Chapter 352 A Shocking Change in the Beast Taming Space! The New Pet Breaks Through to the Next Rank!

The Nether Abyss Light-Devouring Beast lay prostrate on the ground, its cold, gloomy eyes lowered now, not daring to meet Jiang Yun's gaze.

It nodded.

In that instant, complex emotions welled up in its heart—unwillingness, fear, and a hint of... anticipation that even it couldn't explain.

But its proud Bloodline made it unable to surrender immediately; it had merely yielded temporarily to the threat of death.

Jiang Yun looked at it, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

He could feel the resistance in this Vicious Beast's heart, but he didn't care.

As long as the contract was completed, time would change everything.

He bit his fingertip, and a drop of fresh blood seeped out, condensing into a point of dark red at his fingertip.

A Beast Taming Contract required a Beast Tamer to use essence blood as a medium to carve a contract brand onto the Vicious Beast.

Jiang Yun raised his hand, and that drop of blood slowly floated toward the Nether Abyss Light-Devouring Beast's forehead.

The Nether Abyss Light-Devouring Beast instinctively wanted to dodge, but Fox Immortal's faint pressure still enveloped it, leaving it unable to move.

The blood touched the base of the spiral horn on its forehead, instantly transforming into countless fine crimson lines that spread out in all directions like a spiderweb.

Those lines flickered with a dim red light, seeping bit by bit into its scales, its flesh, and its Soul.

The Nether Abyss Light-Devouring Beast's entire body trembled violently.

It felt a strange power invading its Sea of Consciousness, establishing a mysterious connection with its Soul.

It instinctively wanted to resist, but that power was gentle yet irresistible.

Finally.

The crimson lines all sank into its body.

A faint red light flashed and vanished at the center of its brow.

The contract was formed!

Jiang Yun closed his eyes, sensing the new connection in his Sea of Consciousness.

He could clearly feel the Nether Abyss Light-Devouring Beast's emotions—unwillingness, resistance, and a hint of curiosity.

He opened his eyes and looked at the behemoth before him.

"From now on, you shall be called... Nether Abyss."

He said softly.

The Nether Abyss Light-Devouring Beast raised its head and glanced at him.

That gaze was still cold, but the previous hostility was gone.

Only...

It was still proud.

It was still untamed.

The look in its eyes seemed to say: You were just lucky because of that fox demon; don't even think about making me truly submit.

Jiang Yun understood its gaze.

But he only smiled.

No rush.

He had plenty of time.

He raised his hand, and the power of the Beast Taming Space enveloped Nether Abyss.

"Go in."

As he spoke.

Nether Abyss's massive body turned into a streak of dark light and entered the center of Jiang Yun's brow.

Beast Taming Space.

Nether Abyss only felt its vision blur before appearing in a completely strange world.

It instinctively went on guard, Death Qi churning around its body, ready to face any threat at any moment.

Then.

It froze.

The sky was pale cyan, with a soft halo of light falling from an unknown source, warm but not blinding.

The air was filled with an extremely dense Spiritual Qi.

The concentration of that Spiritual Qi was more than ten times denser than in the outside world!

Having lived for so long, it had never seen such a terrifying cultivation environment!

It took a deep breath.

That pure Spiritual Qi surged into its body, instantly washing over its weary form.

The mental trauma left by experiencing death three times in the illusion just now—that lingering fear and pain—was actually receding at an alarming speed!

The feeling was like soaking in warm water, with all the pain being gently smoothed away.

It looked down at its claws in shock.

The pain of being burned by fox fire had vanished.

The despair of its Soul being torn apart had faded.

It felt its mind was clearer and more relaxed than ever before.

And what shocked it even more was...

The surrounding Spiritual Qi was actively surging into its body!

It wasn't actively absorbing it; rather, the Spiritual Qi was like a living thing, scrambling to bore into its body!

It was as if this entire space were welcoming it as a new member.

Spiritual Qi washed through its Meridians.

Spiritual Qi nourished its flesh.

Spiritual Qi permeated its bone marrow.

Its aura was climbing at a rate visible to the naked eye!

Purple Crystal Level 4.

