Chapter 222: The Sect Master Hopes You Can Visit the Guardian of the Sect
The long-standing losses at Dragon Snake Mountain were well-known throughout the Jade Cauldron Sect.
Seven successive elders had been stationed there, including some highly skilled in the art of beast taming, yet none managed to reverse the decline.
Now, a new elder had taken over and unexpectedly turned the situation around—exceeding the sect's requirements by tenfold.
It sounded utterly incredible!
As for the shutdown of the beast-taming operations at Evergreen Mountain and White Cloud Mountain, it had sparked whispers among the stewards and disciples alike.
This decision meant many would lose their positions.
At the same time, it also opened up numerous roles related to artifact crafting.
These positions were coveted.
Whether one could secure such a role depended on the strength of their backing and their luck!
In Ping City, at an unremarkable inn, a tall, elderly man sat alone by the window, drinking in silence.
His mood was visibly sullen.
Before long, a middle-aged man approached and sat down across from him.
"Wu Renyin, what are you doing here?" The elderly man frowned. "I've told you before; it's not appropriate for us to continue meeting."
The middle-aged man laughed heartily. "Elder Yang has taken the lead in shutting down the beast-taming industries, fulfilling our agreement regarding Evergreen Mountain and White Cloud Mountain. Naturally, I'm here to express my thanks."
Yang Qiye snorted coldly. "What is there to thank me for? Besides, Dragon Snake Mountain hasn't been shut down, and the beast-taming industry there is still going strong."
Wu Renyin smiled faintly. "No matter. That Shen Mo brat is just a fledgling. If Elder Yang wanted to deal with him, it would be a simple matter."
"I came here today to bring Elder Yang something."
As he spoke, he pushed a jade box across the table.
Yang Qiye remained expressionless. "What's inside?"
Wu Renyin smiled. "A Great Refining Spirit Pill."
Yang Qiye's breathing quickened as he hastily secured the box.
A single bottle of Great Refining Spirit Pills was equivalent to ten bottles of ordinary Refining Spirit Pills.
Only the Pill River Sect in Yuzhou could produce such pills.
Where had the Provincial Governor's office obtained these pills?
Wu Renyin smiled and bowed slightly to the north. "Naturally, it was a gift from His Majesty Emperor Jing. The Provincial Governor didn't use it but instead sent it to you, Elder Yang."
"Surely Elder Yang understands the governor's good intentions?"
Yang Qiye's expression remained calm. "A bottle of Great Refining Spirit Pills is a treasure of immense value. What does the governor want from me in return?"
Wu Renyin smiled knowingly. "Elder Yang is a man of discernment, so I won't beat around the bush."
"I've heard that your sect has a Guardian Spirit Beast, but it is unruly and disobedient. Moreover, it consumes vast amounts of heavenly materials and earthly treasures daily, putting a strain on your sect's resources."
Yang Qiye frowned. "What are you implying?"
The old flood dragon was the mount of the Jade Cauldron Sect's founding ancestor.
Even if it was uncooperative, spending its days eating, sleeping, and occasionally roaring at the heavens, disturbing everyone's cultivation, no one in the sect dared voice any dissatisfaction.
It was a matter of respect for the founding ancestor.
Wu Renyin spoke calmly. "The hearts of non-human creatures are inherently different from ours. Even a tamed spirit beast carries the risk of rebellion."
"The Provincial Governor has received word that the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom is highly interested in your sect's Guardian Spirit Beast. While attacking Wuzhou, they have also infiltrated Yuzhou with human spies, aiming to sway the old flood dragon to their side."
"This beast cannot fall into the hands of the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom, or it will become a grave threat."
"You, Elder Yang, are a reasonable person and surely know what must be done."
Yang Qiye's gaze flickered as he snorted coldly. "That flood dragon is the mount of our founding ancestor and has rendered great service as the Guardian of our sect!"
Wu Renyin's smile remained warm as he pushed another jade box forward.
Seeing its contents, Yang Qiye's heart pounded.
