Most Blacksteel Panthers were only Fourth-tier beasts.
But when one lived near Cloudsteel Grass for many years—constantly absorbing its power—
it could break through and become Fifth-tier.
And once the Cloudsteel Grass fully matured…
if the panther devoured it, it would instantly ascend to Sixth-tier!
The Blacksteel Panther Lin Ye was chasing had already reached the mid-stage of Fourth-tier—
equivalent to a Heavenly Phenomenon Stage Five cultivator.
Based on Lin Ye's judgment, the Cloudsteel Grass under its protection was almost ripe.
And to ensure its own advancement before consuming the herb, the beast had sneaked out to kill humans.
Ferocious beasts understood one basic rule:
If they slaughtered humans on a large scale, they would inevitably attract strong cultivators.
And once a human powerhouse appeared…
the beast would have no chance of survival.
Moreover, beasts had their own territories, and rarely wanted to leave them.
This panther had suffered a loss.
So its instinct was to escape back to its domain at once.
Its speed was indeed terrifying.
Lin Ye was forced to use the Dragon-Soaring Heavenly Strategy Steps just to keep up within the dense forest.
Whoosh!
The panther leapt down from a cliff.
Lin Ye followed, soaring through the air.
He watched the beast step expertly onto a tree trunk, then spring outward—
landing on a narrow platform about fifty meters below the cliff.
"Clever."
The panther slipped into a crack in the rocks on the platform.
Lin Ye followed and entered the crevice as well.
The passage was tight for the panther—
but for Lin Ye, it was more than wide enough.
After squeezing through the rock corridor…
a vast hidden valley opened before him.
A waterfall poured down like a rainforest curtain, mist drifting through the air.
And beneath the waterfall, on a stone altar…
a black lotus-like spiritual herb was slowly blooming.
Lin Ye's eyes lit up.
"Cloudsteel Grass."
It was a Sixth-grade medicinal herb.
Even buying it alone would cost millions, or even tens of millions, of spirit stones.
But if a human tried to consume it directly…
it would become lethal poison—impossible to digest.
For ferocious beasts, however…
Cloudsteel Grass was the perfect catalyst for evolution.
The panther's nose twitched.
It turned sharply, its deep gaze locking onto Lin Ye.
Lin Ye didn't bother hiding.
The panther wasn't his match.
Besides—
Lin Ye didn't just want the herb.
He wanted the panther too.
A Blacksteel Panther's body and agility were ideal for almost any terrain.
In the future, if Lin Ye needed rare herbs from dangerous regions—
this beast would be the perfect gatherer.
Many alchemists raised specialized beasts just for herb collection.
High-grade herbs couldn't always be bought with money.
Only by searching personally did one have a chance of acquiring them.
Some rare ingredients didn't even exist on the market.
The panther, however, clearly hadn't expected a human to pursue it all the way into its territory.
It dug its claws into the earth, grinding them with a low growl.
Its eyes never left Lin Ye.
Lin Ye calmly pulled out the Red Lotus Tribulation Cauldron.
The moment the panther saw it…
its savage eyes flickered with shock.
That cauldron had left a deep impression.
"ROAR!"
After a brief standoff, the panther attacked first.
It lunged forward, jaws open, trying to bite Lin Ye's throat.
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"Blood Frenzy Seal."
BOOM!
Star River Realm!
The panther froze.
Its entire body stiffened.
The pressure of a Fifth-tier aura burst forth, crushing the panther's will.
A massive sense of danger flooded its instincts.
One incense stick later…
the Blacksteel Panther lay obediently beside Lin Ye, looking pitifully as Lin Ye plucked the Cloudsteel Grass.
That herb…
was something it had guarded for over ten years.
And now it was stolen.
Worse—
the human wanted the beast to submit as well.
If it refused…
it would be thrown into that terrifying cauldron and refined alive.
Under absolute oppression…
the beast lowered its head.
It submitted.
Lin Ye chuckled.
"This chase wasn't wasted."
"Don't worry. It's only Cloudsteel Grass."
"I'll repay you tenfold."
The panther could only stare.
Lin Ye tossed it a pill.
A Earth-Spirit Pill.
The panther's eyes widened.
It snapped the pill in its jaws and swallowed it without hesitation.
Immediately, the medicinal force spread through its body like wildfire.
Its internal injuries healed.
Even the wounds from Lin Ye's beating began recovering.
The panther stared at Lin Ye in awe.
It already couldn't defeat him.
Now he was giving it treasures that boosted its strength.
How could it not fear him?
"Let's go."
Lin Ye mounted the beast's back.
The Blacksteel Panther carried him like a shadow, sprinting out of the valley.
Ferocious beasts were simple-minded.
The rule was easy:
If your fist was heavy enough, they listened.
Add the temptation of pills…
and submission became inevitable.
And once a beast submitted—
its loyalty was terrifyingly high.
No need for blood contracts or recognition seals.
The only method…
was force.
When the Blacksteel Panther reappeared outside Red Rock Town…
the town militia immediately began banging gongs and shouting warnings.
This time, the panther moved slowly.
If it had been stalking them at full speed, nobody would even see it—
they'd only notice once someone disappeared.
Town guard captain Liang Feng hurried out again, leading townsfolk holding spears and cleavers, ready to die in battle.
Leng Ruo and the others also emerged.
The moment they saw the panther, everyone inhaled sharply—
then they spotted Lin Ye seated casually on its back.
"H-He… Sect Master… tamed a Fourth-tier Blacksteel Panther!"
Unbelievable.
Taming a beast was nearly impossible for them.
First, you had to survive the beast's attack—
and that alone was nearly impossible.
If a beast went berserk…
it couldn't be controlled at all.
Liang Feng shouted at the townsfolk:
"Put down your weapons! This honored master is from the Fenglei Mystic Sect!"
"He has already subdued the man-eating beast!"
The townspeople didn't care about revenge or punishment.
They only cared that the beast would stop killing people.
That was enough.
Liang Feng nearly collapsed in relief.
Their luck was unbelievable.
If not for these passing cultivators…
Red Rock Town would've suffered countless deaths.
Hong Ying's eyes sparkled with admiration.
The sect master…
was unbelievably handsome.
Every motion radiated dominance.
Even though he was young—
it didn't matter.
If he wanted her…
she would give him everything.
Beside her, Leng Ruo frowned slightly, glancing at Hong Ying's overly generous figure.
A faint anger simmered.
If Hong Ying hadn't been personally rescued by Lin Ye…
Leng Ruo would have kicked her out instantly.
Lin Ye said calmly to Liang Feng:
"This Blacksteel Panther will not harm your town again."
"It will leave with us tonight."
Liang Feng was moved to tears.
"Thank you, honored master… thank you…"
"You're leaving tonight? Red Rock Town has many scenic places. Please stay a few more days—"
"No need."
Lin Ye tossed him a pouch.
"Two thousand spirit stones. Payment for the pigs."
The Wind-Thunder Eagles had eaten plenty.
Lin Ye had one habit:
He didn't like owing others anything.
But likewise—
no one was allowed to owe him.
Liang Feng panicked.
"N-No! Absolutely not! A few pigs are nothing! You saved hundreds of lives!"
"Take it."
Lin Ye's tone allowed no refusal.
Liang Feng could only accept it.
For someone like Lin Ye—
refusing his gift would be disrespect.
The Wind-Thunder Eagles continued resting and circling the town square.
Leng Ruo and the others stayed at the largest inn.
When dusk fell—
they took off once again.
Four eagles in the sky.
And below them—
the Blacksteel Panther sprinted along the ground, keeping pace.