Shi Hao saw the old clan chief shedding tears, and his own eyes reddened with intense emotion. He repeatedly called out “Grandpa” and wiped the old man’s tears away.
Shi Hao had been raised by the old clan chief with beast milk, and now, seeing more white strands in his hair, he couldn’t help but feel his nose sting.
“Grandpa, are you well? I missed you so much—I came back to see you!” He supported Shi Yun Feng as he spoke.
Fortunately, though the clan chief had aged, his body remained robust. A few more white hairs were only natural for an elder.
Back in the day, even as a child, Shi Hao had frequently sent precious medicines and fierce beast flesh to the village, ensuring the villagers’ strong constitutions.
“Good, good, good…” The old man repeated with a trembling voice, overwhelmed with joy. Seeing this child again filled his heart with contentment, leaving no regrets.
He had thought he would never see Shi Hao again in this lifetime, given the separation between the upper and lower realms.
Shi Yun Feng held Shi Hao’s hand, gazing at him again and again. Though tears welled in his eyes, they were accompanied by a smile—one of boundless satisfaction and pride. The child had finally grown up.
“Seeing you return makes me happier than I ever imagined,” Shi Yun Feng said with a smile.
Da Zhuang spoke up, telling Shi Hao, “Clan Chief Grandpa missed you dearly. He often stood at the village entrance, gazing into the distance. Though he never said it, we all knew he was watching the mountain path, hoping you would suddenly appear one day.”
“That’s right. Clan Chief Grandpa has been talking about you all these years, often sitting at the village entrance lost in thought,” Hu Zi added.
“Grandpa, I’ll stay for a long time this time. Even if I leave again, I’ll come back often!” Shi Hao’s eyes stung, and tears fell despite his efforts to hold them back.
“Hahaha, why cry? Today is a joyous occasion—a surprise! You little rascal, your return is the greatest shock of all. Come, let’s drink in the village and celebrate!” Shi Lin Hu shouted.
“This kid really has grown up. Look, he’s taller than all of us now!” A group of uncles and elders crowded around, tugging at Shi Hao’s arms and ruffling his hair.
Meanwhile, the younger generation was pushed aside. Though Da Zhuang, Hu Zi, Er Meng, and Pi Hou had grown up, they were as meek as mice before their fathers, obediently stepping back.
“Uncle, Uncle Little Stone! You’re invincible! Now that you’re back, you must teach us your skills! We want to conquer the world too!” a child shouted.
“No problem!” Shi Hao laughed, lifting the child onto his shoulders.
“Me too! Uncle Little Stone, carry me!” A three-year-old snot-nosed kid clamored to join.
Shi Hao chuckled and hoisted him onto his other shoulder.
Soon, a swarm of children clambered over him like little monkeys, jumping and climbing with boundless energy.
Shi Hao was completely buried under the lively mob.
Even the old clan chief laughed, stepping back to give them space.
“These little rascals!” Shi Lin Hu and Shi Fei Jiao shook their heads, amused. Though they could scold Da Zhuang and Er Meng sternly, they were helpless against the younger ones.
The lively group made their way into the village.
Er Meng’s father glanced at the massive black tortoise trailing behind and patted Shi Hao’s shoulder. “All these years, and your style hasn’t changed. Not only did you return, but you also brought back such a huge slab of beast meat. Though, a black tortoise like this is indeed nourishing—we’ll stew it in a big pot for the whole village!”
The men nodded in agreement.
Behind them, the black tortoise: “I@#￥%#…!”
It wanted to curse but swallowed its words under Shi Hao’s sharp gaze.
Finally, it forced a strained smile and muttered, “Ahem, gentlemen, you should know I am the mighty Xuan Turtle! For years, I’ve roamed the world unchallenged—that’s me!”
“A turtle this big is indeed rare,” someone remarked, completely ignoring its boast.
The men only cared about whether it would taste good.
The black tortoise panicked, fearing Shi Hao might humor them and actually cook it. It had witnessed firsthand how ruthless the little devil could be—especially when it came to food.
“Honored uncles and elders, don’t scare me like this! You must remember me—I carried Little Stone into battle back in the day! I’m the legendary Xuan Turtle, San Hei!”
In desperation, it even blurted out the name Shi Hao had given it.
“What? You’re that runaway turtle?”
Someone glared—during the Seven Gods’ turmoil, this slippery creature had fled.
“What a wretched turtle!” another snapped.
The black tortoise wilted, not daring to cause trouble.
It knew this village was no ordinary place, protected by the legendary Willow God’s formations and home to divine beings like the Zhu Yan and descendants of the Vermilion Bird.
