The aura around Xiao Ning'er grew increasingly solid. The Wind-Thunder Sky Sparrow, originally no more than a phantom outline, now began drawing the light along the edges of its wings inward. The scattered lightning condensed into sleek, tightly packed spiritual light, as though the phantom were about to become tangible.
The change was not deliberate. It seemed like a natural sublimation after she had been pushed to her utmost limit.
Xiao Yunfeng abruptly rose from his seat at the head of the table.
The tea in his hand sloshed, spilling a few drops onto the table, but he did not glance down. He stared straight at the phantom behind Xiao Ning'er as it underwent a fundamental transformation. His lips moved slightly, and his voice carried a tremor he tried hard, but failed, to fully suppress. "Soul Transformation?"
Those words were like a drop of water falling into a pot of boiling oil.
The phantom of the Elder Giant Turtle behind the First Elder instantly withdrew.
He took half a step back, reining in every trace of his aura. The anger on his face had been replaced by an entirely different expression, one of shock tinged with disbelief.
He stared for several seconds at the Wind-Thunder Sky Sparrow behind Xiao Ning'er as it condensed into a tangible form. His throat bobbed, as though he were making sure his eyes had not deceived him.
The Third Elder finally lost his grip on his teacup. It struck the table with a sharp clink, spilling tea all over the tablecloth.
He fumbled to set the cup down, not even bothering to wipe up the spill. His gaze remained fixed on the layer of lightning contracting and condensing around Xiao Ning'er, his lips slightly parted and staying that way for a long while.
The Second