Yet those footsteps remained so resolute, utterly unmoved by the Serpent Demon's panic. Fengwu watched from not far away, his expression changing slightly. This Fengwu was naturally Xiao Hua's transformation. In truth, it could hardly be called a transformation—Xiao Hua merely needed to reveal a trace of the Heavenly Phoenix's true form within his flesh, and that was enough to frighten Ao Jing and the other dragons. Fengwu could stop Ao Feng from killing the Serpent Demon, but he could not prevent the man inside the stone house from coming out. Besides, although Ao Jing and Ao Feng's attempt to sow discord was obvious, the hand that could uncover the truth... belonged to the man himself. He had the right to know the truth, while Xiao Hua had no right to stop him.
The man emerged, his hand groping forward as it slowly approached the Serpent Demon's body. The Serpent Demon trembled faintly and slowly shifted away, trying to avoid him. But the man refused to relent, feeling along in the direction she had moved! The Serpent Demon shuddered violently, then abruptly froze. Her eyes, carrying a trace of desolation, looked upon the resolve on the man's face, and the same final determination arose within her. She no longer evaded him. Her transformed hand lifted slightly and supported his hand.
The man hurriedly felt along the Serpent Demon's arm, and the panic on his face eased somewhat. But immediately afterward, the Serpent Demon took his hand and guided it upward, inch by inch, toward the place where her scales had not transformed...
The man's arm trembled. He was hesitant, yet resolute. That distance of barely a foot took the time of half a cup of tea to cross. Forget the howling sea wind—even the gathered Demon Race members, along with