Chapter 32: Awakening the Phoenix Bloodline, Clothes Gone!

"Tell me, do you believe that the boundary between humans and demons is truly so absolute, that love between them is forever forbidden?"
No matter how humans cultivate, no matter how high their realm, they are always called human.
"What do you mean by that?"
Ling Tian pondered for a moment before replying in a calm tone.
He was unsure why Xiao Ling'er, with her voracious appetite, would ask such a thing.
Yet he suspected this question had something to do with that willow tree.
The willow was no ordinary tree—Ling Tian had already discerned its true nature. It was a demon.
Xiao Ling'er treated the willow with such kindness; Ling Tian couldn't help but wonder if her question was linked to the tree.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have spoken of such matters in his presence.
"When I was very young, Aunt Willow was already there. My father would always bring me along and tell me that the grave beside Aunt Willow belonged to her most beloved.
Aunt Willow, having cultivated successfully, once saved that man. They enjoyed many conversations together. He learned of her true nature and even promised to marry her.
Aunt Willow was delighted, gifting him rare treasures again and again, until one day the man's family surrounded her."
As Xiao Ling'er spoke, her expression dimmed. She took several deep breaths before continuing quietly:
"Aunt Willow had never harmed a soul, but the man's family hated demons fiercely. They despised his actions, and when Aunt Willow was no longer useful to them, they plotted in secret.
By the time the man arrived, Aunt Willow was barely clinging to life. Rain fell from the sky, streaking down his face—whether rain or tears, one could not tell.
'Kill her!' the man's father, the clan leader, threw a sword at his feet, demanding he take Aunt Willow's life with his own hand.
'What is a demon?' the man asked, sword in hand and holding Aunt Willow in his arms, his gaze unwavering. 'She has harmed no one. Must I slay her all the same?'
'Demon is demon. No matter the form, they all deserve death,' his father replied coldly, his conviction unwavering.
The man laughed bitterly, blood and tears mingling as they fell. 'All must die, you say? In this, how are you any different from a demon?'
'Today, I will take her away. Any who stand in my way—will die!'
Lowering his head, he gazed gently at Aunt Willow, his resolve set. He had made his choice.
The man burned his life force, but ultimately could not overcome the many foes. Aunt Willow tried to urge him to abandon her, but he never spoke a word.
Aunt Willow once told me she could never forget that moment.
Later, Aunt Willow was rescued, but the man's life was spent. Her father could do nothing to save him, and had to arrange matters as best he could.
Every time I see Aunt Willow, I recall her story, and feel sympathy for her fate."
At this point, Xiao Ling'er's eyes glistened, explaining why she confided in Ling Tian.
Ling Tian listened, his brows furrowed. At first, his intentions were simple—he had merely wanted Xiao Ling'er as his mount.
But now, seeing her like this, he felt a pang of pity. Still, what must be done, must be done.
And he believed that, if he proceeded, no one would dare challenge him.
"Come, we have important business to attend to. If you leave your room too late, people will gossip."
Ling Tian did not answer her question, nor did he wish to.
"Alright."
Xiao Ling'er nodded, popping a piece of candy into her mouth to lift her spirits.
She understood nothing of love; her words were merely an expression of sympathy for Aunt Willow's plight.
Xiao Ling'er's room was painted in soft pinks, with snacks piled on her bed and table.
She was truly a gourmand.
Ling Tian produced a sacred artifact, setting up a barrier. Xiao Ling'er carried the bloodline of the demon race—this was not something to be exposed.
Luo Qingqiu had told Ling Tian that awakening required blood of the same lineage as a guide; the purer the blood, the greater the awakening.
Yet, this also depended on the user's own potential.
To put it simply, Xiao Ling'er's Phoenix bloodline differed from the Phoenix clan in that hers could not awaken on its own due to being somewhat diluted.
"I must warn you, what follows will awaken the Phoenix blood within you. You may transform into a demon."

