The outer sect master began to visibly salivate after checking out Xiao Gou Shi.

“If I got this lizard and raised it to maturity, when I show how strong it is to the sect master, I would surely be promoted as having done a meritorious deed! I might even be able to get a “cultivation standard pill” and cultivation method!”

The cultivation standard pill is the pill which allows a cultivator to reach the xiantian realm, which requires storing spiritual energy in the dantian. Prior to this, the might of spells and movement is limited. Cultivators cannot yet use spiritual energy to attack or strengthen their body, only to temper it. The major difference is that tempering uses spiritual energy to cause reconstruction and infusion of spiritual energy in the body in order to reach a higher physical fitness, permanently increases body strength, but caps at a point. Strengthening the body is the use of spiritual energy to temporarily reinforce or empower the body in order to achieve superhuman feats, such as literally breaking through to the heavens! Strengthening is just dependent on how much spiritual energy a cultivator has and their cultivation method. With more spiritual energy, a body can be strengthened almost infinitely.

The reason for the name “cultivation standard pill” is because this is the lowest realm which is truly accepted as a cultivator. Although most aspiring cultivators are in the body tempering realm, they are not truly considered cultivators until they reach xiantian realm, as they will then undergo a fundamental change in power. Without this pill, it would be difficult for a person to experience controlling and amassing spiritual qi. The pill would allow the spiritual energy attunement of a cultivator to shoot up for a few hours, hopefully allowing them to amass spiritual energy in their dantian.

This is where the cultivation method comes in. Before entering the xiantian realm, a cultivator has no need for a cultivation method, because they are just using spiritual qi to temper their body. After entering the xiantian realm, a cultivator can cultivate a special type of qi by amassing, then converting the spiritual energy to qi by using the method. Before converting it, the spiritual energy does not truly belong to the cultivator, and will just dissipate if not being forcefully held in their dantian. Thus, without the cultivation standard pill and cultivation method, a cultivator is unlikely to be able to break into the xiantian realm(except in the case of geniuses who might not need the pill).

This is why these two things are limited so heavily, as they allow a group in power to stay in power. Without these things, cultivators cannot break into the xiantian realm, and will forever be lower in strength. By limiting them, the group in power ensures that only those loyal to them will become strong.

Hao Lin walked up to the sect master after seeing his excitement, and whispered something into his ear.

“The lizard does not just have bodily strength, it also has a roar which may be able to become a soul attack at maturity, as well as a type of flame I have never seen before. It completely overpowered the water which I cast to block it. Luckily, it was just sending a warning, otherwise I don’t know if I would still be here today. It only let me get close in order to treat itts master, so until we perform a beast contract with it, I advise that we do not aggravate its master. The master, Bao Gang, will also grow to be powerful. I saw him defeat Shang Lin in one punch, even though he was 1 stage lower in cultivation!”

“Okay boy, although you have yet to reach the cultivation requirement for joining the sect, we can make an exception if you give us your pet.”

Obviously, the most easy and direct way to get the beast to form a contract with them would be to have the original master willingly give it up. This would cause a feeling of animosity between the two, which would allow the sect to have some leverage over the beast in case it wanted revenge(they can offer to kill the previous owner in return for the beast entering a contract with them).

The outer sect master hoped with his mind and soul that the kid would accept this, which would the allow him to murder the kid and Hao Lin after signing the contract with the beast, leaving all the credit for the discovery of the beast to himself.

Seeing his bad intentions, Bao Gang chuckled inwardly, then putting on his most pouty face,

“But I really like Xiao Gou Shi, can I please keep him?”

“But think about your future! By giving up your pet, you ensure yourself a successful future, especially as Hao Lin has told me that you are a genius in terms of spiritual energy attunement, having beaten Shang Lin in one punch while being one stage lower in cultivation!”

“Fine then---”

The outer sect master finally let out a sigh of relief, but Bao Gang had not finished talking yet,

“I’ll just not enter the sect.”

Rage began to build up inside the outer sect master. When had he ever been played before? All his life he had been the one with power over others but, now a snot-nosed brat would be able to have power over him? HIM? The outer sect master? Above thousands and only under 12 people?!?!

“Please rethink Bao Gang, I just changed my mind, our sect needs geniuses like you, just enter, you will not have to give up your pet.”

Of course, if it came down to it, the outer sect master would just take action and kill Bao Gang, but he wanted to be able to build a positive relationship with the beast so that the beast would abandon Bao Gang and serve him willingly. This would be the best way to guarantee loyalty.

“Okay then I’ll join the sect. Why didn’t you just say so before?”

Hearing this, the outer sect master once again smoldered with apoplectic rage wanting with all his being to strangle this smug little brat, but restraining himself with the promise of breaking into the xiantian realm.

This is what is called the carrot and the stick method, used to perfection by Bao Gang.

Finally, the snake reared its ugly head,

“We can allow you to join the sect, but we don’t allow contracted pets allowed inside the sect, except the beasthouse.”

The outer sect master would be able to personally supervise Xiao Gou Shi in this manner, and he did not believe that even the most loyal of contracted beasts would be able to reject a master which gave them more benefits than the previous one.

Bao Gang looked carefree, even though he knew exactly what the outer sect master was thinking,

“Sure, but I will be able to visit Xiao Gou Shi sometimes right?”

“Of course, he is your pet after all.”

The outer sect master also did not believe that Bao Gang would be able to resist the temptation of giving up his contracted pet to the sect in exchange for contribution points which would allow him to further his cultivation.

In this manner, a compromise had been made, both sides getting what they wanted. At least, this is what the outer sect master thought, believing himself to have even drawn the better end of the deal. Little did he know that Bao Gang would latter take away the carrot, while giving him the stick!