Chapter Nine: The Nine-Headed Dragon Tortoise (Part One)

As the light of warship 78456 drifted away slowly in the depths of space, Kuang Qingshan, standing nearby, voiced his concern. "Young Master, isn't it a bit risky to leave only this few people with us?"

Kuang Chi glanced at Kuang Qingshan, somewhat displeased, before replying, "It doesn't seem like there are as many experts on this planet as you all say. Have you encountered any formidable opponents lately? Even if we do run into danger, this isn't a battlefield. If we can't win, we can always flee. With our abilities, do you really think we couldn't escape?"

Everyone was stunned by Kuang Chi's words. After a long silence, his cousin Kuang Qiye finally spoke, his expression odd. "Young Master, you are the heir of the Kuang family. How can you suggest fleeing if you can't win? If any of the elders heard that, they would be furious!"

Kuang Chi snorted softly. "Only a fool insists on fighting a losing battle simply to save face."

Realizing the sense in Kuang Chi's words, Kuang Qingshan couldn't help but laugh and quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, the Young Master is right. Why shouldn't we retreat if we're outmatched?"

He then asked, "But Young Master, is there a particular reason you wish to remain on this planet?"

Kuang Chi nodded, pondering for a moment before answering, "The warship will need at least a month to return to the fortress and sell those ores. Haven't you all said there are some very powerful beasts on this planet? Haven't you considered hunting down a few crystal cores to feed your Divine Martial Beasts?"

Kuang Qingshan shook his head with a wry smile. "Young Master, my cultivation is already barely keeping up with the energy inside my Divine Martial Beast. I wouldn't dare try to feed it any more crystal cores."

Kuang Chi was taken aback. He had never heard of a host needing their cultivation to match their Divine Martial Beast's internal energy.

In truth, everyone believed Kuang Chi's Divine Martial Beast was an unconscious plant-type—known to be the slowest to grow—so no one thought he’d face the so-called energy equilibrium problem. No one brought it up, fearing it would remind Kuang Chi of his misfortune. Little did they know, his plant-type Divine Martial Beast was not only intelligent, but more so than other types, and could even speak.

After confirming Kuang Chi was truly unaware, Kuang Qingshan patiently explained, "It's like this: as hosts, we can draw upon our Divine Martial Beast's energy after merging with them. But if their energy far exceeds what we can control, we risk an energy rampage, much like the deviation we experience during cultivation, only far more dangerous. With the vast energy of a Divine Martial Beast, if we lose control, it could easily tear us apart from within."

He paused, then continued with a bitter smile, "Our family's Kuang Dragon Art lacks a spiritual cultivation method, and the dragon qi is fiercely aggressive, making rampages especially likely. Every year, the Kuang family loses members due to such energy imbalances. That's why so many of us retreat into seclusion for training. Whenever we feel our Divine Martial Beast's energy growing uncontrollable, we return to Kuang Battle Star to cultivate. Even then, tragedies still occur."

Kuang Chi sighed deeply upon hearing this. At that moment, Kuang Qiye smiled and said, "Young Master, we should thank you for giving the family the Starry Sky Codex. With it, such incidents should no longer happen."

A young clansman standing behind Kuang Chi spoke up, "That's not entirely true. Higher spiritual power simply offers better control, but if there's too much energy mismatch, rampages can still occur. So we mustn't get careless; it's vital to keep practicing the Kuang Dragon Art."

This man was among Kuang Chi's subordinates who were about to break through in the Kuang Dragon Art. Though he looked middle-aged, his true age was likely not young, judging by Kuang Qingshan and Kuang Qiye's deference. Kuang Chi, however, paid little attention to such matters.

Another person added, "But I think the Young Master's Divine Martial Beast doesn't seem very powerful yet. Feeding it a few crystal cores might help it grow faster."

Kuang Qiye was taken aback. "But didn't the family announce that your Divine Martial Beast is a plant-type?"

Realizing his slip, the man quickly fell silent. Kuang Chi smiled, "Plant-type Divine Martial Beasts can have crystal cores implanted in them. Spending more time outside allows them to gradually absorb the energy from those cores."

Kuang Qiye paused to consider this, then smiled, "If your Divine Martial Beast needs crystal cores, Young Master, that's no problem. The Kuang family has not only mining teams here, but also crystal hunting squads. I'll report this to the family so they can provide you with whatever you need; there's no need for you to take risks yourself."

Kuang Chi, of course, refused to explain further. "That's unnecessary. I just want to clear my head. As for crystal cores, I'll manage on my own. You should focus on keeping this place secure; I doubt the Hyde family will let this matter rest."

With that, he led Kuang Qingshan and ten others out of the valley without looking back.

Not far from the valley's entrance, Kuang Chi turned angrily to the man who had misspoken earlier. "How many times have I told you not to reveal anything about my Divine Martial Beast to anyone? Why can't you be more careful?"

The man quickly apologized, "Please forgive me, Young Master. I'll be more cautious in the future."

Kuang Chi nodded, glanced around, and asked, "Are there any powerful beasts nearby?"

Kuang Qingshan and the others huddled together and discussed in low voices. After a moment, Kuang Qingshan looked up and answered, "Young Master, while searching for the mining teams a few days ago, we discovered a nest of Tricorn Dragon Beasts not far from here."

Kuang Chi smiled, signaling Kuang Qingshan to lead the way. As they walked, he asked, "What kind of beast is a Tricorn Dragon Beast?"

Kuang Qingshan explained, "The Tricorn Dragon Beast is a serpentine creature, about twenty meters long when fully grown, with three long, segmented, purple horns atop its head, each over a meter in length. Its head resembles that of the family’s war dragons, which is why we call it the Tricorn Dragon Beast."

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