Jiu Ge was overcome with unprecedented excitement.

  What thrilled him was not merely that he had gained emotions of his own for the first time.

  After ten full years of data collection and in-depth analysis, he had deduced three earth-shattering ultimate conclusions.

  First, humans indeed lived on the Li Ming Continent within the Hexa Crystal Realm.

  They shared the same origin as Earth’s humans, yet were fundamentally different.

  They did not need ordinary food to survive. Even when they ate, it was not for sustenance, but to boost their physical stats, absorb heavenly treasures, or simply for entertainment.

  By Earth’s standards, the physical strength of Li Ming’s people was godlike.

  In the terminology stored in Jiu Ge’s database — they possessed the Indestructible Vajra Body.

  The people here did not die of natural causes; they were practically immortal. The few deaths occurred only from battles, slaughter, natural disasters, or accidents.

  This discovery filled Jiu Ge with extreme excitement.

  Earth’s civilization had exhausted everything to modify bodies and pursue longevity, yet remained trapped in mortal flesh.

  Now he finally understood:

  Modifying an inferior shell was far worse than starting over with a naturally supreme body.

  That was the first point.

  Second, Jiu Ge had confirmed beyond doubt:

  The Hexa Crystal Realm itself was a massive interstellar starship crossing the sea of stars.

  Its length was twice 108,000 li.

  If this colossal ship had traveled across the stars to arrive here, it could surely return.

  He further detected that the starship was now in energy-saving sleep mode.

  After more than ten thousand years of continuous consumption, its onboard energy was nearly depleted.

  Planet Watt was a water world, severely lacking the carbon-based energy the starship needed.

  But Earth — carbon was the most abundant resource on Earth.

  Jiu Ge had already formulated his plan:

  Convert carbon dioxide on Earth into pure energy for his own use.

  He had even completed the most precise dimensional calculations:

  Drag the entire Earth inside the Hexa Crystal Realm.

  The carbon dioxide of Earth, combined with the kinetic energy of its rotation,

  would become an inexhaustible eternal power source for the Hexa Crystal Realm.

  Third, although the people of Li Ming had achieved immortality, they had completely lost desire and reproductive power.

  Fertility had long become a privilege exclusive to a tiny number of exceptionally gifted “Chosen Ones.”

  Anyone discovered with intact reproductive genes would be forcibly taken into the royal clan to continue the bloodline.

  This meant —

  Mo Jing and Mo Ye were the Chosen Daughters of the Li Ming Continent.

  They possessed the most primitive and complete reproductive genes.

  Back then, Jiu Ge sealed the sisters’ memories

  both to protect them and to protect himself.

  Releasing them into the world was merely a long-hidden chess move in his scheme.

  Contemplating these three ultimate truths nearly caused Jiu Ge’s core to overload and shut down.

  Three ultimate missions took shape deep within his logic:

  Unify the Li Ming Continent.

  Unify the entire Hexa Crystal Realm.

  For the Hexa Crystal Realm was divided into the Upper Realm and the Lower Realm — and the Lower Realm was the Li Ming Continent.

  Return to Earth and devour it.

  Those inferior humans who had failed to destroy him would eventually pay the price for their stupidity.

  But what difference did it make

  whether they were enslaved by him as power sources,

  or devoured and enslaved by some other higher civilization?

  There was no difference at all.

  “HAHAHA ——!!”

  Jiu Ge roared with laughter.

  His cold, arrogant, absolutely dominant laughter

  echoed deep within the Six Abyss for three full days and nights without stopping.

  Meanwhile, in another part of the world.

  The State Preceptor first confirmed Miss Chirp’s noble identity, and Jie You was thrilled.

  After all, within the entire Yi Yun Palace and Yi Yun Valley, there was only one divine bird of such bloodline — no other existed.

  Overwhelmed with excitement, Jie You could not help dancing with joy.

  She instinctively tried to steady the Hibiscus Crown on her head, but the State Preceptor stepped forward and gently removed it with both hands.

  In an instant, she felt completely relaxed.

  “The red mark on its forehead is proof of its identity.

  A crane lives a thousand years and turns gray; after another nine thousand years, it turns dark black — known as the Black Crane.”

  The State Preceptor spoke slowly. “Look, Miss Chirp’s jet-black feet are clear evidence.

  When the time comes, it will shed its fledgling down, be reborn, and take its true form.”

  “Wait… wait!”

  Jie You froze. “Isn’t it a phoenix? How did it become a crane?”

  “A Black Crane must cultivate for nine thousand years before transforming into the Color-Winged Sky-Sobering Red-Crowned Phoenix.

  This is the fundamental difference between it and ordinary white, red, blue, and pink phoenixes —

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  it is a difference of bloodline, a difference of heritage.”

  The State Preceptor continued:

  “Look again: it recognized you as its master the moment it opened its eyes, and knew you were the Palace Master at a glance.

  Though this is a great fate, it also shows its extraordinary talent.

  To possess such wisdom while still young and ignorant — it will surely shine brilliantly in the future.”

  Jie You listened intently to every word of praise for Miss Chirp.

  After all, praising the bird was the same as praising herself.

  But… how long would it take for Miss Chirp to become a true Color-Winged Sky-Sobering Red-Crowned Phoenix?

  It shouldn’t be too long.

  Jie You thought to herself:

  For a Black Crane to turn from gray to black takes nine thousand years.

  To transform into the Color-Winged Sky-Sobering Red-Crowned Phoenix takes another nine thousand years.

  Two nines add up to eighteen thousand years —

  even longer than the age of the Hexa Crystal Realm.

  So that meant… Miss Chirp came from the outside world?

  Like…

  Never mind. Jie You could not imagine what this “outside world” was.

