Liu Xi suddenly snapped back to his senses and shook his head hard. His gaze fell on the two clumps of azure and crimson blood in his palm—one large, one small. "Truly worthy of a top-tier beast about to break into the 8th rank," he murmured quietly. "Even the remnant energy within its blood can scatter my spiritual power."
His gaze shifted forward toward the shriveled hide floating midair. The Invisible Flame continued to burn it, yet it didn't so much as twitch. Liu Xi flicked his finger, sending a small droplet of azure-crimson blood shooting forward. It struck the withered hide of the Heaven Demon Phoenix.
The moment the blood landed, it sank rapidly into the hide. The pale-gray surface suddenly convulsed as if it had come alive, and streaks of azure and crimson spread outward like veins pulsing under skin.
Zi Yan's face showed disbelief. She herself didn't even understand why she knew this would happen.
Seeing the reaction, Liu Xi waved his hand again. The Invisible Flame flared violently, wrapping the hide tighter as the heat rose severalfold.
This time the hide didn't remain motionless. Under the burning, tendrils of azure-crimson mist seeped out from its surface, and a surge of violent energy spread through the air. The more the flame burned, the more mist poured out—until it filled half the hall, swirling like a living cloud of blue and red.
The azure-crimson cloud thickened without dispersing. As more mist joined it, the cloud seemed to wriggle, exuding a strange, oppressive pressure. Suddenly, a low roar filled with savage hostility echoed through the air.
Liu Xi's face changed. His blood surged uncontrollably, threatening to boil out of him. At his side, Zi Yan was again surrounded by a halo of violet light, a fierce fighting intent flickering in her purple eyes.
"Fallen Heart Flame!"
With a low shout, the Invisible Flame around the hide condensed into the form of a fiery python. It coiled protectively around Liu Xi and Zi Yan, its blazing head rearing up to hiss at the azure-crimson cloud.
A wave of burning heart flame rose within the cloud. The furious roar turned agonized, fading into tortured howls that soon fell silent. What remained was a pure, violent pulse of energy radiating outward.
Liu Xi finally exhaled in relief as the boiling within his body subsided. Zi Yan's violet glow faded as well, leaving a hint of confusion in her expression.
Boom!
The hide, drained of its mist, could no longer withstand the Heavenly Flame. It burst apart, scattering into gray ash that drifted down like snow. Along with it fell ten azure-crimson claws, each one gleaming with razor-edged brilliance.
The cloud overhead spun into a vortex, collapsing inward. Its body shrank smaller and smaller, until a concentrated flash of light burst forth. When the final wisp of mist was drawn in, an irregular crystal—half azure, half crimson—hung quietly in midair.
Liu Xi dispelled the Invisible Flame that filled the room and reached out to catch the crystal. His eyes curved with satisfaction. "This must be the 7th Rank monster core," he murmured. "Such immense power… pity I can't refine 7th Tier Pills yet—and I haven't obtained the Heavenly Demon Puppet method."
"Big brother," Zi Yan's small voice broke the silence, heavy with sadness, "if I really am a Ancient Void Dragon… why was I alone in the mountains all that time?"
Liu Xi tucked the monster core away and looked at her. Her little hands were clenched together, her head bowed low.
"When we become strong enough," he said softly, "we'll go find your father. Then you can ask him yourself. And if you don't like his answer—just beat him up. I'll help you."
His tone carried a teasing warmth. He bent down, picked up the ten claws from the ashes, and handed them to her.
"Leave it to your big brother. These claws are incredibly sharp—they can be forged into a weapon just right for you."
Zi Yan blinked in surprise, then grinned brightly. The sorrow in her eyes vanished as she hugged the claws tightly. "Right! When we find him, I'll beat him up! What kind of irresponsible father does that? Hmm… these claws… I'll make them into a pair of gauntlets. Then if anyone bullies us, I'll poke ten holes right through them! Hehe!"
Liu Xi smiled warmly at her. In Zi Yan's heart, his gentle figure gradually replaced a shadowy, distant one she could no longer remember. Her earlier pain melted away, replaced by the lively, radiant spirit she always carried.
'I have big brother. Who needs a father anyway?'
...
At the same time, deep beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, within the molten-red sea of magma, a pair of enormous eyes suddenly opened. Normally cold and domineering, those violet pupils now flickered with panic—an instinctive dread, as if something precious had just been taken away.
"Daughter—!"
The deafening roar burst forth like thunder, its sound waves shaking the entire molten abyss.
Endless mountain ridges hidden in the depths began to heave and tremble. Under the dim light, layer upon layer of massive scales gleamed with violet-gold radiance, each plate thick and indestructible.
The colossal dragon rose. With a single sweep of its tail, space itself shattered like glass. Its form vanished—and in the next instant, it appeared before a towering black gate covered in strange runes.
"Tuoshe Ancient Emperor—! Damn you! Give me back my daughter!!"
A voice like a storm thundered through the void, followed by a series of earth-shaking crashes.
...
"Young master, Zi Yan—you're back!"
Xiao Yixian's delighted voice came from the second floor.
Thanks to Liu Xi's spiritual barrier, the noise from refining the Heaven Demon Phoenix's corpse hadn't disturbed her; she had awakened naturally from her cultivation.
Liu Xi looked up to see her smiling face as she descended the stairs. He withdrew his spiritual power and smiled faintly. "Mm. We're back a bit late—but I've brought you a surprise."
Xiao Yixian hurried down, her tone gentle. "As long as you're both safe, there's no need for surprises like that."
"Really?" Liu Xi chuckled, his expression mysterious. He drew a transparent crystal box from his Storage Ring and held it out with both hands. "Then take a look at this—you'll like it."
Xiao Yixian froze in surprise, then ran over and fixed her gaze on the swirling, lifelike emerald liquid floating inside.
"This is… the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva!" Liu Xi said slowly.
Xiao Yixian's head snapped up. Her eyes shone with joy, her voice trembling. "Young master, you two…!"
Liu Xi nodded toward Zi Yan, smiling. "Thank Zi Yan. It's thanks to her that we managed to—well, borrow—it so smoothly."
Hearing that, Xiao Yixian giggled softly and turned to Zi Yan, her tone full of warmth. "Thank you so much, Zi Yan."
Hugging her claws, Zi Yan grinned widely. "Sister Xian'er, you don't need to thank me! It was all big brother's doing—I just helped a little!"
Xiao Yixian looked back at Liu Xi, her gaze tender. "I really like this gift," she said softly. "Thank you… both of you, young master, Zi Yan."
'You two… are the most important family I have.'
(End of Chapter)
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