Chapter 10: Yao Beast Hunter
After the three of them had eaten and drunk their fill, Lin Ning suggested going shopping. Su Ke had no way to escape and could only follow along, carrying bags in both hands.
As they walked, Su Ke asked, "Speaking of which, Blue Star only gained spiritual qi because spatial rifts opened to the Yao Beasts' world. Their spiritual qi concentration must be much higher than ours, right?"
"Not really," Lin Ning replied. "The spatial rifts were only a trigger. Blue Star itself already had spiritual qi; it was just dormant. The influx from the rifts stimulated Blue Star's own spiritual qi."
She continued, "That's why it's called the Spiritual Qi Revival. Besides, if the Yao Beasts' side really had overwhelming spiritual qi like you imagine, how could humans possibly resist them?"
"That makes sense," Su Ke said. "Still, people from big families really do know more."
The moment he said that, both Wang Zhong and Lin Ning shot him disdainful looks.
"What?" Su Ke asked.
Wang Zhong snorted. "How much do you hate studying? All of this is written clearly in the history textbooks."
"Ah, is it?"
Lin Ning nodded. "It's in the 'History of the Spiritual Qi Revival' section."
Su Ke fell silent. 'Looks like I really need to hit the books when I have time.'
"By the way," Lin Ning said, "do you two have any plans for summer break?"
"What else?" Wang Zhong replied. "Cultivating."
"I plan to cultivate too," Su Ke added.
"I know cultivation is important," Lin Ning said, "but cultivating step by step like this is too slow. Don't you think so?"
"Not really," the two of them replied in unison.
After all, only 4 days had passed since the break started. Su Ke had already reached the third stage, and Wang Zhong had reached the fourth stage. Advancing roughly 1 stage per day was not slow by any standard.
Lin Ning looked at them helplessly. "Are you really satisfied with this pace? Do you know what stage Lan Bingxuan of the Lan Family has reached now?"
"Is that something a small fry like me would know?" Su Ke replied.
"I've been cultivating at home and haven't paid attention to outside news," Wang Zhong said. "So I don't know either."
"In just 6 days, she's already reached the sixth stage," Lin Ning said. "That's an average of 1 stage per day."
"Holy crap," Su Ke exclaimed. "She's the real cheater here."
"That's way too exaggerated," Wang Zhong muttered.
"It's not exaggerated," Lin Ning said seriously. "On the path of cultivation, talent and resources are both extremely important. She has both."
"Normally, the resources usable at the first rank are limited," Su Ke said. "Even if your families are second-rate, you should still be able to afford them. Old Wang even has Earth Grade Talent. Logically, he shouldn't be worse than her."
"That's true," Lin Ning admitted. "For low-level resources, money is enough. But for advanced resources like Yao Beast crystal cores, money alone won't do. You also need power."
Seeing Su Ke's confusion, she asked, "Let me put it this way. If two people want to buy the same thing—one barely scraped together enough money, while the other is rich and powerful in the area—who would you sell it to?"
"The second one, obviously."
"Exactly. That's why crystal cores are always sold to first-tier families. Second-rate families like ours can't compete at all."
She continued, "The drop rate of crystal cores is extremely low, and the quantity is small. Even a family's own hunting teams might not obtain more than 5 cores in a month, and those go straight to the family's backbone members."
"We only got 1 when we broke through to the fourth stage."
"So many twists and turns," Su Ke said. "Poverty really does limit imagination."
"It's not just that," Lin Ning said. "Being a top family isn't just a title; it's a symbol. When people hear it, their first instinct is to do business with them."
"This reputation brings massive wealth. Yan City hasn't seen an Earth Grade Talent in 50 years."
"You could say that anyone who appears now can influence the city's future landscape."
"Originally, only the Lan Family produced one, so their rise was inevitable. Now that the Wang Family has one too, the Lan Family will definitely suppress them to protect their dominance."
"In that situation, it becomes even harder for us to obtain precious resources externally."
"I can only say your circle is a mess," Su Ke said. "Luckily, I don't have to care about that."
"Because of these reasons," Lin Ning continued, "the family can't provide us with many high-level resources. So if we want them, we have to fight for them ourselves."
"How?" Su Ke asked. "By robbing people?"
