If a demon pet is disobedient, it's mostly because people have spoiled it.

Several days later.

Taixuan Holy Land.

Yuhua Peak Immortal Cave.

Qi Yuan, sitting in the main seat with a stiff face, spoke in a cold and harsh tone to the Four-Eyed Spirit Fox below him:

“Now that your Sister Bai is in seclusion for Core Formation, there is no one left to plead for you. This Daozi will properly teach you the rules of being a spirit pet.”

As he spoke, he pointed toward the entrance:

“Those few hundred-year-old spirit lingzhi mushrooms at the cave entrance were gnawed clean by you, weren't they?”

Hearing this, the fox demon shrank its head in fear and said weakly:

“Revered Master, those were just the most common Green Spirit Lingzhi. Usually, they grow by the roadside and no one even picks them up. This small demon was just having a craving and used them to grind its teeth along the way...”

Before it could finish, it was hoisted up by Qi Yuan.

The fox demon panicked instantly, pleading for mercy, “Revered Master, this small demon didn't do it on purpose. How about you put those Green Spirit Lingzhi on my tab? I will definitely repay you several times over in the future.”

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow and said in a disgusted tone:

“That's not the point. The point is that our Yuhua Peak doesn't keep idle people... wait, doesn't keep idle demons!”

“As This Daozi's demon pet, you don't think about Cultivating hard to work off your debts in the future. Instead, you spend all day lying flat and slacking off, just waiting to die. You've decided to welsh on your debt, haven't you?”

As he spoke, he pinched the soft fur on the fox demon's head and said with a serious face:

“Instead of taking you out to lose face, it's better to skin you now and make a fox-fur scarf for your Sister Bai. What do you think?”

“No, don't! Revered Master, spare my life!”

The fox demon trembled all over in fear, wailing with a miserable face: “Revered Master, please be merciful and let me go! I will definitely Cultivate hard and never dare to be lazy again.”

Qi Yuan snorted coldly. “In that case, This Daozi will give you a chance. You have one year. Within one year, Cultivate to the Golden Core Realm. Otherwise, you know the consequences...”

Facing this blatant threat, the fox demon didn't even dare to breathe loudly, hurriedly promising:

“Thank you, Revered Master, for not killing me. Even if this small demon has to risk its old life, I will successfully transform this year.”

Once a sentient Yao Beast reaches the Golden Core Realm, they often like to transform into human form because the Human Race is recognized as one of the most suitable races for Cultivation in the Cultivation World.

“Remember your words. Now scram back to your Cultivation.”

Qi Yuan nodded expressionlessly, then let go and tossed the fox demon onto the ground.

“This small demon is scrambling! Scrambling right now!”

The fox demon felt as if it had been granted a great amnesty, and it scrambled out of the cave at full speed.

Watching the fox demon's dejected back, Qi Yuan gave a faint smile.

If a demon pet is disobedient, it's mostly because it's been spoiled. A good beating is all it takes.

Just then.

A respectful voice suddenly came from outside the Immortal Cave.

“Lord Daozi, the Sect Head has arrived in person. Please come out quickly to welcome him.”

What?

Qi Yuan was stunned for a moment, then he quickly opened the Restriction outside the Immortal Cave and hurried out to meet him.

Seeing Daoist Hengzhen standing outside the door, he did not dare to be negligent and hurriedly stepped forward to salute:

“Disciple greets Sect Head Revered Master.”

“No need for such formalities.”

Daoist Hengzhen nodded slightly, then turned his gaze toward Qi Yuan and said with a joyful expression:

“Good! You have indeed successfully condensed your Nascent Soul. Come, let's go inside and talk!”

“Yes, Master.”

Although Qi Yuan was puzzled as to why Daoist Hengzhen, who was supposed to be in seclusion, would suddenly visit, he still obediently led him into the Immortal Cave.

After they sat down in the reception hall, Daoist Hengzhen got straight to the point and asked:

“Disciple, what level of Nascent Soul did you actually form?”

Qi Yuan was prepared for this and immediately replied:

“Reporting to Revered Master, the Nascent Soul condensed by your Disciple has refined spiritual power and a faint divine light flickering within it. It is quite similar to the Divine Radiance Nascent Soul described in the Holy Land's records. It should be considered a Divine Radiance Nascent Soul...”

After his Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, he had proactively restrained the many phenomena of the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, disguising it as a Divine Radiance Nascent Soul to the outside world.

The reason was simple: a Divine Radiance Nascent Soul was already the level of the top-tier Prodigies in the Yunmeng Great World. Anything higher would not be a pleasant surprise, but a shock.

Currently, the Righteous and Demonic Paths were in a standoff. Although the Righteous Path was slightly more powerful, the Demonic Path was no soft persimmon to be toyed with.

The reason the Cultivation World had seemed calm over these years was that both sides were secretly accumulating strength for the next Great War of Righteous and Demonic Paths.

In such a situation, if the news of the Dao Child of Tai Xuan achieving a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul were to leak out, he would likely immediately become a primary target for elimination by various Demonic Path forces.

At that time, even other Holy Lands might be happy to see a peerless Prodigy with a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul fall before he could grow up, lest Taixuan Holy Land become the sole dominant power in the future.

Having lived two lives, Qi Yuan was naturally well aware of the wickedness of human nature; he knew that the tallest tree catches the most wind and the first bird to poke its head out gets shot.

Before becoming completely invincible, it was best to develop steadily first.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Taixuan Holy Land's determination to protect its own Genius, but he couldn't place his safety entirely on the Sect's protection.

Of course, more importantly, the tasks assigned by this brain-dead System were becoming increasingly abstract. If he were followed by a group of bodyguards watching his every move, where would the Daozi's dignity go?

While his thoughts were racing, he saw Daoist Hengzhen laugh heartily, stroking his beard as he said:

“Hahaha... Good! No wonder Elder Mo said the spiritual power in your Nascent Soul was thick and extraordinary. As expected of my Closed-door Disciple, you truly did not disappoint me!”

As he spoke, he patted Qi Yuan's shoulder with satisfaction and continued:

“You have broken through two realms in a short time, which shows your foundation is extremely solid. Even as a latecomer, you are enough to compete with the Dao Children and Saintesses of other Holy Lands.”

“It just so happens that not long ago, a Tribulation Crossing Realm Grand Elder of the Linglong Holy Land successfully crossed the Dao Tribulation and ascended to the Mahayana Realm.”

“This is a joyous occasion. In half a month, Linglong Holy Land will hold a grand celebration ceremony and has invited many fellow Daoists to observe.”

“Our Taixuan Holy Land is also among the invited. As the Daozi, you shall represent the Holy Land to attend the ceremony this time.”

Thinking of something, Daoist Hengzhen's brow furrowed slightly as he specifically instructed:

“If your Senior Brother wants to follow along, you don't need to pay him any mind. Just refuse him directly and say it is my intention.”

Going to Linglong Holy Land for a celebration?

Hearing this, Qi Yuan was first stunned, then quickly reacted, bowing as he accepted the order:

“Your Disciple obeys Revered Master's command.”

Speaking of Linglong Holy Land, he subconsciously thought of the Original Owner's younger sister, Qi Yao...