The next morning, Chen Jiuge received a message from Yue Chengtian. fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)
Upon arriving at the entrance of Wan Shi Hall, Chen Jiuge saw Yue Chengtian, his unmistakably large head making him easy to spot, standing beside a cold-looking woman.
Upon closer inspection, Chen Jiuge couldn’t help but frown. Such a cold aura. It must be from Jueqing Peak... but that’s not right either; the Token on the woman’s waist indicates she’s an Outer Disciple.
"Senior Brother, you’ve finally arrived! Let me introduce you—this is a fellow apprentice who joined the Sect with me, Lin Qingwei. Lin Qingwei, this is Senior Brother Chen, who helped me with registration when I first joined the Sect," Yue Chengtian said with a broad smile.
Lin Qingwei nodded in acknowledgment. Chen Jiuge didn’t much care. This girl has most likely practiced the Cultivation Techniques of those Jueqing Peak fanatics and is already a designated disciple there. It’s best if I stay away from these lunatics.
"Let’s register for the task first," Chen Jiuge said.
Wan Shi Hall served as a multifunctional center for the Myriad Beasts Sect, handling Sect tasks, new disciple registrations, and various other matters, so it was always crowded.
The trio waited for over half an hour before it was their turn.
The Steward registering them said with an odd look in his eyes, "I’ve registered you all. You just need to report to Hundred Dragon Pond tomorrow. Although this is a task for three, you will likely work separately. Hundred Dragon Pond is quite large, so each of you should be in charge of a different area. The Steward there will inform you of the specifics."
Unable to stand the Steward’s strange gaze, the three immediately left. Chen Jiuge turned to Yue Chengtian. "Since we’re registered, we’ll report to Hundred Dragon Pond when the time comes. There’s no need to go together. My valley is quite remote; it’s not very convenient."
Yue Chengtian, thinking Chen Jiuge was displeased with him, apologized with a guilty expression, "I’m sorry, Senior Brother. My Pegasus is close to a breakthrough, but I’m still short on resources. This task offers the most Merit and won’t take much time."
"It’s not your fault; no need to apologize. The place is really too remote, and I need time to tend to the Spiritual Beasts in my valley," Chen Jiuge said helplessly to the honest young man.
"Alright, then you take care of your arrangements, Senior Brother," Yue Chengtian said cheerfully, relieved that his Senior Brother wasn’t deceiving him.
Shaking his head, Chen Jiuge had intended to warn Yue Chengtian to stay away from Lin Qingwei. However, seeing the unintentional adoration in Yue Chengtian’s eyes, Chen Jiuge swallowed his words. After all, how can young people grow without experiencing the bitterness of love?
Returning to the valley, Chen Jiuge saw that War Song had overcome his emotions and was practicing with Black Eye—or more accurately, War Song was sparring to help Black Eye refine his Spiritual Energy. Seeing this, Chen Jiuge chose not to interrupt.
「A night passed without incident.」
Steering his small Flying Boat, Chen Jiuge traveled for more than an hour before he finally saw Hundred Dragon Pond.
Landing and stowing his Flying Boat, Chen Jiuge went straight to the only cabin. "I am Chen Jiuge, here for the feeding duty at Hundred Dragon Pond."
The cabin door opened, and a scruffy old man looked at Chen Jiuge with bleary, drunken eyes. "Hmm, yes, that’s right, it’s you. Regarding feeding in Hundred Dragon Pond, take note: food will be delivered by someone from the Spiritual Beast Hall every morning. The specifics of your assigned area will also be displayed on the Token."
"The Jade Scroll and Token are on the wooden table behind the cabin. Go get them yourself," the old man said before returning inside.
Chen Jiuge touched his nose, speechless. Is the Steward of Hundred Dragon Pond always this casual?
Deciding to leave his confusion for later, Chen Jiuge went to the back of the cabin, where he indeed found a Jade Scroll, a Token, and a Storage Bag.
