18: Phosphorescent Butterfly Evolution

The world was a vast expanse of white, but the path home for the grandfather and grandson was steady and safe.

Just as they arrived home, the two of them tidied their clothes a bit and went to the Main Hall to pay their respects to Chu Mu.

The several types of medicinal herbs that Chu Mu had specifically requested were neatly placed on the Eight Immortals Table. Chu Jingyu bowed to the stone book before speaking excitedly,

"Ancestor Chu, the Materials you required are all here."

A faint radiance emanated from the book, and Chu Mu's calm voice drifted out from within,

"Mm, summon the Phosphorescent Butterfly."

Chu Shengfan opened his palm, and the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] appeared within it, spreading its wings.

Several silk-like ribbons of spiritual light extended from the book. The [purple iris flower], [Blood Life Grass], [Bright Jade Stone], and the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] were drawn toward the jade book by these thread-like spiritual lights.

Seeing this, a look of panic appeared on Chu Shengfan's face, and he instinctively reached out to grab it.

Seeing this, Chu Jingyu reached out and grabbed Chu Shengfan's arm, signaling him with a look to remain calm.

"Don't worry, it won't take long before it comes back out."

Although Chu Mu said so, Chu Shengfan's eyes were still filled with uncontrollable worry as he watched the silhouette of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] gradually vanish into the book.

Chu Mu had long expected this kind of reaction; these Chu Family Members didn't yet fully believe in his identity.

Some trust requires time to build. For a Origin Artifact like him, whose long lifespan had no visible end, time was the one thing he didn't lack.

Within the space inside the book, Chu Mu sat in a pavilion. On the table before him appeared those Materials, along with the somewhat confused [Phosphorescent Butterfly] that had arrived in this space.

Chu Mu first touched the three Materials one by one, a look of excitement in his eyes. He didn't know how long it had been, but he was finally able to touch objects from the real world again.

Then, his gaze shifted to the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] fluttering above the pavilion, seemingly looking for a way out, and he gently beckoned to it.

It involuntarily flew to Chu Mu. He placed a finger on its trembling wings, feeling the vigorous power of life, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

A few minutes later, the evolution ritual for the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] began.

In this space, Chu Mu was the undisputed, uncrowned Dominator. Without the need for other tools, all the Materials would be refined and separated according to his thoughts.

The pinkish-purple petals of the [purple iris flower] were stripped from the stems piece by piece and floated in the air. The [Bright Light Jade] was crushed into powder, which then either circled or adhered to the surface of the purple iris flower petals.

The [Blood Life Grass] was crushed out of thin air, extracting a green juice that then wove through the dust transformed from the bright light stone, which was attracted by the liquid.

Together, they formed a thin, tiny stream of water that shimmered with specks of light.

With a point of Chu Mu's finger, this tiny stream was evenly applied to the surface of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly]'s body. Then, the purple iris flower petals coated in dust enveloped the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] from different directions,

forming something like a pinkish-purple 'cocoon' speckled with shimmering white stars.

Chu Mu felt the remaining four points of Source Spirit, and his mouth twitched involuntarily; he had been too hasty.

It was true that checking the evolution path of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] had cost 20 points of Source Spirit, but who knew that the evolution process itself would also consume Source Spirit?

Excluding the previous costs, the evolution process itself had consumed a full ten points of Source Spirit.

Fortunately, the consumption didn't exceed his limit, and there was a bit left over. Otherwise, if the evolution failed, the image of Ancestor Chu he had worked so hard to build in front of the Chu Family Members would have collapsed.

Time passed minute by minute. About an hour later, the purple iris flower petals surrounding the [Phosphorescent Butterfly] finally underwent a new change.

These petals instantly turned dull yellow and withered, then dissipated into the air as dust.

Amidst the light and shadow of the dissipating dust, a butterfly with a greatly changed appearance spread its wings.

Its body seemed slightly larger, and the sharp edges of its wings had disappeared, replaced by elegant curves, looking as if four flower petals had been joined together.

From the center to the edges of the wings, the color transitioned from light purple to pinkish-purple, with specks of purple and white light powder shimmering on them.

A faint fragrance wafted out in all directions as its wings vibrated.

After observing the current appearance of the [Phosphorescent Butterfly], Chu Mu quickly flipped open the jade book beside him to check all its current information.

[Name: Flower Medicine Butterfly (Chu Shengfan)

Rank: Mortal Rank Middle Tier

Aptitude: one in a hundred

Status: Like a New Birth, Energetic

Attribute Tendency: Flower, Medicine, Light

Abilities: 1. Flower Medicine Powder: The Flower Medicine Butterfly sprinkles dust, releasing Flower Medicine Powder that can quickly heal external injuries (burns, trauma, abrasions, etc.) on a target.

2. Flower Medicine Fragrance: The Flower Medicine Butterfly emits a faint fragrance that can invigorate the target's spirit and dispel illusory scenes from their mind.

3. Harmonious Light Phosphorus Shield: Sheds dust carrying the light element, swirling around to form a protective light shield.

4. Herb Gathering: The Flower Medicine Butterfly collects medicinal powder from different flowers, which not only enhances its own abilities and allows it to grow but also greatly promotes the growth of floral plants.

Evolution Path: None]

Looking at this information, Chu Mu didn't show any special expression. He didn't know much about the Source Beasts of this world,

so he didn't know if the evolved [Flower Medicine Butterfly] would meet the expectations of the Chu Family Members compared to the pre-evolution [Phosphorescent Butterfly].

It was certainly better than before, but he didn't know to what extent.

Thus, Chu Mu gently stroked the [Flower Medicine Butterfly] twice before sending it out of the book space.

In the Main Hall, Chu Shengfan looked distracted. His newly contracted Source Beast had been away from him for so long, and their mental connection had even been severed; he couldn't help but worry.

The stone book, which had been silent for over an hour, lit up again. The Chu Family Members, who had been chatting, immediately fell silent.

A pinkish-purple butterfly slowly flew out from the book, accompanied by Chu Mu's words,

"The evolution is complete. This is named the Flower Medicine Butterfly."

Feeling the connection reappear in his mind, Chu Shengfan could say with absolute certainty that the drastically changed creature before him was indeed his [Phosphorescent Butterfly].

He hurriedly extended his palm, letting it land affectionately in his hand, and slowly began to digest the various pieces of information about the [Flower Medicine Butterfly] through their contract bond.

Chu Jingyu looked at the dazed Chu Shengfan, a hint of helplessness flashing across his face. He bowed with hands clasped toward the book on the Eight Immortals Table,

"Many thanks to Ancestor Chu for evolving the Source Beast for Xiao Fan."

Chu Mu remained noncommittal to his thanks. "The Chu Family should have its own output."

As Chu Mu's calm voice drifted out, Chu Jingyu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he replied, "Yes. May I ask what kind of output Ancestor Chu wishes the Chu Family to have?"

Through his secret observations over the past few days, Chu Mu had gained a certain understanding of Fuhe Village, where the Chu Family resided.

Fuhe Village made a living by mining and raising cranes for others. Chu Mu hadn't seen them mention grain production, nor did he know if there was fertile land suitable for planting here.

However, Chu Jingyu went up the mountain to gather herbs all year round, so planting some medicinal herbs would be quite appropriate.

"medicinal fields and Flower Fields. Let's start with these two."

After saying this, the stone book returned to its silence once more, becoming an ordinary-looking stone carving.