Only I am Venerable

The giant beast’s enormous eyes stared at Qin Li, making his skin crawl. ’This guy,’ he thought, ’Don’t tell me it found out I took those Spirit Flowers and wants them back. If so, I should have just run away with that White-clothed Demoness.’

However, things did not go as Qin Li had imagined. The giant beast’s expression was calm, but its voice was like a great, resonant bell. "Young human, I am dying. May I ask you to do one thing for me?"

Uh... Qin Li stared dumbfoundedly at the ferocious-looking creature, which resembled a Qilin from myths and legends. Feeling the surging, abundant Life Force it emanated, the corner of his mouth twitched violently, and he was at a loss for words.

The giant beast was in no hurry. It simply floated in the air, quietly watching Qin Li. Bright red flames wreathed its body, burning fiercely. The dark clouds in the sky had yet to disperse, making the giant beast look like a Divine Beast from the myths!

"Um, my friend," Qin Li began, "you’re not joking, are you? Your Life Force shows no signs of weakening; it’s still brimming with vitality. And you weren’t injured by that group of people. How... how could you be dying?"

Truth be told, although Qin Li desired all sorts of treasures, he had dealt with Spirit Beasts quite often and even had a transformed Spirit Beast as a companion. Because of this, deep down, he subconsciously saw Spirit Beasts as highly intelligent creatures, so his desire to possess them wasn’t particularly strong.

This was similar to how Shangguan Shiyu was an Innate Spirit Body. On the Celestial Essence Continent, a person with an Innate Spirit Body was like the legendary Tang Monk’s Flesh—consuming them, while not granting immortality, would increase one’s Power and temper their body far more effectively than most Elixirs or Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. But aside from a few depraved Martial Artists, almost no one would entertain such an idea.

Therefore, in his heart, Qin Li did not want to watch this majestic beast die. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have suggested they team up to deal with the White-clothed Demoness. If he had just focused on escaping, the White-clothed Demoness might not have dared to chase him very far anyway.

"Within my body flows the blood of the Ancient Divine Beast... the Hou! Although the bloodline is no longer pure—you could even say... it has grown quite thin—the pride and dignity inherited from my great ancestor cannot be abandoned. When faced with a challenge, I must meet it head-on..."

As the beast recounted this in its deep voice, Qin Li couldn’t help but be astonished. ’No wonder the White-clothed Demoness and her group relentlessly besieged this beast,’ he realized. ’They didn’t just want to lure it away; they wanted to hunt and kill it!’

"That young human is very strong, and she hasn’t even revealed her full capabilities. If I didn’t awaken my ancient bloodline, I would have been killed by her Secret Skill. But for a Spirit Beast of impure lineage like me, this awakening can only happen once... in a lifetime."

Qin Li stared at the beast in a daze, asking in disbelief, "You mean... as soon as you awakened your ancient bloodline, you were doomed to die?"

"That’s right." The beast’s reply was crisp and devoid of emotion, a faint hint of a smile even seeming to appear in its huge eyes. "Young man, do not be sad for me. I have already lived for a very long time. In fact, death is merely the beginning of the next cycle. I will not perish; I will return to the gathering place of my ancient ancestors. There, I will meet my true forebears!"

Qin Li was filled with admiration for the beast’s serenity. He wasn’t afraid of death, but he believed that if he were in such a life-or-death situation, he might not be able to face it with the same calm composure.

’The reason? It’s probably the people I can’t bear to leave behind!’

Perhaps this was the great difference between humans and beasts!

"So, what is it you want me to do for you?" Qin Li asked, his heart filling with respect as he looked at the beast that dared to face its own death.

"I want you to help me destroy the Sect of the humans who besieged me!" The beast finally stated its request, and it was a shocking one.

"What?" Qin Li could hardly believe his ears. ’This beast seemed so composed a moment ago,’ he thought. ’How is it suddenly spouting such nonsense? Forget the Moon Shaking Immortal Palace, I can’t even defeat the White-clothed Demoness right now!’

"It’s not because of my own hatred. That human said with her own mouth that their Sect has a pure-blooded Hou guarding its gates. How could a magnificent Ancient Divine Beast be reduced to being someone’s gate Guardian! My awakened bloodline tells me that anyone who insults the Hou must die!"

The giant beast let out an angry roar, its voice like rolling thunder.

"Of course, I don’t expect you to help me for free. Young man, you have already taken those Spirit Flowers. After I die, my body should also be considered a treasure to you. Don’t refuse..."

Seeming to notice the trace of pity in Qin Li’s eyes, the beast said calmly, "To still be of use after death is something to be happy about. Just like... over these countless years, I too have eaten many, many Spirit Beasts! They were killed by me and filled my stomach. They died a worthy death, and so will I..."

"Alright, I can promise you. I will do my best. But you also know that with my current strength, it’s unlikely I’ll have that kind of ability any time soon!" Qin Li didn’t want to deceive this beast, who seemed quite benevolent.

