Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

The "powerless" part was referring to... down there.

"Specifically, what are they saying?"

Seeing Fang Qingyuan’s anger, Liu Xun didn’t dare to hide anything and reported truthfully:

"These people are gossiping about how since you began your cultivation, you haven’t sought a Daoist partner, visited brothels, or shown any interest in women. They say you’re more rigid than those moralistic Daoists of Qi Yun and more abstinent than a Monk from Nanlin Temple. As time went on, this attracted slander from busybodies."

"Hmph. My heart is set on cultivating the Great Dao. How could these scoundrels possibly understand such aspirations?"

"Yes, yes. One cannot speak of ice to a summer insect."

Cold sweat beaded on Liu Xun’s forehead. He regretted bringing up this gossip, but he was desperate. He had to push Fang Qingyuan to make a decision, to take on a few more Concubines and try to produce an heir.

After venting some of his anger, Fang Qingyuan felt a bit helpless. He wasn’t Chu Hongshang. Back when busybodies spread rumors about her, she had flown into a rage, dragged the culprit to the Marketplace, and force-fed them fecal water day and night as a public warning to others.

But just because Chu Hongshang could do it didn’t mean he could. The White Mountain People were known for their loose lips. The fact that they were only making up these kinds of stories meant he hadn’t done anything truly heinous. Otherwise, he’d be on the list of White Mountain’s top ten villains.

’But there’s always a reason for gossip. The main issue is that I appear too aloof. We’re all White Mountain People, so who am I trying to impress with this "different from the crowd, untainted by the mud" image?’

Thinking of this, Fang Qingyuan nodded and said:

"Fine. Five it is. Go and take care of it. Pick a day to bring the Concubines sent by those five families up the mountain."

"Should we hold a ceremony? We could invite some people over to liven things up. Otherwise, we might offend those five sects."

Fang Qingyuan considered Liu Xun’s words and found they made sense. Even bandits would feast for days after capturing a chieftain’s wife, making sure everyone had their fill of good wine and meat. He was taking five Concubines at once; he couldn’t just do it quietly and be done with it.

More importantly, he could use this as an excuse to collect some gifts. With so many sects in the alliance, if each one gave a little something, he could rake in at least a few hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones. Plus, it would give the five sects sending the Concubines a great deal of face.

’Being low-key at a time like this wouldn’t meet everyone’s expectations.’

Fang Qingyuan had always been one to listen to advice, so he said:

"In that case, you can handle the arrangements."

After saying this, Fang Qingyuan closed his eyes, and Liu Xun, taking the hint, excused himself.

.....

"Daoist partner?"

Inside Awakening Lion Valley, within the Tier Six Spirit Land Lion’s Nest, the Old Lion was fast asleep. But in the boundless, silver-white Spiritual Power Space, the Old Lion’s human incarnation was holding a manifested book and questioning the Soul Spirit of the One-armed Nascent Soul about his confusion.

"Your human descriptions of a ’Daoist partner’ are very strange. You have to win their affection, be constantly considerate and caring, just for a chance to earn the right to mate. And there are many examples where, even after doing all that, you still don’t get mating rights. It’s ridiculous."

The One-armed Nascent Soul glanced at the romance novel in the Old Lion’s hand. The author’s name was clearly female. A mocking smile touched his lips as he addressed the perplexed Old Lion:

"That is the ’love’ that certain groups champion. But they fail to realize that in the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, there has never been a place for a ’Dao of Love’. Everything in that book is pure fantasy. People only glorify it so much because it’s something they can’t have."

The Old Lion nodded in agreement. He tossed aside the book—some miscellaneous text he’d found in the storage bag of a Cultivator who’d foolishly stumbled into the valley—and continued his discussion with the One-armed Nascent Soul:

"Ever since I can remember, all I’ve seen is the victor taking all. The winner gets everything, and those who don’t submit, die. Some lionesses, banking on the favor they received from the old lion king, would disrespect the new lion king. Their end was to be bitten to death on the spot.

Their cubs would also be killed immediately. Then, the lion king would force the lionesses to mate with him until they bore his own offspring. I see no ’love’ in any of that."

The One-armed Nascent Soul smiled. His form was more illusory now than when he first entered this silver-white space, but he showed no fear.

’The Old Lion before me is powerful, even stronger than my master. He’s a decisive factor, enough to change the outcome of this world. If I can impress my ideals upon this Old Lion, I will have no regrets, even if I turn to dust right here and now.’

