Blood Recognition
"As everyone knows, beyond the Venerable Realm lies the Emperor Realm."
"And an Eighth-Rank Yao Venerable is far from the limit of the Snow Moon Butterfly."
"A Snow Moon Butterfly that reaches the Eighth Rank has a chance to undergo a heaven-defying evolution, transforming into a Snow Moon Emperor Butterfly."
"And a Snow Moon Emperor Butterfly… possesses the potential to break through into the Emperor Realm."
Zhang Yunfeng paused briefly before adding with a faint smile, "Of course, that probability is exceedingly low. Not a single Snow Moon Emperor Butterfly has ever appeared across the entire Nine Provinces Continent. So, there's little point dwelling on it."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure flickered and vanished without a trace, leaving Zhang Lingxiao alone in the courtyard to digest everything.
Zhang Lingxiao stared at the empty space, speechless.
He really comes and goes like the wind…
"So… what now? Do I still perform blood recognition?"
"That's right. You must recognize it as your master through blood."
Gu Yue Ningbing's clear, cool voice rang out lazily.
Zhang Lingxiao raised an eyebrow. "Is it that simple?"
"Not quite. The Snow Moon Butterfly is a Fifth-Rank Great Yao. With your current cultivation, ordinary blood won't suffice. You must use your Heart's Blood."
"Heart's Blood…"
Zhang Lingxiao's lips twitched slightly.
Still, he didn't hesitate. Carefully lifting the wooden box, he returned to his room.
After shutting the door, he sat cross-legged on the bed and placed the exquisite box before him. Circulating his Spiritual Qi, he began to draw out a drop of Heart's Blood.
Heart's Blood was the essence of a cultivator's vitality—extremely precious and not to be wasted lightly.
Yet Zhang Lingxiao gritted his teeth.
If this succeeds, I'll gain a companion with the potential to reach the Yao Venerable Realm…
Without further hesitation, he condensed a single drop of Heart's Blood and gently let it fall onto the Snow Moon Butterfly cocoon.
The moment the blood touched the cocoon—
A faint crimson glow blossomed.
The light traced along the cocoon's natural patterns, forming a mysterious and ancient symbol.
Buzz!
Zhang Lingxiao's Sea of Consciousness trembled.
In that instant, an indescribable connection formed between him and the cocoon.
It was subtle, yet undeniable.
He could sense its existence… even faint emotions—weakness, confusion, and a trace of dependence.
However, the bond was clearly dominated by him.
"…Something's wrong," Zhang Lingxiao muttered, frowning. "It feels… weak."
A ripple of light flickered.
Gu Yue Ningbing stepped out from the Life Ring, her gaze settling on the cocoon.
"Under normal circumstances, a Yao Beast that has just acknowledged a master should feel invigorated—joyful even. It shouldn't appear this frail…"
She fell into thought.
A moment later, her eyes narrowed slightly.
It must be his physique.
Zhang Lingxiao's constitution was far from ordinary. The vitality contained within his Heart's Blood was far too powerful. For a cocoon that had yet to fully evolve, such energy was more of a burden than benefit.
Her curiosity toward his mysterious physique deepened.
After a brief silence, she spoke calmly, "The Snow Moon Butterfly is a Heaven-grade Yao Beast. Its body is currently unstable. You'll need a Heaven-rank Heaven and Earth Treasure to stabilize it."
Zhang Lingxiao nodded instinctively—then froze.
"A Heaven-rank treasure? I don't have anything like that…"
"No need. Look closely."
Zhang Lingxiao blinked and lowered his gaze.
The cocoon… was chewing on the wooden box.
"…Huh?"
He could clearly feel its condition improving, along with a faint sense of satisfaction transmitted through their bond.
Zhang Lingxiao let out a long breath, then grinned.
"Mother really had foresight."
Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Gu Yue Ningbing waved her hand, and the cocoon vanished into the Life Ring.
"Let it stay inside. Life Qi there is dense—it will benefit its growth."
Zhang Lingxiao nodded.
Then, as if remembering something, he smiled. "Beautiful lady, I have a question."
"Speak."
"Last time, only my Divine Sense entered the Life Ring. How did you bring the cocoon inside this time?"
"You entered as well—you simply didn't realize it," she replied calmly. "The Life Ring is not an ordinary storage artifact. It is a self-contained miniature world, complete with Heaven and Earth Laws. Living beings can naturally exist within it."
Zhang Lingxiao's eyes lit up.
"Then… can my physical body enter too?"
"Of course."
Zhang Lingxiao nodded thoughtfully before breaking into a grin.
"I have an idea."
"Go on."
"The Snow Moon Butterfly is a Heaven-grade Yao Beast. Its future cultivation will require an enormous amount of Heaven and Earth Treasures. Supporting it will be incredibly resource-intensive."
Gu Yue Ningbing scoffed lightly. "Naturally. Do you think something with the potential to reach the Emperor Realm grows on trees?"
"So…" Zhang Lingxiao continued, eyes gleaming, "what if I make it self-sustaining?"
She raised a brow but said nothing.
"You said the Life Ring contains complete Heaven and Earth Laws. Then I can cultivate Spirit Medicines inside it—create a dedicated field to supply its needs."
Gu Yue Ningbing considered briefly before nodding.
"You may. The Life Ring has already acknowledged you as its master. Do as you wish. But don't expect me to help you till the soil or water the plants."
Zhang Lingxiao laughed. "How could I trouble a beauty like you with such labor?"
Without delay, he circulated his Spiritual Qi and vanished from the room.
---
Inside the Life Ring
The moment Zhang Lingxiao appeared, he inhaled sharply.
The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here was overwhelmingly dense—far surpassing the outside world.
"This concentration… It's terrifying!"
"At least ten times richer than outside," Gu Yue Ningbing replied, reclining lazily on a bamboo chair outside a small hut, a hint of pride in her tone.
"Now stop talking and get to work. Don't disturb me."
With that, she rose and returned to the hut with the cocoon.
Zhang Lingxiao looked at the vast stretch of lush grassland before him.
Without another word, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
Soon, he took out all the Spirit Medicines he had obtained from the Nine Netherworld Demon Palace and began cultivating his own Spirit Medicine field.
---
Outside — Zhang Family Residence
Zhang Yunfeng sat cross-legged on his bed, deep in thought.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
His gaze turned sharply toward Zhang Lingxiao's courtyard.
"…Strange. Cheng'er's aura has completely disappeared?"
He probed for a moment but found nothing.
Then, instead of worrying, a smile spread across his face.
"This son of mine… is becoming more and more unfathomable."
"In the future, his achievements will surely surpass both mine and Xin'er's… standing at the very peak of the Nine Provinces Continent."
"And perhaps…"
His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"…he may even break free from the limits of this world and step into that higher realm."
"Haha!"
---