“This grand assembly is hosted by the Beast Taming Sect, in conjunction with more than a dozen nearby sects and families renowned for beast taming. It is held once every thirty years.” Elder Sun took a sip of tea, his eyes shining.
“Its main purpose is to exchange the latest beast-taming thods, insights on spirit beast cultivation, and research on rare bloodlines. Of course, it is also an important stage for showcasing the outstanding younger disciples of each family.”
He smacked his lips, his tone carrying a trace of mixed emotion: “They call it an exchange conference, but in reality, it is an opportunity for everyone to fight for face and compete with one another. If soone has raised a genius capable of communicating with high-rank spirit beasts, or if a disciple solves a thorny spirit beast problem at the assembly... they will imdiately beco the center of attention and gain both prestige and practical benefits.”
Jin Le sat quietly to the side pouring tea, occasionally adding so details, such as how the assembly was usually divided into segnts like “Dao Discussions,” “Dharma Demonstrations,” and “Problem Solving.”
She also ntioned the unique scenery of the “Myriad Beasts Mountain Range,” where the Beast Taming Sect’s headquarters was located, as befitted the host.
Lu Fengmian listened quietly, committing all this information to mory.
Although this grand assembly did indeed seem to have sothing of an academic atmosphere, the intent of competition and display was even stronger.
Elder Sun had brought him along, likely not rely to “see the world”; he was probably also harboring thoughts of “avenging past humiliation” or “holding his head high.”
“Oh, right, little disciple Lu,” Elder Sun suddenly lowered his voice and leaned in a bit, his face full of mystery and anticipation.
“Be honest with your junior martial uncle—what special thod exactly did you use that day to soothe Lord Fuzhu? Do you have a special affinity with water-attribute spirit beasts? Or did you cultivate so ancient secret calming art?”
Lu Fengmian’s heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained humble as he said, “Junior Martial Uncle praises too highly. This disciple rely understood a little about guiding spiritual energy and soothing techniques, plus a bit of patience. Lord Fuzhu was reasonable and had not truly been angry, only sowhat dissatisfied with my cultivation.”
What he said was half true. 《Complete Guide to Fur Care》 was a product of the System company; who knew whether taking it down would trigger a chain reaction.
Although Elder Sun still had doubts, seeing Lu Fengmian’s calm expression, he did not press further. He only assud that Lu Fengmian was being modest, or that he truly had so opportunity inconvenient to disclose.
His expectations toward Lu Fengmian instead rose even higher—neither arrogant nor reckless, but hiding his talent beneath a cloak; this was the bearing of a true master!
The ship that pierced through the clouds flew for about another two hours.
During that ti, Lu Fengmian also used the ssage-transmitting jade talisman to quickly arrange and explain several urgent sect matters, and inford a few relevant elders and deacons that he would be away for a short while.
He had just finished processing the ssages from the jade talisman and was about to close his eyes and rest for a mont when Jin Le’s voice rang out:
“Master, Senior Brother Lu, the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range should be just ahead.”
Lu Fengmian looked in the direction of her voice.
He saw that on the horizon ahead, the originally gentle terrain had suddenly beco steep and rugged.
A mountain range that stretched endlessly, as though boundless, spanned heaven and earth.
The shapes of those peaks were extrely strange; so resembled crouching giant beasts, so resembled sharp swords pointing at the sky, and so even, from a distance, looked as though living creatures were moving and resting amid the mountain mists.
Even from far away, one could sense the dense spiritual energy. It intertwined with the aura of various demon beasts—so powerful, so nimble, so obscure—forming a unique domain that was both vibrant and full of hidden danger.
At the entrance to the mountain range, a magnificent complex of buildings had been constructed against the mountains. Pavilions and towers stood in orderly rows, and many of the buildings were decorated with eye-catching beast-shaped carvings or totems.
The spiritual energy there was the most concentrated, clearly marking it as the destination of this trip—the gate of the Beast Taming Sect.
The giant ship that pierced through the clouds began to slow down, gradually descending toward the enormous welcoming plaza in front of the Beast Taming Sect’s gate.
