The beast horde outside the city did not disperse. Instead, a fierce bird was soaring in the sky, wandering around without retreating despite the loss of some of its kind.
Inside the city, on the earth mound, the sacrificial spirit stood about fifteen to twenty feet tall, its entire body a deep green. It bore three flowers the size of millstones, resembling peonies, their petals shimmering with a radiant glow, and a delicate fragrance wafting through the air.
The more imposing the sacrificial spirit appeared, the more restless the beast horde outside became. They feared this sacrificial spirit, which had taken root here for many years. Although they did not retreat, they hesitated to launch an attack.
Suddenly, a long, thunderous cry rang out, shaking the leaves in the dense forest. A massive shadow appeared in the sky—a fierce bird, fifty to sixty meters long, was flying overhead, its dark plumage shimmering ominously. Its silver eyes were sharp as lightning, and it emitted a palpable sense of oppression that spread across the sky.
“Wow, the leader of the beast horde has appeared, and it’s a fierce bird! What a terrifying aura!” people exclaimed in shock.
This beast tide was led by the formidable bird. It let out a piercing scream, and immediately, the beasts on the ground began to surge forward, all intimidated into submission.
“Clang!”
In the city, on the earth mound, the sacrificial spirit unleashed crimson light again. The red flower bloomed, and a crimson sword of lightning shot out, slashing across the sky with unparalleled sharpness.
“Pfft, pfft!”
The beasts at the forefront collapsed instantly, struck by the crimson flying sword. Their foreheads were cleaved open, bright red blood pouring out, causing widespread panic and chaos.
Despite being just a plant, it could summon such a powerful red sword. The sword-shaped flower pistil was an extraordinary weapon, unstoppable. All beast and bird attacks slowed down.
With such a sacrificial spirit stationed here, it could withstand a thousand troops. Ordinary beast tides found it hard to shake the foundation of Cloud City, making it as solid as a fortress.
In the sky, the enormous fierce bird screeched, its dark plumage glowing with mysterious ripples. It opened its mouth, spewing a torrent of flames toward the plant. The bird had decided to take action personally; otherwise, the beast tide would collapse.
The crimson sword returned, and the dark green plant trembled, its entire body glowing as a green mist rose, swirling into the sky, blocking the flames. The fire gradually diminished with a sizzling sound.
In the sky, the black fierce bird circled like a dark cloud, its silver eyes blazing. It shot out beams of silver light like enormous arrows, each about ten meters long, crashing down.
“Boom, boom!”
The plant in the city, its dark green leaves trembling, caused the three millstone-sized flowers to bloom simultaneously. Red, white, and purple light burst forth, rolling in fog, the auspicious rays dazzling, emitting a tremendous force.
Crimson light flashed, and the sword’s roar was deafening. The crimson sword soared first, streaking across the sky with a red glow like the evening sun. Then, a flash of pure white light followed as a white jade sword ascended. Finally, purple mist surged upward with a long, resonant purple sword.
The three flying swords ascended from the ground together, like comets across the sky, their long tails illuminating the heavens and earth with their astonishing light.
In the sky, the fierce bird circled menacingly, like a black cloud. The silver beams shot out from its eyes were repeatedly sliced apart.
The three swords clanged loudly, their ringing shaking the heavens. The symbols spread out, ultimately dispersing the remaining flames and slicing through to the fierce bird.
The fierce bird flapped its wings, struggling against the onslaught. The symbols burst out, and they engaged in a fierce battle.
With the clanging sounds, the enormous fierce bird was eventually cleaved in half with a “pfft.” A torrential rain of blood fell from the sky as the giant bird’s head was severed and it fell to the ground.
The beast tide immediately collapsed. With the leader slain, the beasts scattered, fleeing towards the distant mountains.
“Kill!”
The city gates flew open, and a group of strong warriors charged out, chasing and attacking from behind. Arrows were shot into the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, then fell among the fierce birds and beasts, causing blood to spatter and leaving behind numerous corpses.
In the distance, Little Shihu watched the battle with unease. Sacrificial spirits were truly strange and varied, each species being exceptionally powerful.
A mere plant with three millstone-sized flowers could produce such a formidable sword—truly astonishing.
This battle had a significant impact on him. Little Shihu murmured, “The symbols can be used this way, creating a powerful weapon within the body to strike, unstoppable.”
He contemplated whether to follow suit and forge a weapon using symbols.
In the city, the slightly plump middle-aged man, after witnessing the battle, muttered to himself, “This sacrificial spirit is truly remarkable, growing several flying swords. Its future achievements are boundless.”
The three swords were rare and invaluable, which tempted him, but he also knew that, despite the Rain Clan’s strength, some things should not be touched.
“Hmm, has there been any news from that shabby manor?” the middle-aged man snapped out of his thoughts and asked a nearby steward.
“No, that couple has not returned since they left,” the steward replied. He was in his forties, had spent years in the Western Frontier, usually with considerable authority, but now he nodded and bowed, behaving exactly as before.
“Shizi Ling is very dangerous. The clan is worried and hopes he won’t reappear. Be extra cautious and report any news immediately.” A look of sternness appeared on the middle-aged man’s face.
