Chapter 274: Beast Taming Competition

"Passed the assessment?" Zhang Xuan was utterly baffled. "When did I... take an assessment?"Before the other party had even finished speaking, they came to treat the Howling Celestial Beast. Now, he didn't even know what the Two-star Beast Tamer assessment entailed, so how had he suddenly passed?

"The Two-star Beast Tamer assessment is much simpler than the One-star," Beast Tamer Lu, who was standing nearby, interjected. "You only need to tame a savage beast at the Grandmaster realm... The Howling Celestial Beast has now submitted to you, which perfectly fulfills the requirements!"

"Uh... it's that simple?" Zhang Xuan was dumbfounded.For the One-star assessment, he had to run around and answer questions, but he never expected the Two-star to be so easy.

Hearing his words, everyone was speechless.Savage beasts that reach the Grandmaster realm possess their own dignity and pride; they don't easily submit to humans. This was evident from the Howling Celestial Beast, which hadn't submitted to anyone for many years. It was only because Zhang Xuan happened to cure it when it was sick that it became deeply grateful and submitted directly. Ordinarily, it would be nowhere near that simple.

"Beast Tamer Zhang, your Two-star Beast Tamer badge might not be ready today; it will take until tomorrow at the earliest to be delivered," Hall Master Feng said with a smile. "Why don't you stay here for today? I also have something to discuss with you."

"This..." Zhang Xuan hesitated.

"The Howling Celestial Beast, having reached Half-step Supreme, is much faster," Hall Master Feng continued. "Although the Red Lotus Mountain Range is far, you can reach it in two days. Leaving tomorrow morning won't make much difference."

"Alright!"Looking up, Zhang Xuan saw that after all the commotion, it was indeed late, nearing dusk. He nodded in agreement.

"Then, Beast Tamer Zhang, please follow me," Hall Master Feng said happily, seeing Zhang Xuan agree.

"Let's go!" Zhang Xuan nodded and followed.

Seeing that the Howling Celestial Beast had not only been cured but had also submitted to someone else, the others knew there was no point in staying longer and turned to leave.

"You're saying... Beast Tamer Zhang not only cured the Howling Celestial Beast but also made it submit and become his beast pet?""He cured a disease that even Grandmaster Qingyang couldn't diagnose?""You're not pulling my leg, are you?""The Iron-toothed Howling Celestial Beast broke through to Half-step Supreme?"The news spread quickly, and everyone in the Beast Hall who heard it was incredulous, especially Shen Biru, who had been waiting outside, utterly dumbfounded.

She had known that Teacher Zhang caused trouble wherever he went, but she never dreamed he would cause *this much* trouble! He diagnosed a condition that Grandmaster Qingyang couldn't... When did this guy become knowledgeable in medicine? And he tamed the Howling Celestial Beast to become a Two-star Beast Tamer...

"I wonder if Han Qiong will believe me when I tell her about this back home?"After half a day of processing the exact news from Yun Tao, Shen Biru smiled wryly again.

Her friend Han Qiong had spent countless efforts just to pass the Beast Taming Apprentice exam and, after several years, still couldn't become a true Beast Tamer. Yet, this guy just came to the Beast Hall, originally just to use a beast mount...As a result, he not only became a certified Beast Tamer but a Two-star one at that... What's more, he even "made off with" the Beast Hall's prized possession!If she were to tell Han Qiong about this, she truly wondered if her friend would go crazy on the spot.

As a Two-star Beast Tamer, Zhang Xuan's treatment improved, and he was immediately assigned a residence in the Beast Hall. Knowing that Shen Biru also had no place to stay for the moment, he let her move in first, while he followed Hall Master Feng into a spacious hall.

"Beast Tamer Zhang, your talent is exceptional, and you're also a Master Teacher apprentice. I'm sure this item will be of some use to you!"Once they were seated, Hall Master Feng smiled faintly, took out an item, and handed it over.

Taking it casually, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but be surprised: "A Bright Reason Jade Crystal?"

What Hall Master Feng handed over was none other than the Bright Reason Jade Crystal that Zhao Ya's father, City Lord Zhao Feng, had given him. It was immensely helpful for improving one's state of mind at the Bright Reason realm.

"That's right!" Hall Master Feng nodded.Zhang Xuan looked at him quizzically.Back then, City Lord Zhao Feng had searched all of White Jade City just to find one, which showed how precious it was. Yet, Hall Master Feng was giving one away so casually...

"I acquired this item by chance," Hall Master Feng explained, seeing his confusion. "It's not useful to Beast Tamers. As a Master Teacher apprentice, you'll inevitably need to improve your state of mind to pass the Master Teacher assessment. Rather than letting it go to waste in my hands, it's better to give it to you."

Zhang Xuan nodded, about to speak, when Beast Tamer Lu, from the side, also looked over with a smile: "I see that Beast Tamer Zhang's cultivation has reached the peak of the Tongxuan realm, not far from Half-step Grandmaster. I happen to have some cultivation techniques and insights from my own practice, so I'll give them directly to you! Although you have an amazing teacher, these may not seem like much, but consider it a small token of my regard."With that, he took out several books and handed them over.

Zhang Xuan casually flipped through them. They were indeed secret manuals and cultivation insights for breaking through from the Tongxuan realm to Half-step Grandmaster.

"I'm not as generous as those two old men, nor do I have as many good things," Beast Tamer Wang said, stroking his beard with a smile. "I only have a longsword, personally forged by Master Artificer Qing Yanzi of the Tianwu Kingdom. I'll give it to Beast Tamer Zhang!"He then took out a longsword and handed it over.

