Chapter 131: Feathers Everywhere

Yukun and Yucheng were utterly exhausted. Their relentless pursuit had drained them significantly, and they were just about to capture Xiaobudian when they saw him mount a Fire Cloud Sparrow and vanish in an instant.

Furious, the two men huffed and puffed with steam coming out of their nostrils, but there was nothing they could do. The mist was thick, and finding the man and bird was impossible, leading to their failure.

"Forget it, let's head back. We have a lead on the water treasure, which is crucial for our clan. It might be enough to elevate the Rain Clan and produce an Emperor of Humanity."

Carrying the disabled person on their backs, the two men turned away with resentment, heading into the distance. Once their hands were free, they would go all out to kill Xiaobudian.

"Big Red, you’re really fast," Xiaobudian marveled. The Big Red Bird transformed into a streak of fire, piercing through clouds and mist like a streak of crimson light.

The Big Red Bird proudly declared, "Of course! Just look at me. As a great avian king, how could I not be impressive? Otherwise, how would I dare to traverse the Hundred Broken Mountains? I’m destined to be remembered in history."

"An avian king should be delicious, especially since you're an ancient breed. That makes you even tastier," Xiaobudian wiped his mouth.

The Big Red Bird shuddered at the comment and quickly shook its head, "I’m all bones, with very little meat, and I come from a small place. I only reign over a single mountain." It was genuinely frightened of this little demon king and was concerned about being eaten.

"Even bones are good. They’re crunchy," Xiaobudian said, hugging its neck, with his breath easily felt by the bird.

The Big Red Bird was horrified and cried, "No, I’m ill. I have a serious disease. If you eat me, I’ll rot completely."

"Never mind, I’m just kidding. I’m actually very kind. We’ll support each other from now on. I promise you a great opportunity," Xiaobudian said warmly.

The Big Red Bird was displeased, thinking about the real situation: it was Xiaobudian sitting on its back, and when needed, Xiaobudian would be the one to carry it. That was mutual support in its view.

"Hey, stupid bird, why are you showing so much white in your eyes?" Xiaobudian asked.

Of course, it was glaring at him, wishing to throw him off. The Big Red Bird wanted to say this but didn’t dare. It grumbled, "I was born with a lot of white in my eyes."

Xiaobudian patted it and said, "Don’t be petty. I’ll give you a great gift in the future. I know a small red bird. Although it’s only the size of a palm, it’s much stronger than you. I’ll introduce you to it as your master, and you’ll achieve great success."

"What? A tiny bird the size of a palm wants me to be its disciple? I refuse," the Big Red Bird said angrily.

Xiaobudian looked at it sideways and said, "Don’t regret it. It might be a Vermilion Bird or its descendant. If you ever meet it, don’t cry and beg to be its disciple."

"Ah, nonsense. I’m not that kind of person. I won’t do that," the Big Red Bird sneered.

"Stupid bird, now you’re acting all high and mighty. And what’s with ‘I’? I’ll teach you a lesson."

With a "thud," a large bump appeared on the Big Red Bird’s head. It spun around, almost falling from the sky, and screeched in distress.

"Find a spiritual mountain. I need to heal," Xiaobudian said. His injuries were quite severe, with numerous bleeding wounds.

The Big Red Bird’s eyes lit up, and it flew towards a mountain range, hoping it could finally get rid of this demon king.

"Stupid bird, I can tell what you’re up to just by seeing you lift your butt. Don’t try any tricks, or I’ll definitely eat you," Xiaobudian warned.

"Why are you targeting me? Can’t we use another ancient breed?" the Big Red Bird complained.

"You fly too fast. If we use another fierce bird and get caught by the pursuers, it would be a big trouble," Xiaobudian said.

"Then I’ll slow down and break a wing," the Big Red Bird sulked, wanting to go on strike.

"Alright, I’ll help you," Xiaobudian started pulling at its feathers, causing red feathers to flutter everywhere. It looked like he was going to pluck its feathers.

