The Steward Demonic Emperor

Proofreader: Papatonks

Sss~

The scorching golden flames singed Qiao'er's frail body, leaving the impression it snuffed out the final trace of life she had left.

Zhuo Fan looked on with worry.

Dragon ancestor consoled him, "Fire is a source of life. Be it my fierce flame, Decimating Golden Flame, or Kunpeng's gentle flame, Chaos Flame. Only gentle flame is good for alchemy and the soul, while the fierce flame is for refining weapons and the body. Letting the golden flame enter her body won't just remake her body, but open her mind further, setting her on the path of a real sacred beast."

"Further?"

"Precisely!"

Dragon ancestor said, "Fire is the source of life and knowledge. Kunpeng's azure flame helped open her first mind, to speak and cultivate, to overcome the shackles of a spiritual beast as it grows stronger and stronger. My golden flames take it a step further, giving her the body of a sacred beast capable of transformation, what a true sacred beast can do."

Zhuo Fan shook, "Does that mean all spiritual beasts can become sacred beasts?"

"Hardly, or the world would be in chaos. Ha-ha-ha, you best remember that the number of experts are limited."

Dragon ancestor looked at Qiao'er, "Your daughter is special because she is like us at core, born from the strongest power of this world, with Berserk Purple Lightning taking hold within her. That's why, our two flames that resonate with her body will help her develop her mind and spirituality. If it were a common spiritual beast, it could only take one flame. By using both of them though, it would lead to them clashing inside and exploding."

Zhuo Fan nodded, recalling the Three-headed Crow at Kunpeng's side, his aide, had received Kunpeng's azure flame but would never become a sacred beast.

Because at core, its body did not have any of the five powers.

Zhuo Fan could not help but smile at dragon ancestor, "What about me? Don't I have both of your flames?"

"A freak Nine Serenities Sovereign created? Beat it!" Dragon ancestor's face twitched and grumbled.

Zhuo Fan's weird constitution made him jealous actually. Who wouldn't want a body that could hold four of sacred beast powers and fuse them into an unheard of power? Even he had to admit it.

Zhuo Fan smiled, looking smug.

Everything was connected, that was the core belief behind Demon Transformation Art. Everything could be transformed for the user's use. It was truly obscene.

[Sacred beasts can't train in human cultivation methods or he'd long have stolen it.]

Kunpeng especially, if he knew Demon Transformation Art was the way to combine sacred beast powers, he'd have acted on the spot.

Hum~

Zhuo Fan was startled awake and watched Qiao'er being covered by azure flames with the searing golden flames on top.

Azure flame and golden flame overlapped and combined, forming a savage tornado, lifting Qiao'er up in the air.

Zhuo Fan was baffled while dragon ancestor was calmer than ever.

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Boom!

After the explosion, purple lightning burst forth, erasing the fire tornado.

What followed was a flood of lightning everywhere, surrounding an eight year old girl with long purple hair and a purple robe. She was the most adorable creature, with her pink cheeks, bright eyes and white teeth.

Zhuo Fan was startled. Dragon ancestor laughed, "Ha-ha-ha, the transformation is complete. With some training, this child will be the next Thunder Phoenix. Adding Qilin's son as well, the five great sacred beasts will once more gather!"

"Uhm, Dragon Ancestor, is she my daughter?"

"Of course, father."

Zhuo Fan blinked dumbstruck. The girl floated down, as the purple lightning crackled around. She bore a bright smile as she skipped over to Zhuo Fan and jumped into his arms, "Of course I'm your daughter. Can't you recognize me?"

"Uhm, of course not."

Zhuo Fan's eyelid twitched, hugging the little girl. Seeing the familiar expression in her eyes, he was feeling overwhelmed, "If I could choose, a Thunder Skylark would be better."

Qiao'er asked, "Why? Now that I took human form, I'm really your daughter."

"Ha-ha-ha, you won't understand."

Zhuo Fan turned solemn, "With the way you are now, that means you've become a sacred beast, taking on Thunder Phoenix's mantle. That means you'll become a target for Heavenly Sovereign. Then… you might even die."

Blinking her big eyes, Qiao'er was confused, "Who's that? Father, if you didn't want for me to transform, why let me?"

"I had no choice."

