Chapter 2656: Chapter 2656
"Beast Tamer?" Ye Liuyun was puzzled. "Do they mistake me for one just because I’m riding a fierce beast?"
Yet he didn’t deny it outright, only deflected vaguely, "I’m just a wandering cultivator. May I ask why you’ve blocked my path?"
"Pfft, a Beast Tamer can’t possibly be a wandering cultivator. Fine, keep your secrets if you must." The young noble scoffed dismissively, cutting straight to the point. "My cousin here has taken a liking to your mount. Name your price—we’ll buy it."
*So, only disciples from major clans can be Beast Tamers here?* Ye Liuyun wondered silently, deciding to sidestep the topic.
He refused outright, "This falcon is my personal steed. No amount of coin will make me sell it."
"What? Did you not hear me? We’re from the *Lin Family*!" The young noble’s voice sharpened with irritation, clearly unaccustomed to being denied.
"And what of it?" Ye Liuyun smirked coldly, weighing how to intimidate them without revealing his full strength.
Then it struck him—his long-unused *Crimson Gaze*, dormant in his soul. At his current level, it would be perfect for dealing with these few.
Without hesitation, he fixed the elder with the Crimson Gaze, flooding the man with dread. Simultaneously, he compelled him to disclose their identities.
Meanwhile, the young woman tugged at the elder’s sleeve, pouting. "Uncle Tong, I don’t have a mount yet. Teach this arrogant fool a lesson for me, won’t you?"
But the elder stiffened the moment Ye Liuyun’s gaze locked onto him. A chill shot down his spine—he sensed the overwhelming spiritual pressure radiating from the young man. *If it comes to a fight, I stand no chance.*
Discreetly, he sent a mental warning to the two youths: *"This is no ordinary Beast Tamer. His soul force is terrifying—he’s anything but common. If you provoke him, I might not be able to protect you today. Stay silent. Let me handle this."*
Hearing this, the pair scrutinized Ye Liuyun with newfound wariness.
The elder clasped his fists respectfully. "I am Lin Tong, an external steward of the Lin Family. This young lady is Lin Xiaoxiao, the only daughter of Imperial Guard Commander Lin Fengzhi. And this is City Garrison Commander Lin Moyu. Might we inquire how to address you, honored Beast Tamer?"
"So they’re all from military official families, no wonder they’re so arrogant!" Ye Liuyun thought to himself, finally piecing together their backgrounds. But when Lin Tong addressed him as "Master Beast Tamer," he realized this profession might carry significant prestige here.
"My name is Ye Liuyun—nothing remarkable. No need for formalities, Steward Lin," Ye Liuyun replied modestly.
"Nonsense! Beast taming is no ordinary profession. It requires formidable spiritual power to commune with savage beasts. With abilities like yours, young master, you’re certainly no nobody. Forgive this old man’s poor eyesight—may I ask who your esteemed teacher is?"
Lin Tong continued his polite probing, clearly trying to uncover Ye Liuyun’s origins.
Uninterested in the interrogation, Ye Liuyun cut straight to the point: "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way."
Lin Tong didn’t dare stop him, but Lin Xiaoxiao grew visibly anxious. Seeing her uncle hesitate, she nudged Lin Moyu impatiently.
Having been warned by Lin Tong, Lin Moyu also knew better than to provoke Ye Liuyun directly. However, a sly idea soon crossed his mind.
"Steward Lin, I heard Commander Lin is assembling a beast-mounted cavalry. Since Master Ye is a beast tamer, why not invite him back to serve under the commander? I’m sure he’d be delighted!"
His plan was simple: lure Ye Liuyun to their territory first. Once there, they could deal with him as they pleased.
Lin Tong immediately grasped the scheme. But with Commander Lin actively recruiting beast tamers, bringing Ye Liuyun back would earn him favor with both the commander and Lin Xiaoxiao.
Turning to Ye Liuyun, he suggested smoothly, "I noticed you’re heading toward Willow Forest Kingdom. If it’s along your way, why not visit the commander’s estate? Commander Lin is indeed seeking beast tamers, and the rewards are quite generous..."
Ye Liuyun considered it. As a newcomer to this world, having a place to stay—especially under the guise of a beast tamer—would help him learn more quickly. As for these people’s ulterior motives, he wasn’t the least bit concerned.
"Very well," he agreed. "I was planning to explore new opportunities here anyway. Since the chance has come, I’ll accompany you for a look."
Delighted, the group eagerly ushered him aboard their flying vessel. Without hesitation, Ye Liuyun recalled his falcon and boarded with them.
When Ye Liuyun casually stowed away the falcon, Lin Xiaoxiao couldn’t contain her curiosity. "Hey, where’d you put that falcon? I don’t see any beast-taming pouch on you!"
Ye Liuyun’s heart skipped a beat. *Do people here not know about spatial realms? Or can storage rings not hold living creatures here?* He hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Fortunately, Lin Tong noticed Ye Liuyun’s discomfort and stepped in. "Xiaoxiao, don’t pry into others’ affairs! Everyone has their secrets."
"Oh!" Lin Xiaoxiao pouted but continued eyeing Ye Liuyun with undisguised interest, making him shift uncomfortably.
Seeing no alternative, Ye Liuyun activated his Soul Scarlet Eyes, casting an illusion over the trio. Their minds were weak, their spiritual defenses negligible—all three fell effortlessly under his control. They began obediently briefing him about their world.
This star system was called the Twin Dynasties, divided between two regimes: the Willow Forest Dynasty in the north and the tribal alliance of the Southern Barbarians.
The Willow Forest Dynasty excelled in formation arrays and artifact forging, while the Southern Barbarians mastered alchemy and beast-taming. Each had strengths compensating for the other’s weaknesses. Skilled practitioners of these arts often crossed borders, unrestricted by political boundaries.
Countless unclaimed, uninhabited planets dotted the system, open for exploration. Resources belonged to whoever discovered them—a necessity, given their sparse population unable to fully exploit so many worlds.
The Willow Forest Dynasty was jointly ruled by the Liu and Lin clans. Lin Xiaoxiao’s father, Lin Fengzhi, held the rank of Grand Army Commander—a deputy-level position just below the supreme military leader.
Lin Moyu, however, occupied a far humbler post as a mere captain of the city guard. Lin Tong scoffed that even calling him a "commander" was generous. His fawning over Lin Xiaoxiao was purely opportunistic, a bid for advancement.
Their current expedition aimed to hunt feral beast on a nearby planet—until they’d unexpectedly crossed paths with Ye Liuyun shortly after departure.
