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Li Hong decided to officially begin practicing the Beast Taming Technique.
The Divination Technique mentioned in the external chapters of the Six Spirit Salty Ritual is pitifully scarce. Currently, aside from the Summoning Technique, the only thing left to practice is the Beast Taming Technique. The Beast Taming Technique could have been started long ago after entering the second chapter. He had used it once desperately during a perilous encounter in the Fire Cave, but at that time, his cultivation was insufficient, and he still wasn't sure whether the Guardian Mountain Beast from the Nine Li Sect, the Phoenix, was truly summoned by him or if it just happened to pass by.
Thinking of the beautiful and majestic appearance of that Phoenix, Li Hong held his breath for a moment. Then he pondered another question: what would happen if the Phoenix were summoned again? As soon as he thought of this, cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.
Spirit beasts possess a certain innate extraordinary instinct and are divided into three tiers: low, medium, and high. Some spirit beasts are as intelligent as humans; they can cultivate on their own and gradually advance. Once they reach the celestial beast level, some can transform into human form under certain opportunities, don clothing, and cultivate just like human cultivators.
It is said that some highly skilled loose cultivators in the Immortal Sect are actually celestial beasts that have transformed through cultivation. These Beast Cultivators often hide in deep mountains and marshes but will emerge when the Immortal Sect has matters to attend to. Some affiliate themselves with the Immortal Sect to establish their own sects and recruit clever spirit beast disciples to serve them. Of course, these are all Beast Cultivators aligned with the Immortal Sect. There are also some Beast Cultivators rumored to be under the Demon Sect. In any case, like attracts like; Beast Cultivators are no exception.
Spirit Stone once mentioned that if he encounters a senior Beast Cultivator from the Immortal Sect while training down the mountain in the future, he must be extremely cautious. In front of them, he must not show any unusual reactions and should respect them just like human cultivators. He must never mention the word "demon." Otherwise, if he angers them, he would definitely suffer dire consequences.
Above high-level spirit beasts are celestial beasts and divine beasts, which are also divided into low, medium, and high tiers. The Phoenix from the Nine Li Sect's Guardian Mountain is referred to as a "divine beast," but its actual level is currently that of a Low-Level Celestial Beast. However, it is important to know that once a beast reaches celestial level, its intelligence is no different from that of humans, plus it possesses many terrifying abilities inherent to its nature. The Phoenix is known as the ancestor of fire manipulation and is famously called the "immortal bird."
This Phoenix is said to have been invited by Grandmaster Jilianzi to guard the Mountain Gate eternally. Li Hong privately speculated that it wasn't so elegantly "invited" but rather ensnared in some sort of trap; poor Phoenix fell for it... Of course, such thoughts were only shared in jest with Chu Xi.
After more than ten thousand years since the establishment of the Nine Li Sect, this Phoenix has continuously guarded Nine Li Cave Heaven without ever leaving. A promise made is a promise kept; therefore, within the sect, no one dares simply refer to this Phoenix as "Phoenix." Instead, they must call it "Senior Phoenix" or "Phoenix Ancestor." Even successive sect leaders treat it with great respect and would never dare command it lightly; even for significant matters, they would only say "please consult Senior Phoenix," leaving it up to that Phoenix whether or not to respond or take action. Any disciple who publicly refers to it simply as "Phoenix" would be committing a grave offense and could face confinement or punishment.
The esteemed status of this Phoenix within the Nine Li Sect is evident.
Now that Li Hong intends to practice the Beast Taming Technique, if he inadvertently disturbs Senior Phoenix, people from the Disciplinary Hall—especially Chief Elder of Punishment Yue Mangzi—would surely come running at the slightest hint. Just thinking about it made Li Hong's head spin.
He hesitated for a long time; logically speaking, with his current low cultivation level and just starting to practice the Beast Taming Technique, he could only summon low-tier spirit beasts and could not command them yet. But what if that Phoenix came on its own again like last time?
