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Despite being a common werewolf, after countless inspections of my reflection in the lake, I reached a comforting realization: apart from my elongated ears, snow-white fur, and a tail, my form closely resembled that of a human, particularly my face. Although my canines were slightly longer, when I kept my mouth closed, I was at least ten times more handsome than my previous life, even surpassing my master, the "Evil Emperor" Huang Yaoshi, who was the embodiment of beauty in my eyes. However, unlike my master's elegant and refined disposition, I resembled the Western Poison, Ouyang Feng, with my high nose, deep-set eyes, and chiseled good looks.

But this also brought about an issue. Since childhood, I had been the center of attention from various females. Now, despite still being a child, that attention was gradually turning into harassment. If I were a pure werewolf, I might have been thrilled. Unfortunately, my temperament largely stemmed from my past life. Thus, seeing a pack of wolf heads gathering around me, many still with bits of flesh and blood between their teeth, caused cold sweat to break out on my forehead.

Therefore, I dedicated myself to martial arts, constantly striving for higher realms.

I ventured deep into towering mountains and dense forests, challenging powerful magic beasts to obtain their magic crystals and pelts.

I wandered the orcish wasteland, raiding orcish lairs, using the Nine Yin White Bone Claw and Heart Shattering Palm to slaughter their warriors and enslave their population.

I must admit that half of the credit for reaching the twelfth level of the Golden Bell Shield in just nine years went to those ravenous she-wolves.

But I would never thank them for it, no, never.

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This year, I turned fifteen. Of course, age is insignificant; what matters is that I recently reached the pinnacle of the twelfth level in the Golden Bell Shield, rendering my entire body impervious to blades and arrows. Furthermore, I confirmed that the internal energy stored within me had reached a depth suitable for cultivating the Sinew and Bone Transforming Scripture. With more time to fully grasp and harness my inner strength, I would unlock the peerless martial arts of the Nine Yin Manual, fulfilling my dream of being invincible under the heavens.

In recent years, I roamed the Iron Wheel Mountains and the orcish wilderness, honing my skills and broadening my knowledge. There were things I could never have learned in the small village where I was born. The most significant insight I gained was an understanding of the world's power structure.

In my original world, the innate essence energy within an infant would gradually dissipate, replaced by acquired energy. To regain control of innate essence energy, one had to undergo rigorous cultivation and rely on favorable circumstances.

However, in this world, the innate essence energy of most high-level creatures doesn't completely vanish; instead, it hides within their bodies. For the vast majority of these creatures, this power remains inaccessible throughout their lives. But a select few prodigies have the chance to harness and utilize this energy.

Warriors absorb essence energy, transforming it into battle aura that strengthens their bodies, shining brightly and capable of shattering anything in its path.

Mages and clerics convert essence energy into mental power, manipulating various mystical forces, turning the impossible into reality.

Monsters condense essence energy into magic crystals, empowering themselves to become stronger and live longer.

Beastmen, innately rich in essence energy with robust physiques, naturally absorb innate essence energy to form battle aura, making them the first among the races of the Xinghai Continent to master it. Similarly, the elves, born with exceptional mental prowess, were the first to grasp the use of magic. Millennia ago, these two races rose to power through the might of battle aura and magic, with the Beastman Kingdom and the Elven Empire becoming the dominant forces on the continent.

Unfortunately, after years of warfare and attrition, both nations suffered significant losses. Humans seized the opportunity to learn their martial arts and magic, rising in power and eventually driving the beastmen north and subjugating the elves south. The once-great kingdoms retreated to the wilderness and overseas, surrendering their positions as continental overlords.

In truth, the first hint of true qi I sensed at the age of six was innate essence energy triggered by the Golden Bell Shield. It was this same innate essence energy that, in turn, propelled my Golden Bell Shield to new heights.

I had never witnessed masters of battle aura or magic in action, so I couldn't gauge their strength. From hearsay, I understood that although battle aura was incredibly powerful, it couldn't be sustained for long. Even the Beastman King, the top warrior among the beastmen, couldn't maintain full power for more than a hundred moves. Moreover, battle aura didn't confer longevity, and it could wane with age. Magic, though even more potent and versatile, took time to activate, required numerous conditions, and mages themselves were quite frail, almost vulnerable to a single blow. Comparing my martial arts with the martial techniques and magic here, I believed that the path I walked was ultimately the best.

Chapter 2: Snowstorm, Dark Conclave to Discuss Magic

The Silent Sunset Mountains, stretching for thousands of kilometers, are broad even at their narrowest points, spanning hundreds of kilometers. Towering peaks are perpetually capped with snow, while treacherous cliffs and dense forests abound. Numerous magical creatures lurk in the shadows, and to this day, over three-quarters of its expanse remains uncharted, making it one of the four great forbidden regions on the Xinghai Continent. Named for the Sunset, the mountains' peaks symbolize their unparalleled height.

In summer, the snowmelt from the towering heights gathers into countless streams that ultimately converge into the Snow Wolf Lake at the mountain's edge. From there, the lake's waters flow out, meandering into the Blue Frontier River, which snakes through the Heavenly Wolf Grasslands. It is thanks to the nourishment of the Blue Frontier River that the Heavenly Wolf Grasslands avoid the barrenness of the neighboring Half-Orc Wasteland. Five great wolf tribes - the Heavenly Wolf, Snow Wolf, Black Wolf, Red Wolf, and Gray Wolf - inhabit the grasslands, alongside the Minotaurs of the Red River Plain, forming the main force preventing human passage through the Half-Orc territory.

By the shores of Snow Wolf Lake, in a cave just outside a small village, I slowly expelled the stale air from my lungs. Starting from the little finger of my left hand, a crisp cracking sound echoed through each joint in my body, ending with the final knuckle of my right little finger. Like a string of firecrackers, but unlike before, this time the sounds carried a metallic resonance, echoing softly within the cavern.