Chapter 51: Five Beasts
Chapter 51: Five Beasts
“The Martial Display has concluded!”
On the final day, several elders were mysteriously absent, not a single one showed up. However, Bai Yun, the host, was much more pleasing to the eye than those old folks.
After not seeing her for a while, her jade-carved skin seemed even fairer and more translucent, surpassing frost and snow, giving people an impulse to take a bite.
—It was said that the “White Jade” bloodline, when grown to its peak, was like a flawless white jade beauty, soft as clouds.
Looking at her graceful and lovely appearance, Li Yi felt an uncontrollable itch in his heart.
Bai Yun’s gentle voice slowly sounded.
“Third place—Zhangsun Shenji, receives the ‘Samsara Shroud’!”
Using some unknown method, Zhangsun Shenji had over ten points, surpassing Su Xuan’er to claim third place.
“Second place—Yu Qian, receives the ‘Bracers of Emptiness’!”
“First place—” Here, Bai Yun’s voice paused slightly, and a faint blush seemed to appear on her lovely face. “Li Yi, receives the ‘Grip of Serenity’!”
“Li Yi, well done!”
“Truly worthy of being called ‘Heaven’s Pride of the Commoners’, good job!”
“Idol, you’re amazing!”
…
As soon as Bai Yun finished speaking, applause, cheers, and praises rose like rolling thunder!
“‘Heaven’s Pride of the Commoners’? Who came up with that nickname? What’s going on?” Li Yi shook his head, somewhat surprised, and turned to ask, “Have these people taken the wrong medicine?”
He clearly remembered that just ten days ago, he was still being ostracized and attacked, practically “an enemy to the whole world.” How could the wind change direction so quickly?
“What’s so hard to understand?” Zhangsun Shenji said dismissively, revealing the essence with a single statement. “You did something others wanted to do but didn’t dare. If you had failed, you would be seen as an ant trying to shake a tree—overestimating yourself. But since you succeeded, you became a hero who took up arms and forged a new path. So, there’s no need to be too happy about it. If you had been in the loser’s position, the curses you’d receive would be ten times worse than the encouragement you’re getting now!”
Hearing this, Li Yi nodded. Although he understood the words, a surge of pride still swirled in his chest.
The three of them went on stage one by one to receive their awards.
When it was Li Yi’s turn, he secretly sniffed the faint fragrance drifting from the girl and shamelessly said, “Senior Sister Bai Yun, look, I even got first place. Becoming an Inner-Mansion Disciple is already a certainty. Could that ‘opportunity’ be moved up a bit?”
“It’s still the same as before—become an Inner-Mansion Disciple first.” Upon hearing this, Bai Yun’s face flushed red. Her fair skin tinged with pink made her look exceptionally lovely.
“Sigh, come on, I even got first place. Can’t you give me a little reward?” Li Yi persisted, continuing to press.
“You getting first place has nothing to do with me.” Bai Yun was both amused and exasperated. She wrinkled her delicate nose, sticking firmly to her principles. “Become an Inner-Mansion Disciple first, or no discussion!”
Li Yi felt a bit dejected but wasn’t discouraged.
“Li Yi, well done! According to our bet, these ‘Bracers of Emptiness’ are yours.” Yu Qian wore an expression of appreciation and sincerity. Li Yi knew full well that Yu Qian must be cursing inside, but on his face, there wasn’t a trace of hypocrisy or pretense.
What game was he playing?
Li Yi felt puzzled.
“Li Yi, I really like this Samsara Shroud…” Zhangsun Shenji’s hand gently stroked the long, beast-fur-like brown cloth as if he couldn’t bear to part with it. “How about just giving it to me?”
Li Yi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.
Yu Qian’s move was intended to get the Samsara Shroud into his own hands. After all, Li Yi had no powerful background, making it much easier for Yu Qian to control him.
Zhangsun Shenji obviously wasn’t trying to pocket the item for himself but was shielding Li Yi, diverting Yu Qian’s attention.
“Of course!” Li Yi caught on immediately and said without hesitation. “What’s between us brothers? If you want it, take it!”
Hearing this, Yu Qian’s face turned ashen, his pretense dropped, revealing a fierce and sinister expression.
He hesitated for a moment, as if making a decision. A flash of ruthless intent appeared in his eyes.
“Yu Qian, what are you doing?” Sensing something, Li Yi quickly shouted angrily to stop him.
But it was too late!
Yu Qian abruptly turned, crossed his hands, and a water orb roared with a sharp shriek, transforming into a serpentine torrent that coiled and lunged forward fiercely!
Thump!
Zhangsun Shenji couldn’t react in time. Sounds like striking rotten leather rang out continuously. In an instant, the entire Samsara Shroud was torn to shreds.
No one had expected Yu Qian to be so decisive. If he couldn’t have it, he wouldn’t let anyone else have it either!
“Yu Qian, are you provoking the Zhangsun Clan?” Zhangsun Shenji flew into a rage and said loudly.
