Chapter 7: Mask
The world was so beautiful, and the air was so fresh.
I'm actually still alive!
Yao Yan opened his eyes, feeling the reality of the world, an incredible sensation surged through his body. He felt it was surreal that he was still alive. Everything he had just experienced, he had thought many times that he had already died, but he never expected to survive.
"Whoosh~"
As Soul Void Zi withdrew the Soul Strength supporting Yao Yan, he fell directly to the ground. The pain constantly reminded him that he was still alive.
"Little fellow, you are very lucky. You succeeded. Congratulations, you have become the only lucky one in a thousand years to inherit the Devouring Spirit Bloodline."
Soul Void Zi still floated in mid-air, black flames entwined around his body, and his eyes, flashing with red light, did not look like a good person. But at this moment, his tone towards Yao Yan was a bit gentler. Clearly, at this moment, Yao Yan's value in his eyes had greatly increased.
Yao Yan quickly climbed up from the ground and checked his body. Upon discovering that he was still human and all his limbs were intact, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
If one could maintain a human form, who would want to become a monster?
Yao Yan knelt on both knees, performing a grand bow to Soul Void Zi, and thanked him in a deep voice: "Many thanks, Senior, for your assistance!"
Although the other party was a beast, his current life and fortune were at the other party's whim. He naturally had to consider his future path. The other party had spent so much time and effort on this matter, and now that everything had succeeded on him, his value to Soul Void Zi was self-evident.
Given Soul Void Zi's strength and lifespan, he did not need to worry about the other party's Possession of his body.
Moreover, according to what the other party said, he also had the Soul Clan Bloodline, so joining the Soul Clan was not impossible. As a Transmigrator, he had flexible moral boundaries, especially when he lacked the strength to be the Dominator of his own destiny. He knew what it meant to 'a wise man submits to circumstances'.
Shouting without strength was a joke in the Xuanhuan world.
Everyone else doesn't eat beef, and you want to talk about values with them?
Soul Void Zi looked down at the little fellow in front of him and chuckled, "You don't need to thank me. This is your choice, and also your luck. After all, you gambled with your own life.
Get up now~"
He slightly raised his hand, directly using Soul Strength to lift Yao Yan.
At this moment, he seemed very reasonable, his attitude as if he was truly just a Senior testing a junior.
I fell for your evil tricks… Yao Yan clearly knew Soul Void Zi's true nature, but he feigned a moved expression on his face, then knelt down again, saying in a deep voice:
"Senior, I know, without your help, I would not have succeeded!"
Soul Void Zi fell silent upon hearing this.
Yao Yan continued, "Senior, I want to become a strong person. Can you teach me? I want to avenge my parents!"
He clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger and hatred, like a small beast seeking revenge.
This time, Soul Void Zi did not lift Yao Yan. His red-glowing eyes stared at him, and he said calmly, "Have you thought it through? If so, you will no longer be a member of the Medicine Clan in the future."
"...I've thought it through. Although the Medicine Clan has nurtured me, Senior has also given me a new life. After I've exacted my revenge, I will leave with Senior."
Yao Yan was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice.
"Good."
Soul Void Zi nodded. Yao Yan's understanding made him feel very comfortable and saved him a lot of trouble. He also wanted to see how far Yao Yan could grow. Thinking of this, he looked at Yao Yan and said, "Get up, feel your current body, and see if you can control the Devouring Spirit Clan's abilities."
Yao Yan obediently got up, closed his eyes, and immersed his Soul Strength into his body, beginning to feel the changes in this body.
Although the other party had cruelly tormented him for a long time, the grace of giving him a new life was not false.
If before, Yao Yan only dared to take one step at a time, slowly planning his future, now, his courage had grown. He wanted to become a Dou Di, the strongest person on the Dou Qi Continent. He wanted to control his own destiny. He no longer wanted to be manipulated like this, without even the right to choose for himself.
Describing the current Yao Yan as having undergone a complete transformation would not be an exaggeration. His entire skeleton glowed with a faint jade color, and his Qi and vitality were incredibly strong. Even though all his Dou Qi was gone, his physical strength was several times what it used to be, and even his Soul Strength had greatly increased, as if some kind of metamorphosis had occurred.
And this was only the superficial talent.
Yao Yan could clearly feel the unique power within his body. He slowly mobilized this power, and immediately, an evil aura emanated from his body. The jade-colored bones quickly became covered with strange patterns. At the same time, a power not belonging to Dou Qi surged within him, flowing through his limbs and bones.
This power was very evil, seemingly more domineering than Dou Qi, carrying an invisible devouring force that gave him a bloodthirsty urge.
In addition, a bloodstain appeared on his glabella, like a half-closed vertical pupil, in which a more domineering power was brewing. However, Yao Yan was too weak at this moment to fully activate its power.
"This power…"
Yao Yan slowly opened his eyes, a hint of confusion in them, because he could clearly feel the peculiarity of this power. As a former Dou Practitioner, he could clearly distinguish this power from Dou Qi. Essentially, it was stronger than Dou Qi, and even more domineering and aggressive.
Evil Qi, Devilish Qi, or the so-called Origin Qi…
Soul Void Zi saw the confusion in Yao Yan's heart and explained, "No need to be surprised. The Devouring Spirit Clan itself is a peculiar race. They do not Cultivate Dou Qi, and the power within their bodies is extremely strange, possessing a devouring nature, and even a polluting nature. And this power is extremely domineering. In those days, if not for the joint of several ancient Imperial Clans, it would have been by no means easy to exterminate them."
