Free Web NovelChapter 7: Chapter 7: Transformation, Red Snake King
"Form a contract with me."
Yu Changsheng arrived beneath the tree, eager to try.
The Red Snake opened its eyes for a moment but didn’t come down. It turned its head away, giving off an air of indifference.
The Spirit Beasts in the Beast Garden had their fates sealed at birth. They were either taken by a disciple or became a test subject for some Elder.
In a way, being taken away meant a longer life, but the Red Snake couldn’t be bothered to move. Leaving meant being bound to a disciple, undertaking trials, killing enemies, and fighting.
’Too much trouble...’
"It’s not trouble. There aren’t many who can be my enemy. Compared to trials and adventures, I much prefer cultivating within the sect."
Yu Changsheng said, his gaze fixed on it.
The Red Snake turned its head, a flash of surprise in its eyes.
’This person... he can hear my thoughts?’
"I can’t hear them, but I can sense your thoughts. My Spirit Beast Affinity is very high. I’m sure we’ll get along wonderfully!" Yu Changsheng said with a smile.
’Can’t hear them? You still claim you can’t hear them?!’
The Red Snake shifted its body, somewhat amazed.
Having seen its fair share of Beast Masters, it knew some people could understand the intentions of their beasts, but that required a long period of getting to know each other, and even then, the understanding was vague.
This was the first time it had ever met a disciple who could understand it so clearly and instantly!
"So, how about it? Come with me! I’ll make you stronger than any other Spirit Beast!"
Yu Changsheng extended the invitation again, but the Red Snake simply turned its head away once more.
Even if he could understand its heart, it wouldn’t budge.
Seeing this, Yu Changsheng had no other choice. He used the Wind Travel Skill to leap onto the branch and pressed his palm onto the snake’s head.
The Spirit Beasts in the Beast Garden were all domesticated and could be directly contracted. However, if a Spirit Beast was uncooperative, the difficulty of forming the contract would increase significantly.
The choice was ultimately his, not the Spirit Beast’s.
’Looks like I’ll have to do this by force.’
"Contract!"
Yu Changsheng executed the Beast Taming Technique, his Divine Sense piercing deep into the Red Snake’s soul.
This action infuriated the Red Snake. No one was allowed to disturb its rest!
"HISSS!"
Its dozens-of-meters-long body coiled rapidly, snapping branches left and right.
The Red Snake raised its head, its sharp fangs striking directly at Yu Changsheng.
But Yu Changsheng was prepared. He stomped down with one foot, forcing the snake’s just-opened mouth shut. At the same time, he formed a hand seal and continued to execute the Beast Taming Technique, using his Divine Sense to form the brand.
"BANG!" The two of them fell from the tree.
The Red Snake’s strength was immense and its speed was incredible. To be coiled by it meant certain death or grievous injury.
Therefore, Yu Changsheng absolutely avoided a direct confrontation.
The Red Snake, feeling the brand gradually forming in its soul, grew frantic. It opened its mouth and took a sharp breath.
The Red Snake was a fire-attribute beast. Not only were its scales impervious to blades and spears, but it could also spew flames. In terms of power, a Tier One Third Layer beast was far stronger than a cultivator at the Qi Refining Third Layer.
But just then, the observing Elder let out a cold snort.
The flame that had been forming in its mouth dispersed. Its body felt as if it had been struck by a massive hammer, and it was smashed from mid-air to the ground, leaving it dazed and confused.
’A Divine Sense attack! Impossible to defend against!’
"You’ve stayed in the Beast Garden for so long. Now that someone is willing to take you in, hurry up and open your mind!" the Elder shouted coldly.
Yu Changsheng glanced at the man. He hadn’t expected this Beast Garden Elder to be so powerful. To be able to suppress the Red Snake with just his Divine Sense—he couldn’t imagine what Realm the Elder was in.
After being reprimanded, the Red Snake lay on the ground, flicked its tongue out helplessly, and closed its eyes, allowing Yu Changsheng to complete the contract.
’Fine, fine. At worst, it’s just like changing my sleeping spot...’
Soon, the contract was complete.
A brand formed deep within the Red Snake’s soul. From now on, its life was tied to Yu Changsheng’s. In the future, it would have to protect him even if it meant getting injured itself.
