At the same time, deep within the dense forests of Tianwei Mountain, the despicable donkey let out a long sigh, its donkey face showing clear exhaustion.
"This time, helping that brat cost me almost half the power of the Demonic God Bone!"
The despicable donkey wore a look of heartache. It turns out that the massive creature that had flown over the imperial city was a phantom of a demonic beast, condensed entirely from demonic qi and created using the power of the Demonic God Bone. Although it was merely an illusion, it wielded the strength of a demon emperor.
As for the rampaging demonic beasts, that was even simpler. The despicable donkey only needed to release a slight amount of its demon emperor aura, and controlling fourth or fifth-tier demonic beasts was effortless.
This plan was, of course, the result of discussions between Ling Feng and the despicable donkey. Ling Feng had spent a large amount of Tiance Spirit Spring to convince the donkey to part with the precious Demonic God Bone.
"Finally, it's done."
The despicable donkey stretched lazily, preparing to put away the Demonic God Bone. However, little Qiongqi, who had been dozing on its shoulder, seemed to catch the scent of the pure demonic essence within the bone. With a sudden leap, little Qiongqi jumped off the donkey's shoulder, opened its mouth wide, and clamped onto the Demonic God Bone before landing on the ground.
"You little rascal, give the Demonic God Bone back to this divine beast!"
The despicable donkey was startled, nearly jumping out of its skin. "Little one, this is not something you can eat!"
Though little Qiongqi possessed the king beast bloodline, its current cultivation level was far too low. Aside from its ability to act cute, it had almost no combat strength. If it swallowed the Demonic God Bone, its body would likely explode from the overwhelming energy.
No, it was certain it would explode.
However, little Qiongqi squinted, smiled mischievously at the despicable donkey, and with a gulp, swallowed the Demonic God Bone whole.
The despicable donkey immediately pounced toward little Qiongqi, channeling demonic essence to force the bone back out. But little Qiongqi simply blinked, showing no signs of distress. In fact, its aura began to rapidly surge.
"This... How is this possible?"
The despicable donkey stared in disbelief. This little rascal swallowed the Demonic God Bone and yet it is completely fine?
The despicable donkey's eyes twitched uncontrollably as it gazed at little Qiongqi. Suddenly, the small beast's body started to grow, expanding from the size of a puppy to that of a small colt[, its body now covered in scales and looking impressively majestic.
Moreover, the blood mark on its forehead seemed to split slightly, as if revealing a vertical eye.
"What kind of bloodline is this? This divine beast seriously suspects that the Qiongqi Demon Emperor might have a greenish tint above his head. This is no ordinary Qiongqi!"
The despicable donkey stared unblinkingly at little Qiongqi. It noticed that the creature's innocent and harmless demeanor was turning savage, its once bright eyes now glowing red as they locked onto the donkey.
"Little one, it's me!"
The despicable donkey waved its hoof in front of little Qiongqi, shouting, "Don't let the beastly instincts within you take over!"
Little Qiongqi's gaze gradually grew confused. It still recognized its donkey dad for a moment, but soon the blood-red color completely overtook its eyes. The blood mark on its forehead split open further, transforming into a sinister blood-colored vertical eye.
With a deafening roar, little Qiongqi's body swelled even more, now resembling a tiger from the jungle as it bared its teeth at the despicable donkey. It slammed its claw into the ground and leaped toward the donkey.
In a sense, little Qiongqi had inherited a trace of Ling Feng's Blood of the Emperor, which granted it a part of the Eye of the Emperor's power. After devouring the energy of the Demonic God Bone, the Blood of the Emperor bloodline within little Qiongqi finally awakened. It consumed that terrifying power to complete its first eye-opening.
"What is this? A Chaotic Beast?"
The despicable donkey took a deep breath, sensing the sinister aura emanating from little Qiongqi. Its expression grew serious.
With its demon emperor-level strength, the donkey could easily crush the rampaging little Qiongqi, but in its heart, the small creature was like a child to the donkey. How could it harm its own child?
"Little one, snap out of it!"
The despicable donkey dodged to the side and quickly pinned down little Qiongqi, hoping it could regain control of its power and not descend into madness.
In response, little Qiongqi spewed a stream of fire toward the donkey, who had to leap out of the way to avoid the flames.
"You little brat! You dare attack your donkey dad? Fine, if you want to fight, this divine beast will oblige!"
The despicable donkey's eyes glared furiously, demonic qi surging from its body as it clashed with little Qiongqi.
However, the despicable donkey held back at every turn, not wanting to harm little Qiongqi. Relying on its demon emperor physique, the donkey only aimed to control the creature's movements.
After a prolonged battle, little Qiongqi was battered and bruised, while the despicable donkey was covered in blood. It hadn't even used demonic essence to shield itself, worried it might break the little beast's teeth.
Fortunately, the power of the first eye-opening didn't last long. After an intense struggle, little Qiongqi finally collapsed from exhaustion. Its body had shrunk slightly, though it no longer resembled its earlier tiny form.
"Raising a brat like you is nothing but bad luck for me!"
The despicable donkey glanced at its wounds and let out a bitter laugh. Seeing that little Qiongqi's aura had stabilized, it finally relaxed.
Sitting beside the unconscious little Qiongqi, the despicable donkey gently patted its head, quietly guarding the small creature without caring about its own injuries.
By the time dusk approached, little Qiongqi finally woke up, noticing the changes in its body. Curiously, it raised its paw and saw that it had grown significantly larger.
"Roar roar." Little Qiongqi let out a few joyful cries, snuggling up to the despicable donkey. It quickly noticed the bite and claw marks all over its donkey dad. Its little eyes immediately welled up with tears as it hugged the donkey's leg and licked its hoof, as if to ask: Donkey dad, what happened to you?
"It's nothing, nothing. I just fought with a very powerful demonic beast. Although your donkey dad got a little scratched up, that beast suffered much worse. Hehe!"
The despicable donkey waved its hoof, gently patting little Qiongqi's head while chuckling, "See? This divine beast is just fine. No need to worry, little one."
"Roar, roar, roar..." (Level nine Beast language translation: Donkey dad, you're amazing!)
Little Qiongqi let out a few more low growls, nuzzling up to the donkey with eyes full of admiration. It clearly believed the donkey's story.
"Hehe, of course, your donkey dad is amazing!"
Seeing that little Qiongqi had returned to its normal self, the despicable donkey finally felt at ease. Lifting the small creature into its arms, it muttered to itself, "I'd better go ask that brat what happened earlier. This little one's aura feels somewhat similar to his!"