The scorching golden flames singed Qiaoâerâs frail body, leaving the impression it snuffed out the final trace of life she had left.
Zhuo Fan looked on with worry.
Dragon ancestor consoled him, âFire is a source of life. Be it my fierce flame, Decimating Golden Flame, or Kunpengâs gentle flame, Chaos Flame. Only gentle flame is good for alchemy and the soul, while the fierce flame is for refining weapons and the body. Letting the golden flame enter her body wonât just remake her body, but open her mind further, setting her on the path of a real sacred beast.â
âFurther?â
âPrecisely!â
Dragon ancestor said, âFire is the source of life and knowledge. Kunpengâs azure flame helped open her first mind, to speak and cultivate, to overcome the shackles of a spiritual beast as it grows stronger and stronger. My golden flames take it a step further, giving her the body of a sacred beast capable of transformation, what a true sacred beast can do.â
Zhuo Fan shook, âDoes that mean all spiritual beasts can become sacred beasts?â
âHardly, or the world would be in chaos. Ha-ha-ha, you best remember that the number of experts are limited.â
Dragon ancestor looked at Qiaoâer, âYour daughter is special because she is like us at core, born from the strongest power of this world, with Berserk Purple Lightning taking hold within her. Thatâs why, our two flames that resonate with her body will help her develop her mind and spirituality. If it were a common spiritual beast, it could only take one flame. By using both of them though, it would lead to them clashing inside and exploding.â
Zhuo Fan nodded, recalling the Three-headed Crow at Kunpengâs side, his aide, had received Kunpengâs azure flame but would never become a sacred beast.
Because at core, its body did not have any of the five powers.
Zhuo Fan could not help but smile at dragon ancestor, âWhat about me? Donât I have both of your flames?â
âA freak Nine Serenities Sovereign created? Beat it!â Dragon ancestorâs face twitched and grumbled.
Zhuo Fanâs weird constitution made him jealous actually. Who wouldnât want a body that could hold four of sacred beast powers and fuse them into an unheard of power? Even he had to admit it.
Zhuo Fan smiled, looking smug.
Everything was connected, that was the core belief behind Demon Transformation Art. Everything could be transformed for the userâs use. It was truly obscene.
[Sacred beasts canât train in human cultivation methods or heâd long have stolen it.]
Kunpeng especially, if he knew Demon Transformation Art was the way to combine sacred beast powers, heâd have acted on the spot.
Hum~
Zhuo Fan was startled awake and watched Qiaoâer being covered by azure flames with the searing golden flames on top.
Azure flame and golden flame overlapped and combined, forming a savage tornado, lifting Qiaoâer up in the air.
Zhuo Fan was baffled while dragon ancestor was calmer than ever.
Boom!
After the explosion, purple lightning burst forth, erasing the fire tornado.
What followed was a flood of lightning everywhere, surrounding an eight year old girl with long purple hair and a purple robe. She was the most adorable creature, with her pink cheeks, bright eyes and white teeth.
Zhuo Fan was startled. Dragon ancestor laughed, âHa-ha-ha, the transformation is complete. With some training, this child will be the next Thunder Phoenix. Adding Qilinâs son as well, the five great sacred beasts will once more gather!â
âUhm, Dragon Ancestor, is she my daughter?â
âOf course, father.â
Zhuo Fan blinked dumbstruck. The girl floated down, as the purple lightning crackled around. She bore a bright smile as she skipped over to Zhuo Fan and jumped into his arms, âOf course Iâm your daughter. Canât you recognize me?â
âUhm, of course not.â
Zhuo Fanâs eyelid twitched, hugging the little girl. Seeing the familiar expression in her eyes, he was feeling overwhelmed, âIf I could choose, a Thunder Skylark would be better.â
Qiaoâer asked, âWhy? Now that I took human form, Iâm really your daughter.â
âHa-ha-ha, you wonât understand.â
Zhuo Fan turned solemn, âWith the way you are now, that means youâve become a sacred beast, taking on Thunder Phoenixâs mantle. That means youâll become a target for Heavenly Sovereign. Then⊠you might even die.â
Blinking her big eyes, Qiaoâer was confused, âWhoâs that? Father, if you didnât want for me to transform, why let me?â
âI had no choice.â
Sighing, Zhuo Fan glanced at dragon ancestor, âIt wasnât my decision to make.â
Smiling, the dragon ancestor nodded, âYes, Iâd have it even if you refused. We need strength right now. Only with all five great sacred beasts will we have the greatest power. Alone, weâre no match for Heavenly Sovereign.â
Zhuo Fan knew this, but was still conflicted.
