That monkey was incredibly troublesome. Han Zhiyuan even forced Heidan to throw back the giant peach, but the relentless monkey still pursued them. The monkey’s speed was astonishing, and in the chaos, Han Zhiyuan accidentally stumbled into a light screen and found himself in a different world.
Although only separated by a thin light screen, the contrast with the outside world was stark—clear skies, warm sunshine, birds singing, and flowers blooming. It was like stepping into a completely different realm.
“What the hell is this?” Han Zhiyuan muttered, his face darkening.
Feng Yu instantly transformed into his human form, a flash of joy crossing his usually calm eyes. “A sage’s relic.”
Han Zhiyuan was taken aback. Was this the proverbial blind cat that stumbles upon a dead rat? “So, what now?” He thought it would be safer to stick close to the thousand-year-old bird king in this unfamiliar environment.
Even though he had only taken a few steps inside, looking back, he saw an expansive world with no sign of the entrance. It was clear that this was an entirely separate space, and each person who entered landed at a different starting point.
“Follow your instincts,” Feng Yu said casually. Being a sage’s relic, it was sure to be filled with rare treasures, magical herbs, and artifacts, each of which would be of deadly temptation to a cultivator. However, for a powerful demon emperor, only the highest-grade rare spiritual artifacts could catch his eye.
Han Zhiyuan glanced at the Peacock King’s backside involuntarily, suddenly finding it perky and sexy, making him swallow hard. He thought to himself that touching it indeed felt different. Just then, Feng Yu turned around suddenly, and Han Zhiyuan quickly averted his gaze, feeling guilty. He mused inwardly, “As expected of the bird king, recovering so fast even after what we did.”
The original body was a warrior, knowledgeable about magical artifacts and spiritual herbs. Now that his cultivation had skyrocketed to the level of a grand warrior, his sensitivity to such items had increased several times over, especially with Heidan’s keen nose. They quickly gathered many high-grade spiritual herbs and even two heavenly artifacts. To put it in perspective, Han Zhiyuan’s life-bound Xuanqing sword wasn’t even of the lowest grade, Huang-level.
At that moment, he faintly heard voices from a distance.
“It’s said there’s an immortal spiritual herb over there.” A stranger’s voice reached his ears.
“Really?” Another person widened his eyes in disbelief.
“Absolutely, it’s said that even several sage realm experts have gone there.”
“That’s a holy-level spiritual herb!” Another incredulous voice exclaimed.
“Hurry, let’s go take a look!”
Han Zhiyuan noticed Feng Yu’s eyes flash with interest and asked, “Does that thing have any use for you?”
“Yes,” Feng Yu replied, “A holy-level spiritual herb can repair the primordial spirit, something even a Martial Emperor-level expert would covet.”
Han Zhiyuan was delighted. Feng Yu needed this the most right now. He quickly called Heidan, “Let’s go check it out.” Good things go to those who can seize them, though luck also plays a part. “You won’t be recognized, will you?” He asked. To those people, Feng Yu was far more precious than the immortal herb.
“No,” Feng Yu replied, his gaze complicated as he looked at Han Zhiyuan. He didn’t want to be used as cannon fodder, yet why did he follow without hesitation? For some reason, Feng Yu suddenly recalled the feeling of their intimate contact earlier, his body momentarily going soft, as if attacked by some mysterious force.
When they arrived, the place was already packed. Han Zhiyuan looked up to see a towering stone peak with a plant resembling a narcissus partially visible halfway up the cliff. Especially the palm-sized milky white flowers that swayed gently in the wind, exuding a refreshing fragrance even from dozens of meters away. Han Zhiyuan felt his fatigue of the past few days vanish in an instant with just one whiff.
No wonder everyone was fighting for it. Many had already engaged in fierce battles for it. Various grotesque monsters carried several powerful figures in the air, fighting intensely. Due to the mysterious power of the Royal Severance Mountains, everyone’s cultivation was restricted to the grand warrior level. Without flying beasts, they couldn’t fly in the air.
Everyone wanted it but had to prevent others from getting it. Thus, several sage realm experts were fighting fiercely above, young talents from various sage realms were fighting below, and the lone spectators were waiting for their chance. In short, everyone was fighting for a single herb.
The scene left Han Zhiyuan in awe. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He looked at Heidan at his feet, his eyes lighting up.
“Heidan, it’s time to show your worth.” He whispered in Heidan’s ear, pointing at the immortal herb halfway up the mountain, not caring if it understood.
