Chapter 353: Grandmaster Peak

The Supreme Realm is the pinnacle of martial artists. At this level, a cultivator's physical body, true qi, and spirit have all reached the limits of the human body, the end of the road.

Especially for savage beasts, their bloodline restricts the possibility of advancement. Without a bloodline upgrade, success is nearly impossible.

Because of this, the Golden-Tailed Lion had guarded the Tianwu Kingdom for two hundred years without making a breakthrough.

Otherwise, with the royal family's wealth and resources, they would surely have helped it advance long ago, rather than leaving it stuck at Half-Step Grandmaster, unable to move forward.

"There is... a way, but it may require a tremendous price!" Zhang Xuan raised his head, a look of vastness in his eyes.

"As long as it can break through, I am willing to pay any price..."

Mo Tianxue quickly said.

Once the guardian beast of the nation died, the Tianwu Kingdom would immediately fall into turmoil. If it could break through to the Supreme Realm, not only would the danger be averted, but the nation's strength would also grow stronger, and some previously restless families would surely calm down.

Thus, if the Golden-Tailed Lion could break through, no price was too great.

"Mm!"

Seeing her attitude, Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction, his expression calm as he looked over, like a transcendent master unaffected by worldly matters: "It's hard to say, but also simple to say! If there are spirit stones, the more, the greater the chance of breakthrough. Additionally, some Supreme Realm cultivation technique manuals are needed—quality doesn't matter, only quantity, the more the better!"

These two items were naturally not for the Golden-Tailed Lion's breakthrough, but prepared for his own strength enhancement.

After detoxifying it, the favor of the spirit stones had already been repaid. If he helped the beast advance further, that would be another service, requiring additional payment.

Of course, asking for spirit stones and manuals wasn't entirely selfish. The Heavenly Dao True Qi could purify a beast's bloodline, but only if his cultivation wasn't too far behind the beast's.

Helping a Grandmaster Peak beast advance to Half-Step Supreme was still possible. But to make a Half-Step Supreme take the final step, without reaching Grandmaster Peak himself, it would be very difficult.

Without such a restriction, if he kept purifying beast bloodlines, the Iron-Toothed Skyhowl Beast could continuously break through, reaching Supreme Peak or even beyond, sweeping even titled kingdoms. There would be no need to put on an act here.

In other words, asking for spirit stones and Supreme Realm manuals was both to improve his own strength and to ensure this beast could successfully break through—not a deception.

"Spirit stones... there are still some in the kingdom, but only about five. No more can be produced!"

Hearing these requirements, Mo Tianxue, though puzzled, still said, "As for Supreme Realm cultivation technique manuals... not a single one!"

"Only five? Not a single one?"

"Yes... Spirit stones are items that only titled kingdoms are qualified to trade. Our Tianwu Kingdom has a few, obtained at great cost. Over the years, they've been used for rewards and building connections, mostly consumed..."

"Supreme Realm techniques are restricted for first-rank kingdoms. Coupled with resource scarcity, it's basically impossible to cultivate to that level here. So... having such manuals would be useless and instead bring disaster..."

Mo Tianxue looked somewhat embarrassed.

Spirit stones were too precious. Even in titled kingdoms where they circulated, there weren't many, let alone in their kingdom.

Having five pieces in stock was already quite a lot.

As for cultivation techniques at the Supreme Realm, the entire Tianwu Kingdom had no one at that level—where could one find such a technique?

Moreover, if a Supreme-level expert truly appeared, the titled kingdoms would surely be wary, and that would only cause more trouble.

"Five pieces... fine, five pieces. Give them all to me. I'll find a way to make it break through!"

Although he didn't get many spirit stones and felt a bit shortchanged, Zhang Xuan still nodded in agreement.

The higher the cultivation level, the more spiritual energy was needed. One spirit stone had allowed him to reach the mid-Master stage; six should be enough to advance to the peak.

"I'll leave it to you, President Liu!"

Hearing that five spirit stones were sufficient, Mo Tianxue breathed a sigh of relief. With a flick of her wrist, a long jade box appeared in her palm, which she handed over.

Opening the box, spiritual energy surged inside. A row of five spirit stones lay within, making his pores open wide with indescribable comfort.

Zhang Xuan casually put it away and nodded with satisfaction.

"President Liu, is there anything else you need? What about pills?"

Mo Tianxue asked next.

Bloodline advancement was extremely complex; even some skilled beast tamers from the Beast Hall couldn't manage it. She really couldn't imagine how spirit stones alone could help the Golden-tailed Lion break through the final barrier.

"No need. Find me a quiet room—I need to prepare properly. Also, don't let anyone disturb me."

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Yes!" Mo Tianxue acknowledged.

With the Golden-tailed Lion healed and no longer mad, the courtyard was safe and free of danger.

Mo Tianxue found a quiet room there for him to rest, then withdrew with Mo Yu and the others.

As soon as they left the courtyard, Master Lin Tao took his leave and hurried away.

Watching him go, Mo Tianxue's eyes suddenly narrowed, shooting a sharp gleam.

"Father..." Mo Yu looked at her in confusion.

