Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion-Chapter 85: The Black Law of Yindu

Fang Qingyuan emerged from the Immortal Mansion and looked at the Golden Jade Flower Honey cupped in his hand, enveloped by his Spiritual Power. He placed a few drops into his mouth.

Instantly, a rich floral fragrance filled his mouth, a taste so captivating it left Fang Qingyuan feeling utterly intoxicated.

A few breaths later, a chubby, rolling figure burst into the tent from outside. Jinbao came scrambling in and stared intently at the Golden Jade Flower Honey in Fang Qingyuan’s hand.

’So it smelled the honey.’ Fang Qingyuan chuckled and playfully scolded the bear before taking a dollop and smearing it into Jinbao’s mouth.

The moment the Golden Jade Flower Honey entered its mouth, Jinbao’s big eyes squeezed shut in blissful comfort. After smacking its lips a few times, it began pestering Fang Qingyuan for more.

But Fang Qingyuan wasn’t about to indulge it this time. ’I have other uses for this Flower Nectar.’

Today was the day the Beast Taming Sect disciples were withdrawing from the front lines at Celestial Attraction Mountain. Fang Qingyuan wanted to use the Flower Nectar to make honey-stuffed lotus root, a welcome-home meal for Zhang Yuan.

However, Fang Qingyuan had underestimated the allure of Flower Nectar to a bear. For the next fifteen minutes, wherever he went, Jinbao followed, even clinging to his leg and refusing to let go.

Passing Cultivators snickered at the sight. Some Female Cultivators even wanted to step forward and pet the bear, but they all thought better of it, deterred by Fang Qingyuan’s status.

In the end, Fang Qingyuan gave in and handed the remaining Golden Jade Flower Honey to Jinbao. He then went back into his Immortal Mansion to borrow some more from the Bee Queen.

This arrangement left both Fang Qingyuan and Jinbao quite satisfied. The only one feeling heartbroken was the Bee Queen.

In the afternoon, Fang Qingyuan led his ten subordinates and joined the thousand or so Cultivators gathered in the Shandu Great Stronghold to welcome their fellow sect members returning from the front.

On the distant horizon, a massive formation of beast-ships approached. Even before they arrived, a grim, murderous aura swept over the area, stunning all present.

Fang Qingyuan’s expression was stirred by the sight. After being baptized by such a battle, the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect could now truly be called an elite force.

Previously, the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect were accustomed to a free and undisciplined life, excelling more at individual combat. But now, after half a year on the front lines, their entire spirit had changed upon their return.

As the grim formation drew near, the welcome ceremony prepared at the Great Stronghold began with a flourish.

After a few words were exchanged between several of the Foundation Establishment Uncles, the formation of more than four hundred disciples instantly disbanded, melting into the crowd of the Shandu Great Stronghold.

Fang Qingyuan remained where he was, activating a visual spell to search for Zhang Yuan, but after a moment of searching, he still couldn’t find him.

A jolt of alarm shot through his heart. ’Could that rascal have actually died?’

’It made sense. After sending that ominous letter, Zhang Yuan had gone completely silent. It seemed his chances had been slim.’

But before Fang Qingyuan could even feel sad for more than a few moments, he spotted the rascal. Zhang Yuan was hiding under a Camel Beast, a wine jar in hand, gulping down its contents.

’So he was hiding here drinking!’ Seeing this, Fang Qingyuan’s face darkened as he strode forward.

"You lout, didn’t you know I came to welcome you?"

Zhang Yuan opened his hazy eyes and stared at Fang Qingyuan, a look of surprise eventually dawning on his face.

"Huh? What are you doing here? Oh, right, I have some good stuff for you."

Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan’s mood instantly brightened. ’So my trip wasn’t a waste after all. That guy Zhang Yuan really is thoughtful.’

But when Zhang Yuan pulled a large pile of broken Magical Artifact materials from his storage bag, Fang Qingyuan’s face darkened once more.

Seeing Fang Qingyuan’s reaction, Zhang Yuan said:

"This isn’t for you, it’s for your little bear. Doesn’t he have that iron-eating Talent? This stuff is perfect for him."