Purple Crystal Level 4 Middle Stage.

Purple Crystal Level 4 Late Stage.

Purple Crystal Level 4 Peak!

Boom!!!

An invisible wave spread out from within its body!

It was only a thin barrier away from Purple Crystal Tier 5!

And that barrier was now teetering under the impact of the Spiritual Qi!

Nether Abyss widened its cold eyes.

It gaped.

Those eyes were filled with...

Incredulity.

Unbelief.

And...

Deep shock.

Having lived for so long, from its youth to the present, it had experienced countless battles and devoured countless prey, but it had never seen such a terrifying cultivation environment!

What place was this?!

How could this human's Beast Taming Space be so Heaven-Defying?!

It suddenly turned its head.

It saw Little Fire not far away.

That dragon-shaped beast, golden-red all over and coiled on a high lava platform, was sleeping.

Its aura... Gold Rank Seventh Order.

But that pressure, that faintly permeating Dragon Clan Bloodline Power, made even it feel a tremor in its heart.

That was the True Dragon Bloodline.

Though thin, it was indeed a dragon-type Bloodline.

It looked to the other side.

That bird with blue-gold feathers and Purple-Gold Lightning Arcs surrounding its body was quietly perched on a piece of lightning-struck wood.

Gold Rank Five Peak.

But the hint of ancient aura contained within those lightning arcs also made it instinctively alert.

That was an Immemorial Bloodline.

It was only stronger, not weaker, than the ancient Nether Abyss Divine Beast Bloodline in its own body.

Nether Abyss fell silent.

It stood there blankly, letting the surrounding Spiritual Qi wash over its body.

It suddenly realized...

This human was not simple.

His two beasts, though their Realms weren't high, that Bloodline Power, that hidden foundation...

Were by no means inferior to its own.

They were even faintly superior.

And this place...

It took another deep breath of Spiritual Qi.

The pleasant sensation almost made it groan aloud.

Those negative emotions, that unwillingness and resistance, the anger and humiliation of being forcibly contracted—at this moment, they were all washed away by the dense Spiritual Qi.

It even felt somewhat fortunate...

Fortunately, it had chosen to submit.

Otherwise, it would have forever missed such a miraculous place.

It raised its head, looking at the pale cyan sky.

For the first time, complex emotions appeared in its eyes.

It wasn't submission.

But it was no longer pure resistance either.

Rather...

Curiosity.

Anticipation for this human.

Anticipation for the future.

Jiang Yun's Divine Sense had been silently observing everything inside the Beast Taming Space.

When he saw Nether Abyss's series of shocked expressions, he couldn't help but smile.

From pride to shock, from shock to incredulity, from incredulity to awe, and now to complexity and anticipation.

He knew it.

No Vicious Beast could resist the characteristics of his Beast Taming Space.

Abnormal time flow, ten times denser Spiritual Qi, and the ability to eliminate negative states.

Let alone a beast like Nether Abyss who had just been forcibly contracted; even beasts raised from childhood would become utterly devoted after entering.

He withdrew his Divine Sense.

He stopped paying attention to Nether Abyss.

Now, it was time to leave this place.

He was about to take a step.

Suddenly.

A crude ripple of Divine Sense came from his Sea of Consciousness.

It was Nether Abyss.

The meaning it conveyed was somewhat fuzzy, but could be roughly understood:

"Master... those... crystals... take them... for me... useful..."

Jiang Yun's footsteps paused.

He turned his head and looked at the massive Seven-Colored Crystal in the center of the cavern hall.

And the fragments scattered around.

Right.

These crystals could coexist with Nether Abyss, providing light in this cave without being consumed by its Light-Devouring Body.

Clearly, these crystals had some special connection with Nether Abyss.

Perhaps they were companion treasures for its cultivation.

Jiang Yun did not hesitate.

He walked over to the crystal and examined it closely.

This crystal was as large as two people hugging, with seven-colored light flowing all over it, containing extremely massive energy.

Moreover, within that energy was a hint of aura from the same source as Nether Abyss.

He raised his hand and tried to put the crystal into the Beast Taming Space.

The crystal went in.