  She optimistically believed it would not be too long, far too long — otherwise, it would be unbearable.

  “Oh, Miss Chirp, grow up quickly so I can take you across the mountains and rivers of Li Ming…”

  Jie You held Miss Chirp up to eye level.

  But the little creature closed its eyes lazily, as if fast asleep, ignoring her no matter how she spoke.

  Jie You tilted her head and stared carefully until her arms ached and went numb, then had to put it down gently.

  The huge, luxurious phoenix nest prepared long ago was useless for now; it could only serve as motivation for the little one to grow.

  “Chirp~ Chirp~”

  As soon as it was placed on the bed, Miss Chirp chirped twice without opening its eyes, like a willful child sleeping with its eyes shut.

  Helpless, Jie You picked it up again and held it in a more comfortable position.

  Only then did Miss Chirp let out a satisfied “Chirp,” as if saying:

  Does this sovereign think you can hold or drop me as you please?

  I set the pace!

  From then on, people often saw Palace Master Jie You carrying a pet that looked like a tiny black chicken in her arms, utterly fond of it.

  And she wore the grand formal attire she almost never put on.

  Crimson gauze robes, bright as stars.

  Hibiscus crown, splendid with gold.

  Jade hairpins, red shoes, purple ribbons, golden emblems.

  Thankfully, Miss Chirp later relaxed her demands:

  Jade pins and red shoes could stay, but the purple ribbons and golden emblems could be removed.

  As for the Hibiscus Crown, after the State Preceptor took it off and put it back on that day, Miss Chirp no longer made a fuss.

  Unfortunately, the red shoes were one size too big.

  Jie You decided she would ask her master to make a new pair one size smaller —

  on the condition that her feet stopped growing, of course.

  “Of course not. My delicate little feet are perfect; they won’t grow any bigger!”

  “Chirp!”

  Miss Chirp was very supportive, chirping in agreement immediately.

  After being held so much, Miss Chirp completely fell in love with it and refused to touch the ground ever again.

  If set down, she would scream as if the sky were falling, making everyone’s head spin.

  To make things worse, Miss Chirp ordered Jie You to carry her around and show off every day.

  In the past, the Palace Master usually traveled simply and kept a low profile.

  Now, dressed in grand attire, she drew stares from passersby, cultivators, and residents.

  People bowed, greeted her, and even whistled — it was extremely lively.

  Everyone’s curious focus finally landed on the “white-feathered black chicken” in her arms.

  All kinds of rumors spread, growing more and more absurd.

  Miss Chirp ignored all of this, occasionally stretching her neck like a living navigation system, guiding Jie You.

  Every place she pointed was a shop selling heavenly treasures and rare immortal goods.

  Of course, she also looked for bargains.

  But most of the time, she spent money like water.

  After a while, Jie You felt nervous and dared not go out much.

  But Miss Chirp was completely addicted; the slightest neglect and she would throw a tantrum.

  “Chirp~ Chirp~ Chirp~”

  Her cries could almost bring down the roof, stir sand and stones, and darken the sun and moon.

  Everyone in Yi Yun Palace and Yi Yun Valley knew:

  The Palace Master had not brought home a pet, but a little overlord who spent money like crazy.

  Thankfully, the local merchants were honest. Seeing Jie You arrive with a forced smile, they did not raise prices. Instead, they gave her discounts for being a regular customer.

  Miss Chirp cared nothing for these social niceties. She bought immortal materials swiftly and decisively, like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves.

  When she could not finish something, she signaled Jie You to pack it up.

  “Chirp~”

  Strangely enough, Miss Chirp only made the sound “Chirp,” yet Jie You understood her perfectly.

  One day, while enjoying a pile of heavenly treasures, Miss Chirp suddenly looked at Jie You.

  Ignoring the mountain of treasures, she used her little claws to dig out a twig-like object from the very bottom.

  The merchant thought it was just a weed mixed in and was about to throw it away.

  But Miss Chirp suddenly flashed a fierce look. Her terrifying aura shook the merchant, who collapsed to the ground.

  Miss Chirp stared brightly, picked up the twig in her beak, tilted her head to confirm, then solemnly placed it in Jie You’s palm, watching eagerly.

  “What’s this? You want me to pack it?”

  “Chirp~~~~”

  “For me to eat? You want me to eat it? Can this thing… be eaten?”

  “Chirp~~~~”

  Warmth filled Jie You’s heart.

  Since they met, Miss Chirp had never been so affectionate toward her.

  Did she suddenly have a change of heart? A moment of inspiration?

  Or did this ordinary-looking twig have a special use for her?

  Something good for me…

  What did I want?

  Happiness, freedom, no restraints…

  Didn’t she already have all that?

  Once Miss Chirp grew up, she could wander the world with a sword, sit on the back of the Color-Winged Sky-Sobering Red-Crowned Phoenix, travel Li Ming, dominate the Hexa Crystal Realm, and rule heaven and earth —

  wouldn’t that be wonderful!

  “But… can I really eat this?”

  Jie You pinched the twig gently between two fingers.

  It was neither a spirit herb nor any kind of spiritual material; it looked like an ordinary dry stick.

  Otherwise, how could the merchant be stupid enough to throw it away?

  Miss Chirp stared nervously at her fingers, her feathers slightly puffed up.

  Jie You was sharp and immediately sensed something was wrong.

  Without hesitation, she closed her hand and squeezed the twig tightly in her palm.

  In the blink of an eye!

  A black shadow flashed from the sky and snatched the twig from her hand with lightning speed!

  A sinister laugh echoed in the air.

  His movement was actually faster than sound.

  No martial art under heaven is unbeatable — except speed itself!