Shackles of Humanity

A moment of silence fell over the hall before Su Chengbo spoke up. ”Matriarch, Yin Veins are places where Dark Energy converges. As far as I know, they are usually hidden thousands, or even tens of thousands, of meters underground. Even if a natural disaster like a volcano, earthquake, or tsunami were to occur, they would quickly be covered by earth and rock. Why would one be exposed?”

”You must be Mr. Su Chengbo of the Tri-Eyed Race. I have long heard that your knowledge is profound, and your reputation is clearly well-deserved. You are correct. Underground Yin Veins are nexuses of Dark Energy that create powerful gravitational vortexes to pull in matter. They should never have appeared in our world.”

The old woman’s tone shifted. ”However, the one at Celestial Willow Mountain is different. The roots of the Complete Form Fierce Beast that died here long ago pierced deep into the Underground Yin Veins. A section of its root system still remains there to this day. We only need to remove that section, and the Underground Yin Veins will naturally close.”

Everyone except Luo Kai was stunned. The value of a Complete Form Fierce Beast’s corpse was simply too immense. For ordinary animal-type Fierce Beasts, every part of their body was worth a fortune. Their organs and flesh could be used to create Genetic Potions, their bones were the best materials for weapons, and their hides could be fashioned into protective gear. The current prosperity of human Body Techniques was founded on discovering how to plunder Energy from Fierce Beasts.

The corpse of a Complete Form Fierce Beast could be described as a National Treasure. Its flesh and blood could be used to extract Top Level Genetic Potions containing the beast’s innate Attribute Divine Techniques. Its bones and hide could be used to forge Divine Weapons capable of channeling external Energy. Even if it was just a section of a Complete Form Fierce Beast’s root, its value was still immeasurable.

Xi Jinghui asked in a low voice, ”Matriarch, are you certain that a section of the Complete Form Fierce Beast’s root remains?”

The old woman nodded grimly. ”That Complete Form Fierce Beast was named Yao Yue Liu. It could manipulate both Wood Element and Water Element Energy, and its power was far greater than that of an ordinary Complete Form Fierce Beast. After Yao Yue Liu died, most of its body was carved up and taken, but one section of its root system was embedded deep within the Underground Yin Veins, a place no human can reach.”

”Plant-type Fierce Beasts are completely different from others. As long as their roots don’t die, they can regenerate infinitely. A few days ago, when the Star Energy swept past Earth, I felt a peculiar ripple from deep underground. I fear the Yao Yue Liu is about to be resurrected!”

The expressions on their faces changed. The survival instincts of a Complete Form Fierce Beast were too powerful. With humanity’s current strength, there were no effective methods to contain one. If that Complete Form Fierce Beast revived, the entire Thousand Islands Sea would face an immense catastrophe.

The old woman continued, ”To be honest with you, my ancestors were among those who participated in killing the Yao Yue Liu. The main reason our clan of Wood Element Masters has lived here for generations is to guard the Yinling Mountain Stream.”

”I was originally planning to rush to Shangjing in the next few days to report this to the Elemental Master Association. But yesterday, I heard that three Body Masters had arrived on Chongjun Island, so I thought I would invite you to have a look. If you are willing to help, upon success, that section of the Complete Form Fierce Beast’s root will be yours. We will also offer a generous reward.”

The three men exchanged a look, all of them tempted. Su Chengbo asked, ”I wonder how much of its strength the Yao Yue Liu has recovered?”

The old woman shook her head. ”I don’t know the specifics. However, the Yao Yue Liu’s main consciousness is already dead. This root section only retains a sliver of its will. ’Lone yin cannot birth, and lone yang cannot grow.’ If the Yao Yue Liu wants to revive, it must come out to absorb sunlight. This gives us a perfect opportunity.”

Su Chengbo thought for a moment and said, ”Matriarch, could you give us some time to consider this?”

The old woman stood up, trembling slightly. ”But of course. Please, enjoy your tea, gentlemen. This old woman will take her leave. Zhihui, you attend to our guests. In a little while, you can take them to see the Perfume Workshop.”

