The Cannon Fodder Also Has a Will to Survive [Rebirth] - Chapter 21

Qingyuan Continent, Wuwang Peak Secret Realm.

In the center of a massive, nameless array, a young cultivator was bound to the ground, his limbs shackled by chains of light generated by the formation. From a distance, one might not even notice him, but in this specific setting, his presence was impossible to ignore.

The surroundings were deathly still; in this vast space, there wasn’t even the sound of the wind. There was only the man’s incessant self-muttering, echoing endlessly through the hollow cavern.

“Wei Sheng Lan, the little cub we marked has been touched. Aren’t you going to check on the situation?”

“It was merely a touch on the Yao-Bond. If they are sensible, they should know who is and isn’t to be trifled with.”

Using a different tone, the voice continued, “I didn’t expect you’d be willing to split off a strand of your Divine Sense to protect a little thing marked under those circumstances. You must like him quite a bit, don’t you?”

The reply came in an icy tone. If an outsider were present, they could easily distinguish that these voices, though coming from the same throat, did not belong to the same soul. “I am neither cold-blooded nor a practitioner of the Emotionless Dao. A Daoist Companion with whom I have already bonded naturally deserves a few extra measures of care.”

The other voice let out a cold snort, seemingly in deep disagreement with this statement. “Don’t be too arrogant. What if it was just some ignorant fool who triggered it? The Cultivation World is vast; not everyone recognizes our Yao-Bond.”

The next reply carried a trace of savagery. “If such an eyeless person harbors ill intent, then it is their own fault for being wounded by the energy within my Yao-Bond.”

The persuading side sighed. “Why won’t you go out? Hurry up and leave.”

“I will not leave until I have killed you.” This voice suddenly returned to a state of eerie calm.

The internal dialogue seemed to end. After another long silence, the bound youth suddenly let out a great roar. Several thick, majestic, snow-white fox tails erupted from beneath him. “I am you! You are me! If you want to kill me, you must die too! Wei Sheng Lan! Wei Sheng Lan! If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you!”

The chains of light began to vibrate violently. The previously calm cavern shook as if an earthquake were occurring; stones of various sizes tumbled from the ceiling, and the entire secret realm appeared on the verge of collapse.

Yet, the youth in the eye of the array remained still, his eyes closed and his expression peaceful. His features were deep and handsome a masterpiece of celestial carving. His hair flowed like a waterfall around him, but the tips were a curled, snowy white, lending him an air of exotic mystery.

The voices clearly came from within his body, yet his lips never moved. The scene was both grotesque and beautiful. After the tremors subsided, one of the tails twitched. A wisp of crystalline white light flew out from his body and vanished into the horizon.

Demon-Spirit City was called a city, but its territory was vast, spanning an area nearly as large as the entire Qingyuan Continent. Aside from the Central City, which resembled a human town, there were various regions with unique landscapes.

For instance, the Great Priest was the leader of the Bird Tribe. His domain was a forest to the east of the Central City, where the Yao primarily lived in treehouses. The Rabbit Tribe also lived nearby, building low-roofed houses into the sides of small hills.

Han Zhong took An Jiu on a general tour of the outskirts and noted that the city hadn’t changed much in a century. Natural-born Yao possessed long lifespans; even an average tribesman lived as long as a human Nascent Soul cultivator. A hundred years was a blink of an eye to them.

An Jiu’s perception was sharp. Though he didn’t know why, he could tell his Junior Uncle was unhappy. He followed behind him silently, not daring to run his mortal legs were no match for a Void Refinement stage cultivator.

After finishing the loop, Han Zhong stopped. “Do you see? Demon-Spirit City is encased in a massive barrier. Aside from the teleportation array, there is no other way out.”

The message was clear: now that the city was sealed, An Jiu was stuck. An Jiu lowered his head, looking ashamed. But Han Zhong knew that while the boy looked obedient, his mind was full of his own schemes.

For some reason, Han Zhong found the boy’s current state somewhat charming. It would be a pity if he were to be lost. He let out a sigh. “Do you remember that your life is in danger? Go back to Wan-Yan with me, save your life first, and then we can discuss everything else. Why insist on making things so difficult?”

Hearing this, An Jiu stopped pretending to be good. He stiffened his neck, his stubbornness returning. “I don’t want him to save me! He won’t save me!”

Han Zhong suppressed the urge to swat the “child” and told him of Lin Jingyuan’s plan. “Senior Brother will save you. Lin Jingyuan has a Catalyst Bone in his possession. Given Senior Brother’s personality, he will certainly…”

Han Zhong didn’t finish the sentence, but An Jiu completed it in his mind: He will certainly make full use of it.

