Passing Off the Fake as Real

Before long, thick fog rolled in outside the cave abode, clearing a path.

"Fellow Daoists, please come in."

Qin Fei's voice came from inside the cave abode, quite calm.

He didn't want to pay attention to those people, but the commotion caused by the Iron Guard's possession was too great, and even the restrictions within the mansion couldn't conceal it.

To avoid any misunderstanding that some treasure had appeared in the world, they were invited in for a chat.

As the group entered the cave abode, two figures came to greet them.

They were already quite familiar with the leader; he was none other than Qin Fei, the owner of the cave abode.

Behind him was a middle-aged man, whom he had never seen before.

Sensing the man's aura, they were startled; he actually possessed the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Moreover, his Qi and Blood are abundant, suggesting that he has considerable skill in body refinement.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qin. May I ask who this fellow Daoist is?"

Qin Fei laughed heartily and gestured for everyone to take their seats.

"This person is a good friend of mine; he's the one who just broke through to the Foundation Establishment."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked enlightened.

"That strange phenomenon just now was indeed a sign of Foundation Establishment."

This person must also be a Rogue Cultivator who came to Qin Fei's cave abode to break through his cultivation, seeking protection.

Their doubts gradually dissipated, and none of them noticed anything unusual about the Iron Guard's puppet-like body.

"Fellow Daoist has just broken through, so we won't bother you any longer. We'll visit you again another day."

The Iron Guard returned the greetings one by one, behaving just like any other ordinary person.

After everyone left, Qin Fei's lips curled into a slight smile.

"The Creation Spirit-Bestowing Scripture was indeed not an exaggeration. Now that the Iron Guard has the status of a cultivator, I won't have to do many things myself anymore."

Although the Iron Guard's abilities did not improve after being imbued with spirit, they were fundamentally different.

In the past, when the Iron Guard were sent out on missions, those who were observant discovered that they were puppets, and naturally knew that someone was manipulating them behind the scenes.

An investigation might lead them to Qin Fei.

Now that Iron Guard has the identity of a cultivator, he will represent himself, and any trouble he causes outside will be none of Qin Fei's concern.

o

That's the biggest difference.

After taking in the Iron Guard, Qin Fei summoned the Divine Travel Boat and soared away.

Beast Taming Sect.

A rare beast- Repel the North City.

The sect leader Guo Nanshan, is said to have been a disciple of the Beast Spirit Sect in the Chu Kingdom.

Later, for reasons unknown, he left the sect and came here alone, where he established the Beast Taming Sect.

It has been in business for over fifty years.

He owns four shops throughout the entire Repel the North City, making a living by renting out and selling spirit beasts.

It is worth mentioning that the brothels at the city gates, which provided passage for pedestrians, were one of their businesses.

Qin Fei came to the headquarters of the Beast Taming Sect today.

The building is quite grand, with each corner of the eaves carved with a mythical beast in a different form.

A stone lion crouches at the entrance, exuding an imposing aura.

Qin Fei found this interesting. According to his Divine Sense, this lion was not made of Shitou, but a real Demon Beast.

It was only because it was good at disguising itself that it turned into the shape of Shitou.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance, a group of guards respectfully came to greet them.

"Greetings, Elder Qin."

Qin Fei raised an eyebrow, asking with some doubt, "How did you recognize me?"

Since becoming a guest elder of the Beast Taming Sect, he has never come here once, hence this question.

The guard took out a portrait from his Storage Bag and explained, "The sect leader distributed portraits of the elders to all of us and instructed us that the elders will be visiting soon, so that we won't fail to provide adequate hospitality."

O

Qin Fei nodded secretly, then unfolded the portrait.

The image shows a young man in his thirties, dressed in a black robe, with a lifelike face that indeed bears a striking resemblance to him.

"Fellow Daoist Guo is very thoughtful. Is he currently inside the sect?"

The guard bowed slightly and replied, "Elder Qin, your timing is unfortunate. The sect leader recently went into seclusion, but before that, he instructed that if an elder came, the senior sister should receive him."

Qin Fei waved his hand dismissively and said, "Lead the way."

