Chapter 175: Chapter 119: Dual Beast Body

The faint, sweet scent of the female washed over him, and for a moment, Si Ye was dazed. He quickly collected himself, took a step back, and said coolly, “Yun Hua City.”

“We’re heading the same way.”

“What a coincidence?” Si Ye gave her another doubtful look, clearly unconvinced.

Sang Luo stuck to her story. “It really is that much of a coincidence!”

“…Since it’s on the way, I’ll give you a ride.”

The moment he spoke, Si Ye leaped into the air. A bird’s long cry, sharp enough to halt the clouds, resounded as he transformed mid-flight into an enormous Fire Phoenix dozens of meters long. Its body was sleek and flawless. Sunlight flowed across its long, golden-red plumes, and its sharp, crimson-gold talons looked as if they could shred metal and stone. It was so magnificent, it seemed like a Divine Beast straight out of legend!

Sang Luo was mesmerized, her eyes widening in excitement.

’So beautiful!’

Si Ye circled around and flew slowly back down into the mountain forest. Sang Luo walked up and reached out to touch one of his magnificent, gilded feathers, feeling the urge to pluck a few.

Si Ye’s slightly awkward voice came from above. “You… get on. I’ve never let anyone else ride my beast body before. Since this whole thing was my fault, consider it a favor I owe you. If you ever need anything, you can find me at the Si Mansion of the Bian Clan.”

Sang Luo snapped out of her daze. “That’s right, aren’t you from the Bian Clan? How come your beast form is a Phoenix?”

“My Beast Father was from the Phoenix Clan—the younger brother of the current Beast Emperor of the Phoenix Clan in the Central Plain.”

“You don’t look like a Mixed Blood…”

“I am, of course, a pure-blood. A genuine, honest-to-goodness Pure-blooded Phoenix,” he said, sounding impatient.

“Then you’re…” Sang Luo walked a circle around him, her curiosity piqued. “But I heard there were no pure-bloods left in the Phoenix Clan besides the Beast Emperor.”

“Why all the damn questions?” With a flap of a golden-red wing, Sang Luo was sent tumbling through the air onto his back. He then gave a powerful beat of his wings and shot straight into the clouds. Borne on the high-altitude gales, Si Ye’s voice sounded even more unrestrained. “I am both a Pure-blooded Phoenix and a pure-blooded Bian. My Beast Father died when I was young, so I stayed with my Beast Mother’s family. Naturally, that means I’m not considered part of the Phoenix Clan.”

This was Sang Luo’s first time soaring through the sky on a beast’s back. Terrified of being thrown off, she scrambled toward Si Ye’s neck, found a secure spot, and gripped a handful of sturdy plumes. Her heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and shock. ’I still know so little about this world.’

’Ah Ze, are there really Beastmen with dual forms in this world?’

In the Artifact Refining Room, Lou Xianyue’s clear, ice-blue eyes snapped open. A warmth filled his heart at the sound of her voice, and he quickly replied in a gentle mental tone, ’Such cases do exist, but they are extremely rare… What’s wrong, Sang’er? Did you meet a Beastman with dual forms?’

’Yes! The East Continent really is a Cave Heaven Blessed Land. This is the first time I’ve ever met a Beastman with dual forms. It’s unbelievable.’

’Most Beastmen have a Beast Father and a Beast Mother from different clans. The bloodline of children born from such unions typically results in one of four outcomes, one of which is a Beastman with dual forms.’

Lou Xianyue thought of Sang Luo’s own enigmatic origins, a deep thoughtfulness hidden in his eyes as he patiently explained, ’If the mother’s bloodline is stronger than the father’s, the child will most likely inherit the mother’s bloodline. If the father’s bloodline is stronger, the child will most likely inherit the father’s. Aside from those, some children will fuse the bloodlines of both parents. These are the Mixed-blood Beastmen.’

’A Mixed-blood Beastman’s bloodline and appearance will combine the characteristics of both clans, but their bloodline is less stable than that of an ordinary Beastman. This can produce exceptionally talented and powerful individuals, but it can also result in extremely weak children. The results are inconsistent. It is precisely because of Mixed-blood Beastmen that the various Beastman clans have evolved richer bloodlines over the generations.’

’Beyond these three common forms of bloodline inheritance, the absolute rarest is what you just mentioned: the Dual Beast Body.’

