Little Rascal's Evolution...
Once again, the name "Qin Wentian" resounded throughout the Royal Capital. The champion of the Jun Lin Banquet, after breaking into the Yuanfu realm, had decisively defeated Ye Wuque, Wu Chong, and Wang Teng in a single breathtaking battle.
The demise of these three radiant geniuses only added to the brilliance of the "legendary" youth, Qin Wentian.
Qin Wentian's status in Chu became an extraordinarily sensitive subject. This figure, venerated as a heaven-defying genius by countless commoners, was paradoxically the subject of intense hatred within the Royal Clan and the Ye Clan. However, due to the presence of Diyi, no one dared to make a move against Qin Wentian. Even when the members of the Ye Clan witnessed Ye Wuque's death right before their eyes, they remained paralyzed, too afraid to act. After all, Qin Wentian and Ye Wuque had a preexisting agreement—the Life-and-Death Contract—meaning their battle was supposed to be a life-or-death struggle.
If Qin Wentian died in this battle, Diyi would not seek vengeance. Given these circumstances, how could the Ye Clan dare to retaliate against Qin Wentian?
Within the Royal Capital, a group of risk-takers and adventurers gathered in the district of a small town near the outskirts of the Dark Forest. Towns and other civilized areas were their only respite. Once they entered the Dark Forest, where peril lurked at every turn, even their closest companions might turn against them.
"Did you guys catch the battle yesterday? That kid Qin Wentian was unbelievably powerful. He's absolutely amazing! He wiped the floor with Wang Teng in just one move!" exclaimed a burly man, bubbling with enthusiasm, to a woman by his side.
"He's only 17, right? Is he really that strong?" the incredulous girl inquired. A few other cultivators joined the discussion. "Brother Bull, are you exaggerating?"
"Exaggerating?" Brother Bull shot them a glare. "You guys didn't see it with your own eyes, so you have no idea how that little guy completely owned the whole scene. With just a breath, he could wipe us all out. Do you guys know who Ye Wuque is? After he defeated Qiu Mo, he became the 4th ranked among Chu's top prodigies. But what was the outcome? He perished in that battle when it was three against one. What kind of trash talent is that?"
"Brother Bull, spill the details. What exactly happened in that battle? Also, what does Qin Wentian look like? Does he have a big head and bulging muscles?" asked the lady, her curiosity piqued.
"Well, his biceps are bigger than my thighs, and his thighs are as thick as tree trunks. He's a real powerhouse," Brother Bull grinned.
"Cough, cough." The sound of a cough drifted through the air. Brother Bull and the others turned their heads to find a youth of about 17 years old with a wry smile on his face. He cradled an incredibly cute snowy puppy in his arms.
Qin Wentian felt a bit downcast. The rumors about him were becoming increasingly outrageous. Not only was Brother Bull a master of exaggeration, but he had also completely distorted Qin Wentian's image.
"What? Hey, little buddy, you don't believe me? Look at your slim and delicate frame. I bet a strong gust of wind could knock you over. I doubt you could even withstand an attack from his little finger," Brother Bull continued to boast.
"I believe, I really do," Qin Wentian nodded vigorously as he quickened his pace, entering the Dark Forest. Once inside, he couldn't help but look at the puppy in his arms and ask, "Little Rascal, am I truly that unattractive?"
As the sound of Qin Wentian's voice reached Brother Bull and the other cultivators, they froze, stunned. By the time they turned their attention to the entrance of the Dark Forest, Qin Wentian had already vanished.
The cultivators around Brother Bull collectively inhaled sharply and turned their gaze towards him.
"What a liar. Qin Wentian couldn't possibly look so delicate, like a pretty boy, right?" Brother Bull laughed heartily, but even he could sense the wavering confidence in his own words. Shaking his head, he continued, "Yeah, he's definitely a liar, just pretending to be Qin Wentian."
...
Now that Qin Wentian had reached the Yuanfu Realm, the dangers of the Dark Forest had diminished. Although he encountered a few minor troubles along the way, he ultimately reached his destination unscathed.
In the midst of a vast expanse of land, there stood a massive slab of mountain rock. Qin Wentian reclined there, quietly contemplating his surroundings.
Everything appeared as he remembered, except for the nine towering illusory mountain peaks.
It was in this very spot that he had encountered the dream-will of the green-robed middle-aged man, gaining profound insights. He had expanded the horizons of his dreams, indulging in fantasies while receiving the Diagram of the Mountains and Rivers. The diagram continued to grow in complexity and depth as Qin Wentian examined it. Each time he gazed upon it, he perceived new insights, further enhancing his understanding of the Martial Path.
Occasionally, he wondered about the green-robed genius himself. What level of cultivation had the enigmatic figure achieved? His power couldn't be lower than that of the Azure Emperor.
Now, the reason for Qin Wentian's return to this place was driven by the promise he had made.
!
In a life-or-death moment, when his fate hung by a thread, the Blackwind Condor had whisked him away to this very place, offering him a shot at survival. He had made a solemn promise to the condor then - that when he gained control over the formidable power of his bloodline, he would bestow upon the condor three drops of his own blood as gratitude. Now, he had returned to fulfill that pledge.
The designated meeting point was here.
In the distance, the silhouettes of numerous demonic beasts could be discerned, their various cries resonating as if they were calling upon their monarch.
Indeed, it didn't take long before a colossal shadow eclipsed the sun, hurtling toward him with powerful wing beats.
The Blackwind Condor descended, landing gracefully before Qin Wentian, a hint of surprise gleaming in its fierce eyes.
