Clan Cultivation: Starting from Beast Taming

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Generally speaking, cultivators are accustomed to witnessing matters of life and death, and when they see a large number of their mortal kin harmed by Demon Beasts, they are naturally expected to feel empathy and anger.

There isn't a rule that requires cultivators to sacrifice themselves to save those mortals harmed by the Demon Flood Dragon.

One may opt not to save others if their abilities are insufficient.

However, having not even a trace of sympathy, and even using the matter as a topic of conversation, would be exceedingly cold-blooded.

And such cold-blooded individuals are clearly not the sort to make trustworthy friends.

Xu Kaishan had not noticed Zhou Chun's subtle movements, or perhaps even if he had seen them, he wouldn't have been able to guess his inner thoughts.

Xu was immersed in his own rhythm.

After recounting the events of that day, he couldn't help but wryly smile at Zhou Chun, "I must admit, even though Xu has always prided himself on being courageous and has experienced many dangers in his life."

"Yet when I caught sight of the Flood Dragon's silhouette that day, I was so overwhelmed by its majestic presence that I couldn't move an inch, and for the following half a month, I had nightmares filled with terrifying scenes of being devoured by the Flood Dragon!"

The intimidating aura of a third-order Flood Dragon is akin to a kind of Divine Soul attack spell; it's normal for lower-tier cultivators to be overwhelmed by it.

And that's with Xu being far enough away at the time. Had he been in close contact with the mischievous Demon Flood Dragon causing the flood, it wouldn't just have been half a month of nightmares.

He could very likely have been shattered by the dragon's majestic presence on the spot, or like the Demon Beasts, become subservient to the Demon Flood Dragon and reduced to being its puppet minion.

The Zhou Family once had an ancestor named Zhou Tong who slew a fourth-order Flood Dragon. The records he left on the Divine Skills and abilities of the Flood Dragon are very detailed, and nearly every Zhou Family Cultivator has read related classics, including Zhou Chun.

Therefore, upon hearing Xu's tale, Zhou Chun was not surprised, only asking with concern, "Then, Taoist Friend Xu, did you manage to get a clear look at the Demon Flood Dragon's appearance? Do you know what kind of Flood Dragon it was?"

Flood Dragons belong to a category of species, much as there are many types of dogs, there are also many types of Flood Dragons, such as...

The Fire Flood Dragon that spouts flame and controls fire...

The Ice Flood Dragon that exhales ice and brings down snow...

The Green Flood Dragon that commands the wind and gathers clouds...

The Dark Flood Dragon that summons the wind and calls the rain...

The Thunder Flood Dragon capable of manipulating thunder and lightning...

The venomous Poison Flood Dragon...

And so on, each distinct from the others.

Naturally, the strength of different varieties of Flood Dragons also varies.

After hearing Zhou Chun's question, Xu shook his head repeatedly, saying, "I couldn't make out what kind of Flood Dragon it was, only that the scales seemed to be black with dark clouds swirling around it."

Black scales with dark clouds accompanying?

Zhou Chun's expression changed, as though deep in thought.

Based on what he knew, there were probably three or four types of Flood Dragons that fit that description, with the Dark Flood Dragon and Ink Flood Dragon being the most likely.

The appearance and abilities of the Dark Flood Dragon and Ink Flood Dragon are very similar; it is easy for cultivators without deep knowledge of Flood Dragons to confuse the two.

However, the Dark Flood Dragon pertains to water, and it might also command Thunder Methods.

Although the Ink Flood Dragon is also water-related, it carries poison, said to have some abilities of the Poison Flood Dragon.

These two types of Flood Dragons are inherently fierce and cruel, standard varieties of the Demon Flood Dragon.

However, to avoid making Xu suspicious, Zhou Chun refrained from asking too many questions.

He promptly said, "Taoist Friend Han seems to have heard that the Flood Dragon that appeared in Cangyun River was not the only one; there have also been sightings of a green Flood Dragon!"

"Taoist Friend Han has also heard about this?"

A flash of surprise appeared on Xu's face, followed by a nod, "That's right, Xu has also heard that someone saw the Green Flood Dragon near Xifeng Crossing, but whether it's true or not remains unknown!"

At this juncture, Xu suddenly directed his gaze steadfastly at Zhou Chun, softly asking, "Please forgive my boldness, but does Taoist Friend Han have any particular plans in seeking the shadow of the Flood Dragon here in Sanjiangkou?"

The crucial moment has arrived!

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Zhou Chun's mind stirred, knowing that Xu Kaishan wanted to lay his cards on the table.