He continued to collect the surrounding fragments.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces...

Until all the fragments were collected.

The cavern hall fell into complete darkness.

But Jiang Yun wasn't worried.

He patted Little Skylark.

Little Skylark's body lit up slightly with purple-gold lightning, illuminating the path ahead.

He walked over to Zhao Zhao's body.

He glanced down.

On that face, the fear and unwillingness from before death still remained.

The stumps of his legs were no longer bleeding.

The man had long since stopped breathing.

Jiang Yun was expressionless.

He turned around.

And left.

Outside the cave.

The night was deep.

Lei Qing and the others were still standing not far from the cave entrance.

No one spoke.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Lei Qing punched the nearby rock wall.

"Damn!"

He growled.

"The Sacred Student... how could he just..."

He couldn't go on.

Liu Qingshuang stood there, motionless.

Her cold eyes were fixed on the cave entrance.

A crystalline light flickered in her eyes.

She remembered Jiang Yun's last smile.

She remembered him saying, "I have a way to get out."

But how long had it been?

Half an hour.

There wasn't a sound from inside.

Those beasts... so many Amethyst beasts...

Xiao Chen closed his eyes.

He said nothing.

He just stood there like a statue.

Xiao Jianshan and Fierce Tiger Li stood to the side.

They didn't know what to say.

They were only filled with guilt and grief.

After a long time.

Lei Qing took a deep breath.

"Let's go."

His voice was hoarse.

"The Sacred Student... he traded his life for ours."

"We can't let him down."

"Go back and ask the academy's higher-ups to avenge the Sacred Student!"

He turned around.

And took a step.

Liu Qingshuang still stood motionless.

She stared intently at the cave entrance, her lips trembling slightly.

Xiao Chen opened his eyes.

He glanced at the cave entrance.

Then.

He slowly turned around.

Xiao Jianshan and Fierce Tiger Li looked at each other.

They also turned around.

Just then.

A familiar voice came from behind them.

"Aren't you all going to wait for me?"

Everyone's footsteps stopped at the same time.

Lei Qing's body stiffened.

He spun around.

Liu Qingshuang's pupils suddenly contracted.

A sharp light flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes.

Xiao Jianshan and Fierce Tiger Li were simply stunned.

At the cave entrance.

A figure was slowly walking out.

That figure was riding on the back of a bird with blue-gold feathers.

Faint purple-gold lightning swirled around him.

Illuminating that young and familiar face.

Jiang Yun.

It was Jiang Yun.

"Sa... Sacred Student?!"

Lei Qing's voice trembled with disbelief.

He rubbed his eyes.

Thinking he had seen wrong.

But that figure became clearer and clearer.

Closer and closer.

Finally.

Jiang Yun jumped down from Little Skylark's back and landed steadily on the ground.

He looked at the group of people standing like wooden statues before him.

He smiled.

"What?"

"Thought I was dead?"

Lei Qing was the first to rush forward.

He grabbed Jiang Yun in a hug.

"Holy crap! You're not dead!"

"You're really freaking alive!"

He was incoherent with excitement.

Liu Qingshuang stood where she was.

She looked at Jiang Yun.

Her cold eyes were now filled with...

Shock.

Joy.

And an indescribably complex emotion.

She didn't speak.

But her eyelashes were trembling slightly.

The crystal tears at the corner of her eyes slipped down quietly.

She quickly turned her face away so no one would see.

Xiao Chen stepped forward.

He looked deeply at Jiang Yun.

Then.

He smiled.

That smile was from the heart.

"Sacred Student."

He said softly.

"You really are... different."

Xiao Jianshan and Fierce Tiger Li knelt directly.

"Young Master Jiang!"

"You're alright! That's wonderful! Wonderful!"

Tears of joy streamed down their old faces.

Jiang Yun quickly stepped forward to help them up.

"Town Mayor, Captain, please get up."

"I'm fine."

Everyone crowded around.

Asking all at once.

"Sacred Student, how did you escape?!"

"What about those beasts? They didn't chase you?"

"How did you deal with so many Vicious Beasts alone?"

Jiang Yun smiled.

