Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 393 - 302 Tribulation-Substituting Bead (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_1

Chapter 393: 302 Tribulation-Substituting Bead (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_1

"A hefty bounty for two Nascent Soul early-stage cultivators? What did they do?"

Lin Qing asked curiously.

"Not sure, just know that they escaped from the hands of a late-stage Nascent Soul Barbarian Cultivator and even killed several Nascent Soul-stage Barbarian Cultivators. The Golden Crow Tribe is offering a Spiritual Treasure as a reward. I didn’t expect the Barbarian Tribe to be so ineffective. Two Nascent Soul early-stage cultivators entered deep into Barbarian territory as if it was unguarded land."

Lu Qingshan said disdainfully towards the end.

"What? They escaped from a late-stage Nascent Soul and even killed several Nascent Soul-stage Barbarian Cultivators?"

Xu Mei exclaimed in surprise.

"Chu Buyu has a treasure that contains the spirit soul of a fourth-stage Red Fire Flood Dragon. It can transform and attack, very powerful. And that male cultivator’s physical body is strong, not inferior to a Barbarian Cultivator of the same stage."

Lu Qingshan explained.

"A physical body stronger than a Barbarian Cultivator of the same stage? That’s quite rare."

Xu Mei was somewhat astonished.

"That’s nothing unusual. The physical bodies of Barbarian Cultivators are naturally strong, while we Human Cultivators can refine our bodies with the help of external objects, elixirs, treasures, rare materials, formations, Spiritual Wine, spells, Spiritual Meals, and so on."

Lin Qing dismissed.

Lu Qingshan nodded and added, "Indeed! Speaking of the hundred arts of cultivation, we Human Cultivators are much stronger than the Barbarian Cultivators. I’m not so much concerned about how formidable those two are but more surprised at the decline of the Barbarian Tribe. Two Nascent Soul early-stage cultivators ventured deep into Barbarian heartland as if strolling through their own backyard."

"This shows that the Barbarian Tribe is getting weaker and weaker. Who would have thought that, a million years ago, the Barbarian Tribe almost exterminated the Human Clan of the Donghua Cultivation Realm. How fortunes change over time."

Lin Qing said with a cold laugh.

"You haven’t been at the Nascent Soul Stage for very long, so go back and cultivate."

Lu Qingshan said.

Lin Qing and Xu Mei acknowledged and got up to leave.

······

Golden Crow Grassland, Golden Crow City.

In a resplendent palace, Wu Yan sat in the main seat with an ashen face.

Bi Xin stood by the side with her brows tightly knitted.

"Useless, they’re all useless, especially the High Priest Bai Sheng of the Ice Bear Tribe. He’s at the late Nascent Soul stage with a strong physical body, yet he couldn’t detain them. It’s a disgrace to our Barbarian Tribe."

Wu Yan cursed angrily.

The Barbarian Tribe’s Nascent Soul Cultivators mobilized to ambuscade two early-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators and yet let them escape.

"Chu Buyu has a treasure infused with the spirit soul of a fourth-stage Red Fire Flood Dragon, which can transform and attack. That’s how they got away."

Bi Xin explained.

"I want results, not excuses. Even if those two are successors of major Human Clan factions, they were just at the early Nascent Soul Stage. They entered our Barbarian territory and escaped unharmed. What will the Human Clan think? They will only take us less seriously."

Wu Yan said heavily.

What’s done is done; it was no use talking about it anymore. Based on this, the Barbarian Tribe needed a Sky-Reaching Spiritual Treasure even more urgently. Otherwise, if the Human Clan initiated hostilities again, the situation would end with the Barbarian Tribe conceding.

"Should we continue the bounty?"

Bi Xin asked.

"Of course, we should. It’s about attitude. Oh, have their objectives been clarified yet?"

Wu Yan inquired.

"The Golden Ape Tribe found a broken formation inside a cave. The owner of the cave dwelling was likely Yellow Sand True Monarch. This person once infiltrated deep into our Barbarian territory and killed many of our Nascent Soul-stage clanspeople. We organized a manhunt for him, which ended inconclusively. He must have been seriously injured and hid at the periphery of the Golden Ape Mountain Range to heal. His injuries were too severe, and he probably died."

Bi Xin reported slowly.

"Yellow Sand True Monarch, I remember he’s from the Western Desert Cultivation Realm. Why did he penetrate deep into our territory to ambush our people? Did those few carry anything particularly precious?"

