At seventy, she transformed into a phoenix.

Luo Yu carefully accepted the ring, feeling delighted in his heart: This brother is truly generous—even willing to give me his father’s keepsake. Heh, it seems I hold quite a place in his heart!

He basked in joy for a while before suddenly recalling, “Um… this Phoenix True Blood, after all, belonged to the Huang clan and was obtained at the cost of so many of their descendants. It’s basically stolen goods. Isn’t it wrong for us to just take it? I feel guilty towards Huang Xuan… What should we do?”

Qin Yue gazed at Luo Yu for a long moment and said coolly, “Is this the first time we’ve split loot? This Phoenix True Blood is coveted by all. With your limited strength, having it may grant you the power of Nirvana True Fire, and your abilities will only grow stronger.”

Luo Yu replied, “It’s great, yes… but it feels like we’ve stolen something far too precious, something beyond what I can accept. How about… we return it to Huang Xuan and ask for some spiritual herbs as compensation? I may not be much in a fight… but you’re strong enough, right?”

Qin Yue said nothing more.

Next, Luo Yu went out and bought an entire “photo production line,” from camera to photo paper, printed out all the pictures, and together they visited Huang Xuan at Wu Yun Manor on a weekend.

Huang Xuan was delighted to see them, but when he heard their reason for coming, he fell silent.

Luo Yu said, “About this… true blood, we don’t want to keep it for ourselves. If you’d like to take it back, just… um, give us some spiritual medicine or something in exchange.”

Huang Xuan’s brows knit deeply, his expression solemn—he finally resembled an ancestor of his clan.

He pondered for a long while before saying, “Xiao Yu, your intentions are pure, but returning the true blood like this is a bit reckless. If I wished to silence you both, wouldn’t you be walking right into my trap?”

Luo Yu said, “But you stopped Huang Yu from hurting his kin, and you’re my friend—you’re too kind; you’d never kill me.”

Huang Xuan shook his head. “If I put the clan before friendship, then you two would cry to heaven and earth in vain.”

Luo Yu fell silent, thinking, That’s exactly why I’m returning it—because you’re not that kind of person.

Huang Xuan sighed and continued, “Back then, when Huang Yu presented me with this method, I rebuked him. After that, he never brought it up again, so I thought he had given up. Who would have thought he’d secretly commit such a monstrous crime! It was my oversight—I’ve failed my family. That beast succeeded in his plot, but fearing I’d discover it, he dared not transform; he even planned to kill me as a precaution. Who could have known fate would intervene, and he’d fall to you two.”

Luo Yu said, “Yes, he certainly wasn’t lucky.”

Huang Xuan was silent for a long while, then said, “Heavenly Phoenix True Blood… though it’s the greatest treasure of the Huang clan, it’s also a root of disaster. If the clan learns of it, what’s to stop another Huang Yu from emerging? Since you two obtained it, keep it for yourselves. Only… please, never speak of its origin to anyone.”

Luo Yu was stunned. “You don’t want it? If you refine it, you could become a phoenix!”

Huang Xuan smiled bitterly. “It was forged under my very nose, at the cost of countless kin. How could I use it with a clear conscience? You two avenged my fallen kin; by all rights, it belongs to you. I can only feel ashamed to see it. Take it—no need for more words.”

Seeing Huang Xuan so downcast, Luo Yu dared not press further and just looked pleadingly at Qin Yue.

Receiving his gaze, Qin Yue said calmly, “If that is your wish, we will accept it with guilt.”

Huang Xuan nodded. “This matter has shaken me deeply. Please, both of you, stay at the manor for a while. When I’ve recovered, we’ll drink together and celebrate.”

Qin Yue replied, “We have urgent matters as well and won’t trouble you further. We’ll take our leave.”

Huang Xuan didn’t insist. Luo Yu offered some words of comfort, urging him not to dwell on it, and then left the manor with Qin Yue.

The two mounted a cloud as soon as they left the manor.

Luo Yu said, “Huang Xuan is truly pitiful—a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet he doesn’t even have a brother… If only he had a companion like us.”

Qin Yue replied, “Do you think everyone is as lucky as us?”

Luo Yu grinned at this. “Right! Meeting me is your good fortune… Hm, meeting you is my fortune, too!” Saying this, he grabbed Qin Yue’s hand and, singing loudly, floated home.

In the Luo family manor, deep in late autumn, the greenery was still lush.

The Luo family was holding yet another family council in the living room. This time, the topic was: Should Luo Yu refine the Phoenix True Blood?

Luo Yu buried his head in the couch cushions and shouted, “I don’t want to be a monster! If I refine it, I won’t be Dad’s son anymore! Can’t I just cultivate slowly on my own?”

Father Chu crossed his legs and said, “Even if you turn into a dog, you’re still my son.”

The vampire chimed in, “Darling, what’s wrong with being a monster? Your adorable little sister is one—are you discriminating against her?”

Qin Yue said, “It’s just another form you can take; it’s not like you can’t turn back into a human.”

Grandpa hesitated, “Xiao Yu is a Luo family descendant. If he becomes a phoenix, he’ll still be my grandson… but he’ll be a phoenix!”

Luo Yu said, “Exactly! Then our Luo family line will end!”

Qin Yue snorted. “As long as you’re alive, the Luo family will never die out.”

Luo Li tumbled onto Luo Yu, rolling around. “Big brother becomes a monster! We’ll both be monsters!”

Grandpa said cautiously, “Well, you’ll still be a Luo family descendant but… the bloodline, it won’t be pure anymore.”

Qin Yue replied calmly, “Grandpa, it’s true blood being refined, not blood itself. It’s not a blood transfusion.”

