https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-442-Imperial-Beast-Marrow-Mature-Beasts/12544523/
Chapter 443: Dare You Take What I Dare Give?
Chapter 443: Dare You Take What I Dare Give?
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Lu Chen's hand instantly transformed into a crystalline jade color, blocking the lion-bird beast as it pounced like a raptor.
The lion-bird beast, with its fluffy mane and head, nuzzled Lu Chen's palm, allowing him to pet it while emitting a pleased purring sound.
"You've done remarkably well. It's been a while since I last saw you, and your size and strength have increased considerably."
Lu Chen's hand casually ruffled the lion-bird beast's head, his tone carrying a hint of praise.
The lion-bird beast, in response, assumed an even more endearing posture, creating a stark contrast to its fierce and massive physique.
Lu Chen held a very special meaning for the beast.
Due to its mixed bloodline, it had always been the target of bullying and ridicule by other spirit beasts, resulting in a deep-seated inferiority complex. Its inferior spirit and perceptiveness had been evident from an early age, despite the latent strengths of its two powerful demon beast bloodlines.
During Lu Chen's training of the young beasts, it had displayed a profound lack of confidence.
Lu Chen addressed the issue by offering constant encouragement and correcting the beast's pessimistic outlook, helping it regain its confidence. He even sneaked into the beast's enclosure at night to provide extra lessons for the laggard creature.
To the lion-bird beast, Lu Chen was like a ray of light in the darkness, bringing color and brilliance back into its life.
"Roar~"
The lion-bird beast let out a low growl, seemingly chastising Lu Chen for his long absence.
"I've been unable to enter the blessed land, haven't I?" Lu Chen replied with a smile.
"By the way, with your current strength, why haven't you ventured out to guard the sect's forbidden grounds or served as a transport spirit beast?"
He asked, curious about the beast's duties.
The lion-bird beast let out a low roar, conveying a thought to Lu Chen.
"So, it hasn't reached that level yet," Lu Chen said, instantly understanding the spirit beast's thoughts as if they shared a mental link, thanks to the time he had spent caring for it.
"You've already shown great potential, and I'm sure you'll be able to contribute to the sect soon."
"Keep up the good work," Lu Chen encouraged with a smile.
The lion-bird beast seemed to draw infinite strength from Lu Chen's words, nodding vigorously.
"By the way, I've been in the blessed land lately, tending to the spirit beasts there. If you can find the other young beasts from back then, gather them, and we can have a reunion."
Lu Chen suggested, proposing an idea to the lion-bird beast.
After a brief reunion, Lu Chen bid farewell to the lion-bird beast, ascending vertically back to his cloud cottage high in the sky.
"Hmm, the fellow disciples tending to the spirit beasts have returned," Lu Chen sensed, detecting four presences—one strong and three weaker—in several cloud cottages.
"You must be Lu Chen, the new disciple in charge of the spirit beasts in the blessed land of the Myriad Demon Cave. Your reputation precedes you, and we finally get to meet you here," a handsome young man emerged from one of the cloud cottages, followed by three others.
The handsome young man had reached the middle stages of the Foundation Establishment, while the three behind him were at the early stages.
"Indeed, it is I, Lu Chen. And how should I address this senior disciple?" Lu Chen asked, detecting a subtle oddity in the handsome youth's tone, but he remained unfazed.
"I am Sun Yun, and I've been residing in this blessed land for many years. This is Zhao, and these two are..." Sun Yun introduced himself and the three early-stage Foundation Establishment disciples behind him.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Lu," the three disciples appraised Lu Chen with curious eyes, offering their salutations.
"Greetings, fellow junior brothers," Lu Chen returned their greetings politely.
The four of them entered one of the cloud cottages.
"Junior Brother Lu, I've heard tales of your prowess with spirit plants and beasts back at the sect more than once. Now that I see you in person, your reputation is indeed well-deserved," Sun Yun said with a smile after they had taken their seats.
"I feel quite good. I've always enjoyed interacting with spirit beasts, and I find them rather endearing," Lu Xuan replied, a smile tugging at his lips as he thought of the lion-bird beast's goofy nature.
"May I ask how Junior Brother Lu acquired the qualifications to oversee the blessed land? Could you enlighten us?" one of the disciples, Zhao, abruptly asked, his tone carrying a hint of aggression.
"It was Fire Lin Senior Brother who recommended me. After meeting with Master Cangwu, he had no objections and handed over the Demon Control Token to me for safekeeping," Lu Xuan explained, his entry into the blessed land having been aboveboard and based solely on his own abilities.
"So, it's because of your connection to a true disciple. No wonder you were able to take charge of the blessed land upon your first arrival at the Ten Thousand Demon Cave," Zhao grumbled, clearly dissatisfied.
"Zhao, there's something you must understand," Lu Xuan said, a hint of frost in his voice. "It wasn't me who sought out Senior Brother Firelin; he approached me of his own accord. As for why he chose me and not you, perhaps you should reflect on your own progress. Have you truly improved your cultivation over the years? Have you taken good care of the spirit beasts?"
Lu Xuan's patience had its limits, and a hint of anger crept into his words.
"Zhao, enough! Master Cangwu entrusted the Demon Control Token to Junior Brother Lu for his reasons. We should respect that decision," Sun Yun interjected, sensing that Zhao was about to argue further.
Lu Xuan remained silent, a slight smile playing on his lips as he observed the group's dynamics. He could tell that his appointment to this coveted position had stirred strong resentment within this small clique.
It was understandable, given that they had toiled for years, only to see an opportunity for advancement snatched away by someone else, and now they had to follow that person's lead.
How could they easily come to terms with that?
While Lu Xuan could empathize with their reaction as an observer, he knew that being in the center of it all, with his own interests at stake, made it harder to be as understanding.
The aggrieved Zhao glowered but reluctantly sat down after being rebuked by Sun Yun. "I just can't wrap my head around it. In terms of cultivation, Senior Brother Sun has been at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment for years. When it comes to experience, he has cared for countless spirit beasts. And in terms of seniority, you've diligently served in the blessed land for so long. How is it that you're not qualified to temporarily oversee the blessed land in Master Cangwu's stead?" Zhao's words carried a weight of resentment.
Lu Xuan snorted inwardly.
"What's the point of saying this to me? Why don't you ask Master Cangwu directly?" he thought to himself, keeping his true feelings hidden.
A sharp slap echoed through the room as a beast-head token was slammed onto the spirit wood table.
The four disciples turned their eyes toward the token, their gazes meeting the ferocious beast head that seemed ready to devour them.
Sun Yun quietly swallowed, suddenly seeing the coveted Demon Control Token in a different light—it seemed a little frightening.
"Junior Brother Lu, what does this mean?" Sun Yun asked, his eyes flicking toward Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he slowly explained, "What Brother Zhao said makes sense, and I admit that I don't deserve to hold this Demon Control Token. In terms of cultivation, experience, and seniority, Senior Brother Sun surpasses me in every way. Compared to me, he is far more qualified to take Master Cangwu's place in managing the blessed land and overseeing all the spirit beasts."
"Now, the Demon Control Token lies on the table. I dare to give it to Senior Brother Sun. The question is, Senior Brother Sun, do you dare to take it?" Lu Xuan smiled gently at the handsome young man, his gaze calm and his voice mild.
(End of Chapter)
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