The extreme north was unrecognizable after the baptism of Baby's Three-legged Golden Crow Fire.
What was once a world of ice and snow had become cracked earth emitting smoke.
There was no trace of its former self, and it was impossible to tell where the original ice valley had been.
Thus, Mingyue and Ji Shiyou opted for the most effortless method to find Ren Jian.
They used their divine senses to scan the entire space, searching for any signs of life.
Of course, they knew in their hearts.
Even if Ren Jian survived the Three-legged Golden Crow Fire.
He would be severely injured, his life force weakened.
Easily overlooked, so the two searched with utmost care.
Meticulously, not missing an inch of land.
Their search naturally slowed down.
Half an hour later, Ji Shiyou's eyes lit up.
His body moved at lightning speed, lunging towards the area he was responsible for.
Upon seeing this, Mingyue immediately followed.
Ji Shiyou's reaction must mean he had found something.
"Is Ren Jian still alive?"
As Mingyue caught up, she saw Ji Shiyou with his mouth agape, his face filled with shock.
Her heart filled with joy, thinking Ren Jian might not be dead, she anxiously asked.
"Close your eyes, turn around, don't look."
Ji Shiyou quickly reached out and covered Mingyue's eyes.
Then he turned her body away, his words leaving no room for doubt.
"Was Ren Jian burned to death and looks awful?
You forgot, we fought our way through zombies.
We've seen the most disgusting corpses, I just want to see him one last time.
To bid him farewell, to say a proper goodbye."
Mingyue spoke with her back to Ji Shiyou, thinking Ren Jian's death must have been gruesome.
Ji Shiyou was afraid of scaring her, so he didn't want her to see.
"This fellow isn't dead, he's just naked right now.
It's a bit indecent, that's why I don't want you to see. I'll take him back first."
Ji Shiyou looked at Ren Jian on the ground, his heart filled with shock.
Ren Jian looked burly and tough, a man of grit.
Who would have thought his skin was so tender, and he was completely hairless.
It wasn't until Mingyue's voice sounded that he snapped back to reality.
He quickly told Mingyue to close her eyes, not wanting her to see another man's bare body.
He scooped up the naked Ren Jian and vanished into the sky, riding the moonlight.
Knowing Ren Jian wasn't burned to death, Mingyue was also happy.
She closely followed Ji Shiyou back to the Purple Gold Palace on the peak of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.
Inside the Purple Gold Palace, Ren Jian, now dressed,
Lay on the bed and slowly opened his eyes.
"Who am I?"
"Where am I?"
Ren Jian's mind was like a muddle of paste.
After asking these existential questions, his vision gradually cleared.
"Ji Shiyou, and you, Mingyue!
Are you even human? You left without me, abandoning me in the extreme north ice fields.
You beasts! Do you know how much torment I endured?
And where is that prodigal child who knocked me out? Have her come over.
See if I don't beat her to death today, damn it!"
Seeing the two faces before him clearly, Ren Jian exploded.
It seemed he was truly desperate, even resorting to vulgar language.
He flailed his arms, about to get up, clearly intending to fight.
Ji Shiyou, standing by, made a decisive move and struck Ren Jian's head with the side of his hand.
Ren Jian's head lolled, and he fainted. The room fell silent.
"It seems he's fine. He can curse and fight.
His brain isn't damaged, so he should be back to normal.
He's tired too, let him sleep more!"
Ji Shiyou turned away with a flourish, pulling Mingyue with him.
"If I'm not mistaken, Ren Jian's cultivation seems to have increased?
He originally had fire and beast transformation abilities, but now they seem different."
As they walked, Mingyue said to Ji Shiyou with a hint of confusion.
"I noticed, but I don't know why."
The two walked to the front hall, now designated as a common area, akin to a lobby.
Ji Shiyou pulled Mingyue to sit on chairs, responding to Mingyue's earlier question.
"I know this! It's my credit."
Baby shyly walked over, followed by Ba Jiu.
The two had secretly gone to see Ren Jian earlier.
After all, Baby had knocked Ren Jian out, and she was very worried.
Seeing that he was fine now, she was relieved.
"Credit? Your credit is too great!
Burning down a world with a single fire, Ren Jian was right.
