C10 Star Beast Arts

Ling Ji's curiosity was instantly piqued as she observed the Greedy Wolf, nodding with human-like reverence before dashing into the depths of the Demonic Spine. "Could he really be planning to pit a single Rock Wolf against millions? That seems like a monumental waste of time."

Xing Yun, however, was hot on the Greedy Wolf's heels, filled with anticipation. In his previous life, he hadn't been able to start his cultivation from scratch, which meant he never fully unraveled the deeper secrets of the Spire of the Infinite and the Voidlands. A complete mastery of the Spire of the Infinite required the owner to grow with it, starting from the Martial Vein Realm.

One of the cultivation mysteries within the Voidlands involved the subjugation, control, and nurturing of Hellbeasts. Similarly, the training to control Hellbeasts had to begin with taming a First Stage Hellbeast at the Profound Vein Realm before one could fully master the Star Beast Arts.

In his past life, Xing Yun had reached the pinnacle of the Infinite Cosmos, constantly facing myriad challenges. He had no time for these lesser tasks and had only managed to tame some Ninth Stage Hellbeasts using an incomplete version of the Star Beast Arts, forging contracts with them. These Hellbeasts, in a bid to protect Xing Yun and withstand the heavenly tribulation, were all lost.

Thus, for Xing Yun, this rebirth was both a challenge and an opportunity. Moreover, no matter how formidable he was, he couldn't possibly handle a multitude of scattered foes alone. He needed to cultivate a host of utterly loyal subordinates, and the Hellbeasts he tamed were the perfect candidates.

Having subdued the Greedy Wolf, Xing Yun gained access to its memories, learning about the Rock Wolves' territory. He then directed the Greedy Wolf to entrap them. With the incantation whispered, visions of the Greedy Wolf's journey flooded his mind. By using the Star Beast Arts in tandem with Astral Power to subdue a Hellbeast, he could share its vision. The stronger the bond between master and Hellbeast, the greater the distance over which they could share this connection.

Xing Yun was currently at the Profound Vein Realm, which meant that the Greedy Wolf could only share his vision from a mile away. After some time, the Greedy Wolf reached a dense forest and found two Rock Wolves resting there.

"Defeat them!" Xing Yun commanded without hesitation, and the Greedy Wolf charged with an intimidating presence.

From her vantage point in the Voidlands, Ling Ji watched the Greedy Wolf's advance, skeptical that a single Rock Wolf could take on two opponents unless Xing Yun intervened.

The two Rock Wolves, previously lounging comfortably, were alerted by their hunting companion, the Greedy Wolf, now bearing down on them. They growled in warning, eyes wary.

Undeterred, the Greedy Wolf responded with a howl of its own.

While Ling Ji was not versed in the language of beasts, Xing Yun understood it perfectly.

"Fight me, and if defeated, submit to my master!" the Greedy Wolf declared.

The Rock Wolf on the left snarled back, "It has betrayed our clan. Let's devour it and its master!"

With no hesitation, the left Rock Wolf lunged at the Greedy Wolf, while the right one attempted to rush Xing Yun but was intercepted. The Greedy Wolf was now locked in combat with both adversaries.

Using their sharp claws and shattered rocks as weapons, the Rock Wolves tried to overpower the Greedy Wolf. However, with its remarkable agility, the Greedy Wolf avoided their attacks and engaged in close combat.

The Rock Wolves coordinated their assault, biting and slashing, but only managed to inflict superficial damage on the Greedy Wolf's hide.

In contrast, the Greedy Wolf held its own against the two, its claws and fangs marking the Rock Wolves with numerous wounds.

Observing the diminishing vigor of the Rock Wolves, Ling Ji's eyes gleamed with contemplation.

Before being tamed by Xing Yun, the Greedy Wolf's strength and physical resilience were comparable to that of the Rock Wolves. It was astonishing to see how significantly it had improved since becoming Xing Yun's Hellbeast.

Two mournful howls echoed in succession, signaling the battle's conclusion. The Greedy Wolf unleashed a torrent of molten rock, blasting two Rock Wolves and encasing them in ice.

It was then that Xing Yun approached, activating the Star Beast Arts to infuse them with a steady stream of Astral Power.

