Clan Cultivation: Starting from Beast Taming

Of course, he would never admit that he purchased the 800-year-old Red Essence Ganoderma simply to lure Master Jiang over to kill him, saying instead that it was to gain benefits from the Li Family that he bought the item.

Actually, before he had discovered Master Jiang, his true intention was indeed just that.

After listening to his explanation, Taoist Mingxia gazed at him silently for a while, deep in thought.

After a moment of contemplation, she finally nodded slightly and said, "If what you say is true, then indeed, you have the upper hand in this matter."

"However, the Jiang Family of Lingzhou is not to be underestimated. Their clan has been rooted in Lingzhou for over a thousand years, and some of their members are in our sect, with Master Jiang being an important member of their family."

"If they insist on not accepting mediation and are determined to seek revenge for Master Jiang, I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do to force the issue!"

Her relationship with the Zhou Family was one of mutual benefit, purely an alliance of interests.

With only this level of relationship, she certainly wouldn’t go out of her way to do something for the Zhou Family unless they offered a great deal in return!

Zhou Chun was also clear about this.

Therefore, he immediately said, "Senior only needs to do her best. Regardless of the outcome, both I and the Zhou Family will remember the kind favor."

At that moment, Taoist Mingxia suddenly looked at him and asked, "If I may be so bold to inquire, in the event of a life and death duel, how confident are you, Taoist Friend Zhou, of securing a definite victory?" Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Zhou Chun did not know why she would ask such a question, but he still answered, "I practice a Combat Technique, and my Spirit Pet is a second-tier Demon Beast. If it really comes to a life and death duel, I should have a seventy percent chance of winning!"

"A seventy percent chance, that’s quite high indeed!"

Taoist Mingxia nodded slightly, then fell silent again.

After an unknowable amount of time passed, she finally looked at Zhou Chun and said, "Then I will personally make a trip to the Jiang Family of Lingzhou to see if they are willing to accept the matter of a life and death duel. You should not rush back home just yet; wait here in my cave dwelling until I return."

"Junior obeys, I leave everything in Senior’s hands."

After speaking, Zhou Chun stood up and bowed deeply.

Afterward, Taoist Mingxia gave a few instructions to her disciples and then left the cave dwelling.

Meanwhile, Zhou Chun also received a warm hospitality from Liu Shiyun and her father.

"Living here at Green Lotus Temple is good in all aspects, but it can get unbearably suffocating during idle times, and it’s not easy to step out for a visit. There are also hardly any fellow Taoists with whom one can share drink and merriment!"

"Once Shiyun has succeeded in Foundation Establishment, I’m planning to find a safer place to live in seclusion, to properly enjoy the remaining decades of my life!"

At the dinner table, after several rounds of dishes, Liu Qingshan, now with greying hair, suddenly became full of emotion as he reflected on his current life to Zhou Chun.

Being a relative of an Inner Sect Disciple like him, it was permissible to practice cultivation within the sect’s gates.

But to move in and out within the sect’s premises required accompaniment by a relative at all times.

This one requirement made it very inconvenient for them to come and go, and as a result, they reduced their movements in and out.

If one were a cultivator with a partner, perhaps they could keep each other company and endure a prolonged stay alone in a cave dwelling.

But as for Liu Qingshan, who was alone, it was clear that after more than a decade, he had become weary of it.

Of course, the main thing was that his cultivation level had already reached the twelfth level of Qi Refinement Realm, and even meditating brought about no further effect, with no hope of obtaining Foundation Establishment Spirit Items for himself to reach Foundation Establishment.

And his daughter had a bright future ahead and did not require any further care or assistance from him.

One could say that the rest of his life had lost the meaning to continue with cultivation.

So, Zhou Chun was not surprised by his sentimentality and responded with a smile, "Brother Liu, if you really find Green Lotus Temple too idle and wish to enjoy life, you might consider a long stay with our Zhou Family."

"I wouldn’t ask Brother Liu to do chores like guarding or managing the Zhou Family estate, just that during your leisure time, you could serve as an instructor for our Zhou Family’s junior cultivators, teaching them the ways of surviving in the Cultivation World."

Hearing this, Liu Qingshan’s eyes brightened, and he promptly agreed, "Then let’s agree on this, once Shiyun has succeeded in her Foundation Establishment, I’ll go to the Zhou Family and seek refuge with you, Taoist Friend Zhou."

"Hahaha, at that time, I, Zhou Chun, will await Brother Liu’s honored arrival at the Zhou Family."

Zhou Chun laughed heartily, raised his cup to toast with him, and then drank it down in one gulp.

After they finished their meal and Liu Shiyun brewed some tea for them to sober up, Zhou Chun looked at her and said, "Speaking of which, there is a small matter here for which I’d like to ask for Taoist Friend Liu’s assistance."

"What is it? Please speak freely, Taoist Friend Zhou."

Liu Shiyun responded with a slight surprise, but then readily agreed.

"It goes like this, previously, Taoist Friend Liu mentioned that your third senior sister is a skillful artisan and excels at crafting vestment robes. By chance, I came across a superb piece of hide recently and would like to ask for your help in requesting your esteemed senior sister to craft it into a vestment robe."

As he spoke, Zhou Chun took out the fur of the Mutant Gold-Eating Rat King that he had kept in storage.

"This is the hide of a second-tier Demon Beast!"

Liu Qingshan, who was sitting nearby, had only taken a few glances at the hide in Zhou Chun’s hand before he exclaimed in surprise.

"Indeed, it is the fur of a second-tier Mutant Gold-Eating Rat King."

Zhou Chun nodded, then turned his gaze towards Liu Shiyun.