Chapter 37: The Giant Beast

“Elder You, look at that ‘Terracotta Warrior,’ shouldn’t we…” Watching You Qiushui’s distorted expression, Gu Yanran felt incredibly pleased in her heart, and she naturally didn’t mind adding fuel to the fire. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke sweetly and craftily.

“Hmph!” You Qiushui’s face shifted several times in a row. Finally, she gave a light snort and tossed out a sealing sphere surrounded by restrictions.

“Thank you, Elder You!” Gu Yanran grasped the sealing sphere, sent a mental probe into it, and her expression changed slightly, joy appearing on her face. “Indeed, it is a Hell Warrior from among the Terracotta Warriors, a lower-tier one!”

No wonder she was so excited. This Hell Warrior could greatly improve her secret technique theories, and even allow her unique secret technique—”Return of the Dead”—to advance directly!

“What a pity, though. The Hell Warrior is the lowest-level existence among the Terracotta Warriors. Above it, there are Death Knights, Death Archers, and Netherworld Chariots! Ah, am I being too greedy?”

In her excellent mood, her thoughts also became more active.

“Uncle, look, doesn’t Li Yi’s performance deserve to be an Outer-disciple?” Gu Yanran leaned against her uncle, half-coaxing as she spoke.

“Of course! Forget Outer-disciple, it would even be worth a Direct Disciple spot!” Gu Yan’s eyes were full of admiration and pleasure.

“Then…” Gu Yanran hadn’t expected her uncle’s evaluation to completely reverse. She gave a radiant smile, ready to seize the opportunity.

“No need to say more. I won’t take him as a disciple.” Gu Yan, however, waved his hand.

“Why?” Gu Yanran nearly jumped up.

Gu Yan smiled without speaking, a meaningful look in his eyes.

This kid might be able to walk a different, extraordinary path. Giving him rigid rules might not be good…

Also, he seems to unleash his potential more when he’s faced with adversity. He could use a little more grinding.

All truly top powerhouses grow through countless hardships and setbacks!

I was also once looked down upon and scorned, but now I sit here, while those who once despised me are long gone.

If I could do it, what about you?

“What a pity, such a shame…” Qin Yue was actually quite intrigued. The shocking power of that magic was enough to show this boy was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. The problem was, he had no spots left.

“This little fellow is quite enticing…” Hua Lianxing gave Li Yi a covetous glance, but reason made her shake her head. “However, the ‘Yin-Yang Dream Realm’ under my tutelage is incompatible with him.”

You Qiushui didn’t say a word.

For their own different reasons, the elders all chose to remain silent.

But the reasons behind this, Li Yi did not know.

After doing so much, was he still met with disdain?

Though not entirely unexpected, Li Yi let out a cold laugh. He turned proudly, kicked aside an unlucky stone, and left the elders with a strong, domineering back view.

Suddenly, a strange feeling arose in his heart. Would someone behind him say he looked like a dog…

…

Zhangsun Shenji quickly stepped forward and supported him, his voice trembling slightly. “Li Yi, you, are you alright?”

The greater the power of a spell, the greater the consumption and the backlash. This was basic common sense.

“Don’t worry, I still need to take first place!” Li Yi shook his head, wiped his sweat, and showed a sincere smile. “But tomorrow, it’s our fight. Don’t you dare hold back!”

“I’ll forfeit.” Zhangsun Shenji said coldly.

“Why? Didn’t we all agree? When we meet each other, we fight like crazy!” Li Yi could roughly guess Zhangsun’s thoughts. Though touched, he still frowned and refused. “A true man should keep his word!”

“What ‘true man’? Whose husband am I?” Zhangsun Shenji raised his eyebrows, unexpectedly acting shamelessly for once. “What use is first place to me anyway?”

“You!” Li Yi was so angry he couldn’t speak. While angry, a strange warmth also rose in his heart.

If it were Yan Zhao, he would definitely fight to the death to show respect. Zhangsun, however, chose to yield. Their actions were completely opposite, but their sincere feelings were the same.

As Li Yi conversed with Zhangsun Shenji, a sudden change occurred high above.

“The Beast Gate? Really bad timing… Are you sure?” Gu Yan stroked his beard, a worried frown appearing between his brows.

“It’s already confirmed. It’s the Beast Gate, definitely not wrong!” The middle-aged Mage made an illusion hand seal. A stream of rising smoke appeared, and within the mist, a towering stone gate etched with countless giant beast patterns materialized.

“Is it an otherworldly invasion, or just a beast tide?” Gu Yan paused, then asked again.

