I'm Just a Beast Tamer

Chapter 122: Chapter 119: Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad and the Stratagem

The Lv Family was one of the clans affiliated with the Divine Wood Sect, and their territory was not far from the sect.

Having made up his mind, Lv Yi immediately headed back toward his family’s territory.

Lv Jingsong and Lv Yi thought their plan was flawless, but they had no idea they were already being watched.

The External Affairs Hall had three rotating elders at any given time. Although Lv Yi’s chances of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple were slim, a chance was still a chance, and he could potentially push someone else out.

Wen Yaoju, who was also a rotating Outer Sect Steward, had long been secretly accepting favors. He had been entrusted by someone to keep an eye on Lv Jingsong and Lv Yi.

At that moment, somewhere in the External Affairs Hall, Wen Yaoju looked at the information from the Worldwide Bank in his hand, then at the departing figure of Lv Yi. A cold smile crept onto his face.

’Trying to secretly snatch a Cultivation Jade Stone and become an Inner Sect Disciple just like that? What a beautiful dream.’

’Too bad I found out about it.’

Of course, Wen Yaoju wouldn’t expose them directly.

He knew what Lv Jingsong and the others were planning, but he had no proof. If he exposed them now, the most that would happen is Lv Jingsong would be stripped of his steward position.

The Lv Family losing a steward position would certainly be a loss for them, but aside from creating an enemy for his Wen Family, there was no benefit in it for him.

What Wen Yaoju wanted was for a Wen Family disciple to obtain the Cultivation Jade Stone!

Compared to an Inner Sect Disciple, a mere Outer Sect Steward was not worth mentioning!

And since Lv Jingsong had already made a move, Wen Yaoju had an even cleverer plan than the Lv Family’s.

Even if the matter was exposed, neither he nor the Wen Family would be implicated.

...

Lv Clan Territory.

Lv Yi quietly returned to the Lv Family, found the clan patriarch, Lv Mingjiang, and told him his plan.

"A spot as an Inner Sect Disciple is indeed worth deploying the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad. However, the Toad has to be nurtured for fifty years after each use, and a single use consumes fifty thousand low-grade Spirit Stones."

"This would severely drain the family’s resources. It’s best not to use it if we can avoid it."

"How about this: you take the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad, and I’ll have Jiu accompany you. If you can avoid using the Toad, it’s best that you do."

Lv Mingjiang said after a moment of contemplation.

Lv Yi was the most promising disciple of the Lv Family’s younger generation. If he could become an Inner Sect Disciple, the benefits to the Lv Family would be self-evident.

However, the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad was the Lv Family’s clan-guarding treasure and could not be used lightly.

"Excellent!"

Lv Yi also knew the family’s predicament, so he naturally had no objections.

Jiu was one of the three Dao Foundation elders of the family’s older generation, with a mid-stage Dao Foundation Cultivation.

As long as the disciple who took the mission wasn’t too strong, it was possible for him and Jiu to kill the target and silence them.

And if all else failed, they still had the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad as their trump card.

Lv Mingjiang then summoned an old man and, in front of both of them, carefully took out the Lv Family’s clan-guarding treasure: the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad.

The Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad was only the size of a palm, a toad that looked as if it were carved from earthy-yellow Jade Stone.

An ancestor of the Lv Family had obtained it in a chance encounter. The rise of the Lv Family into a Cultivation Clan with multiple Dao Foundation Cultivators was largely thanks to this treasure, the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad.

As long as it was offered fifty thousand Spirit Stones, the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad could unleash an incomparably sharp attack.

Those below the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation realm had almost no way to resist and would certainly die.

Even a late-stage Dao Foundation cultivator would be severely injured, their combat power sharply reduced.

The only drawback of the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad was that it needed to be nurtured for fifty years after each use before it could be deployed again.

But even so, it was still an extraordinary treasure.

Killing a Dao Foundation Cultivator for fifty thousand low-grade Spirit Stones was a tremendous bargain.

