Fubao could endure a great deal to become stronger.
It even hoped this transformation would let it follow its little owner everywhere instead of staying trapped in this pool.
Old Master Fu and Qin Yan's uncles had all come to check on it.
But they all had things to do and soon left again.
It took Fubao an entire day just to absorb this one drop of flood dragon essence blood.
Many of its scales fell off, and the sight made Qin Yan's heart ache.
She was a very empathetic little girl. When Fubao hurt, her eyes reddened too, and she cried a little.
A few tears fell into the pool, and the koi, Arowana, and other fish that had been keeping their distance excitedly moved a little closer.
Qin Yan did not know that as she gradually merged with the Life Tree Crystal Core, not only her blood but also her tears contained life energy.
This pure, clean life energy was what many creatures loved most.
That included the three lotus seeds buried in the pool.
The lotus seeds, which had shown no signs of activity since being planted, quietly sprouted where no one could see.
"Does it still hurt?"
Fubao swam over to Qin Yan and nudged her hand with its head to comfort her.
It no longer hurt.
But it had turned ugly again.
Its beautiful scales had fallen off, and the new ones would take time to grow.
"It's okay. You'll be even prettier later, Fubao."
Qin Yan comforted Fubao warmly in her sweet little voice.
Fubao pressed its whole body into her palm.
It even leaped up and kissed her little cheek.
Then it dived to the bottom of the pool, picked up its fallen scales in its mouth, and brought them to Qin Yan.