"It's a good thing that you can inherit this power. Try to see if you can still Cultivate Dou Qi. If you can, your future will be limitless."
"Hehehe~"
With that, Soul Void Zi also laughed, his eyes filled with anticipation. He was also very curious whether the creation he had personally made could reach that perfect state. According to his deduction, it should be possible.
Yao Yan nodded, sat down cross-legged, formed hand seals, and entered a state of Cultivation.
Because he was originally a Six-Star Dou Practitioner, re-Cultivating was completely effortless and familiar. In fact, due to the change in his talent, his Cultivation speed also became extraordinarily exaggerated, like a whale swallowing. The heaven and earth energy in the room rapidly surged towards him, covering his body like white mist, and pouring into his limbs and bones.
In just a few breaths, he had already Cultivated his first strand of Dou Qi, possessing a segment of Dou Qi strength.
He did not stop there, but began to operate at full capacity, fully displaying his talent. As for whether he would cause a commotion and attract the attention of other members of the Medicine Clan, he was not worried at all. Because with Soul Void Zi's strength and the Void Swallowing Flame's special nature, even if he blew up this place, there would be no sound outside.
On the contrary, the higher his talent was at this moment, the more Soul Void Zi would value him, and thus, the smoother his future path would be.
When dealing with someone like Soul Void Zi, he had to demonstrate his own value!
"Very good!"
Soul Void Zi felt the changes in Yao Yan's body and his Cultivation speed, and a hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. The other party had not disappointed him. With the talent Yao Yan displayed at this moment, he was almost on par with those Divine Grade Bloodlines of the Imperial Clans.
He was not surprised by this at all.
After all, he had integrated the Bloodline Power contained within a Dou Saint's remains into Yao Yan's body. It would be strange if he didn't have such a Cultivation speed.
Anyone who could Cultivate to the Saint-Grade level was a favored child of heaven!
Compared to the Cultivation of Dou Qi, he was more concerned about the changes in the other power within Yao Yan's body.
Under his powerful Soul Strength observation, Yao Yan had no secrets. He could clearly feel that the other power contained within Yao Yan's body was also slowly increasing. Although the rate of increase was far slower than the rate of Dou Qi increase, it was good that it could increase.
The Devouring Spirit Clan did not rely on Cultivation to grow stronger. Their strongest ability was their innate devouring power, which allowed them to freely devour the Bloodline essence of others and more.
This was the most terrifying aspect.
Soul Void Zi silently waited for Yao Yan to finish Cultivating.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Yao Yan finally stopped Cultivating and slowly opened his eyes. He spread his hands, feeling the changes in his body, and his heart couldn't help but quicken. Because in just this short time, his strength had already recovered to a segment of Dou Qi. This Cultivation speed was simply terrifying, and this segment of Dou Qi was even more solid and powerful than the Dou Qi he had Cultivated before.
"No rush, adapt slowly. Re-Cultivating will benefit you, allowing you to re-familiarize yourself with this body. Remember, don't rush to Breakthrough. Unless you can completely control your body, otherwise, that will only be a waste of your talent. What you need to do now is to familiarize yourself with your body!"
Soul Void Zi looked at Yao Yan and solemnly instructed him.
Yao Yan's talent had surged now, and at this time, it was easy to become addicted to the pleasure of rapid Breakthrough. If that happened, his future would undoubtedly be ruined, and he certainly didn't want to Cultivate a good-for-nothing.
Yao Yan nodded upon hearing this, then stood up and bowed: "Yes, Senior."
He paused.
He clenched his fists, looking at Soul Void Zi's floating figure, and asked in a concentrated voice: "Senior, can you tell me now who my enemies are?"
"No rush. Cultivate in peace. When your strength is sufficient, I will naturally tell you."
Soul Void Zi said indifferently. At the same time, the Void Swallowing Flame shrouding the surroundings of the room began to recede, finally transforming into a flame that flew into his figure.
"Whoosh!"
He gently pointed his finger, and a stream of light flew out from Yao Yan's na ring. It was an ancient jade plaque, a relic of Yao Yan's father.
"In the future, you will use this jade plaque to contact me. Just activate it with Soul Strength. As for the changes in your body... Divine objects conceal themselves. Divine Grade Bloodlines are not so easily discovered before they are fully mature. Your current Bloodline Power is no weaker than a Divine Grade Bloodline, and it can even continue to grow. In the future, it might even surpass Divine Grade Bloodlines."
Yao Yan was stunned when he heard this, then he circulated his Soul Strength and observed his body. He saw the jade color on his bones gradually retracting until it returned to normal.
"You must remember not to activate the Devouring Spirit Clan's Bloodline Power. You should be aware of its special nature. Once this power is used, anyone who knows about it must not be left alive. Otherwise, you will become the target of inevitable assassination by other Imperial Clans."
"I understand, Senior!"
"Senior? Your father was only my Named Disciple. I have never acknowledged him. However, you, in the future, can become my true Disciple."
"...Yes, Teacher."
"Teacher, what a familiar yet strange title, hehehe~"
With a strange laugh, Soul Void Zi's figure, enveloped by the Void Swallowing Flame, slowly shrunk until it transformed into a black flame and merged into the jade plaque.
"Whoosh."
The jade plaque fell.
Yao Yan reached out and caught it. Looking at the jade plaque in his hand, he said solemnly and earnestly: "Teacher, I will work hard and not let you down!"
He then put it into his na ring.
From this moment on, he knew that he would have to live with a mask on for the rest of his life.
But isn't that how life is?
Who can do whatever they want? Most people just switch one mask for another.