Chapter 20 : Beast King, Little White Snake
Chapter 20: Beast King, Little White Snake!
Time flowed on, and another year passed.
【Gu Yan】
【Lifespan: 26/820】
【Realm: Foundation Establishment · Sixth Layer】
【Entry: 《Five Elements Spiritual Body · Orange》】
【Cultivation Technique: 《Taiyi Dao Virtue Scripture · Complete Volume》……】
【Martial Arts: 《Flowing Light Splitting Shadow Sword》, 《One-Line Sky》……】
Within his body, all three hundred sixty-five acupoints had been completely filled with liquid spiritual power.
Not only had his immortal cultivation advanced to the Sixth Layer of Foundation Establishment, but his martial dao cultivation had also naturally reached the Sixth Revolution—the realm of Martial Immortal.
What caused a slight stir in Gu Yan’s heart was that the additional five hundred years of lifespan gained from this martial dao breakthrough had directly stacked with the lifespan obtained from his immortal cultivation, bringing his total lifespan to eight hundred twenty years!
At that very moment, a roar filled with wild ferocity sounded from outside the pavilion, interrupting Gu Yan’s thoughts.
He frowned slightly, stood up, and pushed the door open.
Having guarded Myriad Beast Valley for a year, the valley entrance’s illusion formation had never failed—yet today, a beast had actually broken out?
On the open ground outside stood a white tiger.
Its fur was as white as snow, interspersed with black stripes, its eyes gleaming with intelligence.
With every glance, it exuded the imposing aura of a king of the mountains, its vitality far surpassing that of ordinary beasts.
“Quite a spirited tiger,” Gu Yan evaluated inwardly, not stopping his steps as he prepared to drive it back into the formation.
Unexpectedly, upon seeing him approach, the white tiger let out a low growl and lunged first!
Gu Yan’s expression did not change. At the instant the tiger reached him, he casually swung a slap.
Pa!
A dull sound rang out.
The ferocious white tiger was immediately smashed into the ground by an invisible force.
It shook its somewhat dazed head. When it looked up again, the fierceness in its eyes had completely vanished, replaced only with clarity.
Almost at the same time, the door of another pavilion opened, and a graceful figure flashed out—it was Ji Yingying, who was also on guard duty here.
She had clearly been alarmed by the roar and the dull impact. The moment she stepped out, she witnessed Gu Yan’s casual slap in its entirety.
This person… had actually hidden his strength to such an extent?
She recognized that white tiger—it was one of the exotic beasts raised within Myriad Beast Valley.
So-called exotic beasts possessed slightly awakened intelligence compared to ordinary ferocious beasts, with powerful vitality and great strength.
The force of its pounce was not something an ordinary Second Revolution martial practitioner could handle so easily.
Gu Yan had already noticed Ji Yingying’s presence. He slightly nodded in her direction as a greeting.
Then he stepped forward, grabbed the loose skin at the back of the tiger’s neck, and lifted it up like a large cat.
The several-hundred-jin tiger felt as light as nothing in his hand.
“Little tiger, the valley is your home. Outside is dangerous.”
As he spoke, Gu Yan walked to the edge of the illusion formation, flicked his wrist, and tossed the still-confused tiger back inside.
……
Meanwhile, at the main hall of Cloud-Mist Peak in the Taiyi Dao Sect.
The atmosphere was solemn.
More than a dozen elders with deep and steady auras sat in rows.
The lowest among them had late-stage Third Revolution martial dao cultivation—they were the true high-level figures of the sect.
Seated at the head was Elder Jiansu, the chief of the Enforcement Hall of Sword-Resting Peak.
His face was resolute as he spoke in a deep voice:
“Everyone, the Sect Master has not yet returned from his travels. Recently, the beast groups in Myriad Beast Valley have been acting abnormally, often showing signs of gathering. We must decide on countermeasures.”
An elder from Pill Glow Peak stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Jiansu, from my observation, the valley’s illusion formations remain intact. The beasts’ movements do not seem like a natural riot.”
“I suspect this may be related to the covert activities of the Extreme Yin Demon Sect.”
