You came at just the right time!

The moment the thunderclouds dispersed, Nine Nether's body suddenly burst with dazzling light.

The light enveloped the Nine Nether Sparrow's enormous body. Beneath its radiance, the gruesome wounds left by the black god thunder healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Uncontainable excitement shone in Nine Nether's eyes.

She could feel earth-shattering changes taking place inside her body.

This was a true transformation.

From her body to her bloodline, everything was undergoing a complete elevation and reconstruction!

Her enormous body began to shrink within the light.

Standing on the Thunder God Lotus, Mu Chen looked up at the sight.

With his Emperor's Fallen Double Pupils, that veil of light did little to obscure his vision.

He saw everything perfectly clearly.

When the last wisp of light withdrew into her body, what appeared before Mu Chen was no longer that imposing giant bird wreathed in black flames.

Instead, it was a naked, delicate figure, white as jade.

She was tall and lithe, with long, straight, flawless legs. The lines flowing from her thighs to her calves and ankles held not a trace of excess flesh, yet possessed a beauty both supple and brimming with explosive power.

Higher up was a slender waist that could be encircled with a single grasp. Its breathtaking taper carried a sense of wild strength, as though one slight twist could unleash enough force to tear mountains apart.

Above her waist were full, proud curves of snowy white...

Her features were exquisite, yet exuded an undisguised, wild beauty.

Nine Nether stood naked in midair, looking down at her hands before raising her arms and inspecting her body.

Then she lifted her head, her gaze settling on Mu Chen atop the Thunder God Lotus below.

Their eyes met.

Mu Chen averted his gaze and took one of his own black outer robes from Mustard Seed Sumeru. With a flick of his wrist, the robe drifted like a black cloud toward the stunning naked figure in midair.

"Put this on first."

Nine Nether reached out, caught the robe, and draped it naturally over herself.

The black robe was slightly too large for her figure. Its hem hung halfway down her thighs, leaving the snowy-white lengths of her slender legs exposed below.

She stood barefoot in the air, the robe's collar slightly open, offering fleeting glimpses of her collarbones and the expanse of snowy skin over her chest. That tantalizing concealment made her even more fatally alluring than when she had been completely naked.

Nine Nether looked down at the black robe. Her nose seemed to twitch slightly before she raised her eyes toward Mu Chen, an indescribable look flickering through them.

"Had your fill?" she asked, her voice somehow sounding inexplicably seductive...

"If you haven't, I can let you look some more!"

As she spoke, Nine Nether lifted the black robe...

Beneath it were dark blue-black clothes that concealed every glimpse of exposed springtime beauty. Wrapped in those clothes, however, her already graceful figure appeared even more elongated, her slender waist enough to set hearts fluttering.

Clearly, she could conjure her own clothes.

"You really wanted to keep looking?"

Mu Chen gave a dry cough and said with perfect seriousness, "Congratulations on successfully evolving and joining the ranks of divine beasts!"

"Next, will you need to sleep for a while?"

At his words, Nine Nether nodded lightly.

"That's right. Just as you said before."

"I've successfully survived the tribulation, but my physical body hasn't fully evolved into that of a divine beast yet."

"So for a while, I'll complete this final transformation in my sleep."

"When I wake up, I'll be a true Nine Netherworld Sparrow!"

"When that happens," Nine Nether changed the subject, her gaze focusing on Mu Chen's face once more, "I'll take you to the Great Luo Heavenly Domain."

"I'll be looking forward to it," Mu Chen said with a smile.

Nine Nether said no more. She gave Mu Chen one last, deep look, then slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

Roaring black flames rose and enveloped Nine Nether, then gradually solidified into a giant black egg roughly as tall as a person.

Ancient, inscrutable wing patterns covered the black egg, and faint purple light could be seen flickering upon those wings.

Mu Chen gently exhaled and raised his hand. The One-Qi Chaos Tower returned to his palm and drew the giant egg inside.

After a moment's consideration, he willed it to act again.

He diverted a wisp of chaos qi to nourish Nine Nether.

Now it was time to leave the Thunder Domain!

Only a day had passed, yet it felt as though so much had happened...

Mu Chen set off on his way back, pondering how to break through to Supreme.

Before he knew it, he had reached the courtyard residence where he lived.

The courtyard gate stood ajar. Inside, the old tree's lush greenery cast dappled shadows in the morning light, creating a scene of tranquility.

He, Luo Li, and Qian'er all lived here. It could just about count as living together.

He pushed open the gate and entered.

Mu Chen's steps paused briefly.

Beneath the old tree in the courtyard, beside a stone table, a breathtakingly beautiful girl in a long black dress sat quietly.

The setting sun shone through gaps in the leaves and fell upon her, outlining her cool, otherworldly profile. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, gleaming softly in the light.

She held an ancient scroll in her hands, seemingly reading it, but her gaze was not focused on it. Instead, she looked as though she were waiting for something.

Hearing the gate open, she raised her head and looked over with glass-clear eyes.

Their eyes met.

An undisguised, gentle smile spread across Mu Chen's handsome face almost instantly.

He strode forward without the slightest hesitation, swept an arm around her, and gathered her light body into his embrace.

Warm fragrance and soft jade filled his arms in an instant. Her unique, fresh scent lingered beneath his nose-the feeling was indescribably comforting!

Luo Li smiled faintly too, resting her cheek against his chest without resistance. She even shifted slightly into a more comfortable position, her delicate hands gently circling his waist in return.

She liked his undisguised dependence and affection. It made her feel that she was his one and only harbor.

Time seemed to stretch and thicken in the stillness of their embrace, flowing slowly along.

From far away came the faint sound of the Spirit Academy's bell, deep and lingering, one toll after another, making this little courtyard feel even more like a secluded paradise beyond the world.

Their hearts drew closer and closer, and so did their breaths...

"Creak."

A very soft sound of a door opening came from the main house.

As though sensing something, Mu Chen turned his head slightly and looked past Luo Li's silver hair toward the veranda of the main house.

Tang Qian'er stood in the shadows beneath the veranda, one hand still resting on the doorframe, as though she had taken half a step outside only to freeze in place.

She had not expected to step out and immediately find the two of them embracing beneath the courtyard tree.

"I seem to have come out at the wrong time..."

Mu Chen looked at her. The gentle smile Luo Li had brought to his face did not fade; instead, it deepened.

He extended his arm, opening his hand toward her.

It was a gesture of invitation.

"No, Qian'er," Mu Chen said. "You came at just the right time!"

Tang Qian'er's cheeks flushed crimson, but she still took his hand and settled into his embrace...