Chapter 244: Punishment

"Ancient beast?"

Everyone's expression changed simultaneously.

Beasts were divided into many types, and ancient beasts were definitely among those with the strongest bloodlines.

As such beasts aged, their bloodlines activated, and their strength would greatly improve.

Every beast tamer took pride in taming an ancient beast, because as the beast's strength increased, through the contract bond, it also greatly benefited the master.

Unfortunately, such beasts were extremely rare, almost extinct. Many beast tamers had traveled across mountains and forests, searched through ancient myths and legends, but found no trace.

Yet one appeared here, and was tamed by Yun Tao...?

"Impossible! Even if this creature isn't a Bone Branch Bird, it can't be an ancient beast. Such things are practically extinct..."

Beast Master Hong was the first to question.

Although the others didn't speak, they clearly thought the same, unable to believe it.

"Ancient bloodlines have long been severed. Even if they existed, they would have reached the spirit beast level long ago. How could it be just an ordinary beast?"

Zhu Jinhuang couldn't help but snort: "Even if you want to escape blame, there's no need for such alarmist talk."

"This weird bird is an ancient beast? What a joke! I might as well say my Tiger-Head Beast is a primeval mutant!" Zhou Xuan sneered repeatedly.

Primeval mutants were even more powerful than ancient beasts, and even rarer.

Not only them, but even Yun Tao's mouth twitched, almost fainting.

It was just a gluttonous, shameless weird bird—how could it be related to an ancient beast?

After all, this was the Beast Hall; saying something wrong would bring great trouble.

"Heh!" Zhang Xuan smiled: "If I'm not mistaken, the Beast Hall should have methods to test bloodlines, right? If you don't believe me, we can test it and find out."

Since it was an ancient beast, its bloodline naturally came down from ancient times, carrying special power. It would be easy to verify if one wanted to.

"This..."

Hall Master Feng and Beast Master Hong exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.

If this weird bird truly was an ancient beast, it would be a shock to the entire Beast Hall.

Because since this branch was established over a thousand years ago, no beast tamer had ever tamed a beast with an ancient bloodline.

"Legend says that the spiritual energy in ancient times was not as gentle as now, but violent and fierce. Although cultivation was more efficient, the blood of beasts back then was like boiling water, ready to erupt at any moment, carrying destructive power. If it truly is an ancient beast, just one drop of its blood fed to another beast would cause it to be unable to withstand it..."

After a pause, Hall Master Feng spoke slowly.

The bloodline of ancient beasts was pure and scorching, a different concept from modern beasts. Sometimes even a single drop of blood could cause another beast to burn up on the spot.

Testing it wasn't too difficult.

He gave an order, and an apprentice walked out. After a while, he returned carrying a beast.

It was about the size of a wild rabbit, completely white, similar to the test beasts of the Alchemist Guild, but larger.

This kind of beast, like the test beasts, was used by the Beast Hall to experiment with various drugs and foods.

"Here!"

Zhang Xuan pointed, and a drop of blood emerged from the weird bird. He flicked it gently, sending it flying toward Hall Master Feng.

Hall Master Feng caught it with his palm, wrapped it in true energy, and slowly fed it into the beast's mouth.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle!

As soon as the blood entered its body, it was like water dropped into hot oil, making a "sizzling" sound. Soon the beast turned red all over, rolled on the ground incessantly, and after a while stopped, its breath gone.

Clearly, it had been burned to death by the powerful bloodline.

"This..."

Seeing this, Hall Master Feng and the others' pupils contracted.

Only such bloodline power could have such an effect.

Silence!

The room was dead silent.

At this moment, even a fool knew that the young man was right; the unremarkable weird bird before them was indeed an ancient beast.

Even though it was small, its bloodline alone was dozens of times nobler than the beasts tamed by Zhou Xuan and Zhu Jinhuang.

The two were not on the same level at all, like the difference between diamond and mud, incomparable.

"I mocked an ancient beast?"

Zhu Jinhuang and Zhou Xuan's mouths twitched, feeling as if their faces had been slapped hard, on the verge of tears.

This was an ancient beast, something that could cause a sensation in the Beast Hall, yet they had called it a worthless bird...

With such discernment, how could they shamelessly call themselves beast tamers?

If word got out, they would be laughed at. Even if they became official beast tamers, it would be a lifelong stain that couldn't be washed away.

While others focused on the Cloud Lightning Ancient Sparrow, Miss Mo Yu's expression tightened, and she couldn't help but look at the young man nearby.

Even Hall Master Feng and the others hadn't recognized it, yet this guy spoke confidently without fear... Where on earth did he come from?

Could such an impressive figure emerge from a small place like Tianxuan Kingdom?

"I... judged Yun Tao, who tamed an ancient beast, as a failure?"

Beast Master Hong's face turned pale, as if he had aged ten years.

An ancient beast—countless beast tamers wanted to tame one but couldn't!

