Chapter 217: Beast Cultivation Manuals, Wisdom and Foolishness in Balance
by SurroundedbyBooksHaotian Orthodoxy’s Spirit Beast Hall.
This place, in fact, was the same as the Spirit Beast Yard of Baiyun Sect—just much larger. Towering over two thousand zhang tall, it was a giant mountain filled with spirit beasts of every kind.
Numerous flying beasts like celestial cranes soared and landed in and out of the mountain, circling the entirety of Haotian Orthodoxy, lending the sect an aura of peace and tranquility. Yet, the roars, cries, and howls of other beasts echoed constantly, hinting at the countless creatures housed within.
Among them were likely even fourth-rank spirit beasts, which, even as tamed mounts, were equivalent to late-Stage Golden Core cultivators. Of course, it was common knowledge that spirit beasts under contract were weaker than their wild counterparts. A wild fourth-rank beast was truly formidable.
The Spirit Beast Hall saw frequent visitors—disciples came to buy or rent mounts, purchase beast meat, bones, pills, blood, hides, or even adopt pets or battle companions. It served the entire population of over a hundred thousand disciples, from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, hence the bustling activity.
Yu Xian, upon entering, didn’t head for the beast pens but instead turned toward another large hall—The Beast Canon Hall.
He wasn’t here for a beast, but to find cultivation manuals for his Little Phoenix Cat and Cloud Egret.
Surely, if even a major sect like Haotian Orthodoxy didn’t have them, there was no point looking elsewhere.
Inside the Beast Canon Hall, it was quiet. Few people came here unless they wanted guides on quickly raising a beast to maturity or reference materials. Manuals for beast cultivation were rare. Why?
To most cultivators, spirit beasts were like livestock—chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, cows, or horses. Raise them big and fat—for food, transportation, or labor.
Raising them as battle companions was rare. Why pour so many resources into a beast when you could invest in yourself instead? It was far more reliable.
But no matter how deserted the hall, there were always staff. As Yu Xian entered, a disciple quickly approached and bowed.
“Senior Brother, may I assist you in finding a specific manual?”
His Foundation Establishment mid-stage aura made it clear that he was an inner sect disciple. Naturally, outer sect Qi Condensation disciples like this one were eager to curry favor.
Yu Xian glanced at him and said calmly,
“I’m looking for manuals suited to feline-type beasts like Flaming Tigers, Ice Wolves, Phoenix Cats, Golden Spirit Panthers, or Huanghou Howlers. Also manuals for avian beasts like Sky Cranes, Cloud Hawks, Cloud Egrets, Yellowfeather Birds, or Emerald Singers. Do you have any?”
“Yes! Absolutely!” the disciple beamed.
“Our Beast Canon Hall has manuals for feeding, healing, taming, and cultivating—anything you need! Please wait a moment, Senior Brother—I’ll fetch them right away!”
Yu Xian sat quietly, waiting.
After some time, the disciple returned with a respectful smile.
“Here are five manuals for land beasts and five for flying beasts. All are fourth-rank spirit beast cultivation techniques. Please, take your pick!”
Yu Xian nodded.
“How much in spirit stones?”
“No need, Senior Brother,” the disciple said with a grin.
“As an inner sect Foundation Establishment disciple, you may freely access the manuals. No spirit stones, no contribution points required.”
Yu Xian looked at him.
“What’s your name?”
“Sun Qian!” the disciple replied quickly, joy flashing in his eyes.
Yu Xian nodded.
“Very well, Sun Qian. I am Yu Xian from the Alchemy Hall. If you need pills in the future, come find me.”
Helping him save time and letting him access everything for free—Yu Xian recognized the favor.
Sun Qian lit up.
“An inner sect disciple from the Alchemy Hall!”
The next three days, Yu Xian personally etched the Heavenly Egret Canon into Cloud Egret’s mind—word by word. His voice grew hoarse as he spoke slowly and carefully:
“You’re not as smart as the Phoenix Cat. That’s why I must spend more time on you. But remember—if you don’t put in the effort, even if I waste a thousand times the effort, it’s meaningless. You’ve memorized the canon—now train hard. Whether or not you can awaken your bloodline and evolve into a true Sky Sovereign bird… it’s up to you.”
Despite having the intelligence of a toddler, Cloud Egret remembered everything.
Yu Xian’s patience was unmatched—this was no brief lesson. Teaching Phoenix Cat had been easy. Teaching Cloud Egret required slow, steady effort.
A wise teacher tailors the lesson to the student.