Wu Yan continued to question.

"Based on our investigation, it’s very likely Yellow Sand True Monarch wanted to seize the Seven Stars Lustrous Fruit being escorted by Taoist Friend Tu and others. Tu changed his route, and Yellow Sand True Monarch killed the wrong people."

Bi Xin stated.

The Seven Stars Lustrous Fruit was precious, helping Nascent Soul Cultivators break through to the Divinity Transformation Stage.

Wu Yan suddenly understood and nodded, "I see. We can’t let this go. Order everyone to tighten security. I don’t want any more early-stage Nascent Soul Human Cultivators moving around freely on our turf."

"Yes, Taoist Friend Wu."

Bi Xin promised and withdrew.

······

Three years quickly passed by.

Qin Country, Spirit Control Sect.

At Golden Roc Peak, Shen Long and Chu Buyu sat in a cyan stone pavilion, sipping tea and chatting leisurely.

Chu Buyu had taken the elixirs concocted by Shen Long and rested for some time, and she had recovered from her major injuries.

"Taoist Friend Shen, sorry for the long disturbance. I should take my leave now. I am deeply grateful, and if you ever need help in the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm, just say the word."

Chu Buyu promised.

Shen Long gave a faint smile and said, "It’s a small matter. I do have a small favor to ask of Fairy Chu, though."

"Taoist Friend Shen wants me to refrain from spreading the news of this incident and to alter my appearance when I leave, right?"

Chu Buyu said.

Shen Long nodded, "That’s right. I’d rather not be targeted by the Barbarian high command."

He had ventured into Barbarian territory using a disguised appearance. If he were to transform into a Flood Dragon form, Shen Long would eliminate his enemies. If he were to unite with the Gold-Winged Windroc, he would focus solely on escaping. As a result, the Barbarian Tribe had no idea about Shen Long’s true identity. They only knew he possessed a heavyweight Spiritual Treasure and had a fourth-stage Spirit Bird.

Sun Moon Palace was in the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm, and Chu Buyu, as their successor, was not afraid of retaliation from the Barbarian Tribe. But the Spirit Control Sect was located in the Donghua Cultivation Realm, so they had to be vigilant.

"Understood, don’t worry! I’ll keep silent about this. You should be careful yourself. If you find it untenable to stay in the Donghua Cultivation Realm, you can always go to the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm."

Chu Buyu suggested.

"Thank you for your kindness, Fairy Chu. I also want to ask, did you really come to the Donghua Cultivation Realm just to travel?"

Shen Long was puzzled.

Chu Buyu’s visit to the Donghua Cultivation Realm for travel seemed odd, especially since she found herself deep in Barbarian territory, where she coincidentally discovered an ancient cultivator’s cave dwelling.

"Tianji Hermit divined my fortune and indicated that I had a great opportunity in the Donghua Cultivation Realm, likely related to a Spiritual Treasure."

Chu Buyu said.

"The divination didn’t reveal what the great opportunity is? Or is it specifically referring to a Spiritual Treasure?"

Shen Long asked doubtfully.

Among the many arts of cultivation, divination is the most mystical and also the most challenging.

"It didn’t reveal anything, the great opportunity isn’t specifically a Spiritual Treasure. Miracle Elixirs, Spirit Beasts, Secret Talismans, treasures, and Spiritual Wine are all possibilities."

Chu Buyu said, something occurred to her, and she added, "It could also be a person."

"A person is also a great opportunity? It can’t be referring to me, right?"

Shen Long joked with a smile.

Chu Buyu gave a slight smile and said, "Maybe! I’m leaving now."

"Let me see you out! When I’m free, I’ll pay a visit to Sun Moon Palace."

Shen Long offered.

Chu Buyu changed her appearance, and Shen Long personally escorted her out of Spirt Control Sect.

He had just returned to Golden Roc Peak when Lin Sen came over to report, "Master Shen, Grandmaster Lin has contacted this disciple and said that the item you wanted has been crafted. Grandmaster Lin asks that you come to Ice Silkworm Valley."

Shen Long nodded and went to Ice Silkworm Valley, where he met the Ice Silkworm True Person.

"Here is the Tribulation-Substituting Bead you requested. With sufficient materials, I crafted two beads, one for each of us."

Ice Silkworm True Person took out a red sphere the size of a pigeon’s egg and handed it to Shen Long.

