Thanks to his friendships with three high-ranking Flood Dragons, including the Black Flood Dragon and Hong Ling, Chen Jiuge had a very comfortable time with his feeding tasks over the past three years.
All the Flood Dragons followed Chen Jiuge's instructions. The Spirit Food they required daily didn't need to be scattered about by him, as the dragons would neatly queue to receive their share.
Apart from his initial dealings with the first four Flood Dragons, others with lesser strength but possessing Spiritual Wisdom also began to exchange Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures with Chen Jiuge for regular food. To prevent any contamination of their bloodlines, Chen Jiuge also performed a bloodline purification for them.
Those Fierce Flood Dragons with little rational sense were also very obedient to Chen Jiuge, deterred by Hou Sheng, the peak Sixth-Rank Black Flood Dragon. This enabled Chen Jiuge to accumulate a substantial amount of High-Rank bloodlines.
Over the three years, Chen Jiuge had truly let loose. Using the blood extracted from the Flood Dragons, he created many High-Rank Spiritual Beast cubs, amassing a large number of Spirit Stones for himself.
With plenty of Spirit Stones, the valley's construction and Black Eye's Cultivation breakthrough were all smoothly achieved. If not for the rule that the Hundred Dragon Pond's feeding tasks couldn't be taken consecutively, Chen Jiuge felt he could have simply switched areas and continued staying there.
"Elder Hou Sheng, Elder Hong Ling, the period for my task has come to an end. I hope to see you again if the opportunity arises," said Chen Jiuge with some emotion as he looked at the two Dragon Species in front of him.
"Chen boy, if you ever encounter trouble in the future, feel free to seek me out," the Black Flood Dragon, Hou Sheng, said, his large eyes fixed on Chen Jiuge.
Hong Ling, not to be outdone, added, "You can come to me as well."
After bidding farewell to the two, Chen Jiuge returned to the Hall of Myriad Affairs and handed over his Token.
The Hall of Myriad Affairs Steward took the Token and told Chen Jiuge, "Wait a moment."
An hour later, seeing an additional three thousand Merits on his Identity Token, Chen Jiuge said in surprise, "Steward, this amount of Merit isn't correct, is it?"
"Chen Jiuge, regarding the Hundred Dragon Pond feeding task: the bloodline purity of the Dragon Species in the area you were responsible for during the three-year period was clearly higher than in other areas. Therefore, we are awarding you an extra two thousand Merits. The amount is correct," the Steward explained briefly, then turned to attend to others.
Two thousand extra Merits were a good thing, so Chen Jiuge said no more.
Returning to the valley, which had changed drastically compared to three years ago, Chen Jiuge showed a satisfied smile. My hard work diversifying their Spirit Food every day for these three years wasn't in vain!
Compared to three years prior, there was a noticeable increase in the variety of Spiritual Beasts in the valley. Chen Jiuge had bought a large number of herbivorous Spiritual Beasts to enrich the valley. The original populations of Grasswood Turtles and Five-Colored Deer were expanded to a thousand each, while the Red Flame Sheep flock numbered almost ten thousand. The Cultivation of the Golden Dog pack had also mostly increased by one rank.
Even Yue Meng, the least diligent in Cultivation, had been force-fed Spirit Stones by Chen Jiuge until she reached the peak of the Golden Core stage. It seemed it wouldn't be long before she broke through to the Nascent Soul stage.
What surprised Chen Jiuge the most was the change in the three Medicine Snakes from three years ago. Now, each snake was about ten meters long, radiating a Third-Rank aura. It won't be long before they face the Heavenly Tribulation, but their upkeep is immense! Without the Hundred Dragon Pond opportunity, I probably couldn't have afforded them.
However, didn't the Myriad Thousand Beast Atlas say it would take three hundred years to reach the Third-Rank limit? It's only been three years! Could the Medicine Snakes' growth rate also be related to their food intake? For such critical information not to be included... what a pitfall!
"Let's not think about this anymore. The task is over. Today, it's time to treat myself well and visit my little sister and the two nephews," Chen Jiuge said, shaking his head.
Due to the strictures of the Desolate World, the new Outer Disciples had very demanding Cultivation routines and rarely had time to wander around the Sect. They were either cultivating or on their way to cultivate. Chen Jiuge didn't have many chances to meet with the three youngsters; whenever he did, it was just a hurried exchange of some resources before parting.
He sent out a Communication Talisman to the three, unsure if they would have time in the evening.
