Chapter Sixty-One: The Transformation of Divine Powers [Please Support!]

“Hiss... hiss... wail...”
As thunder roared across the sky, the Six-Winged Golden Centipede twisted and turned like a dragon swimming through a sea of lightning, uttering shrill cries of agony. The golden carapace covering its body fell away in pieces under the relentless strikes, revealing the tender flesh beneath.
A deafening crash shook the heavens as the thunderclouds suddenly burst open. Within them, a golden-red core danced restlessly, its surface marked with a rune resembling a thunder talisman. Around the core, golden mist billowed and pulsed as if it were breathing, expanding and contracting with an uncanny life.
“Has it... succeeded?”
Gazing at the spectacle above, Li Yang was filled with uncertainty. The connection in his mind with the Six-Winged Golden Centipede had become faint, as if it might vanish at any moment.
“Not yet, I think. Your beast has survived the lightning tribulation and entered a wondrous state. Its physical body has been reduced to powder by the heavenly thunder, leaving only the inner core behind. Whether it can be reborn from death and return anew remains to be seen. But if it passes this final trial, its transformation will be complete.”
Looking up at the surging golden clouds, Ninth Uncle’s face was alight with anticipation. To witness a beast take such a monumental step toward immortality in this era was a powerful inspiration for cultivators, rekindling their desire for the Great Dao.
For half an hour, the golden mist in the sky continued to churn before finally condensing once more.
There, a phantom-like Six-Winged Golden Centipede, over three meters long, darted back and forth within the clouds. As it moved, ripples spread through the void as if on the surface of water. With a powerful thrust, the centipede plunged into the emptiness, vanishing in an instant, only to reappear hundreds of meters away.
At the same time, Li Yang’s mind rang with thunderous echoes. The ancient pictographic characters representing the centipede’s powers—“Phantom Trace in the Void, Poisonous Clouds Shroud the Heavens”—began to collapse, transforming into radiant golden thunder talismans.
“Leap Across the World, Stand with No Shadow!”
Though Li Yang did not recognize these talismans, their meaning was instantly clear in his mind.
As the beast’s abilities evolved, the blood-sacrifice rune engraved in the depths of their souls flickered once more, and Li Yang was drawn into a vision.
He saw a vast, pitch-black cosmos, where a colossal golden centipede swam through the void, its form flickering in and out of sight. Suddenly, its six wings unfurled; the void split open, and the centipede plunged through, leaping across countless light-years in the blink of an eye.
...
“Hahaha... Excellent!”
Sensing the centipede’s transformation was complete, Li Yang’s joy was uncontainable. He laughed aloud and beckoned to the jubilant Six-Winged Golden Centipede soaring above.
“Hiss... hiss...”
Sensing his call, the centipede twisted its body, swallowed the golden-red core in a flash, and, blurring into motion, appeared instantly in Li Yang’s palm.
“What a miraculous art—one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Methods: ‘Leap Across the World, Stand with No Shadow!’”
“Thanks to Young Li’s good fortune, I never imagined I would witness such a legendary power with my own eyes. I can die without regret.”
Watching the Six-Winged Golden Centipede display its new abilities, Ninth Uncle’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“It’s said the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Methods of ancient times were created by the Dao Ancestor himself, who observed the world’s wondrous beasts and comprehended the laws of nature. To think it’s all true! With such a beast guarding you, Young Li, there is nowhere in the world you cannot go. Allow me to congratulate you.”
He looked enviously at the centipede in Li Yang’s hand.
“Ninth Uncle, you are too kind. If not for your guidance, my beast’s transformation might have ended in disaster. I am deeply grateful.”
With the centipede’s successful metamorphosis, Li Yang was in high spirits and did not hesitate to express his thanks.
“If there is nothing else, I have personal matters to attend to, so I won’t stay. If you have time, please visit the mortuary house. We can talk more then.”
“If you have business, I won’t keep you. Next time you are free, I will certainly call on you.”
With a polite bow, Li Yang watched Ninth Uncle depart, then turned to tidy up the overturned alchemy furnace before returning to the manor.
...
“Are you alright...”
“Brother Li, are you alright?”
As soon as Li Yang appeared, Madam He and Ren Tingting, who had been anxiously waiting inside, rushed out to greet him with concern.
“I’m fine. It was just an unexpected event—no need to worry.”
Just as Li Yang was about to offer further reassurance, Jinling entered with the steward of the Ren household, glancing at Li Yang with genuine concern.
Though she often teased Li Yang with sarcasm, that was nothing more than a moment’s pique.
Since Madam He began cultivating with Li Yang, the affairs of the entire estate had fallen to Jinling. She worked tirelessly without complaint. Any minor grumbling was simply the result of her youthful temperament—she had never viewed Li Yang as an outsider.
“Young Master Li, Madam, my master has sent me with an invitation for you.”
Steward Ren glanced at Ren Tingting before drawing a formal invitation from his robe and presenting it respectfully.
“Sister Jinling...”
Ren Tingting greeted Jinling with a shy, uneasy smile.
“Miss Ren, just call me Jinling.”
Jinling forced a smile, her gaze complex as she looked at Ren Tingting.
Her feelings toward Ren Tingting were conflicted. On the one hand, she disliked her involvement given Madam He and Li Yang’s relationship. On the other, she found it impossible to dislike the innocent and pure-hearted young lady, who showed no trace of a spoiled temperament. Thus, her interactions with Ren Tingting were always tinged with awkwardness.
Ren Tingting, for her part, understood Jinling’s attitude. Though she seemed gentle and delicate, beneath the surface she was steadfast and would not easily let go of what she cared about.
“Please tell Master Ren that, after I prepare myself, I will visit this afternoon.”
Taking the invitation, Li Yang smiled at the steward.
“I will convey your words to my master. I leave my young lady in your care.”
After a few polite words and a glance at Ren Tingting, the steward took his leave.
“Brother Li... perhaps I should return home now, so Father doesn’t worry.”
Since Jinling’s return, Ren Tingting had seemed uneasy, unable to settle down. Seeing the steward depart, she immediately asked to leave.
“There’s no need to rush. I’ll be going to the Ren residence this afternoon anyway—I can take you back then.”
“That’s right, Tingting. It’s nearly midday. Stay for lunch before you go.”
With that, Madam He came forward, taking Ren Tingting’s hand and gently persuading her.