Chapter 246: Mortal-Class Wild Beasts

The final thunderbolt, formed within the multicolored calamity clouds, had been brewing for a long time before finally descending with immense force. Before anyone could react, a flash of light collided with the figure in the air, followed by a blinding white light spreading from the point of impact. The white light blocked everyone’s view, preventing them from seeing clearly what was happening.
Ye Feng and the others tried their best to adjust their pupils to see what was going on, but all they could see was a sea of white. After several minutes, the white light finally dissipated. Ye Feng looked worriedly at the spot in the air where Bernard had stood. Now, there was no sign of any living being there. Ye Feng’s heart sank—“Could it be that Little Bernard was struck by the heavenly calamity…?”
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Xiao Yu, who was perched on his shoulder, called out in a certain direction twice… Ye Feng also looked in that direction. On the ground lay a palm-sized charred object. If not looked at closely, it would be hard to spot amidst the dense foliage. Ye Feng narrowed his eyes and finally recognized it as Bernard, his body blackened as if scorched by fire. He then felt relieved, knowing that although Bernard seemed severely injured, he wasn’t actually in grave danger.
The attack of the heavenly calamity was different from ordinary attacks—either one was destroyed or they succeeded in overcoming it. Though Bernard’s body was charred, it remained intact, indicating that he had successfully passed through the calamity.
At that moment, the multicolored calamity clouds in the sky rolled again, causing uneasy expressions on Ye Feng and the others’ faces.
“Isn’t there only nine thunderbolts in the heavenly calamity?” Ye Feng asked anxiously, turning to Fat beside him. “Why haven’t the thunderbolts dissipated? And why are they still rolling?”
“I don’t know. I’ve only heard of colored thunderbolts; I’ve never seen them with my own eyes,” Fat replied, shaking his head. “But whether it’s a heavenly calamity or a divine calamity, there should be only nine thunderbolts.”
Just as Ye Feng and the others were puzzled, a five-colored light pillar suddenly emerged from the multicolored clouds, enveloping Bernard. Ye Feng was about to take action when Fat stopped him. “Don’t rush. That thing probably doesn’t have any attacking power!”
Ye Feng looked closely. Bernard, who was already unconscious, didn’t seem to have been attacked; instead, his charred skin began to fade gradually.

Surrounded by the five-colored light, Bernard seemed to enjoy himself a bit, though he still hadn’t awakened. After lasting nearly ten minutes, the colorful light gradually dissipated. Soon after, the color of the calamity clouds also began to fade. Only after seeing the calamity clouds disappear did Ye Feng breathe a sigh of relief. He flashed to Bernard’s side and placed the miniature Bernard back on his shoulder. The onlookers dispersed slowly once they saw the calamity over. When the crowd had mostly left, Fat transmitted a message to Ye Feng, “This little guy’s strength has improved just in time! If he were still in the Calamity Crossing stage and entered the treasure with us, we’d probably have to worry about taking care of him as well. Now that Little Bernard’s strength has increased, what about Little Yu? Do you plan to have it keep watch?” “Little Yu’s strength will rise soon, and by then it will be just as strong as Little Bernard,” Ye Feng said with a smile. “Did their strength increase because they took pills?” Fat finally realized it. He had thought Bernard’s breakthrough was timely, but from Ye Feng’s words, he understood that Bernard’s strength hadn’t improved naturally. “You could say that,” Ye Feng replied helplessly, spreading his hands. “These two little guys insisted on going together, and since their cultivation level during the Calamity Crossing stage isn’t stable, I had no choice but to boost their strength.” “Brother Feng, do you have any pills that can help me improve my strength too?” Fat asked shamefacedly after hearing Ye Feng’s reply. “No!” Ye Feng refused outright. He indeed didn’t have any pills to enhance Fat’s strength, as pills at the Immortal level and above were all third-tier items. Besides, Fat’s situation was special—he already had the cultivation level of a Mysterious Immortal, but his body limited him from absorbing too much energy, causing his cultivation to stagnate at the Spiritual Immortal level. To improve his cultivation, it was simple: he just needed to strengthen his body and absorb enough energy to advance. “Don’t you have even one extra pill to give those two little guys to boost their strength?” Fat pouted. “I can pay you accordingly…”

“I don’t have what you’re talking about. But if you’re willing to sign a contract with me, the power of that contract can restore your body to its original strength. Then, you’ll just need to absorb energy like Kasdiou and the others to restore your cultivation level—only your cultivation level can be at most three ranks higher than mine.”

“Actually, the things I use to boost their cultivation levels aren’t pills!” Ye Feng shook his head. “It’s something else…”

Hearing this, Fat shook his head helplessly. “I really don’t know where you get all these strange ideas from. I’ve been around in the Heavenly Realm for many years, and there are many things you know that I’ve never even heard of.”

