After drawing Shao Lan's blood, Gu Qingli swiftly returned to the Gu residence.
The moment she entered her chamber, she was suddenly aware of a searing force stirring deep within her soul...
Her heart leapt with a mixture of surprise and joy—could it be that the Crimson Flame Phoenix was awakening?
Previously, the phoenix had mentioned that its revival would quicken only when her spiritual power reached sufficient abundance.
During her recent duel with Vice Commander Qi, the Crimson Flame Phoenix had come to her rescue at a critical moment.
Later, in the fierce battle against Li Ke'er's Purple Venom Giant Frog—though more perilous than the fight with Vice Commander Qi—Gu Qingli had managed to cope since poison was her specialty.
After such a long time, her spiritual power had now doubled, a feat largely aided by the elixirs bestowed by Uncle Shao.
A languid yet magnetic voice echoed from the depths of her soul.
The sensation was strangely uncanny...
"My little lass, I truly did not misjudge you. To awaken me so swiftly in such a short span—I had reckoned it would take years."
"Oh? Not only has your spiritual power surged tremendously, but your strength now nearly rivals that of a Martial King. Impressive, indeed. I did not err in my judgment!"
Clearly, the Crimson Flame Phoenix was thoroughly pleased with Gu Qingli's rapid cultivation, inwardly basking in pride at her fortune—how fate had spared it, allowing it to encounter such a promising protégé in the face of life and death.
"Phoenix, have you truly awakened?" Gu Qingli's excitement was palpable. With such a formidable guardian by her side, who would dare to challenge her?
"Only a temporary awakening for now," came the phoenix's lazy reply, dampening her enthusiasm somewhat.
"Also, little one, I'm no mere 'Phoenix'—I am Feng Yi. And you, you should address me as Grandfather."
A soft chuckle followed, amused by the thought of this imperious little girl calling him grandfather.
Alas, Gu Qingli was not so easily fooled.
"Fine, then I shall call you Feng Yi. But grandfather? No way."
She pouted, resolute in her refusal.
"Besides, among the magical beasts, you're probably just a juvenile brat like me—still hoping to take advantage of me? Hmph."
Feng Yi had likely lived for centuries, but his perspective on age was not human.
"Oh, you little clever girl," Feng Yi sighed, never having been outwitted by a twelve-year-old before—truly a waste of centuries lived.
Gu Qingli was no ordinary twelve-year-old to be measured by mortal standards.
"Hmph, naturally. But you wouldn't have come to my aid against Vice Commander Qi last time if you weren't stirring, right?"
Now bound by a shared fate, their fortunes intertwined.
"That was an instinctive response to your life being imperiled. Now that I've awakened, it's different. Even in slumber, I'm merely repairing myself, not in deep hibernation. So if you call, I can still sense you."
Feng Yi explained patiently.
"So, you can intervene now?" Gu Qingli's heart quickened.
"In a manner of speaking. But each intervention requires a long recovery, so choose wisely. I will not act lightly—only if your life is in grave danger. Your cultivation is still too low. Accelerate your training; when your spiritual power grows stronger, I shall manifest physically."
Feng Yi's tone brimmed with a hint of disdain regarding her current strength.
Gu Qingli took heart—any aid from the Crimson Flame Phoenix was a valuable ace. Her current mission was to cultivate and bolster her power, holding this trump card for dire need.
So far, no one knew she was already a Spirit Illusionist.
She intended to keep it that way as long as possible, revealing nothing prematurely.
"I'm still young, you know. My strength is already quite commendable."
Gu Qingli rolled her eyes, affronted by the suggestion her power was weak. Though not arrogant, she was certainly confident.
"Ahem, well, weak it is..." Feng Yi's voice faltered; even without deep understanding of humans, he knew her talent was among the continent's finest for her age.
He meant only her current strength, not her age.
"There's no helping it. Be grateful for your fortune, or if you were weaker, who knows when you'd ever awaken or regain your strength."
Though mighty, Feng Yi was bound to her very life—fearless no more.
"You're sharp-tongued, little one."
Feng Yi smiled wryly. Though much older, he was no match for her wit.
"Alright then, though our contract has long been sealed, this is our first real conversation. Henceforth, we shall grow together, benefiting each other. Unless you discover a way to sever this contract, we must coexist peacefully."
Gu Qingli spoke solemnly.
Indeed, though Feng Yi had long been her magical beast, his prolonged slumber had kept them estranged.
Though he longed to wield his seniority, Feng Yi remained, in beast years, but a youth, without the temperament of an ancient demon.
Otherwise, he would not have clung to life so desperately, preferring to perish honorably than survive in chains.
He understood well that their master-servant contract bound their fates; as long as either lived, they were inextricably linked, unable to defy each other.
Yet Gu Qingli's humble, friendly demeanor put him at ease.
"Hmph, understood. We shall coexist peacefully from now on."
Feng Yi's previous aloofness stemmed from unease—when he first sought her aid, it was out of desperation and rash impulse. Facing her now, a mix of pride and suspicion lingered.
Had she been overbearing, it might have ended in mutual ruin.
Fortunately, Gu Qingli was not such a person, and Feng Yi could not help but marvel at his own fortunate survival.