Beast Tamer Ascension

Vol 2 Chapter 1: The Hidden Dragon Arts

In the Ancient Celestial Kingdom, one of its nine regions was the Ancient Domain. Within it lay Hidden Dragon City and the renowned Hidden Dragon Academy, a cradle of Immortal Officials.  

Cultivators who graduated from the academy often became influential Immortal Officials, blessed with dragon fortunes, and found their path to immortality smooth and prosperous.  

At the heart of the city, in a serene corner of the academy, stood an ancient pavilion. Its foundation was made of green stone, its frame of redwood, with elegant, curving eaves resembling a phoenix poised to take flight. The pavilion exuded an air of sophistication and dignity.  

In this pavilion, suffused with celestial light and rippling spatial waves, a white-robed instructor appeared, bringing a young cultivator and his spirit beasts through a teleportation portal.  

“Welcome to Hidden Dragon Academy,” the instructor said, stepping out into the open and gazing at the blue sky and white clouds. “I’ve heard that the Beast Taming Sect is currently under suspension. But as a Qi Refining disciple, that’s none of your concern. Now that you’re here, focus on learning.”  

The instructor, a cultivator named Cao, had guided Lin Jing from the Great Wasteland to Hidden Dragon Academy. He offered his kind advice, hoping Lin Jing wouldn’t let sect matters weigh him down.  

Lin Jing forced a smile. He had thought the same—until he learned the Beast Taming Sect’s suspension was tied to disturbances in the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda!  

He and the Pine Leaf Mouse knew all too well why the pagoda’s seal had weakened, though they’d rather not admit it. Lin Jing felt guilty, knowing he couldn’t waste the space artifact and 100,000 Spirit Stones the sect master had entrusted to him.  

“Thank you, Senior Cao,” Lin Jing said, bowing alongside the Pine Leaf Mouse. The dragon carp, oblivious to the truth, still bore the shared guilt simply by association.  

“Senior Cao, when can I start learning the Hidden Dragon Arts?” Lin Jing asked eagerly.  

Despite its unwitting involvement in past events, the dragon carp stood to gain the most from studying here. Carrying this “burden” wouldn’t impede its growth—it might even elevate it.  

Cao Ziyu glanced at the dragon carp lodged in the meditation staff and smiled. “You came prepared, eager to train your dragon-blooded beast with the Hidden Dragon Arts?”  

“Yes! I’ve heard the academy’s Hidden Dragon Arts are the continent’s best method for nurturing dragon-blooded beasts,” Lin Jing replied.  

“Indeed.” Cao nodded, hands clasped behind his back as he looked into the distance. “The academy periodically recruits students. Normally, only those who pass rigorous exams can enter.  

“But for you, it’s different. Being chosen by the Cavern Heaven signifies that you possess great fortune. Hidden Dragon Academy extended a personal invitation to you.  

“You’re not alone. The other cultivators who entered the Cavern Heaven alongside you were also invited. They responded earlier and have already begun their studies here.”  

Lin Jing hadn’t expected that the Literary Domain Scholar, the Alchemist from the Pill Cauldron Sect, and the Sword Cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Gate had all arrived before him. At least he had some familiar faces in the academy, though they likely bore a grudge against him.  

Still, Lin Jing focused on the good news: obtaining the Hidden Dragon Arts seemed easy!  

“Don’t get too excited,” Cao said, his tone calm. “The exemption from the entrance exams is your privilege as a special recruit. However, obtaining the Hidden Dragon Arts isn’t. Every student who enters the academy gains access to it immediately.”  

“Why?”  

“Because the Hidden Dragon Arts are the foundation for attending lectures. Only students who’ve begun practicing it are eligible to listen to the academy’s teachings,” Cao explained.  

Taking out a stone seal, he showed it to Lin Jing. The seal depicted a coiled young dragon, brimming with divine energy.  

“This is the Hidden Dragon Seal. Once imprinted on your body, it grants you access to the Hidden Dragon Arts,” he said.  

“Do you know the core of the Hidden Dragon Arts?” Cao asked, looking at Lin Jing, the Pine Leaf Mouse, and the dragon carp.  

Without waiting for a reply, he continued, “It’s not spiritual energy—it’s fame and reputation.”  

“Squeak???” The Pine Leaf Mouse tilted its head, puzzled.  

“In simple terms, the more renowned you are—within the academy, Hidden Dragon City, the Ancient Domain, the Celestial Kingdom, or even the wider cultivation world—the more advanced your Hidden Dragon Arts will be,” Cao said.  

“How fascinating!” Lin Jing was amazed. A technique derived from the True Dragon Arts, it seemed perfectly suited to someone with his Longevity Body, favoring special cultivation methods over mundane training.  

Of course, fame required making waves, and Lin Jing had always considered himself an honest man.  

“So, I need to build some reputation to begin practicing the Hidden Dragon Arts and qualify for lectures?”  

“Correct,” Cao said. “Once I imprint the Hidden Dragon Seal on you, it will act as the seed of the Hidden Dragon Arts. When your reputation reaches a certain level, the seal will glow faintly. When the entire seal is illuminated, you’ll officially be initiated into the Hidden Dragon Arts.  

“At that point, its various wonders—including the dragon-blooded beast techniques you seek—will manifest in your mind.  

“Furthermore, when you first begin, the Hidden Dragon Arts will materialize a Fortune Dragon Hatchling within you, its appearance reflecting your cultivation, reputation, and fortune.  

“These hatchlings come in four colors: white, blue, purple, and gold. The closer to gold, the stronger your dragon fortune.  

“Instructors often set attendance requirements based on these hatchling colors. For example, Senior Meng, who teaches Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist studies, only admits students with golden fortune dragons.  

“Additionally, access to the academy’s advanced cultivation techniques, such as Foundation Establishment and Core Formation methods, depends on your Hidden Dragon Arts level.  

“So, how much you can learn here depends entirely on your mastery of the Hidden Dragon Arts,” Cao concluded with a faint smile.  

He added, “In the Great Wasteland, you’ve gained confidence in your strength. But here, gaining reputation is most directly achieved by defeating other sect geniuses. Use them as stepping stones to boost your Hidden Dragon Arts.”  

“However, be warned: a single defeat can cause your reputation to plummet, hindering your progress. The path you take to enhance the Hidden Dragon Arts is entirely up to you.”  

“Oh, and one more thing...” Cao continued. “The academy doesn’t provide living quarters. While there are cultivation sites available, you’ll need to rent them with Spirit Stones. Would you like to reserve one?”  

Lin Jing: ???  

What? No free lodging?  

Stunned, Lin Jing finally understood why Sect Master Xu had slipped him an extra 100,000 Spirit Stones. Without them, he might not even afford to stay at the academy.  

Remembering the Spirit Stones he’d already spent during his three months of hard training, Lin Jing felt his heart ache.  

“Senior, as a special recruit, don’t we get any perks? Waiving rent doesn’t seem unreasonable!”  

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