The Master of Beasts
Chapter 54 Visitors

Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Visitors

Stepping over War Song—who had shamelessly come to mooch alcohol last night—and Yue Meng, Chen Jiuge surveyed their sprawled bodies. A sense of imbalance stirred within him, and he couldn’t resist kicking both of them.

Yue Meng stretched out her small hands to rub the spot where she was kicked, turned around, and continued sleeping. War Song, with his tough hide, didn’t react at all.

No hope for them, Chen Jiuge muttered to himself in exasperation and then went out for some fresh air.

"Eh? Senior Brother, who might you be?" As soon as Chen Jiuge arrived at the courtyard, he saw a handsome young man with eyes like stars playing with the little creature from yesterday.

"Junior Brother Chen, you’re finally awake. I am Zhu Yinghuang from Vermilion Bird Peak. I heard from Senior Sister Wen Ruo that you have some decent Spiritual Beasts here and came especially to inquire about purchasing them," Zhu Yinghuang said, rising and bowing in greeting.

"Senior Brother Zhu, you’re too polite," Chen Jiuge replied, shaking his head.

Zhu Yinghuang, Vermilion Bird Peak. Just hearing these names made it clear he was from the direct lineage of the Zhu Family. The Zhu and Wen Families were old family friends. Although Senior Sister Wen Ruo wasn’t from the direct lineage of the Wen Family, she possessed the highest talent among them. For her to pass on a message for him, this Zhu Yinghuang must not only have considerable status but likely great talent as well.

"Junior Brother, Senior Sister Wen Ruo mentioned that you have some fine Spiritual Beasts. As for me, I’m from Vermilion Bird Peak. I personally prefer Spiritual Beasts that catch my eye, ideally those of the Fire Attribute," Zhu Yinghuang said straightforwardly, stating his requirements.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiuge understood. He’s just a capricious young master. Despite the vast number of Spiritual Beasts in the powerful Zhu Family and at Vermilion Bird Peak, none have caught his fancy. Could this be a Cultivator’s rebellious phase?

Chen Jiuge no longer held any expectations. He doubted any Spiritual Beast in his Eden Garden would appeal to Zhu Yinghuang, so he decided to simply play along.

He led Zhu Yinghuang straight to the Five Elements Ecosystem. While deactivating the Array, Chen Jiuge briefly introduced the general types of Spiritual Beasts within, though he himself wasn’t entirely sure how many remained.

Zhu Yinghuang smiled and said to Chen Jiuge, "Junior Brother Chen, your Five Elements Ecosystem is quite a grand undertaking. Let’s head directly to the Fire Attribute Spiritual Beasts’ nursery."

Chen Jiuge didn’t argue. To someone from a major family like Zhu Yinghuang, the strength of a Spiritual Beast wasn’t important. As long as it had enough innate potential, power was just a matter of expending resources.

Perhaps it was due to Zhu Yinghuang’s bad luck, but they didn’t spot a single Fire Attribute Spiritual Beast on their entire walk.

After they dismounted the Unicorn they had ridden, Zhu Yinghuang peered through the Array at the frolicking Spiritual Beast cubs inside. He expressed his surprise, "I didn’t expect you to have Fire Flood Dragons and Red Flood Dragons here, Junior Brother."

"Pure luck," replied Chen Jiuge with a smile.

Thanks to the Spiritual Chickens’ potent reproductive abilities, the ecosystem now housed, at the very least, several tens of Fire Flood Dragons and Red Flood Dragons.

Zhu Yinghuang didn’t press further. Fire Flood Dragons and Red Flood Dragons were trivial to him; acquiring one was just a matter of saying the word. However, as a True Disciple of Vermilion Bird Peak, although Zhu Yinghuang had no bias against Dragon Species, he would likely never Contract a Dragon Species Spiritual Beast.

"Junior Brother, I’ll go in and take a look around, if that’s alright?" Zhu Yinghuang’s interest was now piqued; he sensed this Junior Brother might possess some real capabilities.

"Senior Brother, please feel free to go ahead," Chen Jiuge said, not refusing but also not accompanying him.

Chen Jiuge had noticed a group of young ones making a ruckus and decided to go break up their fight.

