Chapter 66: Taming

Chapter 66: Taming One Hour Later-- The training field looked completely different from the martial practice arena. This time, Mu Qianxue had set up a wide clearing surrounded by spirit-forged barriers to contain spiritual beasts. Cages of various sizes lined the perimeter, each housing different low to mid-tier monsters—some fierce, others cute, but all still dangerous to the untrained. At the center stood Mu Qianxue, now fully sober, surprisingly. Dressed in her flowing battle robes, she twirled a thin whip lazily around her fingers. "Today’s special training is on monster taming," Mu Qianxue said, eyes sweeping across her gathered disciples: "This isn’t just for show. Taming a monster will help in travel, battle, even alchemy. Many high-level cultivators have a bonded spirit beast. So today, you will all attempt to tame one of these creatures." Mu Qianxue continued: "You’ll each go one at a time. Step into the circle when I call your name, and the beast will be released. You are to tame it—not kill it." Lin Fan cracked his knuckles and stepped forward with bravado before anyone was called: "I’ll go first! I’ve already got a connection with nature, so this should be easy." Mu Qianxue stared at him flatly: "You’re not even a beast tamer." "I’m naturally gifted," Lin Fan replied smugly. "...Fine. Go ahead, since you’re so confident," Mu Qianxue muttered with a sigh and motioned for the handlers to release a creature. From a cage, a small, fuzzy Iron-Furred Armadillo Pup waddled into the ring. It looked adorable—round body, tiny eyes, barely the size of a large cat. It blinked and squeaked. Lin Fan scoffed. "This little thing? Pfft. Watch and learn, girl," he said, casting a wink at Bai Luoluo (who didn’t look up from sharpening her weapon). Lin Fan walked toward the armadillo pup and crouched down with a wide smile: "Come here, little guy! I’m your new daddy now!" The pup blinked at him. Then, in a flash, it curled into a ball and launched itself at his face like a cannonball. THUNK! "GAH—MY NOSE!!" The pup bounced off Lin Fan’s face, did a flip, and rammed into his shin. CRACK! "AAAHH!! MY LEG!!" Lin Fan collapsed, hugging his leg, nose bleeding and both eyes beginning to swell. The pup chirped proudly and stood atop his chest like a conquering general. Mu Qianxue massaged her temples. "Disqualified." Lin Fan gave a thumbs-up from the floor. "I... softened it up for the next guy..." Even the old man in his head muttered: ’I have never... in my thousand years... seen someone fumble this hard at bonding with a rodent.’ Bai Luoluo looked over and shook her head in disgust: "You can’t even tame a stuffed toy." "..." Lin Fan whimpered. Mu Qianxue called, "Hei Long. You’re up." All eyes turned to him. Hei Long calmly stepped forward, brushing back his sleeves. His expression was calm, composed, almost disinterested. From the far corner, a much larger cage began to shake violently. The handlers looked nervous as they slowly unlatched the gate. A Storm-Eyed Sky Lizard Pup emerged—barely hatched, but already emanating the pressure of a mid-tier beast. It was sleek and serpentine, with glistening scales that shimmered silver-blue under the sun, and two small lightning horns poking out of its head. Lin Fan called out: "Isn’t that an elite-class beast?! Even as a baby, that thing can kill a full-stage Martial Realm cultivator!" But Hei Long didn’t flinch. Instead, he knelt down and met the creature’s glowing blue eyes. The baby lizard hissed, baring its tiny fangs, sparking with raw electricity. Mu Qianxue raised her hand to step in, just in case: "Be careful, Hei Long. That’s not something anyone can—" Before she could finish, the little lizard tilted its head. Hei Long raised his hand slowly. Calm. Steady. The beast sniffed. A long moment passed. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, the Sky Lizard slithered forward and nudged its head into Hei Long’s palm. Its tiny wings folded back, and it curled up beside his leg like a cat. Lin Fan felt his mouth fall open: "Wh—WHAT?!" Even Mu Qianxue blinked. "Impossible...!" Even Bai Luoluo couldn’t help but mutter: "Is that real?" Lin Fan was just too lost to even think straight: "That’s not normal! How the hell...?!" Hei Long gently picked up the baby lizard and cradled it in his arms. "You’re going to be useful," he whispered, a faint smile on his face. The lizard chirped and licked his hand, electricity sparking harmlessly around it. Mu Qianxue cleared her throat: "Ahem. As expected... From my top disciple." Lin Fan snapped out of it: "Pfft... Probably bribed the beast with spirit stones..." The baby lizard turned and growled at him. Lin Fan flinched and hid behind Bai Luoluo, who stepped away. "Don’t touch me," Bai Luoluo spat. Hei Long casually walked past Lin Fan, beast in his arms. Lin Fan clenched his fists: "This isn’t over..." Mu Qianxue let out a cough: "Next up—Bai Luoluo." Bai Luoluo stood up from her seated position, dusted herself off, and with a practiced flick of her long hair, walked to the center of the taming field. The cage rattled and opened. Out stepped a sleek, black creature with golden stripes—a Shadowstripe Fox Pup. Though young, its spirit energy was erratic and fierce, known for its elusive nature and deep distrust of humans. It locked eyes with her, tail flicking like a whip. "Tch. This’ll be easy," Bai Luoluo muttered under her breath, exuding confidence as she knelt in a poised stance, extending one hand toward the fox. The fox immediately hissed and bolted to the other side of the ring. Bai Luoluo blinked. "Hmph." She tried again, this time with a spirit stone in her hand. She crouched, inching forward, but the fox only snarled and leapt to a higher rock ledge inside the enclosure. Bai Luoluo’s left eye twitched. Mu Qianxue sighed from the side: "This breed requires subtlety, not brute force or intimidation." "I know that," Bai Luoluo snapped, trying to maintain control as she grit her teeth. But each attempt resulted in the fox darting away from her. The more she chased it, the more it played a game of tag—only this time, the fox was clearly winning. She tripped once, caught herself, growled under her breath, and then finally— "I don’t need help—" "Need some help?" Hei Long’s calm voice cut through the tension like a knife through butter. He was standing at the edge of the ring, arms crossed, baby Sky Lizard coiled like a scarf around his neck. Bai Luoluo turned her head to glare at him, red in the cheeks from both exertion and rising frustration: "I don’t—" "You’ve been chasing it in a straight line like you’re hunting a deer. Shadowstripe pups react to high pressure by bolting. You need to give it space and let it come to you," Hei Long replied. "I know that," Bai Luoluo repeated weakly. Hei Long didn’t wait for her permission. He stepped into the ring beside her and knelt calmly. The fox, up on a ledge, narrowed its eyes at him. Hei Long didn’t make any sudden moves. Instead, he gently placed a single moonflower petal—rich in mild spiritual energy—on the ground in front of him, and softly released a steady breath of qi from his palm. The air around him slowed. The fox’s ears twitched. Seconds later, the little creature jumped down and padded silently toward him, cautiously. Bai Luoluo held her breath. The fox approached the petal, sniffed it, then sniffed Hei Long’s hand—and nudged its head into it. Hei Long smiled and turned to Bai Luoluo: "Now you try. Slowly." Bai Luoluo hesitated. For once in her life, she didn’t know what to do with her pride. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached out. The fox hesitated... then moved forward, brushing its snout against her fingers. Bai Luoluo blinked. Her lips parted slightly. It worked. She didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then she pulled her hand back, cleared her throat, and turned her head to the side so no one could see her face turning red. "...Th-thank you," Bai Luoluo muttered, barely audible, face flushed red all the way to her ears. [Ding! Bai Luoluo’s Love Meter has changed: Indifferent → Friendship]