Yuan Liang picked up a history book and soon became absorbed in it.
Only when his stomach started growling did he reluctantly leave.
He rummaged through his pockets, finding nothing, and complained, "Becoming an inner disciple doesn't get you anything except a new badge."
Seeing that it was still early, he decided to check out the mission hall to see if there were any simple tasks he could take on.
Otherwise, he really wouldn't be able to afford food.
In the Great Love Sect, they didn't use spirit stones as currency but rather a heart-shaped pink currency.
Everyone in the sect called it "Love Coins."
No one really knew who came up with this strange currency.
The mission hall was already crowded with many disciples who had come to pick up tasks.
Just as Yuan Liang was about to choose a random task from the mission board, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
"Junior Brother Yuan, I'm heading back to Grass Wood Peak—are you coming?" Luo Xiangming asked.
Yuan Liang immediately turned around and saw Senior Brother Luo.
"I didn't expect you to become an inner disciple so quickly. Not bad at all," Luo Xiangming said, noticing Yuan Liang's new waist token and praising him.
Yuan Liang scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, and said, "Just lucky. I'd love to go!"
Luo Xiangming had helped Yuan Liang before, so the two were quite familiar with each other.
…
The two soon arrived at Grass Wood Peak, part of the Pill Refining Faction.
As they reached the foot of the mountain, a strong herbal fragrance filled the air.
"As expected of Grass and Wood Peak—there's a fragrance even in the air."
Yuan Liang took a few deep breaths, feeling light as if he could float.
"Stop inhaling!" Luo Xiangming suddenly screamed, "The air is toxic!"
"Toxic air?" Yuan Liang muttered before his body went limp, his vision went black, and he collapsed on the ground.
When Yuan Liang woke up, a large face was looming over him, making him jump and clutch his chest.
Luo Xiangming chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry about that. I had a furnace explode while refining pills, and the medicine's effect hasn't completely dispersed."
Yuan Liang blinked a few times, feeling weak and dizzy.
They were in a pill-refining room, filled with a thick medicinal aroma, and it was warmer than outside.
In the center of the room were several pill furnaces of different sizes, and herbs covered the floor and shelves.
Many small white porcelain bottles were scattered around, presumably containing pills.
"Don't worry, though—I've failed countless times but never poisoned anyone yet," Luo Xiangming said proudly.
That only made Yuan Liang more worried, his eye twitching slightly.
Yuan Liang braced himself, moving to lean against the wall, which made him feel a bit better.
As he scratched the back of his itchy head, he noticed Luo Xiangming's awkward expression. "Why am I bandaged?"
Luo Xiangming looked sheepish. "When I tried to help you up, my hand slipped, and you bumped your head on the ground."
"But don't worry—I'm a pill refiner." Luo Xiangming proudly opened a small wooden box.
Inside the box were two small white pills with red and black markings, emitting a faint chill.
Yuan Liang never imagined that Senior Brother Luo was a pill refiner.
Looking at Luo Xiangming's confident expression, Yuan Liang didn't dare to take the pill, worried he might never get up again if he did.
"Trust me." Luo Xiangming thumped his chest confidently.
Seeing Yuan Liang's hesitation, Luo Xiangming grabbed a white mouse to demonstrate.
The mouse, as if sensing its impending doom, squeaked frantically as Luo Xiangming held it.
After swallowing the pill, the mouse immediately lost its breath, its legs kicking weakly.
A horned caterpillar, poking its head from Yuan Liang's pocket, quickly retreated back inside upon seeing this.
Yuan Liang slowly turned his gaze to Luo Xiangming. "Hmm?"
Luo Xiangming also turned to Yuan Liang. "Hmm."
"Maybe the potency was too high. The mouse's small size couldn't handle it. Just give me a moment—I'll refine another pill for you."
Yuan Liang, still young and wanting to live longer, immediately got up.
Every second here felt like added risk.
"If you ever need a pill refined, remember to come to me," Luo Xiangming called out enthusiastically as Yuan Liang left.
The horned caterpillar shivered as it hid in Yuan Liang's pocket.
While walking, Yuan Liang bumped into Xu Hong, who generously offered him a pill from his collection, which helped him recover.
…
Seven days passed quickly, and the four disciples successfully found masters.
Elder Huo led the way, occasionally glancing back at Yuan Liang and sighing.
"The good times are over."
"Master, what's wrong with me?" Yuan Liang asked in confusion.
"Nothing. It's just my fate," Elder Huo sighed again.
Yuan Liang: "???"
…
At the Azure Bamboo Peak, inside a hall.
Yuan Liang glanced around, noting it was his first time here.
The decor was simple, even a bit shabby, as if it hadn't been maintained in a long time.
A black cat lay on the floor, basking in the sun, belly up, ignoring Yuan Liang entirely.
An ancestral tablet in the hall bore the name of "Dragon Taming True Monarch," the first Beast Taming Faction elder of the Great Love Sect.
Originally, the Beast Taming Faction wasn't part of the Great Love Sect—it only formed after the first elder joined.
Ten thousand years ago, the Great Love Sect was a small sect with only about ten people.
For reasons unknown, the Beast Taming Faction's first elder later joined the sect.
Rumors vary; some say he lost a duel, while others claim he was moved by someone's charisma.
No one knows the real story.
"Well, well, I didn't expect you'd actually become the lord's disciple," said a familiar voice.
Yuan Liang turned and respectfully greeted, "Greetings, Elder Black Tiger."
"No need. We in the Beast Taming Faction don't care much for formalities since our numbers are few," Black Tiger said, patting his shoulder.
Yuan Liang took a step back, not out of fear but because of Black Tiger's garlicky breath.
"Sorry, I just ate garlic and forgot to brush my teeth."
Black Tiger scratched his head, then motioned for Yuan Liang to sit.
"Where's Master? Isn't she coming?" Yuan Liang asked curiously.
Elder Huo had brought him to Azure Bamboo Peak but left him here alone.
Black Tiger chuckled awkwardly. "At this time, the lord is usually out gambling."
Yuan Liang and the horned caterpillar: "???"
Now Yuan Liang understood why the Azure Bamboo Peak looked so rundown.
The money was probably all spent on gambling.
"If you have questions, just ask me. I've followed the lord for a long time," Black Tiger said, patting his chest.
Glancing at his horned caterpillar, Yuan Liang debated whether to mention its strange situation or his knowledge of the Bloodline Awakening Array.
Black Tiger looked puzzled at Yuan Liang's silence.
Finally, Yuan Liang explained what happened with the horned caterpillar and his knowledge of the Bloodline Awakening Array.
To his surprise, Black Tiger didn't seem shocked.
Instead, he casually used his fingernail to pick a piece of vegetable leaf from between his teeth.
"Elder Black Tiger, aren't you surprised?" Yuan Liang felt things were going differently than he'd expected.
"The Bloodline Awakening Array? That's nothing special. But I advise you not to use it anymore," Black Tiger said seriously.
Yuan Liang swallowed nervously, "Why? Will the spirit beast become uncontrollable after getting stronger?"
Black Tiger shook his head, then picked up the black cat and said, "Brother, care to explain?"
The black cat lazily opened its eyes and spoke, "Don't call me next time, I'm going to sleep."
"I used to be a black tiger too, but after undergoing the Bloodline Awakening Array, my latent cat bloodline awakened."
"And then, well… you see the result," it said, jumping back down to continue sunbathing.
Yuan Liang's eyes widened in shock.