Chapter 71: The Sirius Transformation

“Why should it be so? Just because it holds the power over life and death, does that mean it can slaughter as it pleases? I refuse to believe in it!”

With a gust of wind at his feet, Lin Feng’s figure became a blur as he darted to Wu Zhui’s side.

“Idiot! You, you brainless fool! You’re dragging me to my death! Wuwu… For all my wisdom, how could I be ruined by a simpleton!” Li Chi was so infuriated he nearly burst into tears, but nothing could change the outcome now—the divine thunder in the heavens was already revealing its awe-inspiring might.

Golden light! Above their heads, nothing remained but a sea of gold. One could only imagine the terror of this thunder punishment—the writhing arcs of electricity crackled and roared, amassing a vast charge. Thunderclaps exploded like crashing waves, and within dozens of yards, every tree and blade of grass was reduced to ash.

“Neigh—” The Red Wind Horse could no longer bear the furious, destructive aura and bolted into the distance.

“Fool! Imbecile! The power of this tribulation thunder far exceeds what the two of you, even at your peak, could withstand in a single blow. It’s over, it’s over!”

“Shut up!”

With a furious roar, Li Chi fell silent—not because Lin Feng intimidated him, but because the ultimate heavenly punishment, brewing for so long, was finally about to descend!

Wild winds raged, lightning danced, and the swollen tribulation clouds abruptly contracted. With a thunderous crack, a golden dragon soared skyward, climbing to dizzying heights. Suddenly, it turned its head and, with supreme majesty, dove straight down from the heavens!

“Big brother, I’ve dragged you into this…” Wu Zhui’s voice trembled. Gazing at the dragon-shaped lightning, he had no strength left to resist.

A cold light flashed in Lin Feng’s eyes. He raised his head to meet the thunder, and an unprecedented surge of heroism welled up within him. His arms flooded with surging spiritual power. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” Three punches thundered out, carrying an overbearing might that defied the will of heaven!

The third golden lightning stalled for a moment, the dragon head forged of electricity shattering completely. Yet the more potent force of the golden thunder penalty surged on unimpeded, striking straight down!

“Ah—!” The lightning crashed onto him, blinding him with its radiance. Nothing else could be seen.

“I refuse to yield!” Burning his spiritual energy with reckless abandon, he unleashed another sky-shattering punch!

It was futile! The golden thunder devoured his punch instantly, unstoppable.

Despair—utter despair! No, at the end of despair lies reckless defiance!

His spiritual awareness sharpened to an unprecedented degree, and an uncontrollable surge of primal power rampaged within him. For the first time, Lin Feng could clearly sense the terrifying energy it held!

“Roar!” A tangible white dragon shadow condensed around him and soared into the sky. White and gold clashed—thunderous detonations erupted, fire and lightning exploding across the entire forest.

With a crash, Lin Feng collapsed to his knees, drained of strength. Yet the final bolt of thunder punishment had still not entirely dissipated!

“Roar—” Suddenly, Wu Zhui leapt into the air, charging headlong into the remnants of the lightning!

With a blinding flash, the lightning exploded on his body, blood spraying through the air in a dance of light and shadow.

“Wu Zhui!” The thunder enveloped him completely, obscuring everything. In an instant, the sky cleared and sunlight broke through; everything returned to normal. On the scorched clearing, a blood-soaked figure lay flat on the searing earth, eyes shut tight.

“We did it! We succeeded!” Lin Feng was wild with excitement, staggering over to check on him.

“Big brother…” Wu Zhui forced his eyes open, excitement shining in their depths.

“Good, good. Just lie still—I’ll fetch medicine.” Staring at the youthful yet strangely familiar face, Lin Feng felt a surge of warmth. Wu Zhui had now truly become human—a bald head, handsome features, thirteen or fourteen years old, lean and toned, his body tall and sturdy. Though covered in wounds, there was a faint, wild strength about him.

“Hm? The Red Wind Horse ran off? Damn beast!” Lin Feng glanced around, ready to curse, when the sound of hoofbeats approached. Seeing the tribulation had passed, the Red Wind Horse had circled back.

“At least you have a conscience.” Lin Feng patted its back, retrieved medicinal powder from his bundle, and carefully applied it to Wu Zhui.

“We’ll rest here for the day. Tomorrow we’ll start back to the mountain. Focus on recovering.” With that, Lin Feng was about to meditate—his energy was completely spent after fighting the tribulation.

