Futile Devices Scans

Wenren Li continued smoothing Chen Yixin’s feathers. Half an hour later, Watermoon Pavilion’s treasure ship departed from the dock as scheduled, heading toward the Abysswind Territory, which was famous for its danger and strangeness.

Ze Fang did not stay on Wenren Li and Chen Yixin’s ship the entire time. With his Soul Transformation cultivation, he was relatively safe within the Abysswind Territory. The ships were not far apart, and with a single teleport, he could switch between them.

“Why did you come personally? Just to make yourself uncomfortable?”

Ze Fang felt that everything he had said to advise the Roc Demon Emperor had been wasted. Knowing full well that Wenren Li already had someone in his heart and that nothing could come of it, why come along and suffer? Especially that little blue bird—though it looked like a fledgling, its possessiveness was already extremely practiced.

“I’m escorting the juniors of Azure Feather Palace for training. Why shouldn’t I come? And if I remember correctly, I paid for my passage.”

Ze Fang rolled his eyes at that, but did not immediately leave the ship. He went to check on several young elites from Azure Feather Palace. Leading them was still the Young Roc Lord who had presided over the Bloodline Awakening Ceremony that day. There were also Luan Ji from the Luan Bird Clan and the young clan leader of the Azure Eagle Clan, Shao Ying, along with several other juniors of decent aptitude.

However, those qualified to speak with him were only the Young Roc Lord, Luan Ji, and Shao Ying.

“Greetings, Senior Ze Fang,” they said. They were not unfamiliar with him. Although Luan Ji and Shao Ying had returned to their respective clans, they had grown up alongside the Young Roc Lord in Azure Feather Palace and had seen Ze Fang many times.

They had not attended the ceremony that day, but they had heard directly from the Young Roc Lord about how the Roc Demon Emperor and he had lost face because of a mysterious figure.

This training journey was largely something they had requested themselves—to see that fledgling who had truly sparked the conflict, and also to restore Azure Feather Palace’s reputation.

Because the Roc Demon Emperor had obtained a secret method, their Sky Clan had the rare case where even those in their juvenile stage could take human form. Otherwise, most demon cultivators could only transform after reaching the Golden Core stage.

Although this method increased the failure rate of egg hatching, it also had the effect of purifying and stimulating bloodlines. This was what had allowed them to grow into the strongest demon faction over the past ten thousand years.

“Senior Ze Fang, would we have a chance to pay a visit to that senior over there?” Luan Ji asked.

“Do all of you want to meet him?” Ze Fang asked. The Young Roc Lord and Shao Ying both nodded. They wanted to see what kind of person could make their emperor care so deeply—and what kind of fledgling could snatch away the one their emperor held dear.

Ze Fang smiled faintly. “We’ll talk about it if there’s an opportunity.”

The three of them might have status within Azure Feather Palace and this sea region, but before Wenren Li, they were nothing. No matter how much Ze Fang might favor Azure Feather Palace, he would not bring people over who were clearly going to cause trouble for Wenren Li.

With Ze Fang saying so, even if the three felt unwilling, they could only endure it for now.

The Abysswind Territory was not a narrow barrier—in fact, it covered an enormous stretch of sea. Golden Core and Nascent Soul sea beasts often appeared in groups, and there were even rumors of Soul Transformation-level sea beasts. Strange winds and sea vortices could arise at any moment.

The route Watermoon Pavilion traveled was an improved version based on the Spirit Sea Sect’s sea map. It was relatively safer, and with several experienced navigators controlling the treasure ships, many dangers could be avoided. This allowed them to maintain contact and trade with distant sea clans and island cultivators.

“Chirp!” A crisp cry rang out. The young elites meditating inside the Azure Feather Palace ship all opened their eyes. Before they even stepped out, they heard more chirps—this time from a fledgling flying outside.

When they reached the deck and looked into the distance, they indeed saw a streak of blue light weaving between clouds and waves. It wasn’t playing—it was engaged in a somewhat dangerous form of practical training.

From the rolling waves, sea beasts would occasionally leap up, mouths wide open, trying to swallow the bouncing little blue bird whole. Yet each time, the bird narrowly escaped, flying back into the sky—only to be struck down again by strange wind barriers. The cycle repeated, making for a perilous scene.

“A little demon this small—how can it be trained like this…” The Azure Feather Palace youths, who had only been allowed to venture out for training after reaching the Golden Core stage, found it incomprehensible that anyone would subject such a young fledgling to this kind of ordeal.

“Do they even know how to raise it…?”

“Chirp!” Chen Yixin spun through the air, not forgetting to refute those ignorant demon cultivators.

He had already begun to adapt to his phoenix body. To progress further—aside from long-term accumulation—he needed this kind of stimulation, turning the phoenix’s combat instincts into his own.

To one day fight the azure roc who coveted Wenren Li in a fair and open battle, Chen Yixin felt that going through such dangers was worth it.

As time passed, it was no longer just the young elites watching—even the Roc Demon Emperor and Ze Fang came out. The more they watched, the more astonishing the little blue bird’s potential appeared, and Wenren Li’s calm confidence and trust also drew their attention.

