Immortal of the Ages

Yun Xiao was sure in his heart; he wouldn't let her suffer for long.

He used both arms and legs to embrace the young devil girl, harnessing the power of Mortal Dust Devil Blood. With swift motions, he invoked the Mortal Dust Blood Calamity, rapidly assimilating the tribulation power of the Sanguine Spirit Serpent, capturing those that surged throughout her body, blending and merging them quickly!

Throughout this process, the quality of Mortal Dust Devil Blood naturally ascended a level, the calamitous force of the Sanguine Spirit Serpent mingling within it. It did not alter the fundamental nature of Mortal Dust Devil Blood, rather, it induced a bloodline evolution in the calamitous power.

Before long, the hisses of the countless Sanguine Spirit Serpents within the Mortal Dust Devil Blood morphed into dragon roars. They sprouted dragon teeth, horns, scales, and claws—angrily transforming into dragons, submitting to the Mortal Dust Devil Blood, spreading throughout her entire body!

No longer destructive, they forged and strengthened, making the physical body of Feng Yao even more formidable.

"The serpent has turned into a dragon, fitting for your pair of dragon horns," Yun Xiao commented. He grasped her dragon horns with both hands atop her head, giving them a tug, suddenly finding them an apt steering wheel to enhance his force...

"Ah, don’t, let go..."

Unexpectedly, this grip caused Feng Yao's face, which had just calmed, to flush even redder, her voice changing.

Yun Xiao paused, releasing her dragon horns, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Her dragon horns were exceedingly sensitive.

"The tribulation is successful, and soon the Corona." Yun Xiao didn't dwell on unhealthy thoughts but focused above her head.

Indeed, at that moment, copious amounts of Mortal Dust Devil Blood and the evolved force of the Blood Spirit Dragon gathered atop her head, while a blood mist surged from the heavens and earth.

"This is the blood baptism power of the heavens and earth. The Corona is the bridge between it and one's own blood tribulation power. With the Corona, one can wield the power of the heavens and earth more potently."

The celestial blood baptism power collided with Mortal Dust Devil Blood and the Blood Spirit Dragon's force. Blood mist, blood drops, and blood tribulation merged together, forming a circular, blood-red halo of light slowly coalescing behind Feng Yao's head!

This halo resembled a blood-colored dragon, its tail meeting its head, vaguely showing claws, its presence formidable.

Amidst the light mist, it was evident that the Corona was formed by a cloud of tribulation light, signifying Feng Yao's official entry into the First Baptism Realm.

Yet, she surged forward fiercely, having reached the Mid First Baptism Realm just upon entry.

"It's done!"

In that moment, her eyes suddenly opened wide, the blood tribulation power swirling in her gaze, and the Corona dragon behind her burst forth with ferocious dragon roars. The person and the dragon seemed one, complementing each other, making her appear ethereal yet imperious, enchanting yet pure.

"Whew..." Feng Yao exhaled deeply, the blood tribulation power gradually retreating back into her, the halo atop her head dimming slightly, turning semi-transparent, less conspicuous, even the layers of tribulation clouds hard to discern.

At first sight of him, she shot Yun Xiao a glare, seemingly ready to throw a bit of a tantrum.

"Hmph." She suddenly stood up, intending to toss her head and leave him with a cold shoulder.

"Ah!" Unexpectedly, having sat too long coupled with the unhealed wounds from the blood baptism, she felt dizzy as she rose, stumbling right into Yun Xiao's arms in a full embrace.

"What's wrong?" Yun Xiao asked with concern.

"My back, my back hurts..." Feng Yao said, her voice filled with a hint of distress.

"It's a normal aftermath of undergoing the tribulation. Let me rub it for you," Yun Xiao offered gently.

"Uh!" Feng Yao quickly pushed him away, her face flushed as she retorted, "Are you sure you were rubbing my back?"

"Uh..." Yun Xiao paused, still reminiscing the perfect sensation in his palm, and explained, "Don't get me wrong, it's just the height difference."

"Shameless, I'll never trust you again," she huffed.

"Come on, don't act coy after gaining a favor. I want to see the effects of this Corona," Yun Xiao said, getting serious.

