Chapter 50:Suddenly Turn into a Cat?

"Don’t be nervous." Qi Tian raised a hand. "I’ve already tamed this Crimson-Scaled Beast. I’m on my way to Hundred Herbs Hall to collect the reward."

Word of the Crimson-Scaled Beast attacking people on Spirit Herb Mountain had spread throughout Zhenyuan City long ago. Just a few days ago, a herb gatherer had limped back to the city with a badly injured leg. Rumor had it that Hundred Herbs Hall had already posted a mission with the Falling Cloud Sect yesterday.

Now that the beast itself had appeared, the two guards’ legs were practically shaking.

The first guard to draw his sword swallowed hard. His voice came out dry.

"Y-You really tamed it? That’s a second-rank demonic beast. What if..."

"Didn’t you see? It’s behaving itself and helping me carry the tree."

Only then did the guard get a proper look. Tied to the back of the fierce-looking Crimson-Scaled Beast was a strange little tree.

The two guards exchanged glances, both at a loss for words.

One of them finally said awkwardly, "Then... keep a close eye on it. Don’t let it cause trouble in the city."

"If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility."

Qi Tian agreed without hesitation.

Only then did the two guards step aside and let them through.

Qi Tian and the other three rode their Windchaser Horses into Zhenyuan City, with the Crimson-Scaled Beast following behind.

After they had gone some distance, one of the guards finally let out a slow breath.

"He actually tamed a second-rank demonic beast..."

The other guard watched the four figures disappear into the distance and muttered,

"Those four have to be direct disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect."

The sky had yet to brighten, but Zhenyuan City was already stirring with people up early to make a living.

Peddlers with shoulder poles, street sweepers, shopkeepers getting an early start. At first, most of them only caught sight of several horses in the distance and paid little attention. Then the massive crimson figure emerged from the thin mist.

"Good Lord!"

An old man carrying two baskets of vegetables suddenly lost his footing and went down hard, sending radishes and cabbages rolling across the street.

A shopkeeper who had just removed the wooden shutters fumbled one in his hands. It came crashing down onto his foot. He grimaced in pain, but there was no time to complain. He could only stare wide-eyed at the enormous beast covered in menacing scales.

It was perfectly normal for cultivators to bring spirit beasts into the city.

But the Crimson-Scaled Beast was different.

The violent aura of a late-stage second-rank demonic beast pressed down on the senses of these low-level cultivators and ordinary townsfolk like a massive weight crushing their chests, making it difficult to breathe.

Cai Zhenyu looked up at the sky. The horizon was only beginning to lighten.

"There’s still a shichen before Hundred Herbs Hall opens. If we keep wandering around the city like this, we’re going to scare half the city senseless."

"Then let’s find somewhere to stay for a while," Qi Tian said.

He suddenly remembered someone.

"Willow Lane in the western part of the city. Do you know how to get there?"

Chen Er immediately nodded. "I do. Follow me."

The four riders and the beast passed through several quiet side streets before turning into the western part of the city. The houses here were noticeably more run-down than those along the main streets. The plaster on the walls was cracked and peeling, while dried weeds sprouted between the roof tiles.

They came to a narrow lane.

At the third house, a crooked jujube tree leaned out over the weathered wall.

Beside the entrance, an old man was swinging an axe, chopping firewood one stroke at a time.

It was Wang Fuqiang, the same man Qi Tian had helped by appraising the Soul-Stilling Bell at the market.

At the sound of approaching hooves, Wang Fuqiang’s hands stopped.

He looked up in confusion.

When he saw the Windchaser Horses and the Falling Cloud Sect robes worn by the riders, his expression changed.

He hurriedly dropped the axe, wiped his hands on the hem of his clothes, and approached them with his back slightly bent, his manner utterly deferential.

"Several senior cultivators from the Falling Cloud Sect. I-I wonder... what brings you to such a humble place?"

His head remained lowered, his voice carrying the instinctive respect and unease of a low-level cultivator standing before disciples of a major sect. He didn’t even dare raise his eyes to get a proper look at them.

Qi Tian dismounted and walked over to him.

"Don’t you recognize me?"

Wang Fuqiang froze.

Only then did he cautiously raise his head and study the young face before him.

Three breaths passed.

Then his face lit up with delight.

"Be... Benefactor Qi?!"

No wonder Wang Fuqiang had failed to recognize Qi Tian at first.

Just a few days ago, Qi Tian had still been wrapped in animal hide, looking every bit like a down-and-out wandering cultivator.