He had already prepared his excuse.

"Actually, I survived entirely because of Little Skylark."

He patted Little Skylark beside him.

Little Skylark tilted its head up proudly, the Purple-Gold Lightning Arcs dancing even more cheerfully.

"Though there were many Vicious Beasts, they had a weakness: they are afraid of light."

"I have those shards of the Seven-Colored Crystals in my hand; that light can suppress them."

He paused.

"I used the shards for illumination, letting Little Skylark lead me through the darkness."

"Those Vicious Beasts couldn't catch me; instead, I led them in circles around the cave."

"Finally..."

He looked at the crowd, his smile becoming even more brilliant.

"Guess what happened?"

Lei Qing's eyes widened.

"What happened?"

Jiang Yun said nonchalantly.

"I led them right in front of the strongest Purple Crystal Tier 5 Vicious Beast."

"That Vicious Beast... was sleeping."

"The Vicious Beasts chasing me startled it awake."

"And then..."

He spread his hands.

"They started fighting among themselves."

Everyone was stunned.

"They started fighting among themselves?"

Lei Qing's mouth fell open.

"So... you just watched them fight internally and then escaped unscathed?"

Jiang Yun nodded.

"That Purple Crystal Tier 5 Vicious Beast was too strong; the other Vicious Beasts were no match for it at all."

"After it killed the Vicious Beasts chasing me, it was also heavily injured."

"I... took the opportunity to finish it off as well."

As soon as these words were spoken.

Everyone gasped.

"Finished off a Purple Crystal Tier 5 Vicious Beast?!"

"That was a Purple Crystal Tier 5!"

"It was stronger than all their tamed beasts combined!"

Lei Qing's eyes widened.

"Sacred Student... you, you finished it off?"

Jiang Yun nodded.

His tone was as calm as if he were talking about what he had eaten today.

"Yeah."

"Little Skylark's lightning, combined with the light of the Seven-Colored Crystals, just happened to counter its abilities."

"It was heavily injured and its combat power was greatly reduced, so I... took advantage of the situation."

Everyone fell silent.

"Took advantage of the situation?"

He made it sound so easy.

That was a Purple Crystal Tier 5.

Even if it was heavily injured, it wasn't something just anyone could take down.

Lei Qing swallowed hard.

He looked at Jiang Yun.

Looked at Little Skylark.

Suddenly he felt.

This Sacred Student was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Liu Qingshuang also looked at Jiang Yun.

Those cold eyes were now full of complexity.

She remembered the scene inside the cave earlier, where Jiang Yun alone stayed behind to cover their retreat.

At that time, she thought he would surely die.

But now he stood here completely unharmed.

And he nonchalantly said he had finished off a Purple Crystal Tier 5.

She suddenly found this youth somewhat inscrutable.

Xiao Chen took a deep look at Jiang Yun.

He didn't ask much.

He just nodded slightly.

"Sacred Student, impressive."

Xiao Jianshan and Fierce Tiger Li were even more excited, to the point of being incoherent.

"Young Master Jiang! You are simply a Heavenly God descended to earth!"

"The Vicious Beasts in that cave... are they, are they all dead?"

Jiang Yun nodded.

"They're all dead."

He paused.

"Including the strongest one."

"From now on, there will never be another Vicious Beast riot here."

Xiao Jianshan's whole body trembled.

He knelt down once more.

"Young Master Jiang! This Xiao represents the 3,700 households of Ash Town in thanking you for saving our lives!"

Fierce Tiger Li also knelt.

"Thank you, Sacred Student, for saving our lives!"

Jiang Yun quickly helped them up.

"Mayor, Captain, there's no need for this."

"This is what I should have done."

Lei Qing suddenly remembered something.

He looked around.

"By the way, where's Zhao Zhao?"

He frowned.

"That bastard didn't seem to come out with us just now."

He looked at Jiang Yun.

"Sacred Student, did you... see him inside?"

The smile on Jiang Yun's face faded slightly.

He was silent for a breath.

Then.

He calmly uttered two words.

"Dead."

Everyone was stunned at the same time.

Lei Qing opened his mouth.

Wanting to say something.