âLeave the second generation in my care for now. Iâll make sure to unearth all her potential!â Dragon ancestor continued, his tone was irreproachable.
Zhuo Fan nodded, but Qiaoâer wouldnât have it, hugging his neck and whining, âNo, I want to go with father!â
âNo matter how amazing this kid is, heâs just a human and has no idea of the true might of the glorious Thunder Phoenix.â
However, the dragon ancestorâs tone was firm, âYour mind might be sharp right now and can even understand Berserk Purple Lightningâs usage, but thatâs too slow. By training with me, youâll soon know all of Thunder Phoenixâs skills. Youâll go home with him later on, but now you must stay with me, to make sure you donât stray.â
Zhuo Fan acknowledged this as well, âYes, since youâre meant to enter this storm, the best way is for you to get stronger. I canât teach you. Staying with Dragon Ancestor is better.â
Zhuo Fan placed Qiaoâer down, then turned around without hesitation, âDragon ancestor, open the door and let me out.â
âSure!â
Dragon ancestor clawed and a tunnel formed to the beautiful world outside, âKid, youâre a man of ambition, knowing what must be done and not hesitating.â
âFather!â Seeing him go, Qiaoâerâs voice trembled, âIâve never left your side since I was born!â
Zhuo Fan halted, struck by a pang of guilt, but he settled his heart, leaving without looking back.
He knew from the moment dragon ancestor saw Qiaoâer, that he would want her to improve and make this simple Thunder Skylark enter the deadliest battle.
As her father, Zhuo Fan had to do the best he could to give her the highest chance at survival.
âFather~!â
As the door faded, Qiaoâer cried out after him, with tears of abandonment flowing down her cheeks. But Zhuo Fan not once looked back till the end.
Pa!
When the door closed, Qiaoâerâs cries were cut off and Zhuo Fan sighed. His eyes closed to regain his calm, then walked forward with purpose.
Heavenly Sovereign, the greatest threat was bearing down on him. No one could help him and he couldnât help anyone either. All he could do was give his all to not get those he cared dragged down into this.
The rest of his life was bound to be filled with solitude. He could only rely, no, use, the five great sacred beasts, stuck with the same misfortune.
Whoosh~
Zhuo Fan barely took a step and Ye Lin appeared, looking hesitant.
Zhuo Fan simply brushed his shoulder as he walked on with a cold look.
âHold on!â
Ye Lin finally spoke.
Halting, Zhuo Fan asked, âWhat?â
âUhm, master mustâve told you about everything.â Ye Lin scratched his head, âOur goal is the same. To help master, weâll have to cooperate. As for the eight World Wind Tunnels, Iâve already placed the drawing array in this secret realm. The others will be harder, even the ones in western lands. We are, after all, disciples in the western landsâŠâ
âAre you done? Iâm leaving.â Zhuo Fan spoke coldly.
Ye Lin started, âWait, master asked that we set the recoil array togetherâŠâ
âI donât need you.â
Zhuo Fan cut him off, âYou just stay being a western lands disciple. I can do it on my own. Also, you saved my life and Iâll definitely repay you.â
Shaking all over, Ye Lin watched Zhuo Fan go. He set his jaw and shouted, âBrother!â
Startled, Zhuo Fan finally paused his step, looking at him oddly, âWhat did you call me?â
âElder brother!â
Ye Lin hesitated with a lowered head, âSacred beasts have rules, making the winner king. Since I lost to you, youâre the elder brother.â
Zhuo Fan turned around and resumed leaving, âThat is a beastâs rule, we are men. Anyway, Iâll return the favor for what you did. Thereâs nothing else between us.â
âElder brother, it doesnât matter. Since I lost, I see you as king.â
Zhuo Fan never stopped walking.
âAlso, senior brother sent a jade slip. Miss Chu is fine. They all think youâre dead. Double Dragon Manor is rushing me to come back and report. Elder brother, come with me, or would you like me to send her a message?â
Trembling, Zhuo Fan stopped again, then left faster, âNo, just say⊠Iâm dead.â
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