Chapter 81

Chapter 80: Natural Affinity (First Update After Going Live)

Chen Wan was quite surprised by Yuan Ming's appearance. After inquiring, upon learning that Yuan Ming had taken on the task of caring for the Fire Craver, her expression became quite colorful.

"Yuan Ming, there are some things that perhaps shouldn't be said, but I still feel I should give you a reminder," Chen Wan said hesitantly after looking at Yuan Ming for a long time.

"Senior Sister Chen, please speak your mind," Yuan Ming said, roughly guessing what she was thinking and not feeling surprised.

"As a cultivator, having ambition is good, but since you are a disciple of the Fire Refining Hall, you should focus more on refining and cultivation," Chen Wan said after a brief hesitation.

Yuan Ming's expression remained unchanged as he smiled and asked, "Senior Sister, do you think I took this task to curry favor?"

Chen Wan was taken aback, not expecting Yuan Ming to be so straightforward.

"Controlling beasts is not easy. You are not a disciple of the Beast Taming Hall, and Master would not approve of you taking this task," Chen Wan said, not responding directly.

"You may not know, but the Fire Craver has a special significance to Master. It is not an ordinary spirit beast. If anything goes wrong, you won't be able to bear the responsibility," Chen Wan added.

"Senior Sister, rest assured. I am fully aware of the situation and have made thorough preparations," Yuan Ming said confidently.

"Since you have made your decision, I won't say more. I will take you to see Master," Chen Wan sighed.

"Thank you."

Yuan Ming followed her into the bamboo grove, passing through a winding path, and arrived at a courtyard built with green bamboo.

The courtyard was not very large, but the layout was very intricate. Enclosed by a bamboo fence, there were several bamboo buildings with steeply sloping roofs, all kept very clean.

"Wait here, I will go in and inform Master," Chen Wan said to Yuan Ming.

"Thank you."

Yuan Ming waited outside the courtyard for a long time before Chen Wan returned and opened the bamboo gate.

"Come in," Chen Wan called, and Yuan Ming followed her into the courtyard.

The courtyard was paved with green stone slabs, with fine white sand filling the gaps. In the southeast corner, there was a finely crafted white marble table and chairs, and a figure in red was seated there.

Unlike the last time they met, today's Third Hall Master was not wearing red soft armor but a loose, fiery red robe, with a golden yellow silk sash around her waist, exuding a gentle and slightly lazy demeanor.

"Meeting Third Hall Master," Yuan Ming bowed.

Third Hall Master glanced at him and frowned slightly, "Is this the task you took today?"

"Yes," Yuan Ming nodded.

Strange.

After saying this, he felt that Third Hall Master's words were a bit odd.

"You are not a disciple of the Beast Taming Hall. What makes you confident enough to take this task?" Third Hall Master asked with a cold expression.

"Disciple read books on caring for spirit beasts in the Gui Cang Pavilion yesterday. I believe I can help alleviate Master's concerns," Yuan Ming said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Wan's expression changed slightly. Just reading a few books and daring to take on this task, Yuan Ming's courage was a bit too much, wasn't it?

Sure enough, upon hearing this answer, Third Hall Master's expression darkened, "If you really want to take this task, at least go to the Beast Taming Hall and observe for half a month before coming back."

With that, she waved her hand, dismissing Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming, however, stood firm, not moving.

Seeing this, Chen Wan could no longer hide her relationship with Yuan Ming and gave him several meaningful glances, hoping he would know his place and not anger Master.

However, Yuan Ming, as if he hadn't seen her, said, "Master, since I am here, I am confident I can handle it. Why not let me try? After all, seeing is believing."

Third Hall Master looked at him, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Are you really confident?"

"Try and see," Yuan Ming said.

"Are you familiar with the Fire Craver's habits?" Third Hall Master asked, frowning.

"The common habits of fire attribute spirit beasts are that they prefer sunlight and dislike darkness. Before adulthood, they are mostly active, enjoying running and chasing. After adulthood, they become more aggressive and fierce. The Fire Craver is not yet an adult and is in the active stage. It can be appropriately tamed but should not be forcibly confined, as it would hinder its natural development and affect its future achievements. I believe..." Yuan Ming spoke confidently.

As he finished speaking, Third Hall Master's expression gradually softened.

She then asked a few more questions, and Yuan Ming answered fluently, causing Third Hall Master to nod slightly, her eyes showing surprise but more admiration.

Chen Wan, listening on the side, was stunned. She never thought that after just over half a month of joining, Yuan Ming had already mastered so much knowledge about taming beasts.

She couldn't help but think that perhaps Yuan Ming would have better development if he joined the Beast Taming Hall.

But thinking of Kun Tu in the Beast Taming Hall, she immediately dismissed the thought.

