28. Conquering Fear

“I told you they won’t attack, didn’t I? Since you wasted my time, you have to pay up.”

“I’m indebted to senior’s kindness.” Clay respectfully bowed as he handed one gold coin towards the guard he commissioned to get rid of the snails.

“If you dare waste my time again, I charge you more.”

“Thank you again for your help.” Clay expressed his gratitude as he watched the guard leave.

Earlier this afternoon when he went to the guild, he was surprised to find out that the guild has temporarily stopped operating. He tried asking a way to contact Sar Aran but the guards are clueless and confused as he is.

He wanted to seek help from other guilds but they were located on the other side of the city so he asked the guards instead for help.

As expected, the two guards laughed at him for being a wimp but one of them eventually agreed to his request. The only problem is that he had to wait until their shift is over.

Clay loitered to a few places and when evening came, the guard accompanied back home.

Upon arrival, the pill had long been consumed leaving five more snails that have broken through to Early Qi Condensation.

Clay thought he would have to hire a stronger cultivator however, the guard jumped trampled five of them on the spot and let the remaining snail latched at the back of his forearm. Clay didn’t mind the exhibition but what he does not appreciate is that the guard left the last snail to crawl back on the grass.

When the guard could no longer be spotted, Clay turned around and walked towards the innocent snail. He is tempted to step on it like the guard did and smashing through its shells but Clay’s curiosity sparked once again.

Earlier, he had a view of the snail’s Qi circulation circuit and he is almost certain he had seen Bloodline Qi Nodes. Since the pill is still in effect, Clay activated his Godly Eyes.

“My god!” Clay exclaimed. Not only did the number of Major Qi Nodes increased to 31 but bloodline Qi Nodes he thought is bloodline has started to form a separate Qi Circulation Circuit. The only problem is that the secondary Beast Core has not properly formed.

Clay switched to normal vision and observed at the snail in hibernation.

“No, I can’t.” He thought to himself. He wanted to dismiss the idea of experimenting on the snail but looking at a perfect Guinea Pig, it is difficult resist the temptation.

With his Godly ability, it allowed him to interact with the Gathering Formation at the center of a pill during refinement and right now, he can see almost the same pattern on the Primary Circulation Qi Circuit of the snail.

And looking at the traces of the incomplete Secondary Circuit, he believes that he can assist the snail to form as second Beast Core.

“It’s not like am losing anything.” Clay let go of any hesitation and formed a thin strand of his Qi and injected it towards the snail.

“Good. Be a good boy.” Having confirmed that the snail did not react, he retracted his Qi and made it thinner enough to interact with the Secondary Circuit. With his Perfect Qi control, he carefully maneuvered his own Qi to lay the foundation of the Core and after a few seconds, he circulated his Qi towards all Major Nodes.

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*Swish!

As soon as Clay completed one circulation cycle, he felt something exploded in front of him he immediately retracted his aura and stepped back. He wanted to run but he is almost certain there is no threat around or nearby.

Clay clenched his knuckles and decided to face his fear this time.

“There is no one around.”

“There is no one around.” Clay repeatedly mumbled and he looked around and after a minute, he felt an ominous ripples of energy and this time, it was obvious where it is originating from.

Goose bumps formed all over his body and he could hardly breathe by the terrifying aura the snail is releasing but unlike his experience with the horned rabbits where he was petrified, Clay could still move his body.

“Rahhhhh!”

Clay shouted and bravely took a step forward and raised his right foot then stomped on the snail.

*Crack!

Not satisfied, Clay continued to stomp on the ground and after five minutes of exerting all his might on to his feet, he got tired and sat on his buttocks while catching his breath.

“Holy tomato!” Clay cleared his mind. For the time, he crossed the first boundary of conquering his fears by killing a snail.

After erasing the magic beast’s presence, Clay went to bed.

After a few hours, Clay’s eyes are still wide open. He did have a nap at the plaza earlier and blame the terrifying aura released by the snail, his feet is still trembling.

Recalling what transpired earlier, he was certain the Secondary Qi Circulation Circuit from the snail was completed but right at that moment, the two circuits combined creating an unknown form of power he had never felt before and probably far stronger from what he had felt from the Core Formation experts when Buaki Gang was exterminated.

Since then, he had mixed emotions whether he should try it again. Clearly it is possible for Magic Beasts to acquire bloodline if that’s what is even called but ever since he acquired his Godly Ability, he has yet to see a single cultivator implanted with a Core.

As Clay began to daydream about being the most powerful cultivator, his thoughts were distracted when he felt an aura scan the house including his body.

Prior today, he would be scared witless but when it scanned him again, he sensed familiarity of this Aura.

Clay got to his feet and run downstairs and upon opening the door, he saw three people approaching him. One of them is Elder Ulvar and the two he had never met but the third one of them is human in his fifties.

"I greet the benevolent Elders for coming to visit. Please instruct this junior", Clay unknowingly dropped to his knees and kowtowed.

“Get up. I want you to greet your new master.”

"It is a privilege to be in your care, master." Clay’s head remained on the ground and even he is surprised with his actions. Here he thought he had become braver.

“I said get up. This here is a Tier III Alchemist Dal In and is willing to take you in. You will follow him from now on.” Ulvar imbued his voice with Qi as he introduced Dal In.

Clay timidly got to his feet and did not dare look up.

"You will be my first disciple from here on in. Pack your things. I know this is inconvenient but it is a lot better traveling at this hour.”

“I have nothing to pack, master. I’m nothing but a lowly slave.” Clay removed the spatial ring from his neck and surrender what was originally given to him by Ulvar.

“This old bones will repay this kindness when I have the chance. I guess this is it. Thank you again for giving me a disciple to nurture.”

Clay remained silent as he observed the three. He thought that Ulvar would be the strongest but from what is reflected from his Godly Eyes, the other elderly Elf is actually hiding his cultivation. From his estimate, this man is probably what people call the legendary Nascent level.

After a minute, Clay and his new master bid farewell and left the area.

Meanwhile, when Clay’s figure disappeared, Ulvar’s companion stretched his neck and the next instant, his appearance change from a wrinkled old man to someone in his thirties.

"Patriarch, are we really just going to let them leave just like that?"

"You should have an idea how cunning humans are. When you see humans fighting, it is our responsibility as Elven to add fuel to the fire without getting noticed and without being involved." There was bitterness in the Patriarch’s eyes when he spoke. Recalling how the Royal Family exterminated an entire Elven colony to cover up the tracks of Blood Moon Sect, his heart is still burning with hatred. It is true that he can fight but he is just one man and it is his responsibility to make sure everyone survives.

“Pass down my order. For the next two years, any transactions made to humans must be approved by you. Are we clear?”

“I understand, Patriarch.”