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However, with a puff, Jiujiu’s round body transformed into a strand of fiery light and vanished with a flicker. The next second, it reappeared tens of feet away.

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes. So fast.

“See, this is its second talent. Shapeshifting.”

As Xue Jin put away his hand, the strange look in his eyes intensified like he had discovered a rare treasure of the world. “From what I know, there are very few rune beasts that can transform like Jiujiu.”

The so-called shapeshifting was an ability that allowed one’s body to transform into another form. For example, Jiujiu was able to transform into a ray of fiery light, an ability that not all rune beasts had.

“Also, did you notice that, after Jiujiu transformed, it flashed across the sky like lightning with incredible speed. This is a very rare ability.”

Xue Jin marveled repeatedly. He had encountered many rune beasts with special talents ever since he had started cultivation. He had also seen the imperial family’s violet horned beast but he had never seen a strange beast like Jiujiu.

Its body not only contained Golden Star Fragment Fire, but it was also a natural smelting master and it had mastered an incredibly rare shapeshifting ability.

Moreover, the fact that Xue Jin couldn’t figure out Jiujiu’s origin made it all the more mysterious.

Lin Xun picked up Jiujiu and rubbed its soft round body. Its cute and silly appearance made him couldn’t help but wonder whether it was really a rare mysterious beast.

After playing for a long while, Jiujiu repeatedly bit and sucked Lin Xun’s finger like it was hungry.

Jolted to his senses, Lin Xun immediately realized a serious problem. This little guy is a strange beast that feeds on aeth crystals.

It had to consume a high-grade aeth crystal every three days when it was a newborn. If Xiaoman hadn’t helped Lin Xun raise Jiujiu, he wouldn’t be able to support the little monster.

However, Xiaoman was no longer around and Lin Xun had to feed Jiujiu by himself. He couldn’t help but inhale sharply at the thought that he often had to prepare high-grade aeth crystals to feed Jiujiu. It was such a huge expense.

Most importantly, Lin Xun didn’t have any high-grade aeth crystals on him. He took out some medicinal pills and attempted to feed Jiujiu but it just shook its head in disgust.

“Old Jin, do you have any high-grade aeth crystals on you?” Lin Xun had to ask Xue Jin for help.

Xue Jin said in puzzlement, “This little guy consumes high-grade aeth crystals to replenish its strength.”

Lin Xun nodded heavily.

Xue Jin burst into laughter. “Hahaha, yes, this little guy has such miraculous means. Of course it is different from other rune beasts. Hmm, the little guy’s stomach is an abyss. It’s going to be hard to raise it without any money.”

A hint of a gloating smile touched his lips.

Lin Xun shot a glare at Old Jin and then said to Jiujiu, “Go, go ask that man for food.”

Jiujiu seemed to understand him. It spun around, stared unblinkingly at Old Jin with pitiful eyes and chirped repeatedly.

Xue Jin coldly snorted, took out a dazzling aeth crystal shrouded in a fuzzy azure glow and said, “This is a top-quality azure aeth crystal. It has ten times the power of high-grade aeth crystals. Only Heaven Ascension cultivators have the ability to absorb and refine its power. If you can eat it, I—”

Before he finished, he heard a swoosh and saw Jiujiu speed towards him. It devoured the aeth crystal in one bite and then chirped in joy.

Immediately after that, flames roamed around Jiujiu’s body like breaths and produced a terrifying heat.

In the end, it belched noisily like it was full before it transformed into a streak of flame and vanished into Lin Xun’s right palm. Clearly, it was going into a deep sleep again.

Xue Jin stared astonished for a good moment. He finally gasped, “It actually refined the aeth crystal. What an appetite!”

Lin Xun couldn’t help but rejoice. “Old Jin, since that’s the case, I’ll leave Jiujiu’s feeding to you.”

Xue Jin’s cheeks twitched violently as he said through gritted teeth, “Do you know how much an azure aeth crystal can sell for on the market?”

He extended one finger. “One hundred gold coins, twenty times as much as a high-grade aeth crystal. If it needs to eat one every day, I will go bankrupt.”

Lin Xun inwardly shuddered with fear, but he still said with a smile. “It will be fine. Old Jin, I believe you will be able to do it.”

Xue Jin sneered coldly, “Boy, you are trying to deceive me.”

Lin Xun said helplessly, “Old Jin, didn’t you say Jiujiu is a rare magical rune beast? You won’t watch it starve to death and do nothing, right?”

Xue Jin snorted. “It’s not my rune beast. What does it have to do with me if it starves it to death?”

He rolled his eyes, and a mischievous smile crept to the corner of his lips. “However, if you promise me one thing, I may be able to guarantee that it won’t starve to death.”

