NOVEL WEB Chapter 37: Saving Soul Beasts
Wu Lan's thoughts turned to the Xuan Tian Record, its internal cultivation method designed to hide one's presence by circulating energy internally without any leakage. A perfect stealth system.
He looked at the Great Beasts before him and spoke.
"Since you've shown me such respect… allow me to return the favor. I will share with you a technique. One that may resolve your greatest struggle."
The beasts exchanged puzzled glances. Gu Yuena turned toward him, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"What kind of technique?" she asked.
Wu Lan simply smiled. "You'll understand soon. Sit cross-legged. I'll begin."
None of them hesitated. Even Gu Yuena let out a faint sigh, half annoyed, but still sat down gracefully beside him.
Only Wu Lan and Xiao Wu remained standing as Wu Lan began his explanation.
He detailed the principles of inner cultivation, about meridians, the redirection of soul power through refined routes.
As he spoke, their expressions began to shift.
This was no ordinary technique.
It restructured the very foundation of cultivation.
Realizing its value, they focused even more intently.
Gu Yuena, being a divine being, was the first to grasp the rhythm. With the help of her divine sense, she instinctively adapted to the method and entered meditative breathing almost immediately.
Wu Lan noticed and smiled gently. "You're smart. You caught on faster than I expected."
Gu Yuena opened one eye, a smile blooming on her face before she looked away with a faint huff. "I'm always smart."
Wu Lan chuckled softly.
Xiao Wu pouted, watching the interaction.
The other beasts watched in silence.
Was this really… their master?
Smiling?
They exchanged glances.
Seeing their master happy because of Wu Lan, they instinctively understood, Gu Yuena valued him. And so, they must not offend him.
One by one, they followed Wu Lan's instructions. They adjusted their breathing, shifted their posture, and redirected their internal energy flow, guiding it along the paths Wu Lan described.
After a while, Wu Lan clapped his hands lightly.
"You've only just begun. But if you train well, you'll soon witness the true strength of this method."
The Bear Lord growled in anticipation. "What happens if we train well, Master?"
Wu Lan pointed at Xiao Wu.
"Try to sense her."
They obeyed immediately.
What they sensed… was a weak human.
They looked confused, unsure what Wu Lan wanted them to discover.
Even Gu Yuena furrowed her brows. Wu Lan had told her Xiao Wu was a soul beast, but now, even with her divine sense, she couldn't detect any abnormalities.
Wu Lan chuckled. "She's just a human, right?"
They checked again and nodded.
Then he looked at Xiao Wu.
"Rabbit."
Understanding instantly, she released her hidden aura.
In that moment, they felt it, an aura only soul beasts could emit.
"She's… a soul beast?!"
They were stunned.
"This technique," Wu Lan explained, "perfectly conceals your aura. Not even divine sense can detect your cultivation unless you willingly reveal it."
Hearing this, all eyes turned toward Gu Yuena for confirmation. She nodded slowly, confirming what he said.
Then, Gu Yuena's eyes widened in realization.
"Then… if even divine sense cannot detect it…"
Wu Lan nodded.
"Exactly. If divine sense cannot sense your cultivation at the time of breakthrough, then the plane cannot react to your aura. That means, no heavenly tribulation."
The Great Beasts stood in stunned silence, trying to process his words.
Bi Ji's eyes turned wet. As the healer of the soul beasts, she had seen countless lives lost to heavenly tribulations. She had been powerless, able only to pray… and her prayers were never answered.
But now, as she looked at Wu Lan, she understood
Those prayers had finally been answered.
Each of the Great Beasts stared at Wu Lan.
He was their answer.
Before they could even speak
Wu Lan continued, "This technique, also naturally circulates energy through your body. Once mastered, your cultivation becomes passive. You'll grow stronger each day without effort. Your recovery rate will increase. Wounds will heal faster."
No one spoke.
They couldn't.
He had just handed them a technique
That defied the heavens.
That preserved their beast forms.
A path… to truly live.
Without asking for anything in return.
They bowed their heads low and thanked him from the bottom of their hearts.
Gu Yuena, seeing their greatest problem solved, felt joy, and a sense of relief of lifting burdens from her shoulders. As she looked at Wu Lan, she knew he had shared this technique… because of her.
Warmth filled her chest.
She wasn't alone anymore.
Xiao Wu looked at Wu Lan with admiration shining in her eyes.
After answering all their doubts, the Great Beasts departed with deep gratitude toward Wu Lan.
Only Gu Yuena, Xiao Wu, and Wu Lan remained.
"…Thank you," Gu Yuena said softly.
"You've already given me something precious," Wu Lan replied with a smile.
"What are you going to do next?" she asked, her tone much gentler than the cold authority she had held before.
Wu Lan was deep in thought.
If he stayed here, he would be safe.
But he didn't want safety.
He wanted the peak.
To stand above all.
And for that… he needed to stay near Tang San. To squeeze him dry.
Sure, he could get Payments from Gu Yuena, but the guilt would never leave him.
She had done nothing to deserve being Robbed.
Tang San, on the other hand, was different.
He had betrayed too many. Wu Lan would never feel guilty squeezing him.
"I have some things to take care of… in the human world."
Hearing this, Gu Yuena felt a twinge of sadness but she didn't stop him.
A week passed.
Wu Lan spent his days with Gu Yuena and Xiao Wu.
He healed Gu Yuena regularly. Every time the system prompted him to request payment, he rejected it without hesitation.
Each healing session restored only 0.01% of her divine injury.
That small number reminded him just how weak he still was.
After great effort, he managed to heal a total of 0.5%.
He also introduced Sacred Orchid to Gu Yuena, who was surprised by the strange plant spirit.
Xiao Wu and Orchid clung to Wu Lan constantly, which made Gu Yuena a little sour.
But the three of them grew closer, all because of him.
They no longer feared Gu Yuena.
"Okay, calm down," Wu Lan said, stopping yet another argument. Then he added,
"We need to return to Soto City."
[Author's Note
A heartfelt thank you to Abs 07 and ELLOMYGELLO for your generous support!Your contribution breathes life into this novel and gives me the motivation to keep writing. I'm truly grateful.
Advance chapter is now available on Patreon for those who wish to support the journey further.
patreon.com/I_SK_I
Thank you for walking this path with me.]