I didn’t recognize him at all. He had the face of a bird on a human’s body, with black wings sprouting from his back. Tall and slender, he cut a majestic figure, radiating a terrifying aura of superiority.
Clearly, this was a birdman, and a birdman with a terrifyingly high Cultivation at that.
Tu Xiao’an’s bewitching eyes stared intently at the birdman, narrowing slightly.
"DING... Saint Peng King, Supreme Monarch of the Hundred Birds Lineage, Super Roc Divine Bird bloodline, Level 36."
The system’s data appeared, and Tu Xiao’an was taken aback. ’So this birdman is a Demon King Level being? The King of Hundred Birds?’
’Isn’t he the very obstacle that stopped my Azure Owl from being crowned king on the spot after reaching Rank Three of Enlightenment?’
’So that’s it. My Azure Owl is a Super Celestial Peacock, and while flocks of birds came to pay homage after its enlightenment, it was never officially accepted. It turns out this Super Roc Divine Bird was blocking its path.’
In terms of bloodline, the Dapeng Divine Bird was in no way inferior to the Immortal Spirit Peacock, and this one was even at the Demon King Level.
The Dapeng Divine Bird was the largest of all divine birds in mythology, said to have transformed from a Kun. The Dapeng Bird, also known as the Kunpeng, is a fantastically enormous divine bird that appears in legends across the world.
Zhuang Zhou wrote in his "Zhuangzi: Free and Easy Wandering": "In the northern darkness, there is a fish named Kun."
The phrases "strikes the water for three thousand li" and "soars on a whirlwind ninety thousand li into the air" are used to describe the Dapeng Bird’s speed and size.
It was terrifyingly powerful.
This Demon King Level Dapeng Divine Bird’s half-transformed state gave off a frighteningly imposing aura. At the very least, Tu Xiao’an keenly sensed that as soon as this birdman appeared, his precious Azure Owl’s soul began to waver.
It was a feeling of fear.
The King of Hundred Birds, ruler of all avian kind, possessed an innate dominance ability over its own species. As the saying goes, all things under heaven are born into a hierarchy, a station that cannot be overstepped.
If the Azure Owl wasn’t Tu Xiao’an’s Battle Companion, it would have had no choice but to submit and bow in worship to the Dapeng Divine Bird—no matter how noble its own bloodline—just from the latter standing there.
It was just like with the Snake Race. There might be several King Snakes, but before the true Snake King, they all had to bow in fearful reverence.
Seeing this Demon King of a birdman, Tu Xiao’an sighed to himself. ’Looks like I’ve made it into "high society." All the people I’m meeting now are major figures I could never have even glimpsed before.’
’A Deep Mountain Demon King, and now another Demon King... Both are the strongest experts of the pinnacle races in the Yaoling Mountain Range.’
"Birdman, what is it you want to say to me?" Tu Xiao’an asked nonchalantly after getting a grasp of his opponent’s strength and identity. It was clear this visitor didn’t come in peace.
Birdman?
The Saint Peng King’s face instantly darkened, and he seethed with rage. ’The magnificent, noble King of Hundred Birds... reduced to a mere "birdman" in this snake’s eyes?’
’How audacious! How insolent! I suppose a snake’s mouth can’t spit ivory.’
Tu Xiao’an just chuckled, completely ignoring the king’s expression. ’We’re on the same level now,’ he thought. ’You’re the King of Hundred Birds, and I’m the King of the Snake Clan. Who’s afraid of who?’
’Besides, I’m not wrong. You either commit to a full Transformation or don’t transform at all. With your half-man, half-bird appearance, what are you if not a birdman?’
Of course, Tu Xiao’an was just teasing. In the Yaoling Mountain Range, many Great Demons actually preferred this half-human, half-demon appearance. A human physique was more convenient and elegant, but some Demons were unwilling to completely abandon their original features, resulting in this kind of hybrid form.
This was different from half-beastmen, however, who truly lacked the strength for a full transformation and had no other choice.
