Beast Taming: the More the Better Chapter 818 - 353: The Oppression of Water Venerable! Qian Yi’s Sword Intent! (Part 3)

Doesn't this feel like the 'script' of life's rises and falls that I've always cherished?

However...

Su Ping cast a look at Old Sha, who had shown up at an unknown moment.

Beneath the moonlight, Old Sha's fur resembled ancient tree limbs, appearing fatigued and forlorn.

What price did Old Sha pay back then to obtain this so-called 'script' of ups and downs?

Su Ping had no clue, yet he realized that gaining such a script came at a steep cost.

For it demands a lively, youthful existence and a deep reflection into one's soul.

"Hiss..."

Little Flame let out a hiss, as though resigned to its destiny, unable to see why Su Ping would keep fighting.

Yet,

"Ooh..." Old Sha's massive head softly nuzzled Su Ping, its eyes then turning firm as it stared at the silhouette in the water.

In that instant, Old Sha couldn't tell if it faced the so-called Water Venerate bullying its young master, or its long-unreachable father, the Green Cliff Sky Wolf King—who, after Old Sha failed to awaken the Sky Wolf Bloodline, in revulsion bit its common Forest Wolf mother to death.

Back in its youth, it lacked the bravery to shield its mother and got chased from the Great Prairie like a mangy mutt to survive alone. But now, right here, Old Sha's stride was steadfast.

Slowly, it positioned itself before Su Ping, wordlessly confronting the apparently invincible foe.

Now, it wasn't alone; a flurry of cries echoed around.

"Gaga!" Little Crow Ya Ya had somehow perched atop Su Ping's head, apparently soothing Little Flame and maybe recalling Su Ping's New Year's Eve vow.

The Life Ancient Tree extended its limbs silently, joined by numerous plant-type Pet Beasts; even the Dragon-Patterned Bamboo Su Ping had earlier rejected joined in, surrounding Heart of Water's bank.

Qian Yi, meanwhile, had slipped on the Five Elements Paper Diagram mantle, a sword case materializing at its back while clutching a blade, a vivid red heart emblem on its face.

The very next instant, summoning glows flashed, bringing Xiao Qing and multiple clones into view.

Except for Feifei, who desperately summoned Ray Saint via the Soul Contract, nearly every high-affinity Pet Beast from Heart of Myriad Spirits showed up.

After a deep breath, Su Ping at last declared:

"Senior, apologies, but I can't meet that demand! No way will Little Flame be given to you!

"Kid, do you truly believe these bugs around you can halt me?"

Water Venerate sneered with contempt.

Yet right then, Su Ping abruptly grinned:

"I want to give it a shot."

"Humans, you foolish bugs! Still, I'm intrigued—what drives you to this?"

Jiao Ji inquired coolly.

"It's straightforward, Water Venerate. Your strength hasn't completely returned, right?"

"Haha, silly bugs, ridiculous! You humans grasp nothing of the legends' true weight!" Water Venerate laughed:

"If that's your logic, then hear this: you're deluding yourself."

Su Ping hesitated briefly before pressing on:

"Sure, Water Venerate's incomplete recovery exceeds my expectations, but your use of tricks to shield Ray Saint's senses—doesn't that mean Ray Saint's presence would render you helpless against me? Your power caps at Spirit Saint Level, placing you somewhere between Spirit Saint and Emperor Level?"

"Simply because your superior Realm enables slyer tactics, you mask Ray Saint's awareness?"

Jiao Ji appeared mildly puzzled by this.

Su Ping went on:

"So, you've poured much energy into jamming Ray Saint's detection, keeping them blind to events here—that alone drained you heavily.

Plus, though my Pet Beasts look like trivial bugs to you, their power is solid enough. They believe I won't ditch any of them—shouldn't I trust them in return?

Besides, I've got an ace up my sleeve.

Above all, Water Venerate, with all these young ones observing, surrendering one of our own to you would shatter their spirits and shame me terribly, right?"

"One of our own?"

Water Venerate held back from striking, instead beaming gently after pondering Su Ping's words:

"So, if I cornered you alone, you'd surrender Fire Venerate's Split God?"

"Maybe. Why not hold off and test it later, Water Venerate?"

Su Ping smirked, though his gaze remained frigid, devoid of any mirth.

"Never mind. Like you noted, you're prominent among humans—what if more guardians appear? Better end you now!"

Jiao Ji chuckled softly, and instantly the atmosphere chilled to the bone. Her arms rose like flawless jade, summoning a colossal icy water serpent that hurtled at Su Ping.

Su Ping's breathing quickened sharply.

"Old Sha! Qian Yi! Xiao Qing!"

Su Ping shouted.

Xiao Qing's duplicates fanned out everywhere, Old Sha glowed radiantly with Heart of the Sun blazing at full force, as Qian Yi launched the Five Elements rotation, sword in grip, taking point to guard Su Ping.

Jiao Ji observed serenely; along the bank, myriad plant-type Pet Beasts—especially the Life Ancient Tree—stretched branches toward her form.

But Jiao Ji showed no shock, watching avidly before retorting swiftly:

"This human isn't your contracted owner—why risk everything? You weak bugs, if I choose, I could wipe you out effortlessly."

No one heeded her; Heart of Myriad Spirits' Pet Beasts coordinated seamlessly, like after endless drills.

Regrettably, upon nearing Jiao Ji, the energies and leaves froze solid and vanished in Heart of Water, barred from advancing further.

Soon after, boundless ice surged, morphing water flows into huge serpents that clashed with the plant Pet Beasts and airborne Toothie overhead.

Jiao Ji at last flicked her tail leisurely, nearing Heart of Water's edge and climbing onto land.

Before her stood merely Xiao Qing beside Su Ping, with Old Sha and Qian Yi holding the shoreline.

Horrendous energy waves burst forth, pulling Jiao Ji's attention especially to Xiao Qing:

"Curious, this Cloning Skill Technique... most fascinating..."

This naturally enraged frontline Qian Yi:

"Uwah! (Damn it... don’t look down on me...)"

Qian Yi's rage exploded Five Elements Energy outward, crouching low while seizing its waist-hilt.

Its stoic expression grew profoundly grave:

"Uwah! (I... will safeguard... this family as well, for a Swordsman's creed... is guarding allies!)"

"Uwah! (This marks... my Swordsman's path!)"

Suddenly, a pure, ringing sword cry resounded across Heart of Myriad Spirits from Qian Yi!

Fearsome, piercing Sword Qi surged from Qian Yi at its core.

Even Water Venerate now eyed Qian Yi intently.

At the same time, Su Ping abruptly understood.

Had Qian Yi at last grasped the entry-level Super-Rank Skill, Sword Intent, which Su Ping had craved since its evolution?