Chapter 40: Metamorphosis

Entering the interior of Wanbao Pavilion, there were none of the various rare materials one might imagine, dazzlingly displayed for all to admire.

There were only individual private rooms, decorated in luxurious elegance.

After entering a private room and sitting down, Manager Luo understood Su Lingwei's needs and said with a smile:

"If it's only fifth-tier Fierce Beast materials you need, we happen to have them in stock. Let me recommend three types and give you an introduction."

"First is the Scale-Scaled Ape. Its combat power is outstanding among Fierce Beasts of the same realm. Its scales are the hardest part of its body—no need to fuse with other materials, just a bit of polishing and it's ready to use." This book is first published on Tian Tian Kan Xiao Shuo -> 𝘁𝘁𝗸. 𝘁𝘄, providing you with an error-free, properly ordered reading experience.

"The second is the skeleton of the White Bone Ghost Dragon, the king among fifth-tier Fierce Beasts…"

"The last one is the shell of the Thunder Armor Rhinoceros. Having been tempered by lightning year-round, it's extraordinarily hard, and for Martial Artists who use thunder-type martial techniques, it has an even greater special effect."

Hearing about the last material, Su Lingwei's eyes lit up, and she made her choice without hesitation.

"I'll take the Thunder Armor Rhinoceros shell."

She then took out an item and placed it on the table, seeming a little embarrassed as she said: "Grandpa said this should be enough to trade for the materials I want. See if it's enough—if not, I'll go gather more."

It was a palm-sized eyeball, seemingly the eye of some kind of Fierce Beast.

Seeing this pale purple eyeball, Manager Luo carefully picked it up and examined it. After looking at it for several minutes, he finally spoke with a slightly surprised tone:

"This is… the eyeball of a Demon-Pupil Sky Ox! A very rare sixth-tier Fierce Beast material."

Jiang Qin was secretly shocked. Sixth-tier? Isn't that equivalent to a Heaven Martial Realm Fierce Beast!

He knew that old man was no simple character!

Clearly, a mere fifth-tier Thunder Armor Rhinoceros shell wouldn't be enough.

This was a big deal, so Luo Dahai brought out a catalog for Su Lingwei to choose from. A single rare sixth-tier Fierce Beast material could be traded for at least ten fifth-tier Spirit Weapons or various materials.

Su Lingwei picked out some rare ores and metals, along with an A-grade Spirit Clothing, before walking out of Wanbao Pavilion fully satisfied.

Jiang Qin drove her back to Zhenling Academy, and before leaving, reminded her:

"Tomorrow morning is the last B-level Task. I'll come pick you up then."

"Mm!"

After Jiang Qin left.

Su Lingwei walked back to the gatehouse and placed a pot of Spirit Wine she had bought on the way in front of Lin Lao, who was sunbathing.

Lin Lao raised an eyebrow. "Oh, the sun's rising from the west today, isn't it? Didn't you say this old man isn't allowed to drink?"

"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll allow you one extra pot."

Su Lingwei gave a tsundere little snort, walked into the gatehouse, and couldn't wait to find someone to begin forging her Flying Knife.

Lin Lao shook his head, his eyes filled with affection.

Though she wasn't his biological granddaughter, after all these years, the two of them—grandfather and granddaughter—were closer than blood. They were both unfortunate people with no home left…

Time flashed by, and it was now afternoon.

Zhenling Academy, student dormitory.

Ever since that match ended, Chen Xiaohu had never once stepped out of his room. He didn't want to see those people's mocking gazes, so he chose to stay alone in the dormitory, spacing out and torturing himself.

Gradually, he seemed to think things through.

When all was said and done, what was so good about being a Martial Artist? Always charging at the front line, facing danger head-on.

With his current abilities, he could go back to his hometown, find a decent job, spend a year buying a house, let his parents live out their old age in comfort, and he could live off his salary doing nothing until he died.

