The system wouldn’t design this without reason; could it be that in the future, there’ll be a day when they need to risk their lives, maybe even court death?

"Bang bang bang!" As the saying goes, great kindness needs no thanks, more words are useless. Bai Yunqi knelt down solemnly and knocked his head three times.

When first seen, he was gravely injured and sleeping at Hidden Dragon Lake, merely a Ninth Layer Demon Cultivator. Now, with the Venerable Family bearing some costs, he ascended two realms in a day, becoming a Soul Condensation Realm Great Demon!

One must know, his original body only cultivated to the Divine Travel Realm, and failed an ascension, resulting in sleep. He’s merely one realm lower now; once Walking Flood Dragon finishes and Transform into a Dragon occurs, reascending not only equates their realm but strengthens him further due to Transformed Flood Dragon!

"What a pity, not accepting Jiu Qing as a guest back then, otherwise there would be more assistance." Unable to extract more benefits from the system, Jiang Yuan sighed heavily.

Jiu Qing being a realm higher could offer more help during Walking Flood Dragon. The system distributes cards based on headcount, yielding no loss and gaining goodwill, what a shame!

Bai Yunqi’s dual realm ascension made quite a commotion. After contemplating, Jiang found using an Upgrade Card directly uneconomical. Last time, he lied about them ascending without Thunder Tribulation Crossing, needing some scapegoat this time.

Later, those contributing to the courtyard will earn usage — anyway, cultivators ascend slowly and the Upgrade Card is limited to the current realm, it won’t expire soon.

"Mr.! How did you do it? How did Senior Bai’s realm ascend ’shua’ in one go?" Little Lark curiously scratched its little head with its wings, unable to figure it out.

So secretly, it flew over, landing on Jiang Yuan’s shoulder, asking quietly.

The courtyard’s lowest realm now belongs to it, having just achieved Foundation Establishment days ago, separated by a whole realm from Gathering Spirit Realm for initial Divine Fire Power refining attempt.

An Upgrade Card would meet the minimal criteria, but does Lark consent?

While Ascending to Immortal Vermilion Bird is favorable, everyone has their ambitions. If unwilling to take on the world’s guardianship, what if all it wants is freedom?

"Come with me, I have important questions for you." Jiang Yuan, serious, led Lark to a room, solemnly inquiring: "Now that you’ve succeeded in Foundation Establishment, beginning cultivation, how do you plan your future?"

Little Lark blinked its dark eyes like beans, tilting its head crisply responded: "Certainly following Mr.! Whatever Mr. tells me to do, that’s what I’ll do!"

Jiang Yuan: ...

Mr. asks you to die, will you? Thinking a moment, even without Death Warrior level, this foolish kid might actually go!

"Lark, you are a vibrant, independent life; you should have your ideal and pursuit."

"My ideal is to follow Mr.! Pursuit is to cultivate hard, grow stronger, follow Mr.!"

Its reply was prompt and smooth, Jiang Yuan opened his mouth but found himself speechless.

"Have you never thought about ascending to the Upper Realm and becoming an Immortal?" He continued to gently induce.

Little Lark tilted its head pondering, "Will Mr. ascend to the Upper Realm? I’m following Mr.! You ascend, I ascend; you don’t ascend, I don’t either."

Jiang Yuan, helplessly amused, "Let’s put it this way, if you could choose, would you desire to ascend to be an Immortal; or Ascend to become Divine Bird Vermilion Bird?

The former certainly bears responsibility, possibly fighting Outer Heaven Demons or guarding a world. The latter, much like Yan Xuan later, becomes one of the Wilderness World’s guardians."

It was awestruck, an adorable little bird captivated more charming, "Mr., this... there’s a choice? Isn’t ascending to Immortal or Divine Beast pursuit every cultivator would rush towards if given a clear path?"

"Should choices truly exist, offering a two-option chance upfront, which do you favor?" Jiang Yuan expressed inward uncertainty about enabling it to become an Immortal, yet vagaries within the system suggest as obedience persists, an opportunity exists.

