Chapter 25: Big Brother's Strength Is Our Strength

Breaking through to a new realm is a matter of great significance.

Advancing through minor realms is smooth and effortless, but that only applies to a beast’s cultivation. Once a creature surpasses the Great Demon level, any breakthrough—even a minor one—is accompanied by a certain degree of risk. Jiang Xuan treated this transition to a major realm with the utmost seriousness. Only by laying a solid foundation could he walk the path of cultivation steadily in the future.

More importantly, breaking through to become a Great Demon would allow him to take on human form! That was the key.

"System, how many evolution points are required for this breakthrough?"

"I also want to fuse all the Golden Eagle essence blood and all the Golden Crow essence blood!"

"Host, you are currently unable to fuse all of the Golden Eagle and Golden Crow essence blood. You may only use seven drops of Golden Eagle essence blood and three drops of Golden Crow essence blood."

"Breaking through to the Great Demon realm will consume your remaining two evolution points."

"Does the host wish to proceed?"

It seemed his strength was still insufficient. He had hoped to at least fuse all the Golden Eagle essence blood to enhance his offensive lethality and physique, but that proved impossible. Still, it would be enough. Jiang Xuan knew that his cultivation had progressed too rapidly, leaving his foundation unstable, which was why he needed the help of evolution points to succeed.

However, once he successfully broke through to the Great Demon realm, his attack, defense, physique, and speed would all see a qualitative leap.

"Yes! Use everything I can!"

"Wait, what about the Vermillion Bird essence blood? Can I fuse that as well?"

"Yes, host. Do you wish to fuse one drop of Vermillion Bird essence blood? Upon successfully reaching the Great Demon realm, you will unlock the second form of the transformation divine ability 'Myriad Transformations': 'Thousands of Faces'!"

"Yes! Use it! Use everything that can be used!"

Jiang Xuan was impatient. He hadn't expected to be able to fuse Vermillion Bird essence blood!

"Invincible among peers"? That was nothing! Jiang Xuan, with near-arrogance, believed that once he reached the Great Demon realm, he would definitely have the strength to fight that fifth-tier Snow Leopard Great Demon!

"Hiss! It hurts, it hurts! Ah!"

"Oh no! I need to stabilize my spiritual power quickly!"

Suddenly, a scorching, bone-shattering pain flooded Jiang Xuan’s entire body. Vast amounts of spiritual power were rampaging within him! The Golden Eagle essence blood, the Golden Crow essence blood, and the Vermillion Bird essence blood—with all three combined, Jiang Xuan lay on the ground, struggling frantically. He understood the principle that one cannot get fat in a single bite, and he had expected the fusion process to be painful, but he never imagined it would be this excruciating!

Inside the cave, a raging fire erupted! The nest that the dozen little eagles had painstakingly built over the past few days was completely incinerated. Ash drifted through the cave, and stones began to fall from the ceiling.

"Ah! You damn thing, aren't you the 'Lazy Immortal Cultivation System'? Why do I have to suffer like this!"

"If I had known, I would have slept for another month before breaking through! Stop, stop, stop! Forget it, System, big brother System! Boss! Daddy!"

Jiang Xuan could feel a raging fire searing his blood; his meridians and bones felt as if they were tearing each other apart. He had never anticipated such absurd pain. Subconsciously, he wanted to back out.

"Host, the essence blood has already been fused. If you interrupt now, you will suffer a backlash. Do you wish to interrupt?"

"Also, host, this system is indeed centered on 'laziness,' but you have a misunderstanding. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to suffer this. Your cultivation progress, according to current projections, is already ten times faster than other beasts..."

*Damn it all...*

Jiang Xuan felt like crying, his heart filled with a string of curses, each one more creative than the last. The system’s cold, harsh words were truly soul-crushing. With no other choice, Jiang Xuan could only grit his teeth and endure the pain that nearly caused him to black out.

Meanwhile, outside the cave.

"Is Big Brother alright? He sounds like he's in terrible pain!"

"How can a major breakthrough not be painful? I heard that when reaching the Demon Core realm, there is even a lightning tribulation!"

"Indeed. We should just stand guard and not disturb Big Brother's breakthrough."

"Brother Bird is right. The stronger Big Brother is, the faster we cultivate. Therefore, Big Brother's strength is our strength!"

"Brother Bird, what you say makes more sense than what I said! What a great way to think! We must be diligent and not let any other beasts approach!"

Listening to the conversation of the little eagles, the Demon Lord felt nothing but disdain. As a Demon Lord, he would never pin his future on someone else! Hovering in mid-air, the Demon Lord drifted toward the Empress.

"You, still want to have a go at me?"

Glancing at the Demon Lord, the Empress’s internal defense mechanism activated automatically. Both were now eighth-tier Great Demons, a fact that had kept the Empress seething with suppressed frustration. She had silently accepted that Jiang Xuan would always be ahead of her, but she could barely forgive herself for still being unable to shake off this annoying, punchable little black bird.

"I have no time to be your enemy. Right now, isn't this the perfect opportunity for us?"

"Opportunity? What kind of opportunity?" The Empress was confused, a look of bewilderment creeping onto her face.

"Hmph, one word from that fat bird, and we have to come out and act as his guards?"

"These past few days, we've been summoned and dismissed at his whim! Those little brats are one thing, but both you and I are treated the same way!"

"You, are you truly content with this?"

It must be said that the Demon Lord’s words stirred ripples in the Empress's heart. The Empress had her own pride. Yet, as the Demon Lord said, her dignity felt as though it had been trampled and ground into the dirt during this time. However, she had different thoughts.

"That fat bird did me a favor. Although it was his duty, he is still useful to me."

"Useful? How? On the path of the Great Dao, one can never rely on others!"

"Hmph! I thought you had some backbone, but I didn't expect you to be this stupid! Pathetic!"

"You seek death! Dragon-Elephant Strike!"

"You? Great Evil Returns!"

In an instant, a white dragon and a giant elephant clashed, creating a bizarre spectacle. A moment later, the dragon and elephant vanished, replaced by a giant sword shimmering with silver light! The giant sword pointed directly at the Demon Lord’s head, but the latter merely sneered, showing no fear at all!

The other little eagles witnessed this and immediately huddled together in terror. If these two black and white birds teamed up to deal with them, huddling together would be their only hope for survival!

"You and I have sparred many times these days without a clear victor. Let's save it; I have no desire to keep fighting you."

"Are you truly not tempted by what I just said?"

"If I kill that fat bird later, then this Outer Domain will be mine to command!"

The Demon Lord’s expression was ferocious as he opened his beak and laughed heartily.

"My will cannot be shaken in the slightest!"

"These days, the fat bird hasn't treated me poorly. I am not one to repay kindness with enmity!"

"Besides, he is still of great use to me!"

"Stupid! Truly, utterly stupid!"

"If that is the case, then what does it matter if I go alone?"

"But remember this: once that fat bird is dead, you are next!"