I Tame Beasts by Feeding

People always fixate on the glory of first place, while second is often forgotten.

And so, even though Gu Zhen—a genius in his own right—was also present, at this moment, he was reduced to a mere backdrop for Yu Changsheng.

It wasn’t just because Yu Changsheng had reached the 8,000th step and manifested a grand phenomenon. The more significant reason was that he had killed Huang Suyu right in front of the Sect Leader.

This feat alone commanded the awe of many. Thus, even when standing among other geniuses, and despite his Cultivation not yet being at Foundation Establishment, no one dared treat him as a mere Qi Refining disciple.

Receiving the Foundation Establishment Pill was a pleasant surprise for Yu Changsheng, but what Lu Ruikai said next astonished him even more.

"After several hundred years, someone has once again climbed 8,000 steps of the Celestial Ladder and manifested a grand phenomenon. Congratulations, Yu Changsheng. You have successfully been promoted to Inner Sect Disciple. You do not need to participate in the remaining trials."

Lu Ruikai’s words startled the crowd of disciples, but upon reflection, no one had any objections.

The trials to become an Inner Sect Disciple were notoriously strict. Each time, over a thousand would participate, but only ten would pass and earn the promotion.

The first trial on the Celestial Ladder was certainly difficult, but nearly a hundred disciples managed to climb 5,000 steps. After that, further rounds of screening and elimination would follow. The goal was to select the cream of the crop—the most outstanding individuals from the very top.

Of course, there were exceptions. Anyone who could reach the 8,000-step mark would be promoted directly to Inner Sect Disciple.

After all, in the sect’s long history, anyone who successfully reached the 8,000-step mark was, without exception, a peerless genius who caused a massive stir.

Just then, several long, rainbow-like streaks of light shot across the sky, drawing closer.

One of the figures was tall and imposing. Merely by floating there, the aura he casually emanated was enough to make the hearts of the onlookers tremble.

"Is that... Yang Wenhao, the Peak Master of Overlord Blade Peak?"

"And Mo Pengchen, the Peak Master of Beast Taming Peak!"

"That’s Guardian Elder Mu Chengping of Magic Peak, a Golden Core master!"

"One, two, three... So many Golden Core Elders!"

The disciples cried out in alarm, clicking their tongues in amazement as they watched the figures.

"It looks like half the Elders from the Five Peaks are here, aren’t they?"

Everyone was shocked. Such a grand spectacle was truly a rare sight.

"HAHAHA! After all this time, to witness another grand phenomenon! Excellent, excellent! Another true dragon among men has appeared."

The hearty voice rang out. Everyone looked and saw it was none other than Yang Wenhao, the Peak Master of Overlord Blade Peak.

He had a burly physique, and his every move was filled with an imposing masculine energy. His physical vitality was astonishing.

Yu Changsheng turned and, along with the other disciples, paid his respects to the Elders. Afterward, he gave Yang Wenhao a slight smile.

"What do you say, kid? I was watching your fight just now. For a Qi Refining cultivator to possess such a powerful physique... Since you’re an Inner Sect Disciple now, have you considered becoming my disciple?"

Yang Wenhao laughed heartily, stroking his short beard as he spoke to Yu Changsheng, his face full of admiration.

"Hmph! What nonsense are you talking, Old Yang? Changsheng is a disciple of my Beast Taming Peak. Even if he were to choose a master, it wouldn’t be your turn!"

Mo Pengchen snorted and turned to Yu Changsheng, a peculiar light flashing in his eyes.

He knew Yu Changsheng and had been silently observing him for a long time. He knew the boy was a rare talent, highly valued by Elder Wei, and had even considered taking him as his own disciple.

But he had never imagined that the young man would reach such heights.

Before Yang Wenhao could respond, Guardian Elder Mu Chengping from Magic Peak couldn’t help but retort:

"What do you mean, ’your Beast Taming Peak disciple’? Now that he’s in the Inner Sect, he has the right to choose again. Choosing a master isn’t limited to a single path. With a Divine Sense like his even at the Qi Refining realm, wouldn’t learning Techniques yield twice the results with half the effort? Yu Changsheng is the one who should be my disciple!"

