Jade Shattered on Kunlun, the Phoenix Cried

Eli dared to guarantee that if it were anyone else, memorizing all this stuff in one lifetime might require living for several hundred years.

Fortunately, he was clever and had a photographic memory. At least over the past half month or so, his progress had been impressive.

More than once, Nicolas Flamel could not help but praise him. This kid was fucking brilliant!

Of course, such progress was not achieved through a good memory alone. As a transmigrator deeply familiar with the horrors of the 996 "blessing," Eli believed that only those who could grind were strong. He studied himself into a daze every day.

Other than eating and sleeping, he even brought books with him when he went to take a dump.

He locked himself in the laboratory every day, and Nicolas Flamel came by more than once to make sure he was not dead.

Perenelle had beaten Nicolas Flamel up several times, warning him not to work her precious grandson so hard.

That was right. Perenelle liked Eli so much that she had directly acknowledged him as her grandson.

Nicolas Flamel agreed. After all, Eli was also his heir.

Eli felt he had come out ahead in this deal. Becoming the grandson of two ancestors who had lived since at least the Ming Dynasty was some serious generation-skipping.

It was worth mentioning that Eli had already begun training to become an Animagus.

After writing to ask Professor McGonagall for advice, she believed he met the requirements to become an Animagus, though she still felt he was too young.

However, with Eli insisting, Professor McGonagall told him that he had to notify her when he transformed.

That was because every Animagus trainee needed someone watching over them during their first transformation.

Otherwise, their animal instincts might spiral out of control and make them do something stupid that endangered their lives.

When the Flamels learned that Eli was preparing to become an Animagus, they said they could help him.

Do not assume these two old people only knew alchemy. Living for several centuries was no joke.

Besides, they had plenty of alchemical tools that could help Eli.

For example, they could create a thunderstorm.

And so, Eli had already placed a Mandrake Leaf in his mouth and begun his vow of silence.

"Grandpa Nick, how can alchemy create an assembly line similar to those in Muggle factories?"

As Eli thought, an automatically writing quill beside him continuously recorded his ideas.

He had made it under Nicolas Flamel's guidance.

It could connect to his mind and write automatically. It was practically a godsend for writing.

Nicolas Flamel glanced at it and answered without a second thought, "Very simple. Just create some interconnected mechanical devices. It would be best to have Transfiguration assisting you. Once you finish studying it during this period, you'll be able to master it. It's not complicated."

Eli nodded.

Nicolas Flamel turned toward him in surprise. "You want to start a factory?"

Eli nodded firmly, then told Nicolas Flamel about his concept for a potion factory.

After hearing him out, Nicolas Flamel looked at Eli approvingly. "A very good idea. If it succeeds, you could practically control the Wizarding World's potion market."

His expression became grave again. "But do you understand the dangers involved?"

Eli thought for a moment, then shook his head. Nicolas Flamel sighed.

"If you want to control the market, you will inevitably impact many forces. Pure-blood families, potioneers—if you fail, even the Ministry of Magic will target you."

"Do not think these people are harmless. Which of those prominent families that have been passed down through the ages does not have blood on its hands? If you touch their interests, they will definitely do everything they can to kill you!"

Eli had actually anticipated this. Whether in the Muggle world or the Wizarding World, commercial wars had never been limited to business alone.

Especially not in a Wizarding World where magic reigned supreme.

But he did not want to give up. Whether he succeeded or not, he had to take a shot, did he not?

He wrote on the parchment, "There will definitely be difficulties. As long as I want to obtain my own interests, I will inevitably face difficulties. But I am not afraid. Someone has to be the first to eat crab, so why can't that person be me?"

Nicolas Flamel did not hide his appreciation for Eli in the slightest. Had this not been a test for Eli as well?

If Eli had given up because of a few words, Nicolas Flamel would have reconsidered whether he had chosen the wrong heir.

"Good. Extraordinary people must possess extraordinary courage. Since you have this idea, I will support you with everything I have! I am old. I might not be able to fight others anymore, but Laozi has plenty of money!"

Eli felt an overwhelming aura of wealth wash over him. Nicolas Flamel only lacked several thick gold chains around his neck.

Never doubt the financial power of an alchemy master, especially an ancestral-level alchemical giant like Nicolas Flamel. Turning stone into gold was effortless for him.

Eli did not even dare imagine how much gold Nicolas Flamel had made with the Philosopher's Stone.

With Nicolas Flamel's help, his factory now had everything except the final push!

Eli continued refining his plans for the potion factory.

Other forces would definitely try to suppress him, so the first thing he had to do was avoid being suddenly choked off by others.

Therefore, he planned to keep the raw materials firmly under his own control as well!

When other forces tried to sanction him by restricting raw materials, Eli would hold the source of production in his hands and have nothing to fear.