As for those dangers… with someone as powerful as Jiang Qin around anyway—

With Jiang Qin's strength, he believed no danger would be too much for him! There was simply no need for a side character like himself to show up.

Chen Xiaohu held onto this thought…

Until his door was knocked on.

"Knock knock—"

When the door opened, a logistics staff member from the Academy stood at the entrance.

His lips moved for a moment, then he said with reluctance:

"Student Chen Xiaohu, I just received news from Hanyue City. Yesterday afternoon, Hanyue City was attacked by a beast tide. A large number of Fierce Beasts broke through the city gates, half of Hanyue City was destroyed, and your parents and sister were attacked by Fierce Beasts while fleeing and unfortunately perished…"

Chen Xiaohu, who had been keeping his head lowered, felt as if struck by lightning upon hearing this.

He raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief, his eye sockets blood-red, his voice hoarse: "H-how is that possible! Hanyue City is in the central region of Huaxia—how could Fierce Beasts suddenly attack the city! You're lying to me, you must be lying to me, right?"

The logistics staff member shook his head: "The intelligence has been verified. It's true!"

"It's not just Hanyue City. A third-tier Rift appeared in the wilderness, and a massive number of third-tier Fierce Beasts poured out of it. Over a dozen surrounding cities were all hit by beast tides, and Hanyue City, being closest to the Rift, suffered the most severe losses."

"You… please accept my condolences."

After delivering the message, the logistics staff member left.

Only Chen Xiaohu remained, his body limp and powerless as he sat on the floor. Scenes from the past with his family flashed through his mind like a slideshow, and his sister's childish voice seemed to echo in his ears:

"Yay! My brother is an SSS-grade Talent! My brother will definitely become a powerful Martial Artist in the future!"

"My son is a genius! Ancestors, did you see that? Our Chen family has hope for revival!"

"Huazi, your mother heard that Modu is a big city where money goes fast. This money is what your father and I have saved over the years—keep it safe. Just do your best in everything, don't push yourself too hard. If it really doesn't work out, just come back. Your mother and I will be waiting for you at home…"

"Don't worry, Dad and Mom. I, Chen Xiaohu, will definitely make a name for myself in Modu!"

"When that day comes, I'll treat you to the best food and drink!!!"

Chen Xiaohu clenched his fists tightly, even as blood welled up he did not let go. His eyes were wide open, bloodshot and crimson.

A line of blood tears flowed down from the corners of his eyes.

At this moment, he was like a flower that had grown up in a greenhouse, finally witnessing the cruelty of reality.

If before he had treated slaying Fierce Beasts like quests in a game,

then at this moment, his hatred for Fierce Beasts reached its peak, along with hatred for his own powerlessness and cowardice.

"Dad… Mom… little sis."

The expectations his family once had of him now seemed to have turned into mountains pressing down on his back and his heart, making him suffer so much he couldn't breathe.

He hated himself for being so weak.

He hated himself for being such a coward!

He hated himself for carrying such important expectations and still wanting to slink back home like a turtle pulling its head into its shell.

He didn't know how long had passed when Chen Xiaohu slowly stood up from the ground. His gaze fell on the scissors on the table. He hated his cowardly self — he would kill such a self with his own hands.

The sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh rang out in the living room.

Blood sprayed wildly from the wound, the stench of it filling the air.

Chen Xiaohu did not use Spirit Power to defend himself. He madly stabbed the scissors into his belly, and the searing pain made his consciousness incredibly clear… He didn't know how long had passed, but gradually he went numb.

It really did hurt.

But… compared to the pain of losing his family, it was nothing at all.

But at this moment, only pain could give him a moment's relief and ease the guilt in his heart.

Chen Xiaohu wiped the blood from his face with a towel. With an expressionless face, he walked out of the dormitory. The dozens of wounds on his belly rapidly sprouted new flesh.

In the blink of an eye, the gruesome wounds had already healed completely…