Beware Of Chicken v7c53: Golden Blood

After lingering a while longer in Xiulan’s office, absorbing her future ambitions, Teacher and Xue Ji provided assistance with her logistical obstacles. While these were minor matters, Xiulan appeared significantly relieved from the burden.

Subsequently, we departed the mountain and made our way toward the training facilities.

What had been a collection of villas, largely rendered useless by Zang Li’s fiery attack, had been thoroughly renovated. Everything radiated newness, and numerous cultivators were actively engaged, moving with evident purpose. Similar to the mountain, younger cultivators would halt their progress to offer greetings to Xiulan. However, unlike the mountain's serene atmosphere, this area teemed with life. Shouts carrying from a distance, the clang of gongs signaling bouts, and the palpable sounds of intense exertion reached our ears. This environment was familiar, reminiscent of my own time at the Cloudy Sword Sect—the unmistakable sound of cultivators in rigorous training.

Recalling my promise to Yin to examine the Spirit Beasts she had slain, we altered our course towards the crimson banners marking Spirit Beasts, where a wheel of flaming swords was arranged to resemble a sunburst or a blooming flower.

We arrived shortly at a vast arena, bustling with activity. Cultivators were paired, engaged in rapid, full-contact sparring. Yin was among them, her form encased in solar armor. She was currently locked in a close, intense duel with another individual. Her opponent was clearly outmatched, yet as Yin’s fist bypassed their guard, it was a mere tap instead of a blow that could have sent them crashing through a wall. Engaging in conversation with the other cultivator, Yin received a nod of consideration before Yin stepped closer, demonstrating a sequence of movements. Her sparring partner acknowledged this with another nod and then began to replicate the techniques Yin had just shown.

Yin gave a nod, but as she prepared to resume, she noticed our presence.

“Grand Marshal! Big Br—, Master Rou!” she called out, waving. The sparring immediately ceased, and the surrounding individuals turned once more to offer us bows.

“I heard that you and your Blazing Swords have vanquished some formidable adversaries,” I stated. “I have come to view the spoils of your victory.”

The assembled members of the Blazing Swords immediately stood taller, their faces alight with pride.

“Indeed, Master Rou! Prior to our training here, we would have undoubtedly met our demise!” one of the cultivators declared emphatically.

“They were ferocious creatures—utterly destructive. They made even Wreckerballs seem tame!” exclaimed another, clearly exulting in the memory.

“Truly, one was at the Fourth Stage of the Initiate’s Realm—an absolute monstrosity!” the final cultivator proclaimed, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

“A truly formidable foe,” I concurred. For the Azure Hills region, the Fourth Stage represented the potential for a legendary beast.

“Allow me to take over, Captain Yin. Please attend to Master Rou,” Xiulan offered.

“We’re receiving pointers from the Grand Marshal!” someone whispered, their voice laced with excitement.

“We shall remain and observe,” Teacher remarked. Both Washy and Babe also appeared intrigued by the unfolding events. Ultimately, only Meiling and I accompanied Yin as she led us into a nearby administrative structure.

“I have already retrieved them all,” Yin informed us, referring to the vanquished mutated Spirit Beasts. The moment my gaze fell upon them, I understood her earlier description of their strangeness. “One encounter involved this specimen… and the other was .”

They were merely the preserved hides, to ensure their longevity, but their appearance was striking. The first one Yin indicated had once been a bison.

. Its dimensions were double that of its natural counterparts. Its coat had transformed into a vibrant crimson hue. Its horns had evolved into translucent, ruby-like antlers. Its forelegs had elongated unnaturally, and its muzzle was entirely devoid of fur, revealing only cracked, charred lips.

“I can still detect the scent of fire emanating from it,” Meiling commented with a slight frown.

“It was at the Fourth Stage of the Initiate’s Realm; it emerged four months subsequent to the Solstice. Each exhalation produced flames, igniting twenty Li of grassland. We were fortunate that it was raining at the time. Its blood flowed like liquid fire, and the first individuals to strike it nearly perished. My attempts at communication were met only with its cries of agony,” Yin recounted, her gaze fixed sorrowfully upon the Spirit Beast. “This creature… it did not deserve its fate. It was merely thrashing and burning, already succumbing to its injuries… I simply ended its suffering, you understand? It was the least I could do for something that nearly shared the same demise as it,” Yin sighed deeply.

Tianlan had previously mentioned assisting Yin in resolving her internal conflicts. I placed a hand on her shoulder.

” Tianlan had said, and I sensed a portion of her lingering sadness.

I exhaled slowly and shook my head, recalling the image. Yin was correct; it truly did not deserve such an end.