From the beginning, he knew that the true reason Xu Kaishan and his companion sought him out had nothing to do with exchanging information about Flood Dragons.

That was merely a pretext to approach him.

He, too, wanted to know more information and, confident in his own intelligence and strength, had not declined the invitation.

Now that he had been given a bit of a "sweetener," Xu Kaishan was clearly ready to reveal his hand.

But Zhou Chun was not planning to play the role in Xu Kaishan's script.

He did not avoid the other's gaze, instead looking deeply into his eyes and replying with a question of his own, "What plans do you have in mind, then, Taoist Friend Xu? Flood Dragons are ferocious and powerful. We low-level cultivators should be avoiding them, not actively seeking them out. Why are you two trying to find a Flood Dragon?"

This counter-question took Xu Kaishan aback, causing him to frown slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

However, remembering Zhou Chun's tenth level of Qi Refinement as well as his solitary journey from Lanzhou to Yunzhou, he managed to restrain his emotions.

Soon he answered, "The two of us are well aware of our inferior cultivation levels, and we certainly do not dare to harbor any designs on the Flood Dragon. We merely wish to scrape a little profit from this feast."

"This feast? What do you mean by that, Taoist Friend Xu?"

Zhou Chun looked at Xu Kaishan with surprised eyes, now captivated by his statement.

"It seems Taoist Friend Han is unaware!"

Xu Kaishan let out a light sigh, then continued with a solemn expression,

"Flood Dragons are divine Spirit Beasts, treasures from head to tail. With the rare appearance of a Flood Dragon in Yunzhou, those high-level cultivators from sects and families will certainly not stand idly by, indifferent."

"According to what I know, many Purple Mansion Phase and even Golden Core Stage cultivators from the great clans of Yunzhou are currently making overtures to each other, plotting to slay the dragon."

"I suspect it won't be long before they act, once they've settled on how to divide the spoils!"

Hearing this, Zhou Chun inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had thought that the plan by high-level cultivators of the Green Lotus Temple to slay the dragon and seize its eggs had already spread, and even a Loose Cultivator like Xu Kaishan had come to know of it!

As for what Xu Kaishan was now mentioning about the high-level cultivators of Yunzhou conspiring to slay the dragon, Zhou Chun could guess that without having been told.

But he knew even better that once the high-level cultivators of the Green Lotus Temple intervened, these people's plotting would be in vain.

Perhaps those high-level cultivators of the Green Lotus Temple were even hoping to benefit from the situation, letting these people go ahead and test the Flood Dragon's strength, exhausting its mana.

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Zhou Chun's face displayed a puzzled look as he said,

"I still don't understand, Han. Even if those high-level cultivators are preparing to slay the dragon, aside from the issue of success or failure, there will surely be many Foundation Establishment cultivators from various families and sects present. If any dragon blood or dragon scales were to fall, it would not be our turn, us low-level Loose Cultivators, to pick them up, would it?"

At these words, a smile appeared on Xu Kaishan's face.

He spoke with a rather proud tone, "Taoist Friend Han must not know, but as far as I know, Flood Dragons typically keep other Water Demons as servants and backup food sources."

"When those high-level cultivators engage in battle with the Flood Dragon, the Water Demon servants it keeps will certainly emerge to protect their master. At that time, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from those families and sects will definitely go to eliminate those Water Demon servants, and that's when our opportunity arises."

At this point, he added with an enticing tone, "Just think about it, Taoist Friend Han, if we can pick up a few dropped Flood Dragon scales or gather some Flood Dragon Spirit Blood, we could earn at least a hundred or even several hundred Spirit Coins. Isn't that more profitable than scouring the mountains for Spiritual Medicine?"

"I see! If things are as Taoist Friend Xu says, then there indeed might be much to gain from this venture."

Zhou Chun nodded lightly, an interested look appearing on his face.

Seeing this, Xu Kaishan immediately struck while the iron was hot, saying, "If Taoist Friend Han feels that the three of us together are still not safe enough, I also have some good friends currently nearby."

"When the time comes, if we can gather a group of more than a dozen people to enter the fray together, even if some Family Cultivators discover us, they should have reservations and would not dare to act rashly against us!"

Now that Xu Kaishan had made his intentions clear, Zhou Chun felt it was unnecessary to continue pretending.

Moreover, he wanted to see for himself whether Xu Kaishan was genuine or not, and exactly what he was made of!

He also intended to use him to gather more information about the Flood Dragon.

Without further ado, Zhou Chun nodded slightly and said, "In that case, you can count Han in as well!"