You are a prodigal child, too wasteful!"
As soon as Ji Shiyou saw Baby, his anger flared, and he said sarcastically.
"If you keep being sarcastic, I'll beat you."
Ba Jiu couldn't stand to see Baby suffer any grievance and glared at Ji Shiyou.
"Kid, your elder sister is like a mother, and your brother-in-law is your father.
Today, I, as a parent, will set some family rules for you!"
Ba Jiu had challenged him multiple times, and Ji Shiyou, who had endured much, decided he could no longer tolerate it.
He too was a son of the moon, with status and position.
He had only been yielding for Mingyue's sake.
But with Ba Jiu's repeated provocations, he felt it was necessary to establish parental authority.
"Alright, stop arguing!
The deed is done, and dwelling on it.
Will be of no use. Let's not mention it again."
Mingyue's words were like a royal decree to Ji Shiyou.
He obediently sat down, which was the true display of parental authority.
Ba Jiu gave Ji Shiyou a triumphant look, a smug smile on his lips.
He thought to himself, even though his sister married that annoying ghost Ji Shiyou.
She still favored her family, didn't she get reprimanded?
You want to be my parent, you're not worthy!
There is only one true parent, and that is my sister.
Do you dare to usurp her authority, I'll scare you to death!
"Ba Jiu, if you continue to speak to Ji Shiyou like that.
I'll beat you, you're so rude!"
Mingyue's next words wiped the smugness from Ba Jiu's face.
He thought, Sister, can't you save me some face?
Must you scold me in front of that annoying ghost? Can't you say these things when we're alone?
"Baby, you said earlier.
That Ren Jian became like this because of your credit, what did you mean?"
Mingyue turned to Baby, asking for an explanation.
"Sister, it's like this."
Baby took Mingyue's hand, her face beaming with pride.
In her heart, she thought, Sister still treats me the best.
She spoke of brother-in-law, scolded brother Ba Jiu, but didn't say anything about herself.
She caused such a big mess, and Sister wouldn't even let brother-in-law pursue it further.
So, she glanced triumphantly at Ji Shiyou and Ba Jiu.
She explained the reason, trying to please Mingyue.
Baby's Three-legged Golden Crow Fire originated from Emperor Jun of the Demon Race.
Besides burning the heavens and boiling the earth, it had another function.
That was to allow demon beasts with mixed bloodlines to evolve and return to their ancestors.
The Three-legged Golden Crow Fire could refine impure bloodlines in demon beasts, making them pure.
Then they would inherit their own clan's lineage and increase their strength.
The reason Ren Jian possessed beast transformation abilities was because within him.
There was the bloodline of the Vermilion Tiger, a divine beast, but it was not much, nor was it pure.
When Baby's flames fell, Ren Jian was in a state of beast transformation, equivalent to a demon beast.
But even with a strong physique, he couldn't compare to the ancient demon beasts.
He couldn't withstand the baptism of the Three-legged Golden Crow Fire; contact would turn him to ashes.
But don't forget, Ren Jian was also a fire ability user.
Although he couldn't use it now, his tolerance for flames was still very strong.
Therefore, not only did he survive the Three-legged Golden Crow Fire, but he also benefited from it, purifying his bloodline.
"His body now contains pure Vermilion Tiger blood.
And his fire abilities will no longer be restricted; he can use them freely.
Because after the baptism, the flames he emits.
Are like mine, they are Solar True Fire, not the Five Elements Fire.
So, I helped him.
You know, the five elements in this world are in disarray, which restricts abilities.
My Three-legged Golden Crow Fire, brother-in-law's Taiyin power.
Sister is not restricted due to the Creation Red Silk.
So, Sister, do I have credit?"
Baby concluded, looking at Mingyue with anticipation.
Her expression clearly conveyed, "Praise me, praise me quickly!"
"It seems Ren Jian is truly blessed with foolish luck, and you do have credit.
With such great credit, Sister will reward you with a mission."
Mingyue stroked Baby's head and said with a smile.
After hearing the mission details, Baby's little face contorted like a bitter gourd.
She thought, Sister is lying!
This is not a reward, it's clearly a punishment.
Didn't you say you wouldn't pursue responsibility anymore?