Having a Mount Sure Is Nice...

Zhu Yu summoned the True Sight Eye to analyze it. Just as expected, dozens of similar yet subtly different Dharma Vein Diagrams surfaced in his mind.

With a movement of his thoughts, countless combinations shifted into being.

Some combined Dharma Veins leaned toward strengthening corrosive gastric fluid and storing it; some leaned toward enlarging the stomach pouch and swallowing and storing objects; others took a middle path, falling somewhere between the two...

Zhu Yu did not rashly decide which one to cultivate. Before determining whether "Gold-Chewing Iron-Eating" would affect the supporting arts of the Advanced Visualization Diagram, this art could only be set aside for now.

After all, the Human Body Heaven and Earth Meridian lost a little with every cut. If cultivating "Gold-Chewing Iron-Eating" affected the construction of its supporting arts, it would be far too not worth the candle.

After eating, Zhu Yu returned to the second floor and immersed himself in meditation and cultivation.

The waning moon receded, and the full moon rose.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Corpse Field.

Zhu Yu inspected the Fierce Tiger Corpse Seed and confirmed that nothing was wrong. He swept his gaze over the three mu of lush green Corpse Taro, then strode out of the Corpse Field.

His thoughts connected with Little Black. From the nearby Corpse Field came a series of squeaks and hisses as the Corpse Taro seedlings rustled apart. Little Black emerged, then immediately ran over on six long legs.

Zhu Yu examined Little Black's size and nodded in satisfaction.

After three days, Little Black had grown another circle larger. Its shell had become even darker, and when it stood up, it was as tall as Zhu Yu's shoulder and neck.

Without hesitation, Zhu Yu tapped off the ground with the tips of his toes and landed on Little Black's back.

"Let's go, Little Black..."

Zhu Yu sat down cross-legged and smiled as he patted Little Black's shell.

Squeak, squeak...

Little Black let out an excited hiss. A faint glow of spiritual light spread over its body as its six long legs moved, carrying it down the mountain like the wind.

It had to be said.

Little Black was truly qualified as a mount.

After it cast its innate art, "Lightness," Zhu Yu immediately felt a gentle force acting upon him. It was as though he was not sitting atop a hard shell, but on a soft sponge.

He could not feel the slightest bump while it ran. It was extremely comfortable.

"So this is what it feels like to have a mount. Not bad at all..."

Zhu Yu used his Divine Sense to guide Little Black along the route. Feeling as though he were riding a galloping horse, racing like wind and lightning, he was delighted beyond measure.

From now on, he would never have to walk on his own two legs again!

Very soon.

Little Black carried him onto the main road. Rather than slowing down, it sped up, its six legs moving so fast that it shot straight toward the Disciple Market.

Along the way.

Zhu Yu once again experienced the thrill of having a mount. Seeing the envious gazes of those walking on foot, his vanity was fiercely satisfied.

When they reached the Spirit Field and Beast Pen area.

There were more pedestrians on the road, most of them driving beast carts. Upon seeing the insect beast that looked like an insect yet not quite an insect beneath Zhu Yu, they all cast curious looks his way.

Some recognized Little Black's species and knew it was a Bucktooth Insect commonly found throughout the Insect Nest. Yet it was their first time seeing such a massive Bucktooth Insect.

For a moment, discussions broke out everywhere.

"Is that a Bucktooth Insect? Even an insect beast that has undergone Spirit-Induction Entry shouldn't be that large, as far as I remember..."

"Could it be a mutant?"

"Still, those six long legs look surprisingly impressive when they get moving."

One cultivator was delighted at the sight and called out loudly, "Junior Brother, where did you get such a huge Bucktooth Insect beast? Are you selling it?"

"I bought it at the Market. Not for sale!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yu's lips curved slightly. He answered casually, then urged Little Black onward, quickly overtaking the slow-moving beast carts.

In less than half an hour.

A massive archway appeared ahead.

"Market."

Zhu Yu flipped down to the ground and glanced at the bustling scene within. Without lingering, he led Little Black into the Market.

