106: Tame the Ice Serpent! Advance the Amethyst Sable! Hatch the Wind and Thunder Falcon!

Chapter One Hundred and Six: Subduing the Ice Soul Snake! The Purple Crystal Sable Ranks Up! The Wind Thunder Falcon Hatches!

The Bamboo Courtyard's Quiet Room was brightly lit.

Lu Qiu sat cross-legged on a futon, his expression solemn.

With a slight thought, he connected with the gray spatial bead. A glimmer of light flashed, and a strange little snake, crystal-clear like an ice sculpture, about three feet long with a small jade horn on its head, appeared on the Quiet Room floor.

It was the mutated Spirit Beast obtained from Venerable Xuanji's Immortal Cave in the Qiyun Mountain Range—the Ice Soul Snake!

The moment the Ice Soul Snake left the spatial bead, it seemed a bit dazed, but it immediately and instinctively sensed the unfamiliar environment and aura.

It raised its crystal-clear head, its ice-blue vertical pupils instantly locking onto Lu Qiu. It let out a warning 'hiss,' and a cold chill emanated from its body. Fine ice crystals began to spread across the floor as it took an obvious attacking stance.

Even though it was small at the moment, the Ice Soul aura it emitted was pure and biting, clearly showing extraordinary potential.

Lu Qiu's expression remained unchanged as he slowly raised his eyes to look at the Ice Soul Snake.

In an instant, deep within his pupils, that unfathomable speck of 'Soul-Sucking Glimmer' flickered slightly!

There were no fluctuations of magic power, no sound, and not even any obvious light emitted.

But the Ice Soul Snake, which was staring directly at Lu Qiu, suddenly froze its ice-blue vertical pupils!

As if frozen by invisible ice, its original wariness and ferocity instantly vanished, replaced by a void of dullness.

Its high-held head slowly drooped, and its coiled body relaxed, remaining motionless as if it had turned into a real ice sculpture.

The Soul-Sucking Glimmer of the Xuanji Pupil!

Using his current Late Foundation Establishment Stage Divine Sense and the peak of the second level of the Great Evolution Art, it had the miraculous effect of instantly intimidating and causing any being with a Divine Sense strength far below his to lose control of their Divine Soul!

Although this Ice Soul Snake was a primeval variant with decent potential, it was still in its infancy with only newly awakened intelligence. How could it resist this pupil technique that specifically targeted the Divine Soul?

"Now!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Qiu's hands quickly formed incantations as he chanted. An invisible force of Divine Sense from his brow, mixed with a talisman Seal formed from essence blood, shot out and instantly sank into the Ice Soul Snake's dull forehead!

Dragon Imprisonment Seal!

Lu Qiu had already used this enslavement secret technique on the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis, so he was now very familiar with it.

The Ice Soul Snake's Divine Soul was suppressed by the Soul-Sucking Glimmer, leaving it with almost no power to resist. The Dragon Imprisonment Seal, which contained a master-servant contract and Lu Qiu's Divine Soul brand, easily took root and formed at the core of its Divine Soul.

After a few breaths, the Ice Soul Snake's body trembled slightly, and its hollow ice-blue vertical pupils regained their spirit.

But this time, the look it gave Lu Qiu no longer held any hostility or wariness, replaced by a natural closeness, awe, and absolute obedience.

It obediently slithered to Lu Qiu's feet and gently rubbed its cool head against his pant leg, letting out a faint 'hiss' as if trying to please him.

Lu Qiu reached out and gently stroked the Ice Soul Snake's crystal-clear and cool scales. Feeling the pure Ice Soul power within, he nodded slightly.

"This Ice Soul Snake is indeed a primeval variant, naturally close to the power of ice and cold. The Ice Soul Chill inherent in its Origin is pure and restrained, and its power cannot be underestimated."

Lu Qiu evaluated in his heart: "More importantly, this Ice Soul Chill attribute is extremely Yin and cold, which can perfectly restrain and harmonize the excessive masculine Yang energy within Ruyin's body."

His primary purpose in subduing this snake was for Xin Ruyin.

Although Dual Cultivation with the Yin-Yang Crown could guide and divert Yang Qi, it only treated the symptoms and not the root cause.

If this Ice Soul Snake were constantly by her side, its naturally pure Ice Soul Chill would invisibly influence the environment and gradually neutralize part of the Yang Fiend, which would surely assist in alleviating the Dragons Roar Physique.

"Furthermore, this snake's intelligence is not low, and its strength will steadily increase as it grows. Staying by Ruyin's side, it can both help harmonize her Physique and act as a hidden layer of protection." Lu Qiu made up his mind, planning to give the Ice Soul Snake to Xin Ruyin later and teach her simple methods of communication and control.

Just as he was thinking, a familiar throb suddenly came from within the gray spatial bead.

It was the Purple Crystal Sable!

Lu Qiu was overjoyed and immediately sank his mind into the area of the spatial bead where his spirit pets were kept.

