Chapter 57: That Dead Bird is So Fast

Han Yang relied on his eyes of insight to anticipate the movement trajectory of the fire lizards in advance, cleverly avoiding their line of sight and approaching the holy golden lotus step by step.

Finally, he arrived right in front of the holy golden lotus.

This strange plant was entirely golden in color, with layer upon layer of petals, emanating a rich and dense spiritual energy.

"Blooming once every thousand years, bearing fruit once every thousand years, bringing the dead back to life... truly a magnificent treasure!"

Han Yang rejoiced inwardly, and was just about to reach out and pluck it.

Suddenly, a sharp screech pierced the tranquility of the valley.

The three fire lizards had somehow discovered Han Yang, their scarlet eyes locked onto him with intense hostility.

They spat scorching flames from their mouths, surrounding him completely.

"Hah, you arrived quite quickly."

Han Yang sneered, unhurriedly unfurling his golden Roc wings.

The golden radiance flared brilliantly, and the razor-sharp golden feathers transformed into countless sword auras, slashing toward the fire lizards.

"Great Roc Golden Feather Slash!"

Golden light flashed, sword auras crisscrossed, and a series of ear-splitting sonic booms instantly resounded through the valley.

Although the fire lizards possessed tough hides and thick flesh, they found it difficult to withstand the razor-sharp sword auras.

Deep, bone-visible wounds quickly appeared all over their bodies.

"Roar!"

Stung by the pain, the fire lizards let out angry roars, their attacks growing even more ferocious.

They spewed flames more frequently, turning nearly the entire valley into a sea of fire.

While dodging the attacks of the fire lizards, Han Yang searched for their weaknesses.

He discovered that although these fire lizards possessed formidable offensive power, their movements were relatively sluggish, and they seemed exceptionally sensitive to water-attribute attacks.

"It seems I need to think of a way to deal with them using water."

Han Yang pondered to himself, his gaze falling upon a small stream running through the valley.

With a thought in his mind, he flapped his golden Roc wings fiercely, whipping up a violent gale.

The water from the stream was swept up into mid-air, transforming into a water dragon that surged toward the fire lizards.

"Awooo—"

The sudden water dragon caught the fire lizards completely off guard. They were already suffering from the intense heat within the flames.

To be drenched by the water dragon at this moment caused them even more excruciating agony, wringing out a series of miserable, piercing shrieks.

Seizing the opportunity, Han Yang unleashed the Great Roc Golden Feather Slash once more. Golden light flashed as sword auras descended like a rainstorm, completely slaughtering the three fire lizards.

Having disposed of the fire lizards, Han Yang could finally harvest the holy golden lotus in peace.

He carefully plucked the holy golden lotus and placed it inside a jade box for safekeeping.

Just at that moment, a violent tremor suddenly erupted from the depths of the valley.

The ground began to shake intensely as well.

Han Yang felt a jolt in his heart. He raised his gaze toward the depths of the valley, only to see golden light soaring into the skies there, accompanied by the diffusion of a terrifying aura.

This aura was vastly more powerful than that of the millennium-old fire lizards!

Daring not to delay, he hurriedly shouted toward the outside of the valley:

"Old Zhu! Xiaobai! Flood Dragon! Get in here, all of you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ganglie trotted in clumsily, still chewing on some spiritual fruit he had picked up from god knows where, and asked vaguely:

"Boss, what's up? Is it done? This damn place is awfully hot..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a powerful oppressive force struck. The spiritual fruit in Zhu Ganglie's mouth shot out with a soft pop.

His entire body collapsed flat onto the ground, shivering uncontrollably.

The Flood Dragon and Bai Suzhen followed closely behind. The Flood Dragon fared slightly better, though its posture appeared somewhat unsteady.

As for Bai Suzhen, her face was deathly pale, clearly having suffered no small impact herself.

"Keep this thing safe. We might have a fight on our hands shortly."

Han Yang shoved the jade box into Bai Suzhen's hands, his expression grave.

