Chapter 686 667: Wang Meng's High Opinion

"I still agree with Fairy Han's view. True Essence Beasts are our battle partners. If we can get them to fight for us willingly and unlock their potential, it will be much more beneficial for our own advancement. It's the difference between getting twice the result with half the effort versus half the result with twice the effort."

Ji Shuangtian spoke up, and the pride of the Ji Imperial Family made no secret of his admiration for Han Chuxue. Ji Shuangtian was a martial arts fanatic, obsessed with cultivation to the point of madness, and his strength was unfathomable. He should have married long ago, but he had no interest in such matters. That is, until a chance encounter with Han Chuxue. Ever since, this "Ice Saint" had begun to show signs of thawing.

"From a certain perspective, Borrowing Spirit is actually a way of consuming the True Essence Beast. A beast is captured, and a forced contract is established—that's the prevailing method. A long time ago, the strategic relationship between Human Cultivators and True Essence Beasts wasn't about forced control, but conquest. I believe Fairy Han means we should start over from the beginning. As things stand now, it's very difficult to establish soul communication with a True Essence Beast, even if you wanted to."

Ni Yong said—and as a prominent Pill Cultivator, his words always carried weight—"Currently, nearly all of our True Essence Beasts are captured through standardized procedures. After being trained by the Three Major Conferences, they are completely docile by the time we get them. But this 'domestication' is actually a form of forced control; it's a slave contract. To then try and talk about soul communication is... rather out of place."

Ni Yong had hit the nail on the head.

"Brother Ni is right. Under the current contracts, communicating with a True Essence Beast is indeed difficult, especially the more intelligent ones," Han Chuxue said. "But even with these difficulties, the general principle is sound. We need to find a way to solve this, and a fundamental solution would be best. However, even under the existing contract, there's still a chance to change the situation if you spend all your time with your True Essence Beast."

Ni Yong smiled. "What Fairy Han is suggesting is using one's personal charisma and strength to earn the True Essence Beast's true recognition. Heh, that's difficult. Very difficult. The higher the beast's level, the greater the difficulty. But it's undeniable that if one could achieve it, the benefits to their cultivation would be immense!"

Watching Ni Yong, who was usually so mild-mannered, chat so easily with Han Chuxue, the men around them were all itching to jump in. Unfortunately, none of them could articulate anything with as much substance as Ni Yong.

"As an Artifact Refiner, I see a True Essence Beast as just a tool. I believe that by continuously improving the level of our Magical Artifacts, we can equally force out a beast's potential for our own use. Besides, that method is safer and more controllable. Emotions... are the hardest thing to control."

Zhuo Meng immediately voiced his opposition. Of course, he wasn't taking Mo Chengkong's antagonistic approach; rather, as an Artifact Refiner, he simply didn't see the point. 'Why talk about communication or feelings with a True Essence Beast? All you need to do is strengthen your Magical Artifacts. It's so much more simple and direct.'

Han Chuxue shook her head. "That kind of coercion is effective in the short term, yes, but at best, it merely drains their Vitality. That isn't the mutually beneficial state of resonance I'm talking about."

"Sister Xue is so right! I have a great relationship with my Beauty God. She's my friend, and I could never bear to bully her. Besides, Beauty God always protects me."

The Tenth Princess, Ji Jin'Er, said. She truly saw her Celestial Horse as a partner.

Ji Jin'Er's Nine-Transformation Celestial Horse was one of Haojing's top-tier Divine Beasts, a being that embodied both splendor and power.

Han Chuxue smiled faintly. "Jin'Er, the state your Beauty God is in was achieved through the countless efforts of many people. It isn't a method that can be widely adopted. For most Cultivators, they still need to communicate with their True Essence Beasts on their own. I wonder, does anyone have any good suggestions?"

The Little Princess stuck out her tongue playfully. She was a princess, after all. To establish the contract between her and the Nine-Transformation Celestial Horse, they had invited the Spirit Immortal—one of the Three Immortals and the Chairman of the Spirit Control Association—to personally oversee it. Only then was their current, near-friendship possible. Of course, it also helped that Ji Jin'Er's pure constitution was highly compatible with the Celestial Horse. It was an effect born from a perfect combination of timing, circumstance, and compatibility.

