The Spirit Beast, its neck seized by Yu He, revealed its form to everyone. It was a Xianhe, luminous all over and taller than a man. It had been hiding right beside them just monts ago, yet this group of Foundation Establishnt Cultivators hadn’t noticed a thing.
"An Invisible Crane?"
So Beast Taming Disciple called out the Spirit Beast’s origins. Fang Qingyuan’s heart skipped a beat. ’A Celestial Tier Lower Grade Invisible Crane?’
This was an exceedingly rare and valuable species of Spirit Beast. Most Cultivators would never even see one, let alone raise it.
No wonder Shangguan You’s Golden Core Companion Beast didn’t follow him here. Fang Qingyuan had assud the place was too small and it couldn’t be bothered. Now he understood. It was because of this Invisible Crane’s presence. Due to their innate rivalry, the Spiritual Serpent had been unwilling to co near.
Its neck still in Yu He’s grasp, the Invisible Crane struggled to speak.
"Let go of ! So I ate a couple of snacks. Yu He, you’re ddling in this too?"
Yu He’s expression was grim. He grunted, tossed the Invisible Crane behind him, and then said to Fang Qingyuan:
"Elder Fang, my apologies. My discipline was lacking, and I allowed this fellow to delay your important business. I will compensate you."
’Compensation?’
Fang Qingyuan wondered if he’d misheard. ’A Golden Core Uncle’s Golden Core Companion Beast ate sothing; what could I possibly do about it?’
In the Beast Taming Sect, the strong were revered. If Yu He decided to take full command right then and there, Fang Qingyuan could only obediently step aside. He never expected this Yu He to be so reasonable.
But looking at Yu He’s expression, Fang Qingyuan knew this wasn’t just empty pleasantries. Even so, Fang Qingyuan couldn’t bring himself to ask for anything from Yu He.
"Uncle, you jest. It’s not a major issue that your Companion Beast ate the two pieces of key evidence. At worst, it will just delay us for a few more days. Please don’t bla it. As for compensation, please don’t ntion it again."
From behind Yu He, the Invisible Crane stretched out its long beak and said to Fang Qingyuan:
"See? This kid is sensible. Yu He, did you hear what he said— AH!"
As the Invisible Crane let out a pained cry, a long, transparent feather appeared before Fang Qingyuan. The Invisible Crane covered its rear with a wing, looking like it wanted to say more, but Yu He restrained it, forbidding it from making another sound.
Looking at the tail feather, still stained with a speck of blood, Fang Qingyuan felt a chill. ’This Yu He is truly ruthless. To be so rciless even with his own Companion Beast.’
"Consider this tail feather my compensation. You can refine it into a flying sword. The resulting sword will be incredibly fast. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t stay any longer. You may continue."
After saying this, Yu He grabbed the pained Invisible Crane and left the shack. With a single turn, he vanished deep into the forest.
Only after he left did the others snap out of it, their eyes fixed on the long, invisible feather.
For avian Spirit Beasts, the tail feather was definitely one of their most important parts. Unlike feathers on other parts of the body, tail feathers couldn’t be replaced quickly. This single tail feather from an Invisible Crane was worth at least twenty to thirty Top-grade Spirit Stones.
Seeing everyone’s gazes, Fang Qingyuan calmly put the tail feather into his storage pouch, then called everyone back to continue discussing their strategy.
Once Fang Qingyuan put the tail feather away, the other Foundation Establishnt Cultivators regained their composure. They moved past the two dead Foundation Establishnt Loose Cultivators and began experinting with various thods on the one who was still alive.
Taking advantage of the lull, Fang Qingyuan spoke to Shangguan You, who was standing to the side.
"Why did Uncle Yu He co all the way out here?"
Shangguan You had co in with Yu He just now and had spoken with him on the way. Fang Qingyuan decided to probe a little, hoping to learn the purpose of Yu He’s trip.