"What are you doing?"

"Plucking feathers, then I’ll wash you in the river and cook you in a pot," Xiaobudian said.

"You said it. If you don’t eat me, you can’t go back on your word," the Big Red Bird screeched.

"The premise is that you carry me. If you go on strike now, you’re useless and might as well be eaten."

"Alright, I’ll fly. Just tell me where to go," the Big Red Bird said, looking dejected, like a beaten wife.

Of course, it was also restless. Its big eyes turned around and said, "You want a faster mount, right? I know one that’s not slower than me. Want to guard its nest?"

"Let’s go. It’s just right for healing," Xiaobudian said. He could tell that this was likely the Big Red Bird’s enemy, and it wasn’t a good thing, trying to use him to deal with its foe.

They reached a cliff with a massive bird’s nest built from dead wood. The base was piled with various bones, including human ones. It was clearly a nest of a very fierce creature.

Xiaobudian frowned. This creature was not simple. Among the bones, he saw the remains of seven or eight humans, stained with blood, indicating they had been devoured recently.

"These are all talented humans, and they’ve become food for this creature."

The nest was made from dead wood and emitted a sinister aura. The surrounding cliff was smeared with bloodstains, likely from the beast’s feeding.

The Big Red Bird circled and said in surprise, "Huh, it’s not in the nest."

It then quickly folded its wings and landed in the nest.

The dead wood was rough and dry, but inside the nest, it was lined with soft silver grass, clean and comfortable.

"Wow, eggs!" The Fire Cloud Sparrow laughed heartily, joyfully scattering the silver grass to reveal three giant eggs.

The eggs were as large as millstones, jet black, and shiny, like polished jet. They contained runes and emitted wisps of energy.

The Big Red Bird grinned widely, saying, "These are mountain eagle eggs, a great tonic."

"Ah, my cauldron is gone," Xiaobudian sighed. He had lost his cooking utensils while being chased, and now he had no way to prepare a feast.

"Who needs a cauldron or pot? Watch me, I’m an expert at eating eggs," the Big Red Bird said proudly.

Standing in the nest, it spread its wings and sliced one egg with a sharp motion, producing a clean, flat cut like a knife.

Moreover, the two halves of the egg immediately settled with the cut side down, not spilling a drop of egg liquid.

The egg shells now served as bowls, filled with egg yolk and white, glowing with a soft light, and emitting a pleasant aroma that made one’s mouth water.

The same clean separation applied to both halves of the eggs.

The Big Red Bird grinned and quickly began its work, breathing fire to heat the "egg bowls." Each bowl emitted a rich aroma as the liquid bubbled and then turned golden and glossy.

Xiaobudian watched in amazement. It turned out that this foolish bird was quite the foodie, having probably done this many times before.

"So, you’re a thief of eggs?"

"Ah, nonsense. I only do this occasionally. When growing up, one must supplement their diet to grow stronger, faster, and better," the Big Red Bird said with conviction.

Xiaobudian wasn’t concerned with the Big Red Bird’s past misdeeds. Now, severely injured, he wasn’t going to miss out on such a nourishing treasure. He nearly dove headfirst into the “egg bowl,” devouring the enormous egg in no time.

“I haven’t had mine yet,” the Big Red Bird protested, upset.

“There are still two eggs left; let’s roast them,” Xiaobudian wiped his mouth. When he opened his mouth, the essence burst forth, and radiant light filled the air, revealing how rich the spiritual energy in the bird eggs was.

In the end, Xiaobudian ate the two remaining eggs, which were even heavier than his body, completely refining them into spiritual energy. He glowed all over as he sat down and began using his symbol to heal.

The Big Red Bird, having eaten one egg, was quite satisfied. It lay back in the air, propped up its legs, and even took out a stick to pick its feathers.

“Do you even have teeth?” Xiaobudian glanced at it.

