Seeing that Zi Yan still refused to retreat—and even dared to provoke it again and again—the blood-red color in the Snow Demon Heaven Ape's eyes deepened until it almost overflowed, its killing intent so dense that even the surrounding air seemed to grow colder.
With a violent roar, it slammed its massive claws against its chest—
A thunderous sound echoed through the valley.
"Arrogant creatures… I will kill you today!"
The roar carried a terrifying ripple of energy, pressing down upon the surroundings. Even Xiao Feng and Zi Yan, who were hovering in mid-air, felt their bodies sink slightly under that invisible pressure.
The next moment—
The ground beneath the ape's feet shattered.
With a deafening boom, its enormous body shot into the sky like a white cannonball, tearing through the air with explosive speed. In the blink of an eye, it appeared before Zi Yan, its massive claw condensing frigid energy into a sharp, ice-like blade.
Without hesitation—
It struck.
The claw aimed straight for her heart, carrying ruthless killing intent, leaving no room for mercy.
But Zi Yan merely snorted.
Her figure flickered—
/And vanished.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape's attack struck nothing but air.
"Argh! That annoying trick again!" it roared in frustration as its massive body lost momentum and crashed back toward the ground.
But before it could recover—
A voice rang calmly through the air.
"Enough."
Xiao Feng stepped forward.
His expression was calm… almost indifferent.
With a single movement of his hand—
The world changed.
The fire in the surroundings surged violently, as if responding to his will. The energy of heaven and earth trembled as a terrifying heat gathered in the sky, condensing into a massive, blazing force that caused even space to distort.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape's pupils shrank.
For the first time—
It felt danger.
But it was too late.
"Fall."
A single word.
A massive flaming force descended from the sky like divine punishment, instantly shattering the ape's attack and slamming it into the cliff below.
"BOOM—!"
The entire valley shook.
The cliff wall collapsed inward, cracks spreading like spider webs as the Snow Demon Heaven Ape's body was embedded deep within it. Its snow-white fur was scorched black, its flesh burned, steam rising from its body.
Yet—
It roared again.
This time, its aura surged wildly.
Blood-red mist erupted from its body as it activated its berserk bloodline. Its strength rose explosively, its body growing more powerful, more violent, more terrifying.
But Xiao Feng simply watched.
Calmly.
Then—
He raised his hand again.
This time—
He did not use ordinary flames.
A strange fire appeared.
Multicolored.
Wild.
Ancient.
The moment it emerged—
Everything changed.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape froze.
Zi Yan froze.
Even the air itself seemed to grow silent.
Because that flame—
Was the Ten Thousand Beast Flame.
A flame born from countless Magical Beasts…
A flame that carried their will, their fear, their submission.
The moment it appeared—
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape's body trembled uncontrollably.
Its berserk aura—
Collapsed.
Its bloodline suppression—
Was absolute.
From the depths of its instinct—
It felt it clearly.
This flame…
Was something it could never resist.
Slowly—
Its massive body lowered.
Then—
It knelt.
A proud Magical Beast—
Submitting.
Silence filled the valley.
Xiao Feng descended slowly, his figure landing before the ape. His gaze was calm, without arrogance, without pride—as if this outcome was only natural.
"You've lost," he said quietly.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape lowered its head, its voice weak and unwilling, yet no longer defiant.
"…What do you want?"
Xiao Feng looked at it for a moment before speaking.
"I won't kill you."
Those words made the ape's eyes flicker.
"But from today onward…"
"You will follow me."
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape clenched its claws, struggling internally, but the pressure of the strange flame still lingered, suppressing even its thoughts.
Then—
Xiao Feng flicked his sleeve.
A medicinal herb appeared in his hand.
A faint, mysterious aura spread from it.
Zi Yan's eyes widened instantly.
"Transformation Grass?!"
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape's breathing became heavy.
Because it knew—
What that meant.
"For Magical Beasts like you," Xiao Feng said calmly, "breaking your bloodline limit is nearly impossible and to improve your rank."
"so if you transform into human form"
He stepped closer.
"But this…"
He raised the herb slightly.
"Can give you that chance."
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape trembled.
Hope—
A dangerous, irresistible hope—
Rose in its heart.
Xiao Feng continued—
"I will give you this now."
"And in five years…"
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"I will personally refine a Transformation Pill for you. even if I don't refine a pill for you "
"you have the Transformation grass with you so you will not lose anything"
The valley fell silent.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape stared at him, its mind shaking violently.
A Transformation Pill…
A chance to become human…
A chance to break its limits…
It knew—
This was an opportunity it might never get again in its entire life.