He had already purchased a plot of land to cultivate herbs.

Furthermore, to guard against his opponents resorting to underhanded methods in desperation, Eli had to arrange defensive spells around the factory grounds.

This was no problem at all for someone with Voldemort's memories. Those memories contained every sort of vicious curse.

Some of them Eli did not even dare use.

The remaining issue was manpower, but that could be solved later.

If worse came to worst, were there not house-elves?

Not only were house-elves quite capable, but more importantly, they would obey their masters completely and unconditionally. It was an imprint engraved into their souls.

Building a potion factory and controlling the potion market was just around the corner!

Thinking of this, Eli felt full of motivation. And whenever he felt motivated, he wanted to study. Whenever he studied, he wanted to sleep...

The Flamels had been helping with Eli's Animagus training all along, and nothing went wrong.

Eli also focused on studying ancient alchemical runes.

These runes had actually evolved from ancient Runes, a language deeply connected to magic.

Many spells were actually Runes.

Hogwarts also offered this subject as an elective, but because it was so dull, almost no one chose it.

Eli was also extremely interested in these Runes. According to Voldemort's memories and Dumbledore's notes, many powerful ancient spells required Runes.

These ancient spells were incredibly terrifying and were often used in warfare in ancient times.

Many spells even required multiple Wizards to sustain them together.

This was quite similar to the formations found in cultivation novels from his previous life.

Furthermore, Runes involved the very essence of magic.

Eli, who aspired to become the strongest mage of ancient Nara... naturally would not pass up this knowledge.

At dinner, Perenelle had to use a feather duster to chase Eli out of the laboratory to eat.

The house-elves' cooking was truly excellent. Eli felt hungry the moment he caught the scent.

A noise suddenly came from the door, followed by a knock.

"Stanley, hurry and open the door for the guests."

The house-elf suddenly appeared and opened the door.

"Oh, Nick, I hope I can still mooch a dinner."

Hearing those shameless words, Eli looked over curiously. Dumbledore!

Professor McGonagall was behind him as well!

"I have to say, you came at a terrible time. Oh, of course I'm not talking about you, Minerva. Come in quickly."

Perenelle warmly ushered them inside.

"Hi, Eli. How have you been feeling lately?"

"Very well. Very fulfilled."

Eli answered honestly.

He could now speak and eat without concern, because the Mandrake Leaf had been successfully removed and prepared into a potion.

Now, all he needed was a thunderstorm.

So far, Eli's Animagus training had gone very smoothly. Every sunset, when he recited the incantation, he could clearly feel a powerful second heartbeat.

"This time, Albus and I came specifically for your first transformation. With Albus here, I am sure everything will go very smoothly!"

Professor McGonagall looked rather excited. After all, having her student complete Animagus training during the summer after first year gave her an immense sense of accomplishment.

Eli was flattered and quickly stood up. "Thank you so much, Professors!"

Dumbledore smiled. "You do not need to thank us so much. This is what we should do as professors, and it is also the result of your own hard work!"

Eli slowly sat back down, deeply moved.

For his Animagus transformation, Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore had personally made the trip.

His bargain-bin father and those shady friends of his had needed to learn Animagus transformation in secret back then.

Still, he was somewhat confused. "But how did you know it would be today?"

Eli wondered whether there was magic that could predict the weather, or if they intended to use alchemical items.

Dumbledore blinked at him. "Actually, Muggle weather forecasts are quite good, though they have fooled me many times before."

Eli immediately felt as if thunder was rolling through his heart.

Dumbledore, you are a great wizard, and you are telling me you checked the weather forecast?

What a crafty old man!

But the forecast proved accurate this time. Thunder began rumbling outside.

They immediately went to where the potion was stored. By then, the liquid in the bottle had turned completely red.

"No problem. We can begin!"

After Professor McGonagall checked it over and confirmed everything was correct, Dumbledore suddenly drew his wand.

Very few people had seen Dumbledore use his wand.

Nicolas Flamel also took out a pile of alchemical equipment. After exchanging a glance, the two began their preparations.

The area was already open and spacious, making it an ideal place for a transformation.

Dumbledore waved his wand, and the space around them twisted. Even Muggle satellites could no longer spy on the place.

Once Nicolas Flamel set up his alchemical equipment, the protective barrier Dumbledore had cast instantly became several times stronger.

Any alchemical product capable of enhancing the spells of a wizard like Dumbledore was bound to be extraordinarily powerful.

Professor McGonagall also drew her wand and stood ready.

"Eli, begin!"

Dumbledore said solemnly.

Eli nodded with a serious expression and drained the red potion from the bottle in a single gulp.

Then he pointed his wand at his heart. "Amato Animo Animato Animagus!"

The moment the incantation left his lips, Eli felt a second powerful heartbeat echo inside his body.

