'These two are finally going to evolve!'
Qi Ping was genuinely happy for the little fox and the flower demon. They had been with him since they were very young—especially the flower demon, which had arrived before its intelligence had even fully formed.
'They've been here for twenty or thirty years, haven't they?'
Qi Ping realized he was losing track of time. He only remembered the little fox as a tiny ball of fur that could fit in his palm; now, it was as long as his forearm. Its appearance had shifted from cute and tiny to an ethereal, alluring spirit fox. Its eyes, filled with both celestial grace and an enchanting pull, perfectly embodied the 'Bewitching Immortal' name. The myths about fox-demons being masters of enchantment were clearly not exaggerations.
The flower demon had also changed. Once a tiny purple sprite that didn't reach his knees, it now stood as tall as his waist. The childishness in its face had faded, replaced by a unique, eerie beauty.
'They've grown up...'
Because they spent every day together, the changes had seemed subtle, but seeing them at this critical moment made him realize how much time had passed. Images of their younger selves flashed through his mind like a film, overlapping with the figures before him. A sense of 'time moving on' washed over him.
'Is this what cultivation is like?'
Qi Ping scanned his own reflection with his divine sense. He had matured significantly. The tender youth he once was had gained sharper features and a steady, resolute gaze. There was even a hint of cold killing intent and indifference hidden within his eyes.
'I've changed a lot too...'
Crow-Crow had grown from a bird whose strength had fallen to Rank 1 to a Golden-Flame Crow at the late stage of Rank 2. The Golden Marrow Bee Queen, once the size of a thumb, was now as large as two fists. Even his newer companions, the deer and the tiger, had grown significantly. His sanctuary had evolved from a barren, rocky plot into a magnificent Daoist field where spirit herbs flourished and three legendary spirit trees governed the celestial cycles.
In an instant, Qi Ping felt the weight of decades. His eyes reflected the passing of the years. This was the Path of Immortality! But the nostalgia didn't slow him down; instead, his gaze became even more determined. One day, he would lead his companions across the entire cultivation world, and he would ensure that time left no marks upon them!
At that moment, his Dao-Heart intent became slightly more solidified.
Emerging from his nostalgia, Qi Ping refocused on the little fox and the flower demon. A sliver of worry crossed his heart. Bloodline metamorphosis was never guaranteed to succeed. He could only hope that [Beast King's Grace] would continue to boost their odds as it always had. He kept [Potential Ignition] ready, waiting for the perfect moment to assist them.
Though his bond with them didn't involve as many life-and-death battles as his bond with Crow-Crow, their decades of peaceful companionship had made them an inseparable part of his life. He would not allow them to fail.
As time passed, the metamorphosis deepened. Qi Ping watched them intently. When the timing felt right, he cast [Potential Ignition] on both. Under the skill's influence, their bloodline energy surged violently, and decades of accumulation erupted at once! A powerful bloodline pressure filled the air.
The little fox was originally a Single-Mark Bewitching Immortal Fox. As its potential erupted, the last dim part of the second mark on its forehead became fully illuminated. Then, a third mark began to flicker into existence!
Qi Ping's heart settled. The markings were the most direct manifestation of the fox's power. At this stage, its advancement to a Rank 3 bloodline was guaranteed.
The flower demon's evolution was more uncertain. It didn't have a clear, documented path of advancement; what it became depended entirely on its past accumulation. As the demon's [Hundred-Eye Demon Realm] manifested and swirled around it, Qi Ping's anxiety returned. He had no idea what form it would take.
Gradually, a strange sense of 'tearing' and 'gazing' erupted from the flower demon.
'What is this? This sensation of being watched and pulled apart?'
'Wasn't the flower demon's talent focused on illusions? Why is it having such a direct physical effect?'
Qi Ping was bewildered by the transformation. Fortunately, the flower demon's condition remained stable, and it seemed to be handling the surge well. The metamorphosis was proceeding smoothly.
After a period of time, the little fox was the first to finish. On its forehead, besides the two fully lit markings, a third one was now half-illuminated. Its aura had become dreamlike and irresistibly alluring. This signaled a successful metamorphosis.
'A Rank 3 Mid-grade Bewitching Immortal Fox!'
Qi Ping was very satisfied. Crow-Crow was only Rank 3 High-grade, after all. At the moment of the fox's success, Qi Ping's own soul shook violently as a powerful surge of soul energy rose within him. His soul strength climbed to a new peak.
'The shared talent [Bewitching Immortal Seal] has finally broken through!'
With a stronger soul, studying knowledge and researching arrays would be far easier. A Rank 3 soul talent was in a league of its own compared to Rank 2. Once he confirmed the fox was well, he turned his full attention to the flower demon.
He had no idea what to expect from the demon's evolution, but his heart was full of anticipation. Would its bloodline yield a surprising change?