Chapter 7 : A Hunter's Patient Strike

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a moment of recognition as he recalled the name of this demonic beast.

The Purple-Striped Wild Goose was a First Rank demonic fowl and, much like the Spirit Fish of Azure Lake, was an exceedingly rare breed known for its relatively docile temperament.

Because of their gentle nature and low combat prowess, these beasts were easily hunted by other predators, making them a rare sight within the cultivation world.

He never imagined he would encounter such a creature here today.

Yet, upon reflection, it made sense. Spirit Lake Isle possessed a spirit vein. The more ferocious aquatic beasts in the lake had long been cleansed by the Chen Clan, and the environment was perfectly suited for such water-dwelling fowl. It was only logical that a Purple-Striped Wild Goose might migrate here.

"Finally, I've found you," he murmured to himself.

Eldrin Chen suppressed his urge to strike, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to act.

The Purple-Striped Wild Goose, much like an untamed wild duck, was innately timid and wary. The slightest rustle would send it fleeing.

Although the goose before him was only First Rank Middle Grade, it was a flying beast. If he failed to strike true with his first blow, he would likely lose his chance to subdue it entirely.

This particular goose was exceedingly cautious, skulking around the school of Spirit Fish for a long while. Original publication: audio-novel . com - The source of this chapter.

The Spirit Fish King [the dominant and most powerful fish in a spirit fish school] also spotted it and charged forth with menacing intent. This played right into the Purple-Striped Wild Goose's [a type of spirit waterfowl known for its cunning] talons. With incredible speed, it swam away into the distance, leading the Spirit Fish King farther and farther astray.

Gradually, the younger fish in the school could no longer keep up. Seizing the moment, the goose beat its wings, took flight, and dove straight toward the straggling juveniles.

"Now!"

The moment the avian demon plunged into the water, Eldrin Chen erupted from the depths. He channeled his spiritual energy, sending the Verdant Leaf Sword [a lifebound flying sword] slicing through the air toward his prey.

The Purple-Striped Wild Goose reacted with startling swiftness. It instantly conjured a shield of spiritual energy and beat its wings frantically to take flight and escape. Yet, how could its speed possibly match that of a flying sword?

Eldrin Chen guided the Verdant Leaf Sword with will alone, commanding it within a range of thirty zhang-lengths [one Zhang-length equals three point three three meters] as if it were an extension of his own arm. It transformed into a streak of verdant light that pursued the Purple-Striped Wild Goose. With a sharp *clang*, it pierced through the spiritual shield and pinned the creature lifeless in the empty air.

"Excellent."

Having slain the Purple-Striped Wild Goose with a single strike, Eldrin Chen could not help but let a smile of satisfaction touch his lips.

The Purple-Striped Wild Goose was not only renowned for its delicious meat but also for its ability to enhance a cultivator's cultivation when consumed. This single goose was worth at least thirty Spirit Stones [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy], equivalent to six fully grown Azure Spirit Fish [fish infused with spiritual energy].

However, an ordinary adult Azure Spirit Fish was only of the First Rank Low Grade, while this Purple-Striped Wild Goose was of the First Rank Middle Grade. Such a disparity in value was only to be expected.

Slaying this Purple-Striped Wild Goose not only recouped the loss of the four Spirit Fish, but also yielded a modest profit, lifting Eldrin Chen's spirits considerably.

The sole regret was his lack of knowledge in any Restraint-Type Spell and the absence of a Restraint-Type Magical Treasure; otherwise, he would have considered capturing the Purple-Striped Wild Goose alive.

Like the Azure Spirit Fish, this docile type of demon beast held a sliver of potential to be tamed into a Spirit Beast. Once domesticated, the Spirit Egg [an egg laid by a spirit beast, often imbued with spiritual energy] it produced would become a source of steady income.

"I should have purchased a restraining magical treasure," he muttered with a pang of regret.

Learning a restraint spell would hinder his cultivation progress, but a low-grade, first-rank restraining artifact cost merely a few dozen Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. The investment would have been repaid many times over if it could capture a Purple-Striped Wild Goose and secure a supply of Spirit Egg.

"Right, the Spirit Egg,"

Eldrin Chen's eyes suddenly lit up. Stowing the slain Purple-Striped Wild Goose, he immediately headed towards the Reed Marsh from which the creature had emerged.

After searching for half a Shichen-time [one Shichen-time equals two hours], deep within the Reed Marsh, he discovered another Purple-Striped Wild Goose.

Contrary to expectations, this goose did not flee. Instead, it unleashed its own spells to engage Eldrin Chen in combat. Yet, it was no match for him and fell within a few exchanges, its life extinguished amidst the reeds.

After dispatching the second Purple-Striped Wild Goose, Eldrin Chen searched the vicinity and, as hoped, found a nest containing a clutch of Violet-Striped Goose Egg [the eggs of the Violet-Striped Wild Goose, a potential source of spiritual nourishment or future spirit beasts].