Grandpa was a little swayed. “What’s the difference between true blood and bloodline?”

Qin Yue said, “True blood exists in the soul, body, and meridians—ordinary people don’t have it. It only appears in ancient divine descendants or ancient divine beasts, and is passed down to their offspring. Although it’s called blood, it’s actually something else entirely.”

Grandpa asked, “You’re not lying to me?”

Qin Yue answered serenely, “How could I lie about something so important? This refined blood only enhances the body, making it more adaptable. Refining true blood is just like building a foundation—it’s a form of evolution. By your logic, Xiao Yu is already an ‘immortal’ and no longer strictly human, and his blood has already been reshaped and improved. Yet he’s still your grandson.”

Grandpa was a little confused, but seeing Qin Yue so confident, he relaxed: As long as the old Luo blood is still there and no one else’s has mixed in, that’s what matters!

Grandpa said, “If that’s the case, then I have no objections!”

Qin Yue, having overcome a strong opponent, stared at Luo Yu with an intense, pressing gaze, forcing him to yield.

Luo Yu, like a little kid being forced to get a shot, realized he was beaten, tears streaming down his face as he accepted his fate.

Thus, on a sunny weekend, Luo Yu set up an illusion and fire control array in the Luo family courtyard and began to refine the true blood and undergo nirvana before his whole family.

Once everything was ready, Luo Yu sat in the center of the fire control array, opened the jade vial, and let a lump of golden and crimson Phoenix True Blood float out and into his mouth. He guided it through his meridians into his dantian, letting it sink into the spiritual liquid for refinement.

This “refining” involved using his own spiritual power to completely assimilate it, making it part of himself, just like refining a magical treasure; only this used pure spiritual power, with alchemical fire for support. But since the true blood was so compatible, it was easier than refining a magical treasure. In just half a day, he’d fully refined it. The next step was nirvana.

Thinking of Huang Yu’s own nirvana, Luo Yu felt a bit terrified, and wailed, “Dad, Grandpa, stop watching—you’ll only worry.”

Father Chu replied calmly, “Go ahead! I watched you build your foundation, so this is nothing.”

Luo Yu thought bitterly: You all forced me into this… if you’re heartbroken, you deserve it!

He stopped hesitating: the sooner it’s over, the sooner he’s free!

He circulated his spiritual power to draw out the true blood, which began to flow rapidly through his meridians. Soon, the true blood ignited in a fierce blaze. Nirvana True Fire instantly filled his body, erupting outward, tempering his flesh and soul. Guided by the infected and transformed true blood, his body and soul began to take on the structure of a phoenix. The agony was unbearable—far worse than building his foundation. He screamed, “I can’t take it! This hurts more than anything!”

Father Chu and Grandpa saw flames burst from Luo Yu, who howled in pain. Startled, they tried to rush forward, but the vampire and Qin Yue held them back.

The flames grew fiercer, until Luo Yu’s silhouette was barely visible. Father Chu was alarmed, gripping Qin Yue and asking, “What’s happening? Why isn’t it over? Is he all right? How can this be all right?” Qin Yue replied calmly, “Uncle Luo, listen to his cries—he’s still full of spirit. This pain is necessary; there’s no need to worry.”

After a few minutes, Luo Yu’s cries changed, becoming oddly clear and ethereal, and then gradually ceased, as if he’d found relief. Another minute or two and the fiery silhouette became clearer; the screams stopped entirely.

Father Chu and Grandpa watched anxiously. The flames slowly subsided, and they could just make out a small figure moving inside—a bird’s neck with a small head topped by something like a lingzhi mushroom. When they saw the big, round eyes, the fire quickly vanished: a beautiful golden phoenix, sitting on the ground like a human, wings splayed for balance, looking about to topple over. This little fellow, seeing the fire gone, cocked its head to examine itself, wobbled to its feet, and ran toward Father Chu’s family—only to lose balance and land on its back.

Father Chu ventured, “Xiao Yu?”

The little phoenix, eyes full of tears and utterly aggrieved, replied, “Chirp!” The voice was clear and melodious, a thousand times lovelier than a songbird.

Father Chu could no longer restrain himself; he rushed over and scooped the little phoenix into his arms, heart aching. “How did you turn into this?”

The little phoenix buried its head in Father Chu’s chest and chirped a string of complaints.

Luo Li, delighted, rolled on the ground, transformed into a little red kitten, and leaped into Father Chu’s arms too, licking the phoenix’s feathers.

Grandpa came over as well, took the little phoenix in his hands, examined it closely, and said with satisfaction, “Beautiful! Better than Old Li’s rainbow parrot!” Then he worriedly asked Qin Yue, “Can he turn back?”

Qin Yue replied, “Yes. Though he’s a fledgling now, his cultivation is intact. Once he adapts, he’ll be able to change forms at will, just like the kitten.”

The little phoenix was annoyed: “Just”?! It should be “a noble being”!

The little phoenix pecked at Qin Yue’s finger in protest. Qin Yue’s fingertip flashed gold, a golden scale appearing to block the beak. “Don’t peck people; your beak is sharp,” Qin Yue said coolly.

Angry, the little phoenix hiccuped, involuntarily spitting out a tiny flame—thankfully, it was brief and didn’t hurt anyone.

Qin Yue declared, “It’s too dangerous—at risk of starting a fire. We should keep it in the Heaven-defying Palace for a few days. Uncle Luo, please request leave for him.”

The little phoenix was filled with resentment! Alas, it hadn’t learned to speak human words with its beak, could barely walk, and didn’t know how to change back, so it could only keep chirping as Qin Yue packed it up and carried it away.