It was another bottle of Great Refining Spirit Pills!
Yang Qiye naturally pocketed the second box as well. "Even so, the old flood dragon indeed poses a significant burden to our sect."
"And we absolutely cannot let the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom turn it against us. If Wuzhou falls, Yuzhou will face the Ten Thousand Demons Kingdom's forces soon enough."
"I'll take this matter seriously."
"After all, everything must be done in the best interests of the Jade Cauldron Sect!"
"Today, we never met, and I was simply drinking alone."
With that, he stood and left.
Wu Renyin watched his departing figure, raised his cup in a mock salute, and continued drinking, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Two days later, beneath Dragon Snake Mountain:
Shen Mo was as diligent as ever, adding a new medicinal solution to the Lihuo Flood Dragon's egg.
The vitality emanating from the egg had grown increasingly strong.
By Shen Mo's calculations, if the egg continued to be soaked in this solution daily, it would hatch in no more than three years.
At that moment, Shen Mo suddenly felt a shift in his senses and looked upward.
He sensed a powerful presence arriving at Dragon Snake Mountain.
Without delay, Shen Mo returned to the surface.
As expected, within the dwelling stood a familiar figure—the disheveled, unkempt Tenth Elder, Wan Muchun.
Standing respectfully beside him were Mei Haihe, Huang Bayi, and Huang Caiying, who dared not show the slightest disrespect.
Shen Mo cupped his hands and said loudly, "Greetings, Tenth Elder."
Wan Muchun laughed heartily. "Shen Mo, I've brought something for you."
"The Sect Master's rewards for you are all in here."
He handed over a storage ring.
Shen Mo accepted it without hesitation.
"Now take out your Jade Cauldron Orb," Wan Muchun added.
Shen Mo nodded and brought out his Jade Cauldron Orb, aligning it with Wan Muchun's orb.
A Class B contribution was instantly transferred to Shen Mo's orb.
"You all may go about your duties. I need to have a word with Shen Mo," Wan Muchun said with a smile.
"Yes."
Huang Bayi nodded and left with Huang Caiying.
Mei Haihe hesitated briefly, first glancing at Shen Mo.
Only after Shen Mo nodded did he leave as well.
Noticing Mei Haihe's subtle gesture, Wan Muchun smiled. "I've already secured this man's position for you. From now on, he'll serve as a Foundation Establishment realm steward."
"Shen Mo, you've got yourself a loyal subordinate."
Shen Mo merely smiled.
"There's one more thing I should tell you. Huang Bayi has always been my man. He's the one who's been relaying Dragon Snake Mountain's updates to me."
"I didn't want to hide this from you; otherwise, it might breed resentment in your heart."
Wan Muchun smiled warmly.
Shen Mo was slightly surprised.
He had long suspected this, but he hadn't expected Wan Muchun to openly admit it in an effort to dispel any potential distrust.
This small act spoke volumes about Wan Muchun's character.
"Tenth Elder seems to have more to say?" Shen Mo asked.
Wan Muchun waved his hand dismissively. "Don't call me Tenth Elder. You can just call me Old Man, like Yao Lu does."
"After all, I'm no longer capable of teaching you anything."
Shen Mo chuckled. "Very well."
Wan Muchun's expression turned serious. "You're right. This time, I do have something more important to discuss, something that concerns the future of the Jade Cauldron Sect."
"Please, go on."
"The Guardian of the Sect!"
Shen Mo's gaze flickered slightly.
Wan Muchun smiled. "The Guardian of the Sect has lived for over three thousand years. Beasts generally have longer lifespans than humans, and its lifespan is far from over."
"Its cultivation has long since reached the peak of the sixth rank, equivalent to the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul realm in comparison."
"However, due to its inability to reproduce, the Guardian has been trapped by a mental knot it cannot unravel, making it impossible for it to ascend to a higher realm."
"You are unmatched in the sect when it comes to beast taming."
"The Sect Master hopes you can visit the Guardian when you have the chance to determine what is preventing it from reproducing."
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