Jiang Feiling

To Li Tianming's surprise, the girl seemed to be running barefoot. But upon closer inspection, her feet weren't even touching the ground; she was flying through the air.

No wonder Little Yellow Chicken mistook her for a female ghost at first glance.

She had many unbelievable things about her, but they were mostly overshadowed by her long, shapely, snow-white legs. Li Tianming's eyes were fixed on these beautiful legs, which were constantly moving in the air.

She had already seen Li Tianming. Even before she saw him, she had locked onto his direction. Perhaps she had sensed his presence even earlier.

Their distance was closing rapidly. Li Tianming, of course, wouldn't let this fairy-like girl perish before his eyes, so he also charged towards her at his fastest speed.

The trees along the way blurred into the background. Li Tianming's speed was so great that he almost left Little Yellow Chicken behind. It could only squawk and cling to Li Tianming's hair with its claws, its small body shaking violently in the wind.

"Li Tianming, I see right through you! You're all about friendship when it suits you, but you're a lustful beast!" Little Yellow Chicken cursed angrily amidst the violent jolts.

However, Li Tianming was deaf to its curses. His eyes were only on the girl now.

Their distance continued to shrink, and he could see more clearly. The girl's beauty was absolutely breathtaking, and even the crystalline glow emanating from her was incredibly special.

Then, he saw the girl smile.

When she smiled, she had a dimple at the corner of her mouth, and her eyes narrowed into crescent moons. She smiled with great satisfaction, cute and playful.

She was smiling at Li Tianming, a smile meant only for him.

The Fierce Beast behind her was indeed terrifying. Fortunately, Li Tianming arrived in time. He reached out, intending this time to embrace the girl's slender waist and instantly turn back, helping her escape danger!

But just as Li Tianming could almost smell the floral fragrance emanating from the girl, something unbelievable happened.

As he was about to embrace the girl's waist to pull her out of danger, the girl suddenly lunged at him!

He expected a collision that would send them both tumbling, and Li Tianming had already tried his best to dodge. But what he never expected was that when the girl collided with him, she shattered!

That's right, her entire body disintegrated, vanishing into thin air in an instant!

Of course, she didn't turn into a pile of bloody remains. There wasn't even any blood. She simply disappeared into Li Tianming like mist, as if she hadn't needed Li Tianming to save her at all.

Such a bizarre event confirmed Little Yellow Chicken's "female ghost" description and was absolutely spine-chilling.

But in the next moment, Li Tianming felt a wondrous sensation.

It felt as if he had suddenly been injected with adrenaline. He discovered a fierce feeling surging through his body, like a berserker rage or an explosion of unearthed potential!

He felt it!

First, his flesh and blood. After being modified by the Primordial Chaos Beast, his Eternal Purgatory Body already possessed greater strength than ordinary people. Now, this explosive **power seemed to have increased significantly.

Then there was the Eternal Purgatory Beast Essence. Such high-quality beast essence, although the total amount hadn't increased, seemed to have absorbed a peculiar power.

That power made the already terrifying Eternal Purgatory Beast Essence even more explosive. Li Tianming could definitely feel that he was now a level stronger than before!

This was a comprehensive improvement. All of this happened after the girl collided with him and shattered.

If he concentrated, he could indeed feel that various aspects of his body had been infused with a strange power, like a catalyst.

"What the hell!" As he lowered his head, he was shocked to find his skin had changed.

The luster that the girl's skin had once possessed had transferred to him. Now, his entire body's skin glowed with a crystalline radiance...

What in the world was going on...

"Brother, dodge quickly." Suddenly, a soft and melodious voice reached his ears. As soon as Li Tianming heard it, he knew that such a beautiful voice could only belong to that girl.

She wasn't dead, nor had she shattered. So where was she?

As Li Tianming pondered this, the voice spoke again: "Brother, don't worry about where I am for now. Let's escape first?"

Even if she hadn't said it, Li Tianming wouldn't have had the time to worry about her. The Fierce Beast that was chasing them had already discovered a new prey and locked onto Li Tianming.

It was a tall, ferocious ape, covered in dense golden fur that resembled steel needles. Its body was thick and majestic, with muscles that seemed ready to explode.

Li Tianming knew this was a "Second-Tier Fierce Beast," a Golden Ape. Golden Apes were considered overlords among Second-Tier Fierce Beasts. An adult's combat power was comparable to someone at the Eighth Level of Beast Vein Realm. This one before him was clearly a mature, ferocious beast.

The ranking of Fierce Beasts was similar to that of Companion Beasts. However, the ranking of Companion Beasts primarily focused on potential. While a fully grown Companion Beast could be very strong, a Companion Beast in its cultivation period, even a Sixth-Tier Companion Beast, might not be a match for an adult Second-Tier Fierce Beast.

The Golden Ape charged forward aggressively. There wasn't enough time to hide. In this critical moment, both Li Tianming and Little Yellow Chicken chose to fight.

