Heavenly Rebellion: The Human Race's Rise to Prominence
Chapter 88: Spiritual Beast Race

Chapter 88: Spiritual Beast Race

Feng slowly approached the unconscious Yi Bei, his spiritual energy flaring as the claws on his right hand shimmered with darksilver light.

Step by step, he advanced until he stood over Yi Bei, who hovered at the edge of death.

Just as Feng raised his arm to deliver the final blow, the enormous frostvenom python, which had been watching them the entire time, suddenly lunged forward, attempting to intercept him while releasing a crushing pressure from its cultivation base.

Feng froze mid-strike.

An overwhelming force surged through his body, making him shiver as his eyes narrowed to pinpricks.

It felt as though he had been plunged into an ice-cold pool—every instinct screaming that a true predator had fixed its gaze on him.

"What the hell? Why does this python care about Yi Bei? And now that I think about it, why didn’t it leave with Chen Yang? Isn’t it supposed to be his servant or something?"

Feng’s thoughts spiraled as a wave of anxiety crept over him.

Before he could act, he quickly halted, abandoning his intent to kill Yi Bei.

Instead, he bowed his head, paying respects to the Frostvenom Python despite the faint hostility it emitted toward him.

I can’t believe I’m the one bowing my head even though it was the one who provoked me first Feng thought to himself as he made sure to look as docile as possible

"I guess I have a soft spot for spiritual beasts," Feng mused, recalling his time in the Blackwood Forest and the grueling training under the Blackwood Ruler.

Seeing Lin Feng bow his head in respect, the hostility from the Frostvenom Python gradually faded.

It slowly approached him, hovering in the air as it circled around him, sniffing his body like it had found something unusually interesting.

"Did it sense the Blackwood Ruler’s aura on me?"

Feng shivered at the thought. Before he left, the Blackwood Ruler had given him a final gift—an ability that enhanced his absorption of spiritual energy, improving his talent as a cultivator.

According to the system, this was a rare blessing that powerful spiritual beasts like the Blackwood Ruler would bestow only on their offspring to boost their talent.

It could only be granted once every hundred years, making it incredibly rare for such a gift to be given to a human.

"I hope it doesn’t think I forced the Blackwood Ruler to give me this gift," Feng thought nervously as he glanced up at the massive Frostvenom Python floating in the sky, its piercing gaze fixed on him.

For a full minute, it observed him in silence while Feng’s nerves remained stretched taut.

Then, without warning, it shifted its attention to Yi Bei lying on the ground, opened its mouth, and swallowed him whole—to the shock of every onlooker.

"It actually ate him?" Feng’s expression turned strange as he stared at the enormous python, completely baffled by its actions.

Unnoticed by Feng, Chen Mei had been quietly approaching him while he was preoccupied with the Frostvenom Python.

Stopping a few steps away, she bowed her head slightly before speaking.

"Senior, this person tried to kill Senior Chen Lin. I humbly request your assistance in eliminating him," she said respectfully, her gaze fixed on the towering python.

The Frostvenom Python, hearing Chen Mei’s request, paused for a few seconds before shaking its head, clearly expressing disapproval.

"Why?" Chen Mei’s face twisted in confusion, unable to understand why Senior Frost would protect someone like Yi Bei.

"Isn’t this guy a member of your Chen Clan or something? Why don’t you just order him around?" Feng asked, clearly puzzled as to why the young miss of the Chen Clan couldn’t control the python.

"Are you stupid? Of course not!" Chen Mei snapped, glaring at Feng before continuing, "The spiritual beast race is completely different from us humans. They have their own hierarchies and societal structures! In fact, all major human factions have strict orders not to harm any spiritual beast that has reached Foundation Establishment—unless they want to face the wrath of the Spirit Beast Kings!"

Feng was stunned. He had never heard of anything like this before, and his mind spun rapidly as he processed the revelation.

"The spiritual beast race? A society separate from humans?"

Feng felt a wave of dizziness.

He had never imagined that another intelligent race existed within the Eastern Territories.

In fact, he didn’t think spirit beasts could reach human-like intelligence—despite the Blackwood Ruler and now the Frostvenom Python clearly being far smarter than the average spirit beast.

[When a spirit beast reaches the Foundation Establishment realm, it gains basic intelligence, comparable to that of a teenager.]

Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind, continuing its explanation.

[When a spirit beast breaks through beyond the Foundation Establishment realm, it gains true intelligence—becoming as smart, if not smarter, than humans!]

Feng felt even more shocked.

He had always assumed spirit beast intelligence was limited—he never imagined they could grow smarter as their cultivation advanced.

Yet, despite this revelation, several pressing questions lingered in his mind, and he quickly asked:

Does that mean all those spirit beasts I killed in the Blackwood Forest were part of the spiritual beast race?" A wave of nervousness crept over him.

If those spirit beasts were truly part of a separate species from humans, then wouldn’t he be in serious trouble if he encountered stronger spiritual beasts who sensed how many of their kind he had slain?

[Only spirit beasts who surpass Foundation Establishment are considered part of the spiritual beast race.]

The mechanical voice echoed again, easing Feng’s rising anxiety.

[Those beneath that realm possess only basic instincts. While they are technically spirit beasts, they are viewed as mere animals by the true spiritual beast race. Unless you kill a spiritual beast with intelligence, there is no cause for concern.]

Feng exhaled softly, relief washing over him.

At least he hadn’t unknowingly made enemies of an entire race. Still, his heart remained heavy.