Chapter 437: The Arrival of the Roc Clan

A Special Great Calamity? Shi Hao felt a chill run down his spine. The Willow God had noticed something, murmuring to itself in such a manner.

The formation was incredibly well-hidden, seamlessly integrated into the bizarre stone mountains and waters as if naturally formed. Had they not known beforehand that this was an ancient formation from the primordial era, even careful scrutiny would have made it difficult to detect.

“Watching the winds and clouds rise!” The Willow God murmured before taking a step forward and vanishing from the spot.

Shi Hao snapped back to reality, glancing left and right. Despite the presence of countless powerful figures, not a single one had noticed the Willow God or heard its whispers.

The stone forest was vast, filled with towering boulders—some standing like bamboo shoots, others sprawled like resting oxen, all in peculiar shapes.

The Celestial Clan was abuzz with excitement, discussing how to gather divine materials to rebuild the formation. It was destined to be a massive undertaking, requiring the combined efforts of several clans.

The demand for divine materials was immense. The Celestial Clan’s treasury alone couldn’t meet it, necessitating cooperation with other sacred mountains and pooling the resources of various clans. After all, this was an ancient formation meant to traverse realms—its consumption was unimaginable!

Though arduous, hope had finally emerged.

“If the Celestial Clan joins forces with the other sacred mountains, our clans won’t stand a chance. Will they even allow our people to come here?” the Fire Crow fretted.

The Nine-Headed Lion and others also frowned, sensing that this place would soon become a battleground of schemes. Stepping onto the formation to teleport to another mysterious world might not be so easy.

After all, all formations had a limited lifespan, especially those crossing realms—their wear and tear were severe. With so many hoping to pass through, the available slots would inevitably fall short.

When the clans gathered, those without a Venerable to back them would be insignificant.

“Forget it, we’ll withdraw,” the Nine-Headed Lion declared decisively, weighing the pros and cons. Perhaps this was the best choice.

“True. My clan has no Venerable, so even if the great calamity descends, we won’t be targeted,” the Five-Colored Luan Bird nodded, sensing that the Celestial Mountain was about to face a storm.

Survival was paramount. Since the calamity wouldn’t affect beings below the Venerable level, there was no need to flee.

Though stepping into another mysterious world was tempting—perhaps the greatest opportunity of their lives—they still needed their lives intact to enjoy it. Given the current circumstances, the outlook wasn’t optimistic.

Hearing their words, Shi Hao frowned as well. He had already asked the Willow God, who had stated it wouldn’t leave. Did he really need to go? His parents were still missing, and he hadn’t even seen his grandfather, the Great Devil God.

The most conflicted was Huo Ling’er. Her father, the emperor, was incredibly powerful and undoubtedly on the calamity’s hit list. She then turned her gaze to Shi Hao.

Shi Hao said, “Let’s wait. There’s still time. Don’t make hasty decisions. This might be a special great calamity—there’s bound to be some omen.”

In the distance, the Bald Sparrow was preening, now the center of attention, basking in the limelight. In human form, he cut a striking figure, reminiscent of his youthful vigor.

Shi Hao and the others settled in, quietly awaiting the outcome—whether the clans could gather the necessary materials.

The mountains were grand, and they were led into a palace district shrouded in mist, adorned with lush trees, cascading springs, and breathtaking scenery.

“Why does this palace feel so extraordinary?” the Fire Crow marveled. Though built of ordinary bricks and tiles, it exuded solemnity and sanctity.

“A god built it with their own hands—naturally, it’s no ordinary place,” a servant said, his expression carrying an indescribable air, somewhere between pride and reverence.

“Still just a place for people to live,” Shi Hao scoffed, unimpressed.

The palace complex was vast, with spirit birds dancing in the sky amid falling petals. Standing atop the mountain peak, gazing into the distance as mist swirled and the crimson sun sank, it felt like standing in the divine realm.

“Who are these people? Why were they placed here?”

The servants whispered among themselves.

“They’re not cultivators from other sacred mountains—just ordinary folk. I recall the True Hou Clan’s esteemed guests stayed here last time, one of the candidates for the marriage selection. What do these people amount to?”

…

Trouble arrived the very next day.

And it was no small trouble—the Golden-Winged Great Peng Clan had arrived, led by a golden-haired elder whose pupils shone like miniature suns, golden beams flickering with every blink.

Most terrifying was his overwhelming aura. Every movement radiated the majesty of an ancient deity, golden light surging, auspicious mist swirling around him.

“I heard someone has taken residence in the Celestial Pavilion. Quite the honor—let’s see who these distinguished guests are,” a young man beside the elder spoke.

Shi Hao and the others stepped out and were startled to see a group of Peng Clan elites!

Golden-Winged Great Pengs were rare sightings, yet here stood several pure-blooded ones, their golden brilliance burning like flames, alongside many half-blooded Golden Pengs.

“I wondered who it was. So it’s you. Quite the privilege to stay here,” a youth sneered.