Li Tianming didn't have time. As the ape lunged, his Dark Arm clenched into a fist. He used Ghost Shadow Steps to flash and dodge the Golden Ape's claw, then turned and threw a "Dragon Elephant Heavy Fist" at the back of its head.

Boom!

The Golden Ape reacted with surprising agility, blocking Li Tianming's punch with its arm. However, it had never expected Li Tianming's punch to be so powerful. The explosive force sent it rolling several times.

"I'm this strong?" Li Tianming was a little stunned himself. He felt at least two levels stronger than when he defeated Li Zifeng.

But the crucial point was that he had only broken through one realm. Such a change was likely brought about by the girl.

"Eat my claw."

Little Yellow Chicken was fierce. Just as Li Tianming's punch sent the Golden Ape reeling, it charged forward, heading straight for the Golden Ape's eyes, locking onto its weak point.

Battle arts had martial and beast techniques. The beast technique part of Dragon Elephant Heavy Fist was called "Dragon Elephant Heavy Claw." Little Yellow Chicken had already mastered this beast technique. Don't underestimate its small claws; the Dragon Elephant Heavy Claw it unleashed was equally powerful.

If it weren't for the girl, its attack would have been similar to Li Tianming's, and even more ferocious.

Li Tianming seized the opportunity and drew his Bloodfire Thorn, charging forward again.

After the Dark Arm appeared, Li Tianming adjusted his fighting style. For punches, claws, and palm strikes, he would primarily use his left Dark Arm because it wasn't ideal for gripping weapons.

He continued to wield the Bloodfire Thorn with his right hand, as his right hand was still a human hand and more dexterous.

Under their fierce pincer attack, the Golden Ape, comparable to an Eighth Level of Beast Vein Realm expert, felt a desire to retreat. As soon as it got up, it fled.

This primate-like Fierce Beast thrived in Fire Silk Mountain; it would be impossible to catch it if it fled in a panic, and there would be no point in chasing it anyway.

Thus, the dangerous situation was resolved. However, Li Tianming was still completely confused. He knew that without the girl's sudden surge of power, he and Little Yellow Chicken wouldn't have stood a chance against the Golden Ape.

Now, the deep forest had finally quieted down. Li Tianming and Little Yellow Chicken stood facing each other, staring into each other's eyes.

"Haha, you're glowing all over, like a sissy," Little Yellow Chicken said, clutching its stomach and rolling with laughter.

Li Tianming looked down and indeed saw that he had changed.

However, at this moment, the glow on his body gradually dissipated, and an unbelievable thing happened again!

The radiance on his body condensed before his eyes, and in less than a breath, it transformed back into that ethereal young girl, barefoot and floating in mid-air.

As the girl floated before him, Li Tianming could see her more clearly. Indeed, she was like a spirit of nature, so beautiful she didn't seem human at all.

She wasn't dead. Had she possessed him just now?

Is this even human? This is like being possessed by a ghost...

"Brother, thank you for saving my life just now," the girl said, smiling. It seemed as if her every word carried a hint of laughter, her dimples were incredibly charming, and her eyes narrowed into crescent moons, making her look cute and lovely.

"Huh?" Li Tianming's mind was in chaos, and he couldn't speak clearly.

"Beautiful maiden, don't mind him, he's a scoundrel," Little Yellow Chicken hopped onto Li Tianming's shoulder and said with a serious face, "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is 'Ying Huo,' and I am this scoundrel's guardian chicken."

"So cute," the girl reached out and caught it, placing it in her palm. She stroked its head with her palm, her eyes shining.

"Beautiful maiden, please don't do that. I'm not a pet, nor am I a casual person," Little Yellow Chicken said, holding its head.

"I'm sorry," the girl returned Little Yellow Chicken to Li Tianming, then looked at him expectantly and asked, "Brother, can you give him to me?"

"Sure, take him. Remember to pick some mushrooms and stew him, I guarantee it'll be tender and delicious," Li Tianming said gleefully, grabbing Little Yellow Chicken. He cursed inwardly: Let's see you try to pick up girls in front of me again!

The girl was amused. She really loved to laugh, and Li Tianming was very fond of her pure and simple demeanor.

The girl he knew once was like this too, but after entering the Yanhuang Academy, she had experienced so much competition and gradually changed.

"Brother, you're so humorous. I know he's your Companion Beast, I was just joking," the girl said playfully. She looked curiously at Li Tianming and Little Yellow Chicken, then continued, "My name is 'Jiang Feiling.' What should I call you, Brother?"

"His name is terrible, chuunibyou and brainless, something like Li Tianming," Little Yellow Chicken interjected first.

"Brother Tianming," the girl smiled again. Her threshold for laughter was really low. Perhaps she found it amusing that a cute creature like Little Yellow Chicken spoke like a scoundrel...

But she looked so beautiful when she smiled, making Li Tianming feel completely better, as if he were sinking into sweetness.

