Chapter 933: Obtaining the Feather

Within the fireball, a fiery bird-like spiritual creature flickered in and out of the flames.

Meanwhile, the yellow light cluster contained an ugly, ball-shaped demonic beast covered in rough, thick, yellowish-brown skin, wrinkled and sagging as if clad in heavy armor. In the middle of its extremely plump body, a sharp rat-like head and a slender tail protruded, resembling a mutated giant demonic rat.

“What kind of demonic beast is this? So bizarre, yet it possesses cultivation around the seventh level. Wait—this beast seems to have flown in from beyond the mountains.” Han Li was both surprised and puzzled.

“This is an Earth Armor Dragon, an extremely rare demonic beast renowned for its defense and ability to locate rare treasures. This is a stroke of luck delivered right to our doorstep!” The Great Divinity Sage exclaimed in delight.

“This spirit beast? No wonder it looks somewhat familiar.” Han Li suddenly realized.

At the very moment Han Li spoke, the two demonic beasts dove one after another into the white mist of the valley, their target being the Rainbow Skirt Grass below.

After a brief encounter, Han Li flipped his palm, revealing a green formation disk. With a swift strike, the disk emitted a radiant glow, and the outermost layers of restrictions flickered, instantly allowing the descending Sunfire Bird to pass through. However, when the Earth Armor Dragon in the yellow light cluster anxiously followed, the restrictions reappeared, temporarily blocking the beast outside the formation.

Enraged, the Earth Armor Dragon swelled to a massive size of seventy to eighty feet under a flash of yellow light, retracting its limbs, head, and tail into its body. Layers of gray-white stone armor emerged on its surface, transforming it into a round, fleshy projectile that crashed violently into the restrictions.

With a thunderous *boom*, it shattered the outermost two layers of restrictions in a single strike. The yellow light paused briefly before smashing into the remaining barriers.

In this brief delay, Han Li had ample time to subdue the Sunfire Bird.

As the bird passed through the restrictions, it flapped its wings, scattering clusters of crimson flames that dispersed much of the mist below, revealing a vibrant pink peach grove beneath. The bird’s keen eyes immediately spotted Han Li standing beneath a peach tree and the Rainbow Skirt Grass atop a red coral, emanating an alluring scent.

Though not highly intelligent, the bird instinctively feared Han Li’s undisguised mid-Nascent Soul cultivation. It circled low in the air, hesitating to land, yet the allure of the Rainbow Skirt Grass was too great to abandon.

Seizing the moment of hesitation, Han Li expressionlessly raised his hand, releasing a black talisman. The dark light transformed into a ghostly claw that lunged at the Sunfire Bird.

Startled, the bird instinctively retaliated, firing over thirty fist-sized fireballs from its wings toward the claw. Explosions erupted as black and fiery lights clashed, momentarily halting the claw’s advance.

Han Li let out a soft exclamation but swiftly formed hand seals. Silver wings materialized on his back, and with a crack of thunder, he vanished. In the next instant, he reappeared several feet above the bird, his face cold as he rubbed his hands together and unleashed two thick golden arcs from his palms. The arcs exploded into a massive net of lightning that descended upon the bird.

Distracted by the ghostly claw, the Sunfire Bird was caught off guard and ensnared within the golden net.

Panicked, the bird shook its body, shedding fiery feathers that transformed into dense red streaks, striking the net. The air filled with continuous explosions.

Han Li’s eyes flashed coldly as he flicked his wrist and uttered, “**Retract.**”

The lightning net pulsed violently, unfazed by the fiery assault, and abruptly tightened. Amidst a burst of golden light, the struggling bird was bound tightly by thumb-thick arcs, rendered completely immobile, emitting only shrill cries.

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Han Li’s face when suddenly, a deafening *boom* echoed above him.

Startled, he looked up to see the final layer of restrictions shattered by the Earth Armor Dragon. The hastily arranged restrictions were too flimsy against a seventh-level demonic beast.