"Humph." The Saint Peng King let out a displeased snort before looking at Tu Xiao’an. "I have come for one reason. I want you to return the Immortal Spirit Peacock to the Hundred Bird Race and restore its freedom."
At these words, a strange expression crossed Tu Xiao’an’s face. ’So he’s after my precious Azure Owl.’ He then burst out laughing. "What do you mean, ’return’? Is the Immortal Spirit Peacock yours?"
"I am the King of Hundred Birds, commander of all avian kind! The Immortal Spirit Peacock is a member of avian royalty. How can it be the Battle Companion of a mere snake? This is a desecration of the Hundred Bird Race—an insult!" The more the Saint Peng King spoke, the angrier he became, looking as if he was about to fly into a rage.
"A joke," Tu Xiao’an scoffed. "Just because it’s a bird, I have to give it to you? I raised this Immortal Spirit Peacock myself. It has nothing to do with your Hundred Birds Lineage."
The Saint Peng King retorted, "If it’s a bird, it has to do with the Hundred Bird Race. You are a king of a lineage yourself. If a noble King Snake became my Battle Companion, would you, the Snake King, agree to it?"
"Of course. I have no objection at all," Tu Xiao’an said, blinking innocently. "You’re welcome to visit She Mountain and pick one out."
"You... You insolent snake! You don’t know what’s good for you! I have been more than polite. Let me be frank: this Immortal Spirit Peacock must return to the Hundred Bird Race. Like a fallen leaf returning to its roots, it must come home. Otherwise, I swear I will not rest!" The Saint Peng King’s words were laced with menace, and the powerful aura around him continued to intensify.
A cold light flashed in Tu Xiao’an’s bewitching eyes. "Not rest?" he said icily. "What’s that supposed to mean? Are you challenging me to a one-on-one fight, birdman, or do you want a full-blown war between our races? A duel, a brawl—I, the Snake King, will gladly oblige. The Snake Race does not take kindly to threats."
’Fucking "not rest"?’ he thought. ’Does he think I’m easily frightened?’
’I’m the king of a lineage now, a great lord in the Yaoling Mountain Range. Do I not have face to maintain?’
The Saint Peng King froze, momentarily at a loss for words. ’Is this snake a complete hothead?’ he wondered. ’How could he put things so bluntly?’
’A duel would be one thing, but a war between our races? How many would have to die?’
’With a single sentence, he’d been backed into a corner.’
The Saint Peng King truly hadn’t expected the snake to be so unyielding, so completely heedless of the consequences. He had flown up here mainly to apply pressure.
After all, the snake had already provoked the White Demon King. If he added the King of Hundred Birds to his list of enemies, the pressure would be immense. He’d have to carefully weigh his options.
That was why the Saint Peng King had come to force his hand, hoping to pressure his opponent into returning the Immortal Spirit Peacock. Surely, he wouldn’t want to offend the Saint Peng King and the entire Hundred Birds Lineage over a single Peacock.
Unfortunately, plans rarely survive contact with reality. This was not how the script was supposed to go.
The Saint Peng King had no desire to fight this snake, either. The Yaoling Mountain Range was already flooded with tales of his heaven-defying feats. Leaving aside his past exploits, the very fact that he had dared to crash the White Demon King’s wedding today proved he had more than enough confidence and power to back up his words.
Even though he was a Demon King, if he really fought this monstrous snake, it was hard to say who would come out on top.
Awkward. The Saint Peng King had no idea how to respond.
’I don’t want a duel with the snake, and I certainly don’t want a war. I just want the Immortal Spirit Peacock back. Why is this so damn hard?’
For a moment, the sky fell silent. The Saint Peng King opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was speechless. At this juncture, a single careless word could have grave consequences.
It could ignite a blood feud between the Snake Race and the Hundred Bird Race.
Seeing the king’s ashen face, Tu Xiao’an sneered inwardly. ’Trying to get something for nothing? You have the gall to covet my precious Azure Owl? You must have a death wish.’
’If I didn’t have to deal with the White Demon King right now, I wouldn’t let this birdman off easy for daring to target my Azure Owl.’
