THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Chapter Sixty-Nine — The Divine Might of Azure Flame

“Ning’er, this is a battle between sixth-grade spirit beasts.”

“For once…”

“…don’t get involved.”

To Xue Ningxiang’s surprise, the person saying those words was Xie Tianyang.

And for the first time in months—

His expression carried genuine severity.

Normally, no matter what ridiculous idea she suggested, he would eventually compromise out of guilt.

But not this time.

“Forget our strength for a second,” Xie Tianyang said quietly while staring toward the battlefield ahead.

“Even for spirit beasts…”

“…this kind of fight isn’t simple hunting anymore.”

“It’s territorial war.”

“A battle for dominance.”

“For status.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“In human terms…”

“…this is war between rulers.”

“There’s no right or wrong here.”

“No tragic victim.”

“And no reason for us to throw away our lives.”

Zhuo Fan glanced sideways toward him thoughtfully.

As expected of someone raised among the Seven Houses.

Compared to ordinary cultivators, Xie Tianyang understood power struggles far better.

Truthfully—

If Zhuo Fan did not absolutely need the Thundercloud Sparrow…

…he would never willingly involve himself in this kind of conflict either.

“But…”

Xue Ningxiang frowned anxiously while looking toward the wounded Thundercloud Sparrow.

“It isn’t fighting for territory at all…”

“…it’s protecting its children.”

Children?

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed instantly.

Only now did he finally notice the enormous nest hidden among the shattered rocks beneath the Thundercloud Sparrow.

Inside rested five giant eggs.

Everything suddenly made sense.

Why the Thundercloud Sparrow refused retreating.

Why it repeatedly allowed the Crimson Flame Lion King to slam directly into its body.

Why it stubbornly guarded the same location no matter how injured it became.

It was protecting its eggs.

A mother protecting her children.

At that moment—

Even Zhuo Fan fell briefly silent.

Then finally—

He sighed softly.

“What a troublesome creature…”

His gaze sharpened slowly afterward.

“But now…”

“…I know how to help it.”

Xue Ningxiang immediately brightened.

“Really?”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“Ning’er…”

“Watch carefully.”

“Your Big Brother Zhuo’s about to save the little bird.”

Xie Tianyang instantly rolled his eyes.

“Oh please.”

“Since when did you become compassionate?”

“If you actually had a conscience…”

“…the heavens themselves would collapse.”

Zhuo Fan shrugged shamelessly.

“What can I say?”

“I’m secretly a very loving person.”

Then he grinned sideways toward Xie Tianyang.

“Besides…”

“…I’ll need your help in a moment.”

Xie Tianyang froze briefly.

Then suddenly realized something horrifying.

“…Wait.”

“Your real target…”

“…is the Thundercloud Sparrow itself?!”

Zhuo Fan smiled wider.

“Looks like spending time with me really made you smarter.”

“I knew it!”

Xie Tianyang nearly exploded.

“You damn monster!”

“You almost tricked me again!”

Then he immediately pointed toward the battlefield furiously.

“If you want subduing a sixth-grade spirit beast…”

“…go die alone.”

“I’m not joining you.”

Without another word, Zhuo Fan calmly turned toward Xue Ningxiang and blinked meaningfully.

Xue Ningxiang instantly understood.

She gently tugged Xie Tianyang’s sleeve.

“Big Brother Tianyang…”

“Please help him…”

“That poor little bird and its babies are so pitiful…”

Xie Tianyang nearly burst into tears on the spot.

Pitiful?

That “little bird” could vaporize them with one lightning strike.

Why did nobody pity him instead?

Unfortunately—

Against Xue Ningxiang’s pleading eyes, he never stood a chance.

Eventually, he collapsed helplessly.

“…Fine.”

“But if this bastard sells me again…”

“…I’ll haunt him after death.”

Zhuo Fan patted his shoulder calmly.

“Relax.”

“If I sell someone…”

“…I sell them thoroughly.”

“You won’t get the chance for revenge anyway.”

Xie Tianyang almost coughed blood from rage.

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan had already begun moving.