However, as the dragon reverted from its massive stone form and entered the mist, its beady green eyes darted around upon spotting the Sunfire Bird bound in golden arcs and Han Li nearby. Its expression turned eerily human-like—astonished.

Han Li’s heart stirred—this Earth Armor Dragon seemed unusually intelligent.

The dragon’s gaze swept over the Rainbow Skirt Grass on the ground, a cunning glint flashing in its eyes. Suddenly, it plunged downward in a streak of yellow light.

“Stop it! It knows Earth Escape—once it touches the ground, it’ll vanish!” the Great Divinity Sage warned urgently.

“Relax, I’ve prepared for this,” Han Li replied calmly, smiling.

The dragon reached the ground, ecstatic to find no one guarding the grass. It lunged forward, jaws wide to devour the herb.

But at that instant, twelve crystalline bursts of frigid energy erupted from the ground without warning.

Caught mid-air and too close to evade, the dragon was instantly encased in ice, transformed into a frost-covered statue.

From beneath the ground, twelve half-foot-long snow-white centipedes emerged, their heads raised and tails swaying as they continuously spewed icy breath.

“So you hid the Six-Winged Frost Centipedes underground. I worried for nothing,” the Great Divinity Sage chuckled, seeing the dragon subdued.

Despite its rugged hide, the Earth Armor Dragon stood no chance against the combined frost breath of twelve centipedes. Being ambushed and immobilized was hardly surprising.

“I set this up as a precaution. Never thought the Earth Armor Dragon would walk right into it,” Han Li remarked indifferently.

With a flicker, Han Li appeared behind the Sunfire Bird, his gaze lingering on its tail feathers. He smiled at the creature. “I know your intelligence is limited, but you understand human speech. I mean no harm, but will you shed those tail plumes yourself, or shall I pluck them?”

The bird trembled, its eyes flashing with fury and reluctance, its cries growing shriller.

Han Li’s expression darkened. Without another word, he raised a hand enveloped in cyan light and reached for the bird’s tail.

Fear finally surfaced in the bird’s eyes. Reluctantly, it shook its tail, and with a red flash, the long plumes detached. These feathers were linked to its vital essence—forcibly removing them would cause severe harm. Shedding them voluntarily, though still draining, spared it physical injury.

Han Li’s eyes lit up. He snatched the fiery plumes and produced a jade box, swiftly sealing them inside with talismans before storing it away.

With a gentle tap to the bird’s head, he sent a pulse of spiritual energy, knocking it unconscious.

Smiling, Han Li turned his attention to the frozen Earth Armor Dragon below.

Though encased in ice, the beast remained conscious. Its tiny eyes met Han Li’s, brimming with terror.

Han Li descended like an emerald streak.

…

Fifteen minutes later, a dazzling golden streak, like a bolt of lightning, flashed over the valley. It circled once before dissipating, revealing the purple-robed elder from Yueyang Palace’s secret hall, accompanied by a nervous Fang Chu.

By now, the peach grove was devoid of restrictions and empty, save for the tailless Sunfire Bird lying unconscious beneath a tree.

The elder’s heart skipped a beat. Scanning with her divine sense, she confirmed the bird, though plucked of its feathers and weakened, was otherwise unharmed. Relief turned to anger as she eyed its pitiful state.

“Check on the bird. Wake it first,” she ordered coldly.

Fang Chu hastily complied, descending swiftly. Had the elder not intercepted and brought him along, he’d still be en route at his slower pace.

Meanwhile, the elder glanced around, closed her eyes, and expanded her divine sense, searching for the audacious intruder.

Moments later, her expression shifted. Seeming to find a lead, she barked orders to Fang Chu and vanished in a golden streak.

Soon, she intercepted a peculiarly dressed cultivator attempting to leave the mountain range.

“So it’s Fellow Daoist Ma of the Demon Wood Sect. Instead of meditating in your sect, what brings you sneaking around our Tianyue Mountains? Did you incite the earlier beast disturbance?” she demanded icily, her gaze sharp.

The figure before her wore yellow-green robes and a mask, his exposed eyes gleaming with unnatural golden light—an eerie sight.