"Greetings, fellow Daoist." The Azure Cloud Holy Land's Holy Child projection clasped his hands in salute.
"Those who excel are teachers. I should be the one calling you Little Teacher," Chu Danqing replied.
The Holy Child's projection looked like a seven- or eight-year-old Daoist boy, dressed in a simple little Daoist robe, nothing like the extravagant figures from novels.
Or perhaps Chu Danqing simply failed to recognize jade inlaid with gold.
"I dare not accept." Though the Holy Child's projection said so, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips at Chu Danqing's words.
"We only have ten days. Let us not delay."
"This beast is your tamed beast, then." The Holy Child's gaze fell upon Da Bao. "Truly not bad—talent that stands out from a hundred."
"Only, his intellect is lacking, and he also possesses..."
As he spoke, the Holy Child listed quite a few of Da Bao's shortcomings.
"Please enlighten me, Little Teacher." After speaking respectfully, Chu Danqing added, "Da Bao is a person, not a beast."
Though he had paid for this himself, accommodating the other party in attitude and speech would also make him teach more earnestly.
Yet Chu Danqing could not disregard Da Bao either, which was why he chose to correct the Holy Child's words.
Hearing this, the Holy Child immediately said, "My eyes failed to see clearly."
"There is still a portion of potential within Da Bao that has yet to be awakened. While I teach you the Beast Taming and Spirit Summoning Path, I can also complete it for him."
"In your terms, that means raising his attributes and skills, while also gaining a skill."
Joy appeared on Chu Danqing's face. "Thank you for your guidance, Holy Child."
That so-called potential was probably the power of the Cave God Bloodline Da Bao had gained after eating the Cave Beast Priest, which he had not yet had time to digest.
"However, Holy Child, I would rather first solve the problem of Da Bao losing his reason after going berserk."
After hearing this, the Holy Child circled Da Bao and observed him before saying, "When his vitality falls—ah, that is, when the HP in the skill description drops to 30%—it triggers the berserk Beast Instinct."
"It is not difficult to solve. It depends on whether you can bear to do it."
"Da Bao's innate intuition is sharp. If you are willing to transfer the development of the new skill within his potential onto Beast Instinct, then evolve a new skill that is two sides of the same coin with it."
"This is the Grafting Technique."
"As I see it, the original new skill is a Passive Skill that strengthens the bleeding state. If he obtains it, Da Bao will surely become even stronger in battle."
"But the choice is yours."
After pondering briefly, Chu Danqing looked toward Da Bao. "Da Bao, which one do you want?"
After all, it was Da Bao's skill. Chu Danqing still had to consider Da Bao's opinion.
"Berserk... no... lose reason." Da Bao spoke haltingly.
"Losing reason is inevitable, but with the support of a skill that is two sides of the same coin, Da Bao will be able to distinguish friend from foe and carry out simple commands."
"Still, in battle, he will remain guided primarily by instinct," the Holy Child said.
"That one." Da Bao agreed at once.
"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Little Teacher," Chu Danqing immediately said.
"You are too polite, fellow Daoist. To eat the ruler's salary is to shoulder the ruler's worries." The Holy Child smiled before continuing, "This method is not difficult. It is merely a matter of practice making perfect."
"Da Bao is also skilled in battle. He merely needs guidance during combat."
The Holy Child spoke with great fluency, while Chu Danqing switched on his recorder and began taking notes with paper and pen.
The Holy Child merely glanced at this action and said nothing more.
As he explained, he waved a hand, and densely packed armored puppet soldiers appeared all around them.
He then directly threw Da Bao into the mass of armored puppets. At the same time, he lightly tapped with a finger, sending a stream of light into Da Bao's body.
Da Bao's HP instantly fell to 29%, plunging him into berserk mode.
Then the Holy Child began teaching Chu Danqing how to observe, summarize, and determine how Da Bao should be guided.
The Holy Child was not helping Chu Danqing train him; he was teaching him how to train him. That was the foundation.
The Summoning Basics contained within were broken down and explained piece by piece by the Holy Child.
Chu Danqing practiced, studied, and recorded at the same time, while Da Bao continuously absorbed the power of the Cave God Bloodline in battle.
The foundations of a summoning system were thus beginning to take shape from nothing.
"The Beast Taming and Spirit Summoning Path is nothing more than cultivation and command. I am the general's head, and you are the soldiers' courage."
"Fellow Daoist, do you know what your greatest weakness is?" the Holy Child asked.
Chu Danqing did not even need to think before answering, "It is myself."
"Then do you have a solution?" The Holy Child made Chu Danqing think of one himself.
After a brief consideration, Chu Danqing answered tentatively, "Make me as strong as Da Bao?"
But the Holy Child shook his head. "There is indeed a method in this world that accomplishes both, but it requires great talent, great backing, great fortune, and great resources."
"With the Paradise aiding you, fellow Daoist, you do not lack backing. It is merely that your talent, fortune, and resources are somewhat insufficient."
His words were tactful, but what he truly meant was that Chu Danqing simply could not do it.
"Advancing side by side may be possible in the future. For now, fellow Daoist, you should first use skills and equipment to protect yourself."
"Unfortunately, I am merely a projection. I cannot teach you spells or divine abilities, only the Beast Taming and Spirit Summoning Path."
"Therefore, I can only offer you some simple counsel." The Holy Child then explained suggestions for planning a summoning system and guidance for Chu Danqing's own development.
Chu Danqing listened attentively and recorded everything one by one, occasionally voicing his own doubts.
Any doubts had to be raised on the spot. The Holy Child's projection could answer them immediately, but once he left, there would be no such treatment.
Though the Holy Child looked young, his store of knowledge far surpassed anything Chu Danqing had imagined.
"Little Teacher, I currently have 2 Attribute Points. How should I allocate them?" Chu Danqing raised his question at the right moment.
Skills and equipment were variables. He had no idea what he might trade for later.
But Attribute Points were fixed, making this the perfect time to seek the Holy Child's guidance.
"Two points is not much. There are two choices: specialization or balance."
"The first is simple: first raise your Constitution to 10 points. But judging by your ambition, fellow Daoist, you are surely aiming for all five attributes to break through."
"So balance should be the priority."
"Therefore, I suggest raising Perception and Agility." The Holy Child gave his recommendation.
It seemed the Paradise had instilled quite a bit of information into the Holy Child's projection, allowing him to understand the matter of attribute tiers.
"After that, make up for Spirit and Strength."
"Then, afterward, cycle through Constitution, Agility, Perception, Spirit, and Strength in that order." The Holy Child even provided Chu Danqing with an order for allocating his points.
Overall, survival and escape came first.
However, he did not state it too absolutely, adding, "Take these words only as advice. Fellow Daoist, you should adapt to circumstances rather than rigidly follow the book."
"I will keep Little Teacher's words firmly in my heart." Chu Danqing naturally understood that he needed flexibility rather than blind adherence.
"Then let us continue." The Holy Child turned back to the Summoning Basics, began explaining new material to Chu Danqing, and had him start practicing and applying it.
Before you continue