“Ah!” A startled cry rang out, followed by several more exclamations—because the little blue bird had been swallowed whole by a sea beast that suddenly leapt several zhang into the air.

“Quick, hurry and save—”

They instinctively wanted to act, but they were too far from where the bird had been swallowed. Moreover, their cultivation was insufficient to intervene safely in the danger-filled Abysswind Territory. The Roc Demon Emperor naturally did not move, and Ze Fang hesitated.

The one who most should have acted—Wenren Li—remained calm, watching. Yet his hand hidden in his sleeve had already clenched. The longer he stayed with Chen Yixin, the less he could tolerate him being harmed before his eyes. But his reason also knew that he could not protect him too much, or it would hinder his growth.

“Demon Lord!” Nan Ke also reminded him anxiously. The little blue bird before them was not some Golden Core cultivator receiving immortal inheritance—it was truly just a fledgling, now swallowed by a sea beast.

Amid confusion and tension, before the sea beast even returned to the water, its belly suddenly burst open with a surge of blue light. Blood poured down, drenching the little blue bird. The beast let out a pained wail and crashed back into the sea, sending up towering waves.

The little blue bird spread its wings fully, spun once, and shot skyward again. Below it, stirred by the scent of blood, over a dozen massive sea beasts leapt up at once.

Only then did Wenren Li move. With a single step, he appeared among the ferocious beasts. With a simple wave of his hand, they were shattered into nothingness—not even a trace of blood remained. The rapidly ascending little blue bird was struck down again by strange winds, but this time, it fell directly into Wenren Li’s arms.

“That’s enough for today.”

“Chirp!” The little blue bird responded brightly. The blue glow around it gradually faded as it nuzzled against Wenren Li’s chest, turning back into a soft little bundle.

Wenren Li gently scratched its feathers and carried it back to the ship. Ignoring the stunned onlookers from the other vessels, he returned to the cabin and carefully analyzed the flaws Chen Yixin had revealed during today’s combat training.

“So it’s them…” The shock on Luan Ji’s face faded into contemplation. Glancing at Shao Ying and the Young Roc Lord, she realized they had greatly underestimated Chen Yixin and Wenren Li. This level of talent was no worse than any of Azure Feather Palace’s elites—at the very least, none of them would dare undergo such training in their juvenile stage.

As for Wenren Li, what he displayed was equally terrifying—destroying over a dozen vicious sea beasts with a mere gesture.

“So it’s that little brat—” Shao Ying’s words were cut short by Luan Ji’s warning glare. Yet it was clear he still felt little fear, and instead wanted to find a chance to properly teach Chen Yixin that little blue bird a lesson.

Their thoughts and reactions were not worth Wenren Li or Chen Yixin’s attention. From that day onward, Chen Yixin spent an hour each day training in real combat at sea, his progress visible to all.

Those sea beasts were no longer a threat to him. He could even select weaker ones, pierce through their demon cores, and emerge drenched in blood—a display both graceful and violently striking.

“Chirp!” Chen Yixin darted forward, slicing across—this time killing two sea beasts in one move.

“Come back.” Wenren Li beckoned, ending his training early as Chen Yixin’s killing intent surged.

“Chirp!” Chen Yixin answered, but instead of returning immediately, he plunged into the sea. Moments later, he shot back toward Wenren Li, chased by dozens of enraged sea beasts.

Watching this, Ze Fang couldn’t help but shake his head. The little blue bird’s mischievousness was truly unexpected—but like most observers, he found it impossible to dislike it.

Yes, it was a bit arrogant—but with such talent and determination, how could it not be?

Wenren Li waved his hand again, annihilating the pursuing beasts, while extending his other hand for Chen Yixin to land upon.

Chen Yixin hadn’t dived into danger for no reason. As he landed, he placed a jade-green, glowing bead into Wenren Li’s palm. “Chirp!”

It was a rare pure wood-element spirit pearl, accidentally swallowed by a sea beast—but Chen Yixin had had his eye on it for days. Today’s relentless killing had been to lure out that beast and seize it in one strike.

Chen Yixin looked at Wenren Li, tilted his head, and transformed into a small child in blue feathered robes. Wrapping his arms around Wenren Li’s neck, he hung onto him and said softly, “I’m giving this to A-Li. Do you like it?”

The pure wood spirit pearl was something only Wenren Li could use. This gift was both rare and thoughtful.

“I like it,” Wenren Li replied, supporting him as he turned to leave—but Ze Fang and the Roc Demon Emperor arrived together on the deck.

“Lord Li, you must have sensed it as well—we are about to enter the most dangerous part of the Abysswind Territory. This is also where the Merfolk Clan attacked our ships last time,” Ze Fang said. They had come to discuss the next stage of the journey. With three ships traveling together, they were too conspicuous—the Merfolk likely had their eyes on them already.

Wenren Li nodded. He did not completely exclude Ze Fang and the Roc Demon Emperor—after all, they had more experience in this region. He alone could protect Chen Yixin, but the accompanying demon guards might suffer losses.