But seeing Jiang Yun's calm expression.

He suddenly understood something.

Liu Qingshuang lowered her eyelashes.

She said nothing.

Xiao Chen nodded slightly.

Also silent.

Xiao Jianshan and Fierce Tiger Li exchanged a glance.

They remembered the scene where Zhao Zhao pushed Fierce Tiger Li out.

In their hearts, only one thought remained.

"Good riddance."

No one asked further.

No one mentioned it again.

The name Zhao Zhao was, at this moment, tactfully forgotten by everyone.

Jiang Yun looked up at the sky.

"This isn't the place for conversation."

He looked at Xiao Jianshan.

"Mayor, let's head back to town first."

Xiao Jianshan nodded heavily.

"Right! Right!"

He turned and waved to the Guard Members waiting nearby.

"Brothers! The Sacred Student has returned safely!"

"Back to town!"

The group set off in a grand procession, returning the way they came.

Half an hour later.

Ash Town, Town Hall.

This was a three-story stone building, simple on the outside and tidy on the inside.

Mayor Xiao Jianshan welcomed Jiang Yun and the others into the Reception Room.

"Please have a seat, Prodigies."

He was all smiles.

"This Xiao will be right back."

Lei Qing and the others sat down in chairs.

Liu Qingshuang remained cold, just sitting quietly.

Xiao Chen closed his eyes to rest.

Jiang Yun looked around the Reception Room, but in his mind, he was thinking about Nether Abyss in his Beast Taming Space.

He wondered how it was adapting now.

Not long after.

Xiao Jianshan returned.

Behind him followed Fierce Tiger Li.

And in Xiao Jianshan's hands, he carried a wooden box wrapped in red cloth.

Lei Qing was taken aback.

"Mayor, this is..."

Xiao Jianshan stepped forward.

He stood before Jiang Yun and the others and bowed deeply.

"Prodigies."

He straightened up, his voice solemn.

"Ash Town was able to survive this crisis entirely because of all of you."

"This Xiao doesn't have much to offer, but as Mayor, I have a few treasures."

He opened the wooden box.

The red cloth was pulled back.

In an instant.

Auras of varying strengths and different attributes wafted out from the wooden box!

Though the aura wasn't exactly majestic, it was extremely pure!

Lei Qing's eyes instantly widened.

Liu Qingshuang's eyelashes fluttered.

Xiao Chen opened his eyes.

Even Jiang Yun sat up a bit straighter.

Inside the wooden box lay four items.

The first was a crystal the size of a fist.

The crystal was deep purple throughout, with faint lightning flowing inside; with every flicker, a trace of extremely pure lightning-attribute aura escaped.

Lei Qing's breathing instantly became rapid.

"Is this... a Thunder Essence Crystal?!"

Even his voice changed.

"And such a large Thunder Essence Crystal?!"

"Thunder Essence Crystal, a lightning-system treasure, can be used for cultivation, strengthening tamed beasts, or refining Magical Artifacts."

"One this large is at least a Gold Rank Peak Grade!"

For his Thunder Beast, it was simply a dream treasure!

The second item was an ice-blue lingzhi mushroom.

The lingzhi was about the size of a palm, its surface covered in a thin layer of frost, emitting a faint chill.

The chill wasn't biting, but rather brought a crisp sense of comfort.

Liu Qingshuang's gaze fell upon this lingzhi.

She recognized it.

"Profound Ice Lingzhi."

"An ice-system treasure, it can significantly improve the Aptitude and combat power of ice-system tamed beasts."

It was also Gold Rank Peak Grade.

The third item was a short sword.

The short sword was about two feet long, with a simple scabbard and a pale green gemstone embedded in the hilt.

Xiao Chen's gaze was firmly drawn to this short sword.

He could feel the sharp intent contained within the blade.

That was Sword Intent.

Though weak, it was indeed Sword Intent.

This was a Sword-Path Treasure.

For a Beast Tamer like him who possessed sword-body tamed beasts, the value of a treasure even exceeded that of Spirit Medicine.

The fourth item was a fiery red lingzhi mushroom.

"Fire Lingzhi."

