Clan Cultivation: Starting from Beast Taming

Pagoda Peak, Central Peace Hall.
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"Vice Clan Leader, the Redflame Vajra Ape is too precious, and I am aware that my contributions to the clan are not as significant as many other clan members; therefore, I dare not harbour such lofty desires."

"However, since the Octagonal Aquatic Deer can now be bred in large quantities, it's not too much to ask for one to serve as a contracted spirit pet for my son, is it?"

"Although my son's Spirit Root Aptitude is lacking, he is nonetheless of the clan's direct lineage and has always been loyal and harmonious in his interactions with other clan members, which is clear for all to see; I'm not just singing my own praises!"

Inside the grand hall, an elder Zhou Family cultivator, his hair streaked with white, was speaking excitedly to Zhou Chun, making his request.

This Zhou Family cultivator didn't have a high Cultivation Level—he was only at the ninth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, and at his age, this Cultivation Level indicated that his status within the Zhou Family wasn't particularly high; he had simply risen through the ranks by virtue of his age.

This elder was named Zhou Jia Kui, who ranked twenty-third among his peers and was currently an elite clan member of the Zhou Family.

Today, he had come to Zhou Chun to request an Octagonal Aquatic Deer as a contracted spirit pet for his son, Zhou Zhenghuan.

Originally, his pleas were full of sentiment and reason, and Zhou Chun should have considered the request of this elder.

But recalling the information about his son, Zhou Zhenghuan, Zhou Chun shook his head involuntarily.

He could only say kindly, "Uncle Twenty-Three, it's not that I, your nephew, lack empathy. It's just that your son, my cousin Eighteen, is not suitable for raising such a delicate spirit pet as the Octagonal Aquatic Deer. He almost killed a Rock Armor Pig, which is supposed to be easy to care for. It would be best if you gave up on this idea!"

The Zhou Family is a Beast Taming Family, but not every Zhou Family cultivator excels at Beast Taming.

Just like Zhou Zhenghuan, the son of the elder Zhou Jia Kui in front of Zhou Chun—naturally frivolous and undisciplined, he enjoyed wandering around, finding people to drink and brag with, and showed little ambition or sense of responsibility.

He even once neglected his spirit pet, the Rock Armor Pig, by leaving it inside a Spirit Beast Pouch that he had forgotten in a corner of his residence, failing to open it or feed it for a long time.

As a result, the Rock Armor Pig, confined in the Spirit Beast Pouch for too long, could no longer endure and forcibly broke out in search of food, disregarding its master's commands.

Trusting such a person to care for an Octagonal Aquatic Deer, which required fresh grass daily, was unimaginable for Zhou Chun.

Moreover, Zhou Chun knew without even thinking that the profligate son wanted to contract an Octagonal Aquatic Deer probably with the intent of waiting for the spirit pet to grow up and then using it to leave the family and wander everywhere.

But Zhou Jia Kui, as a father, naturally viewed his own son through rose-colored glasses.

He immediately defended his son, saying, "That incident was just a moment of carelessness by my son. Who doesn't have moments of oversight? Vice Clan Leader, you can't dismiss my son's abilities because of one mistake!"

"Uncle Twenty-Three!"

Zhou Chun suddenly raised his voice, looking at him sternly and saying, "As an elder, I respect you, and thus don't want to speak unpleasantly, but you must also maintain your dignity!"

"If there were plenty of Octagonal Aquatic Deer, and you were willing to exchange for them with clan merit points, you can exchange as you wish. But when the numbers are limited, the clan must prioritize finding suitable individuals for contracting them!"

"Our clan's rules have always been so. Are you asking me to make an exception for you?"

By the end, Zhou Chun's tone had become quite severe.

He had always been polite and respectful towards his elders, but as the Vice Clan Leader responsible for managing clan affairs, he had not only politeness but also a temper.

He would respond courteously to requests from elders, whether he could fulfill them or not.

However, if someone like Zhou Jia Kui were to take his politeness for granted as a bargaining chip, he would no longer be courteous.

In that moment, seeing Zhou Chun's stern face, Zhou Jia Kui's body trembled, and he dared not say anything more.

He could only sigh softly, "Yes, Vice Clan Leader, you are right. I misspoke just now and offended you. I apologize."

After speaking, he bowed to Zhou Chun and made a gesture of respect.

"Uncle Twenty-Three, please return home. If you can find a way to alter Eighteen's disposition, come to find me in the future, and I will surely help you settle this matter," Zhou Chun waved his hand, effectively dismissing him.

But hearing Zhou Chun's words, Zhou Jia Kui's expression turned even more downcast.

He left the Central Peace Hall with a crestfallen face.

Thus, with some denied and others agreed upon, Zhou Chun managed to be fair and just, assigning owners for those not-yet-born demon beast cubs.

Even the Redflame Vajra Monkey's offspring were no exception.

Zhou Zhengyong's son, Zhou Xinlan, was showing promise; he had now achieved entry into Dao and possessed a Cultivation Level at the first layer of the Qi Refinement Realm.

As long as one has achieved entry into Dao, they gain the ability to contract demon beasts.

And as the most talented among the current direct descendants of the "Heart" generation within the family, with a father who had made great contributions to the clan as a core member, bestowing upon him the offspring of the Redflame Vajra Monkey as his first spirit pet was part of the family's support and nurturing of the younger generation.

This alone justified Zhou Chun's refusal of other requests.

Time flew by, and swiftly another two years passed.

In that period, the Zhou Family had conducted two secret trades with the Dragon Transformation Sect, acquiring many rare treasures.

Meanwhile, the second and third Redflame Vajra Monkeys were born during this time, signifying the successful establishment of this mixed-blood demon beast population.

At the Deer Garden, several new Octagonal Aquatic Deer were added, with breeding numbers accelerating.

Even the Fragrant Musk Deer that Zhou Chun had brought back had successfully impregnated two ordinary female deer.