Fang Qingyuan’s little bear cub actually possessed four major Innate Divine Techniques, but Fang Qingyuan had only publicly declared the one most easily discovered: Devour Gold and Chew Iron.

Even then, Fang Qingyuan had concealed most of it, claiming Jinbao only had an iron-eating Talent while hiding the gold-swallowing part.

An iron-eating ability sounded similar to Devour Gold and Chew Iron, but the effects were vastly different. Fang Qingyuan had spread this false information because he was afraid of Jinbao being seen consuming Gold Attribute Spiritual Materials, wanting to prevent anyone with ill intent from taking notice.

’I can’t believe Zhang Yuan actually went out of his way to collect these broken Magical Artifact fragments just to give Jinbao an extra snack.’

Zhang Yuan continued,

"On the front lines, after every battle, there was never enough time to even collect the corpses, let alone worry about scattered Magical Artifact fragments. So I picked up quite a few. It saves you the trouble of having to search for them."

"That was very thoughtful of you. Alright then, I’ll take these Magical Artifact fragments. I reckon Jinbao won’t be short on snacks to grind his teeth on for the next few years."

Fang Qingyuan laughed heartily and put the items into his storage bag. Then he pulled Zhang Yuan over to his squad and introduced him.

"This is my junior brother, Zhang Yuan. If I’m not around in the future and you need anything, you can go to him just the same."

As soon as he said this, Fang Qingyuan’s ten subordinates all stepped forward to pay their respects. Zhang Yuan, however, waved his hands frantically.

"Senior Brother, please spare me! I just want to find a quiet place to drink."

Fang Qingyuan just smiled and let the matter drop. The group then crowded around Zhang Yuan and headed for the tavern they had booked.

After three rounds of drinks, with cups and plates scattered about, Zhang Yuan’s gaze grew unfocused. Qi Cultivation Cultivators shouldn’t be able to get drunk, but Zhang Yuan enjoyed the sensation fine wine provided, so he didn’t use his Spiritual Power to dispel the alcohol’s effects, instead allowing it to run its course.

After Fang Qingyuan escorted Zhang Yuan to his assigned quarters, Zhang Yuan grabbed his arm.

"Senior Brother Qingyuan, I actually have a gift for you, too. I just didn’t take it out during the day with so many people and prying eyes around. Now that we’re alone, take it and keep it hidden. Don’t let anyone see."

Zhang Yuan’s mysterious tone amused Fang Qingyuan. ’What in the world could it be that’s so secretive?’

Then, with a sly grin, Zhang Yuan pulled a dozen or so jade slips from his storage bag, stuffed them into Fang Qingyuan’s hand, and whispered:

"Those White Mountain Loose Cultivators are a wild bunch, completely unscrupulous. They’ll practice any Cultivation Technique they can get their hands on. These jade slips are all spoils of war we seized. The Cultivation Techniques recorded in them are rarely seen here in the Southern Border. I’m giving them to you, Senior Brother, so you can... you know, take a good look and ’critique’ them."

Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan’s interest was instantly piqued. He picked up a jade slip, extended a sliver of his Divine Sense to probe it, and a line of information immediately appeared in his mind:

"The Eighteen Illustrated Arts of the Maiden’s Yin-Yang Union!"

Seeing this title, Fang Qingyuan’s brow furrowed. ’Such a wicked Cultivation Technique... it certainly does require a thorough critique.’

"Good junior brother, thank you for your trouble. You get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll go see the Foundation Establishment Uncle together. I’ll be sure to find a good position for you."

After getting Zhang Yuan settled, Fang Qingyuan hurried back to his own tent. He activated the Five Elements Illusion Array that enveloped his tent, then finally took out the pile of jade slips from Zhang Yuan, preparing to ’critique’ them one by one.

However, after examining eight of the jade slips, his expression shifted as he picked up the ninth. This one was very different in style from the previous eight.

It was an ordinary-looking jade slip. On the surface, it seemed no different from the other slips in need of ’critique.’ Yet its contents unsettled Fang Qingyuan. The very first line of information within made its purpose clear:

"The Yindu Black Law Soul-Binding Spell!"