The two carefully sneaked toward the nest beneath the Thundercloud Sparrow while Xue Ningxiang remained hidden farther back.

Thankfully, the two sixth-grade beasts remained fully focused on killing each other.

Neither noticed the tiny humans below.

Lightning exploded endlessly overhead.

Flames rained down constantly.

The valley trembled violently every few seconds.

Both Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang moved with terrifying caution.

If even a stray attack landed nearby—

They would instantly disappear from existence.

Finally—

They reached the giant nest safely.

Xie Tianyang glanced nervously upward toward the enormous shadow constantly flying above them.

“What now?”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“We steal the eggs.”

Xie Tianyang blinked.

“…What?”

“If the eggs disappear…”

“…the Thundercloud Sparrow won’t keep fighting.”

“It’ll prioritize searching for its children instead.”

“And with its speed…”

“…the Crimson Flame Lion King won’t catch it.”

Only now did Xie Tianyang fully understand.

“…Damn.”

“That’s actually brilliant.”

Zhuo Fan merely smirked.

Without wasting further time, the two carefully lifted the giant nest together and slowly began retreating.

Meanwhile—

Above them—

The battle continued violently.

Neither spirit beast noticed anything wrong.

Not yet.

Even Xue Ningxiang watching from afar became excited seeing the plan succeed.

Then suddenly—

The Crimson Flame Lion King abruptly stopped attacking.

Its body rose higher into the sky.

Distance widened between both beasts instantly.

The Thundercloud Sparrow tilted its head suspiciously.

Meanwhile—

Below—

Zhuo Fan suddenly froze.

Something felt wrong.

He slowly raised his eyes upward.

And instantly—

His heart nearly stopped.

The Crimson Flame Lion King was staring directly at him.

Not accidentally.

Not vaguely.

Directly.

And within those burning golden eyes—

Mockery.

It had discovered them long ago.

“SHIT!”

Zhuo Fan shouted instantly.

“We’ve been spotted!”

“RUN!”

Xie Tianyang panicked immediately.

“But the eggs—”

“To hell with the eggs!”

Zhuo Fan directly threw the entire nest away.

The five giant eggs scattered violently across the valley floor.

Thankfully spirit beast eggs were durable enough not to shatter instantly.

The moment the eggs hit the ground—

The Thundercloud Sparrow finally noticed.

Its entire body trembled violently.

Then—

A piercing shriek exploded through the valley.

At the exact same instant—

BOOM!

A gigantic fireball erupted from the Crimson Flame Lion King’s mouth.

Its target was not the Thundercloud Sparrow.

It was the eggs.

The Thundercloud Sparrow panicked instantly.

Lightning exploded around its body as it dove downward desperately.

Just barely—

It blocked the fireball using its own body.

Flames detonated across its feathers violently.

Blood sprayed through the air.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed sharply.

Only now did he fully appreciate how intelligent the Crimson Flame Lion King truly was.

The Thundercloud Sparrow was too fast to hit directly.

So instead—

The lion targeted what it absolutely had to protect.

Classic battlefield strategy.

Attack what the enemy cannot abandon.

The Crimson Flame Lion King roared triumphantly afterward and unleashed another fireball.

Then another.

Then another.

The Thundercloud Sparrow desperately raced back and forth protecting all five eggs scattered throughout the battlefield.

But the more it protected—

The more exhausted it became.

Meanwhile—

The lion laughed silently through its blazing eyes.

Zhuo Fan clenched his fists tightly.

Everything had gone wrong.

Instead of helping the Thundercloud Sparrow—

They had accelerated its defeat.

“We failed…”

Even Zhuo Fan sounded unwilling now.

“If this continues…”

“…the Thundercloud Sparrow dies.”

He immediately grabbed Xue Ningxiang’s arm.

“We leave now.”

“Once that lion finishes killing it…”

“…we’re next.”

But Xue Ningxiang refused moving.

Tears already streamed down her face while she watched the wounded Thundercloud Sparrow desperately protect its eggs.

“Big Brother Zhuo…”

“…we can’t just leave it…”

Zhuo Fan sighed deeply.

For the first time in a long while—

He truly felt powerless.

The difference in strength was simply too massive.