The Red Snake slithered next to Yu Changsheng and nudged him with its head.
Its gaze seemed to say, ’What are you waiting for? Put me in your Inner Realm. I’m going to sleep!’
Yu Changsheng now had a preliminary understanding of the Red Snake’s temperament. He gave an awkward chuckle, formed a hand seal, and transformed the snake into a ray of light, absorbing it into his Inner Realm.
After doing this, he finally turned to thank the Elder.
"Your Spirit Beast Affinity is very high, and your Divine Sense is quite good. One day, you may be able to enter the Outer Sect of the Beast Taming Peak."
"Our Beast Taming Peak hasn’t had a new disciple in a long time. Go on now. Cultivate well."
The Elder waved his hand dismissively. After seeing Yu Changsheng and Wang Xingsheng off, he turned and walked back into the Beast Garden.
Back at the Outer Peak, Yu Changsheng also thanked Wang Xingsheng for accompanying him.
"Elder Wei is a very sharp judge of character. Since he said you have a chance to become an Outer Disciple of the Beast Taming Peak, it’s only a matter of time."
"I heard from Steward Chang that you’re managing the Spirit Chicken Garden now. The pay for the Spirit Chicken Garden is 70 Spirit Coins per week, plus one Qi Blood Pill. On my authority, I’ll raise your pay to 100."
Wang Xingsheng smiled and patted Yu Changsheng’s shoulder. "Do a good job. Don’t let anyone down."
Yu Changsheng was surprised. He didn’t know why the man had suddenly become so enthusiastic toward him. He quickly said, "Thank you, Steward Wang."
Wang Xingsheng nodded and then left.
An extra 120 Spirit Coins a month meant he could buy more things. At the very least, he wouldn’t have to worry about the Red Snake’s food.
Yu Changsheng returned to his courtyard, closed the door, and eagerly summoned the Red Snake.
The Red Snake, which had been sleeping soundly in the Inner Realm, fell to the ground with a THUD. It woke up instantly and glared at him irritably.
Being stared down by the giant serpent didn’t fluster Yu Changsheng. Although things had been a bit unpleasant during the contracting process, they were family now.
He reached out and stroked the Red Snake’s head, which left the snake utterly confused, wondering what its new master was up to.
But in the next moment, its body trembled and its eyes widened in shock.
[Spirit Beast Transformation]
[Red Snake → Red Snake King]
[Essence Required: 350]
"Transform!"
With a thought from Yu Changsheng, the essence was instantly deducted.
The essence required for the Red Snake’s transformation was less than that of a Spirit Chicken, but that didn’t mean it was inferior to one.
On the contrary, with 55 points of Comprehension, even if it lazed around all day and didn’t cultivate, the accumulated progress it had made over time meant it wasn’t far from becoming a Red Snake King. Therefore, it only needed 350 essence to complete the process!
With a series of CRACKLING sounds, the bright red scales on the Red Snake’s skin turned a deep, dark red. At the same time, three sharp, black scales rose from the top of its head, forming a crown.
The Red Snake King was utterly shocked and shook its head frantically.
’I must still be dreaming! How could I transform into a Red Snake King in the blink of an eye?!’
But the incredibly dense Red Snake bloodline within its body, along with the far more potent Demon Power, all told it that this was reality! freewebnovel.cσ๓
’But how is this possible? I didn’t eat any Elixirs... I just got petted once and I transformed...’
The Red Snake King stopped shaking its head and stared wide-eyed at Yu Changsheng’s palm. Then, it suddenly nuzzled up against it.
Nuzzle! Nuzzle harder! It was as if this palm held some kind of Magic Power.
But it didn’t seem to be transforming again.
Tired from nuzzling, it lay down, its eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of unease.
This unease was like being given a sliver of hope in the darkness, only to fear that the hope was false.
It now knew that its master was different, that he could make it transform in an instant.
’But... can I continue to grow from now on?’
In response to its worries, Yu Changsheng just smiled faintly.
"You have to eat your meals one bite at a time and walk your path one step at a time. I told you, if you follow me, I’ll make you stronger than any other Spirit Beast!"
