[Three days later, the cocoon of light abruptly shattered. There was no earth-shaking spectacle, only tiny specks of blue-gold light drifting down like fireflies and sinking into the surrounding vegetation.]
[You stepped slowly out of the cocoon, the blue-gold halo flowing around you receding like the tide, drawing inward layer by layer until it finally fell still.]
[Your toes touched the ground lightly without disturbing a single blade of grass, as though this body had long since become one with the land, even its breathing matching the forest's pulse.]
[You lowered your gaze to your palm and slowly curled your fingers. Warm yet immense power flowed gently through your meridians, thicker and more supple than before, with an unending vitality of grass and trees hidden within.]
[Before you could savor the change, your gaze swept urgently around, searching for that familiar figure.]
[Ah Yin's original body had already vanished, replaced by an enormous cocoon of light suspended in midair.]
[The cocoon stood roughly as tall as a person, its surface shimmering with a warm blue-gold glow, like a piece of thousand-year-old amber steeped in moonlight, tranquil and sacred.]
[Through its translucent walls, you could faintly make out a graceful figure curled up and sleeping quietly within, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, her outline gentle.]
[-It was Ah Yin.]
[The Blue Silver King kept silent watch beside the cocoon.]
[His original body was rooted atop a massive bluestone boulder, his aged vines coiling like horned dragons, his leaves lowered in solemn bearing, like a loyal guard protecting his sovereign.]
[Seeing that your transformation was complete, an aged human face slowly formed amid the Blue Silver King's vines. He bent toward you in a deep bow, his voice solemn and respectful. "Your Highness, you have awakened."]
[You first gave a quiet, casual "Mm," then realized what he had said. Raising your eyes to him, you asked, "What did you call me?"]
[A gentle smile appeared on the Blue Silver King's aged face. He bowed and lowered his head, his tone solemn. "There is something Your Highness does not know. Our emperor used her life-bound essence blood to awaken your bloodline, then drew upon the power of all her subjects in the Ancestral Land to condense your Life-bound Soul Ring."]
["Now, the purest bloodline essence of the Blue Silver Emperor Clan flows within you, and Her Majesty herself has acknowledged you as her sworn younger brother. Naturally, you are our clan's rightful Prince."]
[After only a brief moment of consideration, you accepted this status without reservation.]
[Your gaze returned to the cocoon, your expression growing slightly intent, carrying a measure of certainty and concern. "Ah Yin... is undergoing transformation?"]
["Indeed." The Blue Silver King nodded slightly, his tone gentle. "After completing your bloodline awakening and Soul Ring condensation, Her Majesty chose to transform."]
["How much longer until her transformation is complete?"]
[The Blue Silver King pondered briefly and made an estimate. "A little over ten more days."]
[Some surprise appeared on your face. "Does Soul Beast Transformation always take this long?"]
[You remembered that, in the original story, Ah Yin's second transformation had taken only half a day.]
[The Blue Silver King shook his head and patiently explained, "Different Soul Beasts require different amounts of time to transform. An ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beast usually takes three to five days."]
["But our emperor's circumstances are somewhat unusual-"]
["Our emperor once transformed into a human and traveled the world for several years. Her soul was long ago steeped in the aura of humankind."]
["In transforming again this time, she can draw upon that aura to convert her remaining essence directly into Soul Rings and enter the mature stage in a single step. Thus, it takes a little longer."]
[You were briefly taken aback at his words. First your mind eased, then a trace of helplessness arose.]
["Then it seems the transformation gift I specially prepared for her is something she herself won't need after all."]
[The Blue Silver King lowered several vines beside you and offered gentle reassurance. "Your Highness need not dwell on it. Though Her Majesty has no use for this secret method, it holds extraordinary significance for other Soul Beasts preparing to transform. To all Soul Beasts, it is a priceless treasure."]
[It was precisely for this reason that, when Ah Yin had earlier proposed letting you inherit the Blue Silver Emperor Throne, he had not spoken up to dissuade her.]
[You nodded lightly, the knot in your heart easing somewhat, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of Soul Beast Transformation.]
[After confirming that Ah Yin was unharmed, you settled your mind and began carefully examining the changes within yourself.]
[Looking inward, you found your Soul Power surging like a vast ocean, thicker and more solid than before.]
[Your Soul Power Level had already broken through to level fifty-four.]
[You opened your palm and summoned your Martial Soul.]
