Chapter 17: Happy Birthday
Avenging the Wolf King was just a small interlude in Yao Yan's daily life, but after venting a bit of frustration, the suffocating pressure in his chest eased considerably.
In a world with no entertainment, violence seemed to be the only outlet.
He used to be a nobody, someone constantly on the run—even low-rank magical beasts in the Shennong Mountains could chase him like prey. Yao Yan didn't even have the qualifications for a fair fight. But now, he had developed a degree of self-defense. At the very least, when encountering low-tier magical beasts, his first instinct was no longer to flee.
In the world of xuanhuan, strength was just like money in the modern world.
Once you had enough of it, you gained the confidence to truly live.
In the past half month—
Yao Yan trained his body tirelessly each day, pushing his blood energy to its limits to cultivate the Earth-Rank High-Tier body-refining technique Vajra Indestructible Body. He had successfully reached the initial stage: First Layer – Small Accomplishment, which turned his skin a yellow-bronze hue when activated, drastically boosting both strength and defense.
His battle against the wolf pack was meant to test the extent of his new strength.
According to his own estimation, now at the first layer of the Vajra Indestructible Body, his physical body alone was enough to fight head-on against a Dou Spirit. Unless the opponent had a particularly powerful Dou Technique, they likely wouldn't be able to pierce his defense at all.
That comparison extended across the entire Dou Spirit stage.
Whether one-star or nine-star, if their power hadn't undergone a qualitative leap, they posed little threat.
After all, the first layer of this technique was meant to match Dou Kings, and even Dou Emperors.
The second layer could go toe-to-toe with Dou Sects, who wielded spatial power.
And the third layer? It allowed one to battle Dou Venerates.
The gap between these realms was massive—this technique was worthy of its high-rank classification. It was terrifying indeed.
…
Back at the waterfall cave—
Yao Yan washed himself thoroughly, soaking in steaming hot Vajra Fruit juice, swallowing a Tier 5 Body-Tempering Pill, and letting the combined medicinal power seep into his flesh. The tingling, stinging sensation had long since stopped bothering him. Compared to the bloodline transformation he suffered three years ago under Hun Xuzi, this was nothing.
Just as Hun Xuzi had said: if you wanted strength, you had to pay a price. There were no free lunches in this world.
There was no such thing as a shortcut to power.
All so-called shortcuts came with huge risks. Like gambling—except here, you gambled your life.
"This fang's not bad—pure white, and even has a freezing effect. I guess I won't have to worry about the heat during summer if I wear it."
Yao Yan leaned against the tub, examining the fang he had taken.
The Ice Frost Wolf King's fang was massive—he had to hold it with both hands. It was the length of his palm, pure white and icy cold. Even now it radiated a bone-chilling aura. If not for his strong physique, a normal person would've had their arm frozen stiff just by holding it.
Besides that, there was also a light blue magic core.
As a peak Tier 3 magical beast, the Ice Frost Wolf King naturally had some unique elemental traits.
After thinking for a while—
Yao Yan covered the fang with Illusory Gold Flame, planning to refine it into an ornament—something he had decided to do the day he fled the wolf pack.
Everyone should keep something to commemorate the events in their lives. In the future, the memories might become all the more meaningful.
Huff~
The golden Illusory Gold Flame emitted blazing heat, quickly melting the fang. In no time, the impurities were burned away. Under Yao Yan's control, it was molded into a small, delicate jade-colored magatama. At its center, he embedded the Ice Frost Wolf King's magic core, giving the jade a shimmering azure hue—elegant and refined.
"Done."
Yao Yan looked at the wolf fang magatama he had forged and smiled in satisfaction.
Compared to refining pills, crafting trinkets like this was nothing—he didn't even need to use any advanced techniques, just preserve the essence.
He pulled out a thin cord from his ring, threaded it through the magatama, and hung it around his neck. Gazing at the pendant, he whispered to himself,
"Yao Yan… happy birthday."
Today marked his fifteenth birthday, and this ornament was a gift to himself.
If no one else would love him, then he would love himself.
For once, Yao Yan allowed his mind to drift. He lazily soaked in the tub, gazing at the ceiling, letting old memories rise—past and present—like a slide show playing across his mind.
The spirit crystal in his soul glowed like a beacon, illuminating everything within.
Unknowingly—
He fell asleep.
His body remained submerged in the Vajra Fruit solution, with the Tier 5 Body-Tempering Pill still dissolving inside him. Together, they continued releasing medicinal power, transforming his body—awakening its potential at a terrifying rate.
With each smooth breath he took, the energy of heaven and earth flowed toward him, forming wisps of mist that entered his body.
His bones shimmered jade-like, but among them, faint black-red veins pulsed ominously—full of wicked energy.
…
The Shennong Mountains were originally a massive magical beast range. It was only because of the Yao Clan that it was renamed "Shennong." Many sects were established here, and quite a few maintained close relations with the Yao Clan. Because of that, human cities weren't uncommon—even sightings of high-rank magical beasts weren't rare.
Among magical beasts, most that reached Tier 7 could assume human form. Alternatively, they could use a Tier 7 Shapeshifting Pill to do the same.
The Shapeshifting Pill had become a standard tool for major magical beast families—used to train their offspring.
Because while magical beast bodies had strong physical advantages, human forms had better cultivation potential. That's why many magical beast clans preferred their young to take human form early, allowing them to walk among humans, enter human sects, and learn human knowledge.
With their long lifespans, it was only a matter of time before they became top experts.
After all, even a pig would become a powerhouse if it cultivated for thousands of years. At that point, talent didn't matter anymore.
That's why many major magical beast clans formed alliances with the Yao Clan—some even pledged loyalty. After all, the Yao Clan had the most alchemists in the world and controlled the vast Shennong Mountains. In comparison, even the Pill Tower of Central Plains seemed lacking.
On this day, Yao Yan finally arrived at one of the cities—Shennong City.
(END CHAPTER)
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