By the spirit eye spring, the crystal-clear purple Crystal Cocoon that had sealed the Purple Crystal Sable for several months was now undergoing a significant change.

The originally thick and transparent purple crystal shell was slowly melting and thinning from the inside, like snow under the spring sun, turning into wisps of pure purple mist that were absorbed by the being inside.

Through the thinning crystal shell, one could vaguely see the outline of a small figure curled up inside, its aura steady and powerful.

"Crack... crack..."

Fine cracking sounds rang out.

The crystal shell finally melted away completely, revealing the brand-new Purple Crystal Sable within!

The little guy seemed to have just woken up from a deep transformation and shook its body somewhat blankly. Its originally crystalline purple short fur was now even more radiant, each hair appearing as if carved from the finest amethyst, reflecting a dreamlike and magnificent luster under the light of the spirit spring.

Its body was slightly larger than before its sleep, more slender and streamlined. The purple crystal cluster on its forehead had become deeper and more brilliant, with what looked like swirling nebulae inside.

Most striking was its aura—vigorous, solid, and carrying a unique crystallized spiritual charm. It had actually reached the level of a Second-Grade Demonic Beast!

This was equivalent to an Early Foundation Establishment Stage human Cultivator!

Of course, in terms of combat power, even a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator would be no match for the Purple Crystal Sable.

With its sudden breakthrough to the second grade, its crystallization technique would likely pose a significant threat even to those at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Zhi~"

The Purple Crystal Sable blinked its gem-like purple eyes and quickly recognized Lu Qiu's Divine Sense fluctuations. It let out a cheerful and crisp cry, its tail wagging happily.

With a thought, Lu Qiu summoned it from the spatial bead.

With a flash of purple light, the Purple Crystal Sable appeared in the Quiet Room, landing on Lu Qiu's open palm.

It affectionately rubbed its head against Lu Qiu's fingers, making a satisfied 'purring' sound, clearly very pleased with the results of its transformation and even more dependent on its master.

Lu Qiu smiled and gently stroked its smooth, cool purple crystal fur. "Not bad, you've successfully advanced to the second grade. Let me see how much the power of your Purple Crystal Seal has grown."

He waved his hand and took out a spare Second-Grade Ape-type Puppet. After activating it, he ordered it to take a defensive stance.

The Purple Crystal Sable seemed to understand its master's intention and leapt from Lu Qiu's palm onto the floor. Its small body faced the Second-Grade Puppet, which was several times its size, without the slightest fear.

The crystal cluster on its forehead suddenly lit up with a deep purple light, and a strange wave of crystallized spiritual power began to spread.

In the next instant, a thumb-thick, highly condensed beam of strange light, swirling with complex purple runes, shot out from the crystal cluster. It was incredibly fast and instantly hit the chest of the Second-Grade Puppet!

"Puff!"

The moment the light beam touched the Puppet's body, it didn't cause any physical damage. Instead, it rapidly 'melted' and 'spread,' turning into a thin sealing light membrane with constantly flowing purple light patterns that completely enveloped the Puppet!

The Second-Grade Puppet covered by the light membrane suddenly froze its movements!

The light from the driving runes on its surface instantly dimmed and went out. Its originally flexible body seemed to lose all power, falling straight to the ground with a 'clank.' No matter how Lu Qiu urged it with his Divine Sense, there was no response, as if it had become a real pile of scrap metal.

Lu Qiu's eyes flashed as he sensed carefully.

"The Seal's strength, speed, and coverage are all several times stronger than when it was at the first grade!"

He evaluated in his heart: "This Second-Grade Puppet's strength is roughly equivalent to the peak of the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, yet it was completely sealed without even a hint of resistance, its spiritual power flow entirely halted... The duration..."

He waited quietly.

After about half an hour, the purple light membrane finally began to fade and dissipate.

The spiritual light in the fallen Second-Grade Puppet's eyes lit up again, and it 'blankly' struggled to climb up, regaining its mobility, though its movements were clearly still somewhat sluggish.

"The sealing duration has also increased significantly."

Lu Qiu nodded with satisfaction. "With the Purple Crystal Sable's current Second-Grade Early Stage strength, if it uses the Purple Crystal Seal at full power, it should have no problem sealing an Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator for over half an hour if they are caught off guard. Against a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it can also cause serious spiritual power stagnation and interrupt divine abilities, interfering for at least the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Even for a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, a direct hit would clearly affect their magic power flow, which is enough to turn the tide of battle at a critical moment!"

He looked at the Purple Crystal Sable, which had jumped back into his palm and was rubbing against him as if asking for credit. His eyes were full of expectation. "Grow well; in the future, you will surely become a key trump card in my hand."

Sending the Purple Crystal Sable back into the spatial bead to let it continue adapting to its newly acquired power, Lu Qiu turned his gaze toward the bluish-green bird egg that had been soaking in the spirit eye spring for a long time—the Wind Thunder Falcon Egg.