[Your Blue Silver Grass had fully transformed into a blue silver king-]
[Its stems were thicker and tougher than before, its leaves broader, their substance far surpassing what it had once been. Flecks of pale golden patterns gleamed across its stems and leaves, while starlight seemed to flow faintly through the veins, like night dew gathering on grass tips, or a river of stars hidden within its channels.]
[At a thought, Soul Rings appeared beneath your feet in succession-yellow, purple, purple, black, black.]
[A rich aura of life slowly spread from the final Life-bound Soul Ring, faintly resonating with the surrounding vegetation.]
[You instinctively raised your hand, Soul Power surging in your palm as the fifth Soul Ring beneath your feet flickered.]
[A long spear shining blue-gold from end to end slowly condensed in the air.]
[Silver star patterns faintly flowed over its shaft, like a river of stars winding around it. The spear was a seamless whole, pale blue-gold markings extending naturally like leaf veins. Its point was as thin as a cicada's wing, yet gleamed with a chilling light that made the heart tremble.]
[You gave it a casual flick, the tip trembling into a tiny flourish. Three paces away, a drifting blade of grass silently split in two, yet its falling trajectory did not change in the slightest.]
[You had obtained your fifth Soul Skill-]
[Blue Silver Overlord Spear: once the spear struck, all living things gave way. An imperious spear suited to both ranged throwing and close combat, it possessed exceptionally powerful penetrating properties and was linked to your will.]
[When thrown at range, the spear could leave your hand and become a streak of blue-gold light, piercing straight through every obstruction in its path, penetrating whatever it struck without losing momentum.]
[In close combat, the spear followed your thoughts, as effortlessly as moving your own fingers. It could thrust, lift, or sweep, its sharpness unmatched.]
[You withdrew your Martial Soul and turned to the Blue Silver King, offering a solemn bow. "Thank you, Senior, and my thanks to everyone in the Ancestral Land."]
[The Blue Silver King's vines swayed gently, supporting you without touching you, gratification appearing on his aged face. "Your Highness is too kind. You tended our emperor with such care for years, helping Her Majesty restore her cultivation and return to the Ancestral Land. The Blue Silver Clan will remember this kindness until our teeth fall out."]
["Awakening Your Highness's bloodline and condensing your Soul Ring were simply our duties as your subjects. They do not warrant such thanks from Your Highness."]
["Those are separate matters." You smiled and took a lustrous jade bottle from your Storage Soul Tool, handing it over. "Senior, this is Spirit Spring Water from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It possesses both extreme cold and extreme heat, containing tremendous vitality and a wisp of immortal spiritual energy."]
["Ordinary living beings cannot withstand these two extreme essences of heaven and earth. Using it directly would allow cold and heat to invade their bodies."]
["Once Ah Yin successfully transforms, you can sprinkle the Spirit Spring Water into the hollow she leaves behind. With the soil diluting and processing it, it should help the Ancestral Land quickly replenish its depleted vital essence."]
[The Blue Silver King's vines drew back slightly, then waved repeatedly, his aged voice carrying a measure of refusal. "Your Highness, this is far too precious. I truly dare not accept it."]
["You have poured your heart and strength into our emperor and our clan. The Blue Silver Clan already owes Your Highness so much. How could we accept another lavish gift from you?"]
["There is no need to refuse, Senior." You extended the jade bottle a little farther, your tone calm but leaving no room for objection. "The two ceremonies consumed most of the Ancestral Land's vitality. Our clansfolk need nourishment now."]
["This spring water would only sit unused in my hands. Using it in the Ancestral Land would put it to its fullest use."]
["Besides, since you acknowledge me as your Prince, contributing to our clan is my duty. If you keep refusing, Senior, you will only be treating me as an outsider."]
[The Blue Silver King fell silent for a moment, his vines slowly lowering, his aged face deeply moved. At last, he let out a long sigh and refused no further. "Very well. The Ancestral Land has indeed suffered excessive depletion this time, and the young grasses of our clan urgently need vitality to nourish them."]
["Since this is Your Highness's heartfelt wish, I shall thank you on behalf of the entire clan."]
[As his words fell, the Blue Silver King extended a main vine and carefully curled it around the jade bottle, storing it securely deep within his vines. He then led the Blue Silver Grass covering the hills and fields in bowing deeply toward you, his voice solemn and earnest. "The Blue Silver Clan will forever remember Your Highness's kindness. Henceforth, whatever Your Highness commands, our clan shall spare no effort."]
Before you continue