Teach the smart quickly, teach the slow slowly.
There’s no injustice in that—being born smart is already the universe’s unfairness.
And yet, most so-called wise teachers only want to teach the smart. The slow learners are deemed not worth the time. Even the sages have said, “Rotten wood cannot be carved.”
But Yu Xian persisted with Cloud Egret—because this bird had flown him through wind and rain, bleeding but unwavering.
In Yu Xian’s heart, Cloud Egret meant more than Phoenix Cat.
Cloud Egret let out a sharp cry, its brown eyes glowing with a rare sense of clarity. For once, there was determination instead of muddled instinct.
Yu Xian smiled,
“Very good. Work hard, Little Egret.”
He stored it in the spirit beast pouch, tossing in several thousand spirit stones for cultivation. Since the pouch isolated natural spiritual energy, spirit stones were necessary—just like a cultivator in a barren land.
With that, he sighed deeply.
“If only Cloud Egret had half the intelligence of Phoenix Cat…”
He shook his head and chuckled.
“Step by step.”
Then, Yu Xian turned to the Phoenix Cat.
The little beast crouched obediently, alert and ready.
“I will now teach you the Phoenix Cat Canon. How much you can comprehend depends on you.”
And he began, reciting everything.
Phoenix Cat’s meridians, dantian, and energy paths differed greatly from a human’s. Cultivating beast methods was dangerous for humans. Beasts can imitate people, but people cannot imitate beasts.
He spoke calmly, like telling a story—ten full times in a row.
Finally, hoarse, he asked,
“Do you understand now?”
Phoenix Cat blinked, then meowed and nodded.
Yu Xian sighed.
“Alright, I’ll tell you one last time. If you still don’t get it, I’m done.”
The cat’s eyes gleamed with excitement—it hadn’t quite understood everything and was clearly hoping for one more run-through.
Yu Xian couldn’t help but laugh and relented. Two incense sticks later, he finished again.
“Now you’ve got it?”
Phoenix Cat meowed confidently.
Yu Xian finally smiled.
“Smart little thing.”
With that, he stored the cat away to begin its own path of cultivation.
Then came Cloud Egret’s turn again.
Yu Xian stepped forward.
“You’re duller than Phoenix Cat, but you’re loyal. And you try your best. That alone makes you no less valuable.”
Cloud Egret flapped once, confused.
He gently patted its head.
“You’ll get it eventually. Once you master this technique, awakening your bloodline will come easier.”
The egret didn’t understand, but sensed kindness, and its muddled gaze began to clear.
Yu Xian became serious.
“Listen carefully. If one time doesn’t work—then two, ten, a hundred, a thousand!”
He started teaching again, with the same commitment.
Days passed.
Three full days later, Sun Qian returned and saw Yu Xian finishing his lesson. He bowed excitedly.
“Thank you, Senior Brother. I’ll take my leave.”
Yu Xian waved him off, then reviewed the ten manuals—but only studied two: Phoenix Cat Canon and Heavenly Egret Canon. The rest were decoys.
He memorized both completely in three hours.
“Sun Qian, come collect these.”
The disciple rushed over.
“Do you need anything else, Senior Brother?”
Yu Xian shook his head.
“No.”
He left.
Sun Qian watched him go, thrilled.
He’d secured a once-in-a-lifetime connection. He had to choose wisely—should he ask Yu Xian for Foundation Establishment pills? Or high-tier elixirs?
Yu Xian, meanwhile, returned to his residence, activating its array. Peace returned.
He planted herbs, watered them, then finally went inside.
Seated cross-legged, he waved his hand.
Meow!
Gaa!
Phoenix Cat landed nimbly and leapt to his shoulder, scanning the room with curious eyes. Cloud Egret flapped, then folded its wings and sat beside it, a bit clumsy, still dull.
These were Yu Xian’s only spirit beasts.
He lifted the Phoenix Cat by the scruff and set it down.
“My shoulder’s not your nest.”
It pouted but didn’t resist, walking over to sit beside Cloud Egret.
Yu Xian looked at the pair and softly said:
“From today onward, one shall be my mount, and one my battle pet. I hope you will stay with me… until eternity.”
Phoenix Cat gave a fierce roar, as if declaring its loyalty.
Cloud Egret—still not fully sentient—couldn’t understand, but felt Yu Xian’s emotions. It cried out as well, promising to stay by his side.
Yu Xian smiled faintly.
“Very well. Since you understand, I won’t say more. Phoenix Cat.”
Meow!
It looked up, excited, clearly expecting another reward.