Sighing, Zhuo Fan glanced at dragon ancestor, "It wasn't my decision to make."

Smiling, the dragon ancestor nodded, "Yes, I'd have it even if you refused. We need strength right now. Only with all five great sacred beasts will we have the greatest power. Alone, we're no match for Heavenly Sovereign."

Zhuo Fan knew this, but was still conflicted.

"Leave the second generation in my care for now. I'll make sure to unearth all her potential!" Dragon ancestor continued, his tone was irreproachable.

Zhuo Fan nodded, but Qiao'er wouldn't have it, hugging his neck and whining, "No, I want to go with father!"

"No matter how amazing this kid is, he's just a human and has no idea of the true might of the glorious Thunder Phoenix."

However, the dragon ancestor's tone was firm, "Your mind might be sharp right now and can even understand Berserk Purple Lightning's usage, but that's too slow. By training with me, you'll soon know all of Thunder Phoenix's skills. You'll go home with him later on, but now you must stay with me, to make sure you don't stray."

Zhuo Fan acknowledged this as well, "Yes, since you're meant to enter this storm, the best way is for you to get stronger. I can't teach you. Staying with Dragon Ancestor is better."

Zhuo Fan placed Qiao'er down, then turned around without hesitation, "Dragon ancestor, open the door and let me out."

"Sure!"

Dragon ancestor clawed and a tunnel formed to the beautiful world outside, "Kid, you're a man of ambition, knowing what must be done and not hesitating."

"Father!" Seeing him go, Qiao'er's voice trembled, "I've never left your side since I was born!"

Zhuo Fan halted, struck by a pang of guilt, but he settled his heart, leaving without looking back.

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He knew from the moment dragon ancestor saw Qiao'er, that he would want her to improve and make this simple Thunder Skylark enter the deadliest battle.

As her father, Zhuo Fan had to do the best he could to give her the highest chance at survival.

"Father~!"

As the door faded, Qiao'er cried out after him, with tears of abandonment flowing down her cheeks. But Zhuo Fan not once looked back till the end.

Pa!

When the door closed, Qiao'er's cries were cut off and Zhuo Fan sighed. His eyes closed to regain his calm, then walked forward with purpose.

Heavenly Sovereign, the greatest threat was bearing down on him. No one could help him and he couldn't help anyone either. All he could do was give his all to not get those he cared dragged down into this.

The rest of his life was bound to be filled with solitude. He could only rely, no, use, the five great sacred beasts, stuck with the same misfortune.

Whoosh~

Zhuo Fan barely took a step and Ye Lin appeared, looking hesitant.

Zhuo Fan simply brushed his shoulder as he walked on with a cold look.

"Hold on!"

Ye Lin finally spoke.

Halting, Zhuo Fan asked, "What?"

"Uhm, master must've told you about everything." Ye Lin scratched his head, "Our goal is the same. To help master, we'll have to cooperate. As for the eight World Wind Tunnels, I've already placed the drawing array in this secret realm. The others will be harder, even the ones in western lands. We are, after all, disciples in the western lands…"

"Are you done? I'm leaving." Zhuo Fan spoke coldly.

Ye Lin started, "Wait, master asked that we set the recoil array together…"

"I don't need you."

Zhuo Fan cut him off, "You just stay being a western lands disciple. I can do it on my own. Also, you saved my life and I'll definitely repay you."

Shaking all over, Ye Lin watched Zhuo Fan go. He set his jaw and shouted, "Brother!"

Startled, Zhuo Fan finally paused his step, looking at him oddly, "What did you call me?"

"Elder brother!"

Ye Lin hesitated with a lowered head, "Sacred beasts have rules, making the winner king. Since I lost to you, you're the elder brother."

Zhuo Fan turned around and resumed leaving, "That is a beast's rule, we are men. Anyway, I'll return the favor for what you did. There's nothing else between us."

"Elder brother, it doesn't matter. Since I lost, I see you as king."

Zhuo Fan never stopped walking.

"Also, senior brother sent a jade slip. Miss Chu is fine. They all think you're dead. Double Dragon Manor is rushing me to come back and report. Elder brother, come with me, or would you like me to send her a message?"

Trembling, Zhuo Fan stopped again, then left faster, "No, just say… I'm dead."