Last time he was saved by that Phoenix because Master Spirit Stone had spoken highly on behalf of him and his second brother to fool Elder Yue Mangzi.
Li Hong was lost in thought for quite a while before realizing that practicing the Beast Taming Technique was indeed not fun at all—far from it. The risks involved were daunting; he truly didn't know how Senior Heavenly Danzi had dealt with this issue back then.
An idea struck him; he might as well seek advice from Yun Jiuzi. He flew toward Ghost Stream on his sword.
The Ghost Stream at night grew increasingly eerie, with the sound of water weeping, resembling a group of ghosts crying from afar. By the pond, a pile of flickering flames illuminated Yun Jiuzi, who was pouring himself a drink.
Since his long conversation with Li Hong, he had become much more open-minded. He no longer secluded himself and was not diligent in his cultivation; most of the time, he enjoyed flowers and wine, living a leisurely life.
Letting go of his worries indeed changed his state of mind. The current Yun Jiuzi appeared more restrained yet exuded a refined aura. The simple farmer's short coat he wore resembled the precious crane cloak of the Elders, radiating an air of nobility.
Hearing the sound of wind from afar, Yun Jiuzi looked up and saw familiar sword light, breaking into a smile.
Li Hong, however, was cautious. After jumping down from Lingyi, he immediately followed the method Yun Jiuzi had previously taught him to sever communication with the Heavenly Torch's Divine Consciousness. Inside the Upper Dantian Purple Palace, the green Fire Separation Pearl began to undergo a change as if a hard shell enveloped it tightly.
The Heavenly Torch could no longer spy on Li Hong's thoughts and actions at will.
After completing these tasks, Li Hong approached Yun Jiuzi.
Without hesitation, Yun Jiuzi handed his cup to Li Hong: "Try this 'Nine-Turn Soul-Severing Wine' I got from Ling Xuzi. Though the name sounds terrifying, it's a fine product brewed from our sect's Revival Maple Syrup. If an ordinary person drinks just one cup, it has the power to bring them back to life. There are so many Soul Maples in Revival Valley, yet we only manage to brew a few small bottles each year."
Soul Maple! Li Hong had gained some knowledge by now; this was another forbidden area within their sect. The Revival Valley was home to vast ancient treasures known as Soul Maples, whose sap was a miraculous medicine capable of reviving the dead. The yield was extremely low; a Soul Maple that had existed for thousands of years produced only a few drops of syrup each year. To use it for brewing wine was an indication of its rarity.
Li Hong did not hesitate to accept it. Looking down, he saw a small jade cup filled with liquid that resembled jade nectar—milky white in color. He tilted his head back and drank it all in one go. At first, it was slightly bitter, but then an incredibly fragrant sweetness spread through his mouth, filling it with refreshing flavor that made even his tongue feel sweet. A fiery warmth surged from his abdomen, warming his viscera; his awareness was immediately stirred as he returned to the Upper Dantian after nine turns.
Indeed, it was a fine product!
After pouring several more cups, the small jade bottle was nearly empty.
Li Hong explained his intentions, and Yun Jiuzi laughed heartily: "What's so difficult about that! Behind this Ghost Stream is a mountain with a large group of Fire Mice—low-level spirit beasts that are quite foolish. Only their Fire Mouse King has some skill. You can practice on them. If the Phoenix decides to join in on the fun, I'll take care of everything!"
Li Hong was overjoyed and jumped up to run toward the Ghost Stream.
Yun Jiuzi continued to drink by the campfire, occasionally glancing back in the direction of Li Hong. Under the deep blue night sky, the flickering red flames danced, and the tall figure no longer seemed so lonely and lifeless.
********
After leaving Ghost Stream, it wasn't long before a vast mountain range came into view. The peaks were densely forested, and with Li Hong's current cultivation level, he could hear many rustling sounds coming from the mountain—indeed, many spirit beasts were hiding within.
