Testing Yeter

"We train our bodies. With enough physical training, we naturally level up and grow stronger. That's how our bloodline works, up till the early-adept stage that is. That's why only those at the adept stage and my grandpappy talk about this essence stuff," Yeter shrugged, thinking it was normal for the whole world.

"Ooh! So, you guys have an early-adept bloodline. That makes sense I guess, but don't you know about divine beasts?" Oli began to understand the true weakness of the Thick-skin Stallion tribe.

"I've only heard about divine beasts in stories, but they're supposed to be even stronger than my grandpappy. He said that they're like gods compared to us," Yeter sounded serious like he worshiped the idea of being so strong.

"Well, you're not wrong," Oli prepared to burst Yeter's mental bubble.

"What do you mean?"

"Listen carefully, what I'm about to say may shock you," explained Oli. "After the elder stage, a cultivator can reform their mortal core into a divine core, which comes with new levels of cultivation."

"But that's crazy—" Yeter's interrupted.

"Calm down, I wasn't finished," Oli stopped Yeter and continued, "To become a clan, your stallion tribe needs a divine beast. That's why we gorillas are the strongest clan here because we have five cultivators at the first level of the divine class, the perennial level.

"Huh!?" this was too big a blow for the ignorant Yeter. "Does that mean… that your Uncle Rathe is a divine beast!?"

"Yup, and you've already met Hurdo and Vloz who are also perennials. After this, you'll also meet my mom; Rathe says that she is probably the third strongest in the clan."

Yeter was speechless. He was overwhelmed by the thought of knowing such a powerful expert but was dumbstruck after hearing that the gorilla clan had five of them. With that many experts, Yeter realized how easy the gorillas could simply show their strength and force everyone to obey, instead of keeping things peaceful like the gorilla clan was doing. A look of shock and appreciation covered Yeter's face and he asked, "Oli, how come your clan has so many divine beasts? Is your bloodline that much stronger?"

"To be honest, it's much stronger than your stallion bloodline but not strong enough to be a divine bloodline," Oli made sure to clear with Yeter. "The biggest help is that we all understand how to cultivate essence and seek out the best cultivation techniques to help us."

"So," Yeter responded, "would it be possible for me to become a divine beast if I did those things too?"

Oli smiled when he felt Yeter's eagerness. "Of course you can! Everyone can do it if they train the right way. But first Yeter, why do you want to become strong? If your reason why isn't strong enough, it's easy to get discouraged and give up like most cultivators."

"I need to find my mom!" Yeter yelled at the top of his lungs, catching Oli off guard. "If I can become a divine beast, I should be strong enough to do that right?" Yeter paused while he gathered his thoughts and emotions. He looked at the waiting Oli and spoke up again, "My mom was kidnapped by bandits almost a year ago. My dad went after them but was killed and was dragged away by the bandits. I know that she might be dead, but I need to find my mom! I have to find her and get revenge!"

Oli understood Yeter's feelings, especially after losing his dad and swearing to get revenge on Brak. It was clear that Yeter didn't understand how difficult something like that would be, but Yeter would try it regardless given his reckless personality. Both of them remained silent for a few moments, letting their emotions settle down. Oli was the first to act, sending out a thread of his essence to pass something to Yeter's mind.

"What is this?" Yeter didn't know what Oli was doing.

"This my Uncle Rathe's Sundering Fist cultivation technique. You may not have fists, but that doesn't mean you can't train this. If you meditate to sense and control your essence according to that technique, then you'll gather more essence faster and your essence will one day be as strong as Uncle Rathe's."

Yeter's eyes went wide and his jaw went slack. Again, he was speechless after receiving such a gift, especially with nothing to give in return.

"Don't mention it Yeter, just promise me one thing. You won't try anything until you're a perennial, okay? I can't lose my only friend," said Oli.

Touched by Oli's promise, Yeter agreed, "You got it, Oli! But don't get mad when I'm stronger than you. Grandpappy says that I'm already a high-novice, so with this, you'll never be able to catch up!"

"Huh, is that a challenge? You're on! I may only be a low-novice, but I'm about to break through, and it won't be long until I leave you behind," Oli laughed and started to walk towards the exit of the cave. "Come one, let's not leave my mom waiting. If Vloz was right, then dinner might be getting cold."