Beast Taming: the More the Better Chapter 823 - 355: Qian Yi’s Super-Rank True Form: Sword Dao Incarnation!

"Hey! Su Ping? How come you have time to call me today?"

Master Zhu Hong's cheerful voice rang out from the phone.

"Master Zhu, has the heart essence jade you gave me last time gone bad? I fed it to my pet beast, but it's showing no effect whatsoever?"

Su Ping just had to vent his frustration.

No one could fault him for that, since he'd stayed up wide-eyed through an entire night and day.

He skipped meals entirely, watching as darkness fell once more,

Even disregarding Little Flame's ongoing feast on the Flame Venerate’s Split God Fire Spirit, while Qian Yi started off full of energy.

Yet after more than twenty hours of waiting, things grew still, and the skill fusion refused to finish.

At last, Su Ping gave in and contacted the heart essence jade's provider, Master Zhu Hong.

"Hmm? Another Super-Rank skill fusion underway?"

Master Zhu Hong brushed past Su Ping’s gripe and sharply picked up on the deeper implication.

"Yeah, my pet beast—it began fusing out of nowhere. I remembered the item you provided before, but giving it now hasn't helped a bit?"

"Didn't I explain it back then? Use the heart essence jade prior to the official start of Super-Rank skill fusion, to boost your pet beast’s skill training and merge those Super-Rank skills faster! But you wait until fusion's already begun before trying it, then call me up?"

Master Zhu Hong replied with a touch of exasperation.

Still, he got it—during the first time with the heart essence jade, when the Paperman achieved Zhou Tian Wu Xing Physique, none of them, not Master Zhu Hong, Liu Fuhai, or Su Ping, paid it much mind.

This young fellow forgetting the details made sense.

"Ah? Really?"

Su Ping rubbed his head, truly unsure if that's how it went.

"Absolutely. Super-Rank skill fusion involves deep comprehension. As a resource from my Beast Taming Space, how wouldn't I know? Typically, it lasts three to seven days.

Sure, heart essence jade shines brightest pre-fusion, but post-fusion use isn't pointless. Starting last night, it won't match the Paperman's speedy finish in hours, yet it should hasten progress significantly. Right about now, completion's likely near."

Su Ping let out a long breath of relief at Master Zhu Hong’s explanation.

A little more waiting didn't scare him; what troubled him was any odd signs or issues cropping up with Qian Yi.

After all, this was his contracted pet beast— that changed everything.

With that in mind, Su Ping inquired further about Qian Yi:

"Master Zhu, got any insights on sword intent in Super-Rank skills?"

"Sword intent? You mean the Spirit Saint Level resource like Sword Intent Origin?"

Master Zhu Hong answered promptly.

"Exactly, you're familiar with it?"

"I sure am! It's a scarce treasure that triggers Super-Rank skill awakenings, weak among Super-Ranks or not—a Super-Rank remains elite!

That said, Sword Intent Origin is incredibly rare and valuable, usable by few pet beasts, mainly evolved forms of instrument-type sword pets below the Rotten Sword. Not my specialty.

So, is your little Paperman's skill fusion tied to sword intent? If you're okay sharing, fill me in."

Master Zhu Hong showed clear curiosity about Qian Yi's developments.

Since this master had aided him greatly, Su Ping held nothing back, just skipping later events as he described last night's occurrences.

"Hmm? Sudden eruption, then instant fusion?"

Master Zhu Hong sounded a bit stunned after hearing Su Ping: "Zero warning signs?"

"Not a one."

"Then I'm stumped too. Your pet beast's a unique mutant, and those skill mutations might link to its special sword soul. Still, the little Paperman's makeup is fascinating.

Yu Liangqing’s sword soul proves quite captivating too. Here's an idea: when you reach the Imperial Capital, I'll connect you with Refiners Association folks—they'd love to study that sword soul."

The Refiners Association gathers instrument-type Beastmasters; called an association, it lacks the clout of Beastmaster or Breeder Associations. Official yes, but instrument-type pet beasts circulate less in the Dragon Nation, making it weaker even than the Mechanics Association.

Su Ping happily took up Master Zhu Hong’s generous suggestion.

"I'll head to the Imperial Capital for this career assessment—you can link up then."

"Great, don't delay! Haha, oh, I'm diving into some fascinating research here in Dragon City. Could yield surprises for you."

Master Zhu Hong hinted teasingly.

"Sounds good, we'll chat more later."

Once the call ended, Su Ping sighed in true relief.

Clarity on the matter eased his mind, letting him shift focus to other things at last.

Like Little Flame, freshly done consuming the Flame Lord’s Fire Spirit sent by Jiao Ji,