Not only were they hard to find, but most importantly, such beasts were highly intelligent and generally wouldn't submit to humans... Even with his taming skills, he would struggle to succeed. Yet a mere beast taming apprentice had tamed one, and he had judged him a failure and told him to get out...

Ignoring everyone's shock, Zhang Xuan stepped forward, his calm voice continuing.

"The Cloud Lightning Ancient Sparrow can absorb lightning power, activate its ancient veins, and soar into the clouds! This ancient sparrow is indeed similar to the Bone Branch Bird, but there are many differences. First, the eyes. Bone Branch Birds, being omnivorous, have dull, lusterless eyes, while the ancient sparrow's eyes are piercingly bright. Although not very obvious, with a little attention, it's easy to tell."

"Second, the claws. Not only are there red spots on the pads, but more importantly, the ancient sparrow's claws are harder and sharper, easily tearing apart ordinary weapons, let alone human skin. Beast Master Hong said it had little combat power, but that's because it's still young and doesn't know how to use it. Once it unleashes its power, not even a Meridian Opening realm cultivator, but even a Profound Passage realm expert, could be torn in two by a single claw."

"Of course, these are somewhat difficult features to distinguish, and ordinary beast tamers may find it hard to identify."

With a calm expression, Zhang Xuan paused and pointed at the Cloud Lightning Ancient Sparrow's head: "The most obvious feature is the comb on its head. Although small, it is cyan-red, symbolizing 'kingship.' With such a red comb, even someone who knows nothing about taming would know this bird is no ordinary creature, not comparable to low-level beasts like the Bone Branch Bird! With such a prominent feature overlooked, and a wrong judgment made at first glance, failing the test..."

At this point, Zhang Xuan looked coldly at him: "Beast Master Hong, as a beast tamer, is this how you examine beasts?"

"I..."

Beast Master Hong's face turned white, and under his gaze, he couldn't help but step back.

"Who gave you the confidence to directly judge Yun Tao as unqualified and tell him to get lost?"

Zhang Xuan continued coldly.

Thump thump thump!

Pressed by his tone, Beast Master Hong lost his earlier momentum and stepped back again.

When Zhang Xuan knocked out the Cloud Lightning Ancient Sparrow, it had formed a book with detailed information, so he already knew its name.

Originally, if this examiner had been a bit more careful and humble, he wouldn't have hidden it and would have told him directly.

But... after he pointed out his error, he actually burst out with true energy and even called out his beast pet, ready to attack!

He himself was at the peak of Profound Passage realm and could withstand the pressure, but if someone of lower cultivation had been there, they would have been bleeding from the nose and mouth, severely injured.

Since they had already fallen out, he naturally wouldn't give him a good face.

"It was my oversight..."

Beast Master Hong's face was ugly.

The other party had made no mistake, so even if he wanted to refute, he couldn't.

"Holding the responsibility of a beast tamer examiner, yet deciding based on personal whims, failing to be fair and impartial, nearly causing a beast tamer who tamed an ancient beast to be overlooked!"

Zhang Xuan flicked his sleeve: "Is this how the Beast Hall operates? If so, is it wrong to call you good-for-nothings?"

"I..."

Hearing the sharp accusations, Beast Master Hong's body trembled, but he couldn't refute at all.

Earlier, he had been furious at the other's words, but now knowing he had nearly driven away a beast tamer who tamed an ancient beast, he understood that even being scolded like this, he couldn't argue.

An examiner's duty was to select talent for the Beast Hall; driving away such talent was a violation of the Beast Hall's rules.

"Young friend, please don't be angry. There are many types of ancient beasts, and most have been lost to history. Even the Beast Hall cannot have a complete record of all types. Mistakes are normal!"

Hall Master Feng smiled and stepped forward: "How about this: since it was our oversight, we won't shirk responsibility. We will now re-evaluate Yun Tao and give a new assessment. As for Beast Master Hong, for being careless in his duties and dereliction of duty, from today he will go to the Beast Forest to raise beasts and shall not leave for three years!"

He looked over: "Beast Master Hong, do you agree to my punishment?"

"I have no complaints!" Beast Master Hong bowed, his expression dejected.

"With one sentence, Beast Master Hong is sent to the Beast Forest for three years, not allowed to leave?"

"This... too harsh?"

"The Beast Forest is where beasts are raised, like a pigsty. Usually apprentices go there. A peak one-star Beast Master Hong there for three years?"

...

Hearing this decision, everyone was stunned, then looked at Zhang Xuan again, their eyes filled with fear.

This was Beast Master Hong, one of the highest-ranking beast tamers in the Beast Hall besides the three two-star ones. With one sentence, he was exiled to the lowest Beast Forest for hard labor, not to leave for three years—such ability and means were terrifying!

While everyone was terrified, Zhang Xuan, as the party involved, quietly sent a message to Shen Biru.

"Um... what is the Beast Forest? Is this punishment severe?"

"..." Shen Biru's beautiful eyes widened, her face full of exasperation.