Chapter 11: Wolf Pack Attack

Training in Qi cultivation is quite interesting, especially before reaching the Dou King stage.

The Qi cultivation stage is a period of incubation, where the cultivated Qi mostly nourishes the tendons and bones, strengthening the body significantly.

This phase also determines how far one can go in the future. Most young people lack the patience to slowly cultivate their bones during this stage; they blindly pursue breakthroughs in strength until they exhaust their potential.

A Fighter condenses cyclones, initially controlling Qi, which can enhance attacks. Although external release isn't possible yet, it greatly increases strength, defense, and speed, somewhat similar to inner power.

A Dou Master transforms Qi into liquid, initially releasing Qi externally, capable of condensing Qi into a protective garment. At this stage, the enhancement to the body is significant, and one can also begin to learn how to control battle skills.

A Dou Grandaster, with Qi condensed into liquid, will solidify into crystalline form, somewhat resembling the golden core stage in cultivation novels. Qi increases dramatically, and one can condense Qi into armor, enough to establish a presence in some remote small towns.

A Dou Spirit is the final stage before becoming a Dou King. This stage is more like refining Qi, allowing one to condense Qi into tangible objects for combat.

Just like at this moment, Yao Yan is utilizing the advanced Xuan-level battle skill - the Fiery Blade, condensing golden flames. However, he achieved this step through a clever loophole. Without the presence of a beast flame like the Illusory Golden Fire in his body, achieving this would be extremely difficult, demonstrating his early mastery of the abilities needed to control a Battle Spirit.

Condensing Qi into objects!

Of course, this also has to do with Yao Yan's somewhat abnormal physical qualities at the moment. With his previous body talent, he wouldn't be able to achieve this.

Yao Yan pondered for a moment, then with a thought, the golden flame blade floating in his palm instantly transformed into golden magma, flowing like molten gold, covering his entire body in an instant. After closing his eyes to sense it for a moment, the Illusory Golden Fire covering his body solidified, just like the previous flame blade.

Opening his eyes, he tapped his arm, and the sound of golden iron echoed in his ears, indicating a decent level of defense.

"This state is somewhat like the Golden Light Curse," Yao Yan thought with a hint of surprise, silently acknowledging it.

However, maintaining this state consumes a lot of soul power and requires constant operation of battle skills.

After pondering for a moment, Yao Yan dispersed this little trick. While the small tricks he's currently experimenting with are useful, their utility is limited.

He understands the essence of Qi. The cultivation system in the Dou Qi Continent focuses on comprehensive enhancement. As the level increases, the body's strength will also increase simultaneously. Whether it's speed, defense, or strength, they will all receive enhancements, while battle skills can only compensate for this to a certain extent.

Just like between late-stage Battle Saints, a one-star difference can be overwhelming.

"I'll study this later. Let's first survey the surroundings and make sure it's safe," Yao Yan thought, activating his Qi and leaping into the dense forest. He needs to assess the environment first. Unless something unexpected happens, he'll be staying here for quite a while.

The Shen Nong Mountain Range's exact size is unknown to Yao Yan, but he knows it's an immensely vast range. Perhaps only Dou Venerate-level powerhouses could barely measure it. For him, still just a Fighter, one valley is enough to keep him occupied for several hours.

It wasn't until evening that Yao Yan returned to the cave, carrying a first-order demon rabbit, skillfully skinning it, starting a fire, and roasting it.

His spatial ring isn't lacking in cultivation resources, but he has to find food himself.

Taking advantage of the time while the fire is roasting, he reflects on the day's events.

Yao Yan stood up and walked to the entrance of the cave. Using the vines on the mountain wall, he concealed the entrance.

Then, he took out a bottle of medicine powder from his spatial ring and sprinkled it around. The medicine powder was made to mimic the scent of high-level magical beasts. It wasn't expensive but highly effective, capable of repelling some low-level foolish magical beasts. This method was something he learned from the guards of the Yao Clan.

