Emerging from that dark space of consciousness, Zong Shou felt groggy again, and it took a long time before his senses gradually returned to clarity.

He glanced out the window; it must have been the hour just before dawn. The first ray of sunlight was piercing the darkness, cutting through the clouds.

This meant he had been ‘asleep’ for a full day and night this time.

Truth be told, since arriving in this era, Zong Shou had never enjoyed such peaceful slumber, except perhaps for the very first few days. Over these past months, even with nightly meditation for recovery, the fatigue had been building up.

“Finally awake. That damned demonic woman really did cause me a huge mess this time!”

The reason he managed to delve into the depths of his consciousness this time was most likely due to the lingering effects of the 'Yellow Springs Netherworld Melody' that Zhao Yanran had played. That chance encounter allowed him to meet the true Zong Shou.

He stretched his limbs, feeling not only an immense physical refreshment but also a peak of soaring vitality in his spirit.

However, the moment he remembered the young boy whose existence had completely dissipated from this world, a wave of melancholy washed over Zong Shou once more.

“The Demon King of Qiantianshan? That truly presents me with a major challenge. This position won't be easily contended for—”

A silent, wry smile played across his face, yet a determined glint gradually sparked in Zong Shou’s eyes.

In the dreamscape, although he hadn't explicitly agreed, since it was the final wish of that other 'Zong Shou,' he would find a way to fulfill it, no matter what.

Since he had occupied this body, and could use it to continue climbing toward the peak of his aspirations, he felt he owed the young boy something in return.

Furthermore, he wasn't sure if it was because he had absorbed the true 'Zong Shou's' soul, merging nearly thirteen years of his memories and emotions. The thought that Qiantianshan, founded by his own father-king, might fall into the hands of Zong Shi or perhaps Zong Yang filled him with an intense discomfort. Unconsciously, he had allowed his emotions to become intertwined with this identity.

“Forget it! What’s wrong with fighting for it? In my past life, utterly alone, I dared to stand against the great sects of the Cloud Realm. Surely those people in Qiantianshan can’t be stronger than the Lingyun Sect?”

With a cold, dismissive sneer, Zong Shou recalled that pale blue halo of light.

Judging by the boy’s words, this object seemed to have been brought from ten thousand years in the future. But what exactly it was, Zong Shou hadn't the slightest clue.

He scratched his head in confusion, then Zong Shou froze again. He felt a patch of softness in his palm. It wasn't hair, but something resembling beast ears.

Something behind him also seemed to be drifting and waving unconsciously, stirring up faint breezes from time to time.

Zong Shou’s face immediately paled, and he rushed to the bronze mirror inside the carriage.

Then, he stood utterly frozen on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

At this moment, not only had two white fox ears sprouted behind the ears on his head, but two more snow-white tails, about three feet long, were now constantly swaying behind him.

After staring blankly for a long moment, Zong Shou finally reacted. At that instant, a sharp cry of "Ah!" echoed from within the carriage, a sound almost comparable to a woman’s shriek.

“Young Master, what is it? What happened?”

Su Chuxue and Yin Yang rushed into the carriage simultaneously. The former hurried in, her eyes filled with worry. Upon seeing Zong Shou, she also started, then a faint joy surfaced.

“The Demon Body? Young Master, the Celestial Fox blood within you has finally awakened! Heaven bless our Lord!”

“The Celestial Fox blood? Awakened?”

Zong Shou was slowly recovering from the shock and gradually calming down. The image in the mirror was simply too astonishing; even with his level of mental cultivation, he could not maintain composure.

Prompted by Chuxue’s words, he remembered that demon clans typically experience bloodline awakening around the age of twelve, gaining the various supernatural abilities bestowed by their heritage.

For instance, Chuxue possessed immense strength, agility, and precise intuition.

And the bloodline of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox was even superior to that of the Tiger-Cat clan.

By his age, he should have awakened long ago. The fact that it was delayed until today must have been because the original body was incapable of cultivation.

“It is the Celestial Fox bloodline!”

Chuxue’s eyes sparkled as she gazed fixedly at Zong Shou. She felt her Young Master was utterly adorable in this moment. Fighting the urge to rush forward and embrace him, she explained, “Both fox ears and tails are present, and they are pure white with star patterns. This must be the purest Celestial Fox blood! Those elders of the Zong Clan in Qiantianshan always claimed your lineage was impure. Hmph! Let’s see what they say when we return to Qiantianshan!”

“Indeed, a cause for celebration!”

Yin Yang nodded slightly, his expression one of deep relief. “If the Sovereign learned of this, he would be extraordinarily pleased! Two generations of pure Celestial Fox blood—the Sovereign and the Heir Apparent—they should be the true direct lineage of the Celestial Fox Zong Clan!”

Zong Shou looked closer and finally noticed that both the tails and the fox ears bore faint, star-like patterns, though the coloration was so light it was hard to perceive.

The next moment, however, his forehead was covered in dark lines. If he had to present himself to people in this form for the rest of his life, he might as well be killed.

After careful thought, he finally relaxed a bit. He was essentially a half-demon; his body held seven-eighths human blood and one-eighth Celestial Fox blood. Moreover, his human lineage was not inferior.

The time his demonic form manifested was only for a single day each month; he could endure it.

At worst, he could simply hide from everyone during the monthly manifestation.

He tried to comfort himself, but only for a moment before Zong Shou began to wrestle with his thoughts again. Even this single day felt intolerably difficult to bear.

“Zhao Yanran, Zhao Yanran! From this day forward, I swear eternal enmity with you!”

Zong Shou suddenly clenched his fists, a hint of gritting his teeth in his voice. For no discernible reason, he now utterly hated Zhao Yanran.

This Celestial Fox bloodline—not awakening early, not awakening late—it chose this moment, right after he devoured the true 'Zong Shou's' soul.

It could almost be excused as being caused by that woman.

Immediately, however, curiosity took over: what kind of unique abilities would the Celestial Fox bloodline grant him?

The purest Seven-Tailed Celestial Fox blood, according to Chuxue, surely wouldn't be lacking—

He decided to test it right away. After Yin Yang and Chuxue left the carriage, Zong Shou silently urged his internal energy and made his body sweep forward slightly. In an instant, he traversed several zhang.

“This speed is at least twenty percent faster than before! I have only awakened two tails now; how terrifying will I be when I reach seven? Legend says my father possessed nine tails at birth; this bloodline clearly has room for enhancement!”

Stopping his movement, a trace of shock flashed in Zong Shou’s eyes. No wonder the demon race was so incomparably powerful ten thousand years ago, serving as the main force against the demonic beasts and fiends of the myriad realms during the Ancient Era.

If everyone possessed such talent, they would truly far surpass humanity. Only the difficulty of reproduction kept them from developing and growing strong over millennia.

He threw another punch to test his strength. It felt slightly increased, but not significantly.

However, his bones and muscles felt considerably tougher, capable of withstanding greater force.

Yet, deep within his heart, for some unknown reason, a faint, violent, bloodthirsty intent lurked.

If his mind were not so clear and bright, he might not have noticed it at all.

“I recall historical texts stating that demons are typically crude, ferocious, extremely bloodthirsty, and cruel in their methods. It seems there is truth to that. By fusing the blood of those mighty, ancient fierce beasts, I have also inherited some of their primal nature. This must be the main reason the demon race was ostracized by the Cloud Realm. It cannot entirely be blamed on humankind for being ungrateful—”