The Lv Family never dared let outsiders know they possessed such a treasure. Only the core members of the clan who had reached the Dao Foundation stage in their Cultivation were likely to know of its existence.

Furthermore, according to the Lv family ancestors, the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad was a treasure that could grow. As long as it was supplied with enough Spirit Stones, it could evolve and kill Cultivators of even higher realms without any issue.

With something so important, Lv Mingjiang naturally had to give Lv Yi and the other man detailed instructions.

If not for the fact that this trip was to the Mortal Territory, where the risks were minimal, and that it concerned a spot for an Inner Sect Disciple, Lv Mingjiang would never have allowed Lv Yi to take the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad.

Lv Yi and Jiu nodded solemnly, took the Treasure-Devouring Celestial Toad, and departed quietly.

「A week later.」

「Outside Jinghai County, Dongyang Kingdom.」

As a coastal kingdom, Dongyang had a large river outside Jinghai County that flowed directly into the East Sea.

The upper reaches of this great river originated from a cliff.

A massive volume of water cascaded down the cliff, forming a huge waterfall.

On top of the cliff, there was once a temple.

From this high vantage point, one could gaze into the distance. Simply looking out at the world below could relax the mind and refresh the spirit. It was indeed a fine place for spiritual cultivation.

However, the people of Jinghai County were unaware that a few days ago, this temple had been secretly occupied by Ma Daquan, who had just recently been promoted to Grandmaster.

Ma Daquan told the monks that he needed to cultivate his mind and character here for a month. Without further explanation, he drove them all down to live in the bungalows at the foot of the mountain.

Ma Daquan was hardly the type to cultivate his mind and character. He had come here purely on the whim of that unknown master.

’I have no idea what he’s thinking, making me come to this godforsaken place.’

Although he grumbled endlessly in his heart, Ma Daquan didn’t dare voice a single complaint.

The more contact he had with this mysterious master, the more terrified Ma Daquan became. He could only do as he was told, not daring to disobey in the slightest.

’They’re finally here!’

Jiang Zuo was, of course, also in the temple, but he was hidden so well that not even Ma Daquan knew his exact location.

A mortal ambushing a Cultivator.

Although Jiang Zuo was confident, he didn’t dare to be the least bit careless.

Who knew what kind of people would show up.

Thus, Jiang Zuo had made extensive preparations.

Waiting for people at Ma Daquan’s old lair would have been extremely foolish.

Before finding Ma Daquan, Jiang Zuo had already chosen the true location for the confrontation.

This high cliff, with the great river and waterfall right next to it, was the perfect place for his escape.

By bringing Ma Daquan here, Jiang Zuo had essentially guaranteed his own safety.

Then, using the formation function of his Commander Skill, Jiang Zuo organized the twelve Seated Mountain Eagles into two teams.

His Commander Skill was now Level 2, allowing him to establish two Pet Beast teams simultaneously.

Just as Jiang Zuo could exchange mental images and information with his Pet Beasts over a certain distance, the Pet Beasts within the same team could do the same with each other.

Jiang Zuo had the twelve Seated Mountain Eagles hide separately in the surrounding mountain forests.

In particular, two Seated Mountain Eagles were positioned to the left and right of Ma Daquan’s old lair, watching it closely.

If any Cultivators came looking, they would first find their way there. Only then would the subordinates left behind tell them that Ma Daquan was actually at the temple.

Between the temple and Ma Daquan’s old lair, several Seated Mountain Eagles were hidden as relay points.

The moment a Cultivator appeared, Jiang Zuo would know immediately.

And right now, the figures of two Cultivators appeared in Jiang Zuo’s mind.

After leaving Ma Daquan’s old lair, the two were already rushing toward the temple.

"Someone will be here to see you soon. They will ask about your Cultivation Technique. You are to boastfully tell them that you are practicing the Life Essence Returning Skill, and that the technique comes from this Jade Stone, which you obtained from a tomb raid."

Jiang Zuo took out a Peace Pendant and handed it to Ma Daquan.