As for high-level magical beasts, any beast above the fifth rank possessed intelligence comparable to humans and couldn't be fooled by just a scent.

Yao Yan didn't need to worry about creatures of that caliber; he believed the Yao Clan would handle it.

Since they dared to leave him here, it indicated there were no high-level magical beasts in the vicinity. His afternoon search had confirmed this. Even signs of human activity were absent, indicating it was a desolate area with minimal resources.

The highest level of magical beasts here was only second rank, which he could handle easily. Even if he encountered them, using the Illusory Golden Fire, even second-rank magical beasts wouldn't dare to confront him head-on.

After satisfying his hunger and thirst, Yao Yan extinguished the fire and sat cross-legged to enter a state of cultivation. The surrounding natural energy quickly enveloped his body.

However, compared to the energy in Dan Ding City, the energy here in the valley was much thinner, barely sufficient for cultivation. Fortunately, with the assistance of pills, it wouldn't affect him for the time being.

Time always flies during cultivation. Unbeknownst to him, moonlight seeped into the cave through the crevices in the vines.

Simultaneously, howls of wolves echoed outside the cave, one after another.

At first, Yao Yan paid no attention, until the howls gradually approached. He sensed something was wrong, interrupting his cultivation.

At the same time, a hint of golden flame flashed in his eyes. It wasn't pleasant to be interrupted during cultivation, but the gradually approaching wolf howls made it impossible for him to continue.

Currently, he was in the Shen Nong Mountain Range, not a safe place like Dan Ding City.

"How could this happen?"

Yao Yan glanced at the medicine powder scattered at the cave entrance, furrowing his brow. He trusted the guards of the Yao Clan wouldn't joke about such matters, especially considering their good relationship at the time, where he even concocted a second-grade Qi-recovery pill for them.

He closed his eyes and spread his soul power. Over the years, his soul power had strengthened significantly due to his bloodline of the Yao Clan's Battle Emperor. If not restricted by Qi, he might even attempt to refine fourth-grade pills.

Soon, he sensed movements within a radius of several hundred meters.

A dozen or so wolf-shaped magical beasts were slowly approaching the cave.

"These are second-rank Frost Wolves?"

Yao Yan's gaze turned back to the medicine powder at the cave entrance. With the confusing scent of this powder, why would second-rank Frost Wolves dare to approach? Perhaps it would be possible for some special fourth-rank magical beasts.

He wasn't interested in fighting a group of second-rank Frost Wolves late at night.

After pondering for a moment, Yao Yan directly raised his hand and released the Illusory Golden Fire.

He didn't even restrain the temperature and aura of the Illusory Golden Fire. He wanted to use the inherent high-level magical beast aura of the Illusory Golden Fire to send a signal to the outside second-rank Frost Wolves: this place is dangerous!

"Woo~"

With the appearance of the Illusory Golden Fire, the howls of the Frost Wolves outside instantly turned fearful. Magical beasts were quite sensitive to auras.

The Illusory Golden Fire controlled by Yao Yan originated from a seventh-rank magical beast, the Fire Scorpion Dragon Beast. It was easy to imagine the deterrent effect it had on low-level magical beasts like second-rank Frost Wolves.

"Roar!"

Just then, a fierce wolf roar drowned out the howls of the Frost Wolves.

Yao Yan's eyes narrowed as he sensed a stronger magical beast aura in his soul perception: a third-rank Frost Wolf King.

"Seems like luck is on my side..."

Yao Yan couldn't help but sneer. No wonder these second-rank Frost Wolves dared to approach the cave. It wasn't the fault of the medicine powder; it was because a Wolf King that controlled the pack had appeared outside. Such third-rank magical beast group leaders had quite high intelligence. Perhaps they sensed the energy changes here, or perhaps there was another reason, leading them to come and hunt.

Wolf-shaped magical beasts always liked to hunt in packs.