Otherworldly Desert Dust

The Cold Era was approaching.

The Scroll Realm was enveloped by a snowy expanse, as if the starry sky had been draped with a thin layer of ice.

During the entire Cold Era, it was difficult to find prey, and the extreme cold made it easy for accidents to occur.

The villagers would enter into winter hibernation, with activities mostly confined to the warm interiors of the village huts, significantly reducing outdoor activities. Find adventures on empire

Since the earth itself emitted heat, and the cold snow drifted down from the sky, laying a thick blanket on the floor provided a rudimentary form of floor heating for every household.

The cold was not the primary concern; food was.

Entering the Cold Era required stockpiling sufficient food, otherwise, they would be left with only dried poisonous mushrooms to eat.

As the head of his family, Wu Hen had to shoulder the responsibility of stockpiling food.

But another individual in this household had different ideas.

"I'll go hunting, and you'll be in charge of gathering," Fairy Gong Qin said.

"First, that's against the rules. Second, just because you're strong doesn't mean you can hunt down those mythical creatures. They're cunning and will flee once they sense your power," Wu Hen replied.

"So what do we do? The food given to us is almost gone," Gong Qin said.

"Don't panic, there's still some time before the full onset of the Cold Era. I'll just have to work harder," Wu Hen said.

Wu Hen finally understood why many of the Ancient Clan revered the taming skill, yet few had truly tamed a Divine Beast.

The reason was simple: The process of taming, from capturing to training, required years of effort, and it consumed a great deal of time daily. Ancient Clan members needed to hunt every day and didn't have the leisure to spend on something as extravagant as taming a Divine Beast.

"Try not to venture too deep into the mountains. Just stay around the edges," Gong Qin said seriously.

Everyone in the village knew about Wu Hen's degenerating physique. Thankfully, Wu Hen always commanded respect and admiration through his charisma. Those who had been drawn into the rap world by Chong Hua even referred to Wu Hen as the leader.

"Don't worry, most mythical beasts can't harm me. And with winter approaching, I need to make sure our Little Yi is well-fed," Wu Hen said.

With the frost dancing in the air, Wu Hen stepped out of his warm home and once more set off toward Red Snow Mountain.

Though his own physique could not evolve, Little Yi had the potential for limitless evolution.

Despite Little Yi's high energy consumption and inability to sustain prolonged combat, he would claim the entirety of the prey for himself when hunting alone. However, Grant Fairy Gong Qin's notable appetite, one Tianpeng Mountain Pig would suffice to ensure her warmth and cultivation for a day.

"Hey, have you forgotten about me?" came an indignant voice from the broken gourd, belonging to the Divine Beast Bai Ze.

"Right, I have a Divine Beast with me. I'll rely on you to hunt once we're in the mountains," Wu Hen said.

"Absurd! I'm not a hunting dog. Why should I help you hunt? I'm merely reminding you to prepare my winter food as well. Otherwise, release me back to Cangxia," Bai Ze said.

"After all my efforts, releasing you is out of the question. Fine, I'll prepare your food too," Wu Hen knew it wasn't going to be that simple.

"Do you know my preferences?"

"Pure-blooded Cangqin, Immortal Nectar Jade Fruit, got it," Wu Hen said.

Sigh, another mouth to feed.

Taking care of this large family all depended on him.

...

Reaching the foot of the mountain, Wu Hen hadn't even begun to search for food when a Tianpeng Mountain Pig charged at him with great force.

This Tianpeng Mountain Pig seemed to have the same idea as Wu Hen: take down a plump prey before the full onset of the Cold Era, a last-minute effort.

"Perfect timing!"

Wu Hen held his breath and activated the Holy Infant within him.

The holy power immediately transformed into an orange glow, shrouding Wu Hen's body like an armor of burning spiritual energy, making him appear as an ancient war god. Though he held no weapon in his hands, his forearms were as thick as dual hammers!

"Holy Fist, Heavenly Pegasus Meteor!"

Wu Hen struck out with his right fist magnificently, the Holy Breath Flames within the punch streaking like stars across the sky. Though they appeared to scatter, they coalesced into a massive orange meteor fist upon nearing the Tianpeng Mountain Pig, smashing into its ferocious frame!

The Tianpeng Mountain Pig, protected by nine-layered Spirit Flame forming a small universe around it, wielded a huge bone thorn—likely the spinal bone of some prehistoric aquatic crocodile, honed into a weapon.

The enormous holy-powered fist exploded against its chest, with part of it shattered by its Spirit Flame, while another part penetrated its thick hide, fracturing several of its ribs.

