63: Chapter 63: Enlightening the Little Demon, Bestowing upon Him the Name: Thunder Badger!

This choice of gatekeeper still required caution.

What was needed was not those little demons who only sought to survive by any means, but a trusted aide with brains, loyalty, and the ability to hold their own.

Shi Jian's gaze swept toward the periphery of the Stone Forest.

Those dozen or so little demons were still holding their positions everywhere; although they had been diligent and responsible over the past two months, most of them had little cultivation value.

Only three Green-Scaled Snakes and a few One-Horned Grey Badgers were the most hardworking, patrolling the perimeter every day without slackening...

Shi Jian's gaze finally landed on a One-Horned Grey Badger.

It was also the one with the strongest aura and highest spirituality among the many One-Horned Badgers; it could speak the human tongue, and its words and deeds were the most steady.

At this moment, it was crouching on the eastern side of the Stone Forest.

Its small eyes were staring intently at the surrounding mountain forests in the distance, showing extreme alertness yet appearing very quiet...

While other Yao Beasts were still fighting for territory and biting each other, following their instinctive animal nature, it never participated, merely silently fulfilling its orders.

Shi Jian had been observing it for a while and felt a stir in his heart...

"Come here."

In the distance, the One-Horned Grey Badger trembled all over, hurriedly jumped down from the rock, scurried to Shi Jian's front, and prostrated on the ground, letting out a submissive whimper.

Shi Jian looked down at it.

An ordinary Level 1 Yao Beast with an extremely mediocre Bloodline; although its intelligence had awakened and it could speak the human tongue...

But in the world of Yao Beasts, this was like a person with Five Spiritual Roots among Cultivators, making it impossible to step into Foundation Establishment in its lifetime.

And Shi Jian needed such an existence!

[Enlightenment: 5]

[Realm: Late Foundation Establishment Stage (Level 4 Yao Beast)]

Over the years, he had accumulated quite a few Enlightenment uses; most of them he used on himself to enhance his Divine Soul strength, leaving five Enlightenments for emergencies...

Now, dumping them all on a grey badger, it would be a lie to say he didn't feel a sting.

But it was worth it!

With a thought from Shi Jian, the One-Horned Grey Badger's eyes instantly cleared, and its animalistic nature receded at a speed visible to the naked eye...

The One-Horned Badger's eyes became clearer and clearer, its Divine Soul continuously bolstered by an invisible force, and its Divine Soul strength even doubled or tripled!

It was already on par with humans, even slightly surpassing them.

In those eyes, there was no longer the slightest bit of animal ignorance; instead, there was the clear light belonging to a sapient being.

It lowered its head, looked at its front paws, then looked at Shi Jian, its lips trembling involuntarily...

It raised its paws, mimicking a human salute; the little demon who had previously spoken unclearly could now speak freely in an instant:

"This little demon pays respects to the Great King!"

"Kneeling in thanks for the Great King's grace of promotion!"

The One-Horned Badger's voice was hoarse and coarse, like gravel ground by stone, and its eyes were extremely lively, even showing a hint of fanaticism!

Shi Jian narrowed his eyes, sizing up the One-Horned Badger before him:

"Call me Old Ancestor. The title 'Great King' is a bit too rustic..."

The One-Horned Grey Badger was stunned for only a moment before bending its front limbs and bowing its head; this flexible change in attitude made Shi Jian quite satisfied.

"Yes, this little demon pays respects to the Old Ancestor!"

Hearing this, Shi Jian nodded slightly, his eyes crinkling with a smile...

He casually threw the remains of the Thunder Leopard in front of the One-Horned Badger; the essence parts had naturally been picked clean by him, so the value of this set of bones was truly average.

It was quite appropriate to use it to reward this little demon.

"This is the skeleton of a Thunder Leopard; some lightning spiritual power remains inside, and the essence is still there, enough for you to digest for a long time."

"Furthermore, the Old Ancestor will grant you another Opportunity!"

Shi Jian paused, then recited a set of Yao Cultivation Methods word for word; the mantra was not long, totaling over three hundred words.

But it was simple and direct, without any flourishes, all of it being experience he had tested bit by bit with his own flesh and Demon Essence.

It couldn't be considered some profound Legacy.

But for a Level 1 Yao Beast, it was already a monumental stroke of luck!

The One-Horned Grey Badger lay on the ground, listening to every word without missing any; its eyes flickered with sharp light, and its heart became increasingly submissive...

"From today on, this place is under your management."

Shi Jian stood up, looking down at the little demon: "Gather the scattered demons around, guard this Stone Forest well, and do not allow outsiders to step foot inside."

"Can you do it?"

The One-Horned Badger was silent for two breaths; it raised its head, and in those eyes that were now no different from those of the Human Race, there was awe, gratitude, and a thoroughly ignited ambition.

"Please rest assured, Old Ancestor!"

"As long as it's something the Old Ancestor has commanded, even if I am sent to my death, this little demon will certainly go through fire and water."

Hearing this, Shi Jian gave a satisfied hum; in his great mood, he personally bestowed a name upon it, making it his confidant:

"From today on, you shall take 'Lei' as your surname and 'Huan' as your name."

"Thunder Badger shall be your name from now on."

"Yes, Old Ancestor!"

Thunder Badger happily accepted and bowed three more times; receiving a name from the Old Ancestor was a form of recognition, and from now on, he was the Old Ancestor's confidant!

For him, how could this not be a Heaven-Defying Opportunity?

Having finished his instructions, the weight in Shi Jian's heart lifted; although there were three to four chances for Heavenly Thunder Body Refining each year, coming here for baptism once a year was already the limit for his Physical Body.

Too tight and it breaks; a balance of tension and relaxation is the best choice.

However, another chess piece had been placed.

With another chip in his hand, it was a good thing for Shi Jian; one more foundation meant one more way out.

Shi Jian turned and walked out of the Stone Forest; Sun Lin had received the transmission early on, had already packed his bags, and was waiting quietly by the roadside.

It was also time to set off back to the nest.