Chapter 310 - 153: Duan Chenzhou’s Identity Revealed, Ji Xiu: "Master? You Old Fart, You’re Not Dead?

Chapter 310: Chapter 153: Duan Chenzhou’s Identity Revealed, Ji Xiu: "Master? You Old Fart, You’re Not Dead?

Flying Immortal Temple, in the East Suburbs of Jiangyin Prefecture.

By the time Ji Xiu arrived, galloping on a fine steed from the Beicang Marquis’s Mansion stables, the sky had already grown dim.

Looking at the horse beneath him—a rather high-quality beast bred from an Alien Species—Ji Xiu clicked his tongue.

’This horse is decent enough, but it’s a far cry from the Jade-Horned Spirit Deer with its thin trace of Dragon Blood that Master Duan and I tricked—er, acquired—back in Anning County.’

’That deer was being raised at the Ji Residence. I wonder if my little sister and Old Man Fan brought it with them when they came to Jiangyin Prefecture...’

At the time, Ji Xiu had been ignorant and didn’t grasp what it meant for something to have a chance at atavistic transformation into an Auspicious Omen.

It was only after arriving in Jiangyin Prefecture and spending some time here, learning a great deal, that he finally understood the profound implications.

Take the Profound-Scaled Dragon Carp he had hunted before. It was precisely because it had a sliver of a chance to transform that it could be classified as a Sixth Grade Spiritual Object.

While not as precious as an Earth Treasure, if put up for auction at the Grand Lineage, it would have easily fetched over three hundred taels of Red Gold.

It is said that mountain treasures and water spirits—the family of Spirit Monsters—are born of nature, consuming the essence of the sun and moon without partaking in bloodshed.

Any that could rank as a Spiritual Object was already a dragon among monsters, so what did it mean for one to have the potential to become an Auspicious Omen?

One must understand that a true Auspicious Omen always represents a kind of Qi Number, comparable to Celestial Materials. Its appearance alone would be enough to make those with Titles fight over it!

’That deer might look a bit daft, but I raised it for quite some time. It even ate a lot of the Mountain Ginseng from Old Huang’s drying rack and received a gift from Young Lord Bai Shuo before he left. I can’t just let it slip away...’

’If my little sister didn’t bring it this time, I’ll have to find a chance to go back to Anning County and fetch it myself.’

The Grand Lineage Members within the prefecture were all obsessed with outdoing one another, riding rare, high-quality Alien Species.

But even those pampered sons of One Mansion didn’t have the privilege of finding a Spirit Monster whose power was comparable to the Skin Refining realm and might even become a Spiritual Object in a few years.

’I can’t be outdone by them! It would be a complete loss of face!’

Just as Ji Xiu stepped into the Flying Immortal Temple—a serene-looking place backed by the misty East Canghai and veiled in clouds—and before he could even find someone to announce his arrival, his mind was still busy with his schemes...

A sliver of moonlight spilled down.

A jade-green shadow, shimmering faintly like fireflies and utterly eye-catching, suddenly appeared in Ji Xiu’s line of sight. He squinted, the figure looking more and more familiar.

And there it was.

Inside the Flying Immortal Temple.

An incredibly lazy-looking, yet graceful and noble Jade-Horned Spirit Deer was sprawled languidly on the ground, absorbing the moonlight.

Meanwhile, several Daoists in the Daoist Robes of the Flying Immortal Temple bustled about it, bringing all sorts of Mountain Ginseng and fine materials. They lined up to present their offerings to this "Master Deer" while whispering amongst themselves.

"Make sure to serve Master Deer well! He’s the Guardian Spirit Beast the Observatory Master brought back from his travels. He has already broken through the shackles of a Spirit Monster to become a genuine Spiritual Object that can understand human speech!"

"I heard his seniority is immense. Even the senior brothers who were personally accepted as disciples by the Observatory Master have to be completely respectful when they see him..."

"In terms of grade, he’s just a small step away from refining his Horizontal Bone, which would allow him to speak human words and reach the level of a Newborn Great Demon."

"If we can keep the Deer Ancestor happy and he puts in a good word for us, maybe the Observatory Master will be pleased and bestow upon us a Divine Soul True Method or a True Daoist Skill..."

Ji Xiu’s ears twitched. Hearing all this flattery, he couldn’t help but feel his lips twitch as he watched the Spirit Deer’s mouth go CHOMP, CHOMP, gobbling down Spirit Leaf Mountain Ginseng one after another in utter comfort.

He thought about his own tumultuous time since arriving at the prefecture, how he’d nearly stumbled and fallen several times, and was suddenly overcome with irritation.

He recognized it instantly. This was the very deer he had raised in Anning!

And yet here he was, its master, living precariously and struggling every day since entering the prefecture.

Meanwhile, this little rascal had crossed the sea, arrived at the Flying Immortal Temple, and turned the tables completely, becoming a revered master and ancestor himself, huh?

Just a quick glance told him its Qi Mechanism was several times stronger than before.

He couldn’t even imagine how much it must have eaten to get so fat and plump in the time he was gone!

The Jade-Horned Spirit Deer was eating comfortably, enjoying the offerings from the Daoists, and thinking to itself:

’I used to think following my old master was the greatest pleasure. I got to trail him to the Medicine Hall every day and scrounge free food and drinks from Old Huang. It was so much better than my bitter life in the mountains.’

’With that in mind, being exploited a little wasn’t so bad.’

’But after he left and I started following the little master... only then did Master Deer realize what a hellish life I was living before!’

It pointed its deer nose to the sky, watching the moonlight continuously transform into Cultivation, flowing through the Stars of the Celestial Sphere formation built into the Flying Immortal Temple and filling its body.

Its own ’age’ was soaring as it continuously refined the drop of Dragon Blood that Bai Shuo had given it before leaving. As its power advanced by leaps and bounds, it thought gleefully:

’No more being forced to live under someone else’s roof! No more tiptoeing around, watching their every mood! I wouldn’t trade this comfortable life even if an Immortal came for me!’

Watching the humans fussing all around it, the Jade-Horned Spirit Deer leisurely picked up a Mountain Ginseng. Just as it was about to swallow and chew, its eyes happened to glance aside and see a familiar figure.

In that instant, the deer’s eyes met Ji Xiu’s. The Spirit Medicine in its mouth suddenly lost all its flavor.