"We've struck gold."

Gazing at the Violet-Striped Goose Egg [an egg laid by a Purple-Striped Wild Goose, rich in spiritual energy], his heart swelled with excitement.

This type of Spirit Egg was brimming with spiritual energy and free of impurities, making it even more valuable than Spirit Rice [a type of grain infused with spiritual energy, a staple food for cultivators]. Each one could fetch a single Spirit Stone.

Before him, a single nest held a full dozen of these Spirit Egg. More importantly, all twelve eggs pulsed with nascent life, the goslings within already partially formed.

"They're already halfway to hatching," he murmured.

"It seems this pair of Purple-Striped Wild Goose [a type of spirit beast resembling a large goose with purple markings] hasn't been on the Spirit Lake Isle [an island within Spirit Province Lake] for a short time." Read the full novel exclusively on audio-novel`com.

Eldrin Chen looked at the Spirit Egg, a broad, delighted smile spreading across his face.

The truth aligned closely with his speculation. The goose pair had arrived at the Spirit Lake Isle a year prior. Coincidentally, during that period, his granduncle, who was at the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer [the ninth stage of the initial cultivation realm where one refines their vital energy], had been reassigned to escort a shipment of Foundation Establishment Pill [a precious pill that aids in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm]. Meanwhile, Chen Roland and Chen Silas, their cultivation still shallow, seldom ventured far from Lake Heart Island [the central island within a spirit lake], and thus had completely failed to notice the new inhabitants.

Finding the spirit lake safe and secure, the Purple-Striped Wild Goose had simply settled in, making it their home. They built a nest and began nurturing this brood of offspring.

Though inherently timid and cautious, the Purple-Striped Wild Goose had maintained their vigilance for a full year. Yet, the comfort of their new home eventually dulled their wariness. Emboldened, they had dared to set their sights on the Spirit Fish [fish that have absorbed spiritual energy, often cultivated for their nutritional value].

To think that merely two days after beginning the hunt, they encountered Eldrin Chen, resulting in the death of the gander. The protective mother goose, refusing to abandon her young, did not flee, and thus the pair met their end as a doomed couple.

The clutch of Violet-Striped Goose Egg left behind was already half-incubated; they were estimated to hatch within a month.

After bringing this clutch of Violet-Striped Goose Egg back to Lake Heart Island, Eldrin Chen immediately began constructing an Incubation Nest for them.

Having grown up in an era of information explosion, his previous life, though unremarkable, had granted him some passing knowledge about hatching poultry eggs.

Although termed a wild goose, the Purple-Striped Wild Goose could essentially be considered a type of wild duck—specifically, a Spirit Duck with even greater vitality.

Drawing upon the general principles he recalled from his past life, he used his spiritual power to establish a suitably controlled Incubation Nest. He then devoted himself daily to tending the Spirit Egg, taking on the role of the mother goose.

Thus, a month passed, and the time for the Spirit Ducks to break their shells finally drew near.

On that day, Eldrin Chen stood vigil before the Spirit Egg, his heart stirred with anticipation as he watched the Violet-Striped Goose Egg, his face etched with anxious impatience.

"*Tap-tap—*"

He waited for half a day before finally hearing the tapping sound. Then, he saw a dusty, grey little gosling peck its way through the shell and come waddling unsteadily straight toward him.

Eldrin Chen [the protagonist] was momentarily stunned before he realized the truth: creatures like wild geese imprint upon the first living being they see upon hatching, accepting it as their parent.

"So, I've become a mother goose now?"

He felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, though a wave of relief washed over him nonetheless.

There is but a single character's difference between a Spirit Beast [a tamed creature infused with spiritual energy] and a Yao Beast [a wild monster], the distinction being that a Spirit Beast has been domesticated by cultivators, its fierce wildness tempered.

Without a specialized Beast Taming Method [an esoteric art for subduing and bonding with spiritual creatures], it is exceedingly difficult to tame a Spirit Beast. The Chen Clan naturally possessed no such method. Their so-called domestication of the Azure Spirit Fish was more akin to semi-wild husbandry, as the fish could not possibly escape the confines of the Spirit Isle Lake.

However, the Purple-Striped Wild Goose [a type of monstrous avian] is a Yao avian. Flying Yao creatures are notoriously difficult to domesticate. While adult Purple-Striped Wild Goose are innately docile and possess little aggression, lacking a proprietary beast-taming technique means a single misstep could see them take flight, never to return.

Fortunately, the Gosling had just hatched and imprinted on Eldrin Chen as their parent. This bypassed the arduous domestication process entirely. By simply raising them to maturity, they would naturally become loyal Spirit Fowl [spiritual birds].

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of excitement. He decided to remain by the Incubation Nest, waiting patiently for each Gosling to break free from its shell. Read, share, and discuss at audio~novel.com.