"It seems we need to be wary of the Lin family!" Mo Tianxue shook her head.

"The Lin family?" Mo Yu was puzzled.

Hadn't they been on good terms before? Why would she say that all of a sudden?

"I suspect the Lin family is behind the Golden-tailed Lion's poisoning!" Mo Tianxue snorted.

To become the ruler of a nation, one is naturally no fool. After Zhang Xuan diagnosed the golden-tailed lion's illness, he had a guess in his heart.

Mo Yu found it hard to believe.

"The golden-tailed lion is our kingdom's guardian beast. If it dies, who do you think will benefit?" Mo Tianxue looked over.

"The royal family has ruled for over a thousand years, with a solid foundation. Even without the golden-tailed lion, some families and forces could be easily destroyed without much impact. Only the Lin family, out of control... Without the golden-tailed lion to suppress them, I'm afraid they really might..."

After analyzing, Mo Yu's expression also turned grave.

The Lin family had a half-step Sovereign ancestor, many powerful formations, and the backing of the Xuan Yuan Title Kingdom. If they truly plotted treason, their chances of success were indeed high.

Moreover, a poison effective against a half-step Sovereign was not something an ordinary family could obtain.

Furthermore, to place spies in the palace and feed the poison to the guardian beast without the king's knowledge—few could accomplish that.

"When the golden-tailed lion went mad, Lin Ruotian happened to be at the palace discussing matters with me. I found it strange at the time, too coincidental. Now it seems he had planned it all along! As long as the formation trapped the lion and the illness couldn't be diagnosed, it would eventually die of poison!"

Mo Tianxue clenched his fist.

He hadn't noticed before, but now, tracing back from the beast's poisoning, he found that many clues pointed to the Lin family.

"Even if we're sure it's him, what can we do? Lin Ruotian's daughter is the crown princess of the Xuan Yuan Kingdom..."

Mo Yu shook her head.

Although they suspected the Lin family might be responsible, they dared not do anything to them.

Not to mention Lin Ruotian's half-step Sovereign strength, just his daughter's connection meant no kingdom dared to act.

"Yes... I only hope President Liu can help the golden-tailed lion break through. Once it reaches the Sovereign realm, even if they want to do something, they'll have to be cautious!"

Mo Tianxue said.

Although the Master Teacher Academy was stationed in the royal city and didn't interfere in power struggles, if someone violated its principles and caused suffering through other means, it would directly intervene.

The Master Teacher Academy educated the world, aiming for everyone to become a dragon. Minor skirmishes were tolerated, but if moral boundaries were crossed, no matter who you were, they could easily destroy you.

It was precisely because of this deterrence that, despite the many kingdoms, they had not unified.

Of course, some kingdoms were too remote, like Tianxuan Kingdom, which was too far and poor. Unifying it would only mean pouring money into it, and no one would be foolish enough to waste effort.

If the golden-tailed lion broke through to Sovereign, the Lin family would be unable to contend, and their ambitions would naturally dissipate; otherwise, they would only invite trouble.

"I believe President Liu will surely succeed!"

Mo Yu said.

She still vividly remembered how Zhang shi's beast-taming technique had helped the beast break through. Perhaps this all-capable young man could truly work a miracle and help Tianwu Kingdom through this crisis.

"I hope so!" Mo Tianxue nodded, then, recalling something, looked at her with a puzzled expression: "Xiao Yu, didn't you say yesterday that your interaction with this Teacher Liu was unpleasant? Then why is your Green Eagle Beast so familiar with him, and you seem to know him well?"

"I..."

Mo Yu's pretty face flushed: "How could I know him well? I just... said it casually!"

"Whatever your thoughts, your father still says this: seize the opportunity. This President Liu is a dragon among men. If you can win his heart, Tianwu Kingdom might even advance to a Title Kingdom in the future!"

Mo Tianxue said. "Of course, there's also that Zhang shi, Zhang Xuan. Either one, if you can catch one, it's good."

"Catch one..."

Mo Yu slapped her forehead. I'd like to catch one too, but it seems they're the same person...

...

In the quiet room of the golden-tailed lion's courtyard.

Sitting inside, after adjusting for who knows how long, he finally recovered from the exhaustion of treating the golden-tailed lion.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, a spirit stone appeared in his palm.

"Let's begin!"

With his state adjusted and enough spirit stones gathered, it was time to raise his cultivation again.

With a thought, the Master Teacher realm's Heavenly Path功法 began to circulate rapidly.

Gurgle gurgle gurgle!

The Heavenly Path功法 quickly extracted spiritual energy from the spirit stones, purified it into true energy, and merged it into his dantian, while his cultivation steadily advanced.

Master Teacher intermediate peak!

Master Teacher advanced!

Master Teacher advanced peak!

...

Boom!

After over half an hour, his qi sea rumbled, his entire body seemed to break through some barrier, violent energy surged through him, and a powerful aura naturally arose.

Compared to before, he was more than twice as strong, as if he possessed inexhaustible strength.

Swish!

Feeling the surging and fierce true energy within him, Zhang Xuan suddenly stood up, his eyes shining.

Master Teacher realm peak... finally reached!