Chapter 32: Hatching in the Nick of Time, The Resonance of the Xuanming Spiritual Fire

With that thought, the Tiger Demon Spirit no longer hesitated and pounced forward directly.

Jiang Tang didn't hesitate either, he dropped the corpse and bolted.

He channeled all his spiritual power, running towards the plains ahead with all the strength he could muster.

But how could two legs outrun four?

Very soon, the droopy-eyed, white fore-headed tiger caught up with Jiang Tang, just one more step and it would capture him.

The Tiger Demon Spirit leaped into the air, opening its gaping maw to bite off Jiang Tang's head.

Damn!

Jiang Tang's expression changed, he frantically lunged forward, tumbling to the ground in a sorry state, yet narrowly avoiding this fatal strike.

The Tiger Demon Spirit's pounce missed its mark, but far from being annoyed, it approached the slowly rising Jiang Tang step by step, with the assurance of victory.

Jiang Tang felt a sense of despair.

Could this be where his life came to an end?

At this critical moment, an anomaly occurred in the Spirit Field Space.

The egg that had been incubating all this time suddenly let out an immature cry.

Responding to the cry, the eggshell cracked open with several fissures, and countless beams of light shot out from them.

At the same time, Jiang Tang faintly felt that the Xuanming Spiritual Fire within his body began to stir restlessly—as if it had encountered an old friend, excited to greet them.

Moments later, the eggshell shattered, a red light shot up from the ground, piercing through the Spirit Field Space and landing steadily in front of Jiang Tang.

Upon seeing the red light, the Tiger Demon Spirit was momentarily stunned; after a brief pause, its eyes were filled with wariness.

"Who goes there?" The Tiger Demon Spirit's lips wriggled as it slowly uttered human speech.

Though its voice was husky and deep, even somewhat unpleasant to hear, Jiang Tang could still make it out.

This creature was speaking human language.

The red light dissipated to reveal a little bird, red all over.

The little bird slowly opened its eyes, the golden light within them flashing briefly.

Flapping its downy wings, it took to the air and landed steadily on Jiang Tang's shoulder.

The little bird suddenly pecked Jiang Tang.

Jiang Tang winced with pain, baring his teeth.

A drop of blood seeped into his skin through the bird's beak, and an array formed beneath Jiang Tang's feet.

The array disappeared, and in the eyes of the little bird which had seemed slightly blurred, there was now a hint of clarity.

It looked steadily at the Tiger Demon Spirit and uttered human words as well.

"Scram."

The Tiger Demon Spirit felt the pressure coming from the other, shrank its neck, and looked back at Jiang Tang.

It swallowed another gulp of saliva.

Human flesh so fragrant.

This was just a fledgling, after all. It couldn't harm it anyway.

As long as it didn't kill it, there would be no waters muddied between them.

With this thought, the Tiger Demon Spirit steeled its heart and pounced towards Jiang Tang once again.

The little bird's gaze turned cold: "Refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit."

It sharply cried out and took off towards the void.

At that moment, Jiang Tang felt the unrest in the Xuanming Spiritual Fire growing stronger; he opened his palm and released it into the center of his hand.

In that instant, the Xuanming Spiritual Fire turned into a long light, flying towards the rear of the little bird, transforming into an ancient flying bird totem.

The little bird spread its wings again, and the flying bird totem turned into a fire phoenix, diving down from above.

A blaze of fire shot towards the sky, its heat searing, nearly singing Jiang Tang's hair.

He ducked down, and the flames directly engulfed the Tiger Demon Spirit in front of him, reducing it to ashes.

All of this happened in just an instant.

But Jiang Tang was left stunned.

This little bird, impressive!

The Tiger Demon Spirit didn't even have a chance to let out a wail before it was turned into dust due to its greed.

The little bird landed, the murderous look in its eyes fading. It looked up at Jiang Tang with adoration and called out crisply, "Daddy!"

Jiang Tang: "..." Another kid?