With two Golden Core-level powers appearing in the area, Fang Qingyuan felt he had to get a clear picture to set his mind at ease.
Shangguan You smiled.
"Uncle Yu He ca here on his master’s orders to deliver sothing to Elder Huo, deep in the forest. As for what he’s delivering, I’m not sure."
"Oh? And Yu He’s master is?"
"That would be Grandmaster Shi Wanqi of Zongshan. He and Elder Huo are good friends back at Zongshan. When Elder Huo entered the Wilderness Forest this ti, he didn’t seek help from any other Nascent Soul peers, only Elder Shi, which shows how close they are."
After hearing all this, the pieces started to fall into place for Fang Qingyuan. It seed Yu He was just passing through and had no connection to the events here.
’It’s a sha Yu He isn’t staying for a few more days. If those two Golden Core masters were here, my chances of success on this mission would be much higher.’
Fang Qingyuan pushed the thought to the back of his mind. He looked at the sole remaining Crimson Spider Shadow and continued questioning Shangguan You.
"In your opinion, is it possible to use this thing to trace it back to its owner?"
Shangguan You shook his head, indicating that he was powerless to help. Such a thod might be possible, but it was beyond his abilities.
Seeing Shangguan You’s response, Fang Qingyuan felt a bit helpless. Shangguan You had the highest cultivation level among all the Cultivators present. If even he couldn’t do it, then that avenue was a dead end.
’Oh well. I’ll just have to stick to the original plan and take things slowly.’
With that in mind, Fang Qingyuan ordered the remaining Foundation Establishnt Loose Cultivator to be placed under strict guard and monitored for any changes at all tis.
Then he summoned a hundred or so sect disciples and had them inspect the Qi Cultivation Cultivators in the camp, telling them to use the sa thods employed to deal with Demon Cultivators.
After finishing these tasks, Fang Qingyuan returned to the newly constructed residence, set up a few Arrays, and once again imrsed his consciousness in the Immortal Mansion.
The thods of Cultivators were astonishing. By commanding Yellow Turban Warriors, they could construct an impressive residence from scratch in less than half a day.
However, this kind of residence was built without spiritual materials or Talismans, so its defenses were inadequate to withstand the assault of demonic beasts. A truly permanent abode would require a solid foundation, with Vajra Bricks laid underground and a Four Symbols Array placed around it.
But Fang Qingyuan’s group had only just arrived. For now, a temporary shelter was enough. The rest—whether to invest the resources to build a permanent residence here—would depend on how the situation developed.
Fang Qingyuan’s residence was situated in the very center of the temporary camp, guarded by nurous Foundation Establishnt Cultivators, making it very secure.
Even so, Fang Qingyuan took out the three sets of Arrays he had acquired from his storage pouch and activated them one by one in his surroundings.
The Little Five Elents Inversion Joy Array, which Fang Qingyuan often used back when he was a traveling rchant, was now obsolete. The Illusion Array was quite powerful during the Qi Cultivation stage, but now that he had reached Foundation Establishnt, it was no longer suitable.
Therefore, Fang Qingyuan had requisitioned three new Tier Two Small Arrays from the sect’s Storage Room: one Heavenly One Illusion Water Array, one Vajra Unmoving Endurance Array, and finally, one Ancient Beast Spirit Array.
The Heavenly One Illusion Water Array was for alarms and confusing enemies, the Vajra Unmoving Endurance Array was for defense, and the last one, the Ancient Beast Spirit Array, was for offense.
The three Arrays were incredibly expensive, and the Spirit Stones required to operate them were even more staggering. However, it was all on the sect’s tab. Since Fang Qingyuan was on a mission for the sect, it was only natural for him to use them.
After setting up all three Arrays and placing enough Spirit Stones in their Talisman Discs, Fang Qingyuan finally entered the Immortal Mansion with peace of mind. Shortly after his consciousness arrived there, the figures of many demonic beasts began to appear around the camp, deep within the Wilderness Forest.
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