Chapter Thirty-Four: Beast Taming

As for purchasing beast-taming secret techniques, Ji Xun immediately thought of the Quest Bookshop from before. He wondered whether the shopkeeper had resolved his own troubles with the tiger minions and if he was still at the shop.

Ji Xun requested leave from the manager and departed the manor. The distance from the manor to the town was only about a dozen miles, half an hour’s walk. Ji Xun’s appearance had changed completely since then, so the ghostly scholar Bai Anpin naturally wouldn’t recognize him.

Upon entering the town, Ji Xun walked for some time before reaching the secluded alley. As he stepped into the alley, a mask appeared in his hand. It would be more accurate to call it a visor, as that was its original name in the artifact-refining book.

The basic inscriptions on the visor were designed to channel a small amount of the powers of the Mocking Wind. The essence of Mocking Wind was scarce; even after refining it, Ji Xun’s body would not change much. Using it for artifact crafting was one of the most efficient methods.

[Mocking Wind Visor: High-grade Profound-level. Can alter one’s aura, intimidate evil, and enhance vision.]

It seemed the visor was well-crafted, retaining three traits of the Mocking Wind: dragon lineage, warding off evil, and keen sight.

Ji Xun placed the visor upon his face. Instantly, a subtle aura of pressure emanated from him—a rare trace of dragon demon energy. If any passing demon encountered him now, they might even mistake Ji Xun for a dragon descendant with diluted blood.

He returned to the bookshop, finding it unchanged, still shabby as ever. However, the mushrooms on the signboard had frozen to death, making the sign clearer.

“Shopkeeper, do you have any books on beast-taming?” Ji Xun asked.

Bai Anpin was as lifeless as before. “Inside, help yourself… Wait, you—you’re a dragon…”

“My apologies, I didn’t expect a distinguished guest to grace this humble shop.” Bai Anpin stood up at once.

Among the thirty-six demon nations of Qing Domain, the dragon clan held preeminent status. Several dragons had once turned the tide in times of crisis, earning the respect of other demon clans. Most importantly, the powers and techniques of dragon-blooded descendants were especially formidable.

“No need for formalities, shopkeeper,” Ji Xun replied.

“Not at all. As for beast-taming methods, I only have incomplete ones here. Let me show you.”

Soon, Bai Anpin handed over two books.

[‘Four Beast-Taming Techniques’ (Incomplete): Mid-grade Profound-level secret art. Can tame various demon beasts, contains four methods for cultivation.]

[‘Beast Control Art’ (Incomplete): Low-grade Profound-level. Not recommended for cultivation.]

After paying Bai Anpin for the books, Ji Xun asked, “Shopkeeper, do you know where else I might find such techniques?”

Bai Anpin considered a moment. “There’s a black market on the west side of town. Most of my stock comes from there, but you’ll need a referral to enter.”

“If you’re willing to pay some demon silver, I can act as your introducer. How does that sound?”

Ji Xun agreed after some thought, handing over ten taels of demon silver to Bai Anpin. The two left the Quest Bookshop, heading west.

…

They arrived at the basement of a gambling den, its soundproof space broad and secure. After Bai Anpin accompanied Ji Xun through registration, he took his leave.

Watching Bai Anpin’s retreating form, Ji Xun used the visor’s spiritual sight but could not discern his ghostly nature. Clearly, Bai Anpin harbored many secrets.

Ji Xun turned to survey the counters before him, each radiating a faint spiritual light, making their contents clear to the senses. Most were mysterious artifacts and techniques of dubious origin, as well as many demon corpses. Slaying demons to seize treasures was commonplace in the demon nations.

A manager noticed Ji Xun browsing and approached. “Greetings, sir. Is there anything you’re seeking?”

“Do you have beast-taming techniques?” Official guilds rarely sold such arts openly, but they would sometimes offer them to trusted customers.

“We certainly do,” the manager replied. “Look at these: ‘Three Flowers Beast Gathering Technique’ and ‘Heaven and Earth Demon Command Method’—both highly suitable.”

Ji Xun glanced over them; what was revealed appeared genuine. Yet, they could be secret techniques from some sect, which might later bring trouble.

“How much for these two?” he asked.

“One hundred and eighty taels of demon silver.”

Ji Xun produced a large honeycomb and several stalks of Hundred Beast Grass, nearly all he had, the rest having been used to build a hive for the Golden Armored Bees.

The manager examined them. “We can buy these for two hundred and forty taels of demon silver. Does that suit you?”

“Agreed,” Ji Xun nodded, finding the price fair.

He received the two complete secret arts.

[‘Three Flowers Beast Gathering Technique’: High-grade Profound-level. Allows beast control through the three channels of essence, energy, and spirit.]

[‘Heaven and Earth Demon Command Method’: Low-grade Profound-level. Appealing but ineffective; somewhat useful for reference.]

Stowing the manuals, Ji Xun turned his attention to the surrounding rare materials. His gaze settled upon a serpent corpse.

The patterns on the serpent’s body were peculiarly intricate, resembling certain inscriptions. They reminded Ji Xun of a beast he’d read about—the Barbarian Sky Python.

Long ago, the Barbarian Sky Python was one of the totems of the Barbarian Sky Clan, but following the clan’s destruction, the pythons vanished. Some claimed they had fled to the Abyss, becoming demons, while others believed they were exterminated completely. The truth remained uncertain.

“Manager, may I inspect this python corpse?” Ji Xun asked.

“Of course. It’s not a valuable item; the python had just reached ninth rank. It’s yours for a hundred taels of demon silver. But if you buy it, be sure to dispose of it thoroughly, or the snake demons from the Serpent Nation might come looking for trouble.”

The manager, evidently a rabbit demon, held little affection for snake demons.

Ji Xun placed his hand on the python corpse. Instantly, a message appeared in his mind:

[Serpent Demon Corpse: Low-grade Profound-level. Contains a trace of Barbarian Sky Python bloodline.]

“As expected,” Ji Xun murmured.

“Manager, this royal jelly—surely it’s worth a hundred taels?”

The rabbit manager took the royal jelly, inhaled its aroma, and his face melted into bliss.

“Absolutely, absolutely. I personally offer one hundred and fifty taels of demon silver—let’s call it a private deal.”

“Agreed. Let’s do as you say.”

In the next moment, the python corpse vanished from the black market’s basement, as Ji Xun stored it within his Demon Refining Jar. To others, it would seem he had put it into a storage pouch.

After Ji Xun departed, a man in black approached the manager. “That python—someone bought it?”

“Yes, but I doubt he truly discovered anything.”

“Whether he did or not, I’ll soon find out.”