"I'm not your daddy," Jiang Tang said, shaking his head. He put away the Xuanming Spiritual Fire and crouched down to cradle the bird in his palm, gently stroking the fluffy head of the little bird, and cracking a slight smile.

"Eryao told me that daddy is his daddy, and also my daddy. Why can Eryao call you that, but I cannot? Could it be, daddy doesn't recognize me?" The little bird's eyes suddenly filled with a hint of loss.

Jiang Tang: "..." So, daddy can be shared.

He stroked the little bird's head again: "Not at all."

"Daddy!" There was suddenly a glimmer of joy in the little bird's eyes, "I've already formed a Soul Contract with daddy. If daddy is ever in trouble, Eryao and I will protect you together!"

Jiang Tang gave an awkward laugh.

It's a bit embarrassing to always be protected by a bunch of kids.

Once he became stronger, he could protect them.

"But how are you able to use my Xuanming Spiritual Fire?" Jiang Tang recalled something and asked curiously.

"Because, I am a descendant of Vermilion Bird," said the little bird proudly, declaring its lineage.

As it turned out, the creature hatched from the egg was a descendant of the ancient Vermilion Bird. Eryao, having received the inheritance, naturally could recognize it.

When Eryao felt that Jiang Tang was in danger, it was at a critical moment in its meditative retreat, and it absolutely could not afford to create an Avatar to help Jiang Tang—forcing its way out would cause it to deviate and go berserk, effectively handing itself over as an extra meal to the Tiger Demon Spirit.

So, it thought of the little bird about to hatch.

After contacting the little bird through a mental message, Eryao secretly imbued the little bird with the Dragon Clan's Spiritual Power to stimulate its hatching. Once it emerged, the little bird swiftly activated its spiritual consciousness using the Soul Contract.

Thus, the little bird was able to hatch in a timely manner and came to save Jiang Tang.

As to why it could use the Xuanming Spiritual Fire and resonate with it, that was due to the little bird's identity.

Being a descendant of the ancient Vermilion Bird lineage, which is a branch of the Phoenix Clan, its body carried mainly Fire Spirit Power.

The Vermilion Bird Clan is born with the Sovereign Fire of their race—the fire that is considered of Jia Xiang caliber; and all fires of lesser rank can be utilized by the Vermilion Bird Clan.

And the little bird had summoned the Xuanming Spiritual Fire, which ranks at the end of the Ding Xiang category, using the yet unawakened Sovereign Fire within it, to deal with the wide-eyed white-browed Tiger.

Although the Xuanming Spiritual Fire is the lowest amongst the Exotic Flames ranking in the Ding Xiang category, it is still a Spiritual Treasure of heaven and earth that restrains demons and spirits.

Demons and spirits are inherently fearful of objects of the righteous path, and as an Exotic Flame, the Xuanming Spiritual Fire naturally becomes their nemesis.

After listening to the little bird's explanation, Jiang Tang reflected thoughtfully.

It turned out that Exotic Flames could be used not only for forging Pills.

But also for driving away demonic beings.

"Daddy, you named Eryao. Could you also give me a name?" The little bird nuzzled against Jiang Tang's palm.

Jiang Tang's heart softened.

The sentimental heart of an old man.

He coughed lightly and replied calmly, "Since you're a descendant of Vermilion Bird, I will name you Chong Li. To reignite the fires of the stars, to brighten the dawn of the Mortal Realm. Does that sound good?"

The little bird agreed and nuzzled Jiang Tang's palm again, "Daddy, Chong Li wishes to practice outside, not within the Immeasurable Ancient Jade."

Being of the Phoenix Clan's bloodline, the Vermilion Bird Clan inherently yearns for freedom and despises confinement.

They prefer the vast skies more than the Dragon Clan does.

Jiang Tang nodded in agreement, remembering the remaining Disguise Pill he had earlier refined. He took it out and fed it to Chong Li to alter its appearance, then began to sit cross-legged on the ground to cultivate.