Chapter 1171
"Search!"
"Xunxun!"
The Treasure Seeker jumped, wide-eyed, as it pointed at the two Qingbao heads circling Li Ou Yasi and shouted in alarm.
One of Qingbao's heads turned toward the Treasure Seeker with a smug expression.
"Xunxun..."
The Treasure Seeker grew even more unsettled and immediately drifted to its Beastmaster's side.
Could it be... a clone? Qiao Sang initially froze, then felt a surge of excitement.
She immediately focused her consciousness into the Beastmaster Codex, flipping rapidly to Qingbao's entry.
As expected, the skill list now included [Clone (Novice 1/100)] beneath existing abilities.
Who knew such a simple gust of wind would unlock the Clone ability... Confirming this, Qiao Sang's small joy blossomed into full-blown elation.
Truthfully, even if Qingbao had suddenly mastered an Advanced Skill, it wouldn't have pleased her more than this.
Cloning meant exponential Skill Proficiency growth - what might normally take weeks or months could now be achieved in a single day with proper coordination.
For someone with the Golden Finger ability, Clone was unquestionably the most effective skill to maximize their advantage.
Returning her focus to reality, Qiao Sang observed one of Qingbao's circling heads and praised:
"Amazing! You learned Clone so effortlessly."
Through her spiritual connection, she easily distinguished the genuine head from the clone.
"Xunxun..."
The Treasure Seeker exhaled in relief upon hearing its Beastmaster's explanation.
So it was just a clone...
"Qingqing~"
The original Qingbao materialized beside its Beastmaster, feigning surprise and delight as it chirped.
Oh no, it actually developed the Clone ability...
Treasure Seeker: "..."
"Ya Ya!"
Fangy suddenly called out, signaling for the original to rejoin the clone in its wind-blowing duties to hasten tear production.
Qingbao stiffened, glancing at its Beastmaster.
Before it could protest, Qiao Sang nodded.
"Fangy's right. Go on."
"Qingqing..."
With visible reluctance, Qingbao transformed into wind again, joining its clone in orbiting Li Ou Yasi.
"Xiasha..."
Throughout this, Xialala remained largely silent, watching Li Ou Yasi's perpetually half-closed eyes with a worried expression, seemingly lost in troubled thoughts.
...
Meanwhile, outside.
In the hotel.
Migala finished packing, signaling to Pengamei.
Pengamei understood, her eyes glowing blue.
As they prepared to teleport, her mobile phone vibrated.
Migala checked the caller ID, exchanged a glance with Pengamei, then answered.
"Fei, I've got news about what you asked", Kang Yang reported. "Li Ou Yasi was last seen around a century ago during the Flame Sky Star drought. No one's heard from it since."
"As for the fire crater in Mingzhou, there's definitely nothing familiar down there - no reports of any activity."
Migala's brows furrowed as she fell silent.
"Fei, why the sudden interest in the fire crater? Are you and Junior Qiao there now?" Kang Yang asked.
Instead of answering, Migala countered, "Did you ask through the Beastmaster League's internal channels?"
"Hmm", he confirmed. "Of course - I needed to verify accuracy before reporting to you."
Migala paused, then said, "I remember Li Ou Yasi's habit of roaming extensively across the land. Many people used to encounter it."
Kang Yang tried to grasp her meaning. "You want me to find people who saw it before?"
"No", Migala clarified. "I'm asking whether I misremembered this behavioral pattern."
Kang Yang blinked, surprised by her uncharacteristic self-doubt.
"Impossible", he replied. "How could you forget something like that?"
Before he could ask more, the line disconnected.
Kang Yang: "..."
...
Fire Crater.
Underground.
"Qingqing..."
Exhausted, Qingbao slumped beside Lulu while its clone continued generating wind around Li Ou Yasi.
Truly legendary - Qingbao had just mastered Clone and already achieved dual focus, resting while the clone worked. Even under prolonged, intense wind exposure, its clone hadn't blinked, let alone shed a single tear... Qiao Sang observed the weary Qingbao then Li Ou Yasi, contemplating the situation.
These creatures simply defied normal logic. Looks like we'll have to wait for Teacher Mikara with her tear-inducing artifacts and materials...
As this thought surfaced, Mikara, Pengamei, and Dragon King materialized.
Qiao Sang's eyes lit up. "Teacher, you're finally here!"
Migala smiled, about to speak.
"Momo!"
Dragon King suddenly barked.
What the hell is that?
Following his gaze, Migala spotted Qing Yun Nai Nai's head rotating around Li Ou Yasi. She then sensed another presence - the second Qing Yun Nai Nai lying limp nearby.
