Chapter 745: Vast Phenomena Melting Ancestral Beast

"This pearl is called Spirit Marrow Crystal," the Empress's daughter declared, a hint of pride flashing across her face. "It's the Empire's latest research achievement."

"More than a hundred years ago, we discovered 'demon cores' within certain exotic beasts—cores that cultivators could absorb and use for their practice."

"We found that the very essence of these beasts' flesh and blood could somehow generate spiritual energy crystals within their bodies. Although the spiritual energy's purity was very low, this phenomenon still caught the attention of the previous Imperial Emperor."

"After more than a century of persistent research, we have initially mastered the technology of synthesizing spiritual energy. While it requires a large amount of flesh and blood as raw material, the spiritual energy crystals we cultivate are very close in purity to the high-grade spirit stones of the Xuanhuang Realm."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bai couldn't help but show a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He carefully examined the Spirit Marrow Crystal before him and slowly nodded. "Remarkable. With such a method, given enough time, I believe you could transform this world into a small realm suitable for cultivators. However, if that's its only use, it still won't significantly help the current situation. Not to mention our Myriad Realms Alliance, any reliable force in the Xuanhuang Realm wouldn't lack spirit stones." Xu Bai said with some regret.

The Empress's daughter seemed to have anticipated Xu Bai's reaction. "I am well aware of that. If the Spirit Marrow Crystal's only purpose were to provide spiritual energy, I wouldn't have ranked its importance after the Orbital Stabilizer."

"In fact, the Spirit Marrow Crystal's primary function is to seamlessly transfer various abilities belonging to exotic beasts to humans, without any side effects."

A red light flashed, and a round pearl, seemingly wreathed in flames, appeared in her palm.

"This is a Spirit Marrow Crystal made from an exotic beast called the Blazing Tiger. You might as well try its effect first," the Empress's daughter said confidently, handing over the red pearl.

"Inherit demonic beast abilities?" In an instant, Xu Bai thought of the wondrous treasure Dongfang Yao had once mentioned. The effect was similar, only that treasure activated ancient bloodline abilities within one's own body.

Clasping the red Spirit Marrow Crystal in his palm, Xu Bai applied slight pressure.

Like a glass bead, it instantly shattered. In that moment, countless red flames, like fiery dragons, snaked along Xu Bai's arm and burrowed into his body.

"Roar!" Before his eyes, a furious demonic tiger, seemingly composed of flames, appeared, letting out an angry, resentful roar.

Xu Bai snorted coldly, and the illusion shattered instantly.

A surge of heat circulated once within his body before finally disappearing into his glabella.

Xu Bai closed his eyes to sense it. Moments later, a flicker of red flame appeared in his palm.

It flickered continuously, distorting the air around it with its heat.

Xu Bai's expression turned solemn.

This was because the flame didn't draw upon any spiritual energy or divine abilities. Instead, it was an instinct, like breathing, an inherent part of his body.

It could be activated with a single thought.

The flame transformed into various shapes according to Xu Bai's will.

And as he continuously manipulated the flame, memories of how to use this fire ability surfaced in his mind.

Seeing Xu Bai master an exotic beast's ability so skillfully on his first attempt with the Spirit Marrow Crystal, the Empress's daughter appeared extremely surprised.

As if afraid Xu Bai might misunderstand, she quickly added, "Actually, inheriting an exotic beast's power through the Spirit Marrow Crystal isn't guaranteed to succeed 100%. Besides being related to an individual's aptitude and talent, it also has a certain connection to the strength of the ability itself."

"According to our research, the more powerful and rare an ability is, the harder it is for humans to master. And if the inheritance fails, the probability of success next time will be significantly reduced."

"There's also a limit to the number of abilities a single cultivator can inherit. The more abilities already mastered, the lower the chance of inheriting new ones."

The Empress's daughter elaborated on the rules for using the Spirit Marrow Crystal.

Xu Bai, however, seized upon the core of the matter: "How difficult is it to manufacture Spirit Marrow Crystals? How many exotic beasts are needed to create one?"

The Empress's daughter's flowing words abruptly ceased.

A blush appeared on her face, and the Empress's daughter said somewhat awkwardly, "It takes the flesh and blood of almost a thousand exotic beasts to produce a single Spirit Marrow Crystal. However, the Empire's cultivation technology is already very mature, so if resources are sufficient, there's no need to worry about the production volume of Spirit Marrow Crystals."

Xu Bai nodded slightly. "This is indeed a considerable bargaining chip. The power of an exotic beast is almost like a weakened version of a divine ability. In a life-or-death struggle, if used unexpectedly, it could have a miraculous effect."

"Anything else? Are there any more surprises?" Xu Bai asked.

The Empress's daughter immediately looked hesitant.

After a long pause, she slowly said, "This particular technology isn't mature yet..."

"No matter. The Alliance values potential. If it truly has limitless prospects, then we will not be stingy with our support," Xu Bai assured her.

The Empress's daughter didn't respond immediately. Instead, she turned her head, casting her gaze towards Xiao Qing, who was outside the imperial treasury.

After seeing Xiao Qing nod in silent approval, she took a deep breath and led Xu Bai to the deepest part of the treasury.

There, a massive metal furnace was placed.

Thousands of different exotic beasts were vividly carved onto the furnace.

Though no raging flames were visible, the furnace's temperature seemed extremely high.

Even from a distance, with Xu Bai's current strength, he could feel a faint hint of scorching heat.

"Bang! Bang!" Violent crashing sounds occasionally emanated from within the furnace.

Listening carefully, one could faintly hear the interwoven wails of countless exotic beasts. It was chilling.

The Empress's daughter seemed very wary of this furnace, standing even farther away from it than Xu Bai.

She quietly explained, "This object is called the Myriad Forms Furnace."

"Its origin is based on a conjecture—or perhaps, a fact."

"At the dawn of antiquity, all demonic beasts and exotic beasts in the world once belonged to a single entity."

"That was the origin of all demonic beasts, containing unimaginable power."

"Over countless years, an incalculable number of individual beings separated from it."

"So, is it possible to do the opposite? To re-melt all the exotic beasts in the world back into..."

"...that original entity?" Unfathomable light shone in the Empress's daughter's eyes.

"Even if we can't know every single demonic beast that has ever existed in the world, finding enough species to force out a slightly weaker fusion body... that should also be achievable."

"In fact, ten years ago, we briefly managed to fuse together a terrifying demonic beast."

"Its aura seemed even more terrifying than the nine-headed bird beneath our feet. Everyone present at the time, even Saint Masters Qing and Hong, were so frightened they lost the ability to move."

"Unfortunately, it didn't survive long and dissolved away on its own."