I Tame Beasts by Feeding

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: An Unprecedented Direct Disciple

"W-why?" fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Gongsun Yang froze for a moment, then quickly said,

"Although I am only a Tier Three Alchemist and my Realm isn’t very high, I have already reached Minor Achievement in the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique. I even have some confidence in refining Tier Three High-Grade Elixirs, so you don’t have to worry that I can’t teach you."

"Besides, I’ll be reaching Foundation Establishment soon. At that time, with my status as a Steward Elder of the Jade Cauldron Peak, I can make you an Outer Disciple of the Jade Cauldron Peak directly. You could be promoted to the Inner Sect within a few years without having to participate in any selections. This is a great benefit for you!"

Yu Changsheng gave a wry smile. For other servants, this was indeed a heaven-sent opportunity.

But he didn’t want to become an Outer Disciple of the Jade Cauldron Peak!

He had already chosen the Beast Taming Peak as his Inheritance Peak. If he became an Outer Disciple of the Jade Cauldron Peak, he wouldn’t be able to join the Beast Taming Peak, nor would he be able to obtain its subsequent Cultivation Techniques. He would even have to switch to practicing the Jade Cauldron Peak’s Cultivation Technique.

Once a disciple joined an Inheritance Peak, it was difficult to switch to another. That’s why Yu Changsheng didn’t want the status of a Direct Disciple.

The Wanxiang Sect had many disciples, whose statuses could be divided into two categories. The first was their status within the sect: servant disciples of the Outer Peak, Outer Disciples of the Inheritance Peaks, Inner Sect Disciples, and Chief Disciples.

The second category was the master-disciple relationship established when an Elder took on apprentices. These were divided into ordinary disciples, Inner Chamber Disciples, and Direct Disciples. Such disciples started as Outer Disciples. To be promoted later, they had to rely either on their master’s status or on their own efforts.

For example, if the Peak Master of an Inheritance Peak took a liking to you and accepted you as a Direct Disciple, your status in the sect would immediately jump to Chief Disciple. In terms of seniority, you could even rank higher than many Guardian Elders.

After completing their training, Wanxiang Sect disciples generally had two paths to choose from. One was to be stationed outside the sect, becoming a Patrol Envoy in Wuzhou, gathering resources for the sect and overseeing some of the Minor Sects.

The other option was to remain within the Wanxiang Sect and become an Elder of a peak or a hall. These Elders held various titles, such as Dharma Transmission, Steward, Dharma Protector, Great Elder, and Supreme Elder.

This was the vast framework of the Wanxiang Sect, not to mention the Elders who guarded places like Marketplaces, spirit stone mines, and Secret Realms.

Yu Changsheng said respectfully, "This disciple has some talent in Beast Taming and wishes to become an Outer Disciple of the Beast Taming Peak. The Alchemy Dao is merely a supplementary path for me."

Hearing this, Gongsun Yang was devastated. He stared wide-eyed and said, "You want to become a Beast Master?"

"The path of Beast Taming is but a minor one. Our sect’s Beast Taming Peak has been in decline for several hundred years. In recent years, it’s been difficult for them to produce even a single Golden Core True Master. In contrast, my Jade Cauldron Peak is ranked third. We still have a Purple Mansion True Monarch alive, as well as several Golden Core True Masters. Our foundation is far deeper than what the Beast Taming Peak can compare to."

"Take my advice: don’t waste your talent in Alchemy. The Jade Cauldron Peak is your best choice!"

Gongsun Yang said earnestly, "I was once a Tier One mortal. I was blessed by the heavens when my master took me from the fields. I only began my journey of Cultivation at the age of twenty-three. With a Tri-attribute Mixed Spirit Root, the only reason I’ve been able to come this far is entirely due to my Alchemy."

"Moreover, the Jade Cauldron Peak is famous for its defensive techniques, capable of holding off a hundred foes. The most important thing in Cultivation is having the means to survive. There’s no future in learning Beast Taming. Those Demon Beasts are ultimately an external power, not as reliable as your own strength."

"Your Spirit Root is better than mine, and your talent in Alchemy is so great that I can only look on in envy. If you join the Jade Cauldron Peak, forget Foundation Establishment—even reaching the Golden Core realm is a possibility!"

Gongsun Yang had finally encountered an alchemical prodigy the likes of which might appear only once in a thousand years. How could he willingly give up and hand him over to the Beast Taming Peak!

’The Jade Cauldron Peak is where his bright future lies!’

