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--- Chapter 361 ---
While Ju Fuya was busy showing off the disciples of Ten Thousand Beast Sect, Chi Ji, Zhi Gang, and Ao Yun to the envoys of forces on the Douluo Continent, the Star Dou Forest underwent yet another change.
This change went unnoticed because they are too busy clamoring about the new sect that might change the continent.
In this regard, Ju Fuya is doing a remarkably good job!
---
Star Dou Forest, Core Area.
Han Yuan sat quietly near the Lake of Life, analyzing the Essence Blood of the Emerald Swan. Beside him sat Bi Ji, the leader of the Emerald Swan Tribe, silently watching him.
On Bi Ji's soft lap pillow was the sleeping Fortune Thawing Dragon Lion, also known as the Auspicious Emperor Beast, Di Nayuan.
From a distance, they currently appear to be a peaceful family of three, but the truth is more complicated than that.
"As expected, the Emerald Swan is a descendant of a Phoenix," Han Yuan commented lightly. "Still, your bloodline focuses so much on vitality and healing that the 'nirvana' traits of the Phoenix have disappeared, or at least merged with your healing power, which is why it is so powerful."
"If we purify and strengthen your bloodline, you might become a powerful Phoenix, Bi Ji," he added, glancing at the elegant yet ferocious Emerald Swan. "Unfortunately, I can't guarantee what kind of Phoenix you would become."
"It could be the Emerald Phoenix, Life Phoenix, or even Azure Phoenix due to how saturated your bloodline is after reaching your current cultivation level."
Bi Ji, rubbing the head of the sleeping Auspicious Beast on her lap, asked calmly, "Which evolution path do I have the highest chance of?"
"The Emerald Phoenix," he replied. "It is basically the Pro Max, cough, I mean the Phoenix version of the Emerald Swan."
"This evolution path would grant you stronger vitality and healing powers, as well as the fighting prowess of a Phoenix. While you would still be the weakest in terms of strength among the Phoenix, you would still be a Phoenix."
"What about the Life Phoenix?" Bi Ji asked again, her curiosity piqued.
Han Yuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully before answering slowly, "Strictly speaking, the Life Phoenix is just a purer version of the Emerald Phoenix, and it is the evolution path I hope you will take, Bi Ji."
"Currently, you can't fully enjoy the Emerald Phoenix's changes, but the Life Phoenix's evolution path would truly change you forever, making you one of the most powerful spirit beasts that has ever lived."
"Are you calling me weak, Han Yuan? I can still fight if I want to, you know!" Bi Ji pouted slightly.
Han Yuan smiled. "You know that wasn't what I meant. Although you're a spirit beast—meaning your physical strength is much stronger than that of humans in the same realm—and you're capable of using spatial elements to a certain extent, at the end of the day, you're still a healer."
"If you evolved into a Life Phoenix, not only would your mastery of healing improve significantly, but you could also comprehend or even wield the Law of Life."
"Once your mastery is high enough, you're not just a healer. You would be someone who can reap 'life' from others with a mere wave of your hand!"
"Reaping lives... That sounds ominous," Bi Ji murmured, although deep down, she sensed that this path would be the most suitable for her.
Bi Ji had to admit that she could no longer grow stronger or wouldn't grow at all at her current stage. Yes, her healing power would improve, but that was about it.
Moreover, Han Yuan's comments about Bi Ji's Spatial Manipulation were spot on. Her bloodline foundation was not as robust as Di Tian's.
"Ominous or not is decided not by the power itself, but by its wielder," Han Yuan commented casually. "As for the Azure Phoenix..."
"Di Tian should have mentioned another world to you, right?"
Bi Ji was surprised that Han Yuan openly referred to this, but she nodded and mumbled, "Mm."
Han Yuan smiled and continued, "In that world, there are no spirit beasts, only Magical Beasts, and there is no such kind of shady suppression to limit their growth, though bloodline and talent still matter."
"One of the strongest Magical Beast Tribes in that plane is the Heaven Demon Phoenix, a Divine Beast capable of devouring and overturning heaven and earth."
"They also wield power to manipulate space and even darkness. They can rival True Dragons in that world, making them life-and-death rivals."
