Chapter 18: The Demon Bird
Chapter 18: The Demon Bird
Lu Yang’s knowledge about the world of cultivation was far from comprehensive. Before joining the Dao Seeking Sect, his knowledge came solely from storytellers. In his year at the sect, his understanding of cultivation grew at an astonishing pace, but his readings didn’t cover something as mundane as how to disembark from a flying boat. Who would write about such things?
In terms of common knowledge about life in the cultivation world, he was less knowledgeable than Peach Blossom Leaf, who had grown up in a cultivator family.
His understanding of flying boats was limited. He knew they were part of the assets of the Land of Gold Commerce, and disembarking involved jumping off, but the exact method was unknown to him.
The flying boats brought in enormous profits annually, but for the Land of Gold Commerce, this was just a minor part of their business. The company, the largest on the Central Continent, had a mysterious backing and countless treasures. With enough spirit stones, one could buy anything, even legendary items like relics from the Buddha’s Land, sacred bones from the Demon Territory, or celestial fruits that were normally only heard of in tales.
If anyone dared to owe the Land of Gold Commerce or steal from them, the fate of several vanished powerful cultivators served as a warning to the world.
Legend spoke of a cultivator known as the “King of Thieves,” skilled in the way of space, who could effortlessly steal others’ storage spaces. Distance was meaningless to him, and he could cross thousands of mountains and rivers in a single step. He had even stolen from Tribulation Stage cultivators.Vissit for new novels
There was an unwritten rule among thieves: never steal from the Land of Gold Commerce. The “King of Thieves” initially adhered to this tradition. However, as his fame grew and many high-profile cultivators failed to capture him, he began to feel invincible and above the old teachings.
He arrogantly announced that he would steal a treasure from the Land of Gold Commerce that night. People speculated about a silent heist or a fierce battle inside the company. But, to everyone’s surprise, nothing happened that night, and the “King of Thieves” disappeared without a trace.
Lu Yang’s awkwardness lasted only briefly. When it was time to jump off the boat, the strangers were too busy to keep looking at him.
Everyone opened their paper umbrellas and leaped down, one after another. Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf followed suit. In the sky, several strangers with their umbrellas looked as tiny as sesame seeds from afar. Lu Yang was different; when he pulled the string on his back, his parachute opened with a “pop,” standing out conspicuously in the high sky.
Normally, Lu Yang would be very nervous at such a high altitude, but at that moment, he had no room for such thoughts.
It was just too embarrassing.
Fortunately, everyone had different destinations. Only Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf were headed to Taiping Village.
Upon arrival, they were warmly welcomed by the village head, who seemed to have been expecting them.
For a demon to speak human language, it must refine the hyoid bone in its throat, achievable only at the later stages of Qi Condensation.
“Feng thought it was just a lost bird from the forest until it perched behind him and watched him sew without moving. Suddenly, it spoke, scaring Feng enough to make him flee his shop.”
“Seeing that Feng couldn’t provide any useful information, I decided to approach the demon bird discreetly, leaving the others to wait at a distance. That’s when I saw it.”
“The demon bird’s feathers were vibrant and glossy, with distinct red around its eyes, clearly no ordinary bird. No ordinary bird would dare flaunt such striking features.”
“The demon bird asked me, ‘Who are you, and where is Zhang Guanjia?’ with an urgency in its tone.”
“I was puzzled. Zhang Guanjia is a cultivator from our village, at the third level of Qi Condensation, nothing outstanding. It was strange to think he had any connection with a demon.”
“I tried to appear non-threatening and politely asked, ‘May I know why the esteemed demon seeks Zhang Guanjia?’”
“Without answering, the demon bird flapped its wings and left the tailor’s shop.”
“Since then, the demon bird has been flying around Taiping Village, feasting on crops and speaking human language. Although it hasn’t harmed anyone, the mere sight of a demon is enough to instill fear in mortals. Consequently, everyone has been living in fear these days, worried that the demon bird might unleash its ferocity and devour us all.”
“Have you fought the demon bird? What’s its strength like?” inquired Lu Yang.
The village head shook his head. “The demon bird is elusive, always in the sky, making it hard to track.”
“Moreover, I can’t gauge its cultivation level, which means it’s at least at the same level as mine, the seventh level of Qi Condensation. I worry that attacking it recklessly might provoke it unnecessarily, especially if it harbors no ill intentions towards humans.”
Lu Yang nodded, understanding the village head’s cautious approach.
(End of the chapter)
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