Chapter 1074, The Best Opportunity for a Breakthrough

Translator: Silavin

 

“We’ll find out by trying, but I have a strong feeling it will be.” Su Bai said it with certainty.

 

He could not quite explain why. He simply had the distinct sense that this crystal would not sit well with anyone else but Yan Hua.

 

“Shaman, if I’m not compatible with it, will it affect my Totem Power?” Yan Hua’s brow creased slightly. “I want to become a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior. I don’t want anything that would hold me back.”

 

Her goal had always been clear. Become a Warrior, then become a High Grade Totem Warrior, one step at a time. She had already made it to Early-Stage Totem Warrior. The next step was simply to keep climbing.

 

“Don’t worry. As long as it doesn’t stay inside you for too long, there won’t be any harm done. And I’m here. If it really doesn’t work, I’ll help you breakthrough to the Mid-Stage.” Su Bai was genuinely amused by her.

 

“Okay, I’ll give it a try.” Yan Hua nodded seriously.

 

“I want to watch.” Sha Lan leaned forward at once.

 

Su Bai gave a small nod and held out the Low Grade Ferocious Beast Crystal towards Yan Hua.

 

The moment a Ferocious Beast Crystal sensed a Totem Warrior, it began to emit a faint glow. It was almost a sign of eagerness, like it wanted to enter her body.

 

Ferocious Beast Crystals were sustained by the blood and flesh of Ferocious Beasts. The two were complementary, each needing the other. Without that nourishment, a Ferocious Beast Crystal would weaken day by day until it was no different from an ordinary stone. Which was why, once a crystal was obtained, it was best to transfer it into a Totem Warrior’s body as soon as possible. That way, both benefited.

 

Because Su Bai already had a Mid Grade Ferocious Beast Crystal, this one had no particular reaction to him. If anything, there was a faint wariness. It seemed to be able to feel the difference in Grade.

 

Yan Hua looked at the Ferocious Beast Crystal and, without planning to, gulped.

 

She was clearly nervous. She was unlike the easy going; unguarded Yan Hua most people knew her to be.

 

Sha Lan noticed and stepped forward to take Yan Hua’s hand, encouraging her.

 

“I can do this.” Yan Hua met her eyes and gave a steady look in return.

 

She gathered herself, and her red eyes sharpened. She fixed her gaze on the Ferocious Beast Crystal.

 

“Get ready. Prepare yourself. Begin drawing out your Totem Power.” Su Bai said.

 

“Yes.” Yan Hua did not hesitate. She began drawing out her Totem Power, and the red Totem Mark spread across her skin at once.

 

Sha Lan stepped back and released her hand, not wanting to interfere with the crystal entering Yan Hua’s body.

 

*Hum hum hum…*

 

The Ferocious Beast Crystal gave a clear, steady hum and moved towards Yan Hua as though drawn by a Magnetic Stone. In a blink, it had entered her body. The whole process went smoothly.

 

The moment the crystal passed inside, the Totem Mark began to contract. Like a web pulling tight, it wrapped around the crystal completely, and then slowly faded.

 

Yan Hua’s red eyes stayed wide open. She stood still for a long moment before coming back to herself. She looked down at her own body with something like disbelief. “Shaman, does this mean it worked?”

 

“Wait a moment. Draw out your Totem Power now and pay attention to how it feels. Check whether it’s been strengthened or restricted.” Su Bai said.

 

“Yes.” Yan Hua began drawing out her Totem Power at once, and the moment she did, the Totem Mark spread across her skin again.

 

Before, drawing out the Totem Mark had never been this quick. It used to take at least several seconds. But now, Yan Hua has done it in a second.

 

“Looks good. The speed has increased. Now, feel how your strength compares to the past.” Su Bai continued.

 

“Right.” Yan Hua looked down at her hands and closed them slowly, feeling for the power.

 

Her red eyes went wide. She stared at Su Bai, then at Sha Lan.

 

“Well? Any good?” Sha Lan asked, unable to wait.

 

“It seems like the Ferocious Beast Crystal has really chosen you. It’s yours now.” Su Bai laughed.

 

Yan Hua let out a breath and broke into a bright smile. “Yay! It feels like my strength has doubled. If I keep training at this rate, I might break through to Mid-Stage Totem Warrior next year.”

 

The smile on Yan Hua’s face was impossible to hold back. She could really feel the difference.

 

She had already been one of the more exceptional Totem Warriors from last year’s awakening cohort. With a Ferocious Beast Crystal added to that, she would be even stronger.

 

Yan Hua had real potential. Given another year of solid training, she might well be the first of that cohort to break through to the Mid-Stage. With the Ferocious Beast Crystal, that timeline might move up to the beginning of next year.

 

“That quick? But, I guess you already had what it takes to become a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior. At this rate, I might as well congratulate you first, before anyone else.” Sha Lan was genuinely happy for her.

 

She knew how much this had mattered to Yan Hua. And now, her goal was within reach, earlier than anyone had expected.

 

Before any of this, breaking through to become a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior without several years of work would have been out of the question. Several years at minimum. For some, it would simply never happen. Without the right opportunity, without good Ferocious Beast Meat and Blood, without a stable environment, a breakthrough to that level was not possible.

 

Yan Jiao had been a Peak Early-Stage Totem Warrior for so long. He just needed one good opening and he would break through. In a way, his breakthrough was a matter of when, not if.

 

Qing Yan was already one of the strongest within the Tribe, and with that base, the improvements of the Tribe had only accelerated his cultivation further.

 

Sha Hong was already a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior, and was growing steadily stronger. Give her a Ferocious Beast Crystal as well, and a breakthrough to the High Grade might not be far off.

 

A Tribe with a High Grade Totem Warrior in its ranks was one that other Tribes did not dare trouble. They would retreat on sight. They would show the Flame Dragon Tribe full deference, because there would simply be no beating them.

 

“Shaman, are there any more Ferocious Beast Crystals? I’d like Sha Lan to be able to break through sooner too.” Yan Hua asked, quietly hoping.

 

“I wish we have more as well. But they’re not that easy to come by. It’s one of the things our Tribe urgently needs to work on.” Su Bai said, and there was a real regret in his voice.

 

He had already sent the Tribe’s stronger Warriors out to search. There were also trade arrangements in the works with other Tribes, something he had passed along to Hu Shi to handle.

 

None of it was that simple, though. Other Tribes were not easily willing to part with their Ferocious Beast Crystals if they knew about it.