Many different types of flying magic artifacts, boats, ships, and spirit bird mounts were already parked on the plaza, making the place look extrely lively.
Clearly, the various groups attending the grand assembly had already gathered here.
“Little disciple Lu, we’ve arrived.”
Elder Sun also suppressed his excitent, straightened his robes, and said to Lu Fengmian with a serious expression, “Rember, you represent the face of Lingyun Sect. But do not be too nervous. Everything is under my control. Observe more and listen more. If you feel confident, then give it your all.”
Seeing Elder Sun wearing an expression of “preparing to do sothing huge,” Lu Fengmian found it rather amusing.
Although this elder was impatient and cared greatly about face, he genuinely cared about the sect’s honor and placed high hopes on this temporary “outside aid.”
He smiled faintly and cupped his hands. “This disciple understood your kindness and would certainly do his utmost not to disappoint your trust, Junior Martial Uncle.”
The ship that pierced through the clouds landed steadily in the designated area of the plaza.
The hatch opened, and Elder Sun walked out first, followed closely by Jin Le. Lu Fengmian stepped out of the cabin last, his gaze sweeping across the scene of this unfamiliar sect filled with primal vitality.
The new “overti work” location had now been confird.
Elder Sun led Lu Fengmian and Jin Le skillfully through the bustling crowd of the Beast Taming Sect and arrived at a spacious circular plaza.
At the center of the plaza stood a high platform, surrounded by tiers upon tiers of seating. At that mont, nurous figures from various sects and families were already seated there. Their clothing varied, and so did the strength of their auras, but most of them carried the distinctive temperant of those who lived day and night alongside spirit beasts.
Their arrival imdiately attracted many gazes.
“Hey! Old Man Sun! Didn’t you rush off because the Spirit Beast Garden caught fire? How co you’re back so quickly?”
A burly, bald man with a booming voice was the first to laugh. He was an elder from Blazing Fla Valley, famous for taming fire-attribute soul beasts.
“Old Sun, seeing how panicked you looked, we thought your Lord Fuzhu was going to flood all of Lingyun Sect!”
Another gentle middle-aged beauty from Lark Villa also covered her mouth and laughed softly, her words full of familiar teasing.
Clearly, news of Elder Sun’s earlier “desertion” had already spread through their little circle.
Elder Sun’s face flushed slightly red, but he quickly straightened his back, put on a calm and steady posture, and stroked his beard.
“Hmph! What do you all know? I suddenly rembered that there was a gifted child in my sect whom I had not yet taken out to broaden his horizons, so I hurried back to bring him here. At such a grand gathering, how could I let a brilliant pearl remain buried in the dust?”
When he said this, his expression was solemn, as though the earlier anxious and restless person had not been him at all.
Everyone’s eyes naturally fell behind him. Besides Jin Le’s familiar face, they also saw a handso young man in a moon-white brocade robe, with a calm bearing.
“Oh? A gifted child?”
The bald man sized Lu Fengmian up and down, his eyes lighting up. “Is it this young friend? He does indeed look quite talented, and his bearing is extraordinary. Old Sun, your luck is really good—did you pick up another treasure? Is this your new closed-door disciple?”
Several other elders and family heads who knew Elder Sun also cast curious looks over.
To receive praise from Elder Sun like this, and even cause Elder Sun to leave the grand assembly halfway through to bring him back, he must certainly possess so unique beast-taming skill.
Seeing the topic turn toward himself, Lu Fengmian did not panic. He stepped forward half a step and gracefully bowed to the crowd. “This junior, Lu Fengmian, greets all seniors.”
His bearing was proper, neither humble nor arrogant, imdiately leaving everyone with a favorable impression.
Seeing this scene, Elder Sun grew even more pleased with himself. He involuntarily raised his chin, deliberately cleared his throat, and spoke loudly enough for the surrounding people to hear clearly.
“Ah, everyone, do not misunderstand. This person is not my disciple. How could I possibly have such good fortune?”
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