The atmosphere relaxed, and everyone started chiming in with their own methods—all sorts of tricks involving eating, drinking, and having fun with their beasts.

Zhang Yang, who was beside Wang Meng, had an even wilder suggestion. Getting closer was simple, he claimed. Just drink. Drink with your True Essence Beast every day, and eventually, you'll be able to communicate.

Listening to all these methods, Wang Meng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The discussion quickly devolved into a farce. While everyone was caught up in the commotion, Wang Meng planned to slip away along the side of the room to avoid the Seventh Princess and his other "creditors" from causing trouble for him after the gathering.

'Men are easy to deal with, but women... I really can't bring myself to be ruthless with them,' Wang Meng thought. 'Especially when they're in the right. Still, I can't just be a fool and take the loss. Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is the best.'

Everyone was deep in heated discussion and had long since forgotten about Wang Meng. Just as Master Wang was about to reach the door, a gaze locked onto him.

"Brother Wang, leaving so soon? I was hoping to hear your valuable insights," Han Chuxue called out, stopping Wang Meng.

In an instant, all eyes swiveled to stare at Wang Meng.

"Our methods must be too crude. After all, Wang Meng is a great talent, a master of Spirit Control, Alchemy Techniques, and Artifact Refining—he's skilled in everything! Wang Meng, since you're here, why not enlighten us all!"

Mo Chengkong immediately jumped in, unwilling to let an opportunity like this pass.

Han Chuxue's eyes shone with intense interest. "Oh? If that's true, then I absolutely must ask for Brother Wang's guidance."

Wang Meng cursed inwardly. 'What the hell does my talent have to do with you, Mo Chengkong? Goddammit!'

"I've also heard that Wang Meng has done considerable research on True Essence Beasts. He can even force a Third-Transformation Red Melt Bird to advance to the Fifth Transformation, a truly heaven-defying feat. Why hide such knowledge away?"

The Seventh Princess, Ji Ruyan, spoke up, her gaze fixed coldly on Wang Meng. The entire hall immediately broke into whispers. The Red Melt Bird was a trash-tier bird. Advancing one to the Fifth Transformation was unheard of, and no idiot would waste their energy on that kind of True Essence Beast.

"Seventh Sister, is that so? In that case, I'd very much like to hear Wang Meng's brilliant insights!"

Ji Shuangtian said coolly. If his father, the Emperor, hadn't stopped him back then, he would have beaten Wang Rencai into a cripple, making him impotent for life.

Master Wang felt helpless. 'I swear, I'm a magnet for mockery. The moment I show my face, the animosity comes at me like a Thousand Arrows Piercing Heart.'

Everyone was waiting for Wang Meng to make a fool of himself. 'Wang Rencai having talent? Isn't that the biggest joke in the world!'

Han Chuxue gazed at Wang Meng earnestly. Of everyone present, she was the only one who genuinely wanted to hear his opinion.

Wang Shifeng, who had been biting his tongue for a while, finally found an opportunity to chime in. "Wang Meng, it's not every day that everyone thinks so highly of you. Just say a little something. It's just a discussion, so it's no big deal if you're wrong. Haha."

Wang Meng shot Wang Shifeng a glare. 'Damn you,' he thought. 'No one would think you're a mute if you just kept your mouth shut.'

Unfortunately, Wang Shifeng was still his elder, at least in name.

"Second Brother, if you know something, say it. If not, don't just spout nonsense," Wang Ang said with a frown. Although he also wanted to see Wang Meng make a fool of himself, right now, it was the Wang Family's reputation on the line. Behind closed doors, anything went. But to pull a stunt like this in public... what would become of his own dignity?

Wang Meng knew he couldn't get away without saying something. He shrugged. "Fairy Han, I agree with your idea."

A wave of mockery immediately rose from the crowd. "We agree too! That's the same as saying nothing!"

Wang Meng waved a dismissive hand. "What I mean is, this is actually a very simple matter."

Han Chuxue's expression lit up with pleasant surprise. "I'm eager to learn."