"Sister Ling'er, you're so beautiful," the shameless Little Yellow Chicken chimed in again, even taking the initiative to affectionately call her Sister Ling'er. Li Tianming now wanted to throw it away.

"Thank you, Ying Huo... Brother."

This girl was as ethereal as a fairy, yet also playful and cute. But Li Tianming was still completely bewildered at this moment. What exactly was this girl named Jiang Feiling!

"Sister Ling'er, where is your Companion Beast?" Little Yellow Chicken was already shameless, so Li Tianming could only shamelessly use an affectionate address.

"Ling'er doesn't have a Companion Beast. I was born without one," she said, seeming completely unconcerned about it.

Moreover, Li Tianming also noticed at this moment that she seemed like an ordinary person, with no trace of Beast Essence aura on her.

Without a Companion Beast, it was indeed impossible to embark on the path of cultivation.

"You don't have one? Then just now..."

"Brother, although Ling'er doesn't have a Companion Beast, I have some special abilities. These are Ling'er's secrets. Because I feel a special connection with Brother, a sense of familiarity, I trust you," she said, looking at Li Tianming with innocent eyes.

"You feel it too?"

Li Tianming's heart trembled. He didn't know why, but the more he spoke with her, the more he smelled her scent, the more comfortable and familiar he felt, as if they had known each other before.

Yet, he was certain he had never seen her in this life.

"Brother feels it too? I also find it very strange. Just now, my 'Spirit Attachment' state reached max level. This is the first time it's reached max level since I can remember. The highest Spirit Attachment before this was with 'Qing'er.' Qing'er was born on the same day, month, and year as me, and her Spirit Attachment state only reached level six." the girl said softly.

"What is 'Spirit Attachment'?" Li Tianming asked curiously.

"It's the process of possessing someone, like I did to you just now, transforming my body into a 'Spirit Body.' This is my innate special ability. It can enhance all aspects of your combat power. A perfect Spirit Attachment can enhance your abilities by roughly one realm," the girl said seriously, seemingly savoring the experience of this perfect Spirit Attachment.

"That's amazing," Li Tianming was a bit stunned. He had never heard of such a thing.

A girl born without a Companion Beast could possess someone else and enhance their combat power?

So it was because he was able to help her achieve a max-level Spirit Attachment that she trusted him so much and felt so close to him.

"Brother, look at Ling'er's fingernails." She suddenly raised her hand, her ten slender, snow-white fingers waving before Li Tianming's eyes.

Li Tianming couldn't help but reach out and hold her palm. The touch was soft and warm, simply enjoyable.

"Brother..." the girl quickly withdrew her palm, her face suddenly blushing. This rosy color was incredibly beautiful, and the maiden's shyness made Li Tianming a little unable to control himself.

"I'm sorry," Li Tianming quickly apologized. He really hadn't controlled himself just now.

"You just need to look at my fingernails." Her face was still flushed, and she couldn't look at Li Tianming, lowering her head. However, she raised her hand again, and Li Tianming saw that her fingernails were indeed different.

On eight of her fingernails were strange symbols, similar to Heavenly Patterns, complex and profound. Looking at them for too long made one uncomfortable.

Only two fingernails had no symbols. These two fingernails were crystal clear, beautiful like pearls, and seemed to have strange power flowing within them.

"They say Ling'er will have ten special abilities, but they were sealed by birth. Now, two have awakened. One is Spirit Attachment, and this is the fingernail for Spirit Attachment," she said, showing Li Tianming the little finger of her left hand.

"And this fingernail, it hides the power of a 'Time Field'. I can unleash a Time Field to control the flow of time." Jiang Feiling said with a hint of pride.

Even though she wasn't a Beast Master, these two special abilities sounded like they were enough to make her the most unbelievable existence in the Vermilion Bird Country.

Moreover, who knew when the remaining eight fingernails would be unsealed?

Li Tianming was completely lost. He felt like meeting this girl was like a dream.

"Ling'er, why don't you marry Li Tianming? Your two abilities, combined with Li Tianming, would make you the ultimate support in the world." Little Yellow Chicken suddenly said.

"Ah, is that appropriate?" the girl asked blankly. They had just met, it was too direct...

"Ignore it. This guy has been malnourished since he was young, so his brain is messed up. He's mentally challenged." Li Tianming couldn't stand it anymore and stuffed Little Yellow Chicken back into its Companion Space, otherwise, it would keep spouting nonsense.

"Damn it, Li Tianming, you're not human..." Before it could finish its curse, Little Yellow Chicken vanished, bringing blessed silence.

Li Tianming was about to take advantage of the situation, at least he wanted to clarify the girl's identity and create an opportunity to meet her again.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, a figure suddenly rushed out from the left and directly inserted themselves between the two, pushing Li Tianming away.

"Thief! Who are you!"

The one speaking was another girl, her voice crisp and fierce. Li Tianming guessed she was the "Qing'er" that Jiang Feiling had mentioned.