They saw the golden light growing ever more intense in the depths of the valley, resembling a colossal golden sun about to rise.

This oppressive aura grew increasingly formidable, making even Han Yang feel somewhat short of breath.

"Holy crap, what on earth is this thing! So terrifying!"

Zhu Ganglie stammered as he hid behind Han Yang, his plump physique acting like a human shield—except that this shield did not look particularly reliable.

The golden light dispersed as a massive golden Roc soared up into the air from the depths of the valley, blotting out the sky and sun.

Its entire body was covered in dazzling, radiant golden feathers, and its eyes were sharp as lightning.

A single glance from it was enough to nearly cause Zhu Ganglie to faint.

"G-Golden... Golden-winged Great Roc?"

Han Yang experienced a massive shock in his heart. This was a legendary divine beast of antiquity, and its cultivation was utterly unfathomable!

The golden-winged Great Roc looked down from above at Han Yang and the others, letting out a deafening screech:

"What petty scoundrels are you, daring to trespass into this lord's territory!"

Its voice exploded like thunder, causing the valley to tremble slightly.

"Trespass into your territory? You occupy the latrine without taking a dump; this holy golden lotus ripens once every thousand years, so what if I help you digest it?"

Han Yang cursed inwardly, yet he did not dare to be too brazen with his words.

After all, the opponent was a golden-winged Great Roc; if a fight truly broke out, his meager cultivation level wouldn't even be enough to fill the creature's teeth.

However, Han Yang was no pushover either.

Channeling the body of the Demon Lord and the soul of the Taotie, he stubbornly withstood the oppressive aura of the golden-winged Great Roc and sneered:

"Senior, this junior had no intention of causing offense, but this holy golden lotus is of great use to me. I kindly ask senior to part with it."

"Part with it? Hmph! You mere crow, are you even qualified to negotiate terms with this lord?"

Disdain flashed across the eyes of the golden-winged Great Roc.

"Depart swiftly, or else don't blame this lord for being discourteous!"

As it spoke, the golden-winged Great Roc once again released a powerful momentum, attempting to suppress Han Yang.

"Damn it, this dead bird is so arrogant!"

Zhu Ganglie muttered softly while hiding behind Han Yang.

"Boss, can we beat this thing?"

Ignoring him, Han Yang resisted the golden-winged Great Roc's pressure with all his might, his face flushing crimson.

The strength of this golden-winged Great Roc far exceeded his imagination; mere momentum alone made it difficult for him to endure.

"Senior, this junior did not mean to offend, but this holy golden lotus is critically important to me. I beg senior to show some flexibility."

Han Yang gritted his teeth and persisted, refusing to back down.

"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeiture!" The golden-winged Great Roc roared furiously. With a single flap of its wings, a violent gale swept forward, blowing Han Yang and the others about in disarray.

"Boss, I can't hold on!"

Zhu Ganglie let out a miserable scream as he was blown directly into the air, tumbling down the cliff like a rubber ball.

"Old Zhu!"

Han Yang was alarmed. Just as he moved to rescue him, the golden-winged Great Roc had already swooped down, its razor-sharp giant claws lunging to seize him.

"You're courting death!"

Han Yang roared angrily, abruptly spreading his golden Roc wings and transforming into a streak of golden light, narrowly dodging the attack of the golden-winged Great Roc by a hair's breadth.

"Oh? You have some skill."

Surprise flashed in the eyes of the golden-winged Great Roc, followed immediately by a sneer.

"However, in front of this lord, you are still nothing more than an ant!"

Before the echo of its words faded, the golden-winged Great Roc launched another attack with lightning speed.

Han Yang dodged left and right, looking utterly battered.

"Damn it, why is this dead bird so fast!"

Han Yang cursed internally. Seeing the giant claws of the golden-winged Great Roc bearing down on him once again, a flash of inspiration hit him, and he shouted loudly:

"Senior, wait a moment! I have an item that might interest you!"