No scheme mattered before overwhelming force.

BOOOOM!!!

Finally—

After blocking more than twenty fireballs directly—

The Thundercloud Sparrow crashed violently into the ground.

Its body became covered entirely in burns and blood.

The Crimson Flame Lion King roared victoriously and descended from the sky.

Its claws stretched directly toward the Thundercloud Sparrow’s throat.

“NO!”

Xue Ningxiang suddenly broke free from both men and sprinted directly into the valley.

“Ning’er!”

Both Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang shouted simultaneously.

But she never stopped.

She placed herself directly before the fallen Thundercloud Sparrow with both arms spread wide.

Her hair whipped wildly beneath the scorching wind pressure generated by the descending lion king.

Yet her eyes held no fear whatsoever.

Only determination.

Xie Tianyang cursed loudly.

Then immediately rushed after her.

“If you’re dying…”

“…then I’m dying too!”

He threw himself directly before her protectively.

Meanwhile—

Zhuo Fan appeared before both of them almost instantly.

His eyes locked directly onto the descending Crimson Flame Lion King.

Cold.

Steady.

If he died—

Then he would die facing his enemy directly.

Above them—

The Crimson Flame Lion King looked almost amused.

Three insignificant humans attempting to stop a sixth-grade beast with flesh and blood alone?

Absolutely ridiculous.

Its claws descended.

The terrifying pressure alone made all three bodies tremble violently.

Death approached instantly.

Then—

HUUUUMMM—

A tiny strand of azure flame suddenly ignited upon Zhuo Fan’s forehead.

The next second—

An indescribable pressure exploded across the entire Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range.

Everything froze.

Every spirit beast within thousands of miles collapsed flat against the ground instantly.

Countless roars became terrified whimpers.

Even the sky itself seemed to fall silent.

The Crimson Flame Lion King’s descending claw suddenly stopped inches before Zhuo Fan’s face.

Its enormous golden pupils contracted violently.

Fear.

Pure instinctive fear.

Its gigantic body began trembling uncontrollably.

Meanwhile—

That tiny azure flame upon Zhuo Fan’s forehead flickered softly in the wind.

Like the mark of something far beyond mortal understanding.

[End of Chapter Sixty-Nine]

Chapter Seventy — Bring Me an Egg

Huff… Huff… Huff…

The tiny strand of azure flame flickered weakly upon Zhuo Fan’s forehead like the flame of a candle moments from extinction.

One gust of wind—

And it looked as though it might disappear completely.

Yet with every flicker—

The Crimson Flame Lion King trembled harder.

Its enormous golden pupils contracted again and again as pure instinctive terror consumed its body.

Then suddenly—

The lion withdrew its claws violently.

BOOM!

Its massive body exploded backward through the air before transforming into a streak of crimson fire fleeing toward the horizon in utter panic.

Its retreat looked unbelievably miserable.

Twisted.

Unstable.

Several times, the gigantic lion nearly lost control midair and crashed directly into the mountains below.

At this moment—

What king of beasts?

What sixth-grade spirit beast?

It looked exactly like a terrified house cat escaping some ancient nightmare.

Even after the lion vanished into the distant mountains—

The three could still see its gigantic body trembling uncontrollably while fleeing.

Silence fell across the valley.

Zhuo Fan slowly frowned and touched the center of his forehead.

The azure flame had already vanished completely.

Gone without a trace.

Only that fleeting warmth remained—

Exactly the same warmth he felt when the mysterious blue-robed figure pressed a finger against his forehead inside the consciousness realm.

“Hey…”

Xie Tianyang slowly approached beside him before gripping Zhuo Fan’s shoulders tightly.

His voice sounded dry.

“…Tell me honestly.”

“What exactly are you?”

Zhuo Fan knocked his hand away immediately.

“What stupid question is that?”

“I’m human.”

“Bullshit.”

Xie Tianyang stared at him like he was looking at a monster.

“I’ve never seen a human scare away a sixth-grade spirit beast with one glance.”

His breathing still sounded uneven.

“Did you see that lion run?”

“It looked terrified you were going to eat it alive.”

