The rising sun pierced through the night, casting golden light over the Misty Cloud Mountains.
A crow, majestic in appearance with glossy feathers, stood imposingly upon a giant rock.
As the first ray of sunlight fell upon this crow, a dense and powerful surge of flame energy and solar force suddenly erupted around it, even dyeing its feathers a shade of black-gold.
When it opened its eyes, a flicker of golden-red flame burned within, and the fire mark on its forehead emitted a dazzling golden-red radiance…
Far from this black crow, thousands upon thousands of bees exuding dangerous auras swirled.
At the very center of the bee swarm stood a plainly dressed, delicate-looking youth. Perched on his shoulder was a little flower sprite with pale purple wings, while in his arms he cradled a small, snow-white spirit fox. The spirit fox’s dreamy eyes watched with curiosity the large crow that loved nothing more than basking in the sun.
“Chirp chirp… (Boss, is Yaya going to break through to the second tier?)” the little spirit fox asked curiously.
“Mhm…” Qi Ping nodded in affirmation.
After all this time, one of his four animal companions was finally about to break through to the second tier, filling Qi Ping with immense joy at this moment.
Originally, Qi Ping had hoped that the little flower sprite would be the first to reach the second tier with the help of his Plant Growth skill. However, no matter how much Plant Growth energy Qi Ping channeled into it afterwards, the little flower sprite remained stuck at the peak of the first tier, unable to make the breakthrough.
This made Qi Ping realize that the Plant Growth skill wasn’t omnipotent. Even for plant-type spirit beasts, this skill couldn’t replace their own efforts and comprehension; it could only accelerate their natural growth rate.
Nevertheless, under the influence of massive amounts of Plant Growth energy, the little flower sprite’s foundation had become incredibly solid, and it had trained its Hundred-Pupil Demon Realm to an extremely proficient level.
And now, Yaya, through its own efforts and the resources Qi Ping provided, was taking the lead in charging toward the second tier. This swept away the slight frustration in Qi Ping’s heart!
As long as Yaya broke through to the second tier…
“Chirp chirp… (Yaya is so amazing. I wonder when I’ll be able to break through. Fox-Fox wants to grow up quickly too!)”
“Chirp chirp… (That way, Fox-Fox can help the boss like Yaya does.)”
“As long as you eat your fruits on time and train hard, you’ll grow up quickly!” Qi Ping comforted, patting the little spirit fox’s head.
“Chirp chirp… (Fox-Fox will work hard!)”
…
On the other side, Yaya, enveloped in flames and solar energy, began its charge toward the second tier without the slightest hesitation.
“Caw caw. (Second tier!)”
“Caw caw. (Here I come!)”
For so long, it had enjoyed various fire-attribute honeys provided by Qi Ping, enhancing its spiritual energy and strengthening its body.
Moreover, after evolving into a Solar Fire Crow and absorbing vast amounts of solar energy, its foundation had long been tempered to an incredibly robust level.
Combined with its constant bathing in solar energy, subtle changes had occurred in its will, spirit, and physique.
So, seizing the first ray of the morning sun and devouring a wisp of purple energy transmitted from the sunlight, it no longer suppressed its body, which was ready to transform at any moment.
With a tremor of the earth, a powerful aura of physical strength and spiritual energy erupted violently. The intensity of this presence completely surpassed the first-tier range!
The Solar Fire Flame also began to transform and burn wildly at this moment, accelerating the metamorphosis of Yaya’s body.
Mysterious golden light began to emanate from Yaya’s pitch-black feathers, followed by the appearance of faint golden patterns across its plumage.
The golden-red flame mark on Yaya’s forehead also grew increasingly majestic and imposing at this moment. A mysterious pressure inexplicably burst forth, causing all living beings in the vicinity, including Qi Ping, to shudder involuntarily.
“What kind of pressure is this?”
The sudden mysterious pressure startled Qi Ping, his heart inexplicably quivering. Within it, he sensed a sacred, majestic, and boundless aura.
