The Primal Fire: Book 1 of Starchild Escapes Arranged Marriage

by Fat Bread

  In order to beat the damn hippo down, he died over 120 times, only then was he finally was able to kill it.

  After that, the second boss, "the Gatekeeper" was Hua Huo. The best sword master he knew. She was the best sword genius in the village, the natural enemy whom he had no chance to win against.

  If the sword genius wasn't his childhood sweetheart, and if she didn't have a weak point when she faced him... even if he died a thousand times, he wouldn't have been able to win against her.

  Even at the last minute, the seemingly quiet sleeping beauty was also quite a dangerous girl.

  To be honest, even the hippo was also able to kill ten Yun Xi's at the same time.

  "Congratulations, master! You successfully passed through the newbie trial! The stars have a good evaluation of you!" Mei'er was awaiting him at the location of the stars. She happily ran towards Yun Xi and directly gave him a kiss.

  "Ah... wait..." Yun Xi was pulled down to the ground by Mei'er, tasting her spellbinding kiss.

  Mei'er's kiss was enthusiastic and filled with a sweet aroma. Compared to the kiss of the big sister and his other childhood friends, her kiss was far deeper and sexier.

  Where have you learned this? He didn't find any skill in Mei'er's kiss, but her kiss was so intoxicating.

  "You were great, master!" After kissing and licking Yun Xi's face, Mei'er finally remembered her duty.

  "Look, we had a great harvest!"

  A light screen appeared in front of Mei'er. It recorded Yun Xi's performance during the newbie trial.

  On the screen, most of the video parts were of Yun Xi and the green hippo fighting. His clash with his childhood sweetheart and the last kiss with the sleeping beauty didn't take up too much space, but they were continuously replayed.

  At the last image of the light screen, it was the evaluation of his newbie trial and the reward.

  "Congratulations Starchild. You finished the first step in your great trial."

  "The first kiss was very important."

  "The first kiss was one small step for you and one giant leap for the world."

  "We will always accompany you."

  "This time, please learn to use a better method to love, and don't commit the same error. The Star Loving System will be open to you."

  Then, next was Yun Xi's reward in the trial.

  "Hippo's Soul (1 Star) Increase: Toughness, Vigour, and Physical Strength by a bit."

  "Achievement: Plunderer of First Kisses- Young girls’ lips are your game. Capture them, but don't play with fire."

  "A Sword Arts Seed: Property is selectable. You choose what kind of power you want."

  Yun Xi had personally felt the effect of the hippo's soul. Due to the enhancement of the soul, his stiff body was improved and he finally escaped from Hua Huo's hands.

  However, what about the "Plunderer of First Kisses"? What kind of system was this!

  "Mei'er, tell me what's this system!" Yun Xi said in a sullen tone and pointed to the puzzling tag.

  "Eh... this system is a tailor-made system made after the stars referenced your past mistakes and their memory."

  "The reason master died last time was because you didn't understand such matters and finally capsized. This time, the sea of stars specially prepared a system in order to practice your ability to love, for fear that you would fall into the same mistake again."

  "The loving system of the stars is referred to as 'Star Loving System'. It's an auxiliary system you asked the stars to make for this life's you."

  Mei'er innocently looked at the stunned Yun Xi.

  "This... it... was my love really that bad in my last life?" Yun Xi felt his worldview being overturned.

  Being taught how to love by the stars? What was that?!

  What trash was he in his last life to such an extent that had to ask the stars to do such a thing for him?

  "Ok, let's set that aside. What's this trial about?" Yun Xi was barely able to accept the Star Loving system. But what was this extremely weird trial about?

  That green hippo, his childhood sweetheart - Hua Huo - and that obviously ridiculous powerful sleeping beauty. Where did they come from?!

  "Master, your trial is specially made by the stars."

  "In order to help you become strong, the stars were linked to a special dream world and they prepared the unique trial world for you."

  "Everything that appears in the trial is from the memory of the stars. There are some real events that happened, and some, the memories of the world."

  "As for your opponents, they were specially drawn into the dream by the stars from nearest areas. Master, what kind of opponents did you face?"

  "From nearest areas... I see..." Yun Xi finally understood why Hua Huo was in his trial.

  Speaking of the nearest warrior, who else could it be other than Hua Huo? Since the stars took the near warriors as their priority objectives, of course Hua Huo would be selected.

  However, was there really such a monster like the green hippo near the village? It was a pretty peaceful common village. Recently, he didn't even see a fox.

  "Even the stars can't create something out of nothing. The enemy you saw should be a shadow in the dream world."

  "Your trial was perfect. Now, choose your last reward!" Mei'er clicked on the seed pattern of the last reward with great interest. There were three branches, representing three different properties of the reward.

  "Can I choose any property for the Sword Arts Seed?"

  Yun Xi curiously looked at the reward which he got through hundreds of deaths. It was a fantastic seed, with three colors rotating in it.