Waves of clamor rang through the air.

People came and went along the streets, all kinds of auras mingling together. It was exceptionally lively.

Zhu Yu glanced at the spot where the mustached vendor had previously set up his stall. The man was nowhere to be seen; only a middle-aged man selling low-grade first-rank Grass Rabbits was there.

He shook his head regretfully. He had originally wanted to buy a few more Bucktooth Insects to raise. Even if he did not keep them for himself, he could make a profit by raising them into insect beasts and selling them.

No longer dwelling on it, he led Little Black down a side street.

The lecture venue was located in the Market's residential district. It was neither particularly close nor particularly far from the Market.

Following the street signs and turning through several winding lanes, Zhu Yu reached a three-story pavilion ahead after walking for less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

At that moment, Xiang Sui and Liang Kuan were standing at the entrance, chatting idly.

Zhu Yu smiled, walked over, and greeted them. "Senior Brother Xiang, Senior Brother Liang."

Seeing him arrive, both men brightened and hurried over. "Junior Brother, you're here..."

After exchanging a few casual words.

Xiang Sui lowered his voice. "After all, this is Junior Brother's first time teaching a Grand Lecture, so we only organized twenty people this time." After a pause, he hurriedly added, "Of course, if Junior Brother doesn't find it too taxing, we can add more people next time."

Teaching dozens of people was different from teaching only a few. Their levels varied greatly, so one not only had to look after the majority but also ensure that everyone gained something. It was no simple matter.

That was why he had only organized twenty newly initiated disciples. If anything went wrong, there would still be time to mend the fence after the sheep had escaped.

"Thank you for the trouble, Senior Brothers."

Knowing that Xiang Sui meant well, Zhu Yu nodded with a smile.

The two of them did not know that his Basic Visualization Diagram had already reached major accomplishment. Teaching twenty newly initiated disciples who had barely entered the gate—or had not even entered it yet—wasn't that just a matter of opening his mouth?

"There's no need for the three of us to be so polite. Besides, we're doing this to earn more Spirit Stones too." Xiang Sui waved his hand frankly, then tilted his chin toward the building beside them and smiled. "Same as before, three hours."

"Alright."

Zhu Yu nodded and turned toward the door.

Seeing this, Liang Kuan hurried forward, opened the door ahead of him, and led the way with a tense expression.

Xiang Sui had previously said that rent in the residential district was not cheap. Renting an entire house for a year required at least a thousand Spirit Stones, which he could not afford. Therefore, he spent twenty Spirit Stones a month to rent a room for himself on the third floor.

The rent was divided among the three of them according to proportion.

Third floor.

Zhu Yu instructed Little Black to stay outside the door, took a deep breath, and entered the room with Liang Kuan.

"Greetings, Teacher Zhu!"

"You are all too courteous, Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters."

Zhu Yu returned the salute politely and swept his gaze around.

Familiar and unfamiliar faces entered his sight. Most of them were acquaintances, such as Xun Su, the foremost disciple of the opening mountain, Ni Ying, Qiao Hewei, Bai Meng, Fu Hongxi, and the others...

"They are all fine immortal seedlings..."

Zhu Yu sighed inwardly. A fitting smile appeared on his face as he slowly said, "Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, have you all mastered the 'Basic Visualization Method'?"

Just as he was teaching the immortal seedlings.

Outside, Xiang Sui looked over Little Black, which was lying before the door, and clicked his tongue in wonder. "Where did Junior Brother Zhu get such an oddball..."

It was not that it was particularly precious, but rather that it was rare...

Bucktooth Insects belonged to the lowest rung of the Insect Nest's insects. They were food for other powerful insect beasts. Even ones that had undergone Spirit-Induction Entry were seldom seen, much less one whose physique had clearly mutated and which had awakened an innate art.

Xiang Sui wanted to tease Little Black, but he was afraid of disturbing the lesson.

Xiang Sui crouched down halfway and examined it curiously. One man and one insect, big eyes meeting big eyes—you look at me, I look at you.