At this moment, Third Hall Master said, "No matter how much theoretical knowledge you have, it still depends on practical results. If you can call the Fire Craver to me, I will assign this task to you."

"Agreed," Yuan Ming responded readily.

With his previous experiences, he believed this should not be difficult.

After all, the Fire Craver had eaten his Fire Jade, and as the saying goes, "One who eats another's food will be soft in the mouth." The Fire Craver should give him some face, right?

Chen Wan, however, shook her head in disapproval.

The Fire Craver had a very peculiar personality. Even the eldest disciple, who had been with Master the longest, could only get a dismissive look when trying to lure it with Fire Jade and Flame Crystal Stones, let alone a stranger like Yuan Ming.

Third Hall Master then tapped the red spirit beast bag at her waist, and a flash of light appeared. A fiery red shadow darted out, and she grabbed the back of its neck, lifting it into the air.

The Fire Craver, just released, immediately kicked its four legs wildly, venting its frustration at being confined in the spirit beast bag.

After a while, seeing it could not escape from Third Hall Master's grip, it finally gave up, hanging its head and lying still, no longer struggling.

At this moment, Third Hall Master gestured to Yuan Ming to call the Fire Craver.

Yuan Ming nodded and called out, "Fire Craver."

The Fire Craver, which had been somewhat dejected, immediately struggled and turned its head to look at Yuan Ming.

"Really a reaction?" Chen Wan was surprised by this scene.

She had tried to call the Fire Craver before, but at most, she would get a dismissive look, rarely a direct response.

Yuan Ming smiled and waved his hand at the Fire Craver.

Third Hall Master also loosened her grip at the right moment.

The Fire Craver, suddenly free, darted out as soon as it landed, leaping over the bamboo wall and disappearing in a flash.

The three people by the stone table looked at each other, the scene becoming silent for a moment.

"Indeed, as I suspected..." Chen Wan thought to herself.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Third Hall Master's eyes, and she said, "It seems your attempt has failed. I..."

Before she could finish, a fiery red shadow darted back from outside the wall, landing and immediately climbing up Yuan Ming's leg, then leaping onto his shoulder.

The returning Fire Craver, as if its feet were on hot coals, darted around on Yuan Ming's back and shoulder, never stopping, but its head kept rubbing against his cheek, showing a very intimate demeanor.

Chen Wan, seeing this, opened her mouth in surprise, stunned.

"Last time, I thought it was just a coincidence, but it seems the Fire Craver really has a natural affinity for you," Third Hall Master was also greatly surprised.

Yuan Ming extended his arm, and the Fire Craver immediately climbed up, perching on his palm.

"Fire Craver, come back."

Third Hall Master, as the owner, couldn't help but feel a competitive spirit.

Surprisingly, the Fire Craver turned its head, looking between her and Yuan Ming, then at the spirit beast bag at her waist, and did not return.

This time, even Third Hall Master was taken aback.

She first rotated her wrist, and a dark golden token appeared in her palm. After thinking for a moment, she put it away.

Then, she touched a small, white cloth bag at her waist, and a red, translucent crystal appeared in her palm.

The moment the Fire Craver saw the crystal, its eyes lit up, and it leaped from Yuan Ming's hand toward the crystal.

However, just as it flew over, its neck was grabbed again, and it was lifted into the air.

The tempting red crystal disappeared from its sight.

The Fire Craver immediately began to cry out in frustration, struggling wildly.

Third Hall Master threw it away with a flick of her hand.

Yuan Ming reached out and caught the Fire Craver, holding it in his arms.

"For the next one and a half months, I will be in seclusion to refine a magical artifact. The Fire Craver will be in your care. The task reward will be settled after the period," Third Hall Master said.

"Agreed," Yuan Ming said happily, placing the Fire Craver on his shoulder and immediately bowing.

At this moment, Third Hall Master unfastened a silver-white cloth bag from her waist and threw it to Yuan Ming.

Chen Wan, seeing this, raised her eyebrows, clearly surprised.

"Third Hall Master, what is this?" Yuan Ming asked, surprised, as he caught it.

"This bag contains some Fire Crystals and Fire Jade. Feed the Fire Craver one per day, at most two," Third Hall Master said after a brief pause.

Yuan Ming nodded and tried to open the bag, but found that the bag's opening could not be opened.

Seeing this, Third Hall Master said, "This is a storage bag, not to be opened by force. I will teach you a storage incantation. Try to refine it."

Yuan Ming, not understanding why a storage bag couldn't be opened by force, simply nodded.

Third Hall Master immediately recited a three-hundred-character incantation.

After reciting it, she watched Yuan Ming quietly, waiting for him to ask questions. However, Yuan Ming only lowered his gaze slightly, seemingly deep in thought.

The Fire Craver continued to dart around restlessly on his body.

After a while, seeing that Yuan Ming still had no intention of asking questions, Third Hall Master frowned.