Library of Heaven's Path Chapter 239: Strange Bird [2 in 1]

Chapter 239: Strange Bird [2 in 1]

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: - -

"Elder Zhang Xuan..."

Upon seeing the couple leaving, Yun Tao hurried forward.

"We’re heading for the Beast Hall, so we won’t bother you in your taming of a savage beast. Farewell!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

They were strangers, and the reason why Zhang Xuan had waited here previously was for fear of ruining the other party’s situation. Now that the Gold Alloyed Panther had been tamed, there was no longer any need for Zhang Xuan to remain here.

"Taming a savage beast..."

Yun Tao nearly burst into tears.

There was a time limit to the beast tamer examination, and tracking down this Gold Alloyed Panther had nearly used up all of his time. Even if he wanted to tame another savage beast, he had to be able to find one first.... Besides, even if he did find one, given how his formation was ineffective, his survivability was the problem, let alone actually taming the savage beast.

"Senior, may I consult you on a matter?"

Quelling his gloom, Yun Tao clasped his hands.

"Hm?" Zhang Xuan glanced over.

"Just now... how were you able to tell that there was a problem with the setup of my formation, and that it wouldn’t be able to trap the Gold Alloyed Panther?" Yun Tao asked.

He wasn’t the only one who was curious about this. The eyes of the others also fell upon Zhang Xuan, and even Shen Bi Ru’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Based on his actions and words, the fellow before him was definitely a complete amateur at formations. Thus, it was inconceivable how he could see a flaw in it immediately.

"That’s simple!" Without hiding anything, Zhang Xuan explained, "The Green Wood Formation is built using formation flags made of the spotted laurel, and requires the wood element to sustain the formation. The location you chose is lush with trees and shrubs, and is aligned with the conditions required for the formation. There also weren’t any errors in your setup. However, you neglected a single detail!"

"Senior, please enlighten me!"

After musing for a while, Yun Tao couldn’t tell what was wrong with his formation. As a result, he asked with earnestness.

"The mountain range we stand upon!" Zhang Xuan lifted his head to look at the various mountains in the distance, his expression carefree.

"Mountain range?"

Yun Tao was even more confused.

What was wrong with this mountain range?

When he bought this Green Wood Formation, he had tried setting it up once and there was no problem at all! Even a Tongxuan realm primary stage expert would find it difficult to overcome this formation.

"The mountain range extends from the north to the south, and is imposing and staunch. The airstream sinks and doesn’t move. The plants that grow on land where soil lacks nutrients have a yellow tint, and the ridges along the mountain range have a slight shade of red..."

Sitting on the back of the Gold Alloyed Panther, Zhang Xuan pointed around to the various signs. "From this, you can tell that there is a metal deposit beneath the mountain! Of the five elements, metal opposes wood. As such, the Confinement Formation has been opposed by the metal element below, so how could it exert its full might?"

"This..."

Yun Tao trembled.

His teacher had once taught him that one shouldn’t just focus on the geographical terrains. More importantly, he should borrow the strength of the environment, the might of the heavens, and even the power from the stars, harboring them within his formations.

Back then, those words sounded ridiculous to him. Yet, at this moment, he realized that... it was all true!

To be able to tell that there was a metal deposit just from the ridges and the direction the mountains extended, and deduce that it affected the Green Wood Confinement Formation... What kind of discernment aptitude was that?

Even a 3-star formation master would be hard-pressed to perform such a feat.

To think that he was bragging in front such a person a moment ago, even asking the other party if he could even understand the formation....

Yun Tao felt a burning sensation on his face.

He wasn’t the only one shocked. Also seated on the Gold Alloyed Panther, Shen Bi Ru’s mouth twitched and she nearly fainted from surprise.

Brother, didn’t you know nothing about formations just a moment ago?

Why were you able to talk about metal deposits, ridges, airstream, and whatever else in the blink of an eye?

Do you have to be so incredible?