Ultimately, both Rock Wolves and the Greedy Wolf transformed into beams of yellow light that shot into the Spire of the Infinite on Xing Yun's forehead, retreating to the Voidlands to recuperate.

The trio of Rock Wolves lay prostrate before the Spire, as Xing Yun's authoritative command resonated from within: "Henceforth, all of the wolf clan shall hold the Greedy Wolf in the highest regard!"

The two Rock Wolves sobbed, nodding fervently as they swore their fealty.

The Greedy Wolf rose joyfully, pressing its forelimbs to its chest in the direction of the Spire of the Infinite—an expression of both excitement and docility.

Xing Yun commended, "Well done! As you continue to harness Astral Power, your intelligence will increase, until you're indistinguishable from a human."

The intelligence of Hellbeasts correlates with their rank—the higher the rank, the smarter the beast. Conversely, a first-rank Hellbeast's intelligence is barely distinguishable from that of a common beast.

Ling Ji stood rooted to the spot, at a loss for words. Xing Yun's prowess in subjugating and commanding Hellbeasts far exceeded her knowledge.

Beast Tamers were an exceedingly rare breed, adept in the language of beasts and utilizing Soul Power and their own cultivation to dominate and contract with the Hellbeasts they captured.

Moreover, in the act of taming, a Beast Tamer must also channel their soul to harness the Hellbeast's power of submission, imprinting a soul mark upon the creature. This process demands an immense toll on the Beast Tamer's Soul Power.

For a Beast Tamer at the Profound Vein Stage, subduing even a single Hellbeast was an insurmountable feat, let alone for those at the Awakened Soul or Azure Paragon stages, where such occurrences were exceedingly rare. A Beast Tamer at the Profound Vein Stage merely begins their journey by learning the language of beasts and the application of Soul Power.

Xing Yun effortlessly subdued three Hellbeasts with his Profound Vein cultivation level!

He didn't linger after the three Rock Wolves had healed from their injuries; he released them and directed their movements.

Once the Rock Wolves vanished, they left behind a thumb-sized golden bead of Spiritual Qi, suspended in midair before the Spire of the Infinite.

This was the Fellheart Energy, nurtured by Xing Yun's Astral Power. In turn, they would condense this energy, born of Astral Power, and reciprocate to Xing Yun. This Fellheart Energy could expedite Xing Yun's cultivation or be used in refining pills, forging weapons, crafting inscriptions, or awakening Divine Beast Totems, among other uses.

The most coveted aspect of the Fellheart Energy was its ability to enhance the strength of others, with a safety far surpassing any panacea!

Apart from Xing Yun, no one else in the Infinite Cosmos could refine Fellheart Energy. Even in his past life, Xing Yun couldn't produce it with the incomplete Star Beast Arts.

In just half a day, Xing Yun began with a single Rock Wolf and went on to subdue two more. He then employed these three to scour the outskirts of the Demonic Spine, eventually amassing an army of four hundred Rock Wolves and two hundred Stormblade Wolves!

The Stormblade Wolf and Rock Wolf were similar in rank and appearance, but the Stormblade Wolf's blue skin and emphasis on speed, with its signature Wind Blade attack, set it apart from the yellow-skinned Rock Wolf.

Throughout the process, Ling Ji remained silent, observing with astonishment.

Xing Yun's Hellbeast forces, though often outnumbered, continued to grow in strength.

A single first-tier Hellbeast could take on a Martial Meridian Stage warrior, and with the enhancement of Astral Power, Xing Yun's forces could easily face two opponents at once.

In no time at all, the Voidlands were home to over six hundred first-tier Hellbeast energies.

This amassed energy could significantly advance the cultivation of six hundred Profound Vein Realm warriors!

Feeling the burgeoning power within him, Xing Yun's face lit up with anticipation: "The journey has only just begun!"

He was on the verge of a breakthrough. Once he ascended to the Awakened Soul Realm and awakened his Martial Spirit, the Voidwyrm, it would undoubtedly trigger a transformation in the spiritual energy across the Infinite Cosmos!

The concentration of spiritual Qi in this era paled in comparison to that of ten millennia past.

Xing Yun was unimpressed by the scant spiritual energy available. He wielded the Astral Power of the Voidlands, yet his current cultivation still relied on external sources.