  "Yes. Master, you can freely choose your last reward according to the trial you finished."

  "The first Sword Arts Seed was from the murderous hippo." The first seed appeared in front of Yun Xi. It was that green hippo's seed.

  "Properties: Super Strength, Body Bulk-Up, and Overwhelming Force. Master, if you're going to practice weapons like the giant sword, this seed is your best choice."

  "The second seed was from Hua Huo."

  "Properties: Zoom, Super Sword Skill, Discerning Highest Sword Skills, and God's Sword Skill - Flying Sky Sword (Beginner Level)."

  As per Yun Xi's expectation, the green hippo's Sword Seed was nothing compared to Hua Huo's seed.

  Anyone would know what was the right choice after seeing the description of Hua Huo's Sword Seed.

  However, there was still a third Sword Arts Seed.

  "The last one is from the sleeping beauty."

  "Properties: Vacuum Seal, Cutting Blade, Void Burst, and Great Circulation!"

  Terrible. It was too terrible! Yun Xi felt his back go cold with sweat when he saw the several abilities in the Sword Seed.

  If the stars didn't summon him back at the first moment he finished his trial, there would have been a bloody end waiting for him.

  The sleeping beauty. He didn't even know her name. But she was the strongest person he had ever seen - a true Hero-ranked girl!

  "No, it couldn't be that easy to get the power of a Hero Rank. What's wrong with this seed?" Yun Xi quickly calmed down after seeing the different properties of the three seeds.

  It was too abnormal. The properties of the three different seeds were at three different levels.

  The power of the green hippo's seed wasn't out of the range of a 3rd-ranked monster. Except for its brute force, it had nothing good.

  Hua Huo's seed had infinite potential. Even by only considering the value of the God's Sword Skill: Flying Sky Sword (Beginner Level), it was ten times better than the green hippo's seed.

  As for the sleeping beauty, her Vacuum Seal, Cutting Blade, and Great Circulation were abilities which only super ranked beings were able to master!

  Chapter 15: Hua Huo's Seed

  "No problem. The stars absorb the free energies in the trial and condensed them into the three seeds. They are perfect." Mei'er said proudly.

  The stars wouldn't give him defective seeds.

 
There were three seeds in front of Yun Xi. Each of them were perfect and could absolutely let Yun Xi absorb their energies without fail.

  "Then, why are their qualities so different?" Yun Xi looked at the three seeds, which had great differences in properties and thought that it wouldn't be that simple.

  "It's because high-quality seeds need a much longer time to condense. Besides, the absorption rate depends on your affinity." Mei'er pointed to the three seeds and showed their absorption rate.

  The first seed of the green hippo was easy to absorb and had a normal affinity. Its absorption rate would be a month.

  The second seed, Hua Huo's seed was easy to absorb, but needed a high affinity. Its absorption rate would be one year.

  The third seed, the sleeping beauty's seed was difficult to absorb and had quite a low affinity. Its absorption rate would be one-hundred-years.

  Alright. Yun Xi knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.

  The green hippo's seed was the easiest one to absorb. It could let him master skills like "Body Bulk-Up" and "Super Strength" in one month.

  However, compared to the last two seeds, this seed was meaningless.

  Unless he instantly faced death after opening his eyes, he would be blind if he chose it.

  As for the other two seeds, each had its own merits.

  Hua Huo's seed had a high potential and had the highest compatibility with him amongst the three seeds.

  Considering that this seed was condensed by the stars, based on Hua Huo's characteristics, it wasn't surprising to have such a special compatibility.

  The sleeping beauty's seed had the most terrible power, with the worst compatibility and the lowest affinity. It needed a hundred years to absorb according to the common method.

  Which also meant that it would be a hundred times more difficult than absorbing Hua Huo's seed. No wonder it was a seed from a warrior whose rank was above the 4th Rank.

  "Seems like I don't have any other choice." Yun Xi reluctantly moved his eyes away from the sleeping beauty's seed, which had super powers such as ‘Vacuum Seal, Cutting Blade, and Great Circulation’ and finally chose his childhood sweetheart's Sword Seed.

  In fact, among the three seeds, each had its own merits.

  The green hippo's seed was fit for people who needed power to go to the battlefield.

  After all, on the battlefield, between life and death, the green hippo's iron skin and enhanced strength could bring an immediate effect. However, the battlefield was still a far away word for Yun Xi, so he naturally gave up this seed which could only enhance his power instantly.

  Hua Huo's seed had unlimited potential.

  No matter if it was "Quicksilver motion", "Discerning highest level sword skills" or the marvelous "God's Sword Skill: Flying Sky Sword (Beginner Level)", they all showed his childhood sweetheart's uniqueness.

  Especially the last "God's Sword Skill: Flying Sky Sword (Beginner Level)". Yun Xi didn't even know his childhood sweetheart had such a miraculous sword skill.

