Beast Taming: Bloodline Golden Hand

In the depths of the Divine Realm, within an ancient shrine, the atmosphere was both solemn and oppressive.

The high-ranking members of the four divine clans were gathered here.

At the top of the grand hall, seated on four thrones symbolizing supreme power, were four elders exuding an aura of terror.

They were the reclusive elders of each clan, each possessing the power to shake the world.

From the Dragon Race, Xuanyuan Clan, the elder Xuanyuan Cang.

His hair and beard were white, and as his eyes opened and closed, golden dragons seemed to swim within them, emanating a suffocating, violent draconic presence.

The prior deaths of the Dragon Clan's elder and Saint Heir were a source of great shame for him.

He was compelled to emerge from seclusion to address this matter.

From the Phoenix Clan, Gu Clan, the elder Gu Yue.

She was an elderly woman with a cold, stunning visage, gripping a red phoenix-headed staff that caused the surrounding space to distort slightly due to the high temperature.

From the Divine Tiger Clan, Ji Clan, the elder Ji Lie.

His build was as robust as a tower, his bare upper body tattooed with totems, exuding an immense murderous aura.

Only the elder Jiang He of the Qilin Clan, Jiang Clan, appeared relatively gentle, save for the occasional sharp glint in his eyes that marked him as no easy opponent.

After all, of the four families, only the Jiang family had not yet formed an unresolvable blood feud with Lin Chen.

In fact, they were all forcibly awakened to deal with this issue.

Nevertheless, at this moment, they were discussing matters concerning the Celestial Capital.

"Is the information reliable?"

Xuanyuan Cang's voice rumbled like thunder:

"Did this human woman named Bai Ling really attack the Celestial Capital?"

"Absolutely."

The spy below reported tremulously:

"Bai Ling, carrying a Calamity-Devouring Beast, forced Gu Ning to unleash his Ancestral Dragon Power, and even almost reached a stalemate..."

"...Later, Lin Chen arrived, rescued Bai Ling, and had a fierce confrontation with Gu Ning, with both sides seemingly having severed ties."

Hearing this, the four elders were all taken aback, then showed expressions of strangeness.

What has happened to the Human Race?

First came Lin Chen, then a Celestial Spirit Body, and now Bai Ling and Gu Ning have emerged.

Why have so many prodigies suddenly appeared?

Especially Gu Ning's Ancestral Dragon Power, which even the Xuanyuan Race dreads.

The Ancestor Dragon is the sovereign of ten thousand dragons; if the Xuanyuan Race faces Gu Ning in the future, it might suffer a loss.

As for Bai Ling's Calamity-Devouring Beast, it remains an enigma, with no one understanding its origins.

Gu Yue uttered a cold laugh, tapping her staff heavily on the ground:

"Faced with a great enemy, they are indulging in internal conflict."

"This hereditary weakness dooms them to nothing more than ants."

Ji Lie let out a sinister laugh, his eyes boiling with killing intent:

"No matter why they fight internally, it is a heaven-sent opportunity for us!"

"It's not too late to annihilate Lin Chen's Spirit Academy before destroying the Celestial Capital."

Jiang He remained cautious, declaring solemnly:

"The Celestial Capital has deep foundations, and Gu Ning has received the Ancestral Dragon inheritance, making his strength formidable."

"If we attack the Spirit Academy and the Celestial Capital strikes from behind, we must guard against it."

"Then simply ask directly!" Xuanyuan Cang commanded domineeringly, "Send a message to Gu Ning, ask him if he plans to fight or make peace!"

Soon, the four families dispatched a Divine Envoy to the Celestial Capital, quickly receiving a response.

"As the elders predicted, Gu Ning has already consolidated the forces of the Celestial Capital, and on the surface, the four divine families still exist, but in truth they are controlled by the National Master's Institute...

The Divine Envoy hastily arrived:

"Gu Ning has already stated that the existence of the Spirit Academy is irrelevant to the Celestial Capital."

Upon hearing this affirmation, the four elders exchanged glances, seeing the delight in each other's eyes.

"Good! Good, it's irrelevant!"

Xuanyuan Cang stood abruptly, erupting with an overwhelming killing intent that swept through the grand hall:

"Since Gu Ning is uninvolved, no one can save Lin Chen!"

"Issue the order!"

"Mobilize all divine clan elites, regardless of branch or main line, with full force!"

"The target—Thunder City!"

"This time, I will show the Human Race the true might of the divine!"

"I will hang Lin Chen's head upon the gate of the Divine Realm!"

"As you command—!!!"

...

Thunder City

Spirit Academy.

Though storms brewed outside, the elegant chamber was extraordinarily tranquil.

Lin Chen and Bai Ling sat facing each other, with Liu Gu pouring tea nearby.

The Calamity-Devouring Beast, now much smaller, lay in the corner, its cold aura still deterring any approach even in rest.

After a long conversation, Lin Chen finally untangled the sequence of events.

"So, it was the old physician who informed you about the four families' plotting back in the day?"

Lin Chen put down his teacup, inquiring softly.

"Yes." Bai Ling nodded, a flicker of reminiscence in her eyes, then speaking quickly:

"But choosing revenge was my own desire."

Lin Chen didn't comment further; even if Bai Ling had learned of this and sought vengeance,

Lin Chen would have personally intervened upon knowing the truth himself.

In the past, Bai Ling slew the Nine Netherworld Snake to save all living beings, but the four great families plotted and betrayed her from the shadows, truly a reason for outrage.

