Clan Cultivation: Starting from Beast Taming

Cangyun River, a desolate stretch along the riverbank.

As ripples formed on the surface, Xu Kaishan's drenched head gradually emerged from beneath the water, gasping for fresh air.

Then, with a few strokes of his hands, he quickly climbed onto the bank.

At this moment, both his eyes and right hand had completely returned to normal, indistinguishable from an ordinary person.

Only his aura had changed to that of the eleventh level of the Qi Refinement Realm.

Moreover, he appeared rather pale-faced, as if he had expended a lot of his essence energy.

"I really was careless this time, never expected that youngster to have so many exquisite magic artifacts!"

"Had I not retreated in time, I might have gained no advantage in a prolonged fight, and could have possibly attracted nearby Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

Standing on the riverbank, recalling the earlier events in town, Xu Kaishan's face turned incredibly grim.

He never imagined that he, who always prided himself on his discernment, could have been so thoroughly deceived.

Not only was he fooled from start to finish, but he nearly fell into the hands of the other.

If it weren't for the fact that he had used a secret technique and gained certain abilities related to his eyesight, he might not have even seen through Zhou Chun's disguise.

"That kid not only changed his appearance but also carried lethal weapons. His true identity is definitely not the loose cultivator he claims to be; he must be a young talent from some cultivation family or sect!"

"Now that I have exposed the Dragon Transformation Art in front of him, for the sake of our sect's major plan, I must report to the Senior Envoy immediately and eliminate him!"

With a flicker of cold light in his eyes, Xu Kaishan stopped hesitating and immediately took out a dark red incense stick from his storage pouch, lit it, and waited silently.

After waiting for about an hour, while the incense in his hand had burned down by about half, a figure of an old man dressed in black and holding a Dragon Head Cane suddenly appeared in front of Xu Kaishan.

This black-clad old man boasted a robust build, a rosy complexion, sharp and spirited eyes, and was brimming with vitality and vigor.

Were it not for his graying hair and wrinkles around his eyes, no one would have guessed that this was an elder who had lived over two hundred years.

Upon seeing the black-clad old man, Xu Kaishan was taken aback, then hastily extinguished the incense in his hands and knelt down to kowtow, saying, "Disciple Xu Kaishan greets Black Dragon Senior Envoy. May the Senior Envoy enjoy eternal blessings and have a lifespan equal to the heavens."

The black-clad old man, hearing this, merely nodded to him with a smiling gaze and said, "Xu, you've been a trusted member of our sect for many years. With the merits you've accumulated, after another ten or eight years, you might have the opportunity to enter the Dragon Pool for Foundation Establishment. There's no need for such courtesy."

Despite his words, Xu Kaishan insisted respectfully, "One must not forsake courtesy, and besides, I was discovered and nurtured by the Senior Envoy, who has treated me as kindly as a child or nephew. How could I be disrespectful in your presence?"

"Hehehe, not bad, not bad. It's rare for you to be so filial. Stand up and speak," said the black-clad old man with an even brighter smile on his face, lifting his cane to signal Xu Kaishan to rise.

Once Xu Kaishan stood up at his behest, the old man looked at him and said, "Tell me, what urgent matter has caused you to summon me so hastily using the signal incense?"

"Senior Envoy, with your discerning insight, this disciple has been traveling around according to the sect's orders, recruiting loose cultivators everywhere and seeking suitable individuals to join our sect."

"Unexpectedly, I mistakenly targeted a family cultivator disguised as a loose cultivator."

"When he clearly refused my overtures, in a moment of anger, I used the sect's Dragon Transformation Art to ambush him."

"Yet to my surprise, the person carried an object that protected its master automatically. My ambush failed, and instead, I exposed our sect's Dragon Transformation Art in front of him."

"Fearful that Foundation Establishment cultivators might sense the commotion and arrive, I had to abandon my plan to silence him and quickly made my escape through the water."

"Worried that he would spread the news and jeopardize our sect's major plan, I had no choice but to seek help from you, Senior Envoy, to prevent future troubles!"

Xu Kaishan bowed his head low, speaking in a somber voice as he recounted the incident.

The black-clad old man who had been all smiles, upon hearing Xu Kaishan's account, his expression turned sour in an instant.

He gazed sternly at Xu Kaishan and said with a chilling tone, "Xu, I just mentioned how you were a reliable member of our sect, someone who could always be trusted. How could you make such a foolish mistake now?"

"Do you realize that if this blunder of yours were to impede our sect's major plan, you will face grave consequences?"

Thump!

Xu Kaishan's legs gave way, and he once again fell to his knees.

Then he earnestly kowtowed, saying, "Senior Envoy, please forgive me. I realize my mistake. I ask that you remember my years of service to the sect and lend me a hand. I would be eternally grateful!"

"Hmph, quickly tell me all about that person in detail!" demanded the black-clad old man with a cold huff.

Once he obtained detailed information from Xu Kaishan's mouth, he swiftly left the riverbank and started mobilizing personnel to search for Zhou Chun.

Meanwhile, upon confirming that he could not find Xu Kaishan, Zhou Chun also quickly left Sanjiangkou.

He was acutely aware that behind Xu Kaishan must be a mysterious and powerful covert force.

And having crossed Xu Kaishan, he would surely become a target of that hidden force's retribution.

Therefore, after leaving Sanjiangkou, he immediately changed his attire. This time, he disguised himself as a middle-aged man with a scarred face, adopting the name Li Hong.