"Crash…"
A massive shadow swept across the skies above the forest, its presence alone causing the towering ancient trees below to sway violently.
Looking closer, it was a massive black dragon that stretched nearly a hundred meters in length. Its scales shone with a metallic luster in the sunlight, sharp and indestructible.
The dragon's ferocious head rose high, and every beat of its vast wings—so immense they seemed to blot out the heavens—whipped up violent gales.
Yet, unlike the trembling fear it once showed before Neuvillette, the immense vertical pupils in its eyes now held a calm and unfathomable depth.
"Boom!"
The Abyssal Demon Dragon stilled its wings, its enormous body descending slowly until it came to rest beside a vast, open lake.
Several horrifying spirit beasts, each emanating a suffocating aura, were already there. Yet, upon seeing the dragon, they bowed their heads in solemn respect, silently awaiting its words.
"Indeed, he is not one of my dragonkin."
The Abyssal Demon Dragon spoke with a deep, detached tone.
"Master, I cannot see through him."
Di Tian's towering figure bent slightly as he spoke. On his strikingly handsome face flickered a hint of unease.
"It is normal that you cannot see through him," the dragon replied.
"Then… Master, could it be that you—?" Di Tian's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"I also cannot see through him." The Abyssal Demon Dragon shook its head faintly, its gaze still profound and inscrutable.
Di Tian: "…"
"Hehe… Not just you or I—even those so-called gods in the heavens above may not truly be able to see through him."
The dragon's eyes shimmered with strange light.
"His draconic bloodline is exceedingly pure. At first, I thought he might be a true dragon in human form. I believed that your inability to perceive his depths was simply a matter of insufficient strength. Yet now that I have personally come… I am only left with greater doubt."
"My power, like that of the Golden Dragon King, originates from the primal chaos energy of creation—undying, indestructible. And that boy…"
The dragon suddenly halted mid-sentence, its expression flickering with hesitation.
It let out a soft sigh before turning to the gathered beasts.
"That boy must not die. At least not before I have fully recovered. Whatever happens, if it involves him, inform me before you act.
"Yes!"
The terrifying beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest responded in unison, their voices trembling with fear and reverence.
The next moment—
The Abyssal Demon Dragon dissolved into a streak of silver light, plunging into the rippling waters of the lake. Only then did that near-unbearable oppressive aura gradually fade away.
"Disperse. Return to your territories," ordered the tall black-robed man standing at the forefront. His voice was calm but carried an edge.
"Remember well the Lord's words. Should anyone dare to defy him, do not blame me for discarding old bonds."
"Yes!"
A strange-looking man in dark green floral robes nodded. His body began dissolving into strands of grass, which climbed upward until his entire figure vanished into the earth.
"We dare not disobey the Lord's command."
Another beast—a burly middle-aged man with a ferocious visage—bowed his head. Though he secretly coveted Di Tian's position, he would never dare challenge an order given by the Lord himself.
He crouched low, then launched like a cannonball deep into the forest, leaving behind a streak of dark-gold light across the sky.
"Mm."
A beautiful woman in a flowing dark-purple gown merely nodded lightly.
"Do I even need to say it? Hahaha…"
A muscular man, his bare shoulders etched with the image of a three-headed crimson hound, scratched his head and laughed heartily.
"Just from that little display earlier—I doubt I could even match him."
Di Tian shot the Scarlet King a sidelong glance. "Keep a close watch on the Rui Beast. If anything happens, I'll flay you alive."
"…Yes."
The Scarlet King shrank back slightly, nodding with a sheepish grin.
"The Rui Beast… where has that little one gone?" Bi Ji frowned slightly, her gentle, water-like eyes turning toward the inner forest. "I haven't seen it today…"
"Maybe it went to the outskirts. That little one is always playful. Perfectly normal. I'll go check…"
The Scarlet King chuckled awkwardly before vanishing into the woods as a streak of crimson light.
"This world… I can no longer make sense of it."
Di Tian let out a heavy sigh.
"Don't overthink. You've already done well all these years." Bi Ji gently took his arm, her soft voice offering comfort.
"I hope it's only me overthinking."
Di Tian's expression remained heavy.
The growth rate of humans was terrifying—especially recently, with the Sun Moon Empire and their bizarre, weapon-bearing armies.
Some of those weapons could even wound a hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts…
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forest.
Neuvillette led his group into the outer regions of the Star Dou Great Forest, stopping just short of the core.
They halted their march, setting up a brief rest.
By now, seven members of the group had already obtained suitable spirit rings. Only the two young ones and Wufeng had yet to gain theirs—but Neuvillette already had a plan.
Huo Yutong's martial soul was the Spirit Eye, and her path of cultivation was toward the Mechanical Ascension. Thus, the spirit rings she obtained in the original canon were little more than a burden.
Tianmeng's million-year spirit ring granted her first soul skill, encompassing not only spiritual detection but also mental empowerment, soul shock, and even a domain of spiritual interference.
And the terrifying part—this million-year spirit ring was not even the full extent of Tianmeng's power. As Tianmeng's power increased, more of his sealed abilities would slowly be unlocked. Its potential ceiling was nearly limitless.
By contrast, the original later rings—second skill: Spiritual Shock, third: Mass Weakening, fourth: Mental Confusion—were simply redundant overlaps.
Neuvillette clicked his tongue.
Useful, but not by much…
So, what does machinery require?
Metal serves as the vessel, spirit power as the fuel, and formations as the engine.
Which meant—
Either she should focus on metals, or… on the engraving of formations—essentially, spiritual power.
But compared to deliberately augmenting spiritual power with spirit rings… was there even a need?
With Tianmeng Iceworm—a million-year spirit beast—at her side, to put it bluntly, even ascending to godhood, that was more than enough…
So, for now, the focus should be on metals.
"Teacher Neuvillette, Yutong just finished grilling the fish."
His thoughts were interrupted. Beside the tall cliffside waterfall, Neuvillette turned to see the beautiful youth at his side, offering him a roasted fish with a bright smile and jade-like hands.
"Oh…"
Neuvillette accepted it casually.
This world truly possessed oil, salt, soy, vinegar, and spices similar to his previous life.
As the original text mentioned, with food-type spirit masters around, the upper limits of cuisine had been raised tremendously.
"Not bad."
Every bite of the girl's roasted fish was unexpectedly delightful.
One had to admit: roasted with spiritual power, this was on an entirely different level. If she ever entered a cooking contest, she would utterly dominate.
The only downside was—this girl seemed intent on clinging to him. No matter what he did, she wouldn't leave his side.
Taking another light bite, the roasted fish released a fragrant aroma. Beneath the crispy skin lay tender, flavorful flesh.
Ever since this little cook appeared, he no longer needed to worry about meals.
"Hehe, Yutong's grilled fish is so popular now. Everyone's waiting with hungry eyes, drooling for their turn."
(End of Chapter)