Mingyue's sudden claim that she could help the baby not die had its reasons.
She was, in fact, formed from Pangu's last drop of vital blood, and her body contained an extremely potent innate power.
She could alter the baby's physique, transforming it into a demon beast and completing its metamorphosis.
Under the baby's bewildered gaze, Mingyue concentrated, extended her right index finger, and a bead of blood appeared at its tip.
She then blew on it, and the blood bead left her fingertip, flying towards the baby's little head.
This was the essence of the Wu clan's bloodline she had condensed. Once it entered the baby's body, it would upgrade the baby to a demon body.
With the aid of the Metamorphosis Pill, the baby could then survive this ordeal and transform into a human form.
Mingyue was rather looking forward to it. The baby usually spoke like a pampered little princess; it would surely be adorable once it took human form.
However, before her drop of blood could even touch the baby's body, it vanished.
Mingyue and the baby stared at each other, both clueless as to where the blood bead had gone.
Just then, the metamorphosis fire enveloping the baby surged in intensity.
The baby let out another pained cry, and blood began to seep from its body, wetting its dull gray feathers.
It was likely that the force of reshaping its bones and marrow had intensified, escalating the pain. The baby couldn't bear it, its little head lolled to the side, and it fainted.
Mingyue had no time to ponder the blood bead's disappearance. She quickly condensed another one and, passing through the flames, touched the baby's body with her finger.
She feared the blood bead would vanish again, as the baby's body was already at its limit.
Without transforming its body into a demon form, it would be unable to withstand the pressure of metamorphosis and could explode.
The blood bead quickly merged into the baby's body. The small body stopped trembling; it seemed to have worked.
"Thank you, Mingyue. With your blood in my body, will I have to call you 'Mom' after I transform?"
Mingyue withdrew her finger. The baby woke up and its first words stunned Mingyue.
"Thank you, but I'm not married yet. It's inappropriate for you to call me Mom.
If others heard, they'd think I had a child out of wedlock or remarried with a burden, damaging my reputation.
Just call me 'Sister,' like Ba Jiu. Please!"
Mingyue rolled her eyes, thinking to herself, *Do I really look that much like a mother? Ba Jiu called me Mom back then, and so did the baby.*
"Alright, 'Sister' it is. We're family anyway.
Sister, I'm in pain again. Quickly give me another drop of your blood."
As the baby spoke, it let out another piercing cry; the pain had intensified.
Mingyue quickly condensed another blood bead and sent it to the baby. The pain immediately lessened.
In truth, the metamorphosis of demon beasts into humans was never painless. Mingyue's blood had already altered the baby's physique, enabling it to endure the pain.
However, having tasted the sweetness of relief once, the baby naturally wouldn't suffer. As soon as it felt the slightest pain, it would cry out piercingly, demanding Mingyue's blood.
Mingyue herself had never undergone metamorphosis. Hearing the baby's heart-wrenching cries, she immediately helped it.
After all, it was only one drop each time, and the total amount wasn't much. She didn't feel it was a significant loss.
Thus, the baby's metamorphosis took three days and three nights. Mingyue was also compelled to stay with it in the spatial realm for those three days and nights, acting as a mobile blood bank.
Finally, the metamorphosis fire burned ever brighter, its range expanding until it filled the entire spatial realm.
Mingyue retreated to the second level of the main hall, watching the baby within the flames through the door.
Fortunately, this annoying creature had stopped crying in pain, and she no longer needed to provide blood.
She saw the little sparrow, now radiating golden light, its wings spread. Though small, it exuded an aura of majesty.
Then, the golden light intensified, enveloping it. The surrounding flames rapidly converged towards it.
"Am I seeing things?"
Mingyue muttered. In the flicker of golden light, she thought she saw the silhouette of a Golden Crow.
But before she could get a clear look, the flames began to gather, obscuring her vision.
Mingyue shook her head, deeming it impossible. She must have been mistaken.
After all, her clan's mortal enemies, Donghuang Taiyi and Dijun, were two Golden Crows.
They were existences of the Demon Saint level among the demon race, possessing noble bloodlines and being natural rulers of the demon world.
The baby was just a little sparrow, not even considered a demon beast. How could it be associated with a Golden Crow?
"Sister, I've successfully transformed!"
While Mingyue was lost in thought, the golden light and flames vanished. A little girl, about three or four years old, appeared in the hazy mist and ran towards Mingyue.
The little girl had a small nose and eyes, a few freckles on her nose, and long, black hair that reached her heels.
She wore a dull gray little dress and, grabbing Mingyue's hand, shook it vigorously.
"You're Baobao? Why are you so ugly?"
Mingyue snapped back to reality, looking at the transformed baby, and a hint of disdain escaped her lips without a second thought, uttering hurtful words.
"Waaah, bad sister, you dislike me and say I'm ugly."
The baby, who had been full of joy upon transforming into human form, was hit with the first major blow of her life and immediately burst into tears.
"Baobao, don't cry. Sister was wrong. Sister shouldn't have spoken the truth. Ptooey, Sister was just joking.
Our Baobao is beautiful, not ugly at all. Sister was just teasing you."
The baby's cries were like a piercing sound, fluctuating in pitch and rhythm. Mingyue's head ached.
She quickly crouched down and, against her better judgment, praised the baby's appearance, hoping to stop her cries.
"You're lying to me. You're a liar. Tell me, where am I pretty?"
The baby's crying didn't stop, but miraculously, she could speak while crying, without interruption.
"Let Sister think. Where is Baobao pretty? Your eyes are small but bright. Your nose is like a garlic bulb, but very cute.
Even though you're dark-skinned, you're healthy. Your hair, yes, your hair.
Baobao's hair is thick, black, and shiny. You'll definitely not go bald."
Upon hearing the baby's request to be told where she was pretty, Mingyue stared at the baby intently, trying to find some redeeming qualities.
After a minute of thought, she managed to utter these few sentences. Upon hearing them, the baby became even more upset, and her crying intensified.
While Mingyue was struggling to console the child in the spatial realm, the harvest festival celebration at the base outside was reaching its climax.
Except for the ability users on patrol duty at the foot of the mountain, everyone was singing and dancing. Even Ji Shiyou and the others were pulled into the dance.
Jin Xi was pushed to the front to lead the dance. Laughter erupted from everyone, creating a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.
It made them forget about the apocalypse, forget about the zombies, as if they had returned to a time of peace and prosperity.
But at that moment, a sudden explosion echoed from the foot of the mountain, followed by a bright red light.
"All civilians enter the base and close the gates. Huahua, guard the gate and protect the base.
All ability users, descend the mountain and protect our grain."
Seeing the red light shoot up into the sky, Ji Shiyou immediately shouted, issuing orders.
This was the signal from the patrol team at the foot of the mountain, a warning. The red signal was of the highest level.
It indicated that tens of thousands of zombies or mutated animals were approaching the farmland at the foot of the mountain.
The patrol team couldn't handle it and had to send a signal to the base for reinforcements.