Chapter 75: The Purple-Gold Luan

The nightingale’s hand was still firmly held by Lin Zhan; her entire body trembled. “Miss once said that some of the distinguished guests in these private rooms enjoy teasing young girls, and some even go so far as to... But why am I actually feeling a sense of anticipation? Why do I feel like I don’t truly want to resist? How strange…”

It wasn’t that Lin Zhan refused to let go of her hand—at this moment, he realized that the Nine Star Pattern was stirring with even greater intensity than before. A purer surge of Nine Star energy emerged from the pattern, as if it possessed a consciousness of its own. At first, it probed cautiously, as though testing Lin Zhan’s reaction. Lin Zhan’s mind remained still; he wanted to see where this force intended to go and what it planned to do.

Ultimately, the Nine Star energy seeped through his palm, making contact with the nightingale’s arm, and began to pour inside her bit by bit.

As the energy entered her body, the nightingale was overwhelmed by a sensation of indescribable pleasure. She had felt this comfort before, but it had never been so intense. The energy flowed through her, reaching the sealed area near her heart. At the moment of collision, it was as if a long-dormant memory was awakened, or a divine consciousness set free.

She was utterly powerless to move, surrendering herself to the will of the Nine Star energy. The seal was on the verge of being undone, and the terrifying power contained within the cluster of essence blood near her heart was about to erupt.

Yet her eyes remained tightly shut, oblivious to it all.

Lin Zhan watched the Nine Star energy anxiously, sensing its hunger for the essence blood, as if it wished to devour and absorb it to strengthen itself.

Wait—that wasn’t right. This was tantamount to stealing the nightingale’s fortune.

Whatever the essence blood sealed within her might be, one thing was clear: it was her destiny. Although she could not yet unlock its power or claim the inheritance within, that didn’t mean she would never have the chance. If the Nine Star energy devoured it, her future would be stolen away—something Lin Zhan could not permit.

He would rather fight with blade and sword, seizing resources from the hands of his enemies—a victory worth taking pride in. But this, this was nothing but theft.

Besides, how could he bear to steal from such an adorable young girl? In truth, he wished to help her. To think that such tremendous power had been sealed away, leaving her nothing but an ordinary person—what a waste.

Still, Lin Zhan couldn’t blame the Nine Star energy for acting on its own. The Nine Star Pattern now drew in spiritual energy autonomously, indiscriminately absorbing anything in its vicinity. Sensing the presence of the sealed essence blood, it reached out in an attempt to consume it—an understandable impulse.

Lin Zhan began to control the Nine Star energy with his spiritual sense, thinking, “Little nightingale, let me help you break the seal and awaken your bloodline.”

He, too, was eager to see what effect this cluster of essence blood would have.

The Nine Star energy resumed its movement, but this time under Lin Zhan’s supervision.

When the seal broke, the Nine Star energy formed a protective barrier around the nightingale’s body. The essence blood burst forth with a surge of power, shattering and rebuilding her meridians, flesh, and bones. Destruction and reconstruction took place almost simultaneously.

The process resembled Lin Zhan’s own experience with marrow cleansing, yet it was also distinct; this was a true metamorphosis. He could sense it clearly—the nightingale was being reborn.

Moreover, the essence blood contained a consciousness, faintly conveying gratitude toward Lin Zhan.

He saw a vague image of a Purple Gold Luan circling the nightingale—a legendary beast. The records of the Blue Ice World spoke of it: “The Purple Gold Luan, descendant of the ancient divine beast Vermillion Bird, one of the seven great immortal beasts of the post-archaic era. Its true fire brings nirvana and can melt all things.”

No one dared disturb the Heaven-class private room, and the guests’ attention was focused on the auction in the central hall below. Thus, the nightingale’s awakening and transformation went unnoticed.

When the nightingale completed her metamorphosis, Lin Zhan realized his back was soaked with sweat. Throughout, he had been intensely focused—monitoring the outside world while guiding the Nine Star energy to aid the circulation of the essence blood’s power. In truth, aside from the nightingale’s own fate, Lin Zhan’s contribution had been indispensable.

As the Nine Star energy returned to the pattern, Lin Zhan released the nightingale’s delicate arm.

A soft whimper escaped her lips. She opened her eyes and gazed steadily at Lin Zhan. In an instant, her clear eyes brimmed with tears.

A crisp, melodious cry rang out in the private room. Golden light flashed around the nightingale, and from the radiance appeared a tiny bird with purple feathers—identical to the legendary Purple Gold Luan.

The exquisite little Luan fluttered gracefully, its golden crest shimmering, purple and gold feathers adorned with mysterious patterns, and its long tail swaying with peerless beauty.

It circled Lin Zhan a few times, then alighted on his outstretched right palm, covering its small head with its wings in a bashful pose.

Lin Zhan’s left hand reached out quietly, but as soon as he touched its wing, the little Luan gave a gentle trill and took flight.

Another flash of golden light, and the nightingale reappeared before him, her face radiant with excitement and splendor.

Caught off guard, Lin Zhan watched as the nightingale knelt and bowed deeply, her voice trembling with emotion, “The nightingale thanks you, young master, for granting me new life. From this moment forth, I pledge to follow you unto death!”

Clang—Lin Zhan felt as though his mind had been struck with a heavy blow. This had gone too far. He hurried to help her up, but she remained motionless—he couldn’t budge her, not even with his early-stage Yellow Rank strength. What was he to do?

The nightingale raised her head, eyes filled with unwavering resolve, silently declaring that unless Lin Zhan agreed, she would never rise.

Lin Zhan decided to clarify a few matters, “Are you a descendant of the Purple Gold Luan?”

The nightingale nodded, her gaze fixed on him, stubborn and unwavering. “I have just inherited the bloodline and received some memories—only now do I understand my origins. As a child, I was found and taken in by Uncle Lian, later becoming Miss’s maid. I always thought I was abandoned by my parents. Only now do I know I was born from the essence blood condensed by my ancestors.”

“And it is all thanks to you, young master. The special energy within you allowed the remaining essence blood to break free of its seal. On this Blue Ice Continent, I fear no one but you could have achieved this. Without you, the Purple Gold Luan bloodline would have vanished forever.”

Lin Zhan nodded slowly. “There’s no need for you to follow me, though. To be honest, my cultivation right now is hardly on par with yours.”

“That is why I must follow you, young master—to protect you, and to learn and grow alongside you. My family’s bloodline inheritance is not yet fully restored; I will need your miraculous energy to help me recover it. So, please, allow me to remain by your side!”

No matter how resolutely she spoke, her gaze never wavered from his eyes. She was nothing like the shy girl she had been before.