Feng Yao barely kept her composure, inwardly cursing at Yun Xiao so much she was almost giving off steam.
"Yao, Yao, what's wrong?" The Valkyrie Princesses, uncovered by a single article of clothing, circled around this talented devil girl and expressed their concern.
“Nothing, it’s nothing,” Feng Yao replied hastily, her inner monologue screaming silent protests.
She couldn't just close her eyes while speaking to her seniors; so, she couldn’t really stop Yun Xiao from ogling.
“Go on, stare all you like, but mind your eyes don’t sprout needles,” she snapped.
“That would be your eyes,” Yun Xiao retorted.
“...!” Feng Yao had no choice but to block the infuriating man out and go about her business.
Having met many Valkyrie Princesses from all three lineages, she excused herself early to go off and cultivate.
With a Diva among them, the Valkyrie Princesses dared not linger too long.
Despite their superficial politeness and apparent admiration, who could truly know what thoughts lay beneath? Especially the Valkyrie Princesses of the Sea and Ice Lineages, who seemed the most enthusiastic and eager to leave a good impression on Feng Yao.
“Master, I need a Calamity Source,” she said, having secured the company of the Snow Vein Diva.
“Are you attempting your second celestial baptism?” the Diva asked gently.
“Yes!” Feng Yao nodded.
“Even if you succeed, reaching the Second Baptism Realm might not meet the minimal qualifications for the selection of the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects,” the Diva asked, “I hear from Xue Yuening that you can fight above your level?”
“Yes. So, if I reach the Second Baptism Realm, it should be okay," Feng Yao said.
“Then let’s try.” The Diva paused, then added, “You’ll need a Defying Heaven grade Calamity Source, I’ll find one of the best quality.”
“Actually...” Feng Yao shook her head, then, with a fierce glint in her eye, said, “For my second celestial baptism, I want to use a Swallowing Heaven grade Calamity Source.”
The Diva with her hair and pink eyes paused, her gaze fixed on the clear waters of the Harmony Divine Pool.
“Are you sure you mean Swallowing Heaven grade, and not Sealing Heaven grade?” she asked in a low voice.
Feng Yao possessed a Boundless Immortal talent that aspiring directly for a Sealing Heaven grade Calamity Source made sense. But aiming for a Swallowing Heaven grade one was even a greater leap; such Calamity Sources were typical for those wishing to break through to the Fifth or Sixth Baptism Realm, heralding a transformation into a Valkyrie or Valkyrie Princess.
Even most geniuses would have centuries of cultivation under their belt before daring to use such a Calamity Source.
“I'm sure. In fact, my first baptism was with an Upper Sealing Heaven grade Calamity Source,” Feng Yao declared with confidence.
The Sanguine Spirit Serpent Calamity Source she'd used was not strong. But it had evolved. Now, the Sanguine Spirit Dragon’s power coursing through her Mortal Dust Devil Blood was of such high quality that it matched, if not surpassed, that of a Swallowing Heaven grade Calamity Source.
Hearing this, the Diva's eyes shimmered, deeply moved.
“Let me feel your devil blood.” She reached out her delicate hand, grasping Feng Yao's slender fingers.
“Mhm.” Feng Yao clasped the Diva's hand, and strands of her Mortal Dust Devil Blood mingled on their fingertips, the power of the Sanguine Spirit Dragon surging.
“Though not overwhelmingly powerful, this is indeed the tribulation power of a high quality Calamity Source. I doubt even many Samsara Disciples in the Harmony Divine Palace possess such strength.”
The Diva was undoubtedly shocked after sensing it.
Finally, she remarked, “Truly worthy of being a 9-Star prodigy personally chosen by the Harmony Crown. Your foundation surpasses that of the so-called super geniuses across all 18 Stellar Rivers of the Samsara Galaxy by a wide margin.”
The Diva recalled how the Harmony Crown had identified her as possessing an 8-Star Diva talent. Yet, for her first and second celestial baptism, she dared not use a Sealing Heaven grade Calamity Source, adhering strictly to convention.
