Bullied by Wolves

Feeling the strength of the wolf pack outside, Yao Yan remained unfazed. He was not about to be intimidated by a group of Low-Rank Magical Beasts. After all, he had seen the peak experts of the Dou Qi Continent. Such a minor scene was not enough to scare him.

Setting everything else aside, at least when it came to mentality, he considered himself among the best in the world.

Anyone with his experiences would probably no longer feel fear.

Forget the group of second- and third-tier Magical Beasts outside. Even if Hun Tiandi appeared before him, Yao Yan probably would not panic.

"Can't beat them. Should I call for help?"

Yao Yan knew his own strength well. He could barely handle one or two second-tier Frost Wolves, but against the third-tier Frost Wolf King and the pack it led, he would likely be beaten to death the moment they clashed. The gap in strength was simply too great. It was like a Da Dou Shi bullying a Dou Zhe—nothing but a one-sided beating.

He believed Yao Nong was probably hidden nearby, watching this place. As long as he called for help, the other party should appear and resolve the trouble for him.

But he was not sure whether Hun Xuzi was watching.

If Hun Xuzi discovered that he had asked Yao Nong for help on his very first night, it would undoubtedly lower his evaluation in the man's eyes. Not being able to win was one thing, but refusing even to try was simply too cowardly. A person like that had no value in cultivation.

Yao Yan held himself back. He did not cry for help. Instead, he calmly released the Illusory Gold Flame in his palm to its fullest extent. The scorching flames instantly illuminated the entire cave, while the violent aura contained within the beast flame surged wildly.

He wanted to see whether the third-tier Frost Wolf King would be afraid.

The Illusory Gold Flame was a genuine high-tier beast flame. How could a third-tier Magical Beast not fear it?

"Roar..."

Just as Yao Yan had expected, the Frost Wolf King hesitated. It let out a low growl, and a trace of fear appeared in its icy eyes. Yet it was unwilling to leave just like that, for it had previously sensed the Heaven and Earth Energy gathering inside the cave. It seemed like some kind of Natural Treasure, one that might help it break through.

It was already at the peak of the third tier, only a tiny step away from advancing to the fourth tier!

Magical Beasts feared bloodline suppression, but their desire for greater strength was instinctive.

"Whimper, whimper~"

The second-tier Frost Wolves were clearly less intelligent. Startled by the violent aura of the Illusory Gold Flame, the fear originating from their bloodlines made them tuck their tails and retreat. None of them dared approach.

Seeing this, the Frost Wolf King immediately let out an angry roar, trying to call them back.

Unfortunately, it failed.

Not every Magical Beast was willing to risk its life for a breakthrough in strength, especially when facing an opponent vastly stronger than itself.

As the wolf pack scattered, the Frost Wolf King naturally did not dare step forward alone to test the waters. At the peak of the third tier, it already possessed considerable intelligence and knew how to deal with danger. With its pack, it dared fight a fourth-tier Magical Beast, but when faced with unknown danger, it did not dare risk itself.

It gave the cave a hard stare before turning and slowly retreating.

When even its subordinates had no intention of fighting to the death, the leader naturally had no desire to charge forward.

Inside the cave.

Yao Yan wore an odd expression. He had not expected these wolf-like Magical Beasts to be so easily frightened. After he had released the Illusory Gold Flame for only a short while, they had become afraid. They did not even bother testing him before turning and leaving. He could not help but laugh. "Their intelligence isn't low, but it doesn't seem all that high either. Heh~"

Had they been high-tier Magical Beasts, they would probably have seen through his bluff and his Fox Borrowing Tiger's Might at a glance.

Low-Rank Magical Beasts clearly did not possess that level of intelligence. They still relied on the most primitive methods, able only to judge an opponent's strength through its aura.

Of course, this was also because Yao Yan was hiding inside the cave. They could not see him or determine his true aura. If he had been standing outside, that third-tier Frost Wolf King probably would not have been so accommodating. It would have bitten him a few times to test him no matter what.

In the void above the valley, Yao Nong hid within this stretch of space and watched everything unfold below. For a moment, he did not know how to judge it.

He did not know whether Yao Yan was truly fearless or merely pretending, or whether he had guessed that Yao Nong was watching nearby.

After thinking for a while.

Yao Nong closed his eyes. Since nothing had happened, there was naturally no need for him to meddle.

The next day, Yao Yan discovered that his danger had not completely passed. Quite a few second-tier Frost Wolves had appeared around the cave. They did not dare come close, but neither did they show any intention of leaving. They seemed to be constantly watching the cave.

Sensing this, Yao Yan fell silent. He felt that he had still underestimated the intelligence of these beasts.

"A One-Star Dou Zhe is still too weak."

Yao Yan sensed the Dou Qi Cyclone within his body and let out a soft sigh. He had never imagined that one day he would be blocked in by a pack of Magical Beasts, yet have no way to deal with them.

Weakness was the original sin. On the Dou Qi Continent, if you were too weak, even Magical Beasts could bully you.

Yao Yan knew he could not hide in the cave forever. If too much time passed, that fairly intelligent third-tier Frost Wolf King would certainly come to test him. By then, the Illusory Gold Flame would not be enough to drive it back so easily. Thinking of this, he looked toward the Rock Wall at his side. He planned to dig straight through the Mountain Body and escape from the other side.

He had no desire to remain here and compete in wits with a group of Low-Rank Magical Beasts.

With that thought.

He raised his palm and gathered a mass of Illusory Gold Flame, beginning to refine the Rock Wall. Alchemists could easily refine all kinds of Natural Treasures, so refining a Rock Wall like this was naturally not difficult. The workload, however, was immense and consumed a great deal of Dou Qi. He needed to keep taking Qi Recovery Pills to maintain it.

Moreover, the final product of the refinement was worthless: a tougher type of Gray Rock. This Gray Rock could be further refined, but there was clearly no point.

This sight naturally made Yao Nong's mouth twitch. He had not expected Yao Yan to do this, and for a moment, Yao Yan's actions left him speechless.

Refining through a mountain was clearly a time-consuming and labor-intensive task.

Yao Yan spent a full three days and three nights burning through the Mountain Body before emerging, covered in dust and grime. He wiped his face and looked behind him. Recalling what he had endured these past few days, he could not help clenching his fists. Feeling his strength as a Two-Star Dou Zhe, he grinned. "Frost Wolf King, you'd better wait for me to come back!"

His smile was brilliant. Since coming into this world, apart from Hun Xuzi, this was the first time someone had left him in such a sorry state.

A peak third-tier alchemist had actually been bullied by a third-tier Magical Beast. How could he possibly tolerate that?!

He planned to return and settle the score with the Frost Wolf King once he broke through to Dou Shi. Then, he would refine its teeth into a pendant as a memento!

Without further hesitation.

He turned and fled forward. He had to leave this area as quickly as possible, because the Frost Wolf King's pack had already occupied this valley. There was no longer any place for him here. As a Two-Star Dou Zhe, he did not yet have the strength to confront them head-on.