“Fellow Daoist Han has already refined a feather of the Kun Peng, and with our assistance in integrating the true blood of the Kun Peng and the relic, it can be said that he is one of our Tian Peng clansmen. No other clan would have grounds to dispute this. However, it’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Regarding Fellow Daoist Han’s affairs, the two of you should refrain from speaking of them publicly. Simply state that he is a clansman our clan has nurtured overseas. Do you understand?” the young woman instructed solemnly.
“We obey the Grand Elder’s command,” the pair of man and woman responded in unison, bowing their heads.
Satisfied, the young woman nodded and then turned to Han Li with a grave expression.
“Fellow Daoist Han, I have retrieved the secondary scroll of the Tian Peng Oath from the secret chamber. Moreover, Elder Shi has just returned and can assist in breaking the seal on the scroll. Prepare to inscribe your name on it.”
The so-called “Elder Shi” naturally referred to the black-robed man standing nearby.
“Thank you for your efforts, Elders,” Han Li replied without hesitation, his gaze settling on the wooden box on the table.
Noticing Han Li’s attention, Jin Yue gestured toward the box with a single hand.
With a “whoosh,” the box flew into her palm.
At this, not only Han Li but the others also fixed their eyes on the box.
Jin Yue remained expressionless as her jade-like fingers brushed over the emerald leaves adorning the box.
A burst of green light erupted as the leaves were effortlessly removed.
With a “puff,” the crimson wooden box, now devoid of the spiritual leaves that had suppressed it, burst into flames, transforming into a blazing fireball.
Holding the fireball nonchalantly in one hand, Jin Yue gave it a slight shake.
The flames dissipated, revealing a half-foot-long crimson scroll. At each end of the scroll, a green and a red demonic head bit down, lifelike as if alive.
Muttering an incantation, she tossed the scroll into the air before her, where it hovered steadily at a low altitude.
Then, with a flick of one of the wings on her back, a golden feather shot out like a beam of light and vanished into the scroll.
“Elder Shi, it’s time for you all to assist in breaking the seal,” Jin Yue said, turning to the black-robed man after completing her spell.
“This matter concerns the survival of our clan. Naturally, we will do our utmost,” the black-robed man replied with a faint smile. A black light shot from his dark wings, sending a black feather into the scroll as well.
The red-bearded elder and the beautiful woman, without needing further prompting, followed suit.
Having absorbed the feathers of the four Tian Peng Elders, the scroll finally began to change.
A flash of red light enveloped it, and it expanded several times in size. The demonic heads at each end, their eyes previously shut, suddenly opened, revealing blood-red pupils. With a release of their grip, the scroll unfurled downward.
Red mist shimmered across the surface of the scroll, with countless symbols of varying sizes swirling chaotically.
A blue glint flashed in Han Li’s eyes as he scrutinized the contents of the scroll.
Amidst the red light were densely packed small characters, most of which were names.
At the top of the scroll, the words “Tian Peng Oath” were inscribed in the Fei Ling script in golden letters.
Below were the terms of the oath, written in pale silver characters, matching the records in the Tian Peng clan’s ancient texts.
Further down were rows of names in black and green.
Han Li cautiously extended his spiritual sense toward the scroll.
The moment it touched the red mist, a long, clear cry erupted from the scroll. The mist churned violently, and a phantom image of a giant azure roc emerged. Initially only a foot in size, it rapidly expanded, glowing brilliantly until it towered like a mountain, filling most of the hall and casting Han Li and the others beneath its shadow.
Han Li and Bai Bi were startled, but Jin Yue and the other Elders remained composed, as if they had witnessed this spectacle before.
“Retreat!” Jin Yue raised a hand, summoning a bronze mirror that emitted a green glow. With a single sweep toward the avian phantom, the image let out a low cry before shattering into fragments, ultimately dissolving into a green mist that returned to the scroll.
“Use your essence blood to inscribe your name. It must be your true name, or the backlash from the oath will be irreversible,” Jin Yue said meaningfully as she stowed the mirror.
Han Li stiffened, setting aside any lingering thoughts of deception.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.
Opening his mouth, he expelled a golden thread that sliced a small cut on his finger. With a surge of spiritual energy, a drop of pale golden essence blood welled up.
