Chapter 231
“Bing Tuozi, just relax a bit...”
Li Mo had his eyes closed, and he had only spoken half of his thought when he suddenly froze.
Bing Tuozi had truly helped him a lot in his training.
Not only had she assisted him in breaking through his limits that one time, but later during their dual cultivation, she had guided him to learn many tricks of the "Guan Shen" (Observing the Spirit) realm.
It was like she was teaching him step by step.
Sometimes, when he would ramble on with wild and unrelated ideas, she would roll her eyes at him, a beautiful expression of exasperation.
Li Mo cracked open his eyes just a slit, glancing at the red string around his wrist.
It felt empty...
A thought began to form.
Suddenly, a stirring came from the seed of the world.
The Taiyin (Great Yin) rose, its gentle light enveloping him, as if it brought whispers carried by the wind.
It seemed to be telling him to focus on his training.
At that moment, the stone monkey pattern on his small frame was illuminated, establishing a subtle connection with the "Guan Shen" diagram, reaching its peak.
Just like when they were cultivating together.
The bright moon still hung in the sky, as if she had never left.
“Di Sha... Qi Shi Er Bian (Seventy-Two Transformations)...”
In that moment, Li Mo's mind was clear, and even the once vague aspects of certain legacies began to crystallize, becoming bright and clear.
Wherever the moonlight touched, spiritual light spread everywhere.
After a moment of daze, he quickly focused, directing all his attention to the "Guan Shen" diagram.
In the depths of his mind.
A lively monkey in a Daoist robe suddenly leaped out from the "Guan Shen" diagram.
It radiated spiritual light, its internal acupoints and energy pathways illuminated by the moonlight, flowing along a specific trajectory.
Suddenly, the Daoist-robed monkey stepped forward, shaking its body.
In an instant, it transformed into a spiked-back turtle, looking fierce and formidable.
From its bloodline, aura, to its appearance, it was indistinguishable from a true exotic beast.
Even more real than the celestial demon illusion from before!
One could even say this was the real deal!
Then, its form shifted again.
Black-striped tiger... howling moon wolf... winged serpent... azure eagle...
Various birds and beasts flashed vividly in Li Mo's mind.
“To change into something, one must understand it thoroughly.”
“From the power within its bloodline to its spiritual essence...”
The transformations he had just witnessed were all things he was quite familiar with.
After all, he had experienced them quite a few times...
At that moment.
“Li Xiong?” (Brother Li)
Murong Xiao's probing voice rang in his ears.
“Murong Xiong, you’re awake! I thought you’d need a while longer!”
Li Mo opened his eyes, his face filled with surprise.
Murong Xiao's face was flushed, and he nodded awkwardly.
Having a theatrical personality certainly had its perks; it helped avoid an awkward situation.
“Murong Xiong, a master has been chanting for you, which is why you woke up so quickly. Are you feeling alright?”
“Not at all.”
Murong Xiao shook his head:
“I feel the bloodline within me has been suppressed by a certain Buddhist essence, and now it has reached a balance.”
As he spoke, he clenched his fist:
“I’m definitely going to succeed in abstaining today!”
“...”
Li Mo couldn’t help but doubt whether he had just failed once.
Otherwise, why was he speaking so confidently now?
It wasn’t entirely Murong Xiao’s fault; it was said that among the Jiao (dragon) clan, the males had quite the reputation, with a naturally strong desire in certain aspects, while the females were known for their lifelong loyalty.
Thus, male Jiao often found themselves unfulfilled, spreading their seeds everywhere.
They had made a remarkable contribution to the diversity of the demon race...
“By the way, Murong Xiong, why did you suddenly decide to visit the Southern Wilderness?”
“This is a long story.”
Murong Xiao rubbed his bald head and said:
“My parents suddenly sent a letter saying that a divine miracle will occur in the Southern Wilderness, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...”
It turned out that not long ago, the major clans of exotic beasts in the Southern Wilderness had received news.
A divine miracle was about to manifest there.
In this context, “divine” referred to the demon gods, legendary beings of the demon race who had broken through to the ninth realm.
Whether there had ever been a being that broke through the ninth realm among the demon race remained unknown.
However, once a divine miracle descended, any demon receiving divine grace would experience a surge in their bloodline power, even reverting to ancestral traits.
“Huamo Jiao... Shenzi... Shenji...”
“Yuhuang Shen?” (Jade Phoenix God)
Li Mo murmured to himself, his mind racing.
