The Catalyst of Evolution
"Essence blood, is it?" Jekyeong examined the single, brilliant drop of liquid inside the small, transparent jade bottle with curious eyes. This Water Horse Essence Blood was, quite literally, the essence blood of a Great Yo-beast known as the Water Horse. And essence blood referred to blood in which the very spark of life force was condensed. Such blood was not something just any living creature could possess—not even a Great Yo-beast brimming with vitality. To put it simply, not a single one of the Great Yo-beasts Jekyeong had hunted so far possessed essence blood.
Hmm. Jekyeong observed the Water Horse Essence Blood inside the jade bottle for a moment longer before swallowing it in a single gulp, closely monitoring the changes within his body. The reaction was instantaneous. A colossal tide of life force—a tempest of vital energy—swept through his soul and flesh. Jekyeong’s brow twitched at the violent backflow of raw vitality. It was only because his physical and spiritual form was exceptionally robust that he could withstand it; any ordinary cultivator of the Human Race would have been screaming and writhing on the ground.
No wonder they told me to take a Meridian-Protecting Pill with it. Though he had anticipated some turbulence, the sheer ferocity of the Water Horse Essence Blood far exceeded his expectations. Still, it was not beyond his threshold of endurance. Focusing his mind, he quietly observed the transformations occurring within his body and soul. As the wild torrent raged on without pause, his physical and spiritual form slowly and completely absorbed the energy of the Water Horse Essence Blood. Consequently, Jekyeong's already abundant vital energy began to boil. The signs of his next shedding—which had felt so distant, as if it would take at least a decade to arrive—suddenly drew remarkably close. If he were to lavishly consume his remaining Spirit Stones, he felt he could undergo another shedding within a mere month or two.
So this is essence blood? Truly terrifying. The essence blood he had swallowed was a single drop. Could a Great Yo-beast like the Water Horse have produced only one drop in its entire lifetime? If not, just how magnificent and powerful must that creature have been when it was alive?
"Whew."
A moment later, having completely digested the Water Horse Essence Blood, Jekyeong looked at the remaining spiritual treasures with gleaming eyes, but quickly calmed his excitement. Consuming spiritual treasures in rapid succession was unwise in many ways. The distinct energies of different treasures could clash, leading to unforeseen disasters, or a cultivator's fragile body and soul might suffer from indigestion. Of course, such concerns usually applied to the fragile cultivators of the Human Race, but Jekyeong decided to err on the side of caution. There was no harm in being careful, and more importantly, these treasures weren't going to run away just because he left them alone for a few days.
Good. The efficacy of the Water Horse Essence Blood was highly satisfactory. He resolved to acquire more of such essence blood whenever the opportunity arose in the future.
By the way, that fellow is really fast asleep. Jekyeong glanced over at Cheongo, who was sleeping soundly in a nest perched atop a small, colorful, glittering mountain. The bird was even smacking its beak as if having a wonderful dream, looking incredibly peaceful.
At the summit of the highest mountain on Heukgyodo stood a colossal tree. The tree, which seemed to have become one with the mountain peak itself, stretched dozens of branches wide toward the heavens, looking as if it were trying to embrace the sky.
"Muk-su," Jekyeong said, standing before the massive tree.
"You've grown again."
The last time he had visited was four months ago. Yet, in those four months, the tree had expanded once more. At this rate, its size was not at all inferior compared to his true form.
Well, considering the sheer amount of nourishment I've poured into it, it's only natural. Beyond its sheer physical size, Muk-su's aura was more than potent enough to match a Great Yo-beast. As a wood-attribute monster that had yet to become a Great Yao, Muk-su had already reached the absolute limit of its current stage.
Previously, Jekyeong had hoped that Muk-su would naturally ascend to the Great Yao stage, but no matter how long he waited, there was no change. At first, he thought it might be because wood-attribute monsters had long lifespans and slow cultivation, but close observation revealed otherwise. The creature had simply hit a wall. Just like countless other members of the Beast Race who lacked a proper bloodline.
Once he realized this, Jekyeong fell into deep thought. Faced with a dead end, there were only two choices: give up and settle, or forge one's own path forward. Any cultivator walking the path of the Dao would naturally lean toward the latter. However, as someone who had experienced it firsthand, Jekyeong knew exactly how dangerous and grueling it was to carve out a new path. It was akin to distinguishing ninety-nine paths of death to find a single path of life. You die if your strength is lacking, you die if you hesitate, and you die if luck is not on your side. Jekyeong hoped Muk-su would become a Great Yao and be of greater help to him, but he had no desire to push the creature toward its demise. Thus, he had allowed Muk-su to make its own choice. Muk-su had pondered for a long time, but eventually made a decision and gave him its answer. The result of that choice was unfolding right now.
"This is the Clear Tree Heart Root. If you can refine this as your foundation..."
Muk-su raised a single root and wrapped it around the Clear Tree Heart Root.
Wooooo—
After a low, resonant vibration resembling a foghorn, the branches that had been stretching proudly toward the heavens drooped limply. At the same time, Muk-su's aura, which had been resting quietly as if merged with the mountain, began to fluctuate wildly. Jekyeong stood at a distance, silently observing the transformation.