“Yes, I will report any movements immediately,” the steward said earnestly. He was tired of the barren wilderness and eager to achieve merit and return to the imperial capital.
“By the way, is that child still alive?” the pale-faced, slightly plump middle-aged man asked casually.
The steward hurriedly replied, “He’s very weak and won’t last much longer.”
The middle-aged man grunted noncommittally.
The steward’s face turned pale, and he added, “Those old monsters have all passed away. The last one won’t survive much longer either, so the little wretch should not last long.”
“Don’t be reckless. Even if that place is shabby, it has its significance. If something goes wrong…” the middle-aged man warned.
“Rest assured, this child might accidentally fall into a well, fall off a mountain, or be attacked by fierce birds. It would be considered an accident with no trace or flaw.”
“Don’t be so self-satisfied.” The middle-aged man shot him a stern look.
“Yes,” the steward quickly bowed, not daring to offer any further arguments.
Once the middle-aged man left to rest, the steward straightened up, sat in a chair, and assumed a formidable posture, exuding an aura of authority, and said, “Come here!”
Outside Cloud City, merchants who had gone to the primitive tribes to buy beast hides and spiritual herbs began to emerge from the forest, returning in succession and heading towards the city gate.
Little Shihu watched from a distance for a while, then quickly departed on his unicorn, avoiding the city as he feared any unforeseen complications since there were checks at the gate.
The unicorn sped away as he planned to bypass the area and head towards the second ancestral land of the Stone Clan.
The rugged and treacherous terrain meant that this detour added over a thousand more miles to his journey. First, there were sheer cliffs blocking the path, followed by vast swamps.
However, having traversed three hundred thousand miles, he wasn’t bothered by an extra thousand miles. He eventually entered the Stone Nation's territory and proceeded towards the dilapidated ancestral land.
At noon, they finally arrived at their destination. The sun was high and the sunlight abundant, but the dilapidated manor appeared somber and gloomy, with many buildings on the verge of collapse.
Little Shihu did not approach immediately. He released the unicorn from a distance, allowing it to run into the mountains by itself, while he cautiously observed with only the small ball of fur. He had to be careful—if the Stone Clan had guards stationed here to catch him, it would be extremely dangerous, with no chance of survival.
For several days, Little Shihu refrained from acting recklessly. He remained in the vicinity, exploring and discovering many things.
There were four villages and one town gathered around this area, which seemed quite unique in the sparsely populated Western Frontier. Normally, one would have to traverse numerous mountains and cross rugged terrain to find a single village.
These villages were initially established to support the dilapidated ancestral land, eventually forming this collection of settlements.
This was a place of exile, but even ordinary people could not enter. Only those of significant status within the Stone Clan who had committed serious offenses were sent here.
“Alas, it’s becoming increasingly desolate. Several old monsters have died one after another. What will become of the remaining poor child? Such a pity,” an old man driving a beast cart said as he left the ruined manor, having delivered fruits, game, and other food items.
Although there were some servants in the manor, it still felt very deserted, like an abandoned place, barren and lifeless.
“Grandpa Hai, next time, be sure to bring Big Black with you so it can play with me,” a frail child sitting on the stone steps of the dilapidated manor said, waving his hand with effort, coughing as he spoke. His small face was pallid.
“Alright, once Big Black has her litter of tiger cubs, I’ll bring them all to you so you can play together,” the old man said, shaking his head as he drove the cart away. He murmured, “What a pitiable child, with no relatives or playmates, confined to this mausoleum-like old manor. His childhood is so bleak.”
It wasn’t until the old man had driven the cart far away that the child reluctantly stood up, limping on his injured foot, and slowly made his way back into the manor.
From a distance, Little Shihu watched this scene in the forest, nearly moved to tears. He muttered to himself, “Is that another version of me? He’s here, lonely and unhappy, with such poor health and a limp—was he hurt by someone?”
Little Shihu touched the talisman in his arms, which was neither gold nor stone, and whispered, “I will send you to the Pavilion of Healing. No matter how far it is, I will accompany you.”
“A young master, the last ancestor is about to pass away. He has only a few days left, and your life will be difficult from now on,” said a steward at the door, sitting there in a disrespectful manner, with a hint of mockery.
“You’re talking nonsense. Grandpa won’t die,” the pale child retorted, tears welling in his large eyes as he coughed persistently.
“Just wait and see,” the steward said dismissively.
Another steward added, “I’ve heard that the young master isn’t actually a descendant of Shizi Ling. His real identity is the blood relative of the old monster who is about to die, and he’s just standing in for them.”
“That’s possible. If he were truly a descendant of Shizi Ling, he would be facing even more calamities,” said the steward sitting disrespectfully, nodding but never standing up, lacking in respect.
From his vantage point in the forest, Little Shihu observed everything and clenched his fists. From what he had learned in recent days, this prison-like broken manor had some servants who had already been bribed by outsiders. After several ancestors had passed away, some of them had become quite audacious.
Anyone can join the discussion on the plot in the V-group 118492231, public group 186446298, and alliance group 170805771.
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