“Hmm?” Elder Shi, who had been sitting quietly, showed a flicker of surprise.
“Has Elder Shi noticed something amiss?” the red-bearded elder asked, stroking his beard.
“Nothing serious. Fellow Daoist Han must have cultivated a unique technique or consumed some rare fruit, for his essence blood to take on such a hue,” the black-robed man replied after a pause.
“Indeed, golden essence blood is exceedingly rare. It typically manifests only when one’s physical body reaches an extraordinary level of strength,” the elder mused, eyeing Han Li thoughtfully.
The black-robed man smiled but said no more.
Han Li approached the scroll and swiftly inscribed his name in an empty space.
The moment his golden essence blood touched the scroll, the characters sank in before reappearing as black-green text, dry and dull, as if they had been written years ago.
Simultaneously, Han Li faintly sensed something observing his primordial spirit, though the sensation vanished instantly.
A chill ran down his spine—this Tian Peng Oath was indeed extraordinary.
Yet, this only reassured him further.
With such a binding force in place, the Tian Peng Elders would find it difficult to betray him after achieving their goals.
As Han Li pondered silently, Jin Yue, seeing his name inscribed, immediately cast a spell toward the scroll.
The scroll trembled before rolling up swiftly, reverting to its original form. The demonic heads clamped down on the ends once more. With a wave of her hand, the scroll shrank and flew into her sleeve.
“Now that this matter is settled, Elder Xu will brief you on the details of the Abyss Trial and the precautions to take. Pay close attention—any piece of advice could save your life during the trial,” Jin Yue said calmly.
“The Abyss Trial is a triennial event held by the seventy-two main branches of our Fei Ling race…” the red-bearded elder began, speaking methodically.
Han Li and the other two listened intently…
Several days later, several enormous snow-white birds soared out from the gates of the Holy City, bypassing the restrictions before heading toward a distant destination.
Han Li sat atop one of these birds.
With each flap of their wings, the birds traversed over twenty zhang, vanishing into the horizon within moments, reduced to mere specks before disappearing entirely.
Three months later, atop a towering peak…
Surrounding a vast square amidst verdant structures stood over a hundred winged Fei Ling clansmen. At the center, a crane-like bird and a multicolored avian engaged in a fierce aerial battle.
The crane moved with uncanny precision, its strikes and pecks accompanied by sharp whistles, demonstrating lethal prowess.
The multicolored bird, sporting a single horn and four wings, was enveloped in a radiant haze that effortlessly absorbed the crane’s assaults.
Enraged, the crane retreated dozens of zhang before flapping both wings toward its opponent.
Dozens of feathers shot forth, transforming mid-flight into gleaming blades that embedded themselves in the radiant haze.
Though the haze was formidable, the sheer number of blades caused it to tremble violently, on the verge of splitting apart.
The crane, delighted, prepared to intensify its assault when the multicolored bird let out a piercing cry. Opening its beak, it unleashed a gust of yellow wind that sent the blades spinning wildly, rendering them uncontrollable.
Startled, the crane retaliated with a milky-white beam that pierced through the wind, striking toward the multicolored bird.
The bird’s violet eyes flashed as its black horn glowed crimson, releasing a red beam that collided with the white one.
A thunderous explosion ensued as both attacks canceled each other out.
“Brother Xun, if you have any other tricks, now’s the time. Otherwise, it’s my turn,” the multicolored bird spoke in a male voice.
“Hmph, your Jiao Xiu clan’s techniques are limited. What more can you do?” the crane retorted coldly.
“Very well, allow me to demonstrate my newly mastered technique,” the bird replied.
Its four wings shimmered, transforming into an ancient yellow bell, ten feet tall.
“Not good!” Several onlookers recoiled in alarm, while those confident in their cultivation stood their ground.
The bell tolled once, emitting a deep, resonant note.
All who heard it felt their minds reverberate, severely disoriented.
The crane, bearing the brunt of the attack, plummeted silently from the sky.
A flash of white light later, it transformed into a white-robed Fei Ling man in his thirties.
Another clansman rushed forward, catching him mid-air before gently landing.
The yellow bell shimmered, reverting to a dark-robed youth who clasped his hands and said calmly, “My apologies.”
The crane-transformed man, now regaining consciousness, shook off his companion’s support and glared at the youth with a grim expression.
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