Ling Tian reluctantly produced the ancestral blood, choosing Phoenix blood. Strictly speaking, it was thanks to Xiao Ling'er's efforts that he obtained it—now it was hers to claim.
"Huh? How do I have demon blood in me?"
Xiao Ling'er was surprised, as though she could not fathom why she possessed a demon bloodline. Her eyes sparkled with realization.
"Could it be my mother?"
She could not help but suspect it—she had never met her mother.
Whenever she asked her father, he would evade the question.
After much thought, this seemed the only possibility.
To think, her mother was of the Phoenix clan!
"If I awaken the Phoenix bloodline and others discover it..."
Xiao Ling'er clenched her hands, anxious and conflicted, her face twisted with worry.
"Don't fret. Without my permission, they cannot touch you. To me, you are still Xiao Ling'er."
Ling Tian patted her shoulder, his tone resolute.
If his current status was insufficient, he would not hesitate to seek outside help.
Xiao Ling'er's talent was good, but not exceptional.
"Who told you to look? Let's begin."
She paused for a moment before pouting with mock annoyance.
Ling Tian did not argue; he was mentally over a hundred years old—what was the point of bickering with a young girl?
"It may hurt. If you can't bear it... well, you'll have to bear it anyway."
Ling Tian really didn't know how to comfort her; once begun, there was no turning back.
Xiao Ling'er gave him a glare—wasn't that just stating the obvious?
Ling Tian wasted no time, performing the blood awakening ritual Luo Qingqiu had taught him, injecting half a drop of Phoenix ancestral blood into Xiao Ling'er's body.
Soon, pain contorted Xiao Ling'er's face. Her eyes snapped open and she bit Ling Tian's arm.
You started this; you won't escape.
That was Xiao Ling'er's truest thought.
Ling Tian was speechless. Luckily, years of taking elixirs had made his skin tough—her bite left only a faint mark.
After about half an hour, Xiao Ling'er's face flushed, sweat soaking her clothes.
The Phoenix blood within her surged, Ling Tian even felt its heat.
"Half a drop is too much?"
Ling Tian frowned at her discomfort. He hadn't injected the whole drop, fearing she'd be overwhelmed.
Yet even half seemed too much for her to bear.
Should he extract some of it?
Ling Tian wondered—he couldn't let her be destroyed by this blood.
Just then, Xiao Ling'er's body floated upward.
He saw the Phoenix blood in her begin to merge with the ancestral blood, washing through her veins, refining her lineage.
Ah, it seemed Xiao Ling'er's bloodline was remarkable after all!
He had only thought her blood strong, thus used half a drop.
Now it appeared her mother was truly extraordinary.

Ling Tian's mind conjured the burly figure of Xiao Ding and wondered how he had ever won the affections of Xiao Ling'er's mother.
Had the Phoenix clan's standards fallen so low?
If Xiao Ding knew Ling Tian's thoughts, he'd dislike him even more.
The flames lit the room, and bright crimson feathers appeared on Xiao Ling'er's body.
Then her form shifted; soon, a majestic Phoenix stood before them.
"Externalizing the bloodline? Remarkable!"
Ling Tian examined her with awe. He had expected Xiao Ling'er would only achieve this at the Heavenly Knowledge realm, yet she had done it now.
Perhaps it was the magic of the Phoenix ancestral blood.
"Beautiful, truly beautiful!"
Xiao Ling'er was clearly controlling her size—otherwise, the room would have been demolished. Ling Tian stood before her, hand on the crimson feathers at her chest, marveling at her allure.
He couldn't resist stroking them.
"Chirp!"
No sooner had his hand touched her than the Phoenix's eyes widened, feathers reddening further. She cried out and struck Ling Tian with her wing, sending him flying.
"What are you doing!"
Xiao Ling'er, clutching her chest, withdrew her externalized bloodline, face flushed as she glared at Ling Tian.
He had... he had...
Then she realized an even greater problem—her clothes were gone.
"You... you... aren't you going to close your eyes!"
Seeing Ling Tian staring at her, she was at a loss, not knowing what to cover, so she simply squatted down.
Had she really been seen naked by a child?
What would she do now?
At her age, shame had already taken root.
Ling Tian, hearing her shout, quickly withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, and covered his eyes. What a mess!
He hadn't expected that the externalized form would be her original body, and upon returning, her clothes would vanish.
What a disaster!
Ling Tian was thoroughly frustrated—he had gone to great lengths, only to end up with nothing but trouble.
"Alright, you can open your eyes now."
Xiao Ling'er, still angry, shot Ling Tian a glare. The memory of what had just happened left her cheeks burning.
"You saw nothing—do you understand?"
She threatened Ling Tian fiercely.
"What did I see?"
Ling Tian responded quickly; he was well-versed in such situations.
Hearing this, Xiao Ling'er's expression eased. Seeing he had no intention of leaving, she raised her brows:
"Why not stay the night?"