Is that… the Scattered Fire Crow?
Isn’t this a Solar Fire Crow?
And a first-grade, peak-stage Solar Fire Crow at that!
In terms of strength, it’s no less than a Qi Refinement stage cultivator at the peak of perfection. In fact, being a spirit beast, its power might even surpass that. Only a powerful genius who has comprehended Sword Intent, like Lin Qingshu, could pose a significant threat to a Solar Fire Crow.
“The Scattered Fire Crow evolved into a Solar Fire Crow?”
Staring at the somewhat familiar appearance and demeanor of the crow, Meng Yan dared to believe that this was indeed the same Scattered Fire Crow that had been basking in this very courtyard not long ago!
This was simply too unbelievable!
He wouldn’t have been surprised if Feathers had merely recovered its strength or evolved into a Crimson Fire Crow or Candle Fire Crow. But the Solar Fire Crow form was extraordinary; it even had the potential to break through to the third grade, becoming a powerful spirit beast capable of rivaling Golden Core stage cultivators!
“Mmm.”
In response to Meng Yan’s query, Qi Ping gave a confirmative nod.
“Brother Qi, what remarkable skill! It was indeed the right choice for the Scattered Fire Crow to form a contract and become your beast!”
Looking at Feathers, now transformed into a Solar Fire Crow, a thread of envy sprouted in Meng Yan’s heart.
After all, who wouldn’t envy a powerful and loyal beast companion?
However, he didn’t feel any jealousy. The path of beast taming was no simple matter; Feathers would have struggled to receive truly suitable training if it had stayed with him.
He had his own path of immortality to walk; beast taming would not be his choice.
Moreover, his ultimate goal was far higher than the Solar Fire Crow’s ceiling!
Feathers following Qi Ping was the best possible outcome.
“Just luck, really. Feathers itself had quite good innate talent!” Qi Ping said modestly.
It truly was because Feathers itself had put in enough effort!
After Feathers emerged, it saw the familiar courtyard and the large, muscular two-legged creature, momentarily stunned.
Then it flew right up to Meng Yan, proudly displaying its fully restored strength and its now even more powerful bloodline.
“Caw caw… (Hey, big guy two-legs! Feathers is doing just great now!)”
“Alright, alright, I see how impressive you are!” Seeing Feathers’ boastful demeanor, Meng Yan understood exactly what it meant.
“Caw caw…”
Feathers suddenly let out two loud cries, then, with a solemn expression, bowed respectfully towards Meng Yan, seemingly expressing gratitude for the care received during that period, before flying back to perch on Qi Ping’s shoulder.
“Feathers is thanking you for your care before. It said if you ever need its help in the future, you can ask…” Qi Ping translated for Feathers.
“It helped me too, so let’s call it mutual aid. Seeing it recovered so well sets my mind at ease,” Meng Yan replied, shaking his head with a smile.
He couldn’t imagine a day where he’d need to ask Feathers for help.
In Meng Yan’s ambitions, even the Golden Core stage was merely the starting point!
Could Feathers possibly evolve into an even more powerful spirit beast or undergo another bloodline reversion?
“By the way, Brother Meng, speaking of which, there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with…”
“Speak freely, Brother Qi! If it’s within my power, I certainly won’t refuse!” Meng Yan assured him, thumping his chest.
His words were sincere. After their recent discussion on the Dao, he had genuinely accepted Qi Ping as a friend.
Now, seeing Feathers thriving under Qi Ping’s care further solidified his trust in Qi Ping’s character.
Thus, he believed that helping Qi Ping grow stronger would only benefit, not harm, him.
In fact, he hoped Qi Ping would become even more powerful. That way, when those inevitable conflicts and disputes descended upon him, he would have an unexpected external ally.
Especially now that Feathers had evolved into a Solar Fire Crow. Once it broke through to the second grade, combined with Qi Ping’s own strength, they could potentially turn the tide at a critical moment.
Of course, if he wanted Qi Ping’s assistance when needed, he felt he should offer more help to Qi Ping first.
Even as friends, it was best to operate on a foundation of mutual benefit.
“I wish to contract another spirit beast, one with a soul or consciousness-related innate talent. I wonder if you have any channels to find one, Brother Meng?”
“A soul-type spirit beast?”
“Correct!”
“Such spirit beasts are relatively rare and uncommon. However, there should still be some within the sect. At this point in time, there are probably more people willing to sell spirit beast young. I’ll ask around for you. But it will take some time. Once I’ve gathered the information, I’ll send you the details via message talisman!”
“Good. I’ll trouble you with this, Brother Meng! When the time comes, I will naturally provide compensation for your efforts!”
“Compensation isn’t necessary. However, if Brother Qi is short on spirit stones, I have a sufficient supply and can assist you somewhat…”
“How can that be acceptable?”
“Of course it is! After all, I was the one who proposed the alliance. Given my current situation, there will undoubtedly be many battles in the future where I’ll need to trouble you, Brother Qi. If I don’t offer something in return, how could I possibly feel comfortable asking later? Furthermore, there’s a matter recently where I also require Brother Qi’s assistance!”
“What matter? Please, speak freely, Brother Meng!”
“We’ll discuss that shortly. I heard from Old Gao that you need fire-attribute defensive spells, spirit herbs, and a high-tier first-grade fire-attribute pill formula?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I was just about to mention it,” Qi Ping nodded.
“Alright… let me think…”
Meng Yan pondered for a moment before speaking.
“The pill formula will require some time for me to acquire. But I do have the spirit herbs and a spell technique available.”
With that, Meng Yan retrieved a jade slip from his storage pouch.
Jade slips not only contained the textual information of techniques but also generally carried the artistic conception of the method, making them easier to comprehend than techniques recorded in books.
“This jade slip contains a set of first-grade fire-attribute spells. There are three spells in total. First, the Blazing Fire Explosion technique, which possesses formidable impact and explosive force. Among first-grade fire spells, its offensive power ranks in the top tier.”
“Second is the Blazing Fire Evasion movement technique. It allows for an extreme burst of speed over a short duration, excellent for both combat and quick escapes, and is considered a superior movement method.”
“Third is the Blazing Fire Net. This technique integrates offense and defense, using offense as defense. It is most suitable for withstanding high-intensity attacks, using the power of the blazing fire explosion to maximally destroy the opponent’s assault…”
“This spell set was given to me by my master. Even inner sect disciples of the Qingyuan Sect would find it difficult to obtain techniques of this grade. Brother Qi, please see if they are suitable…”
Qi Ping then placed the jade slip against his forehead, instantly sensing the contents and the unique artistic conception of the techniques through his spiritual awareness.
This…
Qi Ping was instantly shocked by this set of spells. In terms of profundity and the conveyed artistic conception, the Wood-Fire Art couldn’t compare at all!
He was certain that the grade of these spells absolutely surpassed high-tier first-grade!
What shocked Qi Ping even more was that within the artistic conception, he sensed a flavor of the True Essence of Fire!
This meant that comprehending this set of spells would be immensely beneficial for Qi Ping’s own comprehension of the True Essence of Fire!
And once Qi Ping comprehended the True Essence of Fire, cultivating through the later stages of Qi Refinement would become smooth sailing, achieving twice the result with half the effort!
If he could further grasp a Dao Heart artistic conception, then according to what Meng Yan had said, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm could be attempted in one go!