Then his eyes narrowed sharply.

“How many secrets are you still hiding from us?”

Zhuo Fan glanced toward him coldly.

Then snorted.

“Since when were we brothers close enough for confessions?”

After saying that, he immediately turned and walked toward Xue Ningxiang instead.

Xie Tianyang froze awkwardly.

Then his face twitched violently.

But strangely—

The more secrets Zhuo Fan revealed…

…the more curious he became.

Meanwhile, Xue Ningxiang remained completely unconcerned about the fleeing lion king or the mysterious azure flame.

Her entire attention focused solely on the dying Thundercloud Sparrow.

The giant bird’s breathing had already become weak and uneven.

Blood soaked nearly every feather.

Life faded rapidly from its enormous eyes.

Xue Ningxiang knelt beside it crying quietly while gently stroking its burned feathers.

“Big Brother Zhuo…”

“…can’t you save it?”

Zhuo Fan carefully examined the Thundercloud Sparrow’s injuries using his spiritual sense.

Then finally sighed heavily.

“…No.”

At least—

Not with his current strength.

Truthfully, Zhuo Fan knew countless methods capable of restoring life itself.

But knowing and being capable were completely different things.

His cultivation remained far too weak.

Hearing his answer, Xue Ningxiang cried even harder.

Tears dripped continuously across the Thundercloud Sparrow’s wounded face.

The giant bird slowly opened its eyes weakly afterward.

But strangely—

It was not looking at Xue Ningxiang.

Its gaze shifted somewhere farther away.

Xue Ningxiang followed its eyes.

There—

Among the ruined battlefield—

Lay a single giant egg.

Black scorch marks covered most of its shell already.

Clearly damaged heavily by the Crimson Flame Lion King’s flames earlier.

“She wants her child…”

Xue Ningxiang cried softly.

“Quickly bring it here…”

Without hesitation, Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang immediately scattered throughout the battlefield searching.

Soon—

They recovered four giant eggs.

Unfortunately—

All four had already burned black completely.

No life remained inside.

“Still one missing,” Xue Ningxiang whispered anxiously.

Both men shook their heads helplessly.

They could not find the last one anywhere.

Seeing this—

Xue Ningxiang lowered her head deeply toward the Thundercloud Sparrow.

“I’m sorry…”

“…this is all our fault…”

Tears streamed endlessly from her eyes.

The Thundercloud Sparrow remained silent.

Its gaze lingered quietly upon the four destroyed eggs for several moments.

Then suddenly—

A faint light flickered inside its weakening eyes.

Using the last of its strength, the giant bird slowly shifted its enormous body sideways.

And beneath its wings—

The fifth egg rolled gently outward.

Unlike the others—

This egg remained mostly intact.

Only a single section carried black scorch marks.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed instantly.

At that moment—

He finally understood.

The Thundercloud Sparrow had realized long ago it could never protect all five eggs.

So outwardly—

It appeared desperately trying to save every egg equally.

But secretly—

It had only truly protected one.

This final egg.

Even when falling earlier—

The giant bird deliberately positioned its body to shield this last surviving child completely.

If it died—

Then at least this egg would survive hidden beneath its corpse.

A mother’s final instinct.

For the first time—

True respect appeared within Zhuo Fan’s eyes.

The Thundercloud Sparrow weakly cried once before staring toward Zhuo Fan’s forehead.

More specifically—

Toward the place where the azure flame had appeared earlier.

Then it looked toward the surviving egg again.

Hope flickered within its fading eyes.

Zhuo Fan paused briefly.

Then quietly asked:

“…You want me to take care of it?”

The Thundercloud Sparrow nodded slowly.

Its eyes softened while looking toward the egg.

Zhuo Fan gently picked the egg up.

Then frowned slightly.

“The shell already suffered flame damage.”

“Even if it hatches…”

“…the hatchling probably won’t survive long.”

Unless…

A thought flashed through Zhuo Fan’s mind instantly.

He leaned beside the dying Thundercloud Sparrow and whispered several quiet sentences into its ear.

The giant bird froze briefly.

Then—

It nodded happily.

Relief finally appeared within its eyes.

