Yun Kun and Yun Wen Cheng were utterly exhausted after this relentless chase. They were very close to apprehending Little Rascal when, right before their eyes, he rode atop a Flame Cloud Finch and escaped, vanishing in a flash. Frustration burned in their hearts as smoke billowed from their nostrils in rage, but they were helpless amidst the thick mist; how could they find one person and one bird now? Their efforts had ultimately come to naught. “Forget it, let’s return first. The Water Treasure has finally shown signs of appearing—it holds great significance for our clan, perhaps enough for us to rise in strength, even giving birth to an Emperor.” The two turned back resentfully, carrying with them the man who had lost both his legs, heading toward the distant horizon. Once they had free hands again, they would do everything within their power to exterminate Little Rascal.
“You truly are fast, Big Crimson,” praised Little Rascal, as the crimson bird transformed into a fiery streak piercing through clouds and mist, like a blood-red beam slicing across the heavens.
Big Crimson proudly replied, “Naturally! Do you know who I am? As a majestic King among birds—if I didn’t have some skill, would I dare venture alone into the Hundred-Broken Mountains? My fate is forever carved in history!”
“Bird King? Must be delicious—especially being an ancient remnant species, its flavor will surely surpass ordinary birds!” said Little Rascal while licking his lips eagerly.
Upon hearing that, Big Crimson trembled violently, quickly shaking his head. “I’m all bones and practically no meat! Moreover, I only ruled over one solitary mountain—I’m nothing special.”
“Bone or not—it can still crunch between teeth like crisp nuts,” chuckled Little Rascal as he tightly hugged the bird’s neck so much that the heat from his breath sent chills down Big Crimson’s spine.
Horrified, Big Crimson shouted out, “Don’t! I’ve recently fallen ill—I contracted a rare disease so deadly that if you eat me, your own flesh would rot away entirely!”
“No worries then; I was only teasing you! You see, I am actually the kindest soul. Let us go forth hand-in-hand henceforth—we’ll help each other reach great destinies. I promise grand opportunities await for you,” reassured Little Rascal warmly.
Big Crimson wasn’t at all pleased by such talk. In his mind, “Hand-in-hand” really meant carrying the monkey around on his back. He grumbled silently but dared not speak aloud, merely muttering bitterly: “I was simply born with large eye whites.”
Little Rascal gently patted him saying, “Oh don’t be stingy—I plan to give you quite the generous gift later. There’s another little red finch I met—it’s no bigger than my palm, yet far mightier than you. One day, I’ll introduce you to becoming its disciple, which shall bring infinite blessings upon you.”
“What? A tiny chick no bigger than a palm wants me to kneel as its disciple? Don’t count on it!” roared Big Crimson in indignation.
Gazing sideways suspiciously, Little Rascal warned again, “You’ll regret this soon. That may very well be a Vermilion Bird—or one of its descendants—who knows? And when you finally see it yourself—you won’t beg on bended knee crying, pleading to join under its wing?”
“Heck no—that’s not my kind of conduct, never in a million lifetimes!” scoffed the big red bird haughtily.
“You arrogant idiot daring to show attitude toward me—‘sir’ this, ‘sir’ that! Time to meet discipline,” growled Little Rascal just before delivering a loud bonk atop the bird’s head. A swelling lump emerged immediately while the stunned avian teetered unsteadily mid-air, shrieking uncontrollably.
“Find a sacred mountain—we must heal our wounds,” commanded Little Rascal. Though heavily injured himself, riddled with bloody punctures, blood still seeping from every wound.
The moment Big Crimson heard those words, his eyes gleamed brightly—he dove swiftly towards a nearby mountain range hoping maybe here was where this monstrous rider would leave him.
“Oh you sly fowl—every time you wiggle your behind, I figure out instantly what you plot; better play fair or else—prepare to become roasted meat on skewers!” scolded Little Rascal severely.
“Why did you have to pick *me*, why not any other ancient remnants?” Big Crimson whined.