The Tianpeng Mountain Pig felt little pain, and it leapt up, its massive form temporarily obscuring Wu Hen's vision like a small mountain.

Wu Hen remained calm, executing the Barbaric Ancient Body Technique, a simple but effective side roll to evade the airborne collision shadow.

"Boom!!"

Despite the Tianpeng Mountain Pig's violent landing, sending a wave of earth and stone flying, Wu Hen stood amidst the snow-laden dust, raising his fist once more to strike the pig's waist.

"Boom!"

Though not physically strong, Wu Hen's Holy Breath was no mere show.

The power bestowed by the Totem Bloodline also had its share of lethal prowess. The punch to the pig's waist caused its massive frame to tilt sideways, like a cumbersome tank crashing into a protruding rock! The rocky outcrop crumbled like foam, diminishing one layer of the pig's nine-layered Spirit Flame.

This Tianpeng Mountain Pig was indeed tough; it quickly regained its footing, violently swinging that crocodile bone thorn at Wu Hen with furious intensity.

Wu Hen listened attentively, able to discern all the Mountain Pig's movements. Its frenzied attacks, despite their ferocity, seemed rehearsed in his perception. Whenever the savage bone thorn came crashing down, he could evade it with precision.

Rather than frantically dodging or scampering like a frightened bird, Wu Hen's evasions between the pig's aggressive assaults were calculated and serene. He maintained a composed stance, only bursting into speed when the pig's overwhelming assaults came, skillfully evading and then returning to his steady pace.

Movement techniques also required breathing, which was better described as the interplay between motion and stillness.

It's not about dazzling displays of agility and ghostly flashes that marked the top-tier movement techniques. Such maneuvers quickly depleted one's physical strength, and the taut nerves could lead to rapid mental fatigue.

Balance between motion and stillness allowed more precise and perfect dodges, creating the best opportunities for counter-attacks.

Importantly, breathing rhythm during combat helped relax tense muscles for a brief respite and replenish expended holy breath.

The Tianpeng Mountain Pig's ferocious demeanor masked its disorganized attacks. Apart from its brute force, it exhibited little sophistication, making it easy to outmaneuver with some combat technique.

"Hmph, not because I'm weak; those earlier punches would have been enough to take your life!"

Wu Hen stayed composed, his capabilities being high evasion and perception rather than direct damage.

Though his pace was slower, striking blow after blow, he gradually stripped away the pig's nine-layered Spirit Flame and battered its hide, confident he'd eventually bring down the Tianpeng Mountain Pig!

Mastering movement dynamics, pacing breath, and channeling energy into strikes...

Wu Hen, graceful like a bullfighter, had skewered the ferocious bull with numerous blades, waiting for it to bleed and tire, poised for a decisive strike!

Throughout, neither his stamina nor holy breath was excessively depleted, turning the battle into more of a warm-up exercise than an intense fight.

"Die!"

When the Tianpeng Mountain Pig's nine-layered Spirit Flame finally dissipated, Wu Hen used Echo Flash, reappearing behind the mythical creature. Channeling a vast amount of holy power into his right fist, which burned with an orange holy fireball, he violently struck the pig's flanks. The immense Holy Breath energy erupted like a volcano, hurling the pig away.

The Tianpeng Mountain Pig crashed heavily onto the ground, its back completely collapsed.

Though its other parts seemed intact, the damage spread from the destroyed back to its internal organs. Severely injured, the pig's rampant attacks in the latter stages of the battle had drained its own life force.

"Swoosh~"

Little Yi took the first bite.

The Tianpeng Mountain Pig's soul breath, an exquisite feast akin to a bowl of pork noodle soup, tasted exceptional.

Divine Beast Bai Ze had no interest in pork, not eating a single bite.

Though Wu Hen didn't eat raw meat, his Totem Bloodline required the boiling Essence Blood for nourishment.

During battle, the essence blood emitted by foes and the boiling of blood from the intense fight serve as a vital bath for Wu Hen's Holy Infant, offering significant nutrition.

Post-battle, the essence blood of defeated foes would be absorbed by the Holy Infant, akin to a nourishing draught.

The Totem Holy Baby had grown quite robust.

Du Mao had also informed Wu Hen that each evolution chain gate had a crucial Spirit Key to unlock higher realms. Elevating to the Saint Child Realm required the Spirit Key.

Thus, to advance to the Saint Child Realm, Wu Hen needed the Spirit Key from the Totem Sacred Sect.

Clearly, most evolution chain gates required systematic guidance to reach broader realms. For humanity in the Nuwa Divine Realm, ascension was shrouded in mystery, with the chain gates fractured or unknown. Even technological advancements stalled due to a lack of Spirit Keys.