She felt that it was laughable how she thought that Zhang Xuan was spouting nonsense a moment ago....

"This guy..."

Recalling her previous experiences, Shen Bi Ru felt helpless.

Common sense truly didn’t apply to this fellow. If she continued to stick fast to common sense, it would just be a matter of time before she was shocked to death.

"I will stop here. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking my leave!"

After explaining the faults with the formation, Zhang Xuan waved and left.

"Senior, since there isn’t sufficient time to capture a savage beast now, I would like to return to the Beast Hall along with you. Is that fine by you?"

Since his examination was already a lost cause, he chose to throw it aside altogether and strike up a connection with the expert before him instead.

Regardless of his strength, his previous means to induce a breakthrough in a savage beast, or his understanding of formations, this Elder Zhang Xuan seemed to be a person with great ability. So Yun Tao deemed it beneficial for him to establish a relationship with him.

"The Gold Alloyed Panther is swift. If you can keep up, feel free to do so!"

Even though the prince was a braggart, he was a person with true capabilities. Furthermore, he was an apprentice beast tamer. With his guidance, it should be easier to find a good aerial savage beast, allowing them to reach Tianwu Kingdom faster and smoother.

However, it was already cramped for two people to ride the Gold Alloyed Panther. It would be impossible to house any more people.

"Thank you, senior!" Upon seeing him agree to it, Yun Tao heaved a sigh of relief.

"Let’s go!"

Zhang Xuan instructed the Gold Alloyed Panther, and it started dashing swiftly forward.

Even when it was at Pixue realm, the Gold Alloyed Panther had possessed incredible speed. At this moment, it was no different from a swift steed. Even though the terrain of the mountain forest was rugged and littered with obstacles, there simply weren’t any signs of it slowing down.

Initially, Yun Tao and company could still keep up. However, as time went on, the rate at which their zhenqi was being sapped increased as their faces turned pale. They were so exhausted from running that they were about to spit out blood.

"Let’s rest for a while!"

After around two hours, seeing that the others were completely exhausted, Zhang Xuan and Shen Bi Ru leapt from the back of the Gold Alloyed Panther.

Initially, if the duo proceeded to the Beast Hall by foot, it would take at least an entire day. However, with this fellow, they would reach in at most another two hours, so they were no longer in a rush.

"Senior!"

Knowing that the other party was stopping for their sake, Yun Tao heaved a sigh of relief. After resting for a moment and recovering a slight bit of his stamina, he walked forward and greeted Zhang Xuan respectfully.

"Given that I have tamed the Gold Alloyed Panther, does it mean that you have failed your beast tamer exam?"

Along the way, Zhang Xuan gave the matter some thought. Yun Tao and the others had pursued this Gold Alloyed Panther for several days, only for the prize to land in Zhang Xuan’s lap. While the savage beast wasn’t a huge deal, the beast tamer examination was. With this, Yun Tao would likely fail the examination.

"This..." Yun Tao replied awkwardly, "If not for elder taming the Gold Alloyed Panther, we might all have died on the spot. Compared to our lives, the exam means nothing at all!"

Zhang Xuan nodded his head.

While the fellow might be narcissistic, he was rational.

It was impossible for the Green Wood Confinement Formation to trap the Gold Alloyed Panther. If Zhang Xuan hadn’t been there, given the strength of Yun Tao and his Pixue realm subordinates, they would have died for sure. Even though Zhang Xuan had taken the Gold Alloyed Panther out of their hands, he had also saved their lives.

"What are the tests required for the beast tamer exam?"

After riding on the Gold Alloyed Panther, Zhang Xuan understood the convenience of having a savage beast as a mount. If he could become an official beast tamer, it would be convenient for him to travel long distances in the future.

If Yun Tao could hear his thoughts, he would definitely spew blood.

For the beast tamer examination, he had lived alongside savage beasts for many years in order to study from them. Even so, he had yet to pass the examination. On the other hand, this fellow wanted to take the examination just because he felt that it was tiring to walk on foot....