Slowly—
It lowered its head completely.
"I… agree."
Xiao Feng nodded slightly.
"Good."
"he is keen on getting this snow demon ape is because of its upper limit is 8 tier"
He tossed the Transformation Grass forward.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape caught it carefully, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
From that moment—
Its fate had changed.
Xiao Feng turned around calmly, his voice echoing lightly—
"From today onward…"
"You are one of my people."
Behind him—
The once-tyrannical Snow Demon Heaven Ape knelt silently, no longer resisting.
And at the side—
Zi Yan blinked her eyes, looking between Xiao Feng and the ape, then suddenly grinned.
"Hehe… not bad."
Her voice was playful again.
"But you really are scary, Xiao Feng…"
=============
Zi Yan blinked her bright amethyst-like eyes, her gaze filled with expectation as she tugged lightly at Xiao Feng's sleeve.
"Xiao Feng… I also want a Transformation Pill…"
Her voice was soft—almost pleading—yet carried that usual playful tone, as if she was completely certain he would agree.
Hearing this—
Xiao Feng froze for a moment.
A trace of hesitation flashed across his eyes.
Because he knew very well—
At this moment—
He only had one Transformation Grass left.
And that single piece…
Could very well be his lifeline in the future.
In this dangerous world, especially when facing high-ranking Magical Beasts, having such a treasure meant he could bargain, negotiate… or even save his own life when he encountered an existence he couldn't defeat.
For a moment—
He fell silent.
His thoughts moved rapidly.
Then—
Another idea surfaced in his mind.
A memory from his master.
A 7th-grade medicinal pill…
A pill capable of perfectly transforming Magical Beasts—
Not only allowing them to take human form…
But also removing all side effects caused by directly consuming Transformation Grass.
Compared to that—
The crude method of using Transformation Grass directly—
Was far inferior.
Thinking of this—
Xiao Feng slowly relaxed.
Then he looked at Zi Yan, who was still staring at him with hopeful eyes, and sighed softly.
"Alright… alright…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I'll refine one for you…"
"When I become a 7th-grade alchemist."
For a brief moment—
Silence.
Then—
"Really?!" 😆
Zi Yan's eyes lit up instantly, shining like stars.
Without a second thought—
She jumped straight at him.
Thump!
She wrapped her arms tightly around Xiao Feng, hugging him without the slightest restraint, her small figure clinging to him like a delighted child.
"Hehe! Xiao Feng, you're the best!"
Xiao Feng was slightly stunned, but then he smiled helplessly, raising his hand to gently pat her back.
"Alright, alright… calm down…"
But—
Time passed.
And she didn't let go.
Instead—
She hugged him even tighter.
Her small nose twitched slightly as she leaned closer, quietly smelling the faint, unique fragrance coming from his body.
A strange sense of comfort spread through her.
Warm…
Relaxing…
Almost addictive.
Her eyelids slowly grew heavy.
She even began to doze off—
Right there in his arms.
Xiao Feng: "…"
He sighed softly, a helpless expression appearing once again.
After a moment, he tried to gently push her away.
"Hey… that's enough…"
But Zi Yan only tightened her grip, refusing to move, her face pressed against his chest as if she had found the most comfortable place in the world.
Seeing this—
Xiao Feng could only shake his head.
"Seriously…"
Then—
With a thought—
He called out softly:
"Xiao Long."
A ripple spread through the air.
Flames gathered.
And from within that surge of fire—
A familiar figure appeared.
A dragon-phoenix flame spirit—
Majestic.
Ancient.
Overbearing.
This was his fire spirit—
Xiao Long.
"Long"—meaning dragon.
A simple name.
Yet fitting.
Because its presence—
Was like that of a true dragon.
The moment Xiao Long appeared—
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Zi Yan's body trembled.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape—
Trembled even more.
An instinctive fear surged from the depths of their bloodlines.
Their bodies stiffened.
Their breaths halted.
Even Zi Yan, who was half-asleep just a moment ago, instantly woke up, her eyes widening as she subconsciously loosened her grip on Xiao Feng.
"T-this…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
The oppressive aura of Xiao Long—
Was simply too overwhelming.
It was not something they could ignore.
Xiao Feng glanced at her, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"Awake now?"
Zi Yan immediately stepped back, her cheeks puffing slightly in embarrassment, though her eyes still couldn't help but glance nervously at Xiao Long.
"Hmph… you did that on purpose…"
But even as she complained—
She stayed a little further away this time.
Because deep down—
Her instincts were screaming at her—
That flame…
Was something she should never get too close to.