Lin Xun said vigilantly, “Let\'s talk about what it is first. I will definitely help you if I can do it.”

Xue Jin chuckled, “Don’t be so worried. You may not be able to do it now, but it will definitely be possible for you in the future.”

Lin Xun sighed, “What is it?”

Xue Jin no longer concealed what he wanted from Lin Xun. Staring intently at Lin Xun, he said bluntly, “Help me tailor make a rune armament.”

Rune armament.

Lin Xun’s heart trembled. Rune armaments weren’t easy to make and often required the joint efforts of several rune masters.

There was only a chance of success and there was no guarantee.

Even the gathering of rune materials required for rune armaments was an unimaginable large-scale operation. Most importantly, an opportunity was required to successfully produce a rune armament.

At least, as far as Lin Xun knew, only a handful of the cultivators from the upper sects and forces possessed rune armaments in the empire.

The reason was simple: rune armaments were incredibly difficult to make. It was simply unaffordable for ordinary sects and factions in terms of manpower, material resources and financial resources.

Many of the rune armaments known to the world had been passed down for hundreds or even thousands of years. Although new rune armaments had been created, they were incredibly rare.

For example, even the group of top rune masters, grand masters and rune founders in the Imperial Divine Workshop would have to take several months to produce a rune armament.

As though realizing that his request was too demanding, Xue Jin added, “Of course, I will provide all the rune materials to make the rune armaments. You just need to help me make it. It doesn’t matter if you fail.”

Lin Xun said with a wry smile, “Old Jin, I’m only a beginner rune master. You have so much confidence in me.”

Xue Jin grinned like an old fox. “Haha, a beginner rune master? I have never seen a beginner rune master like you. In my opinion, even Feng Qingyou, the talented maiden of Qinglu Academy, isn’t as amazing as you.”

Lin Xun’s eyes widened. “You are flattering me.”

Xue Jin snapped, “Kid, my conditions are already very good. It doesn’t matter if you fail. Have you heard of such good terms? Also Jiujiu is a money pit. Do you have the heart to watch a rune beast with magical talent starve to death.”

Lin Xun thought for a moment and said, “Okay, since you’re not afraid, what should I be worried about? But I can tell you now that I’m not able to make rune armaments yet.”

Seeing Lin Xun agree, Xue Jin grinned and affectionately patted Lin Xun on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I will come to you right away when you have the ability to do so.”

The matter was finally settled. Lin Xun solved the problem of Jiujiu’s feeding and Xue Jin also received a promise from Lin Xun. Everyone was happy.

“There is still some time until the provincial examination. Do you have any plans for what to do next?” Xue Jin asked.

“Make money. Train.” Lin Xun’s answer was very simple.

Xue Jin nodded. “Based on the strength you have shown that night, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to pass the provincial examination. But don’t underestimate the provincial examination. There is never a shortage of remarkable talents and geniuses in the world.”

Lin Xun nodded. “I won’t underestimate anyone. But if anyone underestimates me, they can only consider themselves unlucky.”

Xue Jin laughed. “Then, I look forward to the exams.”

Lin Xun got up with a smile and walked out of the courtyard. “I’m going to the Rune Master Association. Chu Feng has helped me massively. Now that the danger has been lifted, I should thank him in person.”

Xue Jin waved. “Go ahead.”

Xue Jin fell into deep thought once Lin Xun left. After a long moment, he sighed, shook his head and took out a pure black note.

Without any movements from him, the letter burst into flames and incinerated into nothingness.

Meanwhile, in the Forbidden City, the capital of the empire, an ancient castle-like black building stood on a majestic mountain by the lake.

The building was dark and grand. No light in the world seemed to dare approach it, and it seemed to lay forever in the shadows.

In the entire empire, only a handful of higher-ups knew that the building was called the Castle of Darkness.

The owner of the castle was as mysterious as night. Only a very small number of people in the world knew her name, but rumors about the Queen of Darkness had always been circulating throughout the empire.

On a winding stone path in front of the Castle of Darkness was a kind and gentle old man strolling up in black court attire.

As he arrived at the ancient castle, the giant bronze door creaked open. He tidied his robe and walked in with huge strides.

The inside of the castle was completely dark, like it was always night. The inside was solemn and quiet, and filled with an oppressive power.

“Miss, I have found some clues about the origin of the boy Lin Xun,” the old man said softly as he stood in the darkness.

“Oh.” An indifferent, ethereal voice echoed in the darkness.

Instantly, a shaft of light emerged from the ancient castle and dispelled the darkness, revealing a throne of white bones.

On the throne sat an illusionary figure that seemed to be of infinite height like it was overlooking the world.

The old man bowed his head.