Chapter 2659: Chapter 2659
The golden eagle, spotting Ye Liuyun approaching, mistook him for food and was about to strike with its beak.
But Ye Liuyun swiftly planted a slave seal on the creature, forcing its golden beak to halt just inches above his head.
"Ah—!"
This time, it wasn’t just Lin Xiaoxiao—everyone gasped in shock, certain that Ye Liuyun was about to have his skull pierced by the eagle’s lethal strike.
Yet once Ye Liuyun took control of the beast, the golden eagle revealed the beastmaster’s sinister intentions.
Immediately, the eagle retracted its beak and bowed its head in submission. The crowd erupted in murmurs of awe, their admiration for Ye Liuyun growing by the second.
The beastmaster, however, yanked fiercely on the chain, trying to drag the eagle back. To his shock, the golden eagle jerked free, wrenching the iron chain right out of his grip.
Ye Liuyun caught the chain and beckoned the eagle closer, unfastening its restraints. With a cold smirk, he turned to the beastmaster and asked, "You told this eagle to treat me as food, didn’t you? Hoping it would devour me?"
"Nonsense! I have no grudge against you—why would you accuse me like this?" the beastmaster snapped, refusing to admit anything. He desperately tried summoning the eagle back, but the creature ignored him completely.
Once freed from its chains, the golden eagle even nudged its head toward Ye Liuyun, allowing him to give it an affectionate pat.
Ye Liuyun then commanded, "Go on. Do to him what he ordered you to do to me."
The eagle’s eyes gleamed with fury as it spread its massive wings and locked onto the beastmaster. Years of being shackled had bred deep resentment, and now, with Ye Liuyun’s permission, it seized the chance for vengeance.
"Have you lost your mind?! I’m your master—" The beastmaster scrambled to regain control, brandishing a rod in a feeble attempt to intimidate the eagle.
But the golden eagle snatched the rod mid-air, then drove its razor-sharp beak straight through the man’s skull. Without hesitation, it began devouring him whole, bite by gruesome bite.
Moments later, it spat out the beastmaster’s Interspatial Ring—neatly depositing it at Ye Liuyun’s feet.
Ye Liuyun stowed away the Interspatial Ring and leaped onto the golden eagle’s back. Without the slightest resistance, the eagle soared into the sky with a piercing cry, carrying him effortlessly.
The onlookers were utterly dumbfounded. Ye Liuyun had not only tamed the golden eagle but also turned the tables on the beastmaster. Now, he could ride the eagle into the skies without hesitation—such mastery over beasts could only be described as legendary.
After a brief flight, Ye Liuyun descended and instructed the soldiers to feed both the black panther and the golden eagle before having them led away.
"Don’t chain them," he advised. "They won’t run or attack anyone. Just don’t provoke them unnecessarily."
The soldiers exchanged doubtful glances, prompting Lin Fengzhi to seek clarification. Ye Liuyun explained, "Fierce beasts naturally despise confinement. Giving them freedom actually makes them more compliant. Just follow my instructions—provide them with regular food and resources, and they’ll cooperate."
He had already struck a deal with the two beasts: they would obey Lin Fengzhi’s commands for ten years, after which they would be granted additional resources—far more than they could gather on their own. Once the decade passed, they’d be free to leave.
The beasts, realizing this arrangement would accelerate their growth faster than hunting alone, readily agreed.
Though still skeptical, Lin Fengzhi tentatively accepted the arrangement, stationing extra guards to monitor them. But after several days of observing their docile behavior, his concerns faded entirely.
Hoping to persuade Ye Liuyun to stay, Lin Fengzhi subtly probed, offering rewards in exchange for his continued service. Yet Ye Liuyun only requested a detailed military map—far more precise than civilian versions—and asked for divine crystals as his sole compensation.
By now, the entire military command revered Ye Liuyun as a true beast-taming master. Even Lin Xiaoxiao and Lin Moyu, who had once schemed against him, no longer dared to act out.
But Lin Xiaoxiao, unwilling to let go of her ambitions, still longed for a fearsome beast as her personal mount. She pestered Lin Fengzhi relentlessly, begging him to arrange a hunting expedition with Ye Liuyun’s help, hoping to subdue a beast of her own.
In Willowgrove Royal City, owning a powerful beast was a status symbol among the elite. Young nobles often flaunted their exotic pets, competing over whose beast was stronger or more formidable.
Eager to elevate her social standing, Lin Xiaoxiao saw this as an unmissable opportunity. With Ye Liuyun’s expertise, she might even secure a second-tier celestial beast—an achievement that would make her the envy of all.
Unable to resist her incessant pleading, Lin Fengzhi finally relented. But convincing Ye Liuyun was another matter. After all, a master of his caliber wouldn’t casually lend his skills—let alone take orders from an entitled young noblewoman.
Moreover, Ye Liuyun had only agreed to stay temporarily and never promised to serve him. The news about a beast-taming master residing in his estate had already spread throughout the royal capital. Many had come seeking Ye Liuyun’s help in taming beasts, and quite a few harbored ulterior motives to recruit him.
Lin Fengzhi managed to turn some away, but others were beyond his control—such as the Sixth Prince Liu Yunfei and Princess Liu Yunyao of the Willow Forest Dynasty.
Especially this Princess Liu Yunyao—the dynasty’s sole princess—whose strength rivaled that of several princes. In the Willow Forest Dynasty, succession to the throne was not bound by gender; a queen had once ruled before.
Many among the nobility held high hopes for Liu Yunyao. Even Lin Fengzhi wanted to establish a favorable connection with her in advance. But handing Ye Liuyun over to her now felt premature. It wasn’t yet time to make such a costly gesture, lest it appear too calculated. For now, a simple show of goodwill would suffice.
After some deliberation, he prepared his words and went to discuss the matter with Ye Liuyun.
Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun had been comparing the maps Lin Fengzhi provided with his own memories of the Twin Dynasties Star System, confirming they were largely accurate before making preparations to depart.
When Lin Fengzhi sought him out, Ye Liuyun had already guessed the reason. Though he had spent the past few days indulging in food and leisure, not a single visitor to the Commandant’s Estate had escaped his spiritual perception. They had all come seeking his beast-taming expertise. So he assumed Lin Fengzhi was here for the same reason.
Having freeloaded for days and even pocketed a fair amount of divine crystals, he had little choice but to hear him out patiently.
Lin Fengzhi, for his part, broached the subject with tact. After all, Ye Liuyun had made no commitments yet—he was merely a guest staying temporarily. Convincing him to remain while also securing his help in currying favor with the royals was no easy task.
"Master Ye, you’ve only just arrived in our Willow Forest Dynasty and lack established connections. Why not make my estate your permanent residence? I assure you, the treatment you receive here will be unmatched across the entire dynasty!" He laid out his offer with a persuasive smile.
