Chapter 121: Dragonbird

Chapter 121: Dragonbird

As the director of the Spiritual Power Research Institute, Chen Mo had meticulously studied the reasons behind the appearance of the Ice Plain Silver Wolves. It was he who informed Rong Mi that if a second awakening succeeded, the spirit form would not reemerge as a Star Beast.

In other words, the dragonbird should have only appeared as an entity of pure energy, no matter how lifelike it might seem, it could never materialize into a genuine Star Beast.

Consequently, it would obey Rong Mi's will entirely, coordinating its attacks alongside her during combat.

Unlike Ayin.

Many of the wolf's actions and preferences were influenced by Lu Yi's subconscious.

However, despite this, the wolf possessed its own inclinations and personality.

It could stay away from Lu Yi for extended periods, heed Rong Mi's command to "guard" him, act independently when Lu Yi lost consciousness, and retain its abilities and existence even after Lu Yi's death.

This was because Ayin was, in fact, an independent life form.

But Rong Mi's dragonbird shouldn't be like that.

Or perhaps, it shouldn't have been like that before.

Chen Mo gazed at the dragonbird perched beside Lu Yi's pillow.

It curled its body halfway, nestling closely against the general's neck, turning its head to look at the door with a curious yet cautious expression.

The dragonbird now appeared adorable, like a small collectible figurine, seemingly soft to touch and pet. However, Chen Mo had seen it just a few days ago, soaring through the cosmos, casting a shadow over everything, ruthlessly pecking at a fully-grown butterfly.

Chen Mo: "..."

He had no doubt that the dragonbird was in a similar state as Ayin in its childhood form.

Cute on the outside but deadly in its capabilities!

Director Chen hesitated.

Being stared at by two star beasts, he didn't dare to disturb Rong Mi's sleep.

Moreover, Rong Mi genuinely needed some rest.

...But the manifestation of a spirit form into a Star Beast was no trifling matter!

Chen Mo was genuinely worried about any potential issues with Rong Mi's body.

After standing like a punished figure in the room for a while, he struggled inwardly for a long time before finally steeling himself against the goosebumps on his scalp and strides towards the bed, calling out, "Rong Mi... Rong Mi! Wake up and do a mental domain check!"

The wolf, who had been ready to bite Chen Mo and drag him out, paused its action upon hearing the word 'check'.

Thus, when Rong Mi opened his eyes, he saw Chen Mo standing solemnly by his bedside. The corner of Chen Mo's shirt was still in the wolf's mouth, and the coat draped over Rong Mi was on the verge of being pulled off.

Rong Mi was taken aback, instinctively thinking that something had happened to Lu Yi. He immediately sat up in bed, then sensed something.

...He felt Lu Yi's pulse.

It was incredibly clear, as if he were pressed tightly against Lu Yi's body.

Rong Mi: "..."

With a dazed expression, a faint blush crept onto Rong Mi's face due to the incredibly realistic sensation.

Acting on instinct, he turned his head to look at the creature beside him, locking eyes with the dragon bird's dark orbs.

"Chirp!" The dragon bird let out a cheerful cry.

In the next moment, it spread its wings and landed on Rong Mi's shoulder, stretching its neck to rub its head back and forth against Rong Mi's chin.

"Chirp! Chirp chirp chirp!"

The dragon bird called out to its owner, tilting its head after each nuzzle with an expectant gaze, seemingly seeking praise and affection.

Rong Mi subconsciously reached up to stroke the top of the dragon bird's head.

Its head bore two tufts of long, raised feathers. In its spirit form, they resembled fiery dragon horns. But in its current, youthful Star Beast state, they were simply adorable, inviting tufts that begged to be petted.

Rong Mi pressed down on the dragon bird's quiff, watching it spring back up and regain its original position.

"...Chirp?" The dragon bird looked at Rong Mi in confusion, unsure why the young man was playing with just those two feathers on its head.

It rubbed against Rong Mi, hoping for a thorough grooming from its owner.

This is the customary greeting between a Star Beast and its master.

Rong Mi sensed the dragon bird's intention and, without hesitation, cradled it in his palm, playfully rubbing it back and forth.

...After all, this was his very own Star Beast!

Rong Mi could sense it!

Upon waking up, he discovered a new Star Beast Companion Contract within his spirit body.

Furthermore, his connection with the dragon bird was incredibly strong!

Rong Mi could see the phantom of the dragon bird's spirit domain hovering above his own spirit territory.