“Big brother, um… could you find me some clothes?” Wu Zhui asked, a little embarrassed.

“Haha, it’s just the two of us here—what’s there to be shy about? Haven’t you always gone about naked? Haha! Once we reach town, I’ll get you a proper set of clothes,” Lin Feng laughed.

Wu Zhui sat up, nodded, looked at his new body, and then, imitating Lin Feng, closed his eyes to meditate.

Gazing at Wu Zhui’s smooth bald head, Lin Feng smiled, then began circulating his energy to recover. After three cycles of the Longevity Technique, his spiritual power gradually returned. Opening his eyes, he looked around—Wu Zhui was still sitting there, breathing steady, his hands weaving through complex gestures at lightning speed, practicing some unknown technique.

“Hey, did you realize you almost got us all killed just now? If it weren’t for the dragon’s true essence, you, me, and even I would all be finished!” For once, Li Chi’s tone was more moderate, but the strong note of grievance remained.

“How was I supposed to know the tribulation would be like this? Why didn’t you say anything earlier? Wait—what’s this about dragon’s true essence?” Lin Feng pressed. He’d long suspected Li Chi knew too much—even the ancient sage Che Zhonglou might not compare. He’d thought the Violet Dragon Golden Seal held a dragon soul, but now he realized that guess was wrong. It was time to get to the bottom of things.

“You don’t know you have a dragon’s primal force sealed inside you? Truly the world’s greatest fool. Let me educate you.” After sneering, Li Chi continued, “When a dragon survives its tribulation and takes human form, it cultivates a primal dragon essence within. This is different from other demon beasts—the dragon essence is one’s lifeblood. Lose it, and the dragon dies. So, the true owner of the dragon essence sealed in your body is dead. But who would go to such trouble to seal a dragon’s essence inside you? If someone had that ability, they should have—”

Halfway through, Li Chi suddenly sensed something and stopped abruptly.

“So, with its protection, am I nearly immortal?” Lin Feng asked.

“Immortal, my foot! Each use weakens it. After three times, don’t expect it to shield you again—it’ll gradually dissipate within you. You’re not a dragon, so you can’t replenish or control it. Heh.” Li Chi gave a cold laugh.

Three times! He’d already wasted two, with only one left. Still, one chance was better than none.

“By the way, if what you say is true, why did Wu Zhui face a triple thunder tribulation? Didn’t you say it would only be double at first?”

Li Chi was silent for a moment, then replied coldly, “If Heaven dislikes you, triple or even quadruple isn’t unheard of. In my prime, this measly golden thunder? I’d swallow it in one gulp.”

“Are you bragging?” Lin Feng scoffed.

“Bragging? Don’t believe me? Fine! I’ll teach you a set of incantations—then you’ll see if I’m boasting or not!”

“What incantations? Tell me!” Lin Feng’s face lit up with anticipation.

“The Grand Xun True Demon Incantation. Dare to learn it?” Now it was Li Chi’s turn to be smug.

“Uh, demon—demonic arts?” Lin Feng’s voice wavered.

“That’s right! My proudest technique. How about it?” Li Chi continued, full of himself.

“Forget it. I’m not interested in the demonic path right now—you keep it,” Lin Feng shook his head.

“Spineless! Such powerful demon arts, and you won’t learn them. Fine, I’ll sleep—don’t bother me…” And with that, Li Chi fell silent again.

He always appeared and vanished like a dragon, yet blamed others for disturbing him. Lin Feng shook his head helplessly and stood up.

Boom! At that moment, Wu Zhui’s hands shifted through a series of seals. His eyes snapped open, and with a punch, a phantom black light flashed forth. The trees before him—ten yards wide and dozens long—were flattened in an instant, debris flying, not a single trunk left standing.

“Wu Zhui, you’re even stronger than me now! What technique was that?” Lin Feng asked in astonishment.

Wu Zhui gave a shy smile. “The Transforming Kill Form.”

“Oh? Are there other moves? Where did you learn such techniques? Did Che Zhonglou teach you?”

“No,” Wu Zhui tilted his head in thought. “After the tribulation, a flood of memories came back. I need time to digest them. That move is only the simplest—there are many, many powerful techniques…”

Lin Feng drew a sharp breath. So it was true—once demon beasts took human form, they gained many innate advantages: powerful bodies, self-contained techniques, lacking only magical treasures and elixirs.

“Get used to your new body and memories. We’ll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll be on our way.”