Chapter 6: Illusory Transformation

“Thank you.” Yun Qingxue, carried aloft by Lingyue, looked down at the giant bird beneath her and couldn’t help but express her gratitude.

“Why the formality? Didn’t I often take you flying before? Every time you rode on my back, you’d laugh so happily!” Lingyue replied with a smile, but her steady flight suddenly faltered, causing Yun Qingxue to jolt on her back.

“You… you just thanked me?” Lingyue seemed to realize something, speaking with disbelief.

“Yes,” Yun Qingxue blinked, puzzled. “Is there a problem?”

As her words fell, the soaring lark made an emergency landing, and in a flash of pale yellow light, Yun Qingxue tumbled to the ground. The massive lark vanished, replaced by a woman in a yellow dress who appeared out of thin air.

The woman stared at Yun Qingxue, her adorable, slightly chubby face filled with confusion, her dark grape-like eyes scrutinizing her intently.

“It is Qingxue, isn’t it?”

Yun Qingxue heard her mutter to herself, “It really is Qingxue. I couldn’t mistake her face. But… but… why does she seem… normal now?”

Lingyue continued her monologue, her expressions shifting dramatically, exuding an indescribable, endearing charm.

Rubbing her sore bottom, Yun Qingxue stood up, both annoyed and amused. “Yes, I stopped being foolish long ago. How could you only notice now?”

“Are you really Qingxue?” Lingyue asked uncertainly.

“One hundred percent genuine!” Yun Qingxue declared confidently.

“Then transform back into your original form and show me!” Lingyue demanded cautiously.

Yun Qingxue felt a wave of helplessness. After hesitating for a long time, she nervously admitted, “I don’t know how…”

She anxiously watched Lingyue, fearing the lark would now doubt her identity.

To her surprise, Lingyue laughed cheerfully, grabbing her arm excitedly. “You are Yun Qingxue! I don’t doubt it anymore!”

Yun Qingxue couldn’t comprehend the little lark’s logic and could only stare blankly at her.

“Who knew you’d become smart but still can’t use any magic?” Yun Qingxue’s lips twitched, but Lingyue chirped on, “No wonder I’ve felt something was off these past few days. You stopped being foolish after that incident at the human prince’s house, didn’t you?”

Yun Qingxue forced a laugh. “Yes. Could your reaction be any slower?”

Lingyue scratched her head. “I was too nervous, so I overlooked it…”

“Let’s not dwell on it. We should keep moving,” Yun Qingxue said, finally feeling less pain after rubbing her bottom.

Lingyue immediately reverted to her bird form. “Hurry up! We’re still in human territory, and that royal sorcerer could catch up at any moment!”

Yun Qingxue climbed onto the lark’s back with effort and added, “If you’re going to transform again, warn me first. Wait until I’m off your back—falling hurts!”

“Oh, right, sorry! I was in a hurry…” Lingyue apologized mid-flight.

“Where are we flying to?” Yun Qingxue asked, gazing at the starry sky, feeling disoriented at such heights.

“I’m taking you to the Qiongyu Clan’s territory. The day after tomorrow is the ‘Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’ ceremony. As a member of the avian race, I can’t miss it—that would be treason!” the little lark explained.

“Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix?” Yun Qingxue asked with keen interest, fascinated by this fantastical world.

“Yes,” Lingyue replied, flying as she recounted tales of the Qiongyu Clan, speaking with reverence and longing when mentioning their king—the Phoenix.

“Our king undergoes Nirvana every five hundred years, then rebirths after forty-nine days in flames. Each rebirth is followed by the grand ceremony where all birds pay homage to the Phoenix. Only then do lowly immortals like us get a chance to glimpse our supreme king, even if only from afar. Just witnessing his radiance is an incomparable blessing!”

“So, if I go with you to the Qiongyu Clan, I’ll get to see this grand event too?” Yun Qingxue’s voice brimmed with anticipation. The mythical scene she’d only read about in books was now within her grasp—this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

“Probably not…” Lingyue’s voice carried a hint of regret, dashing Yun Qingxue’s hopes.

“Why?” she asked, confused.

“Because—”

“Screech—!”

Before Lingyue could explain, a sharp eagle cry pierced the air. The dark land below suddenly lit up with blazing torches.

Yun Qingxue turned and tensed at the sight behind them. She leaned down and spoke solemnly to Lingyue, who was now flying even harder. “If things get worse, leave me behind and escape on your own!”

“What are you saying?” Lingyue replied firmly. “I’d never abandon you!”

“They’re after me, not you. If you escape, you can find a way to rescue me later. That’s better than both of us getting caught…”

“Stop lying to me!” Lingyue’s voice trembled. “I’m not smart, but I’m not stupid either. If you’re recaptured after escaping, they’ll kill you before I can even try to save you!”

Lingyue flapped her wings harder. Below, archers drew their bows, aiming their sharp arrows at the flying lark.

“Let me down! They won’t harm you!” Yun Qingxue urged desperately.

“No!” Lingyue stubbornly refused.

“If you keep fleeing, I’ll order my archers to shoot!” The cold, arrogant voice of the black-robed royal sorcerer boomed behind them, laced with menace.

Lingyue ignored him, straining to fly faster.

“Ungrateful wretch!” the sorcerer sneered.

Yun Qingxue released her grip on Lingyue’s feathers, swallowing hard as she eyed the distant ground.

“Qingxue, what are you doing?” Lingyue cried.

“Lingyue,” Yun Qingxue said, “I’m glad I met you. Now, escape!”

With that, she leaped off Lingyue’s back.

Lingyue swooped down, barely catching Yun Qingxue mid-fall.

The sorcerer, standing atop a giant eagle, glared coldly and commanded, “Chase them down and force that bird to land!”

Lingyue turned her head, disdain in her eyes. “As a member of the Qiongyu Clan and a subject of the Phoenix King, would you betray your own kind for an outsider?”

The giant eagle hesitated in its dive.

“Disobey, and I’ll grind your bones to dust!” the sorcerer threatened.

The eagle resumed its attack, but Lingyue dodged, only to be blocked by three more giant eagles.

Yun Qingxue turned to the sorcerer. “What grudge do you hold against me to pursue me so relentlessly?”

“Because you’re a calamitous demon, a blight upon this world!” the sorcerer spat.

Yun Qingxue’s anger flared. “I’ve done nothing to deserve such a title!”

“Not yet, but you will!” the sorcerer retorted arrogantly.

“Bullshit!” Yun Qingxue snapped. “You old fraud! By your logic, no one should eat ever again, lest they choke to death someday!”

“Demon, twisting words!” the sorcerer’s voice was icy. Though the night obscured his face, Yun Qingxue could imagine his fury.

She smirked. “Fraud! You’d kill innocents—beware divine retribution!”

“I’ll give you one last chance. Surrender, and I’ll spare the bird,” the sorcerer offered magnanimously.

“Never! I’d never abandon a friend!” Lingyue declared before Yun Qingxue could respond.

“Lingyue!” Yun Qingxue called.

“Qingxue, if you insist I leave, I’ll fold my wings and plummet to my death!” Lingyue vowed.

“Fools!” the sorcerer scoffed. The four eagles retreated, putting distance between them before he bellowed to the ground, “Fire!”

The archers below remained still. Enraged, the sorcerer flicked his hand, sending a red streak of light. Lingyue couldn’t evade—her wing was slashed, and she and Yun Qingxue plummeted toward the earth.