Chapter 108 - 107: Metamorphosis, Colorful Star Deer
Chapter 108: Chapter 107: Metamorphosis, Colorful Star Deer
Yu Changsheng walked into the Affairs Hall and saw a man pointing at a younger man, his voice cold.
Yu Changsheng had seen the young man once before. He had become an Outer Disciple of Beast Taming Peak in the same cohort. He seemed to be named Mu Zeyu, was two years older, and was currently at the Qi Refining Sixth Heaven.
He didn’t recognize the other man, but some nearby disciples apparently did.
"Lei Kai is lecturing a newcomer again, heh heh. That’s all he’s good for. He’s almost forty and still hasn’t broken through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, yet he has the gall to scold others."
"You have to admit, being at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer at forty is considered excellent among us Outer Disciples. He has some grounds to be teaching others a lesson."
"He’s just pulling rank because he’s old. If it were me, I wouldn’t even bother with him."
"That personality of his offends people easily. Look at that new disciple—Qi Refining Sixth Layer at just nineteen or twenty. In another twenty years, he might reach the Qi Refining Peak and break through to Foundation Establishment. After offending him now, it’s hard to say who will be bullying whom down the line."
"There are plenty of old-timers. For this competition, I remember those fifty- and sixty-year-olds at the Qi Refining Peak are all participating. You could say their talent is about the same as Lei Kai’s."
"Those with real talent would have become Inner Sect Disciples long ago. How would it ever be our turn? We old disciples are just green leaves to set off the flowers that are these new disciples. Do you think I don’t know the plans of the Beast Taming Peak higher-ups? Even if these older Outer Disciples perform exceptionally well, it’s hard for them to be accepted as Inner Chamber Disciples."
"True. Sigh... the further you go in cultivation, the more you feel the disparity. You think some new disciple will make a name for themselves this time?"
"Hard to say. A few pop up every year. Didn’t you hear? Two alchemy prodigies just appeared at the Alchemy Conference."
"Oh, I know. One of them is even from our peak. I remember his name was Yu something."
"Yu Changsheng!"
"Right!"
As the two disciples were chatting, one of them suddenly widened his eyes. He tapped his companion, his gaze sending a clear message.
It’s him!
Ever since Yu Changsheng made a splash at the Alchemy Conference, quite a few disciples from Beast Taming Peak had been paying attention to him, thanks to a certain disciple’s Memory Stone.
Yu Changsheng heard every single word of their conversation clearly.
His gaze shifted to Mu Zeyu, who had his head lowered as Lei Kai berated him. The younger disciple’s face was flushed, a picture of someone furious but afraid to talk back.
The disparity in their Realms left Mu Zeyu too intimidated to retort.
Yu Changsheng walked to the counter and said calmly, "If you want to sign up, just sign up. Why care what others think?"
"Senior Brother, please sign me up as well. This is my Disciple Token."
The disciple at the counter looked surprised for a moment. He took the token, flipped it over, and saw the name ’Yu Changsheng’ carved on it.
Lei Kai’s gaze turned to Yu Changsheng, his expression displeased. He shouted, "And which disciple are you, popping up out of nowhere? Can’t you see I haven’t signed up yet? Don’t you know the rules?"
Yu Changsheng didn’t even spare him a glance. "You’re not occupying the registration spot. As for the rules, I’m afraid you’re not qualified to teach me."
Hearing this, Lei Kai sucked in a breath, so angry he almost erupted.
But he wasn’t a fool. Having knocked around the Outer Sect for so long, he knew who he could afford to offend and who was not to be trifled with.
Seeing Yu Changsheng’s calm and composed demeanor, he knew the young man had backing. This made Lei Kai uncertain, and he held back from threatening him.
"Hmph, interesting. Junior Brother, sign my name up too!"
"I’d like to see just how incredible you are at Beast Taming!"
With a cold laugh, Lei Kai also tossed his Disciple Token to the disciple at the counter to register.