Feng Yu saw him smiling sinisterly at the people fighting in the air, then noticed Heidan had disappeared. Realizing what might happen, Feng Yu’s eyes widened, “Nonsense!”
Han Zhiyuan shot him a sideways glance. “Don’t worry, Heidan isn’t that stupid. It’s quite clever.” Besides, even if it failed, Heidan could escape with its speed. If the bird king’s primordial spirit were truly healed, Han Zhiyuan wouldn’t have to worry about his life being in constant danger, like with the emperor snake that nearly killed him. With such a powerful backer, he’d be safe.
The refreshing fragrance filled the air, the gentle glow from the immortal herb, and everything about it drove the contestants to fight even harder. Suddenly, an inconspicuous claw stealthily reached for the herb.
Although the immortal herb grew on a cliff, a large protruding rock behind it formed a blind spot, making it invisible from below. Those fighting above had no time to check, and no one expected anyone to dare to do such a reckless thing under everyone’s eyes.
Han Zhiyuan had counted on this. He watched as Heidan slowly uprooted the herb and retreated. Han Zhiyuan was relieved; Heidan wasn’t stupid at all.
However, just as Heidan was sneaking away, someone in the air suddenly shouted, “Damn beast, how dare you! Courting death!” A primordial force sword slashed towards Heidan.
Han Zhiyuan was shocked, “We’ve been discovered, retreat!” He quickly moved towards the crowd, Feng Yu reluctantly following.
“That’s the immortal herb! Courting death!”
“How dare that beast!”
……
In a flash, everyone noticed, their eyes turning red. They rushed towards Heidan.
“It’s him! That reckless kid!” Someone shouted.
“It’s that young dragon!” Dragons were rare, mysterious, and the most noble and powerful beings among the demon race. When they entered earlier, most didn’t notice, but those who did were already shocked.
Now that it appeared again, not just the onlookers but even the sage realm experts were eager. Forget the immortal herb, capturing the dragon and taming it as a mount would be a massive stroke of luck.
“Catch it!”
“That’s a dragon! My god!”
Han Zhiyuan retreated, thinking it was troublesome to have two valuable companions. He turned to see the little dragon running fast with the immortal herb in its mouth, its eyes darting around looking for him.
“Here, Heidan, I’m here!” Han Zhiyuan shouted. Heidan’s eyes brightened, and it rushed over, but attacks from the primordial force swords and knives were closing in on it.
Feng Yu glared at Han Zhiyuan with silent accusation, as if to say, “See what your lousy idea has done!”
Just then, “Shameless humans! Who dares to harm it!” Several giant birds appeared in the sky, and land-based beasts like the lion king blocked the humans. The demon race wouldn’t tolerate insults to their royal blood. Seeing the young dragon, the demons were both angry and excited, ready to protect it at all costs.
But they were outnumbered by humans. However, Heidan proved its worth by breaking through the encirclement with its incredible speed.
“Run!” Han Zhiyuan grabbed Feng Yu, who transformed into his true form, and they ran with increasing synergy.
The onlookers saw a young man, carrying a white peacock and followed by a snake-like beast, dash out of the chaos.
They barely had time to react before seeing the massive pursuit. Han Zhiyuan ran with Feng Yu, whose cultivation had risen to the grand warrior level, and his speed was astonishing. They eventually broke out of the Royal Severance Mountains.
As they exited, Han Zhiyuan felt a sudden increase in Feng Yu’s aura, spreading a powerful pressure in all directions. It was the same overwhelming presence as when Han Zhiyuan first encountered the Peacock King.
“You’re restored?” Han Zhiyuan was startled but didn’t finish his sentence as Feng Yu leapt into the air, transforming into a large, crystalline white peacock. Its beauty left Han Zhiyuan in awe.
But before he could marvel, the peacock swooped down at him.
“Wait…” Han Zhiyuan felt a pain in his shoulder and was lifted into the air.
“Warn me next time!” he shouted, noticing Heidan was also being carried by the other claw.
“Daddy, this is fun!” Heidan said excitedly, trying to cling to Han Zhiyuan, who wisely stopped it, knowing a fall would be fatal.
The Peacock King’s wings, though not long, flew at incredible speed, quickly distancing them from the mountains. The pursuers were left behind, realizing the powerful aura and conceding defeat.
After dropping them off, Feng Yu reverted to human form, his silver hair flowing in the wind. He watched Han Zhiyuan and said, “Remember, you owe me.”
