A Chaotic World

Chapter 172: The Black Maned Shadow Lion

Since Lu Tianzi had decided, all that was left was for him to gather the funds somehow.

But while he was still wondering how to go about doing this, his train of thoughts were promptly disrupted by a man's voice that came from behind him.

"Is young brother thinking of acquiring the Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique Manual?"

Surprised by the sudden question, Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue immediately turned around to see who it was.

They spun around to come face to face with a scholarly looking middle aged man. He was dressed in clean white robes and stood with his arms placed behind his back, giving off an air of confidence.

However, there was more to him than just the scholarly aura he exuded.

Nanlan Qianxue might not be able to tell for sure, but Lu Tianzi could clearly see that he was a martial artist who had already reached the First Origin Cycle, becoming a bone fide Origin Core realm martial artist!

"May I know if senior has any word of advice for us?" Lu Tianzi clasped his fist towards him.

Since the other party had taken the intiative to talk to them, it would not hurt to just listen for a bit.

"Not bad, you have good foresight to have chosen to listen to me even though I might seem like just a random passer-by," the scholarly man nodded in satisfaction. "Since that is the case, I shall go straight to the point. Do not attempt to carry out any form of tinkering with your own bloodline, be it by using the Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique or other similar skills. It is as good as gambling with your own life!"

Lu Tianzi immediately frowned. "Can senior please enlighten us further?"

"Well, I guess it can't be helped. Since I have already said this much, I might as well tell you more," the scholarly man smiled. "First of all, since we are talking about the Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique, do you know the difference between primal beasts and other types of beasts?"

"Primal beasts possess a bloodline that traces back to ancient beasts," Nanlan Qianxue answered.

"That's right!" the scholarly man nodded. "The blood running through primal beasts contains at least a certain degree of purity of an ancient bloodline, which means that they are far stronger and far more dangerous to deal with than regular beasts! Just the part on subduing a primal beast could possibly result in the deaths of many!"

Lu Tianzi nodded knowingly.

He knew that the scholarly senior was right.

Indeed, primal beasts were unlike others, and there was always a danger in subduing one. Even Origin Core realm experts might be putting themselves in danger when dealing with one that was strong enough.

However, such a reason was not nearly enough to change his mind!

This just meant that he had to grow stronger than the primal beast before attempting to subdue one!

Seeing that Lu Tianzi was unconvinced, the scholarly man shook his head and continued, "I know what you are thinking. Perhaps you are considered a genius in your influence, and your seniors are more than willing to subdue the beast for your sake. However, that just removes the first layer of danger. What comes next is the most risky part! Absorption of a primal beast's bloodline is very reliant on compatibility, and compatibility in bloodline is something that you will never know until you actually introduce the bloodline into your body. But even if you find out that it is incompatible, it would be impossible to stop the process by then. All you can do will be to rely on the strength of your body to withstand the integration of the new bloodline. If things go wrongly, which is extremely likely, you can be heavily injured, or even die in the process!"

Lu Tianzi's expression turned serious this time.

He had heard something similar from Beimu Fei before, but had thought little of it at that time. Now that this senior was saying it with such conviction and confidence, he could not help but hesitate.

Perhaps this really was a risky choice?

Then again, he had even assimilated the cells of demons. Nourished by the Essence energy of two separate cultivation systems, his body was far stronger than anyone else's.

If even he did not possess a body strong enough to withstand the integration of a primal beast bloodline, then how could there be anyone else capable of doing so?

Lu Tianzi did not know of any other examples, but at least the Scarlet Moon Overlord had been able to successfully absorb a primal beast bloodline.

At the very most, he would just have to wait till he reached the Overlord realm before attempting to do so!

That should be safe enough!

"Thank you for the advice, senior," Lu Tianzi clasped his fist towards the scholarly man.

Even though the reasons he gave had failed to convince Lu Tianzi, the scholarly man had kind intentions in the first place, and Lu Tianzi would naturally show him the respect he deserved.

"Youngsters these days" the scholarly man shook his head in disappointment. "Do consider my words a little more, or at least consult your seniors before blindly rushing into things."

"Junior understands," Lu Tianzi gave an awkward smile.

It seemed like the scholarly man had seen through his thoughts.

After which, the scholarly man walked away, as though unwilling to be part of this.

"So are you going to buy it now?" Nanlan Qianxue asked, obviously having seen through Lu Tianzi's thoughts as well.

By now, her eyes were already gleaming in interest.

Every martial artist pursued greater strength.

Since Nanlan Qianxue had been eliminated earlier during the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet, she did not have the chance to personally witness Fourth Prince Mosha in action. However, she had certainly heard of how domineering he was when he activated his primal beast bloodline.

Thus, her interest in this Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique was actually no less than that of Lu Tianzi!

Lu Tianzi hesitated a little before answering. "I was just about to ask you this, but how many beast cores do you have right now?"

"Oh?" Nanlan Qianxue shot him a meaningful smile. "Is our Inscription Master Nanlu Tianzi trying to borrow from me now? Do I look rich to you?"