Even opting for refining Divine Power Fire doesn’t guarantee becoming Vermilion Bird, trials surely await.

The conversation turned solemn, Little Lark slightly lowered its head, studied its little claws a while, seriously stated, "Don’t laugh at my ambition, I wish to be a Divine Beast!"

It fluttered its wings, extending a right wing, whispering in Jiang Yuan’s ear, "To aspire towards Four象 Vermilion Bird Divine Bird standard is indeed audacious.

Occasionally, I’ve heard Sister Qing Niao mention holding a trace of Ice Phoenix bloodline. Ice Phoenix follows Phoenix; Ice Phoenix and Phoenix are legendary Divine Birds! Ascending like them would be waking up smiling from a dream!

Disinclined towards human-form transformation, viewed as overly troublesome. As a bird is preferable! Hence, Ascending must be as Divine Beast, Divine Bird!"

"Ascending as Vermilion Bird assumes Wilderness World’s guardianship responsibility. Fighting Outer Heaven Demons while losing freedom; are you sure not to regret it?"

"Regret?" Lark exclaimed, "Mr., are you aware of what you’re proclaiming? How could there be regret! It’s a grand dream countless birds couldn’t dare dream of!"

Jiang Yuan patted its wing, "Dreaming is now possible, later..."

He clicked to use its exclusive Upgrade Card; as the progress bar completed, Little Lark formally ascended to Gathering Spirit Realm Little Demon Beast, its mind buzzing, barely grasping what transpired.

"What happened? What became of me? Mr.! Am I similar to Senior Bai, benefitting from your..." It excitedly fumbled words, unable to find suitable vocabulary, bounced on the shoulder.

He nodded smiling, "I bore some costs, exempting you from Thunder Tribulation Crossing ascending a realm. Now, take this Vermilion Bird’s Divine Power Fire to refine;

If successful, I’ll lead you to Vermilion Bird; if not, no need to be disheartened, your cultivation journey is merely commencing, countless opportunities await."

Lark’s eyes glazed over, almost fainted.

Its head shook vigorously, observing Mr.’s palm holding gem-like radiant flame, perceiving holy aura, it nearly kneeled.

"Mr., I’m dreaming, aren’t I?" Lark’s voice trembled.

Examining the flame closely, truly revealing a noble, splendid Fire Bird within, soaring.

Despite its low realm, unable to sense Divine Power, neither was it foolish, nor doubting Mr.

Mr. expressed it’s Vermilion Bird’s Divine Power Fire; achieving refinement introduces the legendary Vermilion Bird, trembling uncontrollably, the little bird’s heart shivering.

Indeed following Sister Qing Niao rose me, daring such dreams!

Jiang Yuan found it amusing, tapped its little head reminding, "Remember not to inform anyone, this secret is exclusive between us. Quickly stow it, attempt refining; much remains to accomplish, um, harbor secrets now, same residing won’t always persist, otherwise..."

Just today, Hou Ze brought back Spirit Stones, collected Du Li’s Heart Mirror repair funds, acquiring the remaining two aerial pavilions, allowing Little Lark to choose a private courtyard to reside!

Lark trembling stowed Divine Fire, recalling Sister Qing Niao’s advice — gained Mr.’s Divine Fire for refinement, all worries cease. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Indeed confirmed accurate, though Mr. proffered Vermilion Bird’s Divine Power Fire, this sentiment... resembles dreaming!

[Will you expend two million Spirit Stones to purchase random scenic aerial pavilion?]

Clickable purchase two times, Jiang Yuan exited room, joined the decor interface, placing Storage Bag’s new scenic structures northwest.

[Scenery: Aerial Pavilion (4/4) assembled four types]

[Aerial Pavilion scenery commenced complete augmentation status, divided into human, demon, magic, four types (internal courtyard allows choice of energy source, can coexist but must forfeit overall augmentation status) freedom arranging position. Initial rooms in each pavilion number ten, expend Spirit Stones to unlock new room, limitless]