“Awuu~”
A deafening roar echoed through the skies, and rolling black clouds roared and churned. The intense pressure was suffocating, creating an apocalyptic atmosphere.
Han Zhiyuan was planning to take advantage of the chaos to pull Hei Dan back and make a quick escape when he suddenly noticed that the old man who had been looking down on them from above had fallen from his flying mount at some point. The old man lay prostrate on the ground, trembling like a leaf in the wind.
“Dragon’s roar!” The Peacock King, held tightly in Han Zhiyuan’s arms, opened his beak and uttered these words. Already shattered in spirit, he couldn’t withstand such pressure. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, staining his white feathers red. His pale red eyes gradually became vacant before he tilted his head and fainted.
“Dragon…? Hey! Peacock King! You can’t die!” Han Zhiyuan was alarmed, urgently calling for the Demon King in his heart, but received no response.
In his panic, he looked at Hei Dan in the distance, who had somehow escaped from the golden net. Hei Dan was now staring curiously at the rolling black clouds in the sky, within which a massive golden body could be vaguely seen.
An idea struck Han Zhiyuan. “Hei Dan, respond quickly! It might be your father calling you!”
Hei Dan tilted his head to look at Han Zhiyuan, then obediently raised his head and softly cried, “Aow~” He then turned back to Han Zhiyuan, chirping incessantly as if seeking approval.
Han Zhiyuan: … Right, how could a golden dragon give birth to a green dragon? I was overthinking it.
However, the rolling black clouds began to disperse, leaving Han Zhiyuan dumbfounded. The sky brightened, and the dragon’s roar that had echoed through the clouds ceased. If not for the lingering oppressive pressure, he might have thought it was all an illusion.
Suddenly, beside Hei Dan appeared a giant man, about two and a half meters tall, dressed in green robes fluttering in the wind. Despite his imposing stature, he had a dignified and handsome appearance, creating an oddly harmonious yet bizarre scene.
“Golden… Golden dragon!” The old man from before pointed shakily at the giant man, trembling. Realizing something, he immediately turned and fled at an unimaginable speed.
“Hmph! Trying to escape?” The giant man raised an eyebrow and sent a beam of golden light towards the fleeing figure. Han Zhiyuan watched in shock as the man was reduced to dust, not even leaving a scream behind.
Han Zhiyuan gasped in awe. Such power!
The giant man first shared a look with Hei Dan, who was blinking his big eyes at him. Then he picked up Hei Dan and hung him on his arm before walking towards Han Zhiyuan. Upon seeing the Peacock King in Han Zhiyuan’s arms, he frowned slightly.
He then sized up Han Zhiyuan from head to toe, clicking his tongue occasionally.
“Strange, strange,” the giant man muttered, then suddenly realized, “No wonder my son was drawn to you.”
“Senior, you are?” So this is Hei Dan’s father. Hei Dan chirped and rolled over on the giant’s arm, looking very comfortable with his eyes half-closed.
“Hahaha~” Hei Dan’s father laughed heartily, then sighed, “A thousand years, trapped in the Huang Duan Mountains for a thousand years, finally free! Hahaha~”
Han Zhiyuan’s eyes lit up. A thousand years? How old must he be? How strong must he be? “Congratulations on your escape, Senior. Could you help me with something?”
“Speak,” Hei Dan’s father replied cheerfully, rubbing Hei Dan affectionately. “You have done me a favor.”
Finally, some good luck. “Could you help me take a look at him?” Han Zhiyuan pointed to the unconscious Peacock King in his arms.
Hei Dan’s father’s eyes emitted a golden light as he looked at the Peacock King. His frown deepened as he examined the bird, his eyes finally showing a hint of surprise and admiration. “Heavenly Tribulation!”
Han Zhiyuan’s heart skipped a beat. He really knows his stuff. He then briefly explained what had happened. As expected, Hei Dan’s father frowned, his anger barely concealed, making Han Zhiyuan feel an urge to retreat.
Han Zhiyuan learned that this place was called the Huang Duan Mountains, one of the most mysterious places on the Nine Heavens Continent. Anyone entering these mountains would be forcibly suppressed to the level of a Great Martial Master, even a Martial Emperor. Those below the level of a Great Martial Master would remain as they are, but normal people wouldn’t dare enter this place without being at least a Great Martial Master or possessing powerful artifacts, as it was a place of no return.
Hearing this, Han Zhiyuan felt a shiver run down his spine. They were now in the central area of the Huang Duan Mountains, surrounded by dangers and high-level monsters, with even stronger warriors lurking around.
Han Zhiyuan marveled at his luck. Surviving with the weak body of his original host without a powerful golden finger seemed almost impossible.
Hei Dan’s father had the strength of a demon emperor a thousand years ago. He had entered the central region of the Huang Duan Mountains to explore but encountered a powerful human warrior. Their battle was intense and prolonged until Hei Dan’s egg was severely damaged by the human warrior. To save Hei Dan, the giant was defeated and trapped in a mysterious prohibition for over a thousand years.
