Chapter 2036: Gourd's Needs

"Oh..." Zhang Xuan hesitated, surprised by the request. "I'm planning to head due north; I'm in a hurry..."

"Just a quick demonstration will do; it won't take long at all... And the Myriad Beasts Gate is located to the north, so it's on your way!" Elder Liao said.

"If... I were to acknowledge being an elder of the Myriad Beasts Gate and display the three celestial beasts... would I then be qualified to visit your Elders' Library at the Myriad Beasts Gate to study? And... would I be able to purchase beast-taming bags?"

A thought sparked in Zhang Xuan's mind, and he spoke.As one of the Six Great Sects, the Myriad Beasts Gate, like the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, must possess countless cultivation techniques. Visiting their library might allow him to further his cultivation techniques for the Celestial Monarch realm.Even if it didn't lead to direct advancement, having access to more cultivation methods would be a significant boost to his overall strength.Regarding the beast-taming bags, having the three celestial beasts constantly trailing him was simply too ostentatious; it made it impossible to maintain a low profile. He had just observed how convenient the beast-taming bags used by the others were.If he could acquire one, he could store all his beast companions inside, releasing them only during travel and putting them away upon arrival. Even experts from the Divine Temple might not detect them.

"Of course! Brother Zheng, as a rogue cultivator with no sect affiliation, would become a true elder of our Myriad Beasts Gate upon joining, enjoying all the benefits of an elder. Beast-taming bags wouldn't need to be purchased; they would be directly bestowed upon you! What's more, beyond just reading books, you'd even have the opportunity to contend for the position of Sect Leader, becoming the true leader of the Myriad Beasts Gate, one of the Six Great Sects!"

Elder Liao chuckled.

"Having a beast-taming bag is enough for me. Contend for Sect Leader? I'll have to decline that..." Zhang Xuan replied.

In the Firmament, he was merely a sojourner. His only desire was to travel simply and quietly, maintaining a low profile while searching for Luo Ruoxi. He had absolutely no interest in titles like Sect Leader or Elder.

Elder Liao frowned.He had no interest in vying for the Sect Leader position, yet he showed such keen interest in a seemingly inexpensive beast-taming bag...If he were to become the Sect Leader, wouldn't he have as many of these as he desired?

"These are all matters for a later time..."

He gave an awkward laugh.This matter had only been casual conversation among them; the ultimate decision would still be made by the Sect Leader himself. Their role was simply to bring the person over, and if he was willing to become an elder within the sect, that would suffice.

Having been attacked by the three celestial beasts, Elder Liao and the others had sustained considerable injuries. After concluding their conversation with Zhang Xuan, they all sat down to recover their strength.

Zhang Xuan also seized the opportunity to observe the Nine-Headed Fire Phoenix Beast nearby.

After being struck nine times consecutively by the gourd, the celestial beast had nine large bumps on its head, and its body was covered in gruesome, constantly bleeding wounds.

Since the beast had already surrendered and become his companion, there was no need to hold back. Zhang Xuan took out several jade bottles and offered them, saying, "Drink this..."

He had boiled a considerable amount more of the gourd's bathwater on the way, just in case.

The Fire Phoenix Beast immediately lifted its head and drank the water from the jade bottle. Within moments, its injuries completely healed, and its strength became even greater than before.

"Thank you, Master..."

Its eyes gleaming, the Fire Phoenix Beast was filled with excitement.Its injuries this time resulted from using its most powerful nine-headed skill, spewing flames and losing a significant amount of vital blood... It had expected recovery to take at least eight to ten years, never dreaming that a few bottles of clear water could accomplish it so swiftly...Indeed, acknowledging him as master was the best decision.

"Call back the White-Eared Fox..."

Seeing the three sacred beasts fully recovered, Zhang Xuan instructed.

"Yes!"The Flood Dragon moved, soaring into the sky, and its roar caused the ground to tremble continuously.Immediately afterward, everyone saw the person and "dragon" who had previously flown off returning. Elder Yuan was still holding the "dragon pearl," constantly playing with it, busy and sweating profusely.Clearly, he still hadn't realized that the Flood Dragon in the air was an illusion.

"How is there another one?"

Upon returning above the group, Elder Yuan finally spotted the true Flood Dragon and froze in disbelief.

"White-Eared Fox, we have already submitted to our master. What will be your choice?"

"Submit?"The White-Eared Fox was stunned. It shifted from its Flood Dragon appearance back to its true form: a massive grayish-blue fox with snow-white ears."I am willing to submit!"A moment later, the White-Eared Fox bowed deeply.Since all three celestial beasts of Lingyun Mountain had acknowledged a master in such a short time, and it was the weakest and its illusion had been seen through, it knew it couldn't possibly resist. Rather than face death, it was better to be decisive.After all, it had always been subservient to the Flood Dragon and Fire Phoenix Beast, which was how it had attained its previous status.

Once the White-Eared Fox submitted, Elder Yuan finally understood what had transpired. He stood rooted to the spot, a mix of emotions swirling within him.He had believed that after years of preparation, taming the Flood Dragon would be effortless. He never in his wildest dreams imagined being toyed with by a White-Eared Fox...Most importantly, in this short period, Zheng Yang, standing right before him, had already tamed three celestial beasts, emerging as the true victor.

"Taming beasts isn't just about catering to their preferences; more importantly, it's about earning their complete and heartfelt submission. While the North Sea Dragon Pearl and dragon blood certainly offer advantages that can make a Flood Dragon yield, ultimately, for it to truly bow and obey your commands, it still hinges on your own cultivation and strength!"

Observing his confused and dazed expression, Zhang Xuan spoke.