“Sit,” Wenren Li said, moving to the prepared seating arranged by Nan Ke and the others. He fed Chen Yixin a fruit to restore his strength, then looked at Ze Fang and the Roc Demon Emperor, waiting for them to speak.

“Originally, we thought the Merfolk Clan did not know of your presence. The demon emperor and I could act as bait while you deliver a surprise attack. But after your earlier move, I doubt we can keep it hidden…”

Chen Yixin’s actions had been unpredictable—even they had not foreseen them, much less stopped Wenren Li from intervening. Ze Fang glanced at Chen Yixin, who was eating fruit seriously, before continuing, “At this point, we can only face them head-on.”

“How many Soul Transformation cultivators can you fight without losing?” Ze Fang asked cautiously. Wenren Li’s true strength would determine whether they attacked or defended.

Instead of answering, Wenren Li asked, “How many Soul Transformation merfolk do you estimate they will send?”

“The Merfolk Clan has long lifespans and cultivation methods. In this sea region alone, there are no fewer than five Soul Transformation experts. Based on their usual methods, they’ll likely send four.”

“But they may also ally with other sea clans—then it could be six or seven.”

The Merfolk had long coveted these prosperous islands. They had always sought a chance to eliminate him and the Roc Demon Emperor. Once they were gone, even the most intricate defensive formations would eventually fall.

“Then we’ll leave them all in the Abysswind Territory.”

As soon as Wenren Li spoke, both Ze Fang and the Roc Demon Emperor’s pupils shrank. They had not known him long, but they knew he was not one to speak empty words. If he said all would remain, it meant he had the strength to make it so.

Ze Fang swallowed, slightly tense. After exchanging a glance with the Roc Demon Emperor and meeting Wenren Li’s gaze, he nodded—earning, in the process, a somewhat disdainful look from Chen Yixin.

Chen Yixin thought they were making a fuss—his A-Li was incredibly powerful! After giving Ze Fang a look of disdain, he shot the Roc Demon Emperor a provocative glance as well.

“Is there anything else?” Wenren Li asked Ze Fang again. Seeing him shake his head while the Roc Demon Emperor remained silent, he rose and carried Chen Yixin—who was still craning his neck to glare at the Roc Demon Emperor—back to their room.

Chen Yixin’s feathered robe had an automatic cleansing effect, but there was still a faint scent of sea beasts and seawater lingering on him. The demon guards had prepared a bath chamber, and Wenren Li carried him inside, carefully washing him.

Chen Yixin obediently let himself be washed, blinking as he looked at Wenren Li, his cheeks faintly flushed. Clearly, his thoughts had wandered somewhere else entirely. Once he was clean and dressed again, his small hands rubbed repeatedly against Wenren Li’s chest.

“A-Li, don’t worry—I’ll find a way to suppress my phoenix bloodline as soon as possible and return to human form.”

The one in a hurry was obviously not Wenren Li, but Chen Yixin himself, whose thoughts had begun to drift during the bath. Counting the days, it had been nearly eight months since they were last intimate.

His mouth had been abstaining—and now even his body had to abstain. It was becoming unbearable.

Wenren Li, however, felt no desire toward Chen Yixin in this state. He continued carefully tending to his hair, then pulled the still-distracted Chen Yixin into his arms and gently coaxed him to sleep.

Chen Yixin still wanted to make a few more promises, but under that gentle comfort, he once again turned back into a little blue bird and fell asleep.

When he slept, a soft blue glow rose and fell with his breathing. It was less striking than before at Watermoon Pavilion, but the aura it emitted was even stronger. His phoenix bloodline was growing more powerful by the day.

Wenren Li tapped his own brow, and a small sapling flew out. Before it could even fully approach Chen Yixin, it was pulled into his embrace and hugged tightly. The fluctuations of blue light immediately condensed around the sapling. This helped Chen Yixin’s bloodline awakening and also brought subtle, indescribable benefits to the sapling.

In the Upper Realm, Wenren Li’s smooth growth had much to do with Chen Yixin constantly clinging to him like this.

But once the sapling spirit left his body, Wenren Li’s hair turned black again, and he resumed his cultivation.

This time, when he left the Li Kui Demon Palace, he had also brought along the broken wood remnant from the underground altar. He had a sense that it was key to recovering memories of his past life, but he did not yet know what kind of trigger was needed for it to resonate with the jade pendant.

For the next three days, Chen Yixin did not train at sea. He stayed perched atop Wenren Li’s head, as he had promised, focusing on figuring out how to return to human form.

Wenren Li, while cultivating, would occasionally check on him, assuming he was diligently practicing.

On this day, as they remained inside, Wenren Li suddenly opened his eyes. In an instant, he appeared on deck with Chen Yixin in his arms, just as the ship began to shake violently.

The protective barrier had already been activated, but the force of the strange winds striking it was terrifying. Even the most experienced sea-faring cultivators turned pale—such winds were beyond anything they had ever encountered.

Towering waves rose several zhang high, and the three ships were quickly pulled apart. Nan Ke and the others appeared beside Wenren Li and Chen Yixin, their expressions relatively calm, showing little sign of panic.

Previous

Main

Next