It is certainly a different approach. Previously, Jekyeong had used the fire energy of a Fire Crystal to form his Spirit Seed, carving out his spiritual nature to cross the threshold of a Great Yo-beast. In a sense, he had artificially created a bloodline. On the other hand, the method Muk-su was employing now was not creation, but acquisition. He had heard that certain members of the Beast Race possessed the ability of "Bloodline Devouring"—stealing another's bloodline to make it their own. What Muk-su was doing could be considered a form of this. It was transplanting the bloodline of the Clear Tree Great Yao contained within the Clear Tree Heart Root. Since the bloodline energy within the heart root wasn't massive, the effect wouldn't be overwhelming, but the associated danger would also be significantly lower.
Having even a tiny amount is entirely different from having none at all. If it can sprout even a single tiny bud, it can be nurtured from then on...
Muk-su's transformation continued for several days. During that time, countless leaves turned to ash and drifted away, while portions of its branches and roots rotted and decayed. In less than three days, more than half of Muk-su's colossal body lost its vitality and withered. However, when another three days passed, a single thread of vibrant life force surged from beneath the withered, decayed surface. Though faint, the dense energy contained within it was something the previously massive Muk-su had never possessed. This faintly rising life force rapidly spread through the decaying tree like ink bleeding into paper.
Having completed its metamorphosis and birthed its own essence blood, Muk-su trembled slightly, shedding fine black ash-like powder. Only then did Muk-su's newly reborn form—transitioning from a mere wood monster to a true Great Yao—come fully into view. The majestic, towering stature that once made ordinary giant trees look like mere saplings was completely gone. In its place stood a single, slender, seemingly underdeveloped tree. Yet, the life force radiating from this small tree was incomparably more intense and mysterious than before.
"You've surpassed it." Although he had anticipated this outcome, Jekyeong finally let out a sigh of relief. "Congratulations."
The drooping Muk-su trembled. A sound like wind rustling through leaves echoed.
"Th... ank... you..."
"Oh?" Jekyeong's eyes widened slightly. He stared at the gently trembling branches and swaying leaves, replaying the voice he had just heard in his mind. "You've learned a new trick."
"Yes."
"Good. Very good." Jekyeong nodded with a satisfied smile. "By the way, when can you start bearing Yeonggwa again? Is it possible now?"
"..."
In an instant, Muk-su's branches shook violently. This time, however, no voice came through.
Though Muk-su had successfully become a Great Yao, it was unfortunate that they would have to wait before it could bear Yeonggwa again. It was impossible to know how long the wait would be. Even Muk-su itself didn't seem to know.
Nothing to be done about it. Still, they were fine for the time being. He had already set aside a considerable stockpile beforehand to regulate the supply of Yeonggwa. If he maintained the current volume of trade, he could hold out for about three years. But if Muk-su still couldn't bear Yeonggwa after three years...
I'll have to increase its feed. Feeding it more would make it grow faster. Ah, now that it had become a Great Yao, did he have to upgrade its feed to Great Yo-beasts as well?
That's a bit of a headache. It wasn't that he couldn't hunt Great Yo-beasts, but there were many factors to consider. Creatures like the giant clam he had encountered on his way back could be hunted whenever they were spotted, but such brainless fools were rare. Fundamentally, Great Yo-beasts possessed their own territories and had awakened a certain degree of Spiritual Intelligence, making it difficult to slaughter them as easily as mere Water Beasts.
If I target them, I should go for the stupid ones. The ones that live in isolation. At first, he wondered if it was feasible, but as he kept thinking, he gradually grew tempted.
I should try it after I completely digest the remaining spiritual treasures and finish my shedding.
Originally, the Precious Rippling Jade Liquid had been acquired as an insurance policy for Muk-su. He had hoped it would provide an extra boost if the tree struggled to cross the threshold of a Great Yao, or at least preserve a thread of its life force if the attempt failed and its life hung in the balance. However, Muk-su had successfully crossed the threshold using only the Clear Tree Heart Root, and thanks to that, this Precious Rippling Jade Liquid had returned to Jekyeong's possession.
With this, I should be able to undergo shedding immediately.
The moment he unsealed the jade bottle, an extremely condensed wave of Spiritual Energy washed over him along with a fragrant scent. Jekyeong instinctively knew that this single bottle of Precious Rippling Jade Liquid would be more effective than hundreds of Spirit Stones.
"Haa."
The moment the Precious Rippling Jade Liquid slid down his throat, Jekyeong closed his eyes. True to its reputation as a highly stable spiritual treasure, he felt absolutely no strain on his body.
A moment later.
Crack! Snap!
From Jekyeong's long, coiled body, sounds of snapping and twisting bones began to erupt continuously. *Shhhhh—* His rough exhalations turned into thick steam, spreading out and enveloping the surroundings like a dense fog. Anyone witnessing this sight would have shuddered in terror. In the thick mist, only the sounds of breaking bones and low, growling breaths broke the silence.
"Fuuu." Exhaling another ragged breath, Jekyeong felt that this shedding was slightly different from his previous ones. His body felt much hotter than before. He guessed it was likely due to consuming two spiritual treasures in such close succession.
Come to think of it, could this shedding be considered my bloodline's Divine Ability?
The inheritance of the Beast Race was passed down through their bloodline. This inheritance could manifest as knowledge, intuitive power, or bizarre divine abilities. While there was no absolute hierarchy among these inheritances, unique and powerful lineages often included a Divine Ability. In that regard, his shedding—which had already drifted far, far away from the conventional concept of molting—could rightly be considered a Divine Ability, or at least a power equivalent to one.