"Love is a poison to you. What you must do is stand at the apex of this world and rule it. Did you know that beyond this world, there are even greater wonders to behold? Like, for example, the true origin of us humans."

The Old Lion was visibly moved by the One-armed Nascent Soul’s words. The Nascent Soul’s arrival had truly broadened his horizons. Compared to Huo Gan, who deliberately concealed things, the One-armed Nascent Soul told him everything he knew.

For the first time, the Old Lion was gaining a truly systematic understanding of this world. He also had a clearer understanding of his own place in it. The Old Lion now knew his predicament: Awakening Lion Valley was on the very edge of the human world, and in a few hundred years, he would surely be unable to defend it.

Remembering his battle with the master of Heaven and Earth Peak, the humanoid Old Lion couldn’t help but lick his lips. It was a habit from his lion form that only unconsciously revealed itself when he was deeply stirred.

That brief exchange on Heaven and Earth Peak had shown him hope—the hope of a Breakthrough Realm.

.....

"I don’t want to be someone’s Concubine! Even if he’s a Golden Core Cultivator! He’s a hundred and fifty years old—old enough to be my great-grandfather! I’m only twenty-three! I don’t want to be a Golden Finch in a cage for the rest of my life, never to be free again!"

In the Quiet Chamber of the Pan Mountain Sect’s Leader, the Sect Leader looked at the charming but incessantly complaining Female Cultivator before him, greatly annoyed. He said in a grave, earnest tone:

"Child, this is such a rare opportunity. To be by a Golden Core Ancestor’s side is a chance most people can only dream of. If you please the Ancestor and he casually leaks a few resources your way, it would be enough for you to reach Foundation Establishment. It wouldn’t be impossible to advance even further in the future. Why can’t you see that?"

The charming Female Cultivator stood five-foot-five, with a light and supple body, but her face was now set with determination. She held her chin high like a proud swan, showing no fear even before her own Sect Leader.

"I am devoted to the Great Dao. I have never considered becoming a Male Cultivator’s Daoist partner. And even if I were to seek a partner, I would be the one doing the choosing, not be eagerly sent to someone like a gift.

If he could cultivate from a mere Qi Cultivation practitioner to a Golden Core, then so can I! I have no interest in his family’s cultivation resources. I ask that the Sect Leader Ancestor choose someone else for this matter."

"You... Do you have any idea what you’re saying? Fine, fine. All these years of spoiling you have made you ignorant of the world’s harsh realities. I, too, am responsible for nurturing this personality of yours.

So be it. Out of respect for your father, who died fighting for the sect, I will choose someone else since you are unwilling.

Frankly, in terms of looks and charm, you weren’t the first choice anyway. Since it has come to this, just make sure you don’t regret it later."

The Pan Mountain Sect Leader sighed incessantly. The charming Female Cultivator’s expression was now resolute as she declared solemnly:

"I, Fang Linglong, will have no regrets!"

Watching Fang Linglong’s proud departure, the Pan Mountain Sect Leader had no choice but to summon the second candidate.

This woman was the very picture of feminine charm and beauty. She was over five-foot-seven tall, possessed a Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer cultivation, and had Upper Grade Spirit Root Talent. Even in the Pan Mountain Sect, she was a rare Core Disciple.

Her only drawback was her background. She came from a wealthy mortal family, not a cultivation lineage, so her status in the Pan Mountain Sect naturally couldn’t compare to Fang Linglong’s.

"Wenyan, do you know why I have summoned you?"

Liu Wenyan curtsied gracefully, her etiquette flawless. She said solemnly:

"This disciple is willing to serve the sect and repay the grace it has shown in nurturing me over the years."

Seeing how sensible Liu Wenyan was, the Pan Mountain Sect Leader said with relief:

"It’s rare for someone so young to be so understanding. Rest assured, becoming a Concubine to the esteemed Alliance Leader is an event of great benefit to the sect, your family, and yourself. Therefore, once you enter the gates of the Qingyuan Sect, you must not, under any circumstances, bring shame to our Pan Mountain Sect."

"Wenyan understands."

Seeing Liu Wenyan’s demeanor and comparing it to Fang Linglong’s just moments before, the Pan Mountain Sect Leader shook his head. ’Senior Brother Fang,’ he thought, ’it’s not that I’m disregarding our old ties.’

Five days later, after a tearful farewell, Liu Wenyan stepped into the Camel Ray Palace sent by the Qingyuan Sect. With a dozen dowry Servants and a vast dowry, she flew toward the distant Qingyuan Sect, escorted by thirty Qi Cultivation Cultivators.