Fang Qianyuan laughed despite himself. "Its name is Bighead?"
The name really did fit. This giant octopus's head was far larger than those of ordinary creatures, or even its own kind. It seemed to have mutated after eating some heavenly treasure as it grew.
"It's actually still flesh and blood, and hasn't undergone Spirit Rebirth."
Sensing the immense vitality emanating from Bighead the Stone Octopus below, Fang Qianyuan spoke again.
"Indeed," Mu Qing said. "Bighead is a mutated spirit monster that our sect's predecessors purchased from the Four Seas Trade Association through our regular annual procurement a hundred years ago. It was still a juvenile then, so it wasn't selected to become a spirit creature. Over the following decades, its appearance, size, attributes, and various other factors made it unpopular with the elders and disciples, and no one formed a pact with it. We simply transferred it to the ranks of our war beasts. But as you know, Grand Elder Fang, our sect has rarely gone to war in recent decades. The largest war in recent years was fought in the Northern Frontier, so it had no opportunity to put its abilities to use."
"Of course, Grand Elder Fang, you needn't worry that it lacks actual combat experience. Over the past century, several elders have borrowed it for temporary use. Let me see..."
He leafed through the ledger he carried with him. "Five trips to the Eastern Sea, three to the Otherworld, lasting anywhere from just over a month to five years. It also has a regular training regimen. Here, this is its record."
Fang Qianyuan took the dossier Mu Qing handed him, skimmed through it, and nodded inwardly.
Only because the Azure Cloud Sect was one of the Great Sects of the World, with ample manpower, resources, and wealth,