Ye Tian glanced at the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python and smiled. "Ye Lin, if you absorb another Spirit Medicine like that Three-leaf Golden Ganoderma, would you be able to grow a second wing?"
"Just about! But rare Spirit Medicines like that are extremely scarce. We'll just have to get lucky!" said the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python.
Ye Tian felt a pang of disappointment. 'If only I were strong enough, I have plenty of Spirit Medicines I could take out from my Storage Ring. But for now, it's like I'm staring at a Treasure Mountain with no way to climb it.'
Just then, Ye Feifei suddenly opened her eyes, a look of satisfaction on her face. "Brother Tian, the Energy from this Three-leaf Golden Ganoderma is so powerful! I broke through without even realizing it! I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Ye Tian was thrilled to hear about Ye Feifei's breakthrough. "Congratulations, Feifei! You're now a Martial Artist at the One Vein Eighth Layer. I'm sure getting into Linyuan Academy will be a sure thing now."
"I think so! But everyone who gets into Linyuan Academy is the cream of the crop from their region, so we still have to work hard. I'm going to go consolidate my new Realm. You should continue your Cultivation!" Ye Feifei said with a gentle smile.
Ye Tian nodded. "Yeah, you got this! I'm going to go restore my Dragon Spiritual Power too!"
After speaking, Ye Tian left the cave. He had originally planned to continue his Cultivation inside, but being alone with Ye Feifei was too distracting. 'Best to avoid that for now!'
After finding a clean, large rock to sit on, Ye Tian took out a Lower Grade Spirit Stone and began to absorb it. This was his first time absorbing a Spirit Stone.
The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python was perched on a large rock next to Ye Tian, quietly guarding him. The man and beast looked to be in perfect harmony.
Ye Tian held the Spirit Stone, ready to absorb the Spiritual Power within, but to his frustration, he realized he had no idea how.
He felt too embarrassed to go ask Ye Feifei, so he could only try to figure it out on his own.
Nearly an hour passed, but Ye Tian was still at a loss, which left him feeling helpless. However, the Energy being released by the Dragon Pearl inside him had already restored a good portion of his power. At this rate, he would make a full recovery even without absorbing the Energy from the Spirit Stone.
'Forget it,' Ye Tian thought. 'I'll practice Dragon Form Hundred Transformations for now.'
Being chased by the two Black Iron Guards had given him a much deeper appreciation for Dragon Form Hundred Transformations. He had already mastered the first three of the nine variations in the First Form and was starting to get the hang of it.
Deciding to strike while the iron was hot, Ye Tian was about to practice the first three variations. But as he prepared to move, he saw the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python on the rock, and an idea made him pause.
"Ye Lin, how fast are you? Want to race?" Ye Tian asked the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python. He remembered its incredible speed when it was in its true form and wondered how fast it was now that it had shrunk.
"Boss, are you sure you want to race me? You won't regret it?" said the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python.
Ye Tian caught its meaning. "No way. You think you can be faster than me even when you look like this? I find that a little hard to believe."
"Then let's give it a try. If you lose, how about you let me devour that Spirit Stone in your hand? I'm sure you have plenty more!" the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python said, deliberately flying up and flapping its wings, which were as thin as a cicada's.
"No problem. But I want to know, can you actually increase your strength by consuming Spirit Stones?" Ye Tian asked. This was his real concern. If so, he wouldn't have to worry about finding Spirit Medicines anymore.
"I think so, but breaking through a Realm is still very difficult. It would require a huge number of Spirit Stones. The amount you have now, Boss, is just a drop in the ocean. The higher the Realm, the greater the demand for Energy. I don't need too many right now, though," said the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python.
"Alright, I get it! If I lose, I promise I'll give you a nice surprise! How about we start now?" Ye Tian said with a grin. In truth, he would have given Ye Lin plenty of Spirit Stones even if he won; he just felt a wager was a better way to push both of their potentials.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Tian's figure flickered, leaving an afterimage as he shot forward. He immediately used the First Form of Dragon Form Hundred Transformations, moving so fast that he vanished from sight within a few breaths.
The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python, however, calmly flapped its wings. It didn't seem to be moving fast, but in the blink of an eye, it vanished completely, its speed considerably greater than Ye Tian's.
Although the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python currently only had One Wing, it possessed strength equivalent to the Four Veins level, which was practically Heaven-defying. So, it was only natural that it was faster than Ye Tian.
Ye Tian, meanwhile, was frantically circulating his Dragon Spiritual Power, pushing the first three variations to their absolute limit. He had originally thought he could easily outpace Ye Lin; after all, Dragon Form Hundred Transformations was nearly twice as fast as his Flowing Cloud Step.
He didn't notice at first, but after about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python's voice sounded from behind him. "Come on, Boss, pick up the pace! I'm about to catch you!"
In reality, the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python could have overtaken Ye Tian long ago. It had only slowed its pace because catching him immediately would have been too embarrassing for him. It only chose to speak up now.
Hearing this, Ye Tian tensed up. 'This guy really is fast,' he thought. 'I'll probably have to master all nine variations of the First Form to beat him!'
He wanted to go faster but was unable to; he was already at his absolute limit. In his mind, however, he was already rehearsing the fourth variation. Perhaps only a genius like him was capable of Multi-tasking like that!
The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python maintained a distance of over ten meters behind Ye Tian. It knew an easy win would be embarrassing for him, so it decided to give him a chance to realize his own potential.
Ye Tian had no idea what the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python was thinking. His only thought was how to execute the fourth variation to increase his speed.
But soon, that train of thought was broken. He had just spotted several figures dressed in black, speeding through the distant mountain forest.
He quickly stopped and ducked into a hiding spot, and at the same moment, the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python landed on his shoulder.
"Boss, more people? Don't tell me it's those so-called Black Iron Guards again," the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python asked.
"I don't think so. See how they're dressed all in black? They clearly don't want to be recognized. I just wonder what they're here for," Ye Tian replied.
Before long, the men in black sped in Ye Tian's direction. To his surprise, they stopped right in his vicinity.
"Are you certain Ye Tian is in this region?" one of the men in black asked.
"He is definitely in this region. I would stake my life on it! It's just that this region is rather large, so finding him will be difficult," another man in black replied.
Ye Tian heard every word of their exchange clearly. One of the voices was extremely familiar. 'Could it be him?' he wondered.