He was around sixteen, with cascading golden hair and unfriendly eyes. Shi Hao had seen him before in the Fire Nation’s capital—Jin Yunxiao.

His elder brother was reputedly one of the two greatest prodigies of the primordial sacred mountains, having ventured beyond the Desolate Wasteland to temper himself—a truly formidable figure.

“Can we help you?” Shi Hao asked.

Jin Yunxiao smirked. “Just here to take a look. Do you know this is the Celestial Clan’s divine hall? Outsiders are rarely permitted to stay. Yet here you are, acting like you own the place.”

This was clearly provocation. Humiliated by Shi Hao in the Fire Nation’s capital, he now had his elders backing him and held nothing back.

“Of course, the Fire Clan’s princess deserves such respect. Wherever she goes, even in our Peng Clan’s sacred mountain, she’d receive the same treatment,” Jin Yunxiao added, his tone shifting to politeness as he addressed the stunning Huo Ling’er, even inviting her as a guest—while targeting Shi Hao and the others.

The Fire Crow stepped forward. “The hosts arranged for us to stay here. What’s it to you? Mind your own business.”

“Oh? A little Fire Crow dares to act so boldly before our Peng Clan? Quite the nerve,” Jin Yunxiao taunted, unruffled.

“His ancestors were Golden Crows, no weaker than your Peng Clan. You think your bloodline makes you superior? What a joke,” Shi Hao retorted coldly, stepping in to shield the Fire Crow.

He was no stranger to dealing with beings from the primordial sacred mountains and feared nothing. But he worried for the Fire Crow—provoking the Golden-Winged Great Peng Clan could spell disaster.

“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Outside, fine—but daring to strut around the Celestial Mountain? Do you even know how to write the word ‘death’?” Jin Yunxiao sneered.

Behind him, the Peng Clan members wore cold or mocking expressions, exuding disdain.

They had the right to look down on others—their strength and ancient lineage allowed them to dominate the Desolate Wasteland. Though Shi Hao was strong, he hadn’t yet reached his peak.

“I’m doing just fine. The Celestial Clan treats me as an honored guest—might even arrange a marriage alliance,” Shi Hao said with a grin.

The mention of a marriage alliance struck a nerve. The Golden Pengs could no longer remain composed.

“Nonsense! Yun Xi would never marry you, a mere human. Even if your talent is decent, will you even live long enough to grow?” an older Golden Peng roared, killing intent flaring—clearly ready to escalate.

“You, a mere birdman of the Peng Clan, think you can dictate the Celestial Clan’s affairs? Dream on,” Shi Hao shot back.

“Audacious!” the Golden Peng bellowed.

“Oh? Planning to cause trouble on the Celestial Mountain? You dare attack me here, breaking the rules?” Shi Hao mocked.

A cold snort echoed as the Pengs parted, revealing an elder—Jin Yunhai, half-Peng, half-Celestial, a formidable Venerable.

“I endorse their words. I am a master of this place,” he declared icily.

Shi Hao studied him and nodded, realizing why the Peng Clan had arrived so swiftly—Jin Yunhai must have summoned them.

His appearance betrayed his strong Peng heritage—his golden-tinged hair spoke of pure blood. He clearly favored the Peng Clan.

“As I recall, the Celestial Mountain’s patriarch is Yun Canghai, not you?” Shi Hao asked calmly.

“What of it? I still have the authority to make certain decisions!” Jin Yunhai’s eyes flashed with cold light, murderous intent thick.

“If you’re not the patriarch, then retract your words. Yun Canghai himself made that decision—are you defying him?” Shi Hao remained unflinching.

“In matters of great importance, I have the right to oppose my elder brother. I believe he’s been too indecisive in handling you. A new decision must be made!” Jin Yunhai stepped forward, closing in.

He was ready to act, consequences be damned.

“So you’re staging a coup, usurping the Celestial Mountain’s leadership?” Shi Hao challenged, eyeing the Peng Clan members behind him and then glancing into the distance.

Boom!

A crushing pressure descended—golden feathers and radiant blossoms, manifestations of runes, surged toward Shi Hao like a tidal wave.

This was the might of a Venerable, aiming to crush him into paste.

“You dare?!” the Bald Sparrow roared. Now in human form, he exuded an imposing aura, befitting his former title as the Peacock Great Venerable, once a ruler of his domain, unafraid of sacred mountains.

He strode forward, flicking his sleeve to disperse Jin Yunhai’s attack, restoring calm.

“Enough talk. Elder brother, let’s capture this peacock and extract the incomplete formation diagram from his mind,” Jin Yunhai said to the Peng elder. Then, pointing at Shi Hao, he added, “As for you, hand over that armguard immediately, or you’ll wish for death.”

Shi Hao almost laughed at the sheer audacity. Were they really planning to slaughter them all here, consequences be damned?

“Fine by me. Let’s see what you’ve got. Do your worst!” Shi Hao retorted coldly.

“The Peng Clan’s arrogance knows no bounds—planning to overthrow the Celestial Mountain? I’ll be watching too!” the Bald Sparrow added with equal frost.