Chapter 114: Comparisons Are Odious

If possible, it would be even better to find one’s own family and loved ones.

When did things begin to change?

It was probably the moment Tang Yan pledged his loyalty that Yu Yan gradually found there was no turning back on the path to becoming the leader. She liked the feeling of being relied upon, of being needed. But unlike Tang Yan, Zuo Changyu, and the others, the people around Yu Lei were more complicated.

Two were her biological younger brother and sister, one was a loyal subordinate who regarded her as his leader.

The remaining four were somewhat more distant, but they were friends who had risked their lives for her younger siblings. Neglecting any one of them was not an option. Yu Yan preferred simple and straightforward relationships, so this complex web of connections became a blind spot in her dealings.

Fortunately, once they completed the dungeon, everything would be resolved.

After the dungeon, everyone would return to their own homes and look after their own affairs!

The first night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Yu Yan caught hold of Lou Yuhui to continue hunting for fifth-grade monsters. Little Blue was left behind to stay with Yu Lei and the others — which Little Blue was reluctant about. But there was no choice; the smaller force couldn’t overcome the greater.

Bringing Little Blue along would make it difficult for Yu Yan to hunt fifth-grade monsters.

The aura of dungeon monsters at the Earth tier exerted absolute deterrence over creatures below that level.

Yu Yan’s transformation abilities weren’t yet strong enough to conceal the Earth-tier aura.

Perhaps all the bad luck had concentrated the previous afternoon, because this day’s hunt for fifth-grade monsters went smoothly. The first kill was a group of unranked horned deer, which soon attracted a small pack of predators led by Xuan-tier creatures.

Among them were two fifth-grade, ten fourth-grade, and over thirty ranging from first to third grade.

Yu Yan and Lou Yuhui swiftly cut through the chaos, following the approach from their first encounter.

They killed all below fifth grade, tossing them into the Illusory Lotus space, and severely wounded the fifth-grade monsters before capturing them alive. By this time, including Yunduo’er, if they gathered three more fifth-grade monsters, they would meet the requirements to exit the dungeon.

Yu Yan instructed Lou Yuhui to take two fifth-grade wolf-like creatures back to Yu Lei’s group so they could plan the kills.

She herself continued alone, leading the monsters.

Two hours later, Yu Yan returned to the group carrying two fifth-grade high-level whirlwind leopards. Yunduo’er naturally qualified to leave the dungeon. Furthermore, Yu Yan had drawn out an entire den of seven whirlwind leopards.

The smallest was at peak fourth grade.

The rest were all fifth and sixth grade. Yu Yan released the smallest one — mainly to save time and avoid the trouble of killing it.

A fourth-grade dungeon monster was of little use to her.

Of the remaining six, besides the two she held, the rest were all dead and stored in the Illusory Lotus space. The group erupted in excitement and noise upon Yu Yan’s return. A total of eight fifth-grade dungeon monsters, each sizable in build.

How much Xuan-tier spirit beast meat would that yield?

And spirit beast blood, hide, and bones... though the group had no experience using them.

But thinking back to the old tigers before the dungeon world’s arrival, every part was a treasure.

Surely the parts of these spirit beasts wouldn’t be worth less than those of an ordinary tiger before the dungeon world appeared. According to Yu Yan, a fist-sized chunk of Xuan-tier spirit beast meat could easily awaken a normal person’s supernatural ability.

Fifth-grade spirit beast meat could even elevate a person directly into a first-grade supernatural ability user.

The group had long since run out of water and food.

For the past two days, hunger and thirst had been relieved by eating raw spirit beast meat and drinking spirit beast blood. Both meat and blood improved their physical condition, giving them a slight boost in power.

However, after two meals, Yu Wei and the others noticed something.

The spirit beast meat and blood they consumed did not enhance their internal supernatural abilities.

In contrast, Yu Lei and Yu Wan, the twin siblings, were originally unranked enhancers. After eating several pieces of spirit beast meat and drinking several sips of spirit beast blood, their enhancer ranks soared rapidly — which was quite normal!

These were the lowest grade, fifth-grade beginner spirit beast meat and blood.

Yu Lei and Yu Wan, however, remained unranked.

Their forehead bloodline marks could ignore attribute differences and refine all types of spiritual energy for their own use.

For them, taking a bite or a sip was like consuming ginseng fruit or a powerful elixir. Within just a day and a night, they had already become second-grade bloodline enhancers.

Yu Lei’s lightning orb could strike a fifth-grade peak whirlwind leopard, blackening its skin on impact.

Yu Wan’s explosive fireballs left the whirlwind leopards gasping for air, struggling to breathe.

Though this was partly because the whirlwind leopards Yu Yan brought back were already severely injured and near death.

But the earth spikes unleashed by Yu Wei and the others couldn’t even pierce the leopards’ skin, their abilities still at third grade!

Could this be the difference between bloodline techniques and ordinary supernatural powers? Not only was the growth rate different between a regular supernatural user and a bloodline enhancer, but the skill power was also vastly unequal.

Truly, comparing oneself to others was a matter of life and death; comparing goods meant discarding the inferior!

If it weren’t for the diminishing effect of fifth-grade spirit beast meat and blood on the twins as their ranks rose,

Yu Wei and the others might have spat blood in frustration.

A day and night ago, the subtle, quiet satisfaction born from their own higher rank than the twins had vanished without a trace. It was replaced by deep envy and jealousy — how wonderful it would be if they had such a powerful, treasure-laden elder sister!

Hmm, actually, the younger sister wasn’t so bad either?

Yu Wenjing glanced at Yu Wenmin beside him, his eyes flickering.

“Sister, if you’re the hidden powerhouse, just speak up. I won’t blame you for keeping your identity from me all this time!”

Yu Wenmin: "...Hehe, sorry, but I’m not."

The siblings exchanged a glance, both wearing helpless smiles.

Yu Lei, wiping away the oppression and frustration from a day and night ago, was radiant with joy. His sister was indeed the best for them — well, except for Yunduo’er and the soon-to-be brother-in-law. Yu Lei humbly pushed his own ranking further back in his heart.

But apart from Yunduo’er and the future brother-in-law, he and the second sister were definitely the most important people in Yu Yan’s heart!

Yu Lei held this conviction with mysterious confidence.

Even their parents did not hold as important a place in Yu Wan’s heart.

If Yu Yan knew what Yu Lei was thinking, she would probably give him a thumbs up. This brother really understood her well... Having met the conditions to exit the dungeon, the next step was simple.

Considering that Little Blue’s appearance would surely cause a commotion,

Yu Yan decided to let Yu Lei and the others leave first.

Once they drew away the crowd waiting at the dungeon entrance, she would then take Little Blue out. Though Little Blue’s presence couldn’t be concealed, at least she wouldn’t be besieged by a large group of enthusiastic and gossiping villagers.

Everyone naturally did not oppose Yu Yan’s wishes.

Soon, the bustling camp was left with only Yu Yan and Little Blue by her side. Without a crowd of small ants watching, either openly or slyly with reverence and fear, Little Blue felt much more at ease.

It nuzzled Yu Yan’s shoulder intimately — of course, with deliberately gentle force.

If it had just meant to show affection but Yu Yan misunderstood it as a “sneak attack,” who could it appeal to?

Yet Yu Yan cast it a disdainful glance. “Little Blue, how long has it been since you brushed your teeth?”