“It should just be a beast tide.” The middle-aged Mage released his hand, and the illusion dispersed. “Five Beast Gates are certainly not enough to support an otherworldly invasion.”

“A beast tide? That’s perfect, then,” Gu Yanran said heedlessly, excitedly. “I’m just lacking biological materials to strengthen my ‘Night Dancer’…”

“You, you…” Gu Yan was both amused and exasperated, but couldn’t bring himself to scold her; he could only shake his head.

“Junior sister, what do you need?” The middle-aged Mage’s eyes slid over Gu Yanran’s face as he said flatteringly, “Spineback boars, thunder lizards, whatever you want, I’ll get a few for you!”

“No need,” Gu Yanran smiled. How could she not know what he was thinking? She politely declined. “I prefer to do it myself.”

“It seems this year’s Martial Display is to be canceled.” Gu Yan looked toward the other elders, seeking their opinions. “Once the beast tide begins, all of us elders need to guard the major strategic points to prevent accidents. We must set off tonight; there’s no time to delay.”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be canceled,” Hua Lianxing took a sip of tea, seeming to have thought of something. “Perhaps we can change the format.”

“Oh, Elder Hua means…”

“We could… do it like this. It would provide real combat training and also kill a few more demonic beasts. Perhaps we could save more lives. Why not do it?”

“A fine idea!”

Several elders nodded in unison. They gathered together and began discussing the details.

…

“After deliberation by us elders, tomorrow’s Martial Display is canceled!” Once the discussion finished, Gu Yan, being the most senior, naturally made the announcement.

“Canceled? Why?”

The four finalists of the Martial Display were stunned simultaneously. Yu Qian was especially nervous, his face shifting between clouded and clear.

“An unexpected situation has arisen. The Beast Gate has opened, and a full five of them! This means a beast tide is about to swarm forth… We elders need to guard the key strategic points. The Martial Display cannot proceed.” Gu Yan explained gently.

“The Beast Gate?” Li Yi’s mouth moved slightly, and a ripple stirred deep in his eyes.

He knew that in the lands of the Nine Provinces, there was the unique concept of the “War of a Thousand Realms.” The world had countless planes, and giant gates often opened, with otherworldly creatures attacking.

For example, during the annual Zhongyuan Festival, the Underworld Gate opens, undead surge like tides, a hundred demons parade at night, wreaking havoc upon the world. This was also the main reason “Shen Tu” and “Yu Lei” were created.

This Beast Gate was similar, mostly bringing forth powerful demonic beasts.

“We plan to change the Martial Display into a different form of competition.”

“What form?” Yu Qian was the most anxious. His self-control wasn’t enough, so he was the first to speak up.

Gu Yan raised his palm. Within a bewitching purple light, four crimson marks shot through the air, landing on the backs of the four’s hands.

“Based on past experience, Beast Gates remain open for about ten days.” Gu Yan pointed at the marks on everyone’s hands and explained slowly. “This mark can record the strength and number of demonic beasts you slay, calculating points. The competition is simple: ten days later, whoever has the highest points is the champion!”

At this point, he added a reminder.

“Additionally, this mark has a one-time teleportation ability that can send you back here. However, once you use the teleport, your points will stop accumulating. Got it?”

Everyone nodded, indicating they understood.

Li Yi’s eyes flickered. The meaning of this test was to kill as many demonic beasts as possible while protecting oneself.

“How should I go about it, then?” He rubbed his chin, thinking.

“Li Yi, you probably don’t know much about Beast Gates… Come to my place first!” Zhangsun Shenji’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Alright!”

…

Night fell.

Li Yi pushed the door open and entered his room. After closing the door, he didn’t rush to meditate. Instead, he simply sat down on the spot and flipped through a small booklet.

“Compendium of Thousand Realms’ Creatures” was borrowed from Zhangsun. It recorded various creatures from across the Thousand Realms.

Sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the woodcutting. Knowing oneself and the enemy was absolutely necessary.

Just as he was getting deeply engrossed, a knocking sound came from outside the door. However, the knocking was hesitant—a few knocks, then a pause, not at all straightforward.

“Who is it?”

Who could it be at this late hour?

Li Yi was a little puzzled. He didn’t get up immediately, but called out.

“Gu Yanran!” Outside the door, a clear, cold but pleasant voice sounded.

In the dead of night, with no one else around, what did she want?

Li Yi felt suspicious in his heart.

He opened the door.

He looked ahead, and his gaze instantly straightened.

“Oh my heavens, the Formless Celestial Ghost!”