After the old woman left, Zhihui refilled the three men’s teacups before heading into an inner room, not forgetting to shoot Luo Kai a vicious glare as she went.

Luo Kai paid her no mind, sipping his tea nonchalantly while the other three were lost in thought.

After a long while, Xi Jinghui was the first to speak. ”Brother Su, what do you think our chances are?”

Su Chengbo shook his head. ”The situation is unclear. I can’t make a calculation.”

Tuoba Ye, however, was unconcerned. ”What’s there to calculate? We just do it. It’s a Fierce Beast that’s been dead for a thousand years. Even if it were alive, it’d be no big deal.”

Xi Jinghui nodded. ”Brother Tuoba is right. With the strength of the three of us, even a living Complete Form Fierce Beast is nothing to be afraid of. If we’re lucky, we might even be able to kill it. We killed a Complete Form Fierce Beast ten years ago; it should be even less of a problem now!”

Luo Kai couldn’t help but ask in astonishment, ”You’ve killed a Complete Form Fierce Beast?”

”Haha, of course! Back then, we had just completed our Energy Infusion. There were five Body Masters in total. Man, that battle was brutal!” A nostalgic look appeared on Tuoba Ye’s face. He pulled a shimmering gold medal from his pocket and said proudly, ”See this? The Medal of Valor. Only those who have killed a Complete Form Fierce Beast can get one!”

Luo Kai curiously took it. ”It’s heavy. Must be cast from pure gold. It could probably sell for a lot of money.”

Tuoba Ye said angrily, ”You brat, this is called honor, understand? No amount of money can buy it!”

Luo Kai just smiled and tossed the medal back to him.

Su Chengbo pondered for a long time before sighing. ”If we were fighting outside, I naturally wouldn’t be afraid. If we couldn’t win, we could still escape. But it’s different inside the Underground Yin Veins.”

”Dark Energy is extremely corrosive and will rapidly deplete our Energy Shields. Moreover, many Dark Creatures must have been born inside. Empowered by the Dark Energy, they will certainly be formidable. If our Energy is consumed too quickly and we can’t get out in time, our lives will be in danger!”

The other two frowned. Compared to their lives, material gains were naturally not worth mentioning.

Luo Kai chimed in, ”Can I help?”

Su Chengbo seemed to have been waiting for those exact words. He immediately smiled. ”Haha, of course Luo Xiaoyou can help. In that case, there’s nothing to consider. With three and a half Body Masters, it won’t be a problem at all.”

Tuoba Ye slapped Luo Kai heavily on the shoulder. ”Good kid! I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!”

The floorboards beneath Luo Kai’s feet immediately cracked, and the chair under him shattered instantly. He felt as if the old rascal had nearly broken his shoulder. Gritting his teeth in pain, he snapped, ”Don’t you know your own strength?”

”Actually, I did that on purpose,” Tuoba Ye said with a wide, mischievous grin.

There was nothing Luo Kai could do about the old rascal, so he just moved to a different chair.

Xi Jinghui hesitated for a moment. He actually didn’t want Luo Kai to participate, as he could summon another Body Master at any time. However, both Su Chengbo and Tuoba Ye clearly wanted to bring Luo Kai along. ”Alright then, the four of us it is,” he said. ”But business is business. If we succeed, how do we split the root fragment?”

”We don’t even know what the Fierce Beast’s root fragment looks like yet. Let’s discuss it after we succeed.”

With the decision made, the four of them left the hall. Tuoba Ye shouted, ”Miss Zhihui, come show us around!”

The stunning young woman quickly walked over, gave a slight curtsy, and said softly, ”Where would you gentlemen like to go?”

Tuoba Ye sidled up to her with a cheeky grin. ”Miss Zhihui, how old are you this year? Are you betrothed?”

Zhihui’s pretty face turned cold. She turned and walked away, her clothes fluttering as she vanished in an instant.

Su Chengbo said helplessly to Tuoba Ye, ”You’ve scared the poor girl off. You old rascal, you’re more than old enough to be her father. How can you still be so ridiculous?”

”Old Su, you don’t understand. Love has nothing to do with age!” Tuoba Ye said, feigning a deeply sentimental expression.