“Simple—it flew fast. Slower wings might attract trouble chasing behind me. Switching rides might invite greater danger,” explained Little Rascal plainly.
“If speed matters that much… I’d rather clip off a wing,” snarled Big Crimson bitterly threatening mutiny openly.
“Well said—” began Little Rascal before suddenly pulling hard at the bird’s feathers—scarlet plumes scattered everywhere as if trying seriously to strip them all off completely!
“Ahh… What are you doing?!” squawked Big Crimson wildly.
“Plucking! Then we’ll wash you thoroughly along riverbanks—finally stewing you into tender broth,” replied Rascal cheerfully.
“You just promised not to consume me—are you renegading?!”
“I agreed under one condition—flying freely wherever needed. But now, if mutiny happens… what use do I make of such disobedient beasts otherwise?”
“Fine! Fine! I won’t quit! Take me anywhere,” whimpered Big Crimson like a poor battered woman caught in misfortune. But beneath his compliance lurked mischief—an evil scheme brewing behind his twinkling eyes—whispering: “Want a faster flying beast? I happen to know one even faster than myself—isn’t slow at all. Want me to stake its nest instead while fleeing pursuit?”
“Lead ahead—I badly need healing too.” Immediately sensing foul motives, Rascal concluded correctly—that this scheming bastard planned revenge by drawing his fury against old enemies lurking nearby.
Approaching a cliff face crowned by an enormous nest stacked full of white bones, many belonging to long-perished human wanderers—the evidence spoke volumes of something terrifying dwelling within.
Frowning deeply, Little Rascal examined closely several complete skeletons strewn haphazardly among others smeared in sticky dark remnants—a sure sign they’d been devoured freshly mere days ago.
“These humans… once prodigies in life—all reduced now to nourishment fit for this predator’s belly…” mused Little Rascal solemnly, surveying the grotesque nest composed mostly of dry timber yet surprisingly lined luxuriously with soft silver grasses—its core spotless despite surroundings.
“Ahhh!! EGGS!” screamed delightedly Fire Finch bursting forward, scattering silvery grass aside revealing three titanic oval-shaped eggs as wide as grinding stones, smooth and shining jet black like finely carved ink-jade gemstones—laced continuously inside by flickering magical glyphs, brimming with swirling ethereal essence.
Grinning smugly at sight, Big Crimson gloated: “Dragon-Egg Nest eggs! True elixirs packed with supreme energy!”
Sighing sadly, Little Rascal muttered: “Alas—my cooking cauldron’s been lost during escape… Without utensils to properly prepare gourmet feasts…”
“Forget clunky iron pots! Trust me—I’ve perfected cracking open delicacies like these,” boasted Red proud again puffing up boastfully.
Perched confidently within nest center one clawed wing slashed decisively down severing neatly one egg in halves. Smooth flat surfaces aligned seamlessly together suspended magically midair without drips leaking from inner golden-yolk treasures held within protective shells now serving as bowls glowing softly with divine radiance!
Each bowl overflowed beautifully, liquid brilliance bubbling briefly under applied flame until slowly turning shimmering golden-brown deliciousness wafted aromas irresistible.
Stunned silent momentarily witnessing sheer professionalism unfold, realization struck Rascal: *This foolbird was clearly seasoned egg-thief beforehand*!
“Thieving omen eater, you’re guilty of unholy crimes!”
“Pshh—only occasionally indulged when needing extra nutrition growth spurts,” defended Big Crimson self-righteously.
Without concern past misdemeanors, weakened from grievous injuries made current opportunity precious beyond refusal—for sustenance directly infused god-tier vitality into blood and bone. With a greedy yell he practically dived inside consuming voraciously the massive yolk whole effortlessly devouring contents entirely equaling heavier weight than self.
“My turn haven’t even tasted anything yet!” yelled Crimson indignantly.