"First, one has to become an apprentice beast tamer. There are two parts to the apprentice examination: Theoretical Paper and Savage Beast Distinguishing. Only after passing these two will you be qualified to take the beast tamer exam. Similarly, there are also two parts to the beast tamer exam. First, you have to gain the recognition of a savage beast. Second, you have to tame a savage beast," Yun Tao explained.

"Gain the recognition of a savage beast?"

"Yeah. The examinee will be placed in an enclosure with five savage beasts. Within two hours, the examinee has to gain their approval and stop them from attacking him. If you can’t do so, it only means that you don’t have a good understanding of savage beasts! Also, there’s a requirement for the tamed savage beast. Its cultivation realm has to be higher than the examinee’s."

Yun Tao explained, "Otherwise, if the savage beast is too weak, one could use brute force to coerce its submission. If so, it would be impossible to determine whether the examinee has the true skills to become a beast tamer."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

The beast tamer examination was similar to the apothecary examination.

To become an apprentice, one had to possess sufficient theoretical knowledge. And to become an official member, one had to possess practical skills.

For the latter, one had to forge a tier-1 pill. As for the former, one had to tame a stronger savage beast.

It was no wonder why Yun Tao was pursuing this Gold Alloyed Panther. At Dingli realm pinnacle, the latter was an entire cultivation realm higher than him and fulfilled the prerequisites of the examination. Once he succeeded in taming it, he would pass the examination.

"There is a time limit of half a month to the taming of the savage beast. Just looking for this Gold Alloyed Panther has already taken me more than ten days. It is impossible for me to find another one right now. Besides, if I met one that was even fiercer than this Gold Alloyed Panther, I might even lose my life...."

Yun Tao had managed to let it go.

It was all thanks to the youngster before him that he was able to survive this ordeal. He might not be as lucky the next time.

It seemed that he would have to make thorough preparations the next time he took the examination, such that all precautions were in place.

Otherwise, if he died before becoming an official beast tamer, it would be too late for him to cry about it.

In fact, there were numerous apprentices who died at the hands of the savage beasts every year while taking the beast tamer examination.

"It’s good that you are willing to let it go. However... no matter what, I feel partly responsible for it. How about this: if you wish to tame another savage beast, I can give you a helping hand!" Zhang Xuan said.

More importantly, he was interested in seeing how someone could tame a savage beast that was stronger than the tamer.

After the affair with the Gold Alloyed Panther, Zhang Xuan knew that it would be difficult to build camaraderie with a savage beast if it didn’t admit defeat willingly, let alone taming it.

Even if not used for taking the beast tamer examination, the art of beast taming would prove useful in his future journeys.

After all, he couldn’t possibly be so lucky as to happen to meet a savage beast weaker than him and that submitted easily.

What if he encountered a strong one?

Therefore, he wished to make use of this opportunity to see how this fellow would go about it in order to steal his skills.

Of course, he wouldn’t say these words out loud. Otherwise, wouldn’t the image of a "senior" he had built with great difficulty crumble in an instant?

Having disguised himself as Yang shi, he understood that the identity of a "senior" would make it easy to resolve many issues.

However, it carried risks as well. Once exposed, he would likely be pummeled to death.

"Senior... is willing to help me?"

Hearing his words, Yun Tao immediately trembled in excitement.

He had witnessed the strength of Elder Zhang Xuan for himself. If he were to lend a helping hand, capturing a Pixue realm savage beast would definitely be an easy feat. As long as the savage beast was captured, he had his owns means to tame it.

"Yeah!" Zhang Xuan nodded his head with the look of an expert.

"That’s great! As long as Senior is willing to help me, I will definitely succeed..."

Balling his hands into fists, Yun Tao’s eyes reddened in excitement.

"Calm down first. Even if I did help you, can you find a suitable savage beast first?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"A suitable savage beast..."

Yun Tao immediately puckered his face.

