"Miss Ye is truly remarkable. You know, the Wasteland Beast clan was once among the top ten beast clans," Mo Xiaohong praised. She was about Rui Feng’s age, with a plain appearance matching her name—like a no-nonsense young woman from a bygone rural era.
"The top ten beast clans?"
"You don’t know? They’re the ten strongest beast races today. Ranked right after dragons, the Wasteland Beasts sit at number two."
I nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Dragons? Weren’t they the ultimate divine beasts in every xuanhuan and fantasy novel? Symbols of power, always the cheat-source for overpowered MCs. And Wasteland Beasts ranked just below them? Did I really kill something that damn powerful?
"I never expected Wasteland Beasts to be second…"
"Second? Nonsense! They’re ninth."
Ninth? Ninth? Wait—if dragons are eighth, the universally strongest race is only eighth? Are you kidding me?
"Just to be sure—are we talking snake-like eastern dragons or barrel-bodied western ones with wings?"
"Does it matter? Eastern ones are serpentine; western ones have long necks and wings. Same clan, same strength. Both ranked eighth."
…My entire worldview shattered.
"…Then what about phoenixes? They’re divine cheat-beasts in every female-led story. Should be first or second, right?"
"Authoritative sources rank them sixth."
Another mouthful of blood nearly choked me.
"Still not top five? Who’s between dragons and phoenixes?"
"You don’t know? The Ghost Clan. Most human-like beast race. Closest ties to humanity today."
"What garbage…"
Back underground, the others circled the Wasteland Beast’s core, slowly absorbing its surging vital energy—clearly leaving more for Rui Feng. We placed him flush against the core. "Bro? Can you hear me?" Rui Xin asked urgently. "Of course…" Rui Feng murmured, consciousness flickering back. "Don’t worry. I’ll handle the absorption myself…"
Vital energy flooded into him. His pale, cracked skin flushed rosy before our eyes. Minutes passed. His color improved. Even broken bones crackled, knitting back together.
Relief washed over us. This priceless Spiritual Medicine needed no processing—pure potency. Thank goodness I hadn’t absorbed the core with the beast’s blood essence earlier. Mission failure avoided.
"At this rate, with extra Spiritual Medicine, I’ll fully recover by dawn after tomorrow. Rest up. If we speed-travel then, we’ll still make the deadline."
"Good!"
---
Near the cave entrance, two figures stood under a hillock.
"Never expected a Wasteland Beast buried here, Brother Sunny," Loring said.
"Yeah… Had I known, I wouldn’t have tested here."
"But it worked! If we flushed out a Wasteland Beast, lesser beasts are trivial."
"We nearly died too. Without the jammer, we’d be exposed."
"Still fine. If beasts could off a few Sinan Family higher-ups while we’re at it…"
Sunny’s face darkened. He yanked Loring’s collar, growling low: "Don’t even dream it! How many times must I say this? Sinan Ying and Elder Hong are swarmed by hyper-vigilant guards now. Beasts killing them is less likely than you wooing Miss Tatalia!"
"Too harsh, Brother Sunny…"
"However," Sunny released him, "once they finish investigating and return to Winteredge City for the festival—that’s when they’ll drop their guard. And then…"
---
Over at Sinan Ying’s group—
"Ugh, exhausted… Can’t walk anymore…" Sinan Ying panted.
"The third checkpoint’s ahead. We lead all teams. Push through," Sinan Yuan replied coolly. As the main squad, they couldn’t afford delays.
"Didn’t you come to Winteredge Mountains to train? Endurance is part of it."
"But you never let me fight beasts! What’s my point here?"
Team members glanced away, ashamed. True—Sinan Ying hadn’t fought once since entering the mountains. They felt guilty, but for good reason…
"Hmph! Xiao Ying—blame yourself first! If you still can’t control your Anomaly Power, why would guards let you fight?" Elder Hong snapped, beard bristling. The stern family elder, appointed by the head to discipline her, had scolded Sinan Ying since childhood. Yet her free spirit never bent, frustrating him endlessly.
Usually, his words silenced her. But this time—
"Yes, yes—I know! But my Anomaly Power’s unstable! What can I do?!" Sinan Ying shouted, uncharacteristically fierce.
"Miss…"
"Do you think I enjoy being called a human walking bomb? I’ve tried not to be a joke!"
"Effort means nothing without results!" Elder Hong roared back, unmoved.
"But I—"
"No excuses! You’re always rebellious! Sneaking out days ago, bringing back a suspicious girl—who knows her motives!"
"Don’t you dare insult Xiao Ye!!!"
Teammates stared, stunned. Past squabbles were routine, but this fury was new. Sinan Ying was truly enraged.
"Ah…" She caught herself, falling silent.
A heavy hush settled. After a beat, Sinan Ying shook her head hard, as if flinging off sorrow. She bowed deeply to Elder Hong. "Sorry, Elder Hong. I was impulsive! I know you all care—I was just selfish. Sorry!"
Elder Hong nodded stiffly. Years of drilling virtues into her yielded only one lesson: apologize sincerely when wrong. (She might not change—but she’d always say sorry.)
"…Alright. I overstepped too," he admitted, tone softening. He paused. "Your father—the family head—assigns these tasks for a reason. His health fails. He must prepare succession early. Without solid achievements, your path ahead will be brutal."
"But I don’t want the head position! Let my brothers fight for it…"
"Foolish," Elder Hong sighed. "Some things aren’t your choice! Among the head’s children, your faction is weakest—only Xiao Yuan and I stand with you. Weakness means being used. While the head rules, he shields you. But after he steps down? Without him, you’ll be a family tool. A marriage pawn is the best outcome. If the Third Young Master wins power? He’ll likely kill you to be safe. How will you fight back?"
"…" Sinan Ying went utterly still. Elder Hong voiced her deepest dread—the Sinan Family’s destiny. Dragged into power games for survival. Betraying kin for control. Her childhood dream? An explorer roaming the world. All she craved was freedom. Why must it be like this…
"What should I do, Xiao Ye…"