Back when they had made this pact, the Blackwind Condor hadn't placed much stock in it. Humans were known for their excessive attachment to profit and personal gain. Despite the reputation of demonic beasts for savagery and cruelty, they couldn't hold a candle to humanity when it came to craftiness, deception, and dishonesty. As an intelligent demonic beast, the Blackwind Condor was well aware of the unseemly aspects of human nature.
So, it was taken aback to see that Qin Wentian had returned to honor his promise.
"Senior," Qin Wentian greeted the Blackwind Condor with a nod, then used his right index finger to cut a small incision in his skin. As he did so, he activated the power of his bloodline, causing numerous blood seals to flow into his index finger. Almost instantaneously, that drop of blood brimmed with the potent energy of his bloodline.
The Blackwind Condor opened its beak wide, and Qin Wentian flicked his index finger. Three droplets of blood soared into the condor's maw. As it swallowed the blood, a powerful surge of energy coursed through its body. Even Qin Wentian, standing nearby, could sense the pulsations.
This left Qin Wentian bewildered - was the power of his bloodline truly this beneficial?
On the ground, Little Rascal tilted its head and fixed Qin Wentian with its puppy-dog eyes, looking pitiful yet irresistibly adorable.
"Huh, you want some too?" Qin Wentian questioned with bewilderment. Upon hearing his words, Little Rascal eagerly nodded its little head, causing Qin Wentian to chuckle at its comical enthusiasm. Was his blood truly so enticing to demonic beasts?
"Alright, alright, open your mouth then," Qin Wentian said helplessly. Little Rascal's puppy eyes sparkled as it obediently followed Qin Wentian's instructions.
Qin Wentian once again directed the blood seals toward the wound on his finger. Crouching down, he allowed a drop of blood to fall into Little Rascal's mouth. Little Rascal's eyes closed, and soon after, under Qin Wentian's watchful gaze, its body began to grow larger. Inside its body, a crimson light shone, as if Little Rascal's blood was boiling and surging with power.
"Bloodline Limit?" Qin Wentian's expression froze. Could it be that his blood had awakened Little Rascal's demonic bloodline?
Golden patterns of blood pathways circulated within Little Rascal, gleaming brightly. To Qin Wentian's astonishment, he witnessed Little Rascal's body growing larger once again. It now resembled an adult demonic wolf, and what was even more astonishing was that its once-white fur was now streaked with gold. The golden fur on its forehead formed a distinct curve, and its sharp claws were now covered with a layer of golden armor - a golden scale armor.
"What kind of demonic beast is this fellow?" Qin Wentian was rendered speechless. Little Rascal displayed an exceptionally high level of intelligence and had been capable of understanding human speech from the moment it started following him.
Suddenly, the Blackwind Condor emitted a piercing shriek that resonated throughout the Dark Forest, sending the various demonic beasts into a frenzy. Their king was calling.
Only now did Qin Wentian turn his attention to the Blackwind Condor. He noticed that a crimson glow was now enveloping its body, and the aura it emitted felt increasingly terrifying to Qin Wentian.
However, the Blackwind Condor's gaze was firmly fixed on Little Rascal, as if it were witnessing something incredible.
Then, Little Rascal's eyes snapped open, and a formidable golden light glimmered within them.
Woof!" Little Rascal barked, and as it emitted golden beams of light from its mouth, the outline of a Divine Imprint began to form. When the Blackwind Condor's eyes fell upon this Divine Imprint, its body quivered as if it had witnessed something unimaginable.
Little Rascal's eyes then fixed on Qin Wentian's index finger, excitement evident on its face.
"You want me to drip a drop of my blood onto this Divine Imprint?" Qin Wentian asked as he looked at Little Rascal.
Little Rascal nodded vigorously. Qin Wentian chuckled and flicked his finger, causing another drop of blood to fall onto the shimmering Divine Imprint. The fresh blood followed the outlines of the Divine Imprint, and as it was absorbed, the Divine Imprint transformed into a beam of golden light that shot back into Little Rascal's body.
"Yiyiyaya!" A voice suddenly echoed in Qin Wentian's head, leaving him stunned. He looked at the snowy puppy. After the earlier transformation, Little Rascal had returned to its adorable form.
Qin Wentian blinked in confusion and tentatively asked, "Little Rascal, is that your voice?"
"Yiyiyayiya!" The sound repeated. However, Qin Wentian was somewhat perplexed as he stared at the adorable Little Rascal. He picked it up and patted its head with a smile, saying, "Seems like you're still a baby; you can understand my words but can't hold a conversation yet. And what's with that yiyiyayiya? It's completely incomprehensible."
Although he appeared composed on the outside, Qin Wentian's heart was struck as if by a lightning bolt. That Divine Imprint had actually allowed Little Rascal's voice to be transmitted directly into his mind. How miraculous was that?
The Blackwind Condor watched in astonishment as Qin Wentian played with Little Rascal, appearing as though he was having fun with his pet. It blinked with confusion, its thoughts a mystery.
Then, the Blackwind Condor lowered itself and lay flat on the ground before Qin Wentian.
"Hmm?" Surprise lit up Qin Wentian's eyes. He approached and climbed onto the back of the Blackwind Condor. In an instant, gusts of wind erupted as the Blackwind Condor soared into the sky, flying deeper into the Dark Forest.
On the ground below, tens of thousands of demonic beasts appeared, following the trajectory of the Blackwind Condor. Their combined weight made the earth rumble.
As they neared the depths of the Dark Forest, Qin Wentian noticed several incredibly powerful auras flying in a particular direction. Each of these auras was no less formidable than the Blackwind Condor's. The sheer number of demonic beasts was staggering, reminding Qin Wentian of tales he had heard in Chu—stories of massive beast migrations.
However, these demonic beasts weren't heading toward Chu; they were moving deeper into the forest, toward the heart of the Dark Forest!