"Qingbao just learned Clone", Qiao Sang explained.
"Momo..."
Dragon King's expression turned sheepish. It was only Qingbao's clone - that single-headed version was strangely unsettling.
"Xunxun..."
The Treasure Seeker drifted beside them, nodding in agreement.
Li Ou Yasi remained motionless, eyes half-closed, completely indifferent to Mikara's arrival.
"You're using Qing Yun Nai Nai's wind to force Li Ou Yasi to tear up?" Mikara immediately understood their objective.
Qiao Sang sighed. "We've been at it forever, but not a single tear yet."
She turned earnestly. "Teacher, did you bring any tear-inducing artifacts or materials?"
Migala studied her. "That can wait."
Qiao Sang: "???"
Wait? We've been stuck here for hours just to get eye secretions!
Migala fixed Li Ou Yasi with a serious gaze. "Li Ou Yasi, are you experiencing any physical issues?"
Li Ou Yasi turned its gaze toward her.
Qiao Sang quickly added, "Actually, you're right. It did have a problem, but Lulu just used Healing Light. Should be fine now."
"Is that so?" Migala kept her focus on Li Ou Yasi.
"Xiasha..."
Xialala also studied Li Ou Yasi intently.
"Lili."
Li Ou Yasi responded calmly, "Human, you meddle too much."
"Momo."
Dragon King smirked, clearly enjoying the moment.
It says you're being nosy.
Qiao Sang maintained her composure, ignoring Steel Treasure's mental translation.
Migala sighed. "I mean no harm. I only seek your eye secretions. If you share your problem, perhaps after healing, we could naturally obtain the secretions."
Qiao Sang blinked. Setting aside Lulu's recent Healing Light, she genuinely didn't know what medical conditions affected eye crust production.
"Xiasha..."
As she pondered, Xialala regarded Li Ou Yasi with concern. "I can't sense your vital signs - are you already dead?"
Qingbao shivered, and the Clone dissipated.
The wind swirling around Li Ou Yasi came to a halt.
“Pengpeng.”
Pengamei first hesitated, then her expression turned serious as she translated, “Steel Chief.”
At the same time, Steel Treasure provided the translation in his mind.
Migala froze in place.
Dead? Dead? Qiao Sang's face went blank, a series of question marks flashing through her mind.
Are you sure the translation is correct?
Did Xialala just say Li Ou Yasi is dead? Then what is she seeing now?
A soul?
Impossible!
Not only was there warmth, but they could be touched—earlier, when she fell ill, the surrounding temperature had risen, and Lulu’s Healing had taken effect. This was a living, breathing Li Ou Yasi. How could she possibly be dead?
Qiao Sang’s mind raced through a series of thoughts before reaching a conclusion.
Either Xialala’s perception was wrong, or Steel Treasure’s translation was flawed.
“Steel Chief.”
Steel Treasure called out in his mind.
He hadn’t mistranslated. It must be Xialala’s perception that was off.
Hmm, I think the same… Qiao Sang replied in her mind.
Steel Treasure silently glanced at his Beastmaster.
During Qiao Sang and Steel Treasure’s exchange, a black hole suddenly appeared in midair behind Li Ou Yasi.
Then, a black Short Toe extended from it, slowly inching toward Li Ou Yasi.
Suddenly, Li Ou Yasi glanced in the direction of the Treasure Seeker, her expression unchanged.
“Xunxun…”
The Treasure Seeker, claws hidden behind his back, stiffened. He swiftly turned his head, pursing his lips and pretending to admire the scenery.
At the same moment, the black hole and the protruding Short Toe vanished.
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy’s face twisted in disbelief as he cried out.
He strode to Li Ou Yasi’s side, raising his claws.
Li Ou Yasi turned to look at him.
“Ya Ya!”
Without hesitation, Fangy placed his claws on Li Ou Yasi’s body, patting her twice as he cried out.
See? You can touch her.
Li Ou Yasi: “……”
“Xunxun…”
Seeing this, the Treasure Seeker felt both admiration and self-reflection.
Big Brother Yabao truly is Big Brother Yabao. Looks like I still have a long way to go before becoming a true Leader…
Thanks to Fangy and the Treasure Seeker’s antics, the atmosphere lightened.
But at that moment, Migala spoke, her voice heavy:
“I once read in an ancient text that most Divine Beasts have extremely long lifespans and immense Mental Power. Some Divine Rank familiars, even after their physical bodies perish, can have their spiritual forms continue to exist in the world as if alive for an extended period.”