Another elder from Cloud-Mist Peak agreed, “Indeed. Those demonic cultivators are skilled in beast-driving techniques.”
“Myriad Beast Valley has been cultivated by our sect for a hundred years. The exotic and ferocious beasts within have formed a considerable force. If the Demonic Sect makes use of them, coordinating from inside and outside, it could bring disaster.”
“To be safe, we should send additional personnel, strengthen patrols at each valley entrance, and investigate the root cause of the beasts’ abnormal behavior.”
Elder Jiansu summarized:
“Good. Each peak will dispatch elite disciples. Four additional members will be assigned to each entrance, rotating in defense while seeking the truth.”
With the decision made, orders were swiftly transmitted throughout the sect.
……
Several days later, at Entrance Seventeen of Myriad Beast Valley.
Gu Yan noticed that this usually quiet valley entrance had suddenly become livelier.
In addition to him and Ji Yingying, four more young faces had arrived, all dressed as inner sect disciples with extraordinary bearing.
They were clearly true disciples of various elders, their cultivation around the mid to late stages of the Second Revolution.
Gu Yan extended his divine sense slightly and caught key details from their fragmented conversations:
Beast unrest. Suspicion of the Demonic Sect. Reinforced patrols.
He understood immediately but remained calm, continuing his usual routine—handling night duty,
and spending most of the day meditating in the pavilion chamber, with little interaction with the newcomers.
Ji Yingying was the same. With her naturally cold temperament, she disliked socializing.
The four true disciples did not mind.
Ji Yingying was a direct disciple of Elder Qingyue—they did not dare disturb her easily.
As for Gu Yan, merely an ordinary inner sect disciple, they had no interest in befriending him.
Thus, another year passed.
After reaching the Sixth Layer of Foundation Establishment, Gu Yan’s demand for spiritual energy became increasingly immense.
One dantian plus three hundred sixty-five acupoints—it was like a bottomless abyss that could never be filled.
Yet his mindset remained steady, cultivating step by step every day.
With more than eight hundred years of lifespan in hand—
panic?
Nonexistent.
One day during daylight, as Gu Yan was calmly cultivating, his divine sense suddenly detected an old man in a worn gray daoist robe.
He appeared abruptly before the four disciples on daytime duty.
The four were initially stunned, but upon recognizing the old man’s face, they were shocked and immediately bowed deeply.
“Greetings, Sect Master!”
Sect Master?
Gu Yan’s divine sense sharpened slightly.
The old man’s vitality was like a concealed furnace, and the flow of internal force within him was upright and harmonious—it was indeed the orthodox path of the Taiyi Dao Sect.
The old man stroked his beard and smiled:
“You disciples are guarding here at an opportune time. The energy within the valley is surging, seemingly abnormal—there may be an opportunity.”
“Would you be willing to follow this old man inside to take a look?”
Upon hearing this, the four showed almost no hesitation. Their faces filled with excitement as they responded in unison:
“We are willing!”
A joke—being personally led by the Sect Master to obtain an opportunity was like a blessing falling from the heavens. Why hesitate?
The Sect Master nodded. “Very good. Wait here for a moment.”
With that, he turned and walked toward Gu Yan’s pavilion chamber.
A knock sounded on the door.
Gu Yan rose and opened it.
The old man’s gaze fell upon Gu Yan, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes—what a handsome young man.
“Young friend, are you also a guard disciple? Would you like to follow this old man into Myriad Beast Valley and obtain an opportunity?”
Gu Yan declined politely. “Thank you for your kindness, Senior. This disciple is on duty and does not dare to leave without permission.”
“Oh?” The Sect Master’s smile did not change. “Do you know who I am?”
“This disciple does not.”
“This old man’s dao name is Xuanchenzi.”
Xuanchenzi—the dao name of the current Sect Master of the Taiyi Dao Sect.
Gu Yan immediately revealed appropriate realization and respect. “So it is the Sect Master in person. This disciple was disrespectful.”
“No matter.” Xuanchenzi waved his hand and asked again, “Then, are you willing to go for this opportunity?”
“This disciple must remain on guard duty and cannot comply,” Gu Yan still refused.
Xuanchenzi looked at him deeply, yet showed no displeasure. Instead, he nodded.