Once the disciple at the counter finished registering him, Lei Kai turned and stalked away.
Mu Zeyu’s expression was much better. After stepping forward to register, he looked at Yu Changsheng gratefully and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Don’t mention it."
"There are still a few days left. Spend more time training your beast. You have a chance," Yu Changsheng said with a smile.
The other’s Snow Leopard Beast had silvery-white fur, lively eyes, and glossy claws. One look and you could tell it was well-raised.
A Beast Master’s low Realm didn’t matter much, as their strength lay in their Spirit Beasts. Yu Changsheng did a quick scan with his Divine Sense and found the Snow Leopard Beast to be at Tier One, Seventh Layer—not weak at all.
If Mu Zeyu had another Spirit Beast for support, and with some good luck, he might have a chance to pass the first round of the competition.
Hearing Yu Changsheng’s encouragement, Mu Zeyu’s spirits lifted considerably. He nodded and thanked him again.
After leaving the Affairs Hall, Yu Changsheng returned to his wooden cabin, not giving the recent incident a second thought.
’Lei Kai? So what if I offended him? It’s of no consequence.’
’I’m cultivating discreetly on Beast Taming Peak, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to swallow insults and hold my tongue. I can be low-profile when I need to be, but I have to be assertive when the situation demands it. That’s the only way to avoid unnecessary trouble.’
’Otherwise, if you get used to being a pushover, that’s not being discreet—that’s being an idiot!’
’Careful and cautious—that was a better fit for my understanding of discretion.’
"Come on out, Cyan Flower Deer."
Yu Changsheng formed a hand seal and summoned the Cyan Flower Deer.
After the Cyan Flower Deer emerged, its big eyes glared at Yu Changsheng, clearly very displeased.
’Lately, staying in the Inner Realm meant either being provoked by that stupid snake or annoyed by that silly eagle’s incessant squawking. It wasn’t nearly as quiet as life in the Beast Garden!’
’If it wasn’t for the delicious food Yu Changsheng fed it every day, it would have kicked him in a fit of anger!’
"Alright, alright, it’s my fault. I didn’t realize your temperament was a bit different from theirs. I’ll let you out to play more often in the future."
Yu Changsheng said reassuringly.
The Cyan Flower Deer huffed, its expression clearly saying, "It’s about time you understood."
"YUU YUU!"
It then lifted its head and called out twice, as if to ask why he had summoned it right now.
"It’s time to help you transform. You’ve heard the Red Refining Snake and the Golden-Winged Eagle mention it before. It’s just that the cost of your transformation is too great, which is why it’s been delayed until now," Yu Changsheng explained.
The Cyan Flower Deer seemed to only half-understand, looking puzzled.
’Could it really be like that stupid snake and silly eagle said? A simple pat on the head could make me transform?’
’I’m not a naive fawn. After so long in the Beast Garden, I naturally understand the process of Spirit Beast Transformation and growth.’
’Each stage requires careful nurturing from a Beast Master. How could a mere pat on the head be enough?’
’Besides, I have a Tier Three Demon Beast Race bloodline, after all. My growth is slow. I likely won’t reach my mature form until Tier Two, and my complete form? I would only have a chance at Tier Three.’
Many Cyan Flower Deer, after reaching Tier Two and transforming into Colorful Star Deer, would be set for life. Transforming to the Tier Three complete form was extremely difficult, unless they encountered a heaven-sent opportunity.
That’s why the Cyan Flower Deer had always been skeptical. But seeing the Red Refining Snake and Golden-Winged Eagle in their complete forms, a flicker of anticipation grew in its heart, a hope that this could actually be real.
"Don’t worry, I’m not tricking you," Yu Changsheng said with a smile, patting its head.
The Cyan Flower Deer wagged its tail, its big eyes blinking as it stared at Yu Changsheng.
With a thought, Yu Changsheng initiated the process.
[Spirit Beast Transformation]
[Cyan Flower Deer → Colorful Star Deer]
[Essence Required: 42,536]