Beast Venerable

"Danger comes with opportunity; only between life and death can one break through oneself!"

The man's resounding words left Yao Ye briefly stunned. She recalled how, three days ago, Xiao Le had refused to heed her advice and admit defeat when facing Yun Jingfeng, who had taken an Explosive Qi Pill and used a secret art to gain the strength of a Dou Shi. Instead, he had raised his head and roared in defiance.

Braving the backlash should his Dou Qi breakthrough fail, Xiao Le had taken the life-saving pill refined by Medicine Elder—the Extreme Spirit Pill.

It was also a forbidden third-tier pill. But Yun Jingfeng had already abandoned all pretense of fair play, so Xiao Le saw no reason to play fair with him.

With the Extreme Spirit Pill's aid, along with a handful of restorative and healing pills, Xiao Le had finally broken through to a six-star Dou Zhe, and his aura had surged to the level of a nine-star Dou Zhe.

Yet even in that fierce clash between dragon and tiger, he had ultimately been unable to overcome the vast chasm of the Dou Shi realm.

Fortunately, at the final moment, Yun Jingfeng's secret art had failed. The backlash triggered the side effects of the Explosive Qi Pill, causing him to lose consciousness.

It was as though Xiao Le had picked up the championship for free. Yet when the referee announced the result, Xiao Le had collapsed unconscious as well.

He had remained unconscious for three whole days, only waking today. What Xiao Le had not expected was for Yao Ye to be guarding his bedside.

Yao Ye had asked him with admiration why he had insisted on confronting an enemy head-on even when he knew he could not win. Xiao Le had merely smiled and spoken those words.

"Danger comes with opportunity; only between life and death can one break through oneself!"

It had been impossible for lives to be taken on the competition stage. Besides, Xiao Le's sharp soul force had long sensed the instability in Yun Jingfeng's aura. How could he possibly pass up such a fine chance to push himself beyond his limits?

Five-star Dou Zhe! Xiao Le had broken through. This was a breakthrough born between life and death.

While Xiao Le recuperated, Ya Fei and Yao Ye often came to look after him, bringing the three of them closer. Jia Xingtian and Fama also visited several times to help nurse him back to health.

Another three days passed, and Xiao Le had fully recovered from his injuries. He had been away for quite some time; it was time to return to Wutan City, since the medicinal ingredients had already been transported back.

Before leaving, however, there was one thing Xiao Le had yet to do: enter the Jia Ma Treasury and choose three rare treasures.

Taking advantage of Yao Ye's visit, Xiao Le brought up choosing his spoils of victory, as well as saying farewell.

To his surprise, he felt somewhat reluctant to part. Xiao Le found that rather helpless. What he did not know was that Yao Ye felt the same. Over the past few days, Xiao Le had repeatedly urged her to go out and explore the world, and his own performance had left a mark on her heart.

Security was extremely tight. Even Dou Ling experts served as guards, showing just how precious the royal treasury was. Accompanied by Yao Ye, Xiao Le made his way inside.

Yao Ye remained silent the entire way, her mood low. Even Xiao Le was in no better spirits. Though he had come to seek treasures, he could not bring himself to feel happy.

Unlike the Miter Family's treasury or the Alchemist Guild's stores, the royal treasury contained only precious items. First-tier and second-tier magical beast cores, even fifth-tier ones, were not worthy of being displayed here.

The Miter Family presumably had a treasury like this as well. Xiao Le simply lacked the qualifications to enter it.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Le looked down. There were actually a great number of entries beneath his feet, including green ones.

Green · [Five-Beast Transformation Art]

Colorless · [Secret Art · Heavenly Beast Spirit-Burning Art]

Though it was clearly of high earth-tier quality, it had been judged as red quality. It was also an unheard-of technique that combined cultivation art and combat skill. What surprised Xiao Le most was the secret art, which appeared transparent and colorless like glass. This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

The Beast Venerable—one addressed as "Venerable"—had to possess at least the strength of a Dou Zun. It was also a soul imprint. He might be possessed someday. Yet Xiao Le coveted that cultivation art and secret art.

That peach pit was precious as well. He had heard that even Jia Xingtian could not damage it, and it bore two entries.

Black · [Ultimate Death Qi]

Red · [Peach Immortal Elixir]

In Xiao Le's previous life, peaches of immortality had been far from unfamiliar. In myth, they were controlled by the Queen Mother of the West, and possessed the miraculous ability to extend one's lifespan by a thousand years.

"Both of these treasures are unknown. Even my grandfather cannot discern what is extraordinary about them. You should choose something else," Yao Ye urged when she saw Xiao Le taking an interest in the two unknown objects.

Xiao Le chuckled and reached for the beast bone. Suddenly, he froze, his expression turning strange.

The instant Xiao Le touched the beast bone, an aged and weak voice sounded in his heart.

"Kid, take me away from here. I will grant you a supreme future. Also, choose a magical beast core—it will help this old man recover."

Sure enough, the soul imprint within had awakened. Xiao Le could not help finding it amusing. Who would have thought that he, Xiao Le, would one day have an old grandpa attached to him?

Shaking his head and casting aside those distracting thoughts, he grabbed the peach pit, the beast bone, and a damaged seventh-tier magical beast core. Even damaged, it was not something a sixth-tier magical beast core could compare to.

After leaving the treasury, the Beast Venerable's voice sounded once more.

"Kid, the little girl beside you actually has a trace of magical beast bloodline in her body. She is very suitable for this Venerable One's inheritance. Give her an opportunity!"

Xiao Le looked toward Yao Ye beside him. He had not expected her to possess a trace of magical beast bloodline. There must have been a magical beast of at least the seventh tier among the royal family's ancestors. After all, only seventh-tier magical beasts could take human form, unless they obtained a Transformation Grass or Transformation Pill.

Xiao Le turned around. With her head lowered, Yao Ye failed to notice and walked straight into his arms.

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze. Silence filled the surroundings, and even the guards did not dare make a sound to disturb them.

"I have an inheritance suitable for you. Do not resist!" Xiao Le said, pointing a finger at her.

Naturally, this was merely Xiao Le putting on a show. In secret, a strand of soul force emerged from his storage ring and touched Yao Ye's smooth forehead.

"Hmm?" Yao Ye's eyes went blank and her face expressionless. Soon, however, wild joy spread across her features.

"Isn't this far too precious?" Yao Ye was deeply reluctant. What Xiao Le had given her was too valuable, yet she could not bear to refuse it.