However, Yu Changsheng remained unmoved. He had always known that his foundation was the path of Beast Taming. Without the essence it provided, his future would be limited even if he joined the Jade Cauldron Peak.

Besides, for him, the Alchemy Dao was simply too easy...

Saying this out loud would probably infuriate countless Alchemists, but for him, it was the truth.

Because his "once-in-a-thousand-years" alchemical talent was all thanks to allocating that essence!

Seeing this, Gongsun Yang understood that Yu Changsheng’s Dao Heart was firm.

He had already waited for decades. It would be too difficult to find someone more suitable than Yu Changsheng to inherit the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and said,

"Since it’s come to this, I will not force you to join the Jade Cauldron Peak. I will still accept you as my Direct Disciple. Are you willing to become my apprentice?"

An Elder of the Jade Cauldron Peak whose Direct Disciple wasn’t even from the Jade Cauldron Peak.

This was setting a special precedent for the sect!

Dharma Transmission Elders had many ordinary disciples, and their origins didn’t matter—as long as they paid the Spirit Stones, they could learn. But it was a different story for Inner Chamber and Direct Disciples. They were not accepted lightly, and even if they were, the Elder would choose a disciple from their own Inheritance Peak.

Because no one would teach their most treasured secrets to another peak!

The relationship between the five Inheritance Peaks of the Wanxiang Sect was not all harmonious; in reality, they were competitors. Why had the Beast Taming Peak declined? It was because their disciples were lacking and they had no Purple Mansion master above to fight for resources.

Peaks like the Sword Control Peak and the Overlord Blade Peak, which were the richest in resources, were fiercely competitive. Every year, they fought relentlessly to secure more resources.

In comparison, the Jade Cauldron Peak was the most relaxed and carefree. They had a Purple Mansion True Monarch at the top, and no fool would dare to offend an Alchemist. All they needed to do was earn Spirit Stones, practice Alchemy, and cultivate.

The situation at the Magic Peak was slightly better than at the Beast Taming Peak. After all, it was home to many Array Masters and Talisman Masters, who were needed to maintain the sect’s Protection Array, Teleportation Arrays, and so on.

When Yu Changsheng heard Gongsun Yang’s words, he was stunned and stared straight at him.

He never thought the man would break with tradition just to take him as a disciple.

This made Yu Changsheng’s heart waver. After all, having a Tier Three Alchemist as a master would be a form of backing within the sect. Besides, he also needed the subsequent Techniques for the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique.

After thinking it over, Yu Changsheng decided there were all benefits and no drawbacks. It would be ungrateful of him to refuse again. So, he bowed and said, "Disciple pays his respects to Master."

"Good!" A smile finally returned to Gongsun Yang’s face, though it was tinged with regret. He felt it was a pity about Yu Changsheng’s choice.

’The Beast Taming Peak is a lost cause. When this disciple of mine finally hits a wall, I’ll swallow my pride and go discuss it with the Peak Master. I can still get him transferred back to the Jade Cauldron Peak.’

’It’s just that he’ll be wasting time that he could be using to practice the Jade Cauldron Peak’s Cultivation Technique right now.’

’Ah, forget it. He’s still young. Let him go and try his luck.’

"Since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, take all of this as a gift from me. Inside are the subsequent Cultivation Techniques and my personal notes on the Sanwen Fire cultivation method, as well as some Pill Formulas I’ve collected." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Also, take this bottle of Qi Enhancement Pills. There are still over four months until the sect selection. Since you’ve chosen the Beast Taming Peak, I can’t directly make you an Outer Disciple. You’ll have to rely on yourself."

Gongsun Yang was beaming as he shoved everything into Yu Changsheng’s hands. He then added a word of advice, "Your master has seen many geniuses, including monstrous talents who shone as brightly as shooting stars. But in the end, they all died. Even my own master was no exception."

"The path of Cultivation is about achieving long life, but long life is not easily won. You must act with caution."

"The reason your master has managed to outlive so many of those geniuses and monstrous talents is precisely because of this!"

Yu Changsheng’s jaw dropped. He never expected the old man to be just like him—a fellow follower of the cautious path!

He glanced again at the resources stuffed into his hands, swallowed hard, and quickly exclaimed, "Thank you, Master! This disciple will definitely be careful and cautious."

Gongsun Yang nodded, very satisfied, and then said,

"Good. Come, let me introduce you to another one of my disciples."

"You can consider him your junior brother."