"I can't help it!" Lu Tianzi sighed. "Then again, I barely have a few hundred low ranked beast cores on hand. Even if we combined our wealth, it is unlikely to be enough. Perhaps I should just go ask for some from the Elders."

"Hehe! That's where you are wrong!" Nanlan Qianxue chuckled. "Contrary to what you think, I just happen to have enough to purchase the Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique!"

"You do?" Lu Tianzi widened his eyes in surprise. "Five thousand low ranked beast cores?"

"Why? Are you the only one who is allowed to be rich?" Nanlan Qianxue exclaimed smugly.

"Haha, of course that's not it!" Lu Tianzi laughed in embarrassment. "However, I can't possibly let you pay for something that I want, especially when it is this expensive!"

Now that he thought about it, Nanlan Qianxue was not only the top genius of the Nine Suns Sect during the many years before he arrived, she was also the daughter of the City Lord.

Considering the fact that she was in possession of the Frost Jade Sword, a Primary Origin Core rank weapon, possessing such a huge amount of low ranked beast cores no longer seemed too surprising.

"Who says that I am getting it for you?" Nanlan Qianxue crossed her arms smugly. "I am getting it for myself as well! On top of that, I will be expecting you to return me half the cost, all two thousand five hundred low ranked beast cores, with additional interest charged!"

"Haha, that's fine by me!" Lu Tianzi nodded.

Even though Lu Tianzi understood that Nanlan Qianxue was just joking around, he would still return her the beast cores when he managed to obtain such an amount in the future. Otherwise, he would really be taking advantage of her kindness.

This was not a small amount after all!

Of course, he needed to make sure that he had enough left for his own cultivation purposes before doing so.

Having already come to a decision, the two of them did not hesitate further, directly purchasing the Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique Manual from the counter.

After checking that the jade slip handed to them truly contained the Primal Bloodline Absorption Technique, the duo left to look for Nanqing Haowen.

As for learning the technique, they were not in a hurry. They could simply do so in the days to come.

Considering the reputation of the Wild Melody Circus, neither of them was worried that there could be anything wrong with the contents.

Looking around the tent, the duo finally found Nanqing Haowen standing before a beast cage.

This time, he looked completely entranced. The frown that had been hanging on his face since earlier was no longer anywhere to be seen.

"Brother Nanqing!" Lu Tianzi called out as the two of them walked up to Nanqing Haowen. "What are you looking at?"

"You guys are back," Nanqing Haowen shot them a quick glance before turning his attention back to the beast within the cage. "I think I found my contract beast!"

"Oh?" Lu Tianzi looked towards the cage immediately.

Just what kind of beast was capable of meeting the stringent criteria of the picky Nanqing Haowen?

"It is a young Black Maned Shadow Lion."

Nanqing Haowen introduced, knowing that Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue were unlikely to be able to recognise it on their own.

Unlike ordinary lions, Black Maned Shadow Lions had a beautiful mane that was as dark as the night, though it was only just starting to grow out on this young one. Apart from that, they possessed a dark grey body. When they moved at top speed, it would look just like a dark shadow darting around, thus they were named as such.

But most importantly, they were beasts that would grow to possess the strength of an Origin Core realm martial artist in their adulthood!

Just this point alone was sufficient for it to be well sought after as a contract beast.

If Nanqing Haowen chose to contract the young Black Maned Shadow Lion, there was absolutely no reason for the Nanqing Family to be opposed to it!

On second look, Lu Tianzi was surprised to see that although the young Black Maned Shadow Lion was sitting motionlessly in the middle of the cage, it was actually looking straight at Nanqing Haowen, directly matching his gaze.

Was this the mental connection that Nanqing Haowen had been talking about earlier?

Unwilling to interrupt Nanqing Haowen at this point in time, Lu Tianzi could only keep guessing.

Although the young Black Maned Shadow Lion continued to match Nanqing Haowen's gaze, there was also a tinge of caution in its eyes, preventing it from moving closer to him.

After a while, Nanqing Haowen sighed in lamentation.

Despite their natural affinity with each other, this young Black Maned Shadow Lion seemed to be too distrustful of people, as a result preventing them from truly establishing a mental connection.

Nanqing Haowen surmised that this was because of the harsh methods employed by the Wild Melody Circus members in controlling the beasts.

How unfortunate it was if that was truly the case!

Even so, Nanqing Haowen was confident that given sufficient time, he would certainly be able to gain its trust one day!

"I want this Black Maned Shadow Lion!"

A clear voice called out to the Wild Melody Circus member who was tending to the cage.

However, it was not from Nanqing Haowen.

Even though he was just about to say the same thing, someone had actually beaten him to it!

Lu Tianzi, Nanqing Haowen, and Nanlan Qianxue were all shocked!

All three of them turned towards to the source of the voice, only to see a scholarly young man walking up to the Wild Melody Circus member.

"I want this Black Maned Shadow Lion!" the scholarly young man repeated with an air of confidence. "Tell me, how much do I need to pay for it?"