’I don’t care if you’re a Dapeng Divine Bird or the King of Hundred Birds. Piss me off, and I, the Snake King, will pluck every last one of your feathers.’
"I shall ask you one last time. Will you truly not return the Immortal Spirit Peacock?" The Saint Peng King finally managed to choke out the words after a long pause, feeling he couldn’t back down without losing face.
If Tu Xiao’an refused him again, he would have no choice but to make a real move. His reputation was on the line.
But then, a crafty look flashed in Tu Xiao’an’s eyes. "I, the Snake King, am not an unreasonable person," he said. "The Snake Race and the Hundred Birds Lineage have no prior grudges. It is true that the Immortal Spirit Peacock is my Battle Companion, but it is also a member of the Hundred Birds Lineage. So how about this? We’ll give the right to choose to the Immortal Spirit Peacock. Let it decide for itself whether it wants to stay by my side or return with you to the Hundred Bird Race."
The Saint Peng King jolted, almost suspecting he had misheard. ’Did this hard-headed snake’s brain just take a sharp turn?’
’He’s suddenly being so reasonable?’
’Hmph. At least you know what’s good for you. Otherwise, if I were to join forces with the White Demon King, what hope would a snake like you have of surviving?’
The Saint Peng King was gratified that Tu Xiao’an had seen reason and wasn’t acting like a complete fool.
"Excellent! I agree to your proposal. We will let the Immortal Spirit Peacock choose for itself, and neither of us shall object to its decision," the Saint Peng King said, overjoyed. ’No creature would willingly remain a Battle Companion,’ he thought. ’Especially not an Immortal Spirit Peacock that has reached Rank Three of Enlightenment. With its noble status, how could it possibly wish to live under another’s thumb?’
’It was subdued when its Cultivation was low and had no choice in the matter. Now that it can choose, the outcome is obvious.’
’This is a gimme.’
"Brother Snake, let’s be clear," he said, his tone changing. "If the Immortal Spirit Peacock chooses to return with me to the Hundred Bird Race, you must dissolve your Soul Contract with it and truly grant it freedom."
With the Blood Contract in effect, one’s body was not one’s own.
The Saint Peng King was considering every angle, leaving no loopholes for Tu Xiao’an to exploit.
"But of course." Tu Xiao’an nodded. "And if the Immortal Spirit Peacock chooses to stay with me, you are not to bother me about it again."
"A deal!" The Saint Peng King was ecstatic. ’Only a fool would choose to stay as your Battle Companion,’ he thought smugly.
’Back in the Hundred Bird Race, with its noble bloodline, the Peacock’s status would be second only to my own.’
The Saint Peng King was pleased by Tu Xiao’an’s sudden shift in attitude. ’In the end, he’s afraid of me. He’s afraid of the Hundred Bird Race.’
"Go on then, birdman. Ask it yourself."
The Saint Peng King: "..."
’Motherfucker! You’re the birdman! Your whole family is full of birdmen!’
The Saint Peng King suppressed his explosive temper and fixed his gaze on the Immortal Spirit Peacock hovering gracefully in the distance. On its back sat a girl as beautiful as a flower.
’For avian kind, especially for Cultivated Creatures, being used as a mount is the ultimate taboo,’ he thought. ’And this is a Rank Three Demon Spirit, no less.’
The Saint Peng King suddenly felt a pang of pity for the Immortal Spirit Peacock. ’It’s been so thoroughly tamed by that snake that it has no pride or dignity left. A magnificent, noble Immortal Spirit Peacock... being used as a mount by a mortal. What a disgrace!’
’However, out of respect for the White Demon King, I’ll pretend I didn’t see that.’
’First things first.’
"My lost child, are you willing to come home with me?" Suddenly, the Saint Peng King’s face softened into a benevolent expression, like a kind elder gazing upon the Immortal Spirit Peacock.
His words were enough to make one want to weep.
The Azure Owl lifted its head. With a shimmer, its head transformed into the face of a stunningly beautiful young woman. Then, with an expression of pure disgust, she uttered a single word: "Ugly!"
The Saint Peng King: "..."
A critical hit.