"About the resurrection of the Calamity-Devouring Beast..."

Lin Chen turned his head, his gaze falling upon the Calamity-Devouring Beast that appeared to be asleep but whose ears were slightly twitching:

"It came back to life, this means of reversing Yin and Yang, what exactly is it..."

Upon hearing this question, Bai Ling fell silent.

She lowered her head, avoiding Lin Chen's probing gaze, her fingers tightly twisting the corner of her clothes:

"Lin Chen, it's not that I don't trust you, but I've sworn a blood oath, promised my mentor never to reveal this method to outsiders."

Lin Chen and Liu Gu exchanged a glance, a trace of understanding flashing in their eyes.

Everyone has their own secrets, especially one as shocking and taboo as this.

"In that case, we won't ask further."

Liu Gu broke the silence, he walked over to Bai Ling, smiling with the kindness of an elder as he said:

"Silly girl, since you've told us this, how can we possibly not help you?"

Bai Ling's eyes reddened slightly at his words, feeling a bit guilty as she sneaked a glance at Lin Chen.

She had chosen to keep it a secret because she didn't want to implicate Lin Chen and the Spirit Academy, but she hadn't expected to ultimately fail in her revenge.

In her heart, she knew, with Lin Chen's intelligence, how could he not guess the key to the Calamity-Devouring Beast's strength?

The Calamity-Devouring Beast was able to return from death, growing into its current terrifying state, and even possessing an abyssal domain, not only because of the divine powers of that mysterious old physician but also because, along its way, it devoured the essence blood and souls of countless Beastmasters and Demon Beasts.

This was a path paved with blood; although mostly the blood of evildoers, in the eyes of the world, it was still a demonic path.

Yet Lin Chen's expression remained calm, without a trace of disgust or disdain.

"Where is that old physician now?"

Lin Chen didn't dwell on the previous issue but asked the question that concerned him the most.

This mysterious old physician, possessing such extraordinary means but deliberately concealing his identity, what was he really planning?

"My mentor has left," Bai Ling said softly:

"He told me before I set off for the Celestial Capital that as soon as I exposed my identity by taking action, he would completely disappear, severing all ties of causality with me."

"He said... fate has ended, and even I won't be able to find him again."

Lin Chen fell into deep thought at these words.

The constant mention of fate, indeed a trait of the National Preceptor lineage.

This old physician, possessing vast divine abilities, yet conducting himself so mysteriously and unfathomably.

Now, it seems, his favor towards Bai Ling should be greater than enmity; otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to save her.

But there is no love without reason in this world, nor hatred without reason.

A mighty figure with the power to overturn the heavens, going through such trouble to nurture Bai Ling, could it really be merely because of "fate"?

Is there an even larger scheme hidden behind this?

As Lin Chen pondered, a sudden, rapid, and heavy footstep sounded outside the door, shattering the tranquility within the room.

The newcomer was none other than Daoist Zhang, responsible for intelligence and defense deployment.

Beads of sweat covered his forehead, his complexion more serious than ever before.

Lin Chen glanced at Liu Gu, who was comforting Bai Ling, and rose silently, quickly stepping outside the room, closing the door gently behind him.

"What's happened?"

Lin Chen asked in a low voice, already harboring a foreboding feeling.

Daoist Zhang took a deep breath, speaking quickly:

"A message from the scout at the front line!"

"The main forces of the four Divine Races have assembled and are advancing at full speed towards Thunder City!"

"This time, the scale is unprecedented, led personally by the Supreme Elders of the four great families, reportedly numbering a hundred thousand Divine Army!"

"Judging by their marching speed... it's estimated they'll be at the city gates in three days!"

Three days.

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp gleam of cold light flashing in his eyes.

"So, they finally come..."

He was not flustered but rather felt a sense of calm as if everything had settled into place.

Lin Chen turned, just about to push the door open to have a few words with Liu Gu, but the door creaked open from inside.

Liu Gu stood at the doorway; he clearly had also heard the commotion outside. He looked at Lin Chen, then at Bai Ling behind him, sighing:

"You go on; there's no need to worry here. I'll take care of Bai Ling."

However, before he finished speaking, a clear and resolute voice came from behind Liu Gu.

"Teacher, I'm no longer a child."

Bai Ling stepped out from the shadows, all traces of gentleness vanished, replaced by a resolute fortitude forged through life and death.

She didn't look at Liu Gu but fixed her gaze directly on Lin Chen, her once-confused eyes now ablaze with intense fighting spirit:

"Lin Chen, take me with you."

Liu Gu was stunned.

"I'm a part of the Spirit Academy, am I not?"

Though Bai Ling's voice was soft, it was firm and resolute:

"That day, it was all of you who protected me."

"I've always regarded the Spirit Academy as my second home."

Lin Chen looked at Bai Ling, then at the Calamity-Devouring Beast, which slowly revealed its fangs behind her.

He was somewhat surprised but then immediately at ease.

Today's Bai Ling was no longer the girl who needed to hide behind them.

With the Calamity-Devouring Beast as a powerful weapon in her hands, her combat strength was undoubtedly top-tier.

Although outsiders might see her as a demon, fear her power, in Lin Chen's eyes, regardless of the means, as long as the heart remains unchanged, she is still that same Bai Ling.

"Alright."

Lin Chen nodded, a slight curve forming at the corners of his mouth:

"Then let's go together and leave them no chance."