“Roast more! Another awaits!” responded Rascal casually wiping greasy mouth contentedly releasing waves sparkling luminescence visible proof absorption miraculous nutrients unlocked.
Ultimately Rascal devoured twin specimens dwarfing body mass entirely converting raw material pure spiritual energies—enveloping him radiant glows while circulating healing Glyph patterns repairing damage inflicted earlier.
Equally sated having eaten one egg Crimson lay happily reclining feet crossed lazily twirling wooden toothpick in mouth.
“Do even possess actual teeth?”
“It’s symbolic expression—inner joy celebration,” replied Crimson dismissively.
Ignoring chatter Rascal focused solely healing processes watching visible mending occur tissue knit perfectly restoring skin flawless perfection.
“What kind monster healed this fast?? Definitely primeval ancient beast!” wondered Crimson secretly observing cautiously for reaction signs—creeping carefully attempting flight escape unnoticed.
Suddenly impact slammed atop Crimson sending stars dancing vision skywards narrowly avoiding collision earth below.
“Ate half—still crave finishing feast inside cooked container? Planning absconding?” asked Rascal mock sweet tone sitting firmly upon scarred back continuing meditation.
“Woe is woe, oh delicate waist area!” cried Crimson flapping wildly feather storm dropping en route—post escape attempt deterrence successful.
Later distance erupted with booming cries echoing ominously overhead silhouette huge monstrous winged creature diving downward rumble crashing earspan length twenty meters minimum looming ominously near vicinity.
“The angry guardian arrived—fight young warrior!”
“Not MY roast—your action summoned wrathful response; YOU battle!” countered Rascal placing empty shell like helmet onto bird’s crest covering entirely.
“This scapegoating absurd—clearly YOU ate two I merely tasted one!!” protested Crimson angrily unable longer argue due imminent threat landing fury blazing murder intent obvious.
Far from defenseless Big Crimson fought fierce retaliation—though weaker comparatively than youthful master displayed formidable prowess inherited primal genetic memory. Air filled flying plumes flames torrents lightning strikes—battlefields aflame chaos unleashed above terrain.
Eventually though mighty talon opponent beat down wounded retreating coward form fading defeated shadows receding background.
“Taste true might! None match royal pedigree ‘Mighty Lord’ status,” declared Crimson triumphant despite battered state—then pain overwhelmed sobbing broken wails erupting about agonizing injuries lamenting beloved features destroyed permanently irreparable harm done.
Several post-days passage later—Rascal fully revitalized emerged healthier physique sharper vision renewed clarity stated calmly: “Shall observe Rain Clan affairs developments?”
Region rich waters Rain Ancestors discovered centuries prior strange sensation hinting at ultimate prize—Taoyi Zhen Shui (True Supreme Water), revered divine potion offering legendary benefits ranging enhancing medicine refining unparalleled pills, blessing artifacts boosting qualities via singular droplet containing fundamental water principles imperceptible mysteries tantalizing promises amplified Rain-Clan ambitions.
Expeditions launched seeking final goal—long tireless searching paid gradual dividends nearing success oasis hidden lonely desert miles barren terrain beckoned rectangular pond barely yard-wide yet constantly bubbled auspicious aura floating mist swirling inviting.
Two days elapsed fruitless attempts reaching site convinced gathered crowd: definitely Taoyi Holy Pond—merely illusion barrier misled progress indication stood extremely close.
“Must definitely be famed Taoyi Spring—we encountered illusions guarding treasure! Proof proximity assured breakthrough inevitable,” enthused Yun Kun rallying followers persistent explorations bearing awaited fruition.
Legends whispering confirmation gods employed Taoyi Waters purifying artifact spirits—value measured exceeding cities kingdoms combined unimaginable fortune locked secluded pocket existence—if rumors escaped walls—eldritch horrors across realms stop at nothing launching invasions claiming share coveted liquid immortality itself contained within humble stone fountain bubbling secrets awaiting bold claimers destiny rewriting potential unfurling endless tides future greatness beckoning silently.
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