Outside the city, the beast herds had not dispersed. Fierce flying beasts soared overhead, lingering without retreating despite the loss of many kin. Within the city walls, upon the earthen hill, there stood a guardian spirit plant nearly fifteen to twenty feet tall, entirely emerald green. Three massive blossoms, each the size of a millstone, resembled peonies shimmering with radiant auroras and exuding waves of sweet fragrance. The more serene and restrained this sacred spirit appeared—choosing not to initiate combat—the more anxious the gathered bestial swarm outside the city grew. Though they did not retreat, the ancient guardian rooted for years here instilled immense fear among them, making them unwilling to advance.
Suddenly, a long shriek tore through the air—a thunderous cry that caused countless leaves within dense woods to fall in trembling silence. In the sky emerged a vast black silhouette; a terrifying bird, fifty or sixty meters long, arrived in sweeping dominance, its feathered form glistening darkly with surging essence. Its silver eyes burned like electric daggers surrounded by glimmering glyph-illuminated rays, releasing a suffocating aura descending like an endless storm.
“Ah! The leader of these fierce beasts has appeared. It’s actually a fearsome aerial monster—what an overwhelming pressure!” people gasped in terror.
Indeed, it was this mighty avian that led this monstrous tide. With one piercing screech from above, ground-bound creatures surged into action, compelled by instinctive dread they could neither resist nor oppose.
*”Qiang!”*
Within the city upon the earthen hill, once again the guardian erupted with crimson radiance. One fiery bloom fully unfurled as a red lightning bolt shot forth, slicing through space like a sword strike impossibly sharp.
*”Pu!”, “pu!”* — Several leading beasts collapsed immediately, their brows split precisely open under impacts of this soaring crimson blade, spilling fresh blood amidst spreading panic and chaos.
Although simply a botanical entity, its capability to wield such dominating crimson blades defied reason. These petal-sword stamens qualified as world-shocking weapons of peerless sharpness. Every ferocious creature and exotic winged attacker slowed noticeably from their initial charge. Possessing such a mighty guardian meant defense against thousands upon thousands of warriors—an ordinary tide of beasts could not shake Chongyun City’s foundation. Herein resided true invulnerability.
In the skies, that great fifty-meter-long monstrous avian cried out as ominous waves flickered across its dark frame, spitting fire from wide-open jaws which descended in torrents upon the guardian spirit plant below.
Only now did the avian personally engage—for without doing so, the tide might disperse entirely.
The vermilion sword returned, and shaking the entire emerald green body of the magical flora generated a rising veil of turquoise mist upwards into the sky, successfully blocking flames that hissed and spat before fading significantly away.
This dark beast spiraling high above now sent dazzling beams shooting from its glowing silver irises—colossal arrow-like streaks ringing metallic clangs all over ten meters long.
*”Boo! Boo!”* — The verdant plant’s leaves fluttered intensely as three enormous millstone blossoms burst open simultaneously—showering brilliant beams of red, white, and purple light upward amid rolling waves of multicolored aura and dazzling auspicious brilliance, sending tremulous energies rippling far and wide!
Flashes of crimson radiance blazed along with deafening metallic song as the very first vermilion blade ascended heavenwards, trailing luminous crimson arcs resembling setting sun hues.
Then bright whiteness dazzled, and a gleaming jade-white sword launched straight up.
Finally came violet mists swirling and lifting skyward in resonance with the long hummed call of a violet-forged blade.
These three swords leapt from land to sky together, racing meteor-like while trailing blazing elongated tails illuminating the entire celestial dome—the glow utterly astonishing, linking earth with heaven!
Circling above was that monstrous winged beast, a black cloud pulsing malevolently, from whose silver pupils lashed relentless silvery shafts. Yet all were eventually sliced from the air successively.
Ringing clangs reverberated constantly between swords, glyph runes diffusing further and further until finally scattering residual flames toward the very proximity of the giant bird itself.
Wings furiously flapped resisting valiantly as radiant symbols flared brilliantly around where vicious exchanges unfolded continuously. Amidst unending clashes punctuated sharply by—
*”Pu!”*
—Its colossal body was cleaved apart mid-air as showers of crimson rain splattered, decapitating the giant predator before crashing downward onto the landscape.
Upon witnessing their slain leader, beastly ranks crumbled into chaotic flight, scattering toward distant mountains.
*”Kill!”*
City gates swung open as groups of powerful individuals poured out chasing relentlessly after fleeing monsters. Volleying forty-five degree arrows lofted skyward before descending among beasts, triggering sprays of gore and piles of corpses littering the fields.
Meanwhile at a distance, Little Rascal (Little Spot), watched everything unfolding inwardly moved—he realized anew how diverse yet uniformly formidable were these guardians spirits no matter the species. For a mere botanical life-form growing three mill-sized blossoms to possess sword-stamen creations—how incredibly rare.
