Chapter 104: Abnormal Beast·Many-Eyed Snake

In a flash, half a year passed.

Yan Buji thrived in the market; he first took over the Spiritual Material hub for wandering cultivators, then teamed up with nearby merchants for several big promotions, earning a fortune.

But even so, Yan Buji never spent a single Spiritual Stone beyond his salary; for half a year he relied solely on his wages for cultivation, and his progress was pitifully slow.

Fortunately, he hired a junior manager to run the Hundred Treasures Shop, freeing Yan Buji's time; he only steps in personally if the junior can't handle something.

"Brother Yan, are you grinding again today?" the freckled boy in front of him asked, looking admiringly.

The boy's name is Li Yun, a Lianqi Level cultivator who has never learned any technique; he joined the Hundred Treasures Shop as a junior after seeing Yan Buji also come to the market and being introduced to the shop's work.

To Yan Buji, Li Yun seemed to lack any proper cultivation attitude, instead loafing day after day; if his work hours weren't decent, Yan Buji would have kicked him out long ago.

But such a person isn't entirely useless; at least he works earnestly when paid.

"Hmm, any news on the pupil I asked you to investigate?"

"Actually, yes. I heard some idle chatter about the special pupil you mentioned; they said there's an Abnormal Beast in a place called Chenfeng Valley, its body covered with many eyes, and it can trap cultivators in hallucinations—very formidable!"

Yan Buji's mouth twitched: "Abnormal Beast? Do you think I can defeat it?"

"You can't be planning to gouge out its eyes, can you?"

"Who told you I'd be gouging eyes? I just want to ask those with the special pupil for a favor." Yan Buji sighed.

Li Yun nodded, smiling: "Just kidding, Brother Yan, but special pupils are usually inherited in the bloodline, rarely a natural talent. It's hard to find such cultivators, because unless the pupil is truly distinctive you can spot it at a glance, most people can't discern anything from others' eyes."

"I see..."

Yan Buji squinted, nodded: "Alright, I'll trouble you."

"What's the trouble? I'll go rest now, Brother Yan."

"Hmm, if you're hungry, go to the kitchen yourself for something, don't sneak over in the middle of the night like a thief…"

"Hehe… I'm still young and growing, not afraid of you saying I eat too much."

"Can I even feel sorry for that little snack?"

Li Yun, hearing that, gave a thumbs‑up: "Brother Yan, you're generous! Then I'll just eat to my heart's content."

"As you wish."

Li Yun waved and ran to the kitchen; Yan Buji pondered for a moment.

The Abnormal Beast's eye, then?

If it's an Abnormal Beast with many eyes on its body, it's highly likely that some of those eyes are special.

The key is…

The various materials harvested from the Abnormal Beast contain an unusually strong Mutant Force; they're pricey treasures, but can a regular cultivator use them?

"No, special pupils are rare among cultivators; I must quickly develop a Three-Flower Pupil, otherwise pure grinding is meaningless!"

Yan Buji completely abandoned the idea of cultivating for three years at the Hundred Treasures Shop; in the past half‑year he hasn't even manifested the sign of Lianqi Level—meaning he still lacks enough cultivated Qi to naturally absorb spiritual energy without deliberately drawing it in, which is what a true Lianqi Level cultivator should have.

But even if I obtain the Abnormal Beast's eye, how could I use it?

Eat it outright?

That would be no different from courting death.

"Using Abnormal Beast materials… looks like I need to find a cultivator who understands this."

Yan Buji already had a candidate in mind.

The next day.

Yan Buji stepped out and went to the second street, entering the bookstore where he bought books for the first time.

"Yo, isn't this Manager Yan? What brings you in today—buying books?" the shop owner, whose attitude was completely different from before, greeted him with a smile.

"Boss Zhao, I'd like to ask you something," Yan Buji said with a smile.

"Oh? Go ahead."

"I heard an Abnormal Beast appeared in Chenfeng Valley; is that true?"

"That one's a Many‑Eyed Snake, right? What's up? Manager Yan thinking of testing your skills?" Zhao chuckled.

Yan Buji waved his hand quickly: "I don't have that strength; I've been in the cultivation world so long I've never seen such a beast, so I'm just curious."

"You bought a Hundred Mutant Spectrum before, didn't you?"

"That's what the book says; seeing it with my own eyes would be different." Yan Buji smiled.

Zhao nodded, sat down and poured a cup of tea, handing it over: "This Abnormal Beast, they say it's dangerous indeed, but it's unlikely to threaten us merchants. Only if a Mutant Tide hits would death be likely. Abnormal Beasts are unpredictable; some are warlike and won't stay in their territory long, roaming to hunt; others guard their domain fiercely and won't bother you unless you intrude."

"Take the Many‑Eyed Snake of Chenfeng Valley: though a first‑tier Abnormal Beast, its whole body is covered with dozens—no, hundreds—of bizarre eyes, and the Golden Vertical Pupil three inches across on its brow houses its innate technique!"

"Innate technique?"

"Similar to a cultivator's talent, or the legendary demonic race's innate power. Abnormal Beasts also wield techniques, but only the one they're born with. The Many‑Eyed Snake's innate technique should be hallucinogenic. Illusion Art is quite useful for cultivators; if an enemy uses it, it confuses the spirit‑sense and may even directly assault it with terrifying ability!"

Yan Buji's pupils narrowed: "So powerful? Then the Many‑Eyed Snake's innate technique is in that Golden Vertical Pupil?"

"Exactly. You've heard of Abnormal Beast materials, right? The usable parts are extremely scarce; even a beast the size of a small mountain yields material about the size of this teacup. Generally, the parts that contain the innate technique are the usable Abnormal Beast materials; the rest is just rotten flesh."

Yan Buji nodded: "Learned something new, thank you."

"Also, some special Abnormal Beasts produce Mutant Bones, a rare material that even Golden Core cultivators dream of as a treasure!"

"Mutant Bone? What good is it?" Yan Buji asked, puzzled.

"I heard it's related to Golden Core cultivators building their own Beast Armaments."

"Ah?"

"Beast Armament?"

Zhao didn't continue the topic, instead saying: "Naturally, while Abnormal Beasts are bizarre and powerful, their materials contain the power to mutate a cultivator into an Abnormal Beast, yet they're still scarce in the cultivation world. Do you know why?"

"Please enlighten me."