“Where’s Mao Qiu?” Shi Hao asked.
He hadn’t seen the golden monkey or the little red bird yet—both had ignited their divine flames and ascended to godhood before he left.
“Lord Mao Qiu is quite the free spirit, roaming the East Sea by morning and resting in the West River by night. He often feasts with sea clan overlords and desert demon kings, only returning occasionally,” a child explained.
As for the little red bird, it was even rarer, occasionally visiting to study the Willow God’s formations. It mostly resided in the Fire Clan’s ancestral lands.
Just then, the crowd ahead parted to make way for a creature.
Shi Hao looked and nearly laughed—it was a chicken, plain and earth-colored, strutting arrogantly as the villagers respectfully stepped aside.
The Eight Treasures Chicken!
The audacious bird barely glanced at Shi Hao before lifting its head and sauntering past, utterly dismissive.
“Hey, you overgrown poultry! Getting bold, aren’t you?” Shi Hao glared. This chicken had the nerve to ignore him?
For a mere bird—even if it was one of the legendary Eight Treasures—it was far too haughty.
“Over the years, it’s been invaluable. Every egg it lays is like a spiritual medicine, keeping all the village children strong as oxen,” someone explained.
Clearly, the villagers held the chicken in high regard, hence their deference.
Indeed, the Eight Treasures Chicken was extraordinary, contributing immensely to the village. With good nourishment, it laid spiritual-grade eggs that strengthened bones and bodies—priceless treasures.
“Don’t worry. I brought it some company. It won’t stay this arrogant for long.”
Shi Hao untied a beast-hide pouch—a spatial artifact that could hold living creatures—and out tumbled several more Eight Treasures Chickens, both male and female.
The villagers gasped. These were divine fowls, capable of producing endless spiritual eggs to fortify the children and even prolong adult lifespans!
“And there’s a male! Does this mean we can breed them and raise a whole flock?” someone exclaimed excitedly.
“Of course. Though, if you ever want to eat one, that’s fine too,” Shi Hao joked.
He knew the villagers would never allow it.
Before leaving the Upper Realm, he had arranged for rare treasures, including divine medicines and these chickens. Only the Upper Realm’s influence and his own prestige had secured so many, as they were nearly extinct.
In the distance, the proud chicken suddenly turned, spotting its new companions. Its eyes widened, and with a loud squawk, it flapped over in excitement.
“Go on, show them around,” Shi Hao released the new chickens, letting them mingle.
Suddenly, avian cries echoed from the sky as three massive shadows descended like storm clouds.
Shi Hao frowned—such fierce beasts near the village?
But then he smiled. It was them—all grown up.
The enormous birds shrank to human size as they landed, lest they overwhelm the village streets.
“Ah! Shi Hao! It’s Shi Hao—he’s back!” they shrieked.
“Da Peng! Xiao Qing! Zi Yun!” Shi Hao called back.
These were the three fierce birds he’d grown up with—offspring of the Azure-Scaled Eagle, now fully transformed into pure-blooded rocs.
“And Aunt Azure-Scaled Eagle?” Shi Hao asked.
“She’s in secluded cultivation, far from here,” Xiao Qing replied, rushing over. The three birds were ecstatic.
Da Peng’s feathers gleamed like gold, Xiao Qing’s body shone with metallic luster, and Zi Yun radiated violet mist—each dazzling and powerful.
They had always protected the village, hunting rare beasts for the villagers.
“The Willow God’s efforts weren’t wasted,” Shi Hao praised, embracing them like old friends.
Back then, the Willow God had purified their bloodlines, allowing them to grow into their full potential. Now, they were perfect candidates to learn the Kun Peng’s techniques.
“Well, well, well! Who do we have here?!” A fiery red bird swooped down, disbelieving its eyes.
It was Da Hong Niao, the rowdy one, who had once tormented the bald elder, Er Tu Zi.
“Where’s my buddy Er Tu Zi? Didn’t he come back with you from the Upper Realm?” it squawked.
“What a rare reunion,” Old Clan Chief Shi Yun Feng stroked his beard, beaming. “Quick, send for Qing Feng—tell him his elder brother has returned.”
Qing Feng was now the Human Emperor of the Stone Country.
Years ago, Shi Hao had pacified all enemies and ascended as Stone Emperor before passing the throne to Qing Feng.
Qing Feng had suffered greatly as a child, even limping from injuries meant for Shi Hao. Shi Hao always felt indebted, treating him like a true brother.
“Uncle Qing Feng has been facing some trouble lately. Now that Uncle Little Stone is back, let’s see who dares provoke him!” a child declared.
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