Moreover... the branches at the top of his spirit tree reached upward, intertwining with the contract, forming an intimate connection with the dragon bird's spirit tree.

Rong Mi had never witnessed such a scene even within Admiral Lu Yi's spirit domain.

Although there was a phantom of a wolf's spirit domain above the Admiral's spiritual sea, and the energy of the human and the wolf could be exchanged through their Star Beast contract, it didn't exhibit the same level of intimacy as Rong Mi's connection with his dragon bird.

Yet their Spirit Trees were not interconnected.

In retrospect... perhaps it was due to Lu Yi's injured Spirit Tree.

"Did you experience any unusual sensations in your Spirit Realm?" Chen Mo asked Rong Mi cautiously.

The young man's thoughts shifted away from Lu Yi. He continued stroking the little bird as he confidently shook his head, but Chen Mo remained vigilant.

"Let's start with an examination," he suggested, "Shall... the little bird come along too?"

"Cwick-cwick-cwick-cwick!"

Not just anyone could call it a little bird!

"Cwick!"

The little bird didn't want to go for an examination either!

The dragon bird took flight from Rong Mi's palm and landed on Ayin's head. Its purple tail coiled in front of it, sinking into Ayin's long silver fur.

The wolf lifted its gaze, catching a glimpse of the fluffy ball on the dragonbird's tail in its peripheral vision.

Ayin: "....Oooh!"

The wolf acknowledged the dragonbird with a howl.

Rong Mi stood up. "I'll go with you first."

He had already sensed the rapport between himself and the dragonbird, and... he vaguely guessed the reason behind its appearance.

Due to the desire to accompany Lu Yi.

"Chirp chirp!" The dragonbird perched on the wolf's head, looking down at Rong Mi, then puffing out its chest proudly.

No problem at all!

The little bird cried out confidently.

Go with peace of mind, Master!

Rong Mi extended his index finger and gently tapped it.

The Dragonbird understood his intention and descended from the wolf's head, landing softly on Rong Mi's finger, being careful not to scratch his skin with its sharp talons.

Rong Mi stroked the little bird's chin; he hadn't had enough of petting it yet!

Petting the bird was an entirely different sensation from petting the wolf.

The bird's feathers were fine and soft, and when stroked against the grain, it didn't seem to mind at all, even chirping happily.

The texture of the scales on its back felt pleasant too, smooth and cool to the touch.

The best part of the Dragonbird to squeeze... was that tiny cluster of feathers at the tip of its tail.

Rong Mi gave it a gentle squeeze again and again.

Fortunately, he didn't feel anything when he touched the Dragonbird, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to pet it so leisurely!

The young man couldn't help but smile.

Though Lu Yi's awakening was brief, it was an immensely positive sign.

Rong Mi enjoyed a good nap afterward. Upon waking up, he discovered that he too had a telepathic battle pet, and after petting his new fluffy companion, his mood significantly lifted.

"Ao!" The silver wolf, who had been watching Rong Mi interact with the dragon bird, finally couldn't resist and lowered its head to nuzzle against Rong Mi, seeking equal attention from the young man.

Rong Mi moved his hand to stroke the wolf's large head, but hesitated slightly.

...Wait a moment.

Rong Mi suddenly realized a problem.

Why was it that while they both had telepathy, he could experience all the senses of the dragon bird, but Lu Yi couldn't share Ayin's tactile sensations?

...Was it because Ayin was born during the failed second awakening, and thus, their telepathic connection wasn't as refined as the little bird's?

Or was there another reason?

Rong Mi stroked the wolf a few times, then the bird, pondering the matter while indulging in his love for furry creatures. Eventually, Chen Mo urged him to set aside his questions temporarily to cooperate in a mental power examination.

*

"Subject: Rong Mi."

"Affiliated Legion: First Legion."

"Mental Strength: 3S. (Undetermined, exceeds the highest detection level) (Confidence below 95%, it is recommended to use a higher grade instrument for scanning)."

"Mental Acuity: 3S."

"Rejection Level: F."

"Healer Rank: 3S. (Undetermined, exceeds the highest detection level) (Confidence below 95%, it is recommended to use a higher grade instrument for scanning)."

"Probability of Second Awakening: 100%."

"Extent of Second Awakening: 100%."

"Status of Second Awakening: Successful."

"Awakening Domain Field Type: Flame."

"Awakened Star Beast Type: Dragonbird."

