Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 1157, Nine Tails’ Art of Transformation

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silvain

“Congratulations… you’ve broken through.” With a warm, lilting smile, Yu Zi Yu gazed upon the figure before him, satisfaction clearly visible on his face.

A breakthrough.

And not just any breakthrough, a perfect one.

Her aura was completely stable, harmonious and complete. Even in other aspects, she had emerged refined and reborn.

Now, both her Principle of Sealing and Principle of Elemental Fire had condensed into Marks of Principle. They were proof of her mastery.

If one looked closely, they would see glowing flame-patterns etched across her skin, pulsating with a fiery red glow.

And coiled tightly around her was an ethereal silver-white chain, almost solidifying into reality.

At that moment, an unspeakable pressure began to weigh on the surroundings, almost solidifying the very air.

It was not the oppression caused by her majestic cultivation, but something far deeper.

It was the Principle of Sealing, inadvertently revealing its terrifying aspect.

Anyone who came into contact with that silver chain, no matter how powerful, in that instant, would be reduced to a mere Mortal, even someone as strong as a Tier-5.

The Principle of Sealing was one of the highest-ranked Superior Principles, standing just beneath the Ten Supreme Principles.

Its terrifying might was beyond Mortal comprehension.

“Master…” Another soft whisper escaped Nine Tails’ lips as a faint, charming smile curved along her mouth.

But then, seemingly thinking of something, her eyes flickered non-stop, as she gazed upon Yu Zi Yu’s current form.

Dressed in pristine white, standing tall with an otherworldly grace.

Just a single glance was enough to tell that he did not belong to this Mortal world.

This was her Master.

And suddenly, a thought bloomed in her heart, “Perhaps… I can take on a form like his too…”

And just as suddenly, an art from her forgotten bloodline resurfaced in her memory.

She was a Celestial Fox—one of the most enigmatic races among all beings.

Their legacy? Mysterious and frighteningly powerful.

And within that legacy lay an amazing technique: The Art of Transformation.

In myths and legends, Fox Monsters were masters of disguise, often wandering in the world in Human guise.

From those tales, one could only imagine the level of mastery the Celestial Fox clan had over this art.

And so, with a flicker of resolve in her heart, Nine Tails suddenly spoke, “Master… could you… turn around for a moment?”

“Turn around!?” Yu Zi Yu blinked, a bit puzzled, but nodded nonetheless and slowly turned his back to her.

And then…

*Boom…* A sudden rumble shook the air behind him.

Even he was slightly taken aback as a mysterious ripple surged through the atmosphere, both arcane and profound.

The ripple charried a touch of awkwardness, tinged with a hint of unpracticed motion.

Nonetheless, its aura was astonishingly stable.

“What’s this?” Surprise danced in Yu Zi Yu’s eyes, a few speculations also popped up in his mind.

And not long after…

“Master… you may turn around now,” a timid voice, soft and fluttering, rose from behind.

Shy. Nervous. Almost trembling.

“Very well.” With a gentle smile, Yu Zi Yu turned around as she requested.

And in that moment, what met his eyes was something utterly beyond words.

Stunning, absolutely stunning.

For within a world of flame, where it seemed crimson lotuses were blooming from the scorched earth, there stood a charming figure bathed in warm embers, and shrouded in a soft, ethereal glow.

She had a captivating aura, but without a trace of vulgar charm.

Between her brows, there lingered a kind of allure. It was difficult to put into words.

On her wrist, fair as new-fallen snow, a bracelet forged of flame shimmered with brilliance. And around her form, silver-white chains drifted gently like Dragons and Serpents, winding slowly through the air.

But of course, none of that was what truly mattered.

What truly stood out was her entire being, radiating an innate grace, and in every smile, every frown, she exuded an air of nobility.

Even Yu Zi Yu couldn’t help but admit. He was utterly stunned by her elegance and charm.

But alas, that stunning beauty was fleeting.

Because, in the very next breath…

“I… I can’t hold it anymore…” With a helpless voice, a whirlwind of flame erupted once more.

And as the crimson winds roared, that breathtaking silhouette vanished, replaced once again by the familiar form of the Red Fox.

At that moment, if one looked closely at Nine Tails, they’d see an expression caught between resignation and smug pride.

Resigned—because she had only just stepped into Tier-6, and hadn’t had time to fully master her Art of Transformation. At most, she could hold the form for a brief instant.

Proud—because in that single instant, she had managed to stun her Master.

It was the first time she’d ever seen Yu Zi Yu wear that look of awe and disbelief.

“Did you shape-shift?”  Yu Zi Yu asked, a bit uncertain.

“No…” Shaking her head with a soft laugh, Nine Tails replied, “That was the Art of Transformation. It is the very foundation upon which my Celestial Fox Clan stands on.”

As she spoke, Nine Tails continued explaining, “The reason our Celestial Fox Clan is so mysterious lies in our ever-changing nature. Very few are able to see through our disguises; even when we walk among the myriad races, they remain unaware of our true identity… And this art is vastly different from shapeshifting.”

Hearing her explanation, Yu Zi Yu also nodded his understanding.

There was indeed a crucial distinction between Shape-Shifting and the Art of Transformation.

Shape-shifting delved into the core of one’s being, altering its fundamental essence. The Art of Transformation, on the other hand, was concerned with the surface, with changing appearance.

They might appear similar initially, but in truth, they were worlds apart.

Yu Zi Yu’s Absolute Evolution leaned more toward Shape-Shifting, altering his very form and nature.

Birds and beasts alike, if they pursued Shape-Shifting, often possessed two appearances, their original form and a Humanoid one.

However, Humanoid does not mean being Human.

As for why most sentient beings took Humanoid Forms was simply because most of the races in the universe possessed Humanoid Forms, be it the Angel Clan, the Titan Clan, or others. All shared similar shapes.

And truthfully, the Humanoid Form was extremely convenient.

In fact, Bull Demon, for instance, walked the path of true Shape-Shifting.

His Bull-headed, Humanoid appearance was his form after Shape-Shifting.

The stronger he grew, the more Humanlike he became. By the time he stepped into Tier-6, it was likely that aside from the crescent-shaped horns atop his head, he’d be indistinguishable from a Human.

But Nine Tails… she did not walk the path of Shape-Shifting.

Instead, her Clan specialized in the art of change.

And their mastery over this art… far surpassed the imagination of most beings.

In fact, it could be said that the Celestial Fox Clan’s Art of Transformation was approaching the level of Absolute Evolution itself, almost on the verge of altering their essence.

Of course, Yu Zi Yu had no idea about any of that.

Right now, he was still caught up in the memory of her previous form.

It was… truly stunning.

Seductive, yet not vulgar.

Enchanting, yet carried a quiet dignity.

Her every subtle expression, every glance was ethereal and mesmerizing.

If in that form, she ever walked the world of Earth, she might very well captivate half the Human Race.

A chuckle escaped Yu Zi Yu’s lips, and a strange thought surfaced in his mind.

“Master, what are you thinking about?”

Noticing something, Nine Tails tilted her head, her gaze filled with suspicion.

*Hehe…* Yu Zi Yu chuckled softly and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. “I was just thinking that the Little Fox from back then has finally grown up.”