The Qin Family had three hundred acres of spiritual farmland, which was the foundation of their establishment in Kun City, as well as their main source of income.
However, due to the distribution of spirit veins, the spiritual farmland of the Qin Family was scattered in many parts behind their family estate, within a vast mountain forest.
Over the years, generation after generation of cultivators from the Qin Family managed these three hundred acres of spiritual farmland in an orderly fashion, each plot of land being clearly allocated for the cultivation of specific spiritual objects.
Although thirty percent of the annual yield from the spiritual farmland had to be handed over to the Beast Taming Sect, in return, the Qin Family gained the sect's protection, allowing their family to thrive safely in Kun City.
Without the shelter provided by the Beast Taming Sect, during times when the Qin Family had no Foundation Establishment cultivator to hold the fort, it would be hard to defend so much spiritual farmland, and they might even risk being raided for their spirit veins.
This was the plight of small families and weak forces; without strong backing, they could be wiped out at any moment.
At noon, Qin Feng and his father were having a meal together.
Today, his father was on leave and did not have to report to the Inspection Department.
Just as the father and son were almost done eating, the Fifth Elder, Qin Guanshan, who managed the family's spiritual farmland, arrived.
He came to find Qin Long.
Although the Fifth Elder was in charge of all the spiritual farmland's cultivation matters, his cultivation wasn't high, only at the late stage of Qi Cultivation.
The reason he became the family elder was due to his advanced age and because he had the most experience among all the spirit plant cultivators in the family.
All the cultivators tending to the spiritual farmland had been guided by him.
"Uncle Fifth, why have you come?"
Qin Long and his son quickly put down their bowls and chopsticks and stood up to greet the Fifth Elder.
Although Foundation Establishment cultivators could fast to some extent, it was not necessary. Apart from when they were in seclusion, they would habitually eat some food during other times.
Especially food imbued with Spiritual Energy, which was beneficial to their cultivation.
Given that the Qin Family had three hundred acres of spiritual farmland, Qin Long never lacked for food.
"Go ahead and finish your meal first,"
the Fifth Elder waved his hand, "We can talk after you are done."
Although he was a generation senior to Qin Long, his strength was far inferior, so he didn't put on the airs of an elder before Qin Long.
"It's okay, we're almost done."
Qin Long invited the Fifth Elder to sit and said with a smile, "Uncle Fifth, feel free to speak your mind. You usually don't come unless there's something important. Do you need my help with something this time?"
"Indeed,"
the Fifth Elder did not exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point, "Lately, the family's Spirit Fruit Garden has been frequently pilfered. At first, I thought someone inside was being dishonest, but after careful investigation, I discovered it was a Spiritual Toad causing trouble."
"A Spiritual Toad?"
Qin Long's expression changed slightly, and he asked quickly, "What kind of Spiritual Toad? Is it poisonous?"
As someone from the Beast Taming Sect, he had always been very interested in spiritual beasts. So, upon hearing there was a spiritual beast in their spiritual farmland, he immediately became intrigued.
If possible, he wouldn't mind having another spiritual beast.
"I couldn't recognize it. The family's Scripture Pavilion doesn't have such a Spiritual Toad in the Spiritual Beast Record,"
the Fifth Elder shook his head, "I organized people to catch that Spiritual Toad, but it turned out to be quite strong, leaping nimbly, and quickly jumping into the Spiritual Well. I also sent people down to search for it, but they couldn't find it.
If it never appeared again, that would be fine, but the guards in the Spirit Fruit Garden reported that whenever they let their guard down, the Spiritual Toad would leap out of the well and continue to devour spirit fruits.
The little thing might not look very big, but its appetite is astonishing. If we let it continue like this, the spirit fruits to be offered to the Beast Taming Sect this year may fall short."
At this point, a trace of worry appeared on the Fifth Elder's face, "I approached the Clan Leader, who said his Shadow Leopard is not good at fighting in water and suggested I come to you for help."
"I see."
Qin Long nodded, "Alright, I'll get ready and go with you to take a look."
Qin Feng, who was listening nearby, also became interested.
As a prospective disciple about to join the Beast Taming Sect, he, too, had a keen interest in demon beasts.
In fact, all the young members of the Qin Family shared the same attitude towards spiritual beasts. Being an affiliated family of the Beast Taming Sect, they were influenced from a young age to desire a spiritual beast of their own, riding high above the land and the skies, for it must be a dashing sight.
"Dad, let me go with you. I've never seen a demon beast of the Toad species before."
Qin Long looked at his son's eager face and couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, then come along. We can check out the type of Spiritual Toad it is. If it's suitable, we might catch it for you to keep as a spiritual beast, though you might not like it."
The reason he said this was because the first spiritual beast captured by a Beast Taming Sect disciple usually became their Lifebound Spiritual Beast.
The cultivation technique of the Beast Taming Sect was very unique. After reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, they could merge with their Lifebound Spiritual Beast to fight as one.
Hence, choosing the first spiritual beast was extremely important for all the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect, as it affected not only their appearance after merging but also their combat effectiveness and future potential.
Qin Feng had heard from his father that one of the nine major affiliated families of the Beast Taming Sect, the Long Family, kept some Jiao Dragons.
If a promising junior emerged from their family, they would directly provide a young Jiao Dragon as their Lifebound Spiritual Beast, offering immense potential and leaving over ninety percent of ordinary disciples far behind.
Qin Feng, though he didn't aspire to compare with those from such prominent families, still didn't like the idea of having a toad as his Lifebound Spiritual Beast.
Otherwise, if he merged with his Lifebound Spiritual Beast in battle, he might end up becoming the Toad Prince.
As the most handsome young man in the Qin Family, he thought it was better to maintain his image.
Compared to a toad, he preferred a more formidable spiritual beast.
This matter wasn't urgent; after joining the Beast Taming Sect, he would have plenty of opportunities to find his ideal spiritual beast.
Besides, he hadn't even joined the sect yet. Even if given a spiritual beast, he wouldn't know the technique to refine it into his Lifebound Spiritual Beast.
Qin Feng shrugged, not minding his father's jesting. Although he didn't plan to have the Spiritual Toad as his Lifebound Spiritual Beast, he couldn't help but feel a bit curious.
After all, he hadn't seen many demon beasts. Apart from the few spiritual beasts his father owned, he had only seen the Shadow Leopard owned by the Clan Leader and a few Earth Splitting Barbaric Bulls kept by the family.
The Earth Splitting Barbaric Bull was an ordinary spiritual beast with great strength and a relatively gentle nature, possessing the Earth Splitting Divine Power. They were reared by the family to help plow the spiritual farmland.
Qin Long and his son followed the Fifth Elder directly to the family's Spirit Fruit Garden.
The Spirit Fruit Garden had walls around it, with many prohibitions set up within to prevent birds and beasts from entering and stealing the spirit fruits.
Logically, with these prohibitions in place, no demon beast should have been able to intrude. Yet, the Spiritual Toad had done just that, leaving everyone puzzled as to where this little creature had come from.