Chapter Thirteen: Two Types of Divine Powers

[Chronicles of the Wild Beasts: Prologue]
In the primordial wilderness, all things are born, order prevails in cycles, yin and yang turn in harmony, and myriad spirits flourish. No one knows when it began, but demon winds arose and the realms of darkness opened. The corruption spread among all beasts, turning them into fiends, monsters, spirits, and abominations. The taint of the demonic transformed all living beings, birthing demons, evil ones, specters, and aberrations. Chaos overturned the balance of yin and yang; dragons and serpents crawled upon the land.

…

Within the black jade fat, there glimmered a peculiar orb, suffused with black mist, white radiance, and a crimson glow. Though no larger than a soy bean, it shimmered with all three hues.

A slight touch upon the black jade fat released a stream of information:

[Fiendish Jade Ant Egg]:
A mutant among the ant tribes, the Fiendish Jade Ant is colored like jade and infused with demonic essence, possessing both the nature of monsters and the sinister qualities of demons. When mature, these ants can burrow through earth, take to the skies, possess tremendous strength, are virtually indestructible, and feed upon brain marrow. Their eggs are laid in places rich with earth energy and must be nurtured for seven years before hatching. This particular egg, by a twist of fate, became encased in black jade fat, its vitality sealed by a shell as strong as a forbidden ward; it absorbed the earth’s energy and developed sentience. Contains 0.6 points of vital energy.

“What a fearsome creature!”
Yang Fan was astonished.
Since obtaining his Destiny Mark, all he had learned had overturned his previous understanding of the world.
This egg, for instance, was no ordinary thing—calling it a demon beast would not be an exaggeration.

Should he extract the ant egg?
After a moment’s hesitation, he shook his head.
Even if it hatched, it could never be truly tamed.
Without further doubt, he chose to absorb its vital energy instead.

[Vital Energy: +0.6]

With this brief effort, his total vital energy had reached 2.9 points.

“Staying here was the right choice!”
Turning these thoughts over in his mind, Yang Fan unhesitatingly added 0.1 points to his Awakening, bringing it to 10%.

He had expected a great leap in power, but there was none.
Yet he felt little disappointment.

However, new potential divine abilities appeared.

[Seal Bearer: Yang Fan]
[Destiny Mark: Mountain Patrol Envoy]
[Awakening: 10%]
[Awakened Abilities: Qi Consumption, Earth Sense, Intimidation]
[Potential Abilities: Night Vision (passive talent, requires 5 points of vital energy to awaken); Fleetfoot (requires 4 points of vital energy)]
[Earth Vital Energy: 2.8]

“With Earth Sense, Night Vision is a bit redundant, but for traveling at night, it’s still a useful ability.”

As for passive talents—these required no conscious activation, having already merged into one’s bloodline and remaining ever-present.

It was tantamount to gaining the ability to see in the dark.
But he lacked enough vital energy.
Neither of the two abilities could be awakened.
His vital energy had not increased his Awakening, and was instead held in reserve.

After feeling out the changes in his body, Yang Fan immersed himself once more in his studies—a rare opportunity not to be wasted.

The day passed swiftly, and after dinner—

“Yang Fan, you really are something! Without a word, you finished all those books.”
Walking home, Da Hu couldn’t help but marvel, “Truly remarkable.”

“I’d memorized a lot before, so having a foundation made it easier this time,” Yang Fan replied with a smile.

“Come off it. I had a foundation too. I counted—at least thirty or forty types I knew. But these last few days, all I managed was to thoroughly memorize what I’d learned before,” Da Hu said, frustration in his voice. “Before, you only had to remember what an herb looked like and whether it was valuable. Now you have to know its properties, effects, growing environment—too much hassle.”

“Don’t complain. If you learn well, not only will you make good money and keep your mother from hardship and your sister from being bullied, you’ll also be able to marry several wives,” Yang Fan teased.

“That’s right! With such a rare opportunity, of course I have to study hard.” Da Hu laughed, then shared what had happened that day. “You have no idea—your performance today made Yang Tian’s face go green. That kid’s smart, clearly prepared, and already finished one volume. He boasted he’d be first, but you completely outshone him. You should’ve seen it—his face went from green to purple, purple to red, red to black—it was hilarious.”

“Yang Tian, is it? He’s a proud one.”

“You say that as if you’re older than him.”

“You said you’d call me Brother Fan from now on!” Yang Fan grinned, then asked, “Do you really know his background?”

“A bit. His family’s surname is also Yang, but they’re not kin, just moved here from the county. He says his father is a martial artist with deep connections in the county—doesn’t even care about the town chief.”

“A martial artist?”

On the main street, many shops hung lanterns outside; after dark, it was not truly black.

From afar, Yang Fan saw Lin Xiaoyu standing outside the small tavern.

She looked dispirited.

“Brother Fan, you’re back!” Seeing them, she quickly forced a smile.

“Mm. What happened today?” Yang Fan asked as he walked into the tavern.

There were no customers inside.

“A group of men came and told us we had to move out within ten days, or suffer the consequences,” Lin Dashan sat slumped on a stool, his expression so dark it seemed he might drip water.

It wasn’t just a group—they carried staves and blades at their waists, threatening them openly.

“The clan elders truly won’t intervene?”

“They say they can’t control it.”

“There are so many of our kin in town, and they’ll just stand by and let us be bullied?”

“Heh! Some are the town chief’s lackeys, some just mind their own business, and others have been threatened themselves,” came the bitter reply.

“Why are people like this?” Da Hu’s eyes reddened. “This is our home, our ancestral land. Don’t they realize—if we’re driven out, what happens to them?”

“In the past, the town was united. But ever since Yang Chun took over and the Taifeng Restaurant opened, people’s hearts have scattered,” Lin Dashan said with a mocking smile. “Da Hu, Xiao Fan, you two needn’t worry—just focus on your studies at the Hall of Benevolence. No matter what happens, if you learn well, you’ll always have a livelihood, never go hungry.”

Yang Fan fell silent.

The town chief had power, men, and blades.
Ordinary folk could not resist.

As for seeking justice?
Even Yang Fan had not considered it.

After a few words of comfort, he returned home.

Sitting in the courtyard, he activated the “Intimidation” divine ability.

Yang Fan had already tested it—its range was tied to his level of Awakening; right now, it only covered a ten-meter radius.

He had used “Earth Sense” to check earlier, barely avoiding the neighbors, but he remained careful to prevent any mishap.

His intention was simple—to learn to control the range and intensity of “Intimidation,” ideally being able to retract or expand it at will.

But it was difficult.
For now, he could only manage to control the range a little.

“If only I could improve my skill with vital energy,”
Yang Fan couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head.

He had already gained great benefits—what more could he want?

Just then, the mark in his mind gave a faint tremor, and Yang Fan had an odd feeling: perhaps, in the future, it might be possible.

He dismissed the thought and continued training.

That evening, during dinner, Da Hu came over: “I heard news—the town’s in for trouble.”

“Trouble?” Yang Fan asked in surprise. “Is it about the house?”

“No.”

At the mention of the house, Da Hu’s face twisted in anger, but he shook his head.