  Undoubtedly, the sleeping beauty's seed was the strongest and most terrifying seed. Unfortunately, it was too difficult for Yun Xi, no matter its compatibility or affinity.

  Thinking it over, it was normal. After all, it was a seed from a warrior who was above the 4th Rank.

  In this case, Hua Huo's seed was the most suitable for Yun Xi, as if it were tailor-made for him.

  Besides, unlike the green hippo and the sleeping beauty, Yun Xi knew Hua Huo very well. As he was close to the warrior herself, he had the opportunity to ask her for advice and improve himself.

  "Give me Hua Huo's seed." Since he decided it, he wouldn't regret it.

  Even if he could have the power of a Hero Rank after absorbing the sleeping beauty's seed, Yun Xi still believed that Hua Huo's seed wouldn't be inferior to it.

  "Ok. Loading now... linking." Mei'er pointed at Hua Huo's seed, then the seed flew to Yun Xi automatically.

  "Starting link with the seed."

  "Open the image link!"

  "Open the port, ready to absorb the mystical power of the seed."

  "Code: Hua Huo!"

  Yun Xi had a fantastic feeling as he saw Hua Huo's seed flying into his body.

  It was as if there was an invisible, but real line between himself and Hua Huo.

  A series of understandings about various sword skills, which he would normally never understand, naturally appeared in his mind. As if all of Hua Huo's understandings about the sword were shared with him.

  Was this what Hua Huo's seed contained?

  He finally understood what the sword meant in the eyes of the genius sword girl, Hua Huo.

  The angle and time to brandish a sword, how to adjust the centre of swords, and how to achieve "Quicksilver Motion" by quickly moving one's feet. It also included the Flying Sky Sword, which Yun Xi could only touch the edge of but couldn't reach.

  The more he came in contact with the power of Hua Huo's sword through the seed, the more powerful Yun Xi felt from his childhood sweetheart was.

  Her talent on the sword skill was definitely not only at the 3rd Rank!

  Now, he only understood one-tenth of her sword skills. However, now he had the confidence to use the iron sword to kill that aggressive green hippo in only three strikes.

  Hua Huo's seed was so powerful!

  "Now, what's my swordsman rank?" Yun Xi felt good about himself after receiving Hua Huo's seed.

  "Well, you should've reached the 3rd Rank at your combat reflexes on the sword. But master, your body is still at the 1st Rank."

  "At the next trial, you will meet with more enemies. Later, don't forget to hunt and get more souls to enhance your body." Mei'er gave him a fair appraisal after evaluating Yun Xi's current status.

  "Yeah. A 3rd-ranked sword intuition with a 1st-ranked body." Yun Xi murmured, and for the first time, felt something magical about the Love System of the Stars.

  Become strong by loving. It seemed that this was the road the special trial system wanted him to walk on.

  Looking at his seed and finding that it was only processed to 10%, Yun Xi couldn't help but imagine the power he would have after the absorption is complete.

  It was worthy of being Hua Huo's seed, its potential at 10% had given him a 3rd-ranked combat intuition.

  "Master, we should go. The next trial will be in one week."

  "Let me warm your bed." Mei'er expectantly looked at Yun Xi. This was her most anticipated happy moment.

  A fairy who could help him warm his bed... He never had such a fantastic creature.

  ****

  Sunlight came in through the window and illuminated the bed of the second floor of the bread shop. Yun Xi naturally opened his eyes.

  "Mei'er?" Yun Xi asked and an unexpected terror and shivering spread throughout his body.

  Not only that. He was completely exhausted. Splitting pain clawed through Yun Xi's body.

  "Ahhhhh!" Yun Xi's scream rang in the tiny room as he huddled his entire body on his bed like a big baby.

  If it wasn't for the breathing method that ran itself automatically and helped him balance his body, he would've fainted.

  The trial needed a price, but the stars helped Yun Xi shield most of the negative effect from the trial. However, after he returned to the real world, they bursted out together in a flash.

  If he hadn't absorbed 10% of Hua Huo's seed, the pain would've overdrafted his limits and would've made him lie in bed for ten days.

  "Mer'er... you should've warned me earlier!" Yun Xi laid on his bed and almost vomited.

  "Woof!" The star spirit was in the form of a little golden dog. She reached out her paw and helped Yun Xi wipe his sweat.

  "Eh... you can't turn into human form?" Yun Xi was a little confused after finding out that Mei'er couldn't turn into a beautiful girl in the real world.

  "Woof!" The little golden dog nodded first, then stretched out her fluffy little claw and wrote in the air,

  "Temporarily, I can't. But master, y
ou can transfer your star power into my body after you become stronger. By that time, I can turn into my human form."

  Chapter 16: Hua Huo Arrives at the Door

  "So, that's how it is... then I'll look forward to when you grow up." He was somewhat slightly disappointed. But Mei'er in her Golden Retriever form was also very cute, so it was very easy for Yun Xi to accept the present situation