A Catalyst Bone was a legendary constitution, much like the Heavenly Spirit Root. It was harder to detect because one had to examine the actual skeleton. A Catalyst Bone possessed a single, jade-like bone within the frame that could perfectly replicate another person’s special constitution. If the bone was removed from the host and placed into someone with a special constitution, it would absorb that trait. It could then be transplanted into a normal person to permanently change their constitution.

In this world, those born with Innate Sword Bones, Daoist Bones, or Heavenly Spirit Roots were few. Most cultivators were of average aptitude. These people were constantly fighting against fate and were desperate for any advantage. Transplanting a single bone was a much more cost-effective method than using a Spirit-Washing Pill.

An Jiu hadn’t known this before his rebirth. It was only after learning of his own special status that he had researched these rare constitutions. He crouched down, curling into a ball. “He is so heartless. Does he have no feelings at all?”

No feelings, only goals.

Han Zhong pondered. “To sit in that position, one cannot afford personal emotions.” But he knew his Senior Brother was born cold and detached which was exactly why he was such an effective Sect Leader.

An Jiu remained silent. He had once loved Si Xuanye and even tried to seduce him. Where did I get such confidence? he wondered. Then, a realization hit him Is it because I accidentally slept with him in this life that he is so furious? No wonder he wants me dead! The misunderstanding began to form a perfect, logical loop in his head.

Han Zhong rented a small courtyard in the Central City, intending to stay until the festival ended. The courtyard was like a standard inn. An Jiu toured it with curiosity, found nothing special, and returned to the center of the yard.

Han Zhong sat at a stone table under a flowering tree, brewing tea. “You don’t seem satisfied with this place?”

Seeing him drink, An Jiu who was always hungry for anything edible approached. “Junior Uncle, what are you brewing?” He sniffed the air like a small animal. “It smells so good.”

“Want a drink?” Han Zhong swirled the tea, letting the aroma waft out. “Tell your Junior Uncle who your paramour is, and I’ll give you a cup.”

“Junior Uncle. I don’t have a paramour.” An Jiu’s face crumpled.

“Heh.” Han Zhong clearly didn’t believe him.

An Jiu moved closer and flatteringly massaged Han Zhong’s shoulders. “Junior Uncle, you’re Yao too, right? Why don’t you go back to your own tribe?”

Han Zhong squinted with a look of comfort. “It’s all for the sake of a certain little bastard. Your Junior Uncle has sacrificed so much for you, yet you show no gratitude.”

An Jiu looked confused. Han Zhong sighed. “The habits of Yao and humans are, after all, incompatible… Do you know what my tribesmen eat on a daily basis?”

“What do they eat?” An Jiu asked blankly.

Han Zhong said sinisterly, “They eat children. One bite for each one like you.”

“…” An Jiu hesitated before arguing, “Junior Uncle, I am not a child.”

Han Zhong let out a huff and ignored him.

In the evening, Han Zhong went out, presumably to visit his tribe. After a while, An Jiu heard a knock at the door. Since Han Zhong said the city was peaceful during the festival, An Jiu opened it without worry.

“Hello, friend!” It was Xiao Yi and Xiao Er. The two rabbits were delighted to see him.

“Hello. Is something the matter?”

The rabbits shoved a stack of flyers into his hands. “There’s a street parade tonight! Remember to come see it!”

An Jiu checked the papers. It was a Yao celebration a massive party where all the tribes would participate. He felt a stir of excitement.

“There will be many beautiful Yao!” Xiao Yi said. “The elders of the Bird Tribe are the best to look at.”

“And exquisite food from every tribe! You can try them for free,” Xiao Er added.

“I’ll definitely be there!” An Jiu decided immediately.

He left a note for Han Zhong and happily headed out. The city at night was beautiful, illuminated by multi-colored lights. Baifu Street in the Central City was as bright as day.

An Jiu walked down the street with curiosity, seeing many Yao couples. Their clothing was incredibly “refreshing” bordering on indecent. After a few glances, An Jiu didn’t dare look further. With his cheeks flushed red, he walked with his head down.

“Little brother, why are you walking alone? Do you want Big Sister to accompany you?”

Before he had gone far, a group of Yao women with various styles of tails surrounded him.

“No, thank you, sisters,” An Jiu said softly, keeping his head down.

One of them swept her tail across An Jiu’s face. He suddenly felt lightheaded and instinctively leaned toward the woman.

“He looks like a human cultivator? Is he someone’s partner?” The woman draped an arm over An Jiu’s shoulder, her entire weight practically hanging off him.

Another woman frowned. “He’s so small. He looks underage.”

The woman who had used the tail-trick giggled. “I happen to like them tender.”

With that, the others stopped talking. As for whether he belonged to someone else that wasn’t their concern. Their tribes didn’t practice lifelong monogamy; they were open and followed their whims. If he had a Yao partner, it was the partner’s own fault for not keeping a closer eye on him.