Chapter 364: Chapter 364 - 362: Taming Beasts, Crane Dance_l

“Filthy Bug Grass… The Underworld Court is gaining a new formidable addition.”

Lu Xuan took out the Filthy Bug Grass spiritual seed. The spiritual energy inside the Inner Sect is pure, not viable for its growth, so he planned to transplant it to the Sword Sect Town Small Courtyard when he had the chance.

“It feeds on filth and tainted aura, and can contaminate a cultivator’s eyes and heart, so caution has to be taken during planting so as not to smear one’s own eyes and heart.”

He suddenly realized that all of the underworld spiritual plants in the Underworld Court are fine products—a fourth grade Blood Spirit Palm Ginseng, fifth grade Blood Scourge Flower, Strange Longevity Peach, Holy Baby Fruit, and the newly obtained Filthy Bug Grass. Each one of them is far from ordinary.

“However, the Spirit Field is too small, and the spiritual energy is not dense enough. It isn’t a suitable environment for these various types of weird spiritual plants to grow in. If an opportunity arises, finding a better place is necessary.” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He mused secretly in his heart.

That day, while he was cultivating spiritual plants, an unexpected visitor came.

“Brother Zhong, what wind has brought you here?”

Lu Xuan came out to welcome him with a smile. The guest was none other than Zhong Hao, the owner of the Scold the Yin Beast.

“Haha, as the saying goes: ‘No one comes without a cause.’ I am here because of some business with junior brother.”

Zhong Hao, who was robust, laughed heartily.

While casually observing Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion, he said,

“The spirit beasts in junior brother Lu’s dwelling seem to be well-raised. Although their ranks are not very high, each of them is full of vitality.”

Zhong Hao remarked as he glanced at the Cloud Leopard, Wind Falcon, and other spirit beasts.

“They are far behind the spirit beasts that brother has raised.”

Lu Xuan modestly replied.

“I came here for a matter related to spirit beasts.”

“In addition to my own, I also help the sect to tame spirit beasts, especially those of high-rank.”

“The sect has a new batch of high-ranked magical beast cubs that need taming. Last time, junior brother helped me solve the fertility issue of the pair of Yin Beasts, and I could see through our exchange that you have outstanding skills in raising spirit beasts. So, I came here specifically to ask if you would be willing to tame them?”

‘Wouldn’t the spirit beasts obey if a pact was established directly with them? Is taming still necessary?”

Lu Xuan conveyed his confusion to the robust cultivator.

“Junior brother may be unaware, but those spirit beasts are not a person’s possession, so they can’t have a specific pact established with someone.”

“They each have their uses—protecting secret lands, producing cultivation resources, sect transport tools, etc. Taming them means getting them to better understand commands, removing their innate wildness, so that they can better serve the sect.”

Zhong Hao patiently explained.

“Can they be controlled directly with a magic artifact without making a pact?”

Lu Xuan thought back to the imitation Dragon Binding Ring Tool he used in Thousand Dragon Lake to raise the Jiaolong Python.

“These are all high-rank spirit beasts. The magic artifacts needed to control them naturally have to be of high-rank as well. This would greatly increase the costs. Additionally, even if they are controlled with magic artifacts or formations, the wildness within the spirit beasts must be tamed. Otherwise, they might suddenly lose control one day, resulting in heavy losses.”

“I see.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan nodded.

“Then I will give it a try. I should thank brother for the recommendation.”

“It all depends on junior brother’s abilities.”

From their conversation, Lu Xuan learnt that the pair of Yin Beasts has successfully mated a few months ago after the last time, and they are now expecting, although it will take several years for the young beast to be born.

After chatting for a while, Lu Xuan followed Zhong Hao and flew toward the location where the young beasts that needed taming were located.

On their way, when they passed a vast marsh, Lu Xuan paused as he saw hundreds, if not thousands, of spirit cranes soaring freely in the marsh.

The water marsh stretched across several hundred acres, lush with aquatic plants and filled with Spiritual Energy. Numerous Spirit Cranes groomed their pure white feathers reflected in the water or playfully frolicked in it, occasionally pecking at the Spirit Fish and Shrimp.

A smile couldn’t help but spread across Lu Xuan’s face when he saw this sight.

Just as he was about to leave, a Spirit Crane suddenly spotted his figure. It let out a piercing, excited chirp. The sound was urgent and excited.

This cry seemed to trigger a chain reaction. The marsh was filled with intermittent cries of cranes. Thousands of Spirit Cranes flapped their white wings, tracing beautiful arcs through the air as they swiftly flew towards Lu Xuan.

That man is back!

Despite more than a decade having passed, the entire Spirit Crane tribe hadn’t forgotten the transformation Lu Xuan had brought about for them.

Without his intervention, all the Spirit Cranes would likely have remained as before, toiling day and night to transport cultivators and receiving meager compensation in return, living hand to mouth, merely surviving.

If things had continued in this manner, the whole tribe would’ve gradually decayed and stagnated, much like a pool of still water.

“Go, go, go! Step back, step back!”

Suddenly, an Outer Sect disciple flew in from afar, frantically driving off the Spirit Cranes in the marsh lest they collide with the two Inner Sect uncles in front of him.

“Dear uncles, forgive me if my Spirit Cranes have offended you with their rudeness.”

The skin of the disciple who flew in was dark and he was at the stage of Perfect Qi Training. At this moment, he bowed his head in worry and dread.

“That’s alright. They were merely catching up with an old acquaintance. There’s no need for you to worry,” Lu Xuan said, reassuring the disciple in front of him with a gentle tone.

He remembered this man. His name was Xu Yi. When he had taken up the task of Spirit Crane cultivation years ago, it was Xu Yi who took care of the entire Spirit Crane tribe.

As Xu Yi heard his words, he raised his head abruptly and froze when he saw Lu Xuan.

“You….Uncle Lu.”

He hadn’t expected to meet Lu Xuan in this way. Over a decade ago, Lu Xuan was only a high-grade Qi Practitioner who had just joined the sect. They had met because of the Spirit Crane cultivation task.

But now, Lu Xuan had become an Inner Sect disciple.

While he himself was still at Perfect Qi Training and didn’t know when he’d get to attempt advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

“How have you been, Friend Xu?”

“Many thanks, Uncle Lu. I’m faring well. I plan to polish my flesh body and Spiritual Sense for a few more years before trying to advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm.”

Xu Yi respectfully responded, bowing slightly.

A sigh slipped from Lu Xuan’s lips as he scanned the joyously fluttering Spirit Cranes surrounding him.

“Compared to before, have these Spirit Cranes’ lives improved?”

“Thanks to you, Uncle Lu. The Taming Beast Hall took up your advice and commissioned the Formation Hall to forge a small Magic Artifact with positioning and contact functions. It relieved the vast majority of Spirit Cranes from their labor.”

“Also, they have increased the rewards for their transportation services and expanded their living area to improve their living conditions.”

‘With these changes, the entire Spirit Crane tribe has slowly entered a virtuous cycle, and everything is progressing in a beneficial direction.”

“That’s good.”

Lu Xuan nodded in satisfaction. After encouraging Xu Yi for a bit, he and the burly cultivator waiting for him continued to fly towards the mountains.

The numerous Spirit Cranes cried out in chorus, spontaneously following Lu Xuan, their cries full of reluctance to part.

“Alright, go. Live the life you desire.”

Lu Xuan waved at the numerous Spirit Cranes. Speeding up his Flying Sword, he looked back at the Spirit Cranes flying freely and joyously in the sky, feeling genuine happiness for them..