"Well… technically you're not wrong," Lin Ning said awkwardly. "But we're not robbing people. We're taking them from Yao Beasts."
Wang Zhong's expression changed. "Wait. Are you saying you want to become Yao Beast Hunters?"
"Exactly," Lin Ning said firmly. "We'll head into the wilderness, hunt Yao Beasts, collect Heaven-and-Earth Treasures, and exchange them on the black market for cultivation resources."
"At the same time, we gain real combat experience and temper our willpower in life-and-death situations. That's killing 3 birds with 1 stone."
As she spoke, her eyes shone with an excitement Su Ke and Wang Zhong had never seen before.
"But with our current strength," Wang Zhong said, "our parents won't agree to let us enter the wilderness."
"We'll go secretly," Lin Ning said casually. "We'll say we're staying at each other's houses to cultivate together. We'll come back quickly. They won't find out."
"So… are we going?" Su Ke asked.
"Go…?" Wang Zhong hesitated.
"Go," Lin Ning said decisively.
The two boys exchanged looks, then nodded together.
"Go."
After coordinating their stories, they went home separately to explain things to their parents, then began preparing supplies together.
"Food and water are fine," Su Ke said. "But life-saving equipment is tricky. I can't wear the Panshi Armor all the time."
"Don't worry," Lin Ning said. "My family has businesses that handle this. I'll cover your share."
"That's not appropriate," Su Ke said. "A full set of equipment is expensive."
"It's fine," Lin Ning replied. "I suggested this, so I'll take more responsibility. Besides, you'll be our main combat force."
"I'm the main force?"
"Of course," Lin Ning said. "We'll rely on Heatblast for heavy damage, Four Arms for melee, and if things really go bad, your XLR8 will get us out."
"Oh," Su Ke said. "So I'm that important."
Wang Zhong put an arm around his shoulder. "It doesn't matter if you're bad at studying or common knowledge. In real combat, your Supernatural Ability is among the strongest we know, and it's extremely practical."
"Listen carefully," he continued seriously. "Never tell anyone the true functions of your ability. Always make it sound weaker."
"It's not that I don't trust the country," Wang Zhong said. "But there are always scumbags. Once they find out, you'll be in danger."
Su Ke had never heard Wang Zhong speak in such a serious tone before.
"Scumbags?"
"You know about cults, right?"
"Yeah. Anti-human groups."
"Exactly. After the Spiritual Qi Revival, not everyone chose to resist the Yao Beasts."
"Some people betrayed humanity and sided with the Yao Beasts. They formed organizations we collectively call cults."
"There are many of them, big and small. The largest is the Evolution Cult. They believe humans are low-level creatures and Yao Beasts are superior."
"They strive to evolve into Yao Beasts themselves. Doesn't that sound similar to Beast Transformation Abilities?"
"But they're completely different," Wang Zhong said. "Beast Transformation Abilities are still human at the core. The Evolution Cult wants to turn people into true Yao Beasts."
"They can't even be called human anymore. 'Half-beast' is more accurate."
"I can't believe something like that exists," Su Ke said quietly.
"To avoid panic, the government usually conceals or downplays it," Wang Zhong said. "That's why we know. Never talk about this outside."
"Don't worry," Su Ke replied. "You know what kind of person I am."
At that moment, Lin Ning hung up her phone.
"Alright," she said. "I've arranged it. 3 sets of equipment will be delivered soon."
"You contacted your family's shop?" Su Ke asked.
"Yeah."
"And just told them to send it?"
"Yeah."
"Aren't you worried your parents will ask questions if they see it?"
Lin Ning froze.
"You really didn't think about that?"
"Well," she said hesitantly, "my parents are busy every day. They probably won't notice, right?"
"But what if they do?"
Lin Ning clenched her teeth and stomped her foot.
"Forget it. Then we'll just move faster. Once we're out, the sky's the limit. Even if we're caught later, at least we went once."
Her eyes were firm, as if she had made a solemn vow.
Su Ke whispered, "Isn't she supposed to be the obedient type?"
"Exactly," Wang Zhong whispered back. "A textbook 'good girl.'"
"Has she been possessed?"
"Probably not."
"What are you two whispering about?" Lin Ning asked. "Go home and prepare properly. We leave first thing tomorrow morning."