"Master, what's happening?" Ye Tianfan saw the storm clouds gathering in the sky, sensing that a downpour was imminent, and asked Tian Chu Zhenren dryly.

Tian Chu Zhenren stared intently at the dark clouds above, saying in a deep voice, "Evolution is not as simple as it seems. Not only must one undergo physical transformation, but evolution itself is an act against the heavens. Naturally, the heavens will test those demon beasts that defy them, sending down heavenly punishment. If they endure, they will achieve the ultimate evolution through the light granted by the heavens at the end of the trial. If not, they will perish and disappear under the heavenly punishment."

Upon hearing this, Ye Tianfan looked worriedly into the room. At the moment, Dumb Bird's condition didn't seem like it could withstand the trial.

"Master, but in Dumb Bird's current state, how could it possibly withstand heavenly punishment? Can I... can I help it?" Ye Tianfan asked anxiously.

"If you go in, not only will you kill Dumb Bird, but you'll also turn the entire Taifeng Peak into ashes," Tian Chu Zhenren stopped Ye Tianfan's thoughts.

"How could that be?" Ye Tianfan didn't expect the consequences to be so severe; he just wanted to help Dumb Bird.

"If you go to help Dumb Bird, the power of the heavenly punishment will expand tenfold, and it would ignore any immortal technique defenses. The punishment will strike directly upon you, and no one can withstand that. After you're struck down, the remnant punishment will pour onto the place of your death. By then, I think the entire Taifeng Peak won't be able to bear it," Tian Chu Zhenren explained to Ye Tianfan.

The heavenly punishment is not something that can be shared to overcome. If you try, the heavens will be enraged. It's like if you make a mistake and your boss is scolding you, and someone suddenly comes and tells your boss not to scold you, but to scold them instead. Your boss would surely fly into a rage, scolding not only you but that person as well.

Ye Tianfan could only trust that Dumb Bird could make it through on its own.

"Let's wait and see. At this moment, the only thing we can do is believe in Dumb Bird," Tian Chu Zhenren said to comfort Ye Tianfan, noticing his worries.

In truth, even Tian Chu Zhenren wasn't sure if Dumb Bird could succeed. After all, with Dumb Bird's species' bloodline being not particularly noble, its strength was at most between the eighth layer of the Qian Yuan and the third layer of Baihui.

Considering its low upper strength limit, how noble could its bloodline be?

Moreover, Tian Chu Zhenren hadn't told Ye Tianfan that when the Nine-Headed Demon Serpent evolved, its original strength limit was at the fifth or sixth stage of the Taichu realm, meaning its pre-evolution species was already quite powerful.

And the beast from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect was similarly at the Taichu realm's limit.

Even that demon beast from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect didn't make it through its evolution, let alone Dumb Bird, which isn't particularly clever. The chances of survival are slim.

Tian Chu Zhenren hadn't told Ye Tianfan these things for fear that he couldn't resist the temptation.

"Hmm!" Hearing this, Ye Tianfan nodded. It was all he could do now, as helping would only harm Dumb Bird according to his master.

No wonder Ye Tianfan was so worried about Dumb Bird; its current condition was too poor, like a plucked rooster covered in debris. The whole bird looked miserable and far from capable of enduring.

Just then, all the seat heads of the Taichu Sect arrived.

"What's going on? It seems like heavenly punishment is coming. Who's defying the heavens?" Taichu Zhenren urgently asked as soon as he arrived.

It wasn't surprising for him to ask, as heavenly punishment only comes to those who defy the heavens. Now, defying the heavens isn't just shouting "I want to defy the heavens!" and then punishment descends. It must be a real defiance that violates heavenly rules. The rules don't come with a manual. In some cases, fiendish demons commit heinous acts without punishment, while a great being once spat casually and was struck down. No one knows why to this day.

The other seat heads fell silent upon seeing Taichu Zhenren's question, but they all looked to Tian Chu Zhenren, hoping he could explain, since the punishment was descending on Taifeng Peak.

Upon hearing this, Tian Chu Zhenren cast a complicated look at Ye Tianfan and said, "It's Dumb Bird evolving!"

"Evolving?"

"What?"

"Dumb Bird? That mascot?"

Upon hearing this, Taichu Zhenren was taken aback and looked profoundly at Ye Tianfan, wondering if Ye Tianfan was Heaven's illegitimate child.

Why would a random Dumb Bird he brought back undergo evolution?

The Taichu Sect does have tamers for breeding demon beasts, although not many. Throughout the centuries, they've passed down through generations, taming thousands of demon beasts, yet none have undergone evolution, and many haven't even reached their species' limit.

Taichu Zhenren felt a pang of jealousy towards Ye Tianfan, yes, jealousy. Ye Tianfan seemed to be Heaven's favored child, encountering fortuitous events and benefits wherever he went.

Alas! Taichu Zhenren sighed deeply. Such a fortunate person, if he becomes the sect leader of Taichu Sect, could he bring such fortune to the sect as well? Not asking for much, just for Ye Tianfan to maintain his strength during his tenure.

At this moment, Dumb Bird chirped softly, a sound carrying slight easiness and satisfaction.

Ye Tianfan quickly looked into the house to see Dumb Bird standing up and looking skyward. Although the house blocked its view, Ye Tianfan could see the determination in Dumb Bird's eyes.

At this time, Dumb Bird's body slowly began to grow feathers, starting with a layer of yellow down. Now, Dumb Bird resembled a large yellow duck, looking adorable and fluffy.

Then the down began shedding, and it grew crimson feathers, occasionally emitting small bursts of flame.

After fully growing its feathers, Ye Tianfan was stunned by Dumb Bird's appearance. Wasn't this a Phoenix? Although a bit plump and having a somewhat silly expression, its appearance was unmistakably that of a Phoenix.

Not only was Ye Tianfan stunned by Dumb Bird's appearance, but even the other seat heads were as well. Was this the legendary Phoenix? Although the expression was slightly off, from appearance alone, it was certainly a Phoenix.

Taichu Zhenren witnessed this scene and instinctively glanced at Ye Tianfan again, sighing once more. Such fortune!

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