Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 443: Chapter 199: Adversary

「The next morning, by the shores of Dingbo Lake.」

Sect Leader He Yuzhou personally stood at the sect’s main gate to see them off.

Elder Sang Yanping and Chu Jinyun stood at the very front. Behind them were the disciples heading to Celestial Treasure City on this journey.

Chen Qing, Nie Shanshan, Yan Yaoyang, Li Wang, Li Lei, and other Core Disciples of the Wutai Sect were present. There were also six other disciples with calm and profound auras, all at the Late-stage of Embracing Pill Force.

To the side stood Shi Ziyi, Fang Rui, and others from the Xuanjia Sect. Everyone was fully geared and ready to depart.

A dozen or so magnificent steeds with the bloodlines of Exotic Beasts stood with their heads held high, snorting out plumes of hot, white breath.

These horses were much larger and more robust than ordinary mounts. Their muscles were sleek and defined, their coats glossy and smooth.

Most wondrous of all were their eyes, which faintly shone with a hint of spirituality. The small tuft of mane on their foreheads was also a distinct color.

These were the Bi Yuncong, purchased at great expense by the Wutai Sect from the great northern pastures. It was rumored that their ancestors possessed a faint trace of blood from the Exotic Beast known as the Mountain-Moving Rhinoceros. This gave them astonishing stamina, allowing them to traverse mountains and cross rivers as if on flat ground and travel two thousand li a day without showing signs of fatigue.

The disciples each led their own mounts, stroking their necks with a mixture of excitement and caution.

Li Wang looked at the magnificent Bi Yuncong beside him, already deeply fond of it. But when his gaze shifted to the pure white steed next to Shen Xiuyong up ahead, his eyes couldn’t help but fill with deep envy.

"Junior Martial Uncle Shen, your Ta Xue is truly magnificent!" Li Wang couldn’t help but exclaim. "Compared to it, my Bi Yuncong looks like a common nag."

Chen Qing also glanced over. The Sect’s Cyan Horses were already quite impressive, but they were still a notch below the Treasure Steed that Shen Xiuyong had raised himself.

Not only was Ta Xue’s appearance more wondrous, but the Exotic Beast bloodline within it was clearly much richer.

Hearing this, Shen Xiuyong gave a faint smile. "I’ve raised this Ta Xue since it was a foal, feeding it countless Treasure Elixirs and Great Medicines and expending a great deal of my own Essence Blood. But even so, it’s nothing special."

His gaze swept over the disciples as he continued, "Once you arrive in Celestial Treasure City, you will understand. It’s not uncommon to see disciples from some of the Major Sects, or even the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, riding true Exotic Beasts."

"The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, in particular, is said to possess a Secret Technique for taming the Golden Feathered Eagle. When that eagle spreads its wings, they span several zhang. Its feathers are harder than Fine Steel. When the elites of the Upper Sect travel, they often ride Golden Feathered Eagles. Now *that* is true pomp and power."

"Exotic Beasts... can they really be tamed?" Fang Rui asked, his Heart and Spirit stirred by what he heard.

Even a fine Treasure Steed with a mere trace of an Exotic Beast’s bloodline was already incredibly rare and precious. What kind of power would it take to directly tame a mighty and feral Exotic Beast?

"Of course they can."

Chu Jinyun added from the side, "The Jianghu is vast and full of wonders. Methods for taming Exotic Beasts are rare, but they do exist. One way is to capture the young of an Exotic Beast and raise it from birth, using Secret Techniques and Treasure Medicines to foster a deep bond. Another is to subjugate a fully grown Exotic Beast with absolute power, forcing it into submission."

"Forget the Golden Feathered Eagle. It’s even possible, though extremely difficult, to subdue the rumored descendants of Flood Dragons in the Sinking Flood Dragon Abyss."

At the mention of taming a Flood Dragon, looks of utter disbelief appeared on the faces of all the young disciples, including Nie Shanshan and Shi Ziyi.

They had all heard of the Sinking Flood Dragon Abyss’s fearsome reputation.

It was a deathtrap where even experts of the Outer Astral Realm could perish. One could only imagine the dangers within.

And a Flood Dragon was a powerful Exotic Beast that existed only in legends—its whereabouts were unknown, and its strength could shatter cities.

Taming a Flood Dragon?

The very idea was like something out of a fantasy tale.

Shen Xiuyong heard this and shook his head inwardly.

’In his opinion, the chances of success... were infinitesimal, practically nonexistent.’

There were very few records of such Exotic Beasts ever being tamed. Even those with some Flood Dragon bloodline were incredibly powerful and difficult to subdue, to say nothing of a true Flood Dragon.

He Yuzhou took in everyone’s reactions and slowly stepped forward. He spoke gravely to Sang Yanping and Chu Jinyun, "Junior Brother Sang, Junior Sister Chu, this journey is long and will take you through several prefectures. You will inevitably encounter all sorts of situations. I entrust these disciples to you both. You must deliver them safely to Celestial Treasure City. Be cautious and careful along the way, and send word back in a timely manner."

Sang Yanping’s expression was solemn as he nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Sect Leader. I will do my utmost to protect everyone and send messages back promptly."

Chu Jinyun also gave a slight nod. "Sect Leader, there is no need to worry excessively. We will naturally be careful."

He Yuzhou’s gaze swept over the assembled disciples one by one. He let out a light breath and waved his hand. "Depart!"

"Depart!"

Elder Sang Yanping commanded in a clear voice.

Everyone vaulted onto their horses. In an instant, the air was filled with the neighing of steeds and the thunder of hooves.

Chen Qing sat straight on his horse’s back and took one last look back at the main gate of the Wutai Sect. Then, with a pull of the reins, his Bi Yuncong understood. It galloped forward on all four hooves like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, following the group as they sped toward the horizon.

He Yuzhou stood alone at the main gate, his eyes fixed for a long time on the cloud of dust kicked up by the departing company.

Just then, Peng Zhen and Tan Yang came forward to stand beside him, also watching the group of riders and horses that was slowly disappearing over the horizon.

A breeze blew in from the lake. Peng Zhen was the first to break the silence, his voice low. "We’ve sent away almost all of the best prospects of our generation... To Xu Wang Mountain, and to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect."

Tan Yang sighed softly and added, "We can only hope they can find their footing in Celestial Treasure City. Even if... even if only one or two are noticed by the Upper Sect, it would be the greatest fortune for our Wutai Sect."

If a disciple were to be chosen by the Upper Sect, not only would it save the Sect five years of tribute, but they would also become a powerful supporter for the Sect within the Upper Sect.