The primary reason his "beating-to-tame" method consistently succeeded was simply that he was stronger than his opponents!If they didn't yield, he would beat them.If they yielded, he would give them benefits.Even the most foolish could understand such a choice.

No matter how many good things one prepares, if their strength is insufficient, even if they manage to tame a beast by chance, how much true sincerity would that beast possess?

"I understand... Thank you, Brother Zheng, for your insight!"Elder Yuan was himself a genius of the Myriad Beasts Gate; otherwise, he wouldn't have become one of the Sect Leader candidates at such a young age. Upon hearing Zhang Xuan's words, he had a sudden realization, and his eyes filled with gratitude.The Myriad Beasts Gate's sword arts were not as strong as those of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, its soul cultivation not as advanced as the Starchaser Palace, its financial resources not as vast as the Seven Stars Tower, and its movement techniques not as exquisite as the Misty Immortal Trace...Their only true reliance was on beast taming. For this reason, every disciple took pride in being able to tame sacred or celestial beasts more powerful than themselves.But now it seemed... they had been entirely mistaken!The greatest power lay in one's own strength; beasts were merely an aid... He had spent countless hours and consumed innumerable cultivation resources preparing for this Flood Dragon... If he had instead focused on cultivating his own power, he would undoubtedly be far stronger now and wouldn't have been so easily deceived.

"Let's go!"Having tamed the four celestial beasts, they didn't delay. Everyone swiftly sped off in the direction of the Myriad Beasts Gate.As the other celestial beasts weren't fast enough, Zhang Xuan had the Flood Dragon carry them, ensuring a swift journey.

Three days later, a colossal sect appeared before them.It was no less impressive than the Lingyun Sword Pavilion. Its main gate was a massive dragon head, and behind it, a myriad of magnificent buildings stretched out in orderly succession, intricately connected like a dragon's body and tail, spanning hundreds of kilometers. Even from a distance, it exuded a tremendous sense of grandeur and pressure.

"Magnificent..."Zhang Xuan, standing on the Flood Dragon's back, felt a surge of awe, his eyes gleaming.Upon his arrival at the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, he had been astonished by its enormous gate and colossal sword. He hadn't anticipated that the Myriad Beasts Gate would be equally imposing.The dragon head alone was tens of thousands of meters tall, and the dragon body stretched for hundreds of kilometers. From a distance, it resembled a living, colossal dragon, ready to take flight at any moment.

"The founding ancestor of the Myriad Beasts Gate is said to have once tamed a pseudo-dragon. These buildings are his legacy, designed to mimic the pseudo-dragon's physique and imbued with a unique draconic pressure. Any celestial or sacred beast, regardless of species, that approaches this place will instinctively feel awe and dare not act presumptuously!"

Elder Liao explained with a solemn expression.

Zhang Xuan nodded.The Dragon race was indeed the monarch of all beasts. Such buildings, imbued with concentrated dragon qi, would certainly make any sacred or celestial beasts residing within them afraid to act impudently.

"Brother Zheng, please settle in here for now. We will go and report to the Sect Leader..."Upon arriving at a spacious courtyard, Elder Liao cupped his fists and took his leave.

Now that he had arrived, Zhang Xuan was in no rush. After the others departed and he had settled his four beast companions, he shifted his body, entered the room, and with a thought, the gourd reappeared before him.

"How are things?"After absorbing the Nine-Headed Fire Phoenix Beast's flames and blood, the gourd had remained completely still for three days straight.

"The Fire Phoenix Beast's essence blood was still slightly insufficient; it fell short by just one step..."The gourd swayed, sounding somewhat helpless.

"One step short? What do you mean?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I am the one who roams across the heavens and earth..." the gourd began to explain.

"Alright..." Zhang Xuan interrupted. "I know you're powerful. What I want to know is why you were sealed and how you ended up in this gourd?"

This entity could effortlessly swallow even a Celestial Monarch-level longsword and easily defeat the Nine-Headed Fire Phoenix Beast; its power was immense...He was simply curious as to who had sealed it and how it had ended up on the Master Teacher Continent.

"I don't know," the gourd replied. "Perhaps because my strength hasn't fully recovered, many of my memories are incomplete. I only know that I woke up inside this gourd..."

"Never mind then. Just tell me what else you need to break free from the gourd."Seeing that the gourd couldn't offer any more information, Zhang Xuan realized further questions were futile and spoke immediately.

"My power is still insufficient... If you can find more high-grade Immortal Elemental Pills for me to consume, I might be able to break free in one go..."The gourd stated.

"High-grade Immortal Elemental Pills? How many do you need?"Zhang Xuan frowned slightly.

He still possessed some of these, though not many.He had previously intended to acquire a hundred of them from the Divine Hall in Wuhai City, but the city was too small to procure the necessary ingredients quickly. Subsequently, his urgent departure forced him to abandon that plan.Aside from what he had given to Bai Ruanqing and Shan Xiaotian, and what he had consumed himself, he currently only had about five left.

He had initially intended them for his Witch Soul's breakthrough, but if the gourd needed them, giving them away was not an issue.After all, with the token bestowed by Master Kong, cultivation resources were virtually boundless as long as a Divine Hall was accessible. He no longer needed to worry about such things.

"Roughly two hundred..."The gourd replied.

"Two hundred?"Zhang Xuan's eyebrow twitched.That was quite a demand.

A major first-tier city like Wuhai City could only produce about twenty at a time, and it was asking for two hundred immediately...Where was he supposed to find them?

"I suppose I'll just have to keep using Master Kong's token. At worst, I'll repay them later..."Rubbing his temples, Zhang Xuan wore an expression of utter helplessness.