The Great Wilderness Domain, south.
Dozens of mist-shrouded peaks stretch into the clouds.
This is the location of the Beast Taming Sect's headquarters.
On the peaks, amidst the sea of clouds, a black wind swept past as Elder Black Bear carried Lin Jing and Ouyang to the sect.
Lotus Peak, one of the three main peaks of the Beast Taming Sect, resembles a blooming lotus, each petal seemingly a masterpiece of nature's craftsmanship.
The black wind reached a corner of the peak, the surrounding sea of clouds churned, and when Lin Jing's vision cleared, he found himself in a stone courtyard.
The stone courtyard appeared simple and unadorned, yet breathing here felt like being in a fairyland, refreshing and purifying the mind, away from worldly troubles.
"You're back?"
In the courtyard stood an elder in a black Taoist robe, his snowy silver hair sparsely swept back, revealing a forehead lined with the marks of time.
He seemed to have been waiting for a long time, and it was only when someone arrived that his eyes, like two still and deep springs, showed a hint of light.
"Master," said the Black Bear Monster.
"Elder Mo," Ouyang Hao respectfully greeted.
Lin Jing followed suit with a ceremonial gesture.
"Disciple takes his leave first."
Not waiting for Elder Mo to speak, Ouyang Hao took the initiative to leave, and the Black Bear Monster tactfully yawned before turning into black smoke, disappearing without a trace.
Before long, only Lin Jing and Elder Mo remained in the courtyard.
"Child, what is your name?"
Elder Mo looked at Lin Jing, asking.
"Elder, my name is Lin Jing."
"Why do you cultivate immortality? What are you pursuing?" His profound gaze turned to Lin Jing.
Lin Jing sighed:
"Initially, I sought immortality to live longer, but later discovered I have the Longevity Body..."
Elder Mo was speechless.
"And now?"
"I don't like fighting and killing, I just want to cultivate myself, comprehend the Dao, and achieve longevity."
"However, I now realize that the Longevity Body seems hard to find peace, surely attracting the envy of demon beasts."
Lin Jing shook his head.
"Thus, I wish to cultivate to gain great strength!"
"Indeed, having strength is the only way to determine your destiny," Elder Mo said: "However, possessing strength also requires using it for the greater good."
Lin Jing wore a solemn expression.
"I've already decided, to repay the sect's life-saving grace, once my cultivation matures, I wish to use myself as bait to lure demon beasts into the Beast Taming Sect, allowing every disciple in our sect to have dozens of demon beasts to subjugate."
"???" Elder Mo said: "That's unnecessary, the sect doesn't lack demon beasts."
"Moreover, subjugating demon beasts is a path that our Beast Taming Sect had long abandoned."
"What I meant is, since the sect saved you from the Yin Corpse Sect today, once you have the strength, you should help more people in need, and always pursue goodness, not fall into the Demon Dao in search of power."
"Alright."
"Let's discuss official matters now." He felt it might be an illusion, this Longevity Body seemed unusual, hoping it won't cause trouble in the future.
"In the Beast Taming Sect, disciples are ranked as service, outer sect, inner sect, and true disciple."
"Next, you'll be an outer sect disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, but given your special physique, you can enjoy better training benefits."
"The sect can provide you with higher-level resources; while you're an outer sect disciple, you can enjoy inner sect disciple-level cultivation resources... and upon becoming an inner sect disciple, you can receive the cultivation resources of a true disciple!"
"However, even with a special physique, to advance in disciple rank, you must earn it yourself, completing sect missions and contributing to the sect."
Teachings of the Dao are not lightly imparted. Though the Longevity Body is rare with promising potential, whether Lin Jing can receive the sect's true inheritance will depend on observing his character and Dao heart over time.
After Elder Mo finished speaking, Lin Jing nodded.
"Disciple understands, thank you, Elder."
"Good."
"I hope you diligently cultivate, living up to the sect's nurturing."
Subsequently, he continued to ask: "Do you know the types of beasts?"
"Types of beasts?" Lin Jing shook his head and said, "I don't know..."
"Beasts of the world are divided into four kinds." Elder Mo gazed at the sky, saying: "Spirit, demon, treasure, immortal!"
"All that absorb the essence of the sun, moon, plants, and trees, and are bred by eating Spirit Fruit and Spirit Plant to develop intelligence and enhance cultivation, are Spirit Beasts."
"Those that feed on flesh or devour souls are Demon Beasts."
"In the Beast Taming Sect, both Spirit Beasts and Demon Beasts are kept."
"For disciples joining the Beast Taming Sect, the sect usually provides a Spirit Beast with shallow practice as a Pet Beast."