He could feel the life fluctuations within the egg becoming more active and intense, as if it had reached the edge of breaking out of its shell... Two days later, in the early morning.

Lu Qiu was meditating and regulating his breath in the Quiet Room when he suddenly felt something.

Inside the gray spatial bead, by the spirit eye spring, the bluish-green bird egg with silver thunder patterns flowing on its surface was trembling violently!

"Crack!"

A clear crack appeared at the top of the eggshell.

Following that, cracks rapidly spread, and the sound of 'cracking' was incessant.

"Puff!"

A small piece of the shell was pushed open, and a wet little head with light green downy feathers struggled out, letting out a weak but clear 'chirp.'

The little guy seemed very diligent, constantly bumping and pecking at the opening with its small head and tender beak to enlarge the crack.

Soon, its entire body broke free from the shattered eggshell and landed on the shore lined with soft spiritual grass.

It was a young bird slightly larger than an adult's fist.

Its entire body was covered in fine, light green downy feathers, with faint silver electric sparks flickering at the tips of the feathers.

Although its pair of wings still looked immature, the skeletal structure was well-proportioned, and the feather shafts were beginning to form, giving a hint of the slender posture they would have when unfolded in the future.

Most peculiar were its eyes; the pupils were a faint bluish-silver color, exceptionally lively, and between its glances, there seemed to be a flow of gentle breezes and tiny electric sparks.

It shook the water droplets off its body and took a few staggering steps, quickly standing firm.

It seemed full of curiosity about the world, tilting its small head and looking around.

When it sensed Lu Qiu's Divine Sense, it wasn't afraid. Instead, it let out cheerful 'chirping' sounds and hopped around, wanting to get closer.

The master-servant brand that had already been placed in its Divine Soul gave it an innate closeness and dependence on Lu Qiu.

With a thought, Lu Qiu summoned the newborn Wind Thunder Falcon Hatchling from the spatial bead.

The little guy landed on Lu Qiu's open palm and affectionately rubbed its tender beak against his finger, its bluish-silver eyes pure and dependent.

Lu Qiu carefully sensed its aura.

Although it had just hatched, the wind and thunder dual-attribute spiritual power fluctuations emanating from this little guy were quite strong, having already reached the First-Grade Late Stage level!

As expected of the offspring of a Fourth-Grade Demonic Beast Wind Thunder Falcon, its Bloodline talent was truly amazing.

"Naturally controlling the power of wind and thunder, with both speed and attack, it will definitely be an excellent aerial mount and combat partner once it grows up." Lu Qiu gently stroked the young falcon's soft downy feathers, feeling the faint numbing sensation of the electric current, and was quite satisfied.

He sent the young falcon back into the spatial bead to let it continue resting and growing by the spirit eye spring, leaving behind some spiritual grain fragments and low-grade demonic beast meat paste infused with wind and thunder spiritual energy suitable for young birds to eat.

The Quiet Room returned to silence.

Lu Qiu sat cross-legged, organizing the spirit pet forces he now possessed in his mind:

The Illusion Spirit Butterfly swarm, numbering in the thousands, their collective illusion realm has begun to take shape. They excel at mental interference and creating illusions, making them Sharp Weapons for field control and support.

The Purple Crystal Sable, Second-Grade Early Stage, a mutated Spirit Beast. Its innate ability 'Purple Crystal Seal' possesses powerful single-target control and interference capabilities, able to decide the outcome at a critical moment.

The Ice Soul Snake, First-Grade Peak, a primeval variant. It masters pure Ice Soul Chill, which can help harmonize special Physiques and also serve as a guardian.

The Wind Thunder Falcon (Hatchling), First-Grade Late Stage, a wind and thunder dual-attribute flying demonic beast with immense potential. It will be the eyes and claws in the sky in the future.

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis, ranked seventy-third on the list of strange insects, a Mature Body with strength comparable to Core Formation!

Although it is still in a weakened deep sleep, once it recovers part of its strength, it will be an absolute trump card for sieging and breaking defenses and close-quarters combat!

"Illusion, control, support, aerial, offense..." Lu Qiu couldn't help but curl his lips into a slight smile. "Without realizing it, my Spirit Pet system has actually become so complete. Each one is a rare species with extraordinary potential, each with their own strengths, complementing each other's weaknesses."

He suddenly found it a bit amusing, rubbed his chin, and whispered to himself:

"I'm raising butterflies, sables, snakes, and birds, and even keeping an eye on a mantis... Why do I look more and more like a Disciple from Spirit Beast Mountain?"

However, this feeling... doesn't seem too bad.

With such a 'Spirit Pet Legion' of infinite potential, his confidence would be much greater in the future, whether exploring dangerous lands, fighting others, or protecting those important to me.

"If I'm a Spirit Beast Mountain Disciple, so be it." A confident light flashed in Lu Qiu's eyes. "As long as my strength is great enough and my methods are many, who cares what school it is. My Dao is to gather the strengths of many schools to forge my own path to immortality."