“And the other specimen?” I inquired after a moment’s pause.

She directed her attention to the subsequent… Spirit Beast. “ that fiend, however, appeared only three weeks ago.”

It resembled a groundhog, but its back was adorned with numerous golden, crystalline spines.

“What did it do?” I inquired, a touch of amusement in my voice regarding Yin’s vexation with the groundhog. It was merely the size of a football.

“See those spines? It could detach them, impale its own kind with them, and then jointly command them, utilizing techniques through these extensions,” Yin explained with palpable disgust. “A rather cunning little wretch, too. Initially, it manifested as an odd earthen construct resembling those cephalopod creatures Seiyu once described.” Her arms mimicked the undulating movements of tentacles. “It would emerge abruptly and raid a village, materializing directly within its confines. Multiple teams engaged it, believing they had vanquished it—it was so devious, providing the constructs with what appeared to be a core, while it maintained control from beneath the earth via its proxy. Days later, another would resurface. When we finally managed to apprehend one and extract it, its sole utterance was a lament about our inferiority, our status as slaves to the Under Empire, and its declaration that he, the ‘Emperor’, would subjugate the entire ‘Great Green.’”

“It sounds precisely like a creature,” Meimei remarked dryly.

“You haven’t even heard the half of it. We discovered a path to the heart of its domain and confronted a colossal earthen entity.” She gestured towards the groundhog pelt. “Little Mister Emperor spent the entirety of our battle vociferating his intent to capture and… engage me.”

“He ?” Meiling questioned, her faintly amused expression vanishing instantly. Her gaze became fixed upon the pelt. I felt my own fists clench involuntarily.

“Indeed, so I struck him,” Yin stated with a nonchalant shrug. “However, prior to its demise, it shrieked about the impossibility of its defeat, proclaiming itself divinely favored and ‘anointed by the power of gold’.”

“A lot,” Tianlan interjected, and I could sense her wince.

“…well, it's a good thing we’re rectifying this situation,” I commented to Yin after a brief pause. “Where precisely did you mention you encountered them?”

“They both originated from the northeast, in proximity to Ash Forest,” Yin reported. “Frankly, there have been no reports of particular concern from this sector of the province, even following your mention of that significant incident. We have all been maintaining a close watch.”

I pondered Tianlan’s connection to the region. It represented one of Tianlan’s primary shadowed areas, so to speak. Big D had not spent extensive time there, and the lead Tianlan had followed him on had essentially disintegrated at the conclusion of the Solstice. Her understanding of the locale was vague at best.

“Of course,” Tianlan murmured. “This area.”

Two incidents within a six-month span. Had we been delayed by a few more days, it would not have significantly altered the circumstances. The bison had, in reality, committed no overt actions beyond instilling fear in the populace—and it had likely only been reported due to the enhanced information network in place. The groundhog, conversely, had resulted in eight fatalities and considerable property destruction.

“I place my trust in you and Rags to remain vigilant,” I affirmed, nodding towards Yin. “However, we may possibly undertake a slight detour after departing the peaks. Just you and I, Meimei. A swift excursion, a quick resolution, and then we can dedicate more time here in the Grass Sea.”

Meimei’s expression shifted to one of surprise at my proposition, but then she beamed. “Oh? Just the two of us on an escapade?”

“Yes, precisely the two of us,” I concurred. “But for the present moment, I entrust the matter to the Azure Alliance.”

Yin inclined her head solemnly.

“It is our duty—to safeguard the Azure Hills,” Yin vowed. “We shall manage it!”

Her voice resonated with assurance and deep conviction. This wasn't merely self-confidence… it was a reflection of her faith in everyone present.

==============================

Following a period of observing their rigorous training, we departed the Blazing Swords. Their dedication was evident, and it was somewhat amusing to witness individuals undergoing strenuous workouts, employing methods familiar from our past. Yin had firmly embedded a series of kung-fu poles into a pool of water, and participants were precariously balancing atop them while evading incoming projectiles.

From there, we proceeded to observe the Tiger-Leopard Outriders, under the command of Loud Boy. Their designated training area was less populated, yet a significant number of individuals were continuously cycling through the compound. To my considerable amusement, they were all equipped with bags that bore a striking resemblance to ones I recognized.

“Indeed, you devised it for postal delivery, Lord Magistrate, but with minor modifications, it proves exceptionally effective for transporting all the necessary gear for an Outrider!” Loud Boy proclaimed enthusiastically. “Furthermore, we do find ourselves compelled to transport a substantial quantity of correspondence…”

Teacher appeared genuinely amused by this observation—even Shaggy Two sported one, perfectly scaled for his