"Has the Rock Wolf King been spotted in this vicinity?"

In the thicket, Xing Yun surveyed the six hundred Rock Wolves and Stormblade Wolves arrayed before him and inquired.

A Rock Wolf stepped forward and prostrated before Xing Yun, whining softly.

Xing Yun discerned the meaning at once: the Rock Wolf King was not to be underestimated.

Without further ado, Xing Yun commanded in a stern tone, "Lead the way!"

The Rock Wolf, eager to comply, dashed ahead, leading Xing Yun and the Wolf Tribe army northwestward.

Ling Ji's brows knitted slightly as she mused, "The Rock Wolf King's strength rivals that of the Awakened Soul Realm, far surpassing those of the Profound Vein Realm. Moreover, it surely commands a formidable following."

Indeed, Xing Yun had previously overwhelmed only those of the Profound Vein Realm, Gu Yan included.

Within a mere fifteen minutes, Xing Yun's forces located a vast cave and paused a hundred feet away to scout.

The cave's surroundings were overgrown with weeds and teeming with Rock Wolves—Xing Yun's quick glance estimated their numbers at around a thousand.

And this did not account for those within the cave, including the Rock Wolf King himself.

Yet Xing Yun showed no sign of retreat. With a resolute cry of "Attack!" he spurred his Wolf Tribe army into action.

At his command, the Wolf Tribe surged forward, a formidable wave crashing towards the Rock Wolves outside the distant cave.

Alerted to the threat, the Rock Wolves rose en masse, rallying together and responding to the advancing troops with ferocious howls.

Xing Yun, however, was in no rush to engage. He ordered the Wolf Tribe to halt, and a cacophony of howls ensued, a chilling symphony that could set one's nerves on edge.

Xing Yun's intent was to subjugate the Rock Wolf pack, but he was keenly aware that a clash of this magnitude could lead to heavy losses on both sides. Thus, he aimed to keep casualties to a minimum, for the Rock Wolves were to become his allies.

Moments later, a colossal figure burst from the cave, trailed by hundreds of adult Rock Wolves.

It was a massive Rock Wolf King, three times larger than a typical adult Rock Wolf!

An average Rock Wolf King was merely twice the size of a regular Rock Wolf. This one was clearly a rare mutant, its talents far surpassing those of a normal Rock Wolf King.

"What a shame!" Xing Yun lamented.

Such a Rock Wolf King was exceedingly rare, but Xing Yun was resolute in his decision to train Greedy Wolf to become a Rock Wolf King. Therefore, this Rock Wolf King was destined to be merely a stepping stone for Greedy Wolf.

"Awoo!"

The forest resonated with the prolonged howls of the Rock Wolf King. Soon after, hundreds more Rock Wolves sprang from the cave. Consequently, Xing Yun's Rock Wolf forces were now only a third of the opposing number!

Greedy Wolf promptly received Xing Yun's command, conveyed through their soul connection. It advanced a few steps and let out a ferocious howl toward the Rock Wolf King.

It was ready to plunge into the pack and duel with the Rock Wolf King!

The Rock Wolf King sensed the impending showdown, its eyes gleaming with disdain as it bellowed in response.

It suspected Xing Yun, the human, might resort to deceit, insisting that Greedy Wolf enter its territory before it would engage in combat.

With the pack's eyes upon it, Greedy Wolf strode unflinchingly into the fifty-zhang radius encirclement of Rock Wolves and locked eyes with the Rock Wolf King.

There was a time when it was merely an underling within the Rock Wolf ranks. Now, blessed with the chance encounter with Xing Yun, it was ready to seize the opportunity to ascend and join Xing Yun in his conquest of the Infinite Cosmos.

"This is no trivial matter."

Ling Ji shook her head in resignation. The gap between a Tier One Hellbeast and a Tier Two Hellbeast was akin to the disparity between a human's Azure Paragon Realm and Awakened Soul Realm, a chasm not easily bridged.

She had witnessed Greedy Wolf's rapid growth from taking on two adversaries to three in just half a day. Now, Xing Yun was pushing it to challenge a Tier Two Hellbeast like the Rock Wolf King, akin to a futile attempt to shatter a stone with an egg.