A resonant roar echoed as the colossal creature before Xiao Heng slowly shrank, finally reverting to Ye Feipeng’s original form.
The little fatty cracked his neck, a series of popping snaps erupting from his joints.
“Well, Xiao Heng, what do you think of my little trick?” Ye Feipeng asked, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.
Xiao Heng felt no dejection from his defeat, only a burning curiosity. He flew closer, poking and prodding at Ye Feipeng’s body. “Fatty, what method did you use to form your Golden Core? You’re human, yet you can transform into a genuine exotic beast? I thought sprouting wings was your limit, but you’ve gone even further!”
Ye Feipeng didn’t stop Xiao Heng from probing. He lifted his chin, a look of supreme arrogance on his face. Instead of answering directly, he tilted his head and said, “The power of the Kun-Peng Sacred Beast is naturally extraordinary. Impressed? Envious?
“This time, I’ve awakened another portion of my bloodline power. From the ancient memories, I’ve comprehended another divine ability: Bloodline Transference.
“I can separate a portion of the vigorous, potent Kun-Peng essence blood within me and bestow it upon another. After absorbing it, the recipient can inherit some of the Kun-Peng’s divine abilities. My own strength remains unaffected.
“This is just like what the original Kun-Peng did for my Ye family ancestor.
“Care to give it a try?”
Ye Feipeng’s voice turned enticing. “With your current Four-Law Golden Core realm, if you were to receive Kun-Peng essence blood, your power would likely surpass mine in a single day and night. Really not considering it?”
Kun-Peng Sacred Beast? A flicker of doubt passed through Xiao Heng’s eyes. Before, Ye Feipeng had always referred to them as “demonic beasts” or “exotic beasts.” How had his terminology shifted to “Sacred Beast” after just a short time apart?
Xiao Heng gave Ye Feipeng a subtle once-over and declined with a casual laugh. “Haha, no thanks. Your fighting style is too... ferocious. My Sky’s Law is much more elegant. It suits me better.”
Seeing this, Ye Feipeng stared at Xiao Heng for a long moment but ultimately did not press the matter.
“By the way, what do you make of Senior Skull’s warning?” Xiao Heng asked abruptly after a moment of silence.
Not long ago, Senior Skull, who had been slumbering for ages, had suddenly awoken. After leaving a single warning message—“Flee! Leave the Congyun Sea!”—he had fallen back into deep sleep.
Xiao Heng was baffled.
Though he didn’t know what Senior Skull had foreseen, Xiao Heng trusted him implicitly and planned to lead everyone away from the Congyun Sea. They would seek refuge in the nearest Shilin Province.
Ye Feipeng’s eyes gleamed with thought. It seems that old fossil really does have some skill, to actually sense the Crimson Flame Sea-Scorching event. But...
After only a brief hesitation, the fatty’s gaze hardened with absolute resolve.
The descent of the Crimson Flame is a cataclysmic disaster for ordinary folk. But for me... it is a heaven-sent opportunity.
I’ve waited bitterly all these years for this very moment. How could I possibly give it up now?
Thinking this, he replied calmly, “Senior Skull is formidable, no question. But he's badly injured, and his power is a shadow of what it once was. I don't think we need to hang on his every word. Honestly, it sounds like paranoia to me.
“We've made our home in the Congyun Sea for years and nothing has ever gone wrong. What major disaster could there possibly be?”
Xiao Heng watched Ye Feipeng’s utterly nonchalant expression, and the seeds of suspicion within him grew thicker.
He knew the little fatty well enough. In the past, the slightest whiff of danger would have sent him running without a second thought. He always erred on the side of believing the threat was real.
He would never be this cavalier and dismissive of a potential crisis.
Was it because his strength had grown, inflating his ego? Or was it the influence of that Kun-Peng essence blood?
A vague sense of wrongness settled in Xiao Heng. But he didn't directly refute or admonish Ye Feipeng. Instead, he adopted an expression that said, "You make a good point, let me think it over more carefully."
The two chatted for a few more moments before Xiao Heng hastily took his leave.
Ye Feipeng watched Xiao Heng's retreating back, his gaze dark.
Forget it. They're nothing but worldly attachments. Severing them early makes things cleaner; at least I won't have to hear about forgetting old friendships once I reach Dao Unity.
The little fatty snorted coldly and lifted his head to gaze at the sky, a flash of bloody crimson passing through his eyes.
Heaven's will is with me. I will surely achieve Dao Unity!
Black wings unfurled from his back. With a single flap, Ye Feipeng's figure vanished from the spot.
On the desolate island, Xiao Heng, who was speaking with Su Changyu, sensed Ye Feipeng's departure. He glanced into the distance, his expression inscrutable.
"Since Senior Skull has already given his warning, it likely isn't baseless. To be cautious, we should evacuate the Congyun Sea." Su Changyu nodded, agreeing with Xiao Heng's decision.
Back when they had first come to this cultivation world from the Li World with Xiao Heng, there had been seven others who were chosen randomly by Li Fan for appearances' sake.
Eighteen years had passed. Some had fallen ill and met unfortunate ends. Others, unable to purge the miasma from their bodies, simply gave up on cultivation. Unable to endure the hardships of the desolate island, they pleaded relentlessly until Xiao Heng sent them to nearby mortal islands to live out their days.
Of the seven, only one man and one woman ultimately stayed, barely stepping into the Qi Refinement realm.
These two, spending years together day and night, developed affections for each other and became husband and wife.
Recently, they had a son and named him Han Wuyou.
Adding the Yin sisters, these were all the current inhabitants of the desolate island.
The flying boat on the island was still barely functional, making relocation fairly convenient.
Only... Xiao Heng frowned.
Those two girls, Yueting and Yuzhen, I don't know what they've been busy with lately. They're being secretive, and their replies to messages are very perfunctory. I'll go check on them first and bring them back.
Fortunately, the sisters understood the gravity of the situation and had given their location in advance, so they weren't hard to find.
It wasn't too far from the desolate island either. Seven days later, Xiao Heng stood before the two sisters.
To Xiao Heng's mild surprise, a Foundation Establishment cultivator had come with the sisters.
He was all bows and smiles, his eyes darting about; not the look of someone to be trusted.
Yin Yueting stood with a furrowed brow, her displeasure plain. "Zhao Erbao, how many more do we need before we can recreate that Dao resonance you mentioned? My sister and I have run ourselves ragged collecting all these antiques, and you pick out this few as usable? Are you taking me for a fool?"
Zhao Erbao hurried to paste on an apologetic smile. "Young Mistress, how could I dare? Dao resonance antiques are simply difficult to come by. The fact that you two found this many in such a short time is a feat in itself! I wouldn't dream of deceiving you, not even if I had ten lives to spare!"
"Dao resonance antiques?" Xiao Heng's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened.
Eventually, Yin Yuzhen sent him a voice transmission and explained the whole situation from beginning to end.