Line after line of data refreshed on the scanning device, and after Chen Mo carefully read through all the post-analysis text, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Now it seemed that Rong Mi's mental domain was indeed functioning normally.

...except for the fact that her mental power strength and healing level, even after reaching 3S, still indicated a potential for further growth and evolution!

With a neutral expression, Chen Mo slapped the device's casing forcefully, hoping to check if there was a malfunction and if the displayed results would change on the light screen.

Such an indication meant...

Second Awakening was not the pinnacle of human mental evolution.

Rong Mi possessed infinite possibilities.

And so did humanity!

This was something Chen Mo had never even considered before!

He was visibly thrilled and promptly turned the screen towards Rong Mi.

The young man studied the words on it carefully, then smiled.

"I would have kept training regardless," he said earnestly, pointing at the note in the parentheses behind his mental strength.

So, he wasn't as agitated as Chen Mo.

But knowing for sure that there was still room for improvement in his mental power was an encouraging thought!

Ayin was also delighted!

Rong Mi left the dragonbird in the hospital room, but the wolf followed the young man out as usual.

Ayin nudged Rong Mi's head with its snout and let out a short, soft yap.

Rong Mi pinched the wolf's mouth affectionately before scrolling down to check the number following his mental domain energy storage.

"It's a bit lower than before," the young man raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Chen Mo nodded in agreement. "It's lower than the readings from previous assessments... Do you have any unusual sensations from your mental tree?"

Rong Mi had an idea and attuned to it.

"Several branches are missing... perhaps around... one percent?"

Aside from the small branch that was recently severed and transplanted onto Lu Yi's spirit tree, several other branches were missing from the tree.

It seemed as if it had been pruned by a gardener's skilled hands post-hoc.

The once lush branches had thinned somewhat, but Rong Mi felt no pain at all.

"Those branches likely won't grow back," Chen Mo said with the confidence of experience. "They're akin to a portion of your spiritual domain that you've split off to materialize the Dragonbird and give birth to a Star Beast."

"Fortunately, it's only one percent; the issue isn't too severe!"

The Dragonbird's birth was different from Ayin's case.

Rong Mi had already successfully undergone her second awakening, and her Dragonbird spirit form was entirely intact. Under the strong will of the young man, it transformed into a telepathic Battle Pet Star Beast in a natural progression.

The situation where Chen Mo had to forcibly separate from his Spirit Tree due to a failed awakening was entirely different from Lu Yi's near self-destruction.

Chen Mo even thought that perhaps during their joint battles, the Dragonbird might revert to its pure spiritual form!

Rong Mi asked, "When Ayin appeared, how much of Lu Yi's Spirit Tree was missing?"

He was now highly attuned to Lu Yi's condition. Questions that he would have previously refrained from asking out of politeness and respect were now being pursued relentlessly.

"About half," Chen Mo recalled, and Rong Mi nodded in response.

Rong Mi continued, "The crack at the roots of the Spirit Tree—was that also from that time?"

Chen Mo nodded in affirmation.

There was a moment of silence from Rong Mi.

"When this is over, and Lu Yi's mental domain has fully recovered… we can have him take the test again," he eventually said to Chen Mo. Before closing his scan report screen, he glanced once more at the note in parentheses following the measurement of Lu Yi's mental strength.

Over the past few years, the cracks in Lu Yi's Spirit Tree had been expanding, indicating that his mental domain had remained severely injured during all previous assessments.

Now then... the rift has been sealed, and the Spirit Tree is resuming its growth.

In due time, these characters would also appear on Lu Yi's evaluation report.

"Testing is necessary," Chen Mo replied. "I actually can't confirm how much he'll recover."

His voice suddenly trailed off.

This was because Rong Mi's wrist communicator started buzzing.

The young man's brows knitted slightly as he reached out to answer the call, his sharp gaze already turning towards the cabin's exterior.

His mental energy followed suit, extending outward.

"We're almost at the First Legion's base," Sun Tong's solemn voice came through the communicator. "But... something seems off."

At that same moment, Rong Mi caught a glimpse of the scene ahead in his mental vision.

Behind a vast expanse of pale nebulas, he discerned the outline of the First Legion's space city.

Yet, scattered across the territory were peculiar red dots of light.

Rong Mi: "..."

It was as if what had happened a few days ago in the Ice Butterfly Galaxy was warping and reflecting within humanity's territory, engulfing the First Legion's garrison.

Clusters of crimson ice butterfly auras were devouring the structures within the garrison.

...As if they aimed to swallow the entire spatial city whole.