The next day, Li Yuan did not return to the Demon Breeding Pavilion. The Divine Soul Connection had already been established, and the Wilderness Demon Taming Skill had reached its limit. Thus, the taming process was considered complete.
At the same time, he also understood the characteristics of the Demon Beasts, knowing why their comprehensive power fluctuated so much.
The reason was simple: Demon Beasts required "explosive conditions."
When these conditions were met, the Demon Beasts would be stimulated, unleashing the strongest power of the demon blood within them.
As someone who mastered the Seventh Grade Grandmaster taming skills, Li Yuan clearly knew the "explosive conditions" for the Demon Dogs.
The explosive conditions for Demon Dogs are roughly threefold: First, when the master is in danger; second, when the master’s home is invaded by malevolent individuals; third, when the master gives a command.
The combat potential of Demon Dogs might not be very strong among the same grade of Demon Beasts, as there are all sorts of strange creatures in this world, but they remain extremely loyal.
Three at Seventh Grade, five at Eighth Grade, seven at Ninth Grade...
This was the harvest that taming demons brought to Li Yuan this time.
At this moment, Li Yuan stood in the courtyard, holding the Horse-Cutting Blade.
In the courtyard, Lady Yan had planted many flowers and grass. It was late spring, early summer, a lush and verdant scene.
A rain had fallen last night, and now a strong wind was sending the raindrops flying in the air.
The sunlight poured down, illuminating those raindrops with a resplendent glow.
Ssh...
Sssh... Sssh...
Li Yuan unsheathed the blade by an inch, the light from the blade becoming even more dazzling.
But after an inch, he paused.
The sword was about to be drawn but wasn’t, because the person wielding the sword didn’t yet know how to strike this blow.
"The three-in-one technique of the Spring and Autumn Saber Skill, I once tried asking the teacher.
But the teacher said that if one wishes to integrate them, all three techniques must reach Great Success to have a chance.
The subsequent moves are determined by the heart... each person may have a different path, perhaps even forging a unique direction.
But looking at the teacher’s overall strength, it seems he hasn’t comprehended it either."
"I have perfected the Jingzhe and Leap Abyss techniques, only missing the Ninth Grade Spring Thunder.
Initially, to save points, I didn’t add points...
Now, since there’s no other breakthrough direction for the time being, I’ll try adding them all."
Li Yuan recalled the whispered conversations from last night in bed with Lady Yan, thinking of the terrifying war erupting in the core of Jade Capital.
The aftermath is coming... or perhaps it has already arrived...
It’s just that because Shanbao County had local forces wielding influence, the external forces were momentarily halting, watching from the outside.
He glanced at his own information.
Due to his usual cultivation, the "Spring Thunder" in "Skills" had reached a progress of "(107/160)," and now he directly pressed "++" after "Spring Thunder."
Instantly, some new cultivation memories flooded into his mind.
He slightly closed his eyes, squinted them slightly, and then suddenly opened them, flicked the sword sheath, gripped the Horse-Cutting Blade, raised it, and struck down.
The exploding thunder seemed like a thousand birds scattering in panic.
Strike again!
The sound of tearing silk, slicing through the long wind, made all the flowers and green trees in the courtyard seem as though they were swept by a reverse gust of wind. All the raindrops and dew that were flying forward suddenly paused in mid-air, then shot backward, landing with a "pitter-patter," hitting the grass on the ground.
Sweep!
Li Yuan flicked with his left hand, the Horse-Cutting Blade tracing a dangerous arc, then launched an upward strike from below.
The three techniques combined, seamlessly perfect, no one could wield it better than him.
Li Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.
"Continue!"
He unified the three techniques into one, continually accelerating, faster, and even faster.
This move wasn’t a Cultivation Skill, nor was there any concept of entry-level or not, if you comprehend it, you comprehend it; if not, there are no points to add.
By noon, he had a little food, then continued practicing.
In the afternoon, a carriage stopped outside the residence, and a disciple carried a large box down from the vehicle, bringing the new month’s supply of Eighth Grade Demon Beast Meat to Li Yuan’s house.
Li Yuan didn’t keep it, and directly had Xiaozhu and Xiaojie lend a hand to send it to Zhao Chunxin’s house.
But in the evening, Zhao Chunxin personally came over with the box.
Li Yuan finished his sword practice, had just taken a bath, and changed into loose robes, then saw Zhao Chunxin, and smiled, "Senior Sister, did you have to bring the box? You’re making it seem too formal."
Zhao Chunxin set the box down, then approached and lowered her voice, "Junior Brother, I managed to get some meat myself recently."
Li Yuan knew how difficult it was to get meat now, slightly stunned, then said, "Well... congratulations, Senior Sister."
Zhao Chunxin didn’t hide it from him, and lowered her voice, saying, "There’s a Dark Workshop outside the county, where Eighth Grade Demon Beast Meat is being sold. The quantity is considerable, but they keep changing locations. It’s here today, somewhere else tomorrow. You can’t go without a recommendation, and I just happened to get in by chance."
Li Yuan curiously asked, "Dark Workshop? Could it be the Ghost Market?"
Zhao Chunxin shook her head, "It’s not the Ghost Market. I haven’t been there, but I know it’s dark and gloomy in there, with faint lights. People usually wear masks, hiding full of evil qi.
But this Dark Workshop seems to be run by a merchants’ association, claiming to have come from across Central Earth. The owner died, and now the subordinates are trying to clear out the goods and divide the assets to live.
No one knows where the goods are stored... they just take out a bit each time to sell, having sold in other places before, and only recently coming near Shanbao County."
Li Yuan asked, "Could it be a scam?"
Zhao Chunxin lowered her voice again, "The Tributor Gongshu and Elder Dugu from our sect also buy from there. If it were a scam, they would eventually find out, right?"
Li Yuan thought about it but couldn’t think of any flaws for the moment.
It seems reasonable, with turmoil in the Central Plains, merchants falling victim, the owner dead, and the subordinates dividing the assets, then coming to the fringe areas to sell meat...