Three years was but a flick of the fingers to high-level Cultivators, yet it was a considerable period for Qi Refining Practitioners.
「Inside the secret chamber.」
Chen Xiaoyu felt her Mana newly rejuvenated, her lips curving up. "At last, I've established my Foundation! Now I can finally spend some time with my elder brother."
"Eh? Big brother's message! A dinner gathering in the valley tonight? What a coincidence!" Chen Xiaoyu muttered to herself in pleasant surprise.
"Longevity Turtle, I'll take you out for a big meal tonight!" a high-spirited Chen Xiaoyu said to the Longevity Turtle dozing off beside her.
Unfortunately, while all three had attempted Foundation Establishment together this time, only Chen Xiaoyu had succeeded. Chen Hua and Chen Zi had fallen just short, so it seemed they wouldn't be able to make it to the gathering.
Chen Jiuge, upon receiving the reply, also smiled. "I didn't expect Xiaoyu to actually establish her Foundation. What a pleasant surprise."
Although the Heavenly Realm is a vast cultivation world, establishing one's Foundation at fifteen still makes her quite the young genius. Especially since she also has a naturally nurtured Longevity Turtle as her Lifebound Spirit Beast! My little sister really does have the air of a Child of Destiny.
「In the valley at night.」
The now tall and confident Chen Xiaoyu nonchalantly gnawed on a lamb leg, saying to her elder brother, "Big brother, I've established my Foundation! Shouldn't you give me a gift?"
"Don't rush. Finish your meal first, then I'll take you somewhere," Chen Jiuge said with a mysterious smile.
Chen Xiaoyu, full of curiosity, sped up her eating. As soon as she finished, she asked anxiously, "Big brother, where is it? Take me to see!"
"A young lady should be a little more reserved. You're all grown up now," Chen Jiuge chided gently, seeing her impatience.
"But I'm looking forward to my gift from you, big brother!" Chen Xiaoyu pouted coquettishly.
Finding himself unable to refuse Chen Xiaoyu's antics, Chen Jiuge finally took her to the small Secret Realm.
Seeing the various High-Rank Spiritual Beast cubs, Chen Xiaoyu's jaw dropped. "Big brother, did you rob the Outer Sect's treasury? Or the Spiritual Beast Hall's treasure trove?"
"What are you talking about? This is your big brother's private stash. For some reason, these Spiritual Beasts have low Spiritual Wisdom. If you see a Lifebound Spirit Beast you like, you can choose freely. However, you must buy a Wisdom Opening Pill for it after forming the Contract; otherwise, it could affect your Cultivation," Chen Jiuge advised.
Chen Xiaoyu, overwhelmed by the choices, finally stopped in front of a Flame Demon that had evolved from a Red Flame Sheep.
Chen Jiuge was surprised. "You're choosing this one?"
"Yep! My Longevity Turtle isn't good at fighting, but I've read about the Flame Demon in the Myriad Beasts Record. It's a type of Spiritual Beast known for its strong combat capabilities. Most importantly, they're rare around here," Chen Xiaoyu said, licking her lips.
Chen Jiuge didn't say much more. Since my little sister likes it, she can have it. This Flame Demon is indeed not bad; its bloodline purity has reached Seventh Rank, making it royalty among Flame Demons.
If its Flame Demon bloodline, derived from the Red Flame Sheep, could have been further enhanced, this creature might indeed have become the first Immortal-Rank bloodline Spiritual Beast in my hands!
With Chen Jiuge keeping it subdued, Chen Xiaoyu easily formed a Contract with the Flame Demon.
Before leaving the Secret Realm, Chen Xiaoyu suddenly pointed at a Fire Flood Dragon and asked, "Big brother, what's the deal with this Fire Flood Dragon? Why is it pecking at the ground non-stop?"
Chen Jiuge's face darkened with exasperation as he looked at the nearly ten-meter-long Fire Flood Dragon. It was imitating a Spiritual Chicken, pecking at the ground and creating pits and dents all over the place. "Don't mind it," he said disdainfully. "This Fire Flood Dragon's brain isn't quite normal."
With that, he pulled a reluctant Chen Xiaoyu, who seemed about to speak again, out of the Secret Realm.
Although Chen Xiaoyu had now established her Foundation and could be more independent, she had just broken through, and the Flame Demon had just been contracted. So, Chen Jiuge gave her some resources and sent her back to rest and consolidate.