“I enjoy this; it’s a mental pleasure,” the Big Red Bird said, looking as if Xiaobudian didn’t understand.

Xiaobudian ignored it and focused on healing. His wounds closed up visibly, healing rapidly. Thanks to the radiance, his body became smooth, and no scars were left.

“This is abnormal. It can’t really be an ancient fierce beast, can it?” The Big Red Bird was suspicious. It watched Xiaobudian for a long time, seeing no reaction from him, and then quietly stood up, suddenly jumping off the cliff and spreading its wings to escape.

With a “thud,” Xiaobudian also jumped down, landing on its back.

“Awooo!” The Big Red Bird screamed in pain, feeling as though a prehistoric monster had stomped on it. It almost crashed into the ground.

“I’m not full yet. Do you really want to be roasted in the egg bowl?” Xiaobudian sat on its back, continuing to heal.

“Ouch, my little waist!” The Big Red Bird flapped its wings in the sky, feathers falling everywhere.

After this, the Big Red Bird no longer dared to flee easily.

Suddenly, a loud cry echoed as a gigantic bird of prey swooped down from the sky. The sound was deafening, like thunder, and the bird was about thirty meters long, an astonishing sight.

“The main troublemaker is here. The vicious youth, get ready to fight!” the Big Red Bird called out.

“It’s not my eggs that were roasted. You’re the one who made the black hands; go and face it yourself,” Xiaobudian said, placing an egg bowl on its head like a steel helmet, flashing with a dark light.

“Taking the blame and wearing the black hat—this isn’t fair. You ate two eggs, and I only had one,” the Big Red Bird complained.

But it quickly fell silent, as it had no time to gloat. The Mountain Eagle appeared, a true behemoth, pressing down like a dark cloud. Seeing the “black hat” on its head, it began spewing fire from its eyes and attacking frantically.

Of course, the Big Red Bird wasn’t to be underestimated. Though it wasn’t Xiaobudian’s match, it was a powerful ancient breed and began to fight back.

The sky was soon filled with feathers, blazing flames, and dark light, creating a tumultuous scene.

In the end, the Mountain Eagle was defeated and fled.

“Facing me, they don’t even know who they’re dealing with,” the Big Red Bird strutted, looking very pleased with itself. It only started wailing once the Mountain Eagle was gone: “Damn it, it hurts so much. How can this bird be so ferocious? Ouch, my little waist, my long legs, my beautiful feathers—they’re almost torn apart.”

It rolled around in the air, crying and moaning, with snot and tears.

Days later, Xiaobudian’s injuries had completely healed, and his physique seemed even stronger. His eyes were clear as he said, “Let’s go and see how the Rain Clan is doing.”

This area was full of marshes and lakes. The Rain Clan had come here hundreds of years ago and had faintly sensed the presence of the legendary Taiyi True Water.

This was considered a divine liquid with various miraculous effects. For instance, it could be used in medicine to make supreme pills, and adding just one drop when refining treasure could significantly improve its quality.

It contained the principles and order of water. Although its origins were hidden from the world, it was extremely significant for the Rain Clan. Cultivating with it could achieve twice the result with half the effort.

The Rain Clan had mobilized many people to find it and, after searching for so many days, had finally made some progress.

Not at the large lake or the spiritual spring, they ventured into the only desert in the area and saw a small pool, about a meter square, with divine liquid flowing and auspicious mist rising.

However, despite walking for two days, the Rain Clan could not reach the divine pool.

“It must be the Taiyi True Water pool, but it’s creating illusions to mislead us. It also means we are getting closer,” Yukun said excitedly. After mobilizing so many people and persistently searching, they were finally about to achieve something.

Legend had it that Taiyi True Water was used even by the gods during rituals, nourishing the spirituality of treasures. Just a drop was immensely valuable, almost beyond imagination.

If the existence of this divine pool were known to the outside world, it would surely cause a sensation. Many ancient monsters would stop at nothing to find a way to compete for it.

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