“Provoke? Of course not!” Yu Qian gave a cold smile, waved his sleeve, and turned to leave. “Zhangsun Shenji, that Samsara Shroud is just a low-grade magical instrument. I’ll compensate you tenfold. Tonight, I’ll have someone send it to your room!”
“Bastard!” Watching his arrogant retreating back, Zhangsun Shenji’s face was full of anger, his eyes sharp. He viciously threw the torn cloth in his hand onto the ground.
Li Yi stepped forward, picked up the now tattered and full of holes Samsara Shroud, and his gaze suddenly shifted.
The Samsara Shroud seemed to have a defensive and concealing enchantment layer. What had just broken was only the outer layer of the enchantment. Instead, this revealed a golden color inside, with a few faint, blurry characters visible.
“Something’s off about this…”
Putting on a regretful expression, Li Yu rolled up and stored the Samsara Shroud without showing any change in demeanor.
…
Night fell. Li Yi closed the doors and windows, lost in thought.
He didn’t rush to study the Samsara Shroud immediately. Instead, he sorted through his memories, weighing the various gains and losses from this period.
He had to admit, the harvest was quite bountiful.
The biggest gain was actually the waist token from the Taiyuan Wang Clan and his friendship with the two siblings from the Wang Clan.
In certain critical moments, that token could even act as a pardon, saving his life.
The next was the movement secret technique—Thousandfold Strategy.
Thousandfold Strategy began from Wuji (Limitless), then Liangyi (Two Forms), Sancai (Three Powers), Sixiang (Four Symbols), Wuxing (Five Phases), Liudao (Six Paths), Qixing (Seven Stars), Bagua (Eight Trigrams), Jiugong (Nine Palaces), all the way to Shifang (Ten Directions). Its variations were as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River. This movement technique lacked methods for employing Battle Aura, so it was classified as Sage-Rank, upper grade. But for a Mage, its effects might reach Imperial Rank, or even Emperor Rank!
The rest were a set of equipment—not particularly flashy, but practical enough.
The great robe “Storm Fortress” had now been returned. On his left and right wrists were the “Demonic Illusion Bracelet” and “Bracers of Emptiness.” On his left index finger was the ring—”Grip of Serenity.” Hanging on his chest was the Wraith Bottle, and he wore the Tree Shadow Cloak over his shoulders.
Additionally, there were some miscellaneous items, like the magic Runes taken from “Heaven’s Slayer” and the magic crystals obtained from hunting.
Especially the Level 2 Magic Crystals; although few in number, they were quite valuable.
Almost everything he obtained was very practical.
Perhaps the only thing with little major use was the “Dragon-Stealing Technique” he had memorized.
Examining the Magic Crystal in his hand, Li Yi was first puzzled, but soon his expression changed slightly.
He could clearly see that the color of the Magic Crystal had dulled considerably—its essence seemed completely drained!
“What’s going on? Could it be… it again?”
His expression shifted as he remembered something. He closed his eyes and looked inward with his consciousness. An understanding expression appeared on his face, though the corner of his mouth twitched somewhat oddly.
Inside his mind, within the Heavenly Prophecy Ring, the accumulated amount of White Crystals had become five thousand three hundred!
The Softshell Turtle Dream Art required ten thousand White Crystals. It originally felt like a distant goal, but now, in just ten days, he was already past the halfway mark.
“It seems the fastest way to earn Magic Crystals is still hunting…” Li Yi secretly lamented in his heart. “Unfortunately, opportunities like the Beast Gate are rare and hard to come by. What’s more, cross-level hunting of magical beasts is achieved through a combination of timing, terrain, and human effort, making it difficult to replicate.”
Thinking again, he still needed five thousand White Crystals. Based on a Beast Attendant’s pay, it would take a full three years—simply unreachable!
He needed to find a way to earn more Magic Crystals…
Li Yi was caught between joy and worry. After pondering for a while without any leads, he decided not to waste any more time and focused on the Samsara Shroud before him.
Its surface was already full of holes, but the power of the enchantment was still very strong. Li Yi covered his palm with Ancient Alligator Qi, turning his hand deep black, and slowly peeled it away layer by layer.
The golden color grew increasingly bright.
Close to dawn, the task was complete!
Three golden characters shone brilliantly—Five Beasts Exercise!
“Five Beasts Exercise? Isn’t that Hua Tuo’s… I saw it by chance in my previous life. It was tiger, deer, bear, ape, bird… But in this world, you can’t measure things by common sense.”
Excited, nervous, his thoughts running wild, Li Yi’s gaze fell on it.
The handwriting was crude and crooked, but upon closer look, there was an overwhelming, lofty intent, as if bursting forth, stinging one’s pupils.
“Mammoth Shakes the Mountain.”
“Siren Splits the Tide.”
“Owlbear Howls at the Moon.”
“Siren Soars on the Wind.”
“Behemoth Rends the Sky.”
“This is the Five Beasts Exercise!”