Chapter Twenty-Six: The Foolish Bird Shows Its Might

Ke Rongzi was at first surprised but then understood. Beast tamers were always attentive to their own spirit beasts, especially one as soft and adorable as this little creature—it naturally called for careful tending. Yet, why was the young man taking out all sorts of odds and ends from his spirit ring?

The next moment, as if confirming his suspicions, the youth began to build a fire and roast fish, his movements smooth and natural, like flowing water. Ke Rongzi was instantly seized by the illusion that he had not come to explore a secret realm, but was instead accompanying some young master from a noble family on a spring outing.

As the aroma of roasted fish wafted through the air, the sense of incongruity only grew stronger. Everyone's eyes turned in unison toward them. Ke Rongzi's face flushed red.

Just then, the clear and youthful voice of the boy called out, “Uncle Ke, the fish is ready.”

All gazes converged upon him. Ke Rongzi, in a daze, walked over, took up the grilled fish, and took a hearty bite. All his chaotic thoughts were instantly swept away.

What fasting?

What cultivator pays no heed to the pleasures of the palate?

Before top-tier delicacies, such notions dissolve like bubbles.

By the time he reluctantly stopped, three or four fish bones had piled up at his feet. The blush crept from his cheeks down to his neck, and Ke Rongzi gave a couple of awkward chuckles to ease his embarrassment.

Looking over, he saw the youth patiently and attentively tearing apart the roasted fish, feeding small morsels to the white spirit beast. No matter how one looked at it, the little beast was impossibly cute. Such a creature would surely attract trouble, and likely couldn't fight at all, could it?

Ke Rongzi couldn't help but feel the concern of an old father, pondering how to plan for the youth's future. Before he could think further, trouble had already approached.

“How much for your roasted fish and that spirit beast?” demanded a newcomer.

He was dressed in splendid robes, a golden-white jade belt at his waist—every inch of him declaring: “I am rich!”

“I’ll give you ten high-grade spirit stones,” Mo Lin said grandly, pointing at the white beast with his finger, as if making a generous offer.

Su Li’s face darkened. So after all that, this guy was just a pauper putting on airs—ten high-grade spirit stones were nothing!

The azure bird thought this man must have a hole in his head.

Tiger Soul flexed his claws, secretly itching for a fight.

Several pairs of eyes now fixed on the youth. Shen Luo, ignoring it all, took out a silk handkerchief to wipe Su Li’s lips, then her paws, before finally straightening up. He asked, “What did you just say?”

Mo Lin frowned and repeated, “Ten roasted spirit fish, and I’ll buy that white beast as well. I’ll give you twelve high-grade spirit stones. Isn’t that a great deal?”

Shen Luo raised his brows slightly. “Not for sale.”

Mo Lin’s smile froze on his face. That low-grade beast was all looks and no use, not even worth a single mid-grade spirit stone. He’d already offered an exorbitant price, yet he was refused. Was the other party greedy, or simply... stupid?

Mo Lin’s voice turned cold. “Name your price, then.”

“Not for sale.” This time the youth didn’t even look at him.

Some of the surrounding cultivators stifled laughter.

A cold gleam flashed deep in Mo Lin’s eyes. Born to a great cultivation clan and lauded as a rising star of the younger generation, he was accustomed to adulation—never had he suffered such humiliation. His fist clenched as he glared, “That useless beast—I’m determined to have it today. Whether you want to sell or not, you will.”

No sooner had he spoken than a bird’s cry split the air. A massive black cloud circled above, and in an instant, the oppressive aura of a high-level spirit beast crashed down, weighing heavily on the weaker cultivators.

Someone exclaimed, “That’s a ninth-rank Golden-feathered Eagle, mid-Core Formation stage!”

The three spirit beasts perked up, delighted. It had been ages since they’d sparred with a truly powerful opponent. Each was eager for a challenge.

Especially the azure bird, who had been stifled for days and now charged forward. “I’ll roast that eagle into a crispy bird!”

Su Li and Tiger Soul exchanged glances; suddenly, the “foolish bird” seemed much more agreeable when it got fierce.

And so, it was decided.

Su Li leaped onto Shen Luo’s shoulder, her feline eyes darting around to find the best vantage point.

At that precise moment, all the female cultivators at the scene focused their burning gazes on her.

That spirit beast’s fur was pure snowy white, but what truly set her apart was the dark-red spider lily mark on her brow. When she tilted her head, those wide, dark-red cat eyes gazed over—she was the very definition of adorable.

Among those captivated was none other than Mo Lin’s beloved, Gu Hongshang.

Mo Lin’s heart melted at the bashful look in the beauty’s eyes.

Suddenly, the boy’s cool, clear voice cut through the air, “I accept your challenge.”

Ke Rongzi was a little surprised, but decided not to interfere—perhaps it would be good to let the youth be tested.

Seeing how readily he agreed, Mo Lin’s face showed a flicker of astonishment, which quickly turned into a cold sneer. “Then let me see your strength,” he replied, pointedly emphasizing the word “strength,” his tone thick with mockery.

At that moment, the azure bird shot skyward, moving at astonishing speed.

Sharp-eyed spectators realized it was the same fat, round, seemingly foolish bird that always lingered near the youth. Who would have thought it capable of such explosive power?

Unfortunately, pitting a Bone-refining stage beast against a mid-Core Formation opponent was courting disaster.

That’s what Mo Lin thought too, but a glimpse of Shen Luo’s calm face unsettled him. He reassured himself: surely it was all a bluff. The Golden-feathered Eagle was unbeatable; crushing a mere azure bird would be a trifle.

Everyone held their breath.

Under the moonlit sky, the Golden-feathered Eagle beat its wings, unleashing a fierce, cutting gale wrapped in mysterious energy, striking straight for the azure bird.

Days of intense training had made the azure bird even swifter. With a sharp intake of breath, it shot forward like a streak of blue lightning, closing in and spitting out ten streams of Vermilion Bird divine fire in rapid succession.

At the sight, Su Li’s lips curved in satisfaction.

The divine fire ignited whatever it touched, giving the eagle no time to react. The azure bird pressed the attack.

Before anyone could recover from their astonishment, the eagle’s thunderous assault missed and crashed down, nearly upon them.

Ke Rongzi swung his arm, casting a protective aura to shield the cultivators below, effortlessly deflecting the force.

A piercing screech shattered the night.

In the blink of an eye, the battle in the sky had turned upside down—the Golden-feathered Eagle was engulfed in tongues of fire.

Mo Lin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s Vermilion Bird divine fire...”

The eagle circled a few times in agony, then crashed to the earth with a thunderous boom, gouging a deep trench over a hundred meters long.

The scene fell utterly silent.

Tiger Soul grumbled discontentedly, “Too weak, far too weak. Clearly just a useless beast raised on spirit pills. To lose to a dumb bird—what a disgrace for spirit beasts.”

But Su Li thought otherwise. Ever since the last real battle, the azure bird’s confidence, experience, and technique had all far surpassed other beasts. That’s what made its victory so swift and decisive.

Amidst the complicated stares of the crowd, the triumphant azure bird swaggered back to Su Li, seeking praise. “Boss, I felt even faster during that fight!”

“Well done,” Su Li praised sincerely. “Some of your killing moves still need refining. We’ll set aside time for focused training.”

“Got it!” the azure bird agreed eagerly, determined to become, after Boss and Tiger Brother, the fiercest spirit beast in the cultivation world.

Satisfied with the compliment, the azure bird happily returned to its master.

Shen Luo rubbed its head, unsure whether to feel proud or simply amused.