Even the Sun True Fire deeply hidden within Qi Ping’s blood violently trembled once.
Looking at the other animal companions, the impact was even greater. The little spirit fox involuntarily curled up its body at that moment.
Many bees plummeted from the air at that instant, taking a while to pick themselves back up.
“Incredible!”
Witnessing this scene, Qi Ping’s inner astonishment escalated once more. Was this the bloodline pressure of a high-level spirit beast?
The little spirit fox fared slightly better, but the bees’ performance was rather poor.
However, Qi Ping understood this was normal. After all, the Golden Marrow Bees’ bloodline was still far inferior to Yaya’s, which contained the bloodline of the Golden Crow.
Coupled with Yaya being at a critical juncture of bloodline enhancement and breakthrough—possibly even successfully awakening the rare Solar Body among Solar Fire Crows—this was precisely when its bloodline pressure was at its peak. The bees’ reaction was understandable.
But it might be different once the bees reached the second tier and successfully devoured the Blood Devil Insect King’s bloodline.
As a creature despised by heaven and earth, if the bees could successfully use the Blood Devil Insect King’s bloodline to evolve a few mutated specimens, the swarm’s strength would reach an unimaginable level.
At the moment the mysterious pressure erupted, Yaya instantly fell into a deep slumber.
But Yaya’s transformation did not stop; instead, it intensified. The flames around its body grew more violent. The high-grade spiritual herb-infused honey placed beside it was continuously absorbed into Yaya’s body, and the solar energy enveloping it grew denser.
As the transformation continued, Yaya’s aura and pressure constantly surpassed the first-tier level, while its size and physical strength gradually increased.
As the sun continued to rise, Yaya’s figure was completely engulfed by fierce flames and solar energy, vanishing entirely from Qi Ping’s sight.
Facing Yaya in the midst of its transformation, although Qi Ping sensed Yaya was in excellent condition and had full confidence in it, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of worry.
After all, from the Foundation Establishment stage onwards, the path of cultivation was fraught with peril at every step. Anyone claiming there was no risk was spouting nonsense. History was not lacking in exceptionally talented geniuses who had fallen at this very stage.
“But with Yaya’s foundation and bloodline, there shouldn’t be a problem. I believe in Yaya!”
Having said that, Qi Ping suppressed the flicker of anxiety in his heart, summoned his Fire Intent, and began to quietly comprehend the special fire-attribute energy surrounding Yaya.
This unique energy generated during a breakthrough was quite valuable for comprehension, a rare opportunity not to be missed, and Qi Ping naturally wouldn’t let it pass.
This state persisted from sunrise to sunset without end. The flames around Yaya gradually receded.
A shell-like black substance had tightly encased Yaya, blocking all its aura.
Only the increasingly powerful heartbeat pulsed steadily within.
Qi Ping also ceased his state of comprehension, carefully observing the surroundings. The closer to the end, the more caution was needed.
Currently, Yaya should have passed the most dangerous phase. It was likely just one step away from completely transforming into a second-tier spirit beast.
If someone interfered at this moment, causing all previous efforts to be wasted, it wouldn’t just be frustrating; all of Yaya’s hard work over this long period would also go down the drain.
Qi Ping had witnessed every drop of Yaya’s sweat, so he would not allow anyone to disrupt its breakthrough no matter what.
Fortunately, such morale-shattering events did not occur, allowing Qi Ping’s tense heart to slowly relax.
This situation continued until the next day. When the sun rose once more, flames began to burn again, and solar energy surged like tides toward that black giant egg.
The solar energy flooding in at this moment was far denser than ever before.
“Yaya’s Solar Body should have successfully awakened!”
Sensing the powerful aura rising once more from within, Qi Ping grew increasingly certain of this.
This filled Qi Ping with considerable delight. The combat power of a Solar Fire Crow that had awakened the Solar Body was not on the same level as one that hadn’t.
This state continued until noon. When the sunlight was at its fiercest, a terrifying figure instantly shattered the black eggshell, revealing a truly extraordinary form.
