CHAPTER 142: CHAPTER 138: MARTIAL MOUSE, ELDEST APPRENTICE BROTHER (5K)_3

"The most remarkable thing is that he raised martial rats. These martial rats were active in ancient times and are now quite rare. He cultivated dozens at a time."

"Wow, martial rats? Really? I want to check it out." Wudao Tian’s eyes lit up, and he dropped the documents he was holding.

"Young Master, Young Master, you still need to process these documents!" the elder called out. He watched as Wudao Tian hurriedly left, his face filled with helplessness. What am I supposed to do now? I knew I shouldn’t have come. Wouldn’t enjoying my retirement have been better?

「...」

Eldest Brother Wudao Tian was known for his volatile temperament. Those in the Sect who knew him called him a brash man—though only behind his back, as they feared his shameless bullying due to his status. However, he was generally quite generous, just like now.

Early this morning, Chen Jiuge, who had just cultivated three martial rats, planned to feed these little treasures personally. Instead, he found a rugged-looking man in the Secret Realm, teasing the three little martial rats as they attempted to practice their punches.

The former lead martial rat, now nursing a black eye and feeling aggrieved, hid in a corner, too scared to make a sound. Upon seeing Chen Jiuge arrive, it immediately dropped the stick it was holding and rushed to hug his leg, wailing about the brute’s tyranny.

Noticing the Myriad Beasts Sect disciple’s attire on the uninvited guest and sensing his profound cultivation, Chen Jiuge asked respectfully, "Senior Brother, may I ask who you are?"

"So, you are Chen Jiuge. Excellent! I didn’t expect a real Spirit Beast Breeding Master. I’ll take these three martial rats. Here’s the payment. If you encounter any issues, come directly to the City Lord Mansion. This is the pass token." Wudao Tian picked up the three little martial rats with one hand and tossed two items with the other: a dark jade token, engraved with the character ’Heaven,’ and a fruit resembling a human infant.

Chen Jiuge gasped, the temperature around him rising substantially. Heavens, a Heavenly Infant Immortal Fruit, and this token? Could this really be Eldest Brother Wudao Tian?

"Stop fussing. They’re gone, and that’s that. Here, take this stick and play with it. It was just a few clan members; I’ll get you some more in a few days," Chen Jiuge said as he pried away the sobbing martial rat and pulled out a high-quality Fake Immortal Wood from his Storage Ring.

The tempting Fake Immortal Wood not only made the martial rat forget the sorrow of its lost kin but also made its own beating seem insignificant. Clutching the large wooden stick, it happily scampered off to one side to play.

Taking the Heavenly Infant Immortal Fruit, Chen Jiuge first went to the old Secret Realm and immediately looked for Yue Meng.

"Yue Meng, can you process the Heavenly Infant Immortal Fruit?"

Looking at the Immortal Fruit before her, Yue Meng blinked and then swallowed. "Master, I don’t think it needs processing. Just eat it directly."

"They say the Heavenly Infant Immortal Fruit tastes best in its natural state; it’s one of the tastiest Immortal Fruits in the Heavenly Realm."

"Stop jesting. The important thing is that it can replenish one’s Origin," Chen Jiuge said, slapping away the little hand Yue Meng stealthily reached out.

"But with just this one fruit, how much Origin can it replenish? We aren’t even Immortals, so it’s not very useful for us. Master, why don’t you eat it? Aren’t you curious what the tastiest Immortal Fruit in the Heavenly Realm tastes like?" Yue Meng tempted.

As a Moon Rabbit, Yue Meng was now at the Mahayana Realm and could discern most of the Heavenly Infant Immortal Fruit’s effects. If the taste of this fruit was rated a hundred points, its ability to replenish Origin wouldn’t even score a tenth of a point.

In the end, Chen Jiuge painstakingly divided the Heavenly Infant Immortal Fruit. He left two small pieces for Senior Sister Wen Ruo and Junior Sister Li He, and shared the rest with the Spiritual Beasts.

The fruit was indescribably delicious. Chen Jiuge felt as if he had glimpsed the true Immortal Realm, with countless fairies playing music and dancing around him. And then it was gone. Far too little!

Looking at the two remaining small pieces of fruit, Chen Jiuge, with immense willpower, placed them in a Jade Box and tucked it into his Storage Ring.

Watching the circle of Spiritual Beasts gazing eagerly at him, Chen Jiuge said irritably, "It’s all gone! Who do you think I am, able to conjure another one out of thin air?"

The beasts left, their heads hung low.

Looking at Da Bai, who was still clutching his leg, Chen Jiuge shook his leg speechlessly. Da Bai clung on as if glued to him, not budging an inch.

"What are you doing?" Chen Jiuge asked, exasperated, lines forming on his forehead.

"Master, I’m willing to trade five hundred years of my life for those two remaining pieces of Immortal Fruit!" Da Bai exclaimed, his expression clearly indicating he thought Chen Jiuge was getting a fantastic deal.

Chen Jiuge was even more speechless. "Why would I need five hundred years from you? Your entire being already belongs to me, doesn’t it?"

At that moment, Yue Meng noticed Da Bai hadn’t followed. Today was supposed to be Da Bai’s workday. Turning to see him shamelessly clinging to her Master’s leg, she viciously grabbed his ear and spoke menacingly, "Still not working? If you slack off, you’ll only get to do Artifact Refining one day for every two days of work! And you want to offer five hundred years? First, finish the three hundred years of work you owe *me*! Honestly, you’re good for nothing but eating."

Listening to the gradually fading scolding, Chen Jiuge chuckled. Truly, every creature meets its match. It seems Da Bai’s Cultivation will have to be supervised by Yue Meng from now on. I should mention it when there’s a chance.

「...」

Meanwhile, Wudao Tian, holding the three little martial rats, returned to the City Lord Mansion and summoned Mo Qilin.

Seeing Mo Qilin with lipstick marks on his face didn’t surprise Wudao Tian. He handed over the three little martial rats, saying, "Take good care of them. If I come back next time and see anything wrong, then the time after that, you’ll be the one accompanying me on my outings."

Mo Yang shuddered. "Rest assured, Master! I’ll raise them to be healthy and plump."

After settling the martial rats, Wudao Tian called over Wu Qiyan, the elder from before.

"I’ve observed him. That Chen Jiuge is indeed a Spirit Beast Breeding Master, albeit a bit inexperienced. Support him from the City Lord Mansion with a batch of Spiritual Beasts for him to cultivate. As for compensation, you can decide, or let him name his price. Just make sure he’s not shortchanged."

Wu Qiyan simply nodded in agreement.

"I have to leave. Aoli’s Demon God has been restless. I gained an advantage last time, and now the Demon King of the Demon Clan keeps provoking me. I need to personally oversee things to prevent any accidents. The city is in your hands now." Wudao Tian’s gaze drifted toward the border.

"Rest assured, Young Master. I’ll handle everything properly," Wu Qiyan promised.