Clan Cultivation System: Each Breakthrough in My Clan Earns Me Rewards-Chapter 43: Identity (Unlock - with Coins!)

"It’s... incredible..." Shen Taofeng said as he stared at the dead pack of Ice-Vein Boars in front of him.

There was no need for traps as Shen Yiren and Shen Jixian were too strong.

It was like veteran fighters bullying weak prey.

That said, it was still valuable experience that helped them become more accustomed to their new cultivation paths.

The environment posed no challenge thanks to Shen Liqian’s items and cultivation support.

So Shen Yiren suggested taking off their outer robes to make it a little harder.

Under normal circumstances, Shen Taofeng would have chewed him out.

But given the vast gap between them and the beasts, he simply couldn’t say anything.

"Wouldn’t you like to try hunting as well, Chief Liqian?" Shen Taofeng asked.

Shen Liqian hadn’t fought anyone yet.

Instead, he focused on learning about beasts and hunters.

"I don’t see myself losing to any of those beasts.

"I saw through their patterns, as well as the patterns of my vassals and hunters.

"While real combat experience would benefit me too, I want to focus more on broadening my clan’s horizons, not my own."

Shen Taofeng nodded.

"You said you wanted to elevate our cultivation methods..."

He looked around.

"But... it’s not like we’ve had any real chance to battle yet."

Shen Liqian chuckled.

"Have you ever thought of fighting like a beast?"

"Eh? Like a beast?" Shen Taofeng was confused.

Beasts attacked them in every season, year after year, each bringing new challenges.

Those challenges were so severe that deaths piled up.

No one sane would ever think of themselves as a beast, let alone fight like one.

In the first place, was that even humanly possible?

Shen Liqian nodded.

"Yes.

"It’s our predicament against all kinds of beasts that made us short-sighted.

"But it’s not only that.

"Our history and cultivation manuals have vanished over the years, leaving us with flawed methods and a lack of identity.

"I’ve repaired the foundations of our cultivation methods.

"But the lack of identity remains an issue.

"I’ve been searching for that identity lately.

"And I’ve come to a single conclusion: we are distancing ourselves from beasts when we should be the beasts."

Shen Taofeng blinked in confusion.

The others listening were also confused.

Only Shen Jixian and Shen Yiren didn’t show any reaction.

Summoning his First Hydra and unsheathing his sword from the depths of its jaw, Shen Liqian held it diagonally in front of himself.

He slashed down.

Across from him, a thick tree shook.

Snow fell from it.

Five slashes marked its bark.

Each was thin and deep, clearly refined.

Shen Taofeng nodded.

"That’s our clan’s Sword Claw, isn’t it?"

"Yes," Shen Liqian replied.

He turned to a different tree and raised his sword.

Shen Liqian’s eyes turned golden and star irises cracked open.

From the depths of his heart and First Hydra, the remnants of the old Cosmic Asura Hydra surged up.

He used those sealed remnants to stir the wildness of his own Cosmic Asura Hydra Bloodline and then fused the two.

He could only merge with two of the severed parts of the older Cosmic Asura Hydra.

Still, Shen Liqian’s presence surged, and the Qi around him swirled in an erratic manner that billowed snow from his feet.

Everyone staring at him froze, and goosebumps prickled their skin.

Their hearts thumped against their ribs, and sweat ran down their backs as if someone had doused them with cold water.

Shen Liqian lowered his sword in one quick motion.

Across from him, a section of the tree’s bark exploded, and the tree toppled into the surrounding canopy.

Shen Liqian calmly raised his sword and set it aside.

His First Hydra gobbled it up and then disappeared.

The others stood still, stunned.

"It was our clan’s Sword Claw," Shen Liqian said as he strolled to the fallen tree.

He beckoned the others to follow him.

When everyone stood beside him, they could see the ends of the claw marks on the thick bark.

The bark was torn apart, but there were clear traces of each "nail" in the wood, showing how much power Shen Liqian’s technique carried.

Though the technique now shone as a star in Shen Liqian’s Sea of Consciousness, mastered during his search for identity, there was a crucial point to it.

"Our Sword Claw is stronger when it’s performed with bestial intent.

"No other intent can hold a candle to this technique when used for its true purpose.

"Only true beasts can unleash its full potential.

"There was a man in our clan before me who was very close to unleashing its full potential."

Shen Taofeng swallowed hard and asked, "Who was it?"

Shen Liqian calmly replied, "Shen Junce."

The cold clearing held its breath.

At that, everyone was naturally stupefied.

Even Shen Yiren widened his eyes in shock.

There was no doubt Shen Junce had talent, but to this degree?

Shen Liqian answered everyone’s doubts.

"In pursuit of his single goal, he was the closest to a beast.

"Unfortunately for him, that single goal involved my mother.

"And she influenced his choices greatly.

"He couldn’t hurt her.

"He couldn’t kill his brother, either, because of her.

"I am not saying, of course, that we should become selfish beasts.

"Even beasts soften for their families and children."

Shen Liqian found it much easier to grasp the beast intent because of his bloodline.

The others had yet to acquire any bloodlines, so he knew he needed to work harder to help them stay true to themselves.

The first step was to accept that they were no different from beasts.

"I believe that we should try to fight more like beasts..." Shen Liqian said.

"Is that why you said your instructions might sound awkward or like a joke?" Shen Taofeng asked.

Shen Liqian nodded.

A few breaths later, Shen Taofeng sighed aloud.

His jaw worked as he searched for the right words.

"I feel like this is too ridiculous.

"A wave of complaints comes to mind...

"...but there’s a part of me that agrees with Chief Liqian.

"We are no different from those beasts.

"As a hunter, I have seen it numerous times.

"I just rejected this idea because we have lost so many to those beasts.

"And they are the natural inhabitants of these lands as well!"

Shen Taofeng’s eyes shone with resolve as he swallowed his complaints and even his pride.

"If it means becoming stronger and finding the true meaning of our clan, I might as well become like a beast of this forest and grow in strength.

"And in the future, my bestial intent and bloodline will climb to the top of those mountains!"

He looked at the peak of one of the eight mountains as he declared.

The declaration genuinely excited Shen Liqian.

Good. This is the start.

"Senior Taofeng.

"You have my utmost respect."

Hearing him, Shen Taofeng grew awkward and scratched his neck.

"Eh, but..."

Others laughed and joined him in pursuit of their long-lost identity.

Shen Liqian laughed as Shen Taofeng grew more flustered.

He said, "That’s the first part of my comprehension.

"There’s also the second part."

Now, it was everyone’s turn to swallow hard and look at their chief.

Their eyes shone with curiosity, and even the oldest hunters looked like kids in front of Shen Liqian.

Even the oldest hunters leaned forward.

He laughed aloud.