’The probability of this is so low it’s almost negligible. It only happens to the children of two Innate King Beasts, both possessing supreme bloodlines. When the royal bloodlines of the two clans are too powerful, they can’t fuse to create a Mixed Blood. Instead, the child inherits the complete bloodlines of both parents and can switch freely between the Dual Beast Body. Such a child possesses immense talent and limitless potential, far exceeding other Beastmen of the same level… Sang’er, have you met that Young Master from the East Continent?’

’How did you know?’

’Sang’er has exceptionally high standards. I doubt an ordinary Beastman would even catch your eye.’ Lou Xianyue gave a low chuckle, but it was laced with a hint of bitterness. He continued softly, ’That Young Master is the only Beastman in the East Continent whose dual forms are both pure-blooded Innate King Beasts. So, it was an easy guess. Are you with him now?’

’Yeah.’

’Have you two… mated?’

Sang Luo nearly choked on her own spit and quickly shook her head. ’N-No! He’s just giving me a ride since it’s on his way. He’s kind of ill-tempered. I doubt we’ll have much to do with each other.’

The other end fell silent for a moment, followed by a soft sigh. ’Sang’er, you really are completely oblivious to your own charm…’

From the moment she decided to stay in the East Continent and not return, Lou Xianyue had guessed the purpose of her trip.

And yet, his heart still throbbed with a dull ache.

…

「North Continent, Ice-breaking City.」

When Lou Xianyue arrived at the City Lord Mansion, his expression softened at the sight of three little balls of fur running out of a room. He bent down to pick up Zhi Xin, ruffling her silver-white fur with his long, elegant hands. “Your father’s taking good care of you. You’ve grown a whole size since we last met.”

“You? What brings you to my mansion?”

Lan Cang followed right behind.

“I’m here on her behalf to update you on her travels.” Lou Xianyue looked at Lan Cang, his brow tinged with sorrow. “You don’t need to worry about Sang’er. I was the one who brought her to the Sea King Palace last time. I apologize for not letting you know… She’s now gone to the East Continent. She’s fine and in no danger. She wanted to put your mind at ease.”

“That’s good to hear.” Lan Cang had already guessed as much, but he was still worried. He sighed. “I wonder when she’ll be back.”

Lou Xianyue looked toward the interior of the mansion. “We didn’t get a chance to drink last time. How about one this time?”

“It is my greatest honor to have the Sea Emperor grace my home. There’s plenty of wine to go around. The liquor of the North Continent is quite strong; I wonder if Your Majesty is used to it?” As Lan Cang spoke, he reached for Zhi Xin, but the little pup unexpectedly snuggled into a ball in Lou Xianyue’s arms and let out a couple of happy yips.

“I love handsome uncle~”

Sang Luo normally couldn’t understand the language of wolves, but Lan Cang could. His handsome face darkened as he took the little brat back into his own arms.

She even waved a paw at Lou Xianyue, not wanting to leave, which utterly chilled her own father’s heart—

’This habit of fawning over any pretty face she sees… I wonder who she gets that from!’

Lou Xianyue chuckled. “I’m really quite fond of this little Wolf Pup. She not only looks like Sang’er, but her personality is cast from the same mold. A pity my own child is a boy, not a cute and endearing little female like her.”

“If you could make Luoluo happy, I’m sure she’d be glad to give you one of your own.”

“I’m not so fortunate. I’m afraid… that chance is gone.” Lou Xianyue’s smile was bleak. “Sang’er must have a new male by her side now. Help me… get some more liquor.”

Lan Cang froze at his words, and the playful jest on his lips instantly turned bitter. He said nothing, simply walking in silence to the storehouse to retrieve several jars of strong liquor. The two heartbroken men drank a great deal, and for a long while, neither of them said another word.

She wouldn’t be tied to the past.

They just had to get used to it.

Lou Xianyue was not a heavy drinker, but he still finished a jar and a half. He propped his head up with one of his long, elegant hands, his cheeks flushed like blossoms. “I… I knew I would become a memory to her one day, but I never thought it would be so soon…”

He had thought she would leave him a little more time, a few more chances, but she hadn’t. She had moved on without a backward glance.

Who in this world, he wondered, could ever truly reach Sang’er’s heart?

Lou Xianyue drained the remaining wine in his cup in one gulp.

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