"May it devour you!" No sooner had Feng Yao spoken than her Corona emitted a dragon's roar, and in a burst of light, it absorbed the celestial blood baptism power, transforming within moments into a nearly tangible blood dragon!

The blood dragon was fierce and brutal, almost six meters in length, perfectly coiled around her delicate body. The dragon-devil combination had a striking visual impact.

Seeing this, Yun Xiao's eyes brightened, pleased, "Your Corona manifests the Aspect of Calamity, belonging to the highest function of a Corona. The Aspect can automatically absorb your celestial power, becoming your battle companion."

"A mount?" Feng Yao eyed the lifelike Sanguine Spirit Dragon, familiar with its power, and she too was quite satisfied.

"It's the Corona, atop your head; it's riding you," Yun Xiao joked.

"I don't care, I'll ride it." Taking up the playful challenge, she really sat on the Sanguine Spirit Dragon. Then, the devil girl and her blood dragon flew around, their movements fluid and graceful.

"See that, who's riding whom?" Feng Yao landed beside him, boasting triumphantly.

"You ride the dragon, I'll ride you," a voice mimicking Yun Xiao's rang out from his robes.

"What did you say?" Feng Yao looked at him, exasperated.

"That little shit…!" Yun Xiao felt a sudden urge to strangle Red Moon, which had just dropped his own prestige. But upon closer reflection, given his relationship with her, was there any need for explanations? There was none.

In her eyes, that was the kind of man he had become.

"All of Zhao Menglin's belongings have been secured," Yun Xiao said.

Seeing him change the subject, Feng Yao stowed her Corona, and asked, "Are we heading to the Harmony Divine Palace now, or are you also entering the Fourth Dao Tribulation?"

"I'll try to break through the Taiji Gate first."

Finding that the Menglin Pavilion was still secure, Yun Xiao decided to take another step.

Zhao Menglin's Supreme Immortal Jades had allowed Blue Star and Red Moon to produce more Origin Orbs, a substance far more potent than the life mist of the Gate of Life in enhancing the development of the spirit.

He sat down cross-legged, and his Buddha's Treasure Spirit entered the Taiji Gate into the Taiji Spirit Plane.

Feng Yao's Mortal Dust Spirit Devil did not follow. She silently kept watch beside Yun Xiao, gazing at the divine youth, unknowable ripples stirring within her heart.

In fact, she cherished the present deeply.

Their relationship, thanks to it just being the two of them, had reached its finest hour in history.

Yun Xiao was increasingly accommodating her temperament and personality, his tolerance for her reaching new heights.

This was a stark contrast to when they first established their Blood Base relationship.

Back then, Yun Xiao had treated her merely as a blood slave, almost killing her.

Today, everything had changed.

From the moment Yun Xiao learned her true name, it seemed their relationship had taken a giant leap, and Feng Yao could see a kind of doting affection in his eyes.

But she knew. Eventually, he would reclaim the Blood Base, wouldn't he? To achieve completion? How much longer could this relationship last? When they reached the end, would she regret it all and cry?

She didn't know. She was oblivious to the end, her nightmare.

"No more thoughts."

Fortunately, she was an optimistic soul, incapable of succumbing to melancholy. A bit of sunlight was enough to make her radiant.

So, she forced a slight smile and said, "Why ponder so much? Better to enjoy the present, which... is truly wonderful."

There was no Zhao Xuanran, no little white tiger. Days like these still had some time left.

"And besides, as long as he doesn't kill me, then the person he can't do without... is me."

With that thought, she felt joyous and elated, even contemplating a dance in the dim corridors of the Menglin Pavilion.

"What are you doing? Hopping and skipping like that?" The young man's voice suddenly echoed from behind.

Feng Yao paused, turning to ask, "You're done that quickly?"

"Naturally, it wasn't hard at all," Yun Xiao replied.

His Buddha's Treasure Spirit had just entered the Taiji Spirit Plane and absorbed some of the Taiji Essence before he returned.

Unquestionably, that place was perfectly suited for his Buddha's Treasure Spirit!

"Are you forming your Corona now?" Feng Yao inquired. She harbored a bit of schadenfreude, curious to see Yun Xiao in agony. Maybe she would embrace him then?