His Divine Sense penetrated them, imprinting the details of everything concerning Hundred Dragon Pond into his mind. The most critical feeding requirement stated he mustn’t carelessly feed them anything other than what the Spiritual Beast Hall provided. Chen Jiuge drew a sharp breath. This Hundred Dragon Pond really is a bit outrageous.
Hundred Dragon Pond was one of the Myriad Beasts Sect’s key resources, home to numerous Dragon Species. Most disciples at Green Dragon Peak had formed Contracts with Flood Dragons from Hundred Dragon Pond, but the required Merit was astronomical.
The dark-blue waters of the pond were silent. A casual glance revealed four or five shadowy figures, suspected Flood Dragons, roaming the bottom. Their presence exerted considerable pressure on Chen Jiuge.
Besides Flood Dragons, Hundred Dragon Pond teemed with many other Low-Rank Aquatic Spiritual Beasts, which served as food for the Flood Dragons. After all, it was impractical to expect Sect Disciples to feed so many Flood Dragons individually.
The feed provided by the Spiritual Beast Hall actually contained Elixirs that purified their Bloodline, benefiting the Flood Dragons’ growth and advancement.
According to the information from the Jade Scroll, all I need to do is sprinkle the feed from above, Chen Jiuge thought. Whether every Flood Dragon gets its share isn’t my concern. I don’t know much about Hundred Dragon Pond, so it’s wise to play it safe.
Dense chunks of flesh began to rain down from the sky. The familiar scent threw the Flood Dragons into a frenzy. Tremendous fluctuations of Spiritual Power whipped up high sprays of water, making Chen Jiuge shiver uncontrollably. If I carelessly fell in, I’d likely not even have a single hair left!
This is quite simple, and there haven’t been any surprises, Chen Jiuge mused, starting to doubt the rumors as he observed the last remaining area. These Flood Dragons are quite manageable; they haven’t caused any trouble.
Just as he was thinking this, a massive figure with a gaping, bloody maw appeared directly in Chen Jiuge’s path. The vast difference in Cultivation left him no time to react.
Looking at the soaked Chen Jiuge, the red Li Dragon before him let out a crisp laugh, covering its belly with a claw and spinning in circles in the air.
"Is this amusing?" Chen Jiuge said, somewhat angrily. If the difference in Cultivation weren’t so great, and this Li Dragon dared to scare me , I’d definitely string it up and give it a beating!
"Are you new here? What’s your name?" the Li Dragon asked, barely managing to contain its laughter.
"Chen Jiuge. I’ll be responsible for feeding here for the next three years," Chen Jiuge introduced himself.
"I see. My name is Hong Ling. Little guy, have you prepared anything to show your respect?" Hong Ling asked, her dragon eyes narrowed.
"Um, Senior, isn’t it you who wants something?" Chen Jiuge was taken aback. I can’t believe even Dragons take bribes now—this is a complete moral decline!
"I haven’t eaten roast lamb in ages. Bring me two roast lambs tomorrow. Remember, well-done," Hong Ling said, licking the saliva that nearly dripped from her mouth.
"Senior, as I recall, Flood Dragons in Hundred Dragon Pond aren’t supposed to eat other types of food, are they?" Chen Jiuge said hesitantly.
"Little guy, this Dragon wants to eat! If you don’t bring them, I’ll eat you!" Hong Ling said, feigning ferocity.
Chen Jiuge responded resignedly, "Senior, I have a Token; you can’t eat me. Besides, the food from the Spiritual Beast Hall should benefit you greatly. Why insist on roast lamb?"
Hong Ling shot him a disdainful look. "That stuff? Only those few mindless idiots down there would eat it. What self-respecting Dragon would eat crap?"
Is it really that bad? Chen Jiuge wondered, looking at the red strip of meat in his hand with surprise.
"Kid, you can try it yourself. Anyway, remember to bring me the roast lamb tomorrow. If you don’t, I can’t eat you, but it’s very simple for me to file a complaint saying your feeding is substandard," Hong Ling threatened.
Chen Jiuge pondered for a moment. "Alright, but Senior, you have to promise me one thing."
"You grasping little fellow! Bring the food tomorrow, then we’ll talk," Hong Ling said before diving headfirst into the water.