Xiao Feng looked at the two of them for a moment, then slowly spoke, his tone calm yet carrying a faint trace of pride—
"This… is the fire spirit born from the Ten Thousand Beast Flame."
The flames beside him flickered gently, illuminating his face as he raised his hand slightly, letting the dragon-phoenix figure hover closer.
"I gave him a name…"
A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Xiao Long."
He tilted his head slightly, looking at the flame spirit beside him as he added in a softer voice—
"Isn't that right… Xiao Long?"
As if responding to his call—
A deep, resonant cry echoed from within the flames.
The next moment—
Xiao Long moved.
It circled Xiao Feng once in the air, its massive wings spreading slightly as waves of heat rolled outward, before gently lowering itself and pressing close to him—
Rubbing against his cheek with clear affection.
It was like a loyal companion…
Or perhaps—
A proud guardian acknowledging only one master.
Xiao Feng chuckled lightly and reached up, tapping its flaming head gently.
"Good."
But then—
Xiao Long's movement stopped.
Its flames flickered.
And its gaze slowly shifted.
From warmth—
To cold dominance.
It turned its attention toward Zi Yan… and the Snow Demon Heaven Ape.
A silent warning.
A terrifying pressure descended instantly.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape's reaction was immediate.
Its massive body trembled violently as it instinctively took several steps back, lowering its head and avoiding Xiao Long's gaze completely.
"I-it's looking at me…" it muttered in a low voice, fear clearly evident as it forced itself further away.
"That flame… it's not something I can resist…"
It didn't dare move any closer.
Didn't dare breathe too loudly.
But—
Zi Yan was different.
She froze for just a brief moment.
Then—
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Hmph…"
She crossed her arms, clearly dissatisfied.
"So what if it's strong…"
She took a step forward.
Then another.
Completely ignoring the pressure pressing down on her.
Xiao Feng noticed this and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oi… don't push it too far…"
But Zi Yan didn't listen.
Instead—
She walked straight to his other side.
And before he could react—
She suddenly hugged him again.
"Got you~!"
Her small arms wrapped tightly around him as she leaned in, pressing her cheek against his and rubbing lightly, as if claiming territory.
Xiao Feng stiffened.
"…What are you doing now?"
Zi Yan giggled softly, clearly in a good mood.
"Hehe… nothing…"
She rubbed her cheek again, then deliberately glanced toward Xiao Long, her eyes filled with mischief.
"I just feel like… you smell really nice~"
Then she added—
Slowly.
Provokingly.
"Much better than that flame of yours."
The moment those words fell—
The air froze.
Xiao Long's flames surged violently.
A low, deep rumble echoed from within its body, as if it was extremely displeased.
The surrounding temperature rose instantly, the ground beneath them cracking slightly under the pressure.
The Snow Demon Heaven Ape, standing far away, widened its eyes in horror.
"T-this girl… is she crazy?!"
"Does she not feel that pressure at all?!"
It instinctively moved even further back, afraid of being caught in whatever might happen next.
Meanwhile—
Xiao Long slowly moved closer.
Its massive flaming head lowered slightly—
Its gaze locked onto Zi Yan.
Dangerous.
Oppressive.
As if warning her—
One more step…
And it would not hold back.
Zi Yan felt it.
Of course she did.
But instead of retreating—
She tightened her hug around Xiao Feng.
"Hmph…"
Her cheeks puffed slightly as she glared back at Xiao Long.
"What are you staring at?!"
"I'm not afraid of you!"
Her voice wasn't loud—
But it was firm.
Because deep within her bloodline—
She was just as proud.
The blood of the Ancient Void Dragon would not bow so easily.
Xiao Feng stood between them—
One side burning with overwhelming flame…
The other filled with stubborn defiance.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
Then—
He slowly closed his eyes.
And let out a long sigh.
"…You two…"
He opened his eyes again, looking left… then right.
"…are really going to give me a headache."
Zi Yan immediately responded—
"It's not my fault!"
She pointed at Xiao Long with one hand while still hugging Xiao Feng with the other.
"It was the one glaring at me first!"
Xiao Long let out a low rumble—
Almost like a snort.
Clearly dissatisfied.
Xiao Feng raised his hand quickly.
"Enough."
His voice wasn't loud—
But it carried authority.
Both of them paused.
Xiao Feng looked at Xiao Long first.
"She's with me."
Then he turned to Zi Yan.
"And you—stop provoking him."
Zi Yan pouted.
"…Fine…"
But she still didn't let go.
Xiao Feng: "…"
After a moment, he gave up resisting and just shook his head helplessly.
One flame.
One dragon.
And both—
Equally troublesome.