"I am well aware of that. Come here, before me. I want to transfer all the pure energy within my body to you!" the beast said, still perfectly calm. "The energy in your body is also drawn from the Essence of Heaven and Earth, as is mine. They are both the purest form of primal energy, so there will be no conflict between them!"

"That’s possible?" Qin Li looked at the beast doubtfully. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in the concept of power transference, but he didn’t have much confidence in the beast’s ability to do it!

After all, this wasn’t child’s play. The slightest mistake could be fatal!

"Trust me. The inheritance methods of Spirit Beasts far surpass those of you humans!" the beast said with great confidence.

Qin Li hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "Forget it, my friend. I appreciate the kind thought, but this method... it really makes me uneasy..."

There wasn’t much disappointment in the beast’s eyes. Its body shifted slightly, and it continued, "If that’s the case, then very well. I will give you my Inner Core instead. The only downside is that your improvement will be slower, but, in your words, it is much safer, without any danger!"

As it spoke, without waiting for Qin Li to refuse, the beast opened its cavernous maw and spat out a fist-sized, pure-gold Inner Core. The surface of the Inner Core was shrouded in a misty substance, and a fragrant aroma emanated from it, along with a surging energy and vibrant life.

The Inner Core seemed to have a life of its own. As if knowing its fate, it tried to flee the moment the beast spat it out, but it was pinned firmly in mid-air by the beast.

"Swallow it!" The beast’s voice was more severe and serious than ever before.

Resigned, Qin Li gave the beast a deep bow. He opened his mouth, and a powerful suction pulled the Inner Core toward him. Strangely enough, the fist-sized Inner Core was swallowed by Qin Li without any resistance!

One must understand that an Inner Core, the source of a Spirit Beast’s power, is just like the Pill Core in a human Martial Artist’s Dantian! It is composed entirely of a compressed Energy Body!

After swallowing the Inner Core, Qin Li felt his Eight Extraordinary Meridians instantly swell. His meridians, which had been exceptionally wide, were filled in an instant, as if hit by a flash flood!

At the same time, the Inner Core swiftly entered Qin Li’s Dantian and slowly enveloped his Purple Crystal Core! The originally lustrous and translucent Purple Crystal Core was now completely hidden from view.

Even when Qin Li looked within himself, he could not see through the Inner Core to his Purple Crystal Core!

Qin Li could clearly feel the changes happening in his body. The immense power gave him an inflated sense of omnipotence, as if there was nothing he couldn’t break!

Qin Li knew this was a side effect of a sudden surge in power!

A sudden increase in power could easily make one lose themselves, but for Qin Li, this was nothing. His Spiritual Power had already reached the realm of the Shattered Void!

If Qin Li wished, he could even tear open the void with his Spiritual Power right now! It was just that his physical body was not yet tough enough to allow for Void Crossing!

The giant beast watched all of this with satisfaction. A look of inexplicable, fatherly affection appeared in its eyes as it looked at Qin Li, and it let out a few low chuckles. "Heh heh heh, very good. You truly are a genius among humans! Your constitution is enough to allow you to reach even greater heights! Perhaps that day will not be long in coming. I look forward to it!"

After speaking, the beast slowly flew back toward the island where it dwelled. As its speed increased, Qin Li gradually began to feel an astonishing change coming from the beast’s body!

It... was once again... awakening its ancient bloodline!

No... it wasn’t awakening its ancient bloodline again. Rather, in the final moment before its death, all of its blood would revert to the state of the Divine Beast Hou from Ancient Times, allowing it to greet death in the proudest manner possible!

This was the attitude a Divine Beast ought to have when facing death!

As he watched the beast erupt with heaven-shaking momentum, the previously turbulent waves of the sea below its path all grew calm! But the waves in Qin Li’s heart could not be calmed for a long time. He and this beast were practically strangers, yet it had so generously given him its Inner Core before dying.

If he didn’t keep his promise, there would be no punishment. Did the beast not know this? No, it must have known! From its fluent human speech, Qin Li could sense that this beast had likely lived among humans for a considerable time. Perhaps it had once even been a legendary figure in its own right!

The white-clothed woman and her group had long since fled the island. So, when Qin Li and the beast returned, the island was completely silent, without a single sound!

The beast’s body descended. Its gaze was serene as it looked at the place it had inhabited for so many years. At last, a faint trace of reluctance flickered in its eyes.

But in the next moment, it seemed to forget all that. All that could be seen in its eyes was peace.

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This New Year’s has been... so tiring. One Chapter a day doesn’t really feel like a break. Starting tomorrow, I’ll go back to two Chapters a day until the 15th day of the first lunar month!

Yes, I’m going to work hard! Everyone, please encourage Xiaodao with all your votes! (To be continued. If you want to know what happens next, please log in to www.qidian.com. More Chapters, support the author, support official reading!)

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