As she fantasized, Yun Xiao remarked, "I checked around; none of the remaining Calamity Sources seem to suit me, better to wait. Once you choose one, there’s no turning back."

"You're really something, using the ordinary for me and waiting for the better stuff for yourself," Feng Yao said.

"It's good to have any at all, don't be picky! Besides, the power of the Mortal Dust Devil Blood evolved your Calamity Source, and even though you're just in the First Baptism, your Corona is better than many in the Third Baptism Realm," Yun Xiao explained.

"This Zhao Menglin seems powerful; what baptism was she at?" Feng Yao asked.

"She was probably in the Third Baptism Realm, surpassing you by two major realms," Yun Xiao chuckled. "Too bad, she met a monster like me; didn’t even get to use her Corona."

"You really did..." Feng Yao was still somewhat baffled by his instant defeat of Zhao Menglin.

"Come here." Yun Xiao beckoned to her and said, "The Sanguine Phantom is Divine Heaven grade; it's time for an upgrade. There are two Mid Heaven Defying grade weapons, aside from the Sword Hearts, they were Zhao Menglin’s most valuable possessions. She didn’t use them because she had a Sword Soul and instead planned to sell them."

As he spoke, Yun Xiao produced a spear. The spear, three meters long, emitted a chilling mist, its body ice-blue like crystal, exceedingly sharp. Its appearance turned the entire Menglin Pavilion into what seemed an ice cavern, bitterly cold to the bone.

"Ice Soul Mystic Spear." Yun Xiao swung the ice-blue spear. "It inherently possesses the power of desolation, very hard material, suitable for you as a long weapon."

Feng Yao caught the spear, her face cringing from the cold. Disdainfully, she said, "I don't like cold things. What about the other one?"

"The other is a bow and arrows, not suited for you," Yun Xiao replied helplessly.

"Who says it's not suitable? It's perfect for me, I love bows and arrows!" Feng Yao quickly exclaimed.

"You're a devil, aren't you? Practicing both the blood art and close combat techniques. Shooting arrows from afar is a waste of your physical abilities," Yun Xiao commented.

"Who says shooting arrows doesn't use physical strength? It requires even more, actually! And do you really think I like close combat? That's far too dangerous. It's safer from a distance..." Feng Yao argued, embodying the spirit of a true wastrel, trying to convince Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao knew her reasoning well enough.

"A clod of mud cannot be wall-plastered," he said, resigned, tossing the bow and arrow set to her.

"Underestimate me and watch out—I might just shoot you with an arrow to the butt!"

With a huff, Feng Yao's eyes then settled on the weapon in her hands, growing more pleased the longer she looked.

"Nethersea Dragon Bow, Blood Flame Dragon Arrows."

The Nethersea Dragon Bow was pitch-black, shaped like a curved, angry dragon, its surface covered in dragon scales, containing vast desolate power, burning with black fire.

The Blood Flame Dragon Arrows, blood-red in color, were also covered with dragon scales, burning with scarlet blood, their tails like dragon tails, their presence ominously striking.

TWANG! Feng Yao gave the bowstring of the Nethersea Dragon Bow a pluck, its force ferocious.

The dragon bow was actually quite large, perfectly suited to her stature.

Seeing her delight in the treasure, Yun Xiao couldn't help but smirk, dousing her enthusiasm with, "Honestly, you're really not suited for the bow and arrow."

"Why would you say that!" Feng Yao protested.

"Back in the Cloud Nation, female archers bound their chests tightly to prepare for battle. You’re too ample; the string will catch, affecting your accuracy," Yun Xiao explained earnestly.

Feng Yao responded with a bitten lip, indignantly, "Accuracy doesn't matter—I'll specialize in shooting you!"

"..." Yun Xiao stared at her, speechless. He couldn't be bothered with her anymore; let her do as she wished!

Gathering his thoughts, he felt it was time to move on. "We're setting off for the Harmony Divine Palace now; it's up to you."

No sooner had he spoken than suddenly—

BANG! BANG! BANG! Urgent knocks thundered at the doors of the Menglin Pavilion!