“I can’t reveal that!” Ye Feng shook his head at Fat.

“So this time, besides us, there are two more little guys joining?” Fat asked.

“That’s right. They’ll take up two spots too. That way, we’ll have eight members,” Ye Feng nodded. “Do you want to find two more to make ten?”

“No need. I can’t trust anyone else!” Fat shook his head. “Besides, the Four Calamities Immortals from my organization won’t be of much use—they’ll only hold us back. It’s better to have them stay at home.”

“Eight out of ten spots—not bad!” Fat laughed. “We can sell the remaining two for a good price!”

“That’s a good idea. We just need to bring them in; we don’t have to worry about anything else,” Ye Feng agreed with this approach.

Bernard, who was on Ye Feng’s shoulder, finally woke up. He rubbed his heavy eyelids with his claws, then glanced around curiously before fixing his gaze on Ye Feng’s face. “Boss, did I succeed in passing the calamity?”

“What do you think?” Ye Feng countered. “Who told you to endure the last few waves of thunder calamities by forcing your body through?”

“I originally wanted to weaken them like before, but the ancestral memories told me that for the last thunder calamity, it’s best not to defend. Enduring it with your body will bring endless benefits in the future. I was a bit hesitant, but then I thought since others can survive these calamities during their cultivation periods, and I’m already at the immortal level, there’s no need to fear them. So I just went for it,” Bernard said, scratching his head.

“What benefits did you get?” Ye Feng asked.

“My body was strengthened to a certain extent. Other than that, I don’t feel anything!” Bernard shook his head.

At that moment, Xiao Yu chirped noisily beside him, flapping its wings as if somewhat anxious.
“What’s wrong?” Ye Feng glanced at Xiao Yu, then turned to Bernard.
“He says it’s his turn!” Bernard said with a smile.
“Alright!” Ye Feng nodded. “Let’s go back to the room first and talk.”
“I want to go see too!” Fat was clearly eager to know how Ye Feng helped those two little creatures improve their strength.
Ye Feng didn’t refuse Fat’s request and nodded, “Come to my room!”
After saying that, he disappeared along with the two beasts. Fat followed right after.
Back in his room, Ye Feng placed his hand on Xiao Yu’s forehead again.
“Use the Rank Upgrade Privilege.”
“Rank Upgrade Privilege: Effect—raises the recipient’s rank by one. Confirm usage?”
“Confirm!”
“The Rank Upgrade Privilege was used successfully. Recipient: Military Rank Barbarian Beast; after the rank upgrade, it becomes a Knight Rank Barbarian Beast.”
“Remaining privilege count: 0”
After the dialog box appeared, Ye Feng knew the rank upgrade had succeeded. But what puzzled him was that Xiao Yu was still just a barbarian beast after the upgrade.
Ye Feng wasn’t quite sure what the difference between Military Rank and Knight Rank was.
However, Xiao Yu’s transformation surprised him greatly—its golden feathers turned pure white, so white without a single flaw, looking as if carved from white jade. Its eyes also turned deep black…
Its size had changed from that of a chick to about ten meters tall, with wings spanning over ten meters wide. Its beak and claws were golden, reflecting a metallic shine under the sunlight.
“Boss!” A somewhat deep male voice reached everyone’s ears. Ye Feng was slightly stunned before realizing it was Xiao Yu.
“Xiao Yu, can you talk now?” Ye Feng was also surprised.
“Yes!” Xiao Yu shrank in size and nodded at Ye Feng. “Only after reaching the Knight Rank do we enter the growth phase.”
“But I clearly upgraded your rank—why are you still a barbarian beast?” Ye Feng asked in confusion.
“Because Military Rank and Knight Rank are two different ranks. For us barbarian beasts, strength is everything. Whether it’s rank or status, everything is determined by strength. Upgrading the rank means improving strength!” Xiao Yu explained.
“So what level of cultivation and strength do you have now compared to those in the Immortal Realm?” Ye Feng pressed further.

“His cultivation level is roughly equivalent to the early to middle stage of an immortal. In a direct confrontation, his strength would be about on par with the early stage of a Spirit Immortal,” Xiao Yu replied indifferently. “If it’s a life-or-death fight, I should be able to take down someone at the middle stage of a Spirit Immortal.”
“Xiao Yu, do you have a heavenly calamity?” Bernard asked, looking at her with anticipation.
“No!” Xiao Yu shook her head at Bernard. “Those at the warrior rank don’t need a heavenly calamity. For us beasts, it’s just the most basic level of strength. A heavenly calamity only comes when ascending to the general rank… because that marks entering the leadership level…”
“However…” Xiao Yu said, looking up at the sky, “I have to go through a trial of advancement…”