Li Hong took a deep breath, circulating his inner energy six times through Great Circulation. He focused his mind according to the incantation of Beast Taming Technique, gesturing with his hands as he shouted: "Heaven and Earth, All Things Have Spirits. Yin and Yang grant me form; spirit wander thousands of miles to summon my spirit. Nearby spirit beasts, quickly reveal yourselves! Hurry!"
Within the Upper Dantian Purple Palace, the Essence Blood glowed red. A gentle breeze seemed to pass by his ears with a soft hum, and a strange sensation surged in his heart. It felt as if he were floating high above, looking down at the mountain ahead, where every blade of grass and tree was within his sight; it was as if an invisible aura centered around his body gradually expanded outward, creating waves that made everything in its path tremble in the grass. His brow involuntarily twitched.
Li Hong smiled slightly, filled with a sense of grandeur, as if he had everything in the universe under his control.
From the thicket ahead came rustling sounds, and a small beast stumbled into view. It looked like a large rat, but an extraordinarily huge one.
Not counting its tail, its body alone measured three feet long, with a sharp snout adorned with over ten half-foot-long hard white whiskers. Its entire body was covered in shimmering silver fur that sparkled. This beautiful and clean fur gave the large rat an inexplicable aura of immortality.
It was clearly a spirit beast, its expression lively. Its two small black eyes sparkled like coal, showing hints of both sorrow and fear as it stared intently at Li Hong, its expression—surprisingly—seemed to plead.
Oh? Is this the Fire Mouse? It looks quite beautiful and not at all shabby.
Li Hong was captivated by its appearance, his mind momentarily relaxed.
The Fire Mouse seemed to feel relieved from a great burden and turned to flee, revealing a plump tail over two feet long that had never been seen before; it swished as the Fire Mouse disappeared into the thicket.
Li Hong chuckled; the Beast Taming Technique was definitely more interesting than the Summoning Technique.
After resting for a while, Li Hong began his second summoning of beasts—his current cultivation level was insufficient to command them to do tasks; he could only draw nearby spirit beasts to him. Nevertheless, Li Hong was already very content with this.
The first time practicing the Beast Taming Technique yielded such results, he was very satisfied.
The second time, it was still this type of large rat—Fire Mouse—though it was larger than the previous one, measuring a full four feet long. It seemed to have just fought with its kind, as half of its whiskers were broken and there was a fresh wound on its forehead, bleeding profusely.
The third time, a smaller one appeared, only a little over two feet long, stumbling out as if it had been pushed by something, its small eyes filled with tears from fear.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth times… Li Hongyu became increasingly pleased and adept at the practice. He discovered that the Beast Taming Technique consumed very little Awareness; instead, it drained his mental focus. The key lay in controlling his mind; he could not let his guard down. It was best to look directly into the "prey’s" eyes; they would be immobilized until he relaxed his mind and signaled that they could leave.
Gradually, Li Hongyu noticed something strange: each Fire Mouse that came was distinctly different. By the time he reached over twenty attempts, the commotion in the forest grew louder, as if a large group of Fire Mice were fighting, their high-pitched squeaks echoing while trees and bushes fell in clusters.
Using the Beast Taming Technique once more, a four-foot-long Fire Mouse stumbled out of the forest. Li Hongyu felt it looked familiar; upon closer inspection, he saw the wound on its forehead—it was indeed the large one from his second attempt!
This Fire Mouse had fought again in such a short time and now limped on one leg. It dragged itself over, leaving a long trail of blood behind. However, its pure white fur remained eerily clean, shining without a drop of blood on it despite the injury. At that moment, this large Fire Mouse was filled with rage; it squeaked incessantly while trying to turn back but dared not do so. It feared Li Hongyu but was furious about something in the forest behind it.
After it emerged, the forest fell silent. Listening closely revealed a multitude of faint breaths—no fewer than a thousand.
Li Hongyu wondered what was happening with them.
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