It boomed like a drumbeat, combining with his own heartbeat to form a strange rhythm.

His blood seemed to begin boiling. Every inch of bone and every piece of flesh in his body trembled with extraordinary vitality.

His soul seemed to tremble as well, while his immense mental power rippled endlessly.

Eli seemed to be pulled into his soul space once more. It was still a vast expanse of pale white.

But before him, there was an additional cluster of firelight.

"What is this?"

The flames grew ever brighter, and terrifying light and fire rippled throughout the entire soul space.

Something seemed to be moving within them.

Outside, everyone began sensing the powerful magical fluctuations coming from Eli.

Dumbledore's and Professor McGonagall's expressions changed drastically. They looked at each other and saw shock in the other's eyes.

Eli's body had become extraordinarily active, even entering an extremely unstable state.

In his soul space, Eli stared blankly at the creature in the heart of the flames. It was so sacred, so inviolable.

At last, he gradually saw the creature within the fire clearly. It was a bird, its feathers shining in five colors, every step radiating brilliance.

As a Chinese man, how could he not know what it was?

It was the totem of a people, the faith of a civilization!

"Phoenix!"

Even his soul trembled. He had died and thought he would never again have any connection to his homeland, yet the ancient bloodline had still chosen him!

To merge with the deity of my people is the glory of our kind. What is there to fear?

Eli walked resolutely into the flames, toward the myth.

The Phoenix stared deeply at him. It acknowledged this descendant's courage, let out a piercing cry, and rushed toward Eli.

The two began to assimilate!

Outside, golden-red flames began appearing across Eli's body, and the temperature around them gradually rose.

"What exactly is happening?!"

Nicolas Flamel roared anxiously.

Dumbledore was also stunned.

"Eli may be undergoing a magical creature transformation!"

Professor McGonagall's grave voice rang out.

Throughout history, no one's Animagus form had ever been a magical creature!

Even if there had been, they would have died during their first transformation.

Dumbledore murmured, "No, it is more than that..."

The flames expanded violently, and Eli's figure was completely engulfed by golden-red fire.

The terrifying heat forced them to use magic to resist it.

Even the nearby ground had begun to harden and crack.

"What should we do now?!"

Perenelle was so anxious that she was nearly crying, as was Professor McGonagall.

Once an Animagus transformation began, it could not be stopped.

"He can only rely on himself! Either he lives, or..."

Dumbledore stared fixedly at that terrifying blaze, anticipation and madness gleaming in his eyes!

Eli was not faring well either. The horrifying heat was melting him, destroying his flesh, blood, and bones inch by inch.

His magic power was draining at a frightening rate, even beginning to run short!

"Damn it, am I going to fail?!"

His magic power was about to run out. The flames were gradually losing control, his soul trembling wildly, and his body beginning to collapse!

Death was only one step away.

The terrible pain and grievous damage to his body gradually robbed him of consciousness. The flames were going out of control. Once the world went completely dark, he would die forever!

At last, his magic power was exhausted, and everything collapsed...

The flames began to disperse, and the dreadful heat pierced through the spell, leaving them drenched in sweat.

"Did he succeed?"

They restrained the urge to rush forward.

Yet when the flames finally faded, that familiar figure did not appear.

"Ah..." Perenelle let out a silent cry.

Professor McGonagall's face turned ashen, her body swaying as though she might collapse beneath her overwhelming grief.

Only Dumbledore continued staring fixedly at the pile of ashes on the ground.

Suddenly, the ashes seemed to stir, and the surrounding magic power began surging madly into them.

"Nicolas, use the Philosopher's Stone! Hurry, do something!"

Dumbledore suddenly roared.

Nicolas Flamel tremblingly took out the crimson Philosopher's Stone. He and Dumbledore pointed their wands at it.

The Philosopher's Stone slowly rose, emanating terrifying magical fluctuations. A beam of red light flowed from it into that pile of ashes.

It seemed as though light had entered the world. Eli cast off his confusion, and his yearning for life made him desperately try to open his eyes.

At the same time, a myth began to take shape.

Golden-red flames ignited once more, swiftly sweeping outward.

The sky was completely illuminated. Heaven and earth seemed to awaken, showering down countless rays of rosy light.

The sacred phenomenon between heaven and earth drew the gaze of all.

As the creature at the center was conceived, a soul-stirring chant slowly rang out across heaven and earth.

The Phoenix flew, its wings beating brightly, soaring up to the heavens.

Blessed was the king, blessed with many worthy men; the nobleman's command endeared him to the common folk.

The Phoenix cried upon that lofty ridge.

The parasol tree grew beneath the morning sun.

Lush and flourishing, harmonious and clear...

With a cry that pierced through heaven and earth, the myth was born!