Qi Zai’s figure was eye-catching and imposing as it soared, and surely many pairs of eyes on the ground were fixed upon it. Ning Xiaoxian lay supine on its back, her delicate body nestled within its broad and warm back feathers. During flight, bird demons rely on air currents to conserve energy, no different from ordinary birds, except that Qi Zai pitied her still-recovering body and held up Gang Qi to shield her from the high-altitude air currents.

Before her stretched a dazzlingly blue sky, seemingly rinsed clean with not a wisp of cloud in sight. She raised her hand to shield her eyes, while the rushing sound of the wind whistled past her ears.

The expanse between heaven and earth seemed so lofty and vast, yet was there truly a place for her and Changtian to stand? On the westward journey, the furthest she had thought ahead was nothing more than helping him to escape his plight. Now he stood once more proudly and defiantly in this world, becoming an ancient giant demon, almost standing opposite the people just like Yin Jiu You.

What kind of future would there be for her and him?

Lost in thought, she inadvertently entered a meditative state, not knowing how long Qi Zai had been flying until he cautiously inquired, "Is Lord Divine Monarch not getting along with you?"

"What nonsense!" She forcefully tugged at the soft back feathers.

"Ouch, that hurts!" Qi Zai grimaced in pain, "You can awaken on your own without needing Yin Jiu You’s Soul Summoning Technique. This is a tremendous thing for both Lord Divine Monarch and us, so what is there to worry about?"

She paused, slightly taken aback.

Qi Zai made a very good point. According to the terms set in the Blood Covenant, Changtian needed to slaughter fifty thousand cultivators before Yin Jiu You would teach him the Soul Summoning Technique. But she woke up early, unknowingly giving Changtian the upper hand. Though the remaining ten thousand cultivators’ soul power still needed to be paid, Changtian was already free to capture Yin Jiu You with no further constraints.

Her unexpected awakening had unknowingly altered the situation between these two ancient demons, and perhaps might even affect the balance across the entire continent.

Having the chance to wake up again, she should embrace the joy of rebirth; why burden herself with so many worries at this moment? Ning Xiaoxian, Ning Xiaoxian, are you worrying too much? Have you forgotten your own advice to yourself back in Butterfly Valley, "live only in the present"? Besides, if the sky were to fall, they could just bear it together, and if they were shattered to pieces, what of it—all those who’ve died once every extra day alive is a windfall, where is the need for such needless apprehension?

For all her cleverness, she couldn’t see as clearly as this simple-minded bird demon.

After a bout of kneading that tousled Qi Zai’s feathers, she smiled and said, "You are occasionally quite useful, aren’t you?"

"..." Qi Zai, embarrassed, with a flushed face said, "Ahem, my Qingluan occasionally says the same."

"Alright, find a place to land. I want to take a walk. It’s been a long time since I last walked." Where is this place? She looked down from high above and was shocked to discover they were already near the outskirts of Bashe Forest.

Though Qi Zai’s cultivation had advanced significantly, boosting his flight speed, it still took most of the day to fly here from Yixian Inn. Had she really been daydreaming that long?

Understanding her wishes, Qi Zai flew lower and lower, finally landing stably in a plum forest. He moved boldly, without concealing his form at all, causing the nearby demons to automatically retreat from his presence, daring not to approach. Thus, as she strolled through the woods, apart from a few silly birds with long, white feathered tails chirping, the plum grove grew ever more tranquil, embodying the essence of birdsong enhancing the mountain’s serenity.

Such a primordial wild forest, where a dozen kinds of trees flourished together. Besides the red plum blossoms with branches bent under the weight of white snow, influenced by Ba Snake’s Power of Growth, Crab Claw Orchid, Red Palm, and first-class red—all early spring flowers—were blooming in advance during the twelfth month. Thus, amidst a pure white simplicity, dazzling reds and pinks dotted the landscape, like a dream turned reality.

She had visited countless times. Through the intricate water network of Bashe Forest ran a deep river passing through here, the very river where she first infiltrated Hidden Stream in the past.

The river water flowed rapidly, never freezing. As she slowly approached, the water surface splattered, suddenly thrusting out a menacingly large head. She remained unafraid, allowing two or three drops of water to splash onto her face.

Having seen Changtian’s True Body, she no longer felt its size intimidating, even though this Canglong had grown considerably fatter and its scales became jet black; evidently living well, indulging itself, enjoying an extremely pleasant life.