The cavern echoed with a low hum of life, a rhythm that resonated deeply within Ye Xiaotian as he poured the shimmering Chaos Fluid into the cub's mouth. The baby wolf instinctively drank the fluid, its tiny tongue eagerly lapping up the emerald liquid. Each drop seemed to carry the essence of vitality itself, and with every swallow, the cub's body began to change.
The mother wolf watched, her eyes wide with a mixture of hope and greed. Her sharp gaze never left the container in Ye Xiaotian's hands. She could sense the immense power radiating from the Chaos Fluid, its aura thick with primal energy. Her instincts screamed that this liquid wasn't just beneficial it was sacred.
As the last drop vanished, the cub's trembling stopped. The baby wolf's breathing steadied, and its fur began to shimmer under the moonlight. A soft red glow enveloped its body, growing brighter with each passing moment.
The mother wolf let out a howl not of fear or warning, but of joy. Her voice filled the cavern, echoing with relief and gratitude.
Ye Xiaotian stepped back, wiping sweat from his brow. His heart raced as he watched the cub's transformation. The red glow intensified, pulsating like a heartbeat. Then, streaks of moon-blue light appeared, wrapping around the cub's body like ribbons of energy.
The transformation was mesmerizing.
The cub's fur deepened into a rich, blood-red hue, each strand glistening like molten ruby. Two crescent-shaped horns sprouted from its head, resembling ancient tree branches etched with glowing runes. A pair of translucent wings unfurled from its back, shimmering with shades of moonlight blue.
On its forehead, a crescent moon mark with a fiery symbol in the center pulsed gently.
Ye Xiaotian's eyes widened in awe. "This… this isn't an ordinary spirit beast."
The cub let out a soft whimper, its mismatched eyes one red and one blue locking onto Ye Xiaotian. There was a purity in its gaze, a sense of wonder and curiosity that tugged at his heart.
The mother wolf stepped closer, her expression softening. She nuzzled her cub gently, licking its newly transformed fur. Her joy was palpable, but Ye Xiaotian noticed something else a subtle tension in her posture, as if she sensed the significance of what had just occurred.
"This bloodline…" Ye Xiaotian whispered, his mind racing with memories of ancient texts. "Could it be… a Kirin?"
In the Celestial Phoenix Sect, he had read about mythical beasts with the power to bring peace and prosperity. The Kirin was said to be a creature of balance, a protector of life, and a harbinger of fortune.
But something about this cub was different. The Kirin described in the texts had a full-blue body with stars and moons decorating its fur. This cub had a crimson body and wings traits that didn't match the traditional descriptions.
"It must be a mixed bloodline," Ye Xiaotian realized. "Somewhere in their ancestry, the mother wolf's bloodline merged with another powerful beast."
Spirit beast bloodlines were complex. Over generations, they could dilute and mix with other species, weakening their original traits. However, when exposed to something as potent as Chaos Fluid, the bloodline could revert to its purest form, awakening ancestral powers.
"That explains her intelligence," Ye Xiaotian thought, glancing at the mother wolf. "If she carries Kirin blood, it's no wonder she's so perceptive."
The cub let out a delighted yip, flapping its wings and attempting to leap into the air. It stumbled, landing awkwardly on its paws, before trotting over to Ye Xiaotian.
Ye Xiaotian knelt, his hand outstretched. The cub sniffed his palm before nuzzling against his chest, its soft fur warm against his skin.
A chuckle escaped his lips. "You're a curious one, aren't you?"
The mother wolf watched silently, her gaze filled with awe and gratitude. Slowly, she stepped forward, lowering her head slightly a gesture of trust and respect.
Ye Xiaotian's heart softened. "You're safe now," he said gently. "Your cub will live."
But as the moment passed, his expression grew serious. "Now that your cub is safe, let's talk about the opportunity I mentioned."
The mother wolf tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.
"I want you to become my personal spirit beast," Ye Xiaotian said. "I'll give you a safe place to live, free from danger. I'll provide resources to help you grow stronger."
The mother wolf hesitated, her gaze shifting to her cub. She nuzzled the baby softly, her maternal instincts weighing her decision.
Ye Xiaotian noticed her hesitation. "I understand your concern," he said softly. "But you've seen what your cub has become. That bloodline… it's rare and precious. If humans discover her existence, they'll hunt you both down. They'll kill her for her bloodline's power."
The mother wolf let out a low whine, her eyes filled with fear.
"But I won't do that," Ye Xiaotian continued. "I'll protect you both. And not just that I'll help you awaken your own bloodline. You've seen the potential in your cub. Imagine what you could become."
The mother wolf's ears twitched, her gaze locked on Ye Xiaotian. Slowly, she nodded.
Ye Xiaotian smiled, relief washing over him. "You've made the right choice. Welcome to my family."
He opened his arms, and the mother wolf and her cub approached. Ye Xiaotian hugged them both, gently rubbing the cub's head. The little Kirin yipped happily, leaping onto his chest and licking his face.
"Alright, alright! That tickles!" Ye Xiaotian laughed, falling back onto the ground as the cub playfully licked him.
The mother wolf's expression softened as she watched them. Her once fierce demeanor had melted into a look of peace and contentment.
After a while, Ye Xiaotian stood, brushing himself off. He glanced at the black stone in his hand, a thought crossing his mind.
"Can they enter the spirit world?" he wondered aloud. "If I can enter with Master's permission, maybe I can allow them in too."
Pouring spiritual energy into the black stone, he focused on expanding the portal. The swirling black vortex grew larger, stretching wide enough to accommodate the mother wolf's size.
"Try entering," Ye Xiaotian said, gesturing to the portal.
The mother wolf stepped cautiously toward the swirling portal. After a moment's hesitation, she crossed through.
Ye Xiaotian grinned. "It worked!"
Calling the cub, he followed them into the portal. The world shifted around them as they entered the spirit world.
In the Spirit World
The mother wolf's eyes widened as she took in the vast plains and towering mountains in the distance. The air was rich with spiritual energy, far denser than the mortal world.
"This place… it's a treasure land," she thought, marveling at the lush greenery and shimmering ponds.
The baby Kirin dashed around the plains, her wings fluttering with excitement. She yipped and jumped, exploring her new surroundings with boundless curiosity.
Ye Xiaotian chuckled. "This will be your home now," he said to the mother wolf. "No one can enter this world without my permission. You'll be safe here."
The mother wolf let out a soft howl, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"Come with me," Ye Xiaotian said, leading them toward the pool of Chaos Fluid.
As they approached, the mother wolf's eyes locked onto the large silver egg resting beside the pool. Her body stiffened, and a shiver ran through her.
The baby Kirin stopped, her gaze fixed on the egg. She, too, began to tremble in fear.
"What's wrong?" Ye Xiaotian asked, his gaze shifting between the two spirit beasts.
The mother wolf let out a low whimper, her eyes filled with fear.
Ye Xiaotian frowned. "Are you afraid of the egg?"
The mother wolf nodded, her gaze never leaving the mysterious object.
"It's connected to your bloodline, isn't it?" Ye Xiaotian murmured, his curiosity growing. "But why would it frighten you?"
Confusion swirled in his mind, but he decided not to push further. "Alright," he said gently. "We won't go near it for now. You can stay here, safe and sound."
As they settled into the spirit world, one thought lingered in Ye Xiaotian's mind: What lies inside that egg, and why does it hold such power over these ancient beasts?
End of Chapter 7