That conflict stirred him deeply, as young Shi Hao whispered to himself: *”Even glyph energy can be harnessed this way—forging a supreme weapon internally capable of unstoppable assault. Maybe I too should follow suit and forge my own talismanic weapon.”*
Within Chongyun’s confines, slightly overweight middle-aged man reflected aloud following battle: *”What a nonpareil guardian spirit, developing multiple swords. Such potential is limitless indeed.”*
These three swords possessed priceless worth, tempting even imperial ambitions—but he well knew Rain Clan authority couldn’t stretch to touching some things no matter how bold its strength.
*“Hm. That dilapidated ancestral estate—they’ve heard anything lately?”* the middle-aged gentleman asked after refocusing on an estate steward seated nearby.
*“No, since departure those two have never returned,”* answered steward—a stout figure over forty who’d long overseen western regions, usually feared, today curiously subservient.
*”Shi Zi Ling is a dangerous man unsuitable for our clan. We must monitor strictly and report any intelligence instantly,”* stated the plump man grimacing.
*”Yes, sir, slightest movements we shall inform.”* responded servant appearing dutifully faithful, yet silently yearning only relief from exile into capital metropolis promotion.
*”Oh by the way—is that child still breathing?”* asked pale, heavyset gentleman idly sipping tea.
*”Physically weak—I expect no longevity remains,”* answered subordinate promptly.
Gravely nodding the older man uttered *“Hmm…”*, prompting immediate additional reassurance:
*”All elder guardians have expired except one near-end final day…surely that little miscreant also will pass soon enough.”*
*”Don’t provoke issues unnecessarily—it may seem run-down but holds hidden significances. If problems arise…” He ominously trailed off warning.*
*”Understood. The boy dying accidentally—a fall down wells, avalanches, raptor assaults—no trace left. Unavoidable accident!”*
*”Don’t think too cleverly,”* snapped stern look.
*”Of course!” bowed servant respectfully.
Once nobleman retired elsewhere servant immediately sat back proudly assuming natural authority, summoning attendants.
Out beyond Chongyun City traders returning from wild tribal hunts reemerged bearing trophies & healing tonics heading back through city entrances.
From afar observed Little Rascal astride his unicorn companion rapidly departing city vicinity due precautionary checks at gateposts. Unicorn sped quickly onwards, bypassing terrain towards Stone Tribe’s second holy site.
Mountains twisted forbiddingly—steep cliffs obstructed then vast swamps impeded. Nonetheless, having already traversed ten-thousand-mile trails, extra thousand miles seemed trivial. Eventually reaching sovereign Shiguo territory headed confidently toward decayed ancestral residence.
At noon final approach revealed sun-drenched lands contrast bleak crumbling estate seemingly cloaked perpetual gloom nearing collapse.
Cautiously releasing mount far back entering alone holding “Hairball,” vigilantly surveyed surroundings acutely aware inherent dangers. Too massive remained Stone Kin, potentially traps laying awaiting unwary returnees sealing certain demise.
Multiple silent days scouting outskirts unearthed truths revealing four villages & minor hamlet unusually clustering barren west plains.
Originally designed supporting ancestral home gradually evolved isolated human settlement necessity rather than natural demographic growth.
Designated penal domain restricted ordinary passage—accessible only high-born Stone Kin exiled post-major offenses.
Sighed old caretaker pulling animal-cart laden fruits & venison freshly departing ruinous mansion commenting:
*”More lifeless daily… Those ancient elders deceased—what fate awaits pitiful orphaned survivor? Tragic times indeed.”*
Within weather-worn compound sat frail youth on cold stone steps waving goodbye coughing hoarsely:
*”Sea Grandpa—bring Big Black next time please, need playmates!”* he wheezed tearfully pale.
*”Alright. After Big Black bears cubs I’ll deliver. Together they’ll keep you company”* replied kindly carriage vanishing whisper:
*”Poor child—alone, friendless, haunting graveyard-like ruins casting gray childhood shadows.”*
Distance woodlands Little Rascal teared watching murmuring self:*“Am I observing myself lost past? A replaced sorrowful reflection, wounded crippled limping shadow?”*
Touching enigmatic golden-metallic tablet whispered:*“Into Heaven-Mending Pavillion I’ll carry regardless how far journey separates us both.”*
“Masterling, Last Ancestor nearing death’s doorstep soon gone, future hard ahead.” commented door attendant slouching disrespectfully sarcastically teasing.
“No—you’re lying, Granduncle won’t leave!” screamed tear-stricken pale youth, fits of cough interrupting protestations
“We’ll witness soon enough.” scoffed irreverent tone.
Second assistant muttered:”Heard not truly belonging to Shizi Ling, Rather late passing venerable ancestor’s direct bloodline cover.”
“Seems plausible; genuine offspring would suffer greater calamity.” smirked seated lackey eyeing Masterling disdainfully never rising.
Deep woodland unseen Little Rascal witnessed all clenching fists realizing truth: This ruined manor turned virtual prison, corrupted inner servants already betraying loyalties—now emboldened bolder since ancestral watchers fell quiet one by one.
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