"Wait..."Seeing the three old men immediately offer gifts and look at him with smiling faces as soon as they arrived, Zhang Xuan quickly waved his hand.One who has done nothing deserves no reward. He didn't think he was important enough to receive treasures from three Two-star Beast Tamers upon their first meeting.

"Beast Tamers, please just state what you want directly!"

"Beast Tamer Zhang is truly straightforward!" Hall Master Feng exchanged a glance with the other two and nodded. "Since that's the case, I'll just say it plainly: actually, we have a favor to ask of you."

"A favor to ask? Of me?"Zhang Xuan was stunned. Although he had become a Two-star Beast Tamer, these individuals were also Two-star, and having been in the Beast Hall for so long, they were seasoned veterans. Could they possibly have a favor to ask *him*?Unless...

"The Beating Beast Taming Method was created by my teacher, and he instructed that it should not be taught to outsiders, so..."After browsing the Beast Hall's library, he understood why beating a beast would tame it and why everyone was so surprised. It was because only with pure Heaven's Path True Qi and the ability to discern the beast's flaws could one make it submit. Even if he taught it, they wouldn't be able to learn it, and it might even expose his Heaven's Path Divine Art.These three old men, upon meeting him, were giving him gifts and asking for a favor. If they wanted to learn this method, he would need to be able to teach it!It was better to decline in advance. Anyway, the teaching ethics in this world were strict: if a teacher forbade something from being taught outside, it couldn't be taught. They wouldn't be able to say anything, making it the best excuse.

"Uh, every Beast Tamer has their own secret techniques that they prefer not to share. We wouldn't inquire about that," Hall Master Feng said, shaking his head. "What we're asking for isn't that!"Just like alchemists, who have various refining methods, beast tamers also have their distinct approaches. Furthermore, everyone's disposition and cultivation techniques differ; even if one learned another's methods, they might sometimes prove useless. It was better not to risk offending a Beast Tamer by asking.

"Not that?" Zhang Xuan, thinking of something, looked at them with a confused expression. "Could it be... that all three of you have an incurable disease? And you want me to treat it? You're not also having trouble sleeping at night, like the Howling Celestial Beast? If nothing else works, you could try Grandmaster Qingyang's method..."

"Cough, cough!"Hearing this, Hall Master Feng and the others nearly choked on their saliva. They felt a cold dread creeping down their spines, their faces turning dark.What on earth was he talking about?"We just have a favor to ask of you. If you keep talking like this, we might turn into eunuchs!"

"It's like this!" Fearing that continuing the conversation would ruin his reputation, Hall Master Feng quickly interrupted. "The Beast Hall, much like the Alchemist Guild, has many branches. As a certified Beast Tamer, I presume I don't need to elaborate too much on that."

"Understood!" Zhang Xuan nodded.After reading the books, he was well aware of these matters. The Beast Hall wasn't a singular entity; this one was merely a branch.

"Our Beast Hall is a branch of a second-tier kingdom, and it is under the unified jurisdiction of the Xuanyuan Kingdom's Beast Hall."Branches also have their own rankings, progressing tier by tier.The Beast Hall of the Xuanluo Mountain Range, which interacts with over a dozen surrounding second-tier kingdoms, is at the lowest tier.The Xuanyuan Kingdom is the closest Titled Kingdom.Kingdoms are divided into Titled, First-tier, Second-tier, and Unranked (meaning they have no Master Teachers overseeing them and cannot be officially ranked).The Tianxuan Kingdom belongs to the last category (Unranked). The Beiwu Kingdom, with a One-star Master Teacher overseeing it, is ranked as a Second-tier Kingdom. The Tianwu Kingdom, with a Two-star Master Teacher, is ranked as a First-tier Kingdom.As for the Xuanyuan Kingdom, it possesses a Three-star Master Teacher, is qualified to establish enormous teleportation arrays, trades various goods, receives tribute from countless nations, and its national power is flourishing.

"Every five years, the Xuanyuan Kingdom's Beast Hall hosts a Beast Taming Competition, inviting young Beast Tamers from its subordinate branches to participate," Hall Master Feng continued. "Since you passed your Beast Tamer assessment at our Xuanluo Mountain Range branch, you are considered part of our branch. I hope... you can represent our Beast Hall and compete in this competition."

"A Beast Taming Competition?"

"Yes, this Beast Taming Competition gathers talented Beast Tamers from countless surrounding kingdoms. If you can make a name for yourself and win first place, you will certainly gain the attention of the Beast Hall, and our branch will also become famous," Hall Master Feng finished, looking at him with anticipation.

"Well..."Unexpectedly, this was their request. Zhang Xuan looked at them. "When is the competition?"If it was too soon, he wouldn't have the time. His current priority was to find a way to resolve the potent poison in his body, and then to pass the Master Teacher assessment. Being a Beast Tamer was just something he did on the side, merely to get free rides on beast mounts; it wasn't his main goal.

"In half a year, in Xuanyuan Royal City," Hall Master Feng replied.

"Half a year from now? That... depends on whether I have time!" Zhang Xuan didn't dare to agree outright. He didn't want to just accept some gifts and then put himself out for others.

"You're so young and have already reached the level of a Two-star Beast Tamer, proficient in medicine, and possessing Master Teacher methods. If you truly participate, you will definitely make a name for yourself..."Seeing that Zhang Xuan showed little interest despite his words, Hall Master Feng suddenly remembered something. "And, if you win the championship, you'll receive generous rewards!"

"Rewards aren't important; the main thing is I don't have time!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.Seeing his refusal, Hall Master Feng and the others couldn't help but show disappointment. However, this emotion didn't last long before they heard Zhang Xuan's voice speak up again."Oh, right, what were those rewards again?"