One final glance toward its child.

One final glance toward the sky.

Then slowly—

The Thundercloud Sparrow closed its eyes forever.

Peacefully.

Xue Ningxiang burst into tears immediately.

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan remained staring silently at the giant corpse.

Then finally—

He bowed his head slightly.

A gesture of respect.

Afterward, Xue Ningxiang wiped away her tears and looked toward the egg in Zhuo Fan’s hands.

“What did you tell it?”

Zhuo Fan answered calmly:

“I promised…”

“…I’d let its child live.”

Then he slowly raised the egg.

“And in exchange…”

“…it agreed to let me use its corpse.”

Xie Tianyang immediately understood.

His eyes widened instantly.

“You’re using a sixth-grade spirit beast corpse for refining?”

Zhuo Fan nodded.

“To create a living storage artifact.”

“This egg’s vitality is too unstable now.”

“It needs constant spiritual nourishment.”

“If I leave it outside normally…”

“…it’ll die before hatching.”

So he needed a storage artifact capable of holding living creatures.

And the best spiritual source possible—

Was the Thundercloud Sparrow’s own remains.

Only then could the hatchling absorb enough compatible lightning essence to survive.

Without wasting more time, Zhuo Fan immediately carried the egg and giant corpse deeper into the forest alone.

Meanwhile—

Xie Tianyang remained behind beside Xue Ningxiang.

By nightfall—

Zhuo Fan finally returned.

Exhaustion covered his face clearly.

Yet satisfaction also lingered faintly within his eyes.

Xie Tianyang immediately stood.

“What did you make?”

Zhuo Fan casually raised one hand.

A ring glowing faintly with azure lightning rested upon his finger.

“Lightning Spirit Ring.”

“Living storage artifact.”

“Capable of storing living creatures.”

Xie Tianyang inhaled sharply.

Even the Seven Houses rarely possessed treasures like this.

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan suddenly turned toward Xue Ningxiang.

“By the way…”

“Today’s your birthday, right?”

Xue Ningxiang froze briefly.

Then lowered her head shyly.

“…Sixteen.”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“In that case…”

“…I should at least prepare a proper gift.”

Another ring appeared in his hand.

This one smaller.

More delicate.

Azure lightning danced beautifully across its surface.

Before Xue Ningxiang could react—

Zhuo Fan gently placed it onto her finger.

“This one’s linked to mine.”

“If both rings get close…”

“…they resonate automatically.”

As though proving his words—

The moment Zhuo Fan lifted his own hand closer—

CRACKLE!

Tiny arcs of lightning instantly danced between both rings.

Xue Ningxiang’s cheeks turned completely red.

Meanwhile—

Xie Tianyang exploded instantly.

“WAIT!”

“You gave her a matching pair?!”

His face flushed red with panic.

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

“You have to make me one too!”

Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes immediately.

“Today isn’t your birthday.”

“I don’t care!”

Xie Tianyang pointed furiously toward the rings.

“You two wearing matching rings together looks weird!”

Very weird.

Extremely weird.

He could not explain exactly why—

But seeing those two wearing paired rings made him irrationally uncomfortable.

Seeing his reaction, Zhuo Fan suddenly laughed.

Then casually tossed a third ring toward him.

“Fine.”

“Since we survived life and death together…”

“…you get one too.”

Xie Tianyang instantly caught it happily before placing it onto his finger.

Then immediately bumped fists against both of them excitedly.

CRACKLE!

All three rings resonated simultaneously.

Watching the lightning flicker between their hands—

Xue Ningxiang suddenly smiled brighter than ever before.

At that moment—

She genuinely wished time would stop forever.

Just the three of them together like this.

No danger.

No scheming.

No death.

Only companionship beneath the endless stars.

Unfortunately—

Fate rarely allowed peaceful moments lasting very long.

Far above the mountain range—

Hidden within the clouds—

A gigantic azure bird silently watched everything below.

Azure flames burned quietly across its body.

Its eyes gleamed thoughtfully while observing Zhuo Fan’s every movement.

Then slowly—

It spread its wings and vanished deeper into the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range.

[End of Chapter Seventy]