She paused, then continued gravely:
“This place has had abnormal underground temperatures since the fire meteorite event a century ago. Back then, I didn’t think much of it. But after returning, I realized how strange that was.”
“Given your nature, you should never stay in one place for so long, especially underground. I originally thought you were ill, but now…”
Migala had no doubt in Xialala’s perception, despite Xialala appearing as a newly born entity just now.
Could it be… Li Ou Yasi truly…? Qiao Sang’s heart jolted, her mind trembling violently.
All eyes turned to Li Ou Yasi.
“Lili?”
Li Ou Yasi’s expression remained unchanged. She didn’t answer but turned to Xialala, her gaze soft yet tinged with sorrow, calling out, Are you retaining any of your old memories?
“Xia Xia…”
Xialala tried to recall, then shook her head.
“Lili.”
Li Ou Yasi called out softly, her eyes gentle.
It’s better you don’t remember. Back then, you always cleaned up my messes. If you remembered, you’d probably scold me for ages.
“Xia Xia…”
Hearing this, Xialala felt a strange melancholy.
“Lili.”
Li Ou Yasi sighed, as if saying, Come to think of it, we both left around the same time.
“Steel Chief…”
Steel Treasure hesitated as she translated in her mind.
Left together? What did that mean? Surely not what she suspected? Qiao Sang’s ears perked up, her focus sharpening as she braced for the next exchange and Steel Treasure’s translation.
What was that? What were Xialala and Li Ou Yasi discussing? Migala exchanged glances with Pengamei and the Dragon King.
Unfortunately, both were engrossed in the conversation, as if listening to something momentous.
“Lili.”
Before Xialala could respond, Li Ou Yasi called out again, her voice softer, telling her you’re fine as you are, but I feel terrible for you. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have fallen into such a deep slumber back then.
Xialala didn’t understand.
“Lili.”
Li Ou Yasi continued, as if saying,
You’re doing well now—just live as you wish. Everything here is under control.
She lay back down, then turned to Qiao Sang and the others, calling out twice:
“Lili.”
“Lili.”
Now, she’s somewhat different from before, but even so, she can still survive for quite some time. The reason her eyes can’t produce secretions is simply because her energy has mostly depleted, no longer reaching the original vitality level.
“Lili.”
She paused, then added:
Once you leave, please don’t reveal my condition.
Qiao Sang listened to Steel Treasure’s translation, her mind blank.
Only now did she realize with absolute certainty—Xialala’s earlier perception had been correct. The Li Ou Yasi before them was merely a powerful spiritual form resembling a Physical Form!
Qiao Sang sat in stunned silence for several seconds before murmuring:
“I won’t tell anyone.”
You won’t say a word! Without a translator, Migala could only fume in frustration.
“Lili.”
Li Ou Yasi turned to Qiao Sang, calling out softly,
Forgive me for hiding the truth. I just hadn’t seen Xialala in so long—I wanted it to stay a little longer.
She had long known her eyes would never secrete again. She only played along to spend more time with her old friend.
“Xia Xia.”
Hearing this, Xialala hurriedly called out, Actually, I can stay a bit longer to keep you company.
“Lili?”
Li Ou Yasi looked at her, asking,
Do you remember what you once told me was your greatest wish?
“Xia Xia…”
Xialala shook her head.
“Lili.”
Li Ou Yasi murmured gently,
You said you wanted to travel to beautiful places.
“Steel Chief.”
Steel Treasure translated in her mind.
So even without memories, Xialala’s desire to wander hasn’t changed… Qiao Sang thought.
Xialala fell silent.
That truly was what she wished for now.
“Lili.”
Li Ou Yasi called out, as if saying,
Go then. Pursue what you wish to do.
“Xia Xia…”
Xialala stared at the familiar-yet-unfamiliar face, her heart swelling with both gratitude and sorrow.
“Lili.”
Li Ou Yasi turned to Qiao Sang, her expression serious as she called out,
Take care of it.
Though “it” wasn’t explicitly stated, Qiao Sang understood exactly who she meant.
Just as Qiao Sang prepared to respond, Li Ou Yasi’s claws lightly touched the ground.
The next moment, a blinding red light erupted.
Qiao Sang, Migala, Fangy, and the others instinctively shielded their eyes or closed them.
When they reopened, they stood outside the cave.
A brilliant Red barrier now sealed the cave entrance.
Qiao Sang froze, a terrible realization crashing over her.
The true Li Ou Yasi was gone—the one inside was merely a spiritual form resembling a Physical Form. No matter what, she would never produce the eye secretions needed for Li Huo Jing.
Then… what would happen to Fangy’s Evolution now?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