This was not a real Cultivation Jade Stone, of course, but a replica made by Jiang Zuo.

However, this "Cultivation Jade Stone" emanated the faint aura of the Power of Life.

"Is that all? You don’t need me to do anything else?"

Ma Daquan’s spirits lifted, but he then asked cautiously.

He didn’t know that Cultivators existed in the world; he only thought that Jiang Zuo was already invincible. Anyone targeted by him was surely doomed.

He was hoping to take this opportunity to earn more merit.

"That’s enough. If they ask about anything else, just tell them a modified version of your other tomb-raiding stories."

Jiang Zuo waved his hand, dismissing Ma Daquan to wait in the main hall.

This Jade Pendant not only contained the Power of Life, but also concealed the even more terrifying Power of Destruction within.

Two Cultivators were coming, and it seemed they were both at the Dao Foundation stage. Jiang Zuo had to strike first and incapacitate one of them.

Otherwise, he would have little chance of winning a direct fight against two Cultivators, let alone capturing one alive for interrogation.

...

"What’s this guy playing at? Why would he leave his lair to go to a temple?"

Lv Yi rushed over, his face a mask of impatience.

He had thought that finding Ma Daquan and the Cultivation Jade Stone would be the end of it.

He never expected that after entering the mountain stockade, he would learn that Ma Daquan had run off to some goddamn temple to chant sutras.

Thankfully, it wasn’t far, or Lv Yi would have been tempted to go on a killing spree.

"The minds of mortals... no need to overthink them."

Jiu, on the other hand, appeared calm and composed, not at all in a hurry.

The two descended from the sky into the temple below. This time, they found a few of Ma Daquan’s subordinates and forced them to lead the way to Ma Daquan.

"Who are you?"

Fearless in his ignorance, Ma Daquan asked brashly.

"I hear you’re practicing a special Cultivation Technique, one that can make trees wither and die in an instant?"

Lv Yi asked coolly, sizing up Ma Daquan.

"Of course! The technique I’m practicing is the Life Essence Return—"

Although Ma Daquan was eager to show off, he remembered that Jiang Zuo was watching him from the shadows. If he said the wrong thing and ruined Jiang Zuo’s plan, he would be in for a world of hurt.

So, he followed Jiang Zuo’s instructions and spoke boastfully.

"Hand over the Cultivation Jade Stone!"

Before Ma Daquan could finish, Lv Yi suddenly barked.

His voice seemed to carry an irresistible force.

Trembling, Ma Daquan immediately took out the "Cultivation Jade Stone" Jiang Zuo had given him.

"Got it!"

When Lv Yi and Jiu saw the Peace Pendant, their hearts leaped with joy, and they hastily snatched it from Ma Daquan’s hand.

"This Jade Stone looks extraordinary. It must be the Cultivation Jade Stone, no doubt about it!"

Holding it in his hand and examining it carefully, he found that it perfectly matched the information they had.

What’s more, the Cultivation Jade Stone emanated an aura faintly similar to the Cultivation Techniques of the Divine Wood Sect.

From the shadows, Jiang Zuo prepared to detonate the Power of Destruction within the Jade Pendant.

But at that moment, another set of images appeared in his mind.

’Someone else is coming? They’re not from the same group? And this newcomer looks even more powerful!’

Jiang Zuo’s heart skipped a beat.

This was completely beyond his expectations.

The newcomer was moving extremely fast and was bound to run into the first arrivals at the temple.

After a brief thought, Jiang Zuo remotely detonated the Power of Destruction he had left on Ma Daquan.

Ma Daquan was already terrified because his body had moved against his will.

And now, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his throat. Then his vision went black, and he knew no more.

"What’s wrong with this man? Is he dead?"

Holding the Cultivation Jade Stone, Lv Yi was just about to put it away.

When he saw Ma Daquan suddenly drop dead, he had a bad feeling.

BOOM!

At the same time, a figure burst through the temple roof and crashed into the main hall.

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