Yu Changsheng had met this Golden Core Elder once before. It was the man who had been selling lectures at the Fish Market to make some money. He had to admit, the Elder’s Fireball Skill was impressive, and his explanations were excellent, giving him a great deal of inspiration.

Hearing this, another Golden Core Elder turned. He looked at Yu Changsheng with a kind expression and asked in a gentle voice, "Changsheng, you have a talent for Alchemy as well. I heard Gongsun Yang mention you. Why not become my disciple? I watched your battle just now. You lack top-tier defensive means, and our Jade Cauldron Peak is perfectly suited to remedy that flaw."

"Ahem..." Lu Ruikai could no longer remain aloof. He coughed lightly, clasped his hands behind his back, and said, "Kid, if you’re interested, how about becoming my disciple? When the heart yearns for something, why fear a long and arduous path? The Great Dao is without obstruction. With a sword in your heart, you can cut down anything that stands in your way."

Watching the powerful figures before him practically falling over each other, Yu Changsheng was a little dumbfounded.

But even more dumbfounded were the other Elders and the crowd of disciples.

"Two Peak Masters and a group of Guardian Elders are all fighting to take Yu Changsheng as their disciple? Heavens, what kind of treatment is this!"

"I must be dreaming, right? Is this the reward for reaching 8,000 steps on the Celestial Ladder? I’m so jealous..."

"Yu Changsheng has really hit the big time now. Whether he becomes a Peak Master’s disciple or a personal disciple of one of those Golden Core Elders, it’s like ascending to the heavens in a single step."

The crowd of disciples was filled with envy. Gu Zhen and the other top talents also looked on with admiration, but no one dared voice any dissent.

Seeing the other Golden Core Elders so eager, Mo Pengchen grew anxious. He quickly said to Yu Changsheng, "You are a disciple of my Beast Taming Peak and have already formed a Spirit Beast Contract. Choosing the path of our Beast Taming Peak is the most suitable choice for you."

Lu Ruikai shook his head and said coolly, "I must disagree. One does not need to cultivate a single path exclusively. Yu Changsheng’s physical body and Divine Soul are far beyond what any ordinary Beast Master could compare to."

After a slight, hesitant pause, Lu Ruikai continued:

"Putting aside others, wasn’t even the astoundingly brilliant ancestor of your Beast Taming Lineage, Cao Jinxian, a dual cultivator of the Sword Dao and Beast Taming? The two paths didn’t interfere; they complemented each other."

"Yu Changsheng, you should consider it."

Lu Ruikai said coolly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he gazed at Yu Changsheng.

’Yu Changsheng only reached 8,000 steps on the Celestial Ladder, a far cry from Cao Jinxian. But how long has he been in the sect? He climbed 8,000 steps without even reaching Foundation Establishment Cultivation...’

’If Yu Changsheng were given more time, who could say for sure that he wouldn’t be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Cao Jinxian?’

’The higher one climbed the Celestial Ladder, the greater the pressure. The advantage a Foundation Establishment cultivator had over someone in Qi Refining was incomparable!’

’And most importantly, that Dao Mark phrase from Yu Changsheng had truly moved him. A Sword Cultivator needed precisely this kind of dauntless, forward-charging spirit.’

Yu Changsheng fell into thought at these words. After a moment, however, he shook his head, cupped his fist in his palm, and said apologetically,

"Thank you, all you Peak Masters and Elders, for your generous offers. Changsheng is endlessly grateful and deeply humbled. However, I have other plans, so I can only offer my sincere apologies to you all."

The moment he said this, it wasn’t just the disciples and other Elders who were stunned. Even Lu Ruikai and Yang Wenhao were dumbstruck. Only Mo Pengchen seemed lost in thought.

"What? Is Yu Changsheng crazy? How could he reject an opportunity like this?"

"What a fool! Every one of these Elders is a Golden Core True Master! If I could become their personal disciple, I’d wake up laughing in my sleep!"

Some were shocked. Others beat their chests and stamped their feet, their faces etched with incomprehension, their conversations filled with regret on Yu Changsheng’s behalf.