Chapter 75: Beast Taming Hall

After a long while, Wang Yu finally tore his gaze away from the sky, a vague suspicion forming in his mind about the celestial being above.

But for now, he walked around the stone hut once, noticing a long passage descending into the mountain wall behind it, seemingly leading into the mountain’s interior.

Wang Yu pondered for a moment, then did not rush into the passage; instead, he returned to the stone hut and examined it again carefully.

On the wooden shelf, he found another set of discarded light red uniform robes, and on one corner, two black characters: “Zhu Que.”

Alongside the robes lay a crimson wooden plaque.

One side of the plaque bore an engraved crimson spiritual pattern; the other side bore a large silver character: “Nei.”

“Inner Disciple.”

Wang Yu toyed with the red wooden plaque, sensing a faint, bloodline-linked connection between himself and the object.

Clearly, during the time he had been unconscious, not only had his cultivation been switched to a fire-spirit art, he had been granted an entry-grade pill, and become an inner disciple of Zhu Que Mountain.

Without doubt, only Li Huo the Ancestor could have done this.

But why would this Golden Core elder treat him so well?

Originally, he had been invaded by firelight from the opponent’s artifact, forced out of this world—and during that time, another unknown consciousness had taken over this body, yet still granted him such favorable treatment.

Thinking of the implications behind this string of events, his hair stood on end.

Leave? He couldn’t depart now. He had no choice but to observe the situation first, taking things one step at a time.

Wang Yu thought grimly.

He tucked the wooden plaque into his body, stepped out of the stone hut, and entered the passage.

The passage was not long; after walking over a hundred meters, he arrived in a vast stone cavern.

Inside, multiple corridors branched in all directions, leading to other areas—but fortunately, each corridor’s exit bore a wooden plaque indicating its destination.

Wang Yu turned back to examine the exit he had come through; the plaque beside it clearly read “Inner Disciple 118.” He glanced at other corridor entrances—the highest numbered was 26, the lowest 103—his 118 was clearly the lowest rank.

At that moment, footsteps echoed.

A man in his mid-thirties, wearing a yellow long robe, stepped out from a corridor marked “Inner Disciple 45.”

Perched on his shoulder was a crimson-furred long-eared rabbit, its front limbs unnaturally long and tipped with sharp claws.

“Brother Wang, what a coincidence! Since entering the inner sect, you’ve been in seclusion—have you adjusted well here?” The yellow-robed man showed surprise upon seeing Wang Yu, then immediately smiled and greeted him.

“Thank you, Senior Brother, for your concern. I’ve been studying a new art lately and neglected visiting all the senior brothers.” Wang Yu, though unfamiliar with the man, showed no sign of unease and quickly bowed in return.

“That’s normal. I heard you only recently condensed your spiritual root; choosing a suitable art to match it is certainly wise.

Though Qi Condensation arts generally progress at similar speeds, aligning your art with your root will accelerate your cultivation.

But Brother Wang, your emergence from seclusion suggests you’ve heard the news—about the new batch of young beasts arriving at the Beast Taming Hall, right? I recall every new inner disciple gets one free claim slot.” The yellow-robed man nodded, then grinned slyly.

“Beast Taming Hall? Free claim slot?” Wang Yu blinked.

“You don’t know? Then the official who processed your entry must’ve been careless.

According to our sect’s rules, every new inner disciple gets one free chance to choose a beast within their first three months. Our Four Symbols Sect is famed for Beast Taming Arts—if an inner disciple has no beast, other sects will laugh at us.” The yellow-robed man seemed surprised, then explained further.

“I see. But where is the Beast Taming Hall? I’ll go take a look.” Wang Yu, upon hearing this, became deeply interested.

After all, he had envied Yin Linglong’s ghost dog and the bone serpent he’d seen being hunted in Guangyuan Market.

“Good, I’m heading to the Beast Taming Hall too—let’s go together.” The yellow-robed man said without hesitation.

Wang Yu readily agreed.

…

After a stick of incense, the two arrived at a grand hall halfway up the mountain.

The hall’s front chamber was silent, empty except for a few tables.

But the yellow-robed man casually tapped a golden bell hanging high above.

Soon, an old man grumbling under his breath emerged from the back of the hall.

“Zhou Chu, it’s you again, you brat. Didn’t I tell you? Your long-armed rabbit’s loss of appetite means it’s about to ascend—feed it more fire-elemental materials, and it’ll be fine.” The old man had snow-white eyebrows and wore a loose hemp robe; he glared at the yellow-robed man.

“Master Li, you know fire-elemental materials are now astronomically priced—where would I get the spirit stones? Just sell me some cheap fire-elemental beast feed, okay?” The yellow-robed man groaned, shamelessly pleading.

“Fire-elemental beast feed has been scarce lately. How much do you want?” The old man, seemingly powerless against him, asked sternly.

“Thirty jin to start with. Ever since I took on a beast, I’ve felt like a pauper.” The senior Zhou mumbled, pulling out a dozen spirit stones and handing them over.

“Wait a moment.” The old man turned and left; when he returned to the front chamber, he carried a bulging small sack.

“By the way, Master Li, this is Brother Wang, our new inner disciple from Zhu Que Mountain—he’s here to claim his free slot.” Zhou Chu happily took the sack and pointed to Wang Yu.

“You’re the one the Ancestor personally named to enter Zhu Que Mountain’s inner sect?” Master Li looked surprised, sizing up Wang Yu with a strange expression.

“If the Ancestor hasn’t permitted another to enter the inner sect recently, then yes, it’s me.” Wang Yu bowed respectfully.

The man managed the Beast Taming Hall and was called “Master” by Zhou Chu—he must be a Foundation Establishment elder.

“Only Qi Condensation early stage? How can you properly raise a beast? But since the rules say so, follow me.” The old man paused, shook his head reluctantly, then gestured for Wang Yu to follow him to the rear.

Zhou Chu, eager for entertainment, trailed right after.

“Beast Taming Arts are the foundation of our Four Symbols Sect. Our founding Ancestor once defeated three Golden Core late-stage opponents using only a Golden Core peak Yunshan Jiao—establishing our sect’s roots in Tongzhou. Others fight one-on-one; we fight two-on-one, even three-on-one—how could we lose?” Master Li led them out of the front chamber into a long corridor, speaking with pride.

“But Master Li, those who don’t practice Beast Taming Arts can pour all their resources into themselves—we have to split ours two or three ways. Why don’t you mention that?” Zhou Chu rolled his eyes in reply.

“You know nothing—you youngsters haven’t grasped the true essence of Beast Taming Arts,” the old man snorted, clearly disdainful.