He recalled the meteor that had fallen towards the Southern Wilderness and the information he had seen through Bing Tuozi’s eyes.
Could it be possible?
The Yuhuang Shen was the so-called divine miracle?
Obtaining the Yuhuang Shen = Bing Tuozi becomes stronger.
Greater strength = peace and joy, a tranquil life.
He couldn’t help but remember the gentle look in Bing Tuozi’s eyes when she said she would help him catch the shooting star he had wished upon.
“So that’s it... it must be so...”
Li Mo realized, sitting at the stone table, his expression turning contemplative.
It turned out that her words were not just a joke.
Her tone was so light, yet it carried such weight.
Li Mo exhaled and asked:
“Murong Xiong, can you now control the power of your bloodline at will?”
“Of course, Li Xiong, do you want to see?”
Murong Xiao nodded.
Before he could finish his sentence, his voice deepened.
A faint blood hue appeared in his eyes, and then scales began to emerge on his skin, covering from his neck down to his chin, his hands becoming sharp, and membranes faintly appearing between his fingers.
His monk robe was stretched tight, as if he had developed features of other Jiao.
More importantly, a shadow of a Jiao faintly appeared behind him, seemingly roaring.
There was a hint of divine intent in the air.
It seemed that the bloodline of the Ming Jiao within Murong Xiao was even stronger than his own realm; had he not practiced Buddhism, he might have already lost control.
“Li Xiong, it’s hard for me to maintain my rationality. Are you trying to...” Murong Xiao said with difficulty.
“Hang in there!”
Li Mo produced a jade vial from his palm and downed its contents.
Ming Jiao essence blood.
“Li Xiong, you...” Murong Xiao’s eyes widened.
Li Mo focused on Murong Xiao and the shadow of the Jiao behind him.
The various traits of the Ming Jiao, its movements, bloodline energy, and divine aura flowed through his mind.
The ferocity of the demon blood continuously washed over his nerves.
Fortunately, the gentle light of the Taiyin provided protection, preventing it from having too great an effect on him.
Gradually, a vision of a Ming Jiao appeared in Li Mo’s mind.
He attempted to merge it with himself...
Whoosh—
His form twisted and suddenly transformed!
“Ah?”
Murong Xiao watched in shock as the person before him morphed dramatically, his expression gradually turning blank.
What on earth?!
...
PS: The story of Li Mo and Bing Tuozi certainly doesn’t end at Qingyuan Sect.
They will face grand scenes ahead, many of which have been long contemplated by this little writer, as well as the embodiment of their emotions.
But before that, the characters need to grow; Li Mo must retain his youthful spirit, yet he cannot remain a boy forever.
The map must also expand, providing a stage for different stories and emotional changes.
Thank you to the readers who have made it this far, willing to tolerate this little writer’s pace of eight hundred words an hour. I’m truly touched, muah!
Please support me, orz.
---
Chapter 248: Preparations Before Departure, Teller Huang Donglai
In the back courtyard of the tavern.
“It’s my first time using the Seventy-Two Transformations, and it feels quite amazing.”
Li Mo stretched his fists and legs, his voice dropping to a deeper tone, almost like he was intentionally lowering it.
He pulled out a bronze mirror and took a quick look.
At that moment, he had scales of a Jiao on his cheeks, and horns sprouting from his head.
He had transformed into the humanoid form of a Ming Jiao.
A shadow of a Jiao faintly appeared behind him.
With a slight thought, he suddenly felt his form elongate, as if surrounded by mist, his hands turning into dragon claws, and the fuzz by his lips transforming into long whiskers. The change was rapid, and thankfully, Li Mo acted quickly, hastily removing the winter clothes made by Princess Xiao Jiang.
He had become a Ming Jiao over four zhang long.
“My strength has increased... and it seems I can control water vapor...”
“Whoa, a monster!”
Murong Xiao’s fingers trembled, his face filled with astonishment.
Li Mo: “...”
Dude, shouldn’t you check yourself in the mirror first?
“I’ve realized something, I’ve realized something.” Murong Xiao pondered for a moment, his eyes brimming with wisdom.
“What did you realize?”
“It turns out that you and I are family, which is why you could recognize me in the Shenfeng Cave!”
Murong Xiao leaned closer, marveling with wide eyes.
Though he bore the bloodline of the Ming Jiao, he had never been able to fully transform into a Jiao, so this was his first time seeing a true family member.
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