Through centuries of contemplation, Hei Dan’s father broke through the restriction today, transcending the Huang Duan Mountains and feeling no more limitations. He sensed Hei Dan’s danger from a thousand miles away and rushed over.
Han Zhiyuan was amazed. How powerful must he be to transcend the Huang Duan Mountains’ restrictions? Even the arrogant Peacock King was no match. Sensing a glimmer of hope, Han Zhiyuan thought that such a powerful being might be able to break the Demon King’s seal.
Considering Han Zhiyuan had helped Hei Dan hatch and the Peacock King was a top genius among the demons, Hei Dan’s father would help even without Han Zhiyuan asking.
Hei Dan’s father raised his large hand, and a gentle golden light flowed into the Peacock King’s head, permeating every feather. Soon, the white peacock was enveloped in the golden light.
After about half an hour, the peacock transformed into a human form, and the giant withdrew the golden light.
But… he wasn’t wearing clothes! To avoid getting hit when the Peacock King woke up, Han Zhiyuan quickly covered him with his robe. For some reason, seeing the naked man elicited a reaction from him.
“Senior, how is he?” Han Zhiyuan asked, trying to look away from the seemingly lifeless body leaning softly against him.
Hei Dan’s father seemed unaware of Han Zhiyuan’s discomfort. He frowned tightly, “His primordial spirit is severely damaged, shattered. If it were anyone else, they would have perished. Our demon race has produced such an exceptional genius.” He looked genuinely impressed.
Han Zhiyuan’s hopes soared. This dragon had lived for thousands of years and possessed incredible power. Could he break the Demon King’s seal? “Senior, did you find any abnormalities? Like a restriction on his soul?”
“Oh?” Hei Dan’s father looked surprised. “You knew?”
Han Zhiyuan was overjoyed. This was promising. “Please, tell me more.”
Hei Dan’s father hesitated, then said, “While healing him, I discovered a strong restriction on his main soul. It’s so powerful that even I felt a shudder when I touched it. It’s a truly terrifying existence.”
“Ah?” Han Zhiyuan was shocked. “Can it be broken?”
Seeing Han Zhiyuan’s despair, Hei Dan’s father reassured him, “It’s powerful but not malicious. Besides, I have studied restrictions deeply in my early years.”
“Really?” Han Zhiyuan was excited. “Please, tell me.”
“If I’m not mistaken, this is the Restriction of True Emotion.”
“What does that mean?”
“The Peacock King must be a person without heart or emotion, right?” Hei Dan’s father speculated.
“Seems so.” Han Zhiyuan nodded. The Peacock King had risked his life to save him multiple times but never even said thank you, even attacking him later.
“Simple, if he falls in love, the restriction will be lifted.”
Han Zhiyuan was speechless. Could it get any more melodramatic? This was like a cliché TV drama.
“Restriction of True Emotion?” A cold voice suddenly murmured. Han Zhiyuan looked down to see the Peacock King, now awake and standing a meter away, wearing a luxurious white robe, his face showing a rare hint of happiness. His eyes were still cold but now had a touch of joy.
“So it is,” Hei Dan’s father laughed heartily. “A promising young talent, much stronger than I was. Well done!” He then turned to Han Zhiyuan. “Human boy, take care of my son for a few days. I have some matters to attend to. You will be well rewarded!”
Before Han Zhiyuan could respond, he handed Hei Dan to him and disappeared in an instant.
Han Zhiyuan: …
Looking down, he saw Hei Dan gazing at him with big, innocent eyes. “Papa~” Hei Dan clung to him like an octopus.
“Didn’t your dad just leave?” Han Zhiyuan’s face darkened. “Didn’t you see him leave you behind?”
Hei Dan fell to the ground and then crawled to the Peacock King’s feet, looking up at him pitifully. “Mama~”
Han Zhiyuan laughed heartily, mocking the Peacock King.
Ignoring the dragon, the Peacock King turned to Han Zhiyuan, “Let’s go.”
“Where to?” Han Zhiyuan was puzzled.
The Peacock King stared at him coldly, “You said you’d take me to my mother.”
“Oh right, this kid is smarter than I am.” Han Zhiyuan laughed at himself. He was too fixated on the Peacock King being a top demon and the turmoil in his heart, but he was a child nonetheless.
Seeing the Peacock King staring at him without a word, Han Zhiyuan hurriedly smiled, “Fine, fine. How could I forget?”
Suddenly, he felt something was off. The Peacock King, with his cold demeanor, seemed to have lost his icy nature after just one battle, showing no intent to harm Han Zhiyuan. This made Han Zhiyuan sigh in relief.
After about an hour, Han Zhiyuan sensed something amiss. The Peacock King was leading the way through the Huang Duan Mountains as if he knew the place well.
“Wait, are you familiar with this area?” Han Zhiyuan couldn’t help but ask.
The Peacock King gave him a sideways glance, “Of course, I was raised here.”
Han Zhiyuan was stunned. “Then why did you follow me out of the mountains earlier?”
“I had to find my mother,” the Peacock King replied without hesitation.
Han Zhiyuan: …