A week later....
Bai Tianlong exhaled slowly, the flow of spiritual qi in his meridians calming as he ended his morning session. The courtyard was still, only the rustle of leaves and distant waves breaking the silence.
Three days had passed since he last left the Bai Clan's estate. Every moment had been spent on cultivation, practicing sword forms, refining spells, and strengthening his body. But his true goal right now was clear — reach the third stage of Qi Condensation as quickly as possible.
He also kept another goal in the back of his mind — choosing one of the clan's Imperial Beast Star Transformation Techniques. These rare methods were unique to imperial beast tamers and could take the form of cultivation techniques, martial arts, or even specialized spells. Each offered different boosts, and a tamer could only choose one. Once chosen, it would shape the path of both master and beast.
That was why Bai Tianlong had delayed learning it before. But now, with the possibility of merging and upgrading techniques in the future, the restriction was less intimidating. Still, the decision could wait. His immediate focus remained the same — increase his base strength, and keep White Fang's growth steady.
For the past week, his split consciousness had been hunting alongside White Fang every day. The avatar's autonomous soul trained skills and proficiencies, while Bai Tianlong personally took control during more dangerous hunts to ensure no fatal mistakes. White Fang's evolution points had been climbing steadily, and now sat at 399/1000 — the threshold for its next breakthrough.
And now … they were going to push it over.
---
The early morning air was cool and crisp, the faint tang of sea breeze lingering over the Bai Clan's island. Bai Tianlong sat cross-legged in his courtyard, spiritual qi flowing steadily into his meridians. His body pulsed faintly with energy, each breath drawing in more of the world's essence.
But while his own cultivation advanced, a part of his mind wasn't here at all. His split consciousness rode along with White Fang, who slithered silently through the shadowed undergrowth of the forest.
For days now, Bai Tianlong had been pushing White Fang hard, guiding its hunts personally. The autonomous soul could train skills and adapt slowly, but with Bai Tianlong's own instincts layered over its body, the efficiency was several times greater. Each hunt was calculated — no unnecessary fights, no wasted effort, and no injuries that would slow its growth.
Today's prey was different. The scent of a Steel-Scaled Crocodile, a mid-tier aquatic predator, drifted through the marshlands near the forest's edge. Its hide was tough, its bite vicious, and its water qi formidable — perfect for pushing White Fang over the threshold.
White Fang lowered its head, Dragon Spiritual Eyes glowing faintly, locking onto the glimmer of scales beneath the water's surface.
Now.
White Fang's mouth opened, releasing a chilling pulse of Dragon Might. The crocodile froze mid-swim, instincts screaming as its muscles refused to respond. A shimmering stream of water qi formed at White Fang's jaws — a Water Arrow — which it then grazed against its own fangs, coating it in virulent poison before launching it forward. The arrow pierced the crocodile's left eye with a wet, sickening crack.
The beast thrashed violently, breaking free of the stun, but White Fang was already moving. Rapid Movement burst through its coils, blurring it into a streak of silver and white, wrapping around the crocodile's massive body. The two crashed into the marshy bank, mud and water spraying.
The crocodile's tail slammed down like a hammer, but White Fang's Close Combat Mastery let it twist at the last moment, coiling tighter. Its tail lashed out, smashing into the crocodile's jaw with brutal force, just as the poison spread through its bloodstream.
The struggle lasted less than a minute.
The crocodile went limp. White Fang's fangs sank in deep, Devouring Evolution activating as energy flooded into its body.
Bai Tianlong felt it instantly — a surge of raw vitality, rushing through the soul-link like a tide breaking through a dam.
White Fang uncoiled, its body trembling as the qi inside churned violently. Its scales shimmered with a faint watery sheen, and faint wisps of steam rose from its body as spiritual energy compressed and refined within.
A roar — half hiss, half dragon cry — tore from its throat as a visible shockwave of qi rolled outwards.
White Fang had broken through to the 5th level of Qi Condensation/ 5th level Mid-stage Demon Servant Realm.
---
Bai Tianlong sat cross-legged, breathing deeply as the feedback from White Fang's breakthrough surged into his body. His cultivation base trembled, qi swirling violently through his meridians.
He could feel it — the third stage of Qi Condensation was right there. His dantian was almost at full capacity, the qi just a fraction short of the tipping point. But… it stopped.
Just a bit more… just a little more… he thought, clenching his fists. The sensation faded, leaving him stuck at 99.9% of the breakthrough.
Frustration tightened his jaw. "So close…"
Then—
ROAR!
A resonating lion's cry echoed through the Beast-taming Space, layered with the deep thrum of spiritual energy. Bai Tianlong blinked, instantly recognizing the source — Little Yan.
The Rosegold Flame Lion cub had been eating demon beast meat and cultivating diligently for the last week. Combined with the constant nourishment of the Beast-Shaming Space and the treasures Bai Tianlong had fed it, it had finally broken through to the second layer of Qi Condensation.
For a demon beast, the speed was astonishing — but then again, S-rank Space-Transitioning Talent doubled the nourishing effect of the Beast-taming Space, making this pace of growth natural.
A thin wave of feedback from Little Yan entered Bai Tianlong's body. It wasn't much compared to White Fang's, but it was exactly what he needed.
His eyes snapped open, a sharp gleam flashing within.
BOOM!
The qi in his dantian surged violently, breaking past the final barrier. Bai Tianlong's cultivation climbed steadily until it stabilized at the third layer of Qi Condensation.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Two beasts breaking through in a single day… this pace is more than acceptable."