The red sphere shimmered with spiritual light, translucent and seeming to be crafted from exquisite jade.

"Thank you, Master."

Shen Long thanked him and accepted the red sphere.

"You need to take the Tribulation-Substituting Bead into your body and nourish it with your True Yuan for a while before it can be used."

Ice Silkworm True Person instructed.

Shen Long nodded, about to say something, when he took out a red-glowing Messaging Plate, inserted a spell, and the voice of Su Changfeng rang out, "Master, your disciple has entered the Foundation Establishment Stage."

"Good, in three days, we’ll hold a formal discipleship ceremony to take you in as my disciple."

Shen Long spoke with a look of joy.

Being a Nascent Soul Cultivator himself, his disciples must at least be Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"Yes, Master."

Su Changfeng agreed.

"It seems that today brings double joy; I’m going to be a grand master now."

Ice Silkworm True Person said with a chuckle.

"By the way, Master, hasn’t your life-bound Spirit Insect advanced to the fourth rank yet?"

Shen Long asked.

"I traded for a Demon Core of a fourth-rank Gold Jade Silkworm, but after consuming it, it fell into a deep sleep without advancing to the fourth rank. One Demon Core of a fourth-rank Silkworm seems too little; it might require a few more. I plan to make a trip to the Southern Border where there are more fourth-rank Demon Insects,"

Ice Silkworm True Person explained.

After chatting idly for a quarter of an hour, Shen Long took his leave.

Three days later, Shen Long held a discipleship ceremony on Golden Roc Peak. This was his first disciple, and he took the occasion very seriously.

Ice Silkworm True Person, Chen Xiao, Qian Dafu, Ning Qianqian, Xu Feng, Ye Yutang, and others attended as witnesses.

Shen Long and Ice Silkworm True Person sat in the main seats, with a portrait of Qingcan Reverend hanging in front.

First, Su Changfeng offered tea and kowtowed to Shen Long, then to Ice Silkworm True Person, and paid respects to the portrait of Qingcan Reverend, formally becoming Shen Long’s disciple.

"Congratulations to Uncle Shen on gaining a beloved disciple. Master Nephew Su is also an alchemist. With Uncle Shen’s guidance, his future is boundless,"

Chen Xiao said with a smile.

"A great teacher produces outstanding students. With Uncle Shen’s teaching, Master Nephew Su will definitely be able to craft high-quality elixirs."

Qian Dafu chimed in.

Ning Qianqian and others congratulated in turn, as Su Changfeng, being Shen Long’s first disciple, naturally held a high status within Spirt Control Sect.

"Alchemy is a skill, cultivation is the foundation. Don’t put the cart before the horse,"

Shen Long instructed.

"Yes, your disciple will heed the teachings,"

Su Changfeng replied earnestly.

After a while of casual conversation, the cultivators began to depart one after another. Ice Silkworm True Person and Han Yuwei planned to go to the Southern Border Cultivation Realm, while Lin Yutong stayed at Spirt Control Sect.

Shen Long, Lin Yutong, and Su Changfeng personally saw them off for part of the journey, then returned to their residence.

Shen Long brought Su Changfeng to the Alchemy Room, which contained a red cauldron.

"Starting today, I’ll personally teach you alchemy in hopes that you can soon craft high-quality elixirs."

Shen Long said, his expression solemn.

"Yes, Master. I will study diligently under your guidance,"

Su Changfeng replied seriously.

"You start by crafting a batch of Beast Spirit Pills. I’ll watch from the side to spot any deficiencies."

Shen Long directed.

Su Changfeng complied, sitting on a red cushion, lighting a stick of Tranquility Incense in an incense burner, and meditated to calm his mind.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Su Changfeng opened his eyes, took out the alchemy materials, and began the process.

Without a Spirit Flame, he used Innate True Fire for the alchemy.

He breathed out a jet of red flame, hitting the bottom of the red cauldron. After a while, the cauldron turned red-hot. He opened the lid, threw in the materials, and closed it back.

Shen Long summoned an Echo Crystal to record the process of Su Changfeng crafting the Beast Spirit Pills. He didn’t speak, only watched silently.

When Su Changfeng finished, Shen Long pointed out his shortcomings, and the Echo Crystal could replay the alchemy process, helping Su Changfeng to correct his mistakes.

A quarter of an hour later, a light fragrance emanated from the cauldron.