He had already taken more than ten days to find a Pixue realm Gold Alloyed Panther. Even if the other party had agreed to help him, it was useless if he wasn’t able to find another suitable savage beast.

"Your Highness, have you forgotten about that?"

A subordinate stepped forward.

"That?" Yun Tao was perplexed.

"The one who comes by daily to cause trouble," the subordinate said.

"That thing?" Seemingly recalling something, embarrassment appeared on Yun Tao’s face.

"It’s too late to find any other savage beast. Your Highness, if you can capture and tame that fellow, you will pass the exam. Right now, the priority is to pass the beast tamer exam. We can talk about taming other savage beasts in the future!" the subordinate persuaded.

"This..." Yun Tao hesitated for a moment before turning to Zhang Xuan. "Elder, there is indeed a suitable savage beast. I will require your help in this matter."

"Oh?" Zhang Xuan stared at Yun Tao curiously.

"It’s a... strange bird!" Yun Tao said.

"An aerial savage beast?"

Given that Yun Tao was a Dingli realm pinnacle cultivator, and since the savage beast he had to tame had to be a cultivation realm higher than his, the savage beast he was speaking of had to be Pixue realm. On top of that, given that it was a bird, Yun Tao was probably asking him to capture an aerial savage beast for him.

All of the aerial savage beasts Zhang Xuan had passed by in the Xuanluo Mountain Range were soaring in the skies several thousand meters above them. Even if Zhang Xuan intended to capture them, he was helpless.

"It can’t be considered an aerial savage beast. It is quite small in size, about... the size of a palm!" Yun Tao’s face reddened.

"The size of a palm?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

Based on Shen Bi Ru’s descriptions, Zhang Xuan knew that aerial savage beasts were around several zhang long, and their wings were two to three zhang wide. Only with such size could they possess sufficient strength to carry a human to the skies.

To be the size of a palm... Indeed, it couldn’t be considered an aerial savage beast. At best it was a canary.

"Even though that thing is small, it is a savage beast. Furthermore, its strength has reached Pixue realm primary stage, so its cultivation realm is slightly higher than mine.... It’s just that its physique isn’t suited for battle, so it isn’t a match for me. However, it possesses incredible speed and is impossible to catch up to!" Yun Tao explained in detail.

"Small but fast? Even if you want to tame it, it probably won’t be easy to find it!" Zhang Xuan frowned.

Even a large and slow savage beast was hard to find. A palm-sized, flying-type savage beast possessing tremendous speed could be hiding anywhere in this vast forest. How could they possibly find it!

Furthermore, it could freely fly about in the sky.... It was probably even harder to tame than the Gold Alloyed Panther.

Upon hearing those words, Yun Tao felt a little sheepish. "It is hard to find it, but for the past few days, that fellow has been pestering us. Even if we don’t take the initiative to look for it, it will come to look for us on its own."

"Pester?"

Zhang Xuan was puzzled. Even though he didn’t have much of an understanding of savage beasts, he knew that they were guarded around humans. If a savage beast realized it wasn’t a match for its opponent, it would immediately run away as far as possible. If so, why would it pester them every day?

"This... I happened to smash its nest. Infuriated, that fellow has been coming to harass us every day...."

Yun Tao quickly explained the situation to Zhang Xuan.

After hearing the story, Zhang Xuan shook his head, unsure of whether he should sympathize with Yun Tao or burst out laughing.

This strange bird apparently liked to consume the wild honey of the mountain forest. Unaware of this fact, Yun Tao stumbled upon its nest and took away its collection of honey. That little fellow had probably been saving up for many years before being able to collect such a huge stockpile. Upon realizing that someone had stolen its treasure, it flew into a rage and chased the group.

However, due to its small physique, it wasn’t suited for battle, so it wasn’t a match for Yun Tao and his subordinates. Unable to take back its property, it had been trailing behind the group’s back. At a fixed time, it would charge in and wreak havoc.

This was now the eighth day. Looking at the time, it was roughly the time for its entry.

"That