“Steady of mind, devoted to duty. Not bad.”
With that, he said no more and turned to leave.
Through his divine sense, Gu Yan saw him head toward Ji Yingying’s pavilion.
Before long, Ji Yingying joined the four disciples.
With a flick of his sleeve, Xuanchenzi led the five directly through the illusion formation and into Myriad Beast Valley.
Although Gu Yan did not want to go, he still wanted to watch the situation unfold.
Thus, his divine sense extended, firmly locking onto the group of six.
The valley was dense with forests and complex terrain.
As Xuanchenzi led them forward, he spoke:
“Do you know why this old man came personally, and why I brought you into the valley?”
The five shook their heads.
Xuanchenzi said:
“The recent unrest among the beasts shows organized gathering yet restrained action—this is not ordinary.”
“To command so many beasts, it cannot be an ordinary ferocious creature. It must be a king among exotic beasts.”
“This opportunity is that beast king.”
“This old man will oversee your safety. Whoever can subdue it may claim it for themselves.”
At these words, aside from Ji Yingying who remained composed, the other four disciples revealed ecstatic joy.
To subdue an exotic beast—and a king among them!
If successful, not only would it greatly increase their combat strength, but it would also grant prestige—imagine riding such a beast through the martial world.
The mere thought made their blood boil.
Soon, they arrived at the edge of a cliff.
Xuanchenzi gestured for them to look down.
Below lay a wide barren valley, and the sight within made one’s scalp tingle.
Tigers, leopards, bears, wolves, cattle, sheep, wild boars…
Even brightly feathered chickens and ducks, far larger than their ordinary counterparts.
They coexisted peacefully with carnivorous beasts, all crouched silently.
The number of beasts exceeded a thousand. Though of mixed species, they maintained an eerie stillness.
At the center of this sea of beasts, upon a protruding gray rock, coiled a small white snake with a body like jade.
Its body was only as thick as a child’s arm, no more than three feet long.
Its pair of crimson eyes swept coldly over the surrounding beasts.
Occasionally, its tongue flicked, causing nearby ferocious beasts to tremble slightly.
Xuanchenzi pointed at the white snake and said:
“The opportunity lies below. Go and claim it according to your own abilities.”
“Remember, this old man will only ensure you do not die.”
“As for whether you lose an arm or a leg—that depends on your own skill.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Yingying felt no fear and acted immediately.
She knew that a beast king capable of commanding such a horde would be of great use—perhaps even a key aid in her future revenge against the Ji family.
With a light tap of her foot on the cliff edge, her figure transformed into a fleeting shadow, drifting downward.
Even more astonishing, at her right chest, a faint blue light pulsed like a heart.
Gu Yan’s divine sense keenly captured this detail.
“Her heart is on the right side? And this movement technique…”
He had read through the Scripture Pavilions of all peaks within the Taiyi Dao Sect and was confident in his knowledge of its martial arts.
Yet he had never seen such a strange movement technique—not even similar records existed.
This Ji Yingying clearly had her own secrets.
The other four disciples, seeing Ji Yingying move, no longer hesitated and leapt down after her.
Their descent was like stones thrown into a calm lake, instantly breaking the silence of the valley.
The beasts near the cliff let out low growls, and several ferocious creatures charged first!
Ji Yingying’s movement was bizarre—her shadow flickered repeatedly, causing all attacks to miss.
Her target was clear—the white snake at the center.
The other four disciples were not so fortunate.
Landing at the edge of the beast horde, they were immediately surrounded.
Sword light flashed, fists and palms roared, internal force surged as they battled the attacking beasts.
These beasts were no ordinary creatures—thick-skinned, immensely strong.
Shouts and roars intertwined, the scene intense and chaotic.
Meanwhile, Ji Yingying had already closed in rapidly on the white snake with her strange movement technique.
“Looks like there’s no suspense.”
Gu Yan thought to himself and withdrew his divine sense, no longer paying attention.
The outcome was already predictable—the white snake would most likely fall into Ji Yingying’s hands.
As for this so-called beast king—
he had no interest whatsoever.
Keeping a pet… just sounded troublesome.