He came here to resolve the issue of cultivating the Purple Flame Deer, and incidentally to obtain some Demon Beast Essence Blood.

It doesn't matter who receives them.

The guards led him to the main hall, then ordered tea and spiritual fruit to be brought before going to report the matter.

Qin Fei didn't stand on ceremony, sipping his tea while waiting.

To his surprise, the tea was full of Spiritual Qi, and after taking a sip, even the circulation of Spiritual Power within his body accelerated.

"Good tea."

Qin Fei was quite fond of tea ceremony and had quite a few tea leaves in his hands, but this was the first time he had seen one so full of Spiritual Qi.

Just as he was savoring the aftertaste in his mouth, a beautiful young woman in a pale yellow floral dress walked in.

"Junior Qiu Muxue greets Elder Qin."

Qin Fei raised his head slightly and saw that the woman in front of him had exquisite features and skin as smooth as jade; she was an extremely beautiful person.

A flicker of admiration crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Qiu Muxue is easily among the top three women he has ever met.

What's truly remarkable is that this woman possesses a natural, ethereal quality, giving off an aura that keeps strangers at bay.

Whether Guo Nanshan sending such a disciple to receive him was intentional or a coincidence is unknown.

"You should already know why I'm here. Are the disciples who are raising the Purple Flame Deer ready?"

"Reporting to Senior, this humble girl is that disciple."

"You?"

Qin Fei was somewhat surprised.

"Indeed, I am the sect leader's personal disciple. Within the Beast Taming Sect, aside from the sect leader, my skill in beast taming should be the highest."

"The sect leader instructed that Senior Qin is one of our own, and cultivating the Purple Flame Deer is of paramount importance, which is why he sent me here."

Qiu Muxue bowed her head respectfully and answered.

Just a few days ago, the sect leader found her.

She claimed that she didn't have much time left to live, and that as the eldest disciple, the heavy responsibility of the Beast Taming Sect would definitely be handed over to her in the future.

Hopefully, she can get closer to this newly promoted elder, and it would be best if they could become dao companion, then the Beast Taming Sect would have a way out.

Otherwise, without Foundation Establishment cultivator to oversee it, it would be swallowed up by other forces sooner or later.

However, she has always been proud and arrogant. Although she has countless suitors in the sect, she has never even glanced at them, as her mind is almost entirely focused on cultivation and beast taming.

Asking her to get close to a strange man, even though he is Foundation Establishment senior, is no easy task.

First of all, she can't get over her own hurdle.

Qin Fei had no idea she was thinking so much; her mind was entirely on the Purple Flame Deer.

"Since you are Fellow Daoist Guo's personally taught disciple, I shall address you as my junior nephew."

"Junior Nephew Qiu, take a look at my Purple Flame Deer cub. Why is it that despite feeding it so many heavenly materials and earthly treasures, its cultivation level hasn't increased?"

This statement also carries a test-oriented meaning; if a woman cannot provide a reasonable answer, no matter how beautiful she is, she must be replaced.

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a small, bluish-gray deer appeared before him.

Qiu Muxue didn't dare to be negligent. She looked the deer over several times, then made a hand Method Formula and touched it to the deer's brow.

Then she sensed its neck, heart, and four hooves for a while before she seemed to be thinking about something.

"If I'm not mistaken, this deer must have eaten the Nether Flame Grass earlier."

"Although this herb is a fire-attribute spiritual material, it is yin in nature. If the Purple Flame Deer eats it, its meridians will become congested, and it will lose its appetite."

"If that were all, it wouldn't be a big deal, but this deer must have eaten Phoenix Flame Flower afterward."

"The two elements, though mutually reinforcing, also have a antagonistic effect, resulting in side effects such as blocked meridians and severe stagnation, which prevents any further progress."

Qin Fei nodded secretly; the Purple Flame Deer had indeed consumed both of these spiritual materials.

He wasn't very familiar with the Nether Flame Grass and Phoenix Flame Flower, which were usually only used to feed Demon Beast, but the woman could easily identify them, indicating that she had genuine knowledge and skills.

He was pleased and smiled slightly, saying, "Very good. Come with me back to the manor, and we'll have a detailed discussion."