“Really?” Once Jiang Xiao Bai heard this, he first went still and then became visibly excited.

However, this excitement caused him pain in his chest, triggering another bout of intense coughing.

Huang Lin Yuan looked on with a furrowed brow but continued, “In addition, ordinary cultivators can only rely on spiritual energy to cultivate, but those who learn the way of Beast Tamers can draw on the power of demonic beasts to enhance themselves!”

“Furthermore, ordinary elders can only lead one or two demonic beasts, while I… can lead dozens!”

“Also, if you reach deeper levels, you can control the minds of demonic beasts and even learn demonic beast techniques!” Huang Lin Yuan pointed out one benefit after another.

Listening, Jiang Xiao Bai’s eyes grew brighter and his anticipation deeper.

At the end, Huang Lin Yuan looked at the excited Jiang Xiao Bai and asked, “So, are you willing to accept me as your master?”

“I… I am willing!” Jiang Xiao Bai replied eagerly, clutching his chest.

Indeed, his initial reason for coming to the Yun Jian Sect was to seek immortal pills, solve his sickness, and extend his life.

The way of Beast Tamers could directly achieve this, which filled him with hope, “I am willing to follow you and learn the way of Beast Tamers!”

After speaking, Jiang Xiao Bai respectfully bowed.

Just as he bowed, he suddenly felt the wisp of soul within him stir.

Then he clearly saw a dark mark forming before his eyes.

His mind briefly became hazy as if he could see that mark touching the phantom soul within him.

This eerie sight caused him to momentarily lose focus.

Huang Lin Yuan failed to notice this odd behavior in Jiang Xiao Bai and, with a smile, said, “Your willingness is for the best, but… I have to make some things clear to you!”

“Although the way of Beast Tamers has many benefits, in the eyes of many, this method is not considered orthodox and is frowned upon, even considered… inferior!”

“Ah, why?” Jiang Xiao Bai was surprised.

“The way of Beast Tamers is fine at the beginning, but it will eventually affect cultivators, leading them to develop features of demonic beasts!” Huang Lin Yuan explained, lifting his hand and revealing his sleeve.

Jiang Xiao Bai looked and saw a piece of scales on Huang Lin Yuan’s arm, quite conspicuous.

“But, you don’t have to worry too much. Actually, this feature is just a transfer!”

Huang Lin Yuan said, “Once you reach a certain level, it will disappear. However… during this time, you will face some prejudice.”

“Moreover, the initial stages of the way of Beast Tamers are difficult to cultivate and come with certain risks, as you need to deal with a large number of demonic beasts and absorb their demonic qi!”

With a pause, Huang Lin Yuan then looked at Jiang Xiao Bai and continued, “Lastly, you must reach the first level of Qi Refining before you can truly grasp this way of Beast Tamers!”

The first level of Qi Refining, although just the first step for cultivators, was not achievable for everyone.

The first level of Qi Refining?

After hearing this, Jiang Xiao Bai felt waves of desire within him.

For the first time, he felt an endless yearning for this first level of Qi Refining.

“In addition, you need to raise a life-bound demonic beast,” Huang Lin Yuan kept speaking, raised his hand, and from the space, produced an egg, handing it to Jiang Xiao Bai, “Let this egg be a gift from me as your master!”

“This egg requires daily nourishment from your blood. The day it hatches, will be the day you can begin your path in the way of Beast Tamers!”