"In my vision, the Azure Phoenix is a slightly weaker version compared to the Heaven Demon Phoenix. It can't devour heaven and earth, but it can devour the sky and manipulate space and wind."
"I've mentioned that Enma, the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, possesses the ability to strengthen one's bloodline and give them a small chance to surpass their ancestors."
"The Azure Phoenix I mentioned is one of the direct descendants of the Phoenix God of the Douluo Universe—a being equal to the Dragon King's Descendant, referring to Di Tian and Yating here..."
"If you could surpass Emerald Phoenix and Life Phoenix, and evolve into an Azure Phoenix—though the chance is small—you could rival Di Tian in terms of talent, status, and, most importantly, power!"
Bi Ji was shocked to her core. "Y-You're not lying, right?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Han Yuan chuckled and let Di Yating answer this question, which caused her to glare at him unhappily.
Di Yating appeared in a pixie-like form, sitting on Han Yuan's left shoulder with an exasperated expression before huffing, "What Han Yuan said is true. Back then, the Phoenix Clan was an existence that could rival our Dragon Clan."
"I don't know about the Heaven Demon Phoenix, but the Azure Phoenix is indeed an existence that can contend with Di Tian and me."
"That is, of course, because the Azure Phoenix's talent as the dominator of the sky is just that powerful, while we Dragons have wings, the Phoenix is the lord of such a domain, making the Azure Phoenix a superior avian master than us."
"That strong..." Bi Ji was shocked.
Di Yating nodded firmly, "Yes, it is that strong."
"Unfortunately, the Phoenix Clan perished long before Dragon Clan did, and the Phoenix God's legacy has been fragmented and lost for a very long time."
When Han Yuan heard Di Yating's last comment, his mouth couldn't help but twitch because the Phoenix Clan and Phoenix God's fall was very much related to that troublemaker Dragon God.
The reason for this conflict is Phoenix God's terrifying innate divine ability, creation.
Creation, like its name, is the ability to simulate the existence of any ability!
Although the Dragon God possessed the supreme physique and control over nine elements, that is nothing compared to the Phoenix God's creation.
Ultimately, the motive behind Dragon God's action is unclear; it could be greed, jealousy, fear, or just paranoia.
Nonetheless, recalling that Silver Dragon King inherited not only Dragon God's wisdom, nine elemental powers, and yes, the 'creation' ability, Han Yuan leaned on the assumption of jealousy and greed.
Of course, it's just an assumption. Han Yuan still stayed quiet and didn't mention this to Di Yating or Bi Ji.
Bi Ji calmed her turbulent heart and then glanced at Han Yuan, asking with a solemn expression. "So, what is the chance of succeeding the 'Azure Phoenix' evolution path?"
"Do you want to know the lie or the truth first?"
"Truth..." Bi Ji answered instantly.
"The chance is below 0,001%," Han Yuan shrugged helplessly. "As for the lie, it is still possible as long as I try hard enough."
"What do you mean by that, Han Yuan?" Di Yating suddenly chimed in confusion.
Han Yuan smiled faintly, "Luck."
"Luck affects probability."
"Luck affects chance."
"With enough luck, even a loach can become a dragon, and a duck can become a phoenix."
"But I am a swan, not a duck..." Bi Ji narrowed her beautiful eyes at him.
Han Yuan waved his hand, "It's just an analogy."
"The real question is, do you want to do it or not?"
"Do it! Why not do it?!" Bi Ji wouldn't let such a life-changing chance slip through her hands.
"Good," Han Yuan gave Bi Ji an assuring look.
Too bad neither Di Yating nor Bi Ji realized the meaning of Han Yuan's lie of an answer earlier.
Try hard enough?
Han Yuan doesn't need to. All he needed to use it was the Purple Dawn Mist martial soul to help Bi Ji succeed her evolution path by using luck to change cause and effect.
He could help Auspicious Beast evolve to her current Fortune Thawing Dragon Lion. Why couldn't he help Emerald Swan, whose bloodline is slightly worse?
He didn't use it again, mainly because luck needs time to recover, but Bi Ji's evolution shouldn't consume as much as Di Nayuan did.
'Everything is according to keik-! Cough, I mean, plan.' Han Yuan wanted to laugh inwardly, but stopped midway because he felt someone strong approaching.
He glanced back, "Who is there?"