Upon closer inspection, he found a group of young Spiritual Beasts bullying a little monkey, which was already covered in wounds. Seeing its tenacious and unyielding gaze, Chen Jiuge felt a stir of compassion.

With a Spell, he dispersed the other young beasts. Seeing the limping monkey turn to leave, Chen Jiuge called out, "Hey, little one, come with me."

The little monkey turned its head and shot Chen Jiuge a disdainful look, which made him chuckle. "Little thing, come with me."

He forcibly brought the little monkey into his hand. The creature was quite feisty. However, after he fed it some Healing Pills, the initially snarling monkey finally seemed to realize this two-legged creature was helping it. It stopped struggling, its face sullen. Chen Jiuge found this little fellow quite interesting.

"How about it? Will you come with me?" Chen Jiuge asked again. If the little monkey still refused, he would let it be.

Seeing the little monkey neither agree nor struggle, Chen Jiuge chuckled. "You cunning little monkey. If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes."

Placing the little monkey on his shoulder, Chen Jiuge saw Zhu Yinghuang emerge from a nearby thicket of red bushes, looking disheveled and dusty.

Chen Jiuge gave Zhu Yinghuang a puzzled look. You’re a Great Cultivator at the Returning to Void Realm, yet you got yourself this filthy in a beginner zone that caps out at the Golden Core Realm? Is this some kind of joke?

"Junior Brother Chen, this place is truly exhilarating!" Zhu Yinghuang remarked, his face flushed with excitement.

Chen Jiuge observed his expression carefully. He doesn’t look like an unreliable sort, though?

"Senior Brother Zhu, did you find a Spiritual Beast to your satisfaction?" Chen Jiuge inquired.

Just as he finished asking, a half-grown young Flame Demon burst out from the same red bushes.

ROAR!

With an enraged ROAR, the young Flame Demon charged at Zhu Yinghuang like a wild bull.

With a casual wave of his hand, Zhu Yinghuang cast a Spell, immobilizing the young Flame Demon. He looked with satisfaction at the impotently raging creature. "Junior Brother, this one will do. Do you want Merit, Spirit Stones, or other Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures?"

"I’ll take part in Spirit Stones, and if possible, I’d like to exchange the rest for some Spiritual Beast cubs," Chen Jiuge decided after assessing his current assets with his Divine Sense.

"Hmm, any particular requirements for the Spiritual Beast cubs?" Zhu Yinghuang mused.

"Any species or potential is fine. Preferably, they should be ones that reproduce quickly," Chen Jiuge replied.

"That’s simple enough. I’ll have them sent over to you in a few days. I don’t have many Spirit Stones on me right now, so these ten pieces of Spirit Marrow will cover the Spirit Stone portion," Zhu Yinghuang said magnanimously, handing over ten gleaming pieces of Spirit Marrow.

"Junior Brother, just take them. I don’t really care about a bit of Spirit Marrow like this. This young Flame Demon is quite to my liking; it really catches my eye," Zhu Yinghuang insisted, pressing the Spirit Marrow into Chen Jiuge’s hands.

Then, noticing the little monkey on Chen Jiuge’s shoulder, he asked, "Junior Brother Chen, this little monkey...?"

Chen Jiuge briefly explained, "I just scanned this area with my Divine Sense. It seems to be the only one of its kind left here. So, I thought I’d take it with me. In any case, I can afford the resources for a Foundation Establishment stage little monkey."

"Junior Brother, you’re truly a kind man," Zhu Yinghuang praised.

Having found a Spiritual Beast he liked, Zhu Yinghuang was in high spirits and chatted animatedly with Chen Jiuge on their way. Finally, Zhu Yinghuang said, "Brother Chen, when I visit next time, you mustn’t refuse me entry."

Chen Jiuge waved his hand. "Brother Zhu, what are you saying? Of course, I’ll give you a warm welcome."

"Ah, no need to be too warm. Just letting me experience your ecosystem again would be wonderful," Zhu Yinghuang said with a laugh.

After seeing Zhu Yinghuang off, Chen Jiuge began to eagerly anticipate the future Spiritual Beast transactions. With promotion from Zhu Yinghuang, the Young Master of the Zhu Family, he believed the reputation of his Eden Garden would significantly improve.