From Youth to Manhood

That gaze went straight into Ye Xing's heart. He felt something in his chest shatter silently.

He didn't even remember how he got back to Lingyun Peak.

He only remembered that they had agreed to practice sword fighting together the next day, and then he had returned in a daze.

Watching Ye Xing leave, Xia Wantang heard the affection point broadcast she had been hoping for:

[Xia Wantang gained 5 affection points from Ye Xing. Current affection: 55. Faith points gained: 50.]

Although her affection only increased by five points, she was very satisfied.

After practicing sword fighting together for so many days before, Ye Xing's affection had barely budged.

To have it increase by 15 points today was already quite difficult.

With that thought, she happily started walking towards the main hall, ready to continue her practice.

Just then, a small blue beast blocked her path. It was Lin Xi:

"Sister, who was that human just now? Why did you tell him your secret?"

Lin Xi pouted, clearly unhappy:

Sister is so fake. She's clearly so fierce, why pretend to be weak in front of that guy?

And why did sister tell that person such a big secret? Even I didn't know it!

Xia Wantang crouched down and rubbed Lin Xi's head, saying:

"That's the Holy Son of Azure Cloud Palace. Sister needs his help."

To gain affection points, isn't that what "needing help" is all about?

Hearing this, Lin Xi became even more displeased:

"I'm stronger than him. Isn't there anything you can't ask me for, Sister, that you have to ask him?"

Xia Wantang felt helpless:

At first, she had worried that Lin Xi would be very wary of humans, making it difficult to gain affection points.

But she hadn't expected Lin Xi to be so simple-minded and trust her so easily.

However, this was also a double-edged sword. Lin Xi was a young beast and clearly saw her as an elder, relying on her.

Now, it was even starting to show possessiveness, which wasn't ideal.

So, she looked at Lin Xi seriously and said:

"Lin Xi, we are very good partners who trust each other. If there's anything I can't handle, I will definitely ask you for help."

"But I am human, and I have many human friends. Just like you have many demonic beast friends, we have other important relationships to maintain besides each other."

Lin Xi seriously considered Xia Wantang's words. It seemed to make sense.

It had no choice but to suppress the slight discomfort in its heart:

"Okay."

Then, as if it remembered something, it said excitedly:

"Oh, right, Sister. After using the pills you gave me, my injuries have mostly recovered. I estimate that in another half a month, I'll be fully healed and back to my peak condition."

Xia Wantang nodded and gave it another bottle of pills:

"If you need more pills, you can always ask me for them."

After learning alchemy and artifact refining, the pills and magic treasures in her storage bag had only increased, not decreased.

She had just refined many healing pills last night, which she could give to Lin Xi.

Lin Xi took the pills, its brown eyes teary:

"Sister, you're so good to me!"

"When I advance to adulthood, I'll protect you well!"

Demonic beasts matured differently from humans; it mainly depended on their cultivation.

High-level demonic beasts that reached the Spirit Sovereign Realm and could transform were considered adults.

However, Kirin were different. Although they could transform at the Spirit Sovereign Realm, it was in a youthful form. Only when they reached the Spirit Emperor Realm were they considered truly adult, and their human form would also change from youthful to mature.

Xia Wantang smiled and nodded, not dampening Lin Xi's enthusiasm:

"Alright, Sister will wait."

Because Lin Xi was in its young beast form, she had never thought of it as male. That's why she was particularly caring and tolerant, and even liked to tease it.

Even when its affection points increased, she treated it as dependence after arriving in an unfamiliar environment, never associating it with romantic feelings.

After placating Lin Xi, Xia Wantang returned to the main hall.

At this moment, the System's voice sounded:

[Host, Host, affection points are rising too fast! Unknowingly, I've saved up a lot for draws.]

"How many more draws can I make right now?"

[Reporting to Host, 37 draws!]

"Then let's do a 30-draw."

[As you command!]

Three purple lights flashed through Xia Wantang's mind as the gacha results were revealed:

[Congratulations to Host for obtaining: Light Spirit Root (Immortal Grade Sixth Tier), Ice Fox Demonic Core (Heaven Grade Seventh Tier), Qi Replenishing Pill * 5, Essence Restoration Pill * 3.]

[Obtained: Grand Array Compendium (Immortal Grade Seventh Tier), Wind Fox Demonic Core (Heaven Grade Eighth Tier), Essence Restoration Pill * 5, Energy Augmentation Pill * 3.]

[Obtained: Spirit Emperor Sealing Talisman (Immortal Grade Fifth Tier), Winged King Demonic Core (Immortal Grade First Tier), True Essence Pill * 4, Qi Replenishing Pill * 4.]

Xia Wantang: Huh? A Light Spirit Root, and it's a mutated one, and Sixth Tier at that. That means...

[Host is correct. The Light Spirit Root, Fire Spirit Root, and Lightning Spirit Root can be considered of the same origin, and the three can be fused. This will also make your fire and lightning spiritual power stronger.]

Xia Wantang nodded, indicating she understood, but she still had other questions:

"Why is the Grand Array Compendium only Immortal Grade Seventh Tier?"

[Because the Grand Array Compendium is not the most top-tier array. Above it, there are many lost ancient arrays, and those are the truly powerful ones.]

"I see... Truly, learning knows no end."

Xia Wantang decided to refine and fuse the Light Spirit Root first.

The Light Spirit Root was also a mutated spirit root, and the light and dark attributes were even rarer than lightning, wind, and ice.

Among them, the Dark Spirit Root was generally exclusive to the Demon Race. Only a very small number of human cultivators might possess it, with a ratio of about one in ten million, almost nonexistent.

As for the Light Spirit Root, it was said that only those with great kindness in their hearts could possess it, with a ratio of about one in a million.

Xia Wantang found it hard to imagine what it would be like to have both the Light Spirit Root and the Dark Spirit Root on her.

With a thought, a segment of bone emitting white light appeared in her palm.

She could feel a gentle power from it; just holding it made her feel warm.

Is this the power of light? It truly is magical.

Just then, the System's usual segment – the flattery portion – began again:

[Like Water Spiritual Energy, Light Spiritual Energy also has healing abilities, and it is even more powerful. It can even purify evil spirits.]

[Host, with the Light Spirit Root, you will no longer need to fear evil cultivators and the Demon Race. You are their natural nemesis!]

"System, it's a shame you're not in sales."

[Oh, I'm just stating the facts~]

After bantering with the System, Xia Wantang officially began refining the Light Spirit Root.

With the experience from the previous few times, she was already quite familiar with the process of refining spirit roots.

So, she finished refining and fusing it very quickly.

However, it was a pity that her cultivation did not improve.

[Host, do not be too eager for success. Cultivation becomes more difficult to advance in the later stages.]

[However, you could try to break through with the Supreme Yin Demonic Physique. The System space has accumulated many Demonic Cores. After refining them, you might be able to break through to the Spirit Emperor Realm!]

That reminded Xia Wantang, but she was a bit conflicted.

Lin Xi was on Quiet Heart Peak. If she switched to the Supreme Yin Demonic Physique, with the sensitivity of the Kirin bloodline, would he notice anything unusual?