After all, cultivation was about gradual progression; using excessively potent Calamity Sources early on only bolstered one's ability to outpace peers temporarily. By the fourth or later celestial baptisms, the quality of everyone's tribulation power would average out.
BOOM! In an instant, her delicate figure was engulfed by the black shadow. The tempestuous power unfurled throughout the Harmony Divine Pool, drawing the alarmed attention of many Valkyrie Princesses.
“Diva! Yao Yao, she...”
Suddenly, many Valkyrie Princesses, faces etched with concern, gathered around.
“She's using the Swallowing Heaven grade Oblivion Shadow Calamity Source to reach the Second Baptism Realm?!”
These Valkyrie Princesses were dumbfounded; such a thing was meant for elders like them—how could it be given to a child?
Their stunned faces turned towards the Diva, tinged with doubt.
This was basically a death sentence!
“Just watch and see.” The Diva recognized their thoughts from their gazes.
Allowing Feng Yao to use a Swallowing Heaven grade Calamity Source was her decision, and she was prepared to take responsibility.
No one was more anxious than her at this moment...
After all, neither Yun Xiao nor Feng Yao themselves seemed worried.
Once the Oblivion Shadow merged, Yun Xiao, wielding the Mortal Dust Devil Blood, met it head-on, wrapping it up, then channeling the Mortal Dust Blood Calamity to absorb the blood of the Harmony Divine Pool while simultaneously integrating the tribulation power of the Oblivion Shadow.
The majority of the Oblivion Shadow's tribulation power was locked away by Yun Xiao using the Mortal Dust Devil Blood.
The cultivation method, aptly named Mortal Dust Blood Calamity, drew upon some of the strongest tribulations between heaven and earth, making Feng Yao's celestial baptism by fire somewhat easier.
Were it not for her delicate nature and the rarity of obtaining a Burying Heaven grade Calamity Source, Yun Xiao would have pushed her directly to that level.
SIZZLE! SIZZLE! SIZZLE! Her Corona and Mortal Dust Devil Blood grew steadily stronger.
Within the blood, the Sanguine Spirit Dragon and black storm from the Oblivion Shadow began to coalesce. These two mighty forces coiled around her body, spreading outward, adding a swirl of dark mist that lent Feng Yao an even more enchanting, bewitching, and seductive aura.
"You've reached the Second Baptism Realm, now take the chance to absorb as much blood from the Harmony Divine Pool as possible; see how far you can push it," Yun Xiao instructed.
"I know, no need to nag," Feng Yao responded. Her response was typical of someone who had grown too confident, perhaps even a bit spoiled.
But it couldn't be helped; Yun Xiao did indeed spoil her. As long as she remembered who was in charge, a little petulance was not a problem for a girl.
GURGLE! GURGLE! GURGLE! While the fog of the Oblivion Shadow lingered, Feng Yao absorbed copious amounts of spring water through the pores of her delicate body. Wherever the Mortal Dust Blood Calamity swept through, it transformed vast amounts of the water into Mortal Dust Devil Blood.
"Good thing this divine spring blood doesn't cause pregnancy," Feng Yao remarked.
"You don't want children?" Yun Xiao asked.
"I just don't want to do it alone. Can you imagine the hassle of raising a child by myself?" Feng Yao replied.
"Are you hinting at something?" Yun Xiao asked.
"I'm not hinting at anything. You're a human, I'm a devil; our races are different, so it wouldn't work," Feng Yao stated flatly.
"Devils are considered a kind of exotic species, especially the Yin Devil, closest to human lineage. I've heard that with enough attempts, it might be possible. We're both young, we have plenty of time," Yun Xiao said.
"No! Did I agree to be with you?" Feng Yao bit her lip.
"Whether you agree or not doesn't matter. Don't forget, you're just a little blood slave, and I'm the master," Yun Xiao declared.
"Pfft... Boring." Feng Yao chose to ignore him, focusing instead on the Mortal Dust Blood Calamity. Within her veins and Corona, the volume of her Mortal Dust Devil Blood surged, continuously breaking new ground.