Now, however, he was dressed in the robes of a Falling Cloud Sect disciple, with several fellow disciples behind him.

"Let’s go inside and talk," Qi Tian said.

Wang Fuqiang hurriedly dropped his axe, wiped his hands on the hem of his clothes, and bent forward as he ushered everyone into the courtyard.

"Benefactor, please. Senior cultivators, this way!"

Cai Zhenyu, Zhuang Lili, and Chen Er all dismounted and led their horses into the courtyard. The Crimson-Scaled Beast lowered its head and carefully followed behind them, carrying the Bloodfire Spirit Fruit Tree on its back.

Wang Fuqiang had been so focused on Qi Tian that he only now noticed the enormous demonic beast. He was startled, but when he realized it had come with Qi Tian, he didn’t dare ask any questions. He could only silently move out of the way.

The courtyard gate, however, was simply too narrow.

When the Crimson-Scaled Beast turned sideways to squeeze through, the scales on its shoulder scraped against the wall.

With a loud crash, a large patch of plaster came loose.

Everyone entered the courtyard.

It wasn’t very large, but the ground was kept reasonably clean. A pile of chopped firewood sat against one corner of the wall.

Qi Tian pointed at the Crimson-Scaled Beast, which had already settled down on the ground.

"I was worried this guy would scare the people in the city, so I’ll leave it here for a while. We’ll leave after daybreak."

"Of course! Of course!"

Wang Fuqiang hurriedly nodded.

"No problem at all. It can stay as long as it needs to!"

Qi Tian casually asked, "How is your wife?"

The moment his wife was mentioned, a smile appeared on Wang Fuqiang’s face.

"Thanks to you, Benefactor! I had a one-star physician take a look at her. She’s out of danger now. She just needs to recover slowly."

He paused before adding, "I’ll wake her up right now and have her kowtow to you in thanks..."

"No need."

Qi Tian quickly waved his hand.

"Let her rest."

Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

A boy of fifteen or sixteen walked in carrying a large bundle of firewood. He wore a coarse cloth tunic and short trousers, the legs rolled up to his knees.

The moment he stepped into the courtyard and saw several distinguished guests standing inside, he froze. He suddenly didn’t know what to do with himself.

Seeing this, Wang Fuqiang quickly introduced him.

"This is my son, Wang Jian."

He then waved the boy over.

"Jian’er, come here and pay your respects to the senior cultivators."

Wang Jian finally came back to his senses.

He quickly set down the firewood, straightened his clothes, and respectfully bowed to everyone.

When it was Qi Tian’s turn, Wang Fuqiang specifically added:

"This is the Benefactor Qi I’ve told you about."

The boy froze.

Then his knees bent, and he immediately tried to kneel.

Qi Tian reacted instantly. He caught the boy by the arm and hauled him back onto his feet.

He couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

Why did this father and son both have such a habit of dropping to their knees at the slightest thing?

"No need for such formalities," Qi Tian said.

Held upright by Qi Tian, the boy’s voice trembled.

"Thank you, Benefactor Qi, for saving my mother! I, Wang Jian, will never forget such a great kindness!"

"It was only a small favor."

Qi Tian waved his hand.

Wang Jian bowed deeply from the waist. When he straightened and was about to step away, he suddenly noticed the Crimson-Scaled Beast lying quietly on the ground.

Wang Jian wasn’t frightened in the slightest.

Instead, his eyes lit up as though he had just spotted some priceless treasure. He excitedly took two more steps forward, walking straight up to the Crimson-Scaled Beast.

Qi Tian raised an eyebrow.

He wasn’t worried about the Crimson-Scaled Beast hurting anyone. The beast had already been beaten into submission by him. Without his permission, it wouldn’t dare move recklessly.

What surprised him was that the boy showed no fear whatsoever in the presence of a late-stage second-rank demonic beast.

Wang Jian suddenly reached out toward the Crimson-Scaled Beast’s head.

"Jian’er! Don’t be rude!"

Wang Fuqiang’s face went deathly pale.

But the boy’s hand had already landed.

The Crimson-Scaled Beast lifted an eyelid and glanced at him.

It didn’t lash out.

It didn’t growl.

Instead...

"Whimper~"

The Crimson-Scaled Beast let out a soft whimper. Its enormous head actually leaned forward on its own, rubbing obediently against Wang Jian’s palm.

Then it stuck out its tongue and gently licked the boy’s hand.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

Qi Tian’s mouth twitched.

What the hell? How did a second-rank demonic beast suddenly turn into a cat?

This kid... could he really have a Beast-Affinity Physique?