Of the same rank as the Profound Ice Lingzhi, a fire-system treasure.

Jiang Yun's gaze fell on this Fire Lingzhi.

Little Fire was fire-system; this thing was perfect for it.

Four treasures, every one of them Gold Rank Peak Grade.

Each one corresponded to the needs of the four of them.

As if they were custom-made.

Lei Qing's mouth fell open.

He looked at the Thunder Essence Crystal, then at Xiao Jianshan.

"Mayor... this, this is far too precious!"

Although Liu Qingshuang didn't speak, the ripple in her eyes already indicated her surprise.

Xiao Chen was equally surprised.

He looked at Xiao Jianshan, his gaze carrying a hint of solemnity.

"Mayor, where did you get these things from?"

Xiao Jianshan smiled.

There was a hint of weariness in that smile.

"This Xiao has been the Mayor of Ash Town for twenty years."

"In twenty years, I've managed to save up a bit of a family fortune."

He looked at the group.

"You Prodigies saved Ash Town, saved this Xiao's life, and saved the lives of everyone in town."

"No matter how precious these things are, they cannot compare to your kindness."

He paused.

"Please, everyone, you must accept them."

Lei Qing scratched his head.

He looked at Jiang Yun.

Liu Qingshuang and Xiao Chen also looked at Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun was silent for a breath.

He looked at Xiao Jianshan.

"Mayor, these things are indeed precious."

"We..."

Xiao Jianshan waved his hands quickly.

"Young Master Jiang, please don't refuse!"

His expression was sincere.

"If you don't accept them, this Xiao will feel uneasy!"

"Ash Town is poor and has nothing much to offer."

"These things are the only way this Xiao can express his gratitude."

"If you don't accept them, this Xiao can only beg you on his knees."

As he spoke, he was about to kneel.

Jiang Yun quickly supported him.

"Mayor, don't be like this."

He looked into Xiao Jianshan's sincere eyes.

Then he looked at the four treasures.

Finally.

He nodded.

"Alright."

"Then we will accept them."

Lei Qing was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Mayor!"

He grabbed the Thunder Essence Crystal, turning it over in his hands, unable to put it down.

Liu Qingshuang hesitated for a moment, then also tucked away the Profound Ice Lingzhi.

She said softly.

"Thank you, Mayor."

Xiao Chen took the short sword.

The moment he gripped the hilt, a flash of satisfaction crossed his eyes.

Jiang Yun picked up the Fire Lingzhi.

The warm touch made his heart feel slightly warm.

He looked at Xiao Jianshan.

"Mayor, we will remember this kindness."

Xiao Jianshan smiled so widely his mouth wouldn't close.

"It is this Xiao's honor that you Prodigies would accept them!"

He looked at the group.

"By the way, there's one more thing."

"Tonight, this Xiao has set a banquet at the Town Hall and would like to invite you all to grace us with your presence."

"The food and wine may be simple, but they are the heartfelt gifts of the townspeople."

"If you don't mind..."

He looked at them expectantly.

Lei Qing looked at Jiang Yun.

Liu Qingshuang and Xiao Chen also looked at Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun smiled slightly.

"Since the Mayor is so hospitable, we'll trouble you then."

Xiao Jianshan was overjoyed.

"Good! Good!"

He nodded repeatedly.

"This Xiao will go and make the arrangements right away!"

"Please have a seat, everyone!"

Having said that, he left hurriedly with Fierce Tiger Li.

In the Reception Room.

Lei Qing held the Thunder Essence Crystal, smiling from ear to ear.

"Sacred Student, I must say, this Mayor is really a man of principle!"

"These things are all top-notch!"

Although Liu Qingshuang didn't speak, her gaze toward Jiang Yun softened slightly.

Xiao Chen gripped the short sword and nodded slightly.

"He was thoughtful."

Jiang Yun smiled.

He didn't speak.

He just looked out the door.

Looking at the sky shrouded in night.

In his heart, however, he was thinking about Nether Abyss in his Beast Taming Space.

After tonight.

It would be time to return to the Academy.

The Slot Competition for the Molten Cavern was approaching!

Before that.

He still had many things to do.