"Ouyang Hao should have told you about this."
"No, the wind of Elder Black Bear was too fast, we passed out on the way..." Lin Jing was slightly taken aback, saying: "Elder Mo, what about treasure and immortal?"
Elder Mo said: "Have you seen the starry sky?"
"Besides the sun and moon, there are countless alien stars in the sky."
"It is said that these alien stars are transformations of fallen Immortals from the Immortal Realm."
"They frequently shine, and when their light illuminates the Celestial Essence Continent, it might cause mutations in various beasts and plants!"
"Whether Spirit Beasts or Demon Beasts, when mutated by the alien light, they gain a miraculous ability, a Divine Technique that grants them a racial talent different from ordinary Spirit or Demon Beasts."
"Perhaps, during the Qi Cultivation Stage, they can master space or time techniques;
Or can regenerate from a drop of blood, becoming immortal;
They might traverse the netherworld, escaping the five elements."
"However, such lucky beings are ultimately scarce, so these mutated beasts caused by alien stars are referred to as Treasure Beasts."
"As for Immortal Beasts, with the path to immortality severed now, whether they exist in the entire Celestial Essence Continent remains unknown." Elder Mo said no more.
"Spirit... Demon... Treasure... Immortal..." Since joining the Beast Taming Sect, one naturally ought to fully understand the types of beasts, Lin Jing comprehended with these words in mind.
Spirit Beasts, which are vegetarian, seem relatively less dangerous.
As for meat-eating Demon Beasts... for a Longevity Body like mine, it's best not to engage while still weak.
As for Treasure Beasts, such rare species don't require concern from my side.
"Next I'll take you to choose your Pet Beast."
He said: "Not long ago, the sect had just recruited a large batch of outer sect disciples, so the number of available Pet Beasts is reduced."
"However, since you are new to cultivation, there's no rush to contract a powerful Pet Beast, as it would be difficult to subdue."
"You have plenty of time to build a foundation. Once your cultivation improves, you can contract a Pet Beast with a strong bloodline."
"I heed Elder's instructions." Lin Jing did not pickiness.
"Good." Elder Mo continued: "Currently, there are basic Spirit Beasts of water, fire, earth, and wood attributes left to choose from in the sect."
"These are, Water Attribute Rain Frog, 7 remaining."
"Fire Attribute Fire Spirit Sparrow. 2 remaining."
"Earth Attribute Horned Bull. 3 remaining."
"And Wood Attribute Pine Leaf Mouse. 1 remaining."
"Let me introduce them to you." Elder Mo said: "The Beast Taming Sect has five kinds, bred by the sect for Qi Cultivation Cultivators to contract basic Pet Beasts."
"These five kinds of Pet Beasts both suit companionship and have Foundation Establishment potential, additionally, their abilities can quickly help sect disciples accumulate cultivation resources."
"The Gold Attribute Battle Ape, with extremely high mining efficiency, if chosen, one can take on mining tasks for the sect, working in the Spiritual Ore Mine to earn daily cultivation resources and train the Battle Ape's strength, though suitable Battle Apes for contracting have already been chosen by the recent batch of new disciples."
"Of course, the other four types of Pet Beasts are also good."
"The Water Attribute Rain Frog, skilled in water techniques, once cultivated to a certain level, can pray for rain to irrigate Spirit Fields."
"The Fire Attribute Fire Spirit Sparrow, adept in fire techniques, can emit Spiritual Fire to assist in the stove room or fire refining room."
"The Earth Attribute Horned Bull, with extraordinary stamina and immense strength, typically helps the sect transport supplies across peaks."
"Lastly is the Wood Attribute Pine Leaf Mouse, skilled in wood techniques, its spiritual power accelerates Spirit Plant maturation."
"Among the five types of Pet Beasts, the Battle Ape, Horned Bull, Fire Spirit Sparrow have stronger combat power, while the Rain Frog and Pine Leaf Mouse have gentler natures, with higher potential returns from daily sect tasks."
"Ultimately, when choosing a Pet Beast, it's essential it aligns with oneself, choosing based on one's circumstances."
Elder Mo said: "However, your physique, like ordinary physiques, is without attribute, so no matter which attribute Spirit Beast you choose, there will be no rejection."
As he spoke, two dark shadows appeared in the sea of clouds... and soon, under Lin Jing's gaze, two beautiful cranes flew before them.
"Greetings Elder Mo, where are we heading next?" One of the cranes emitted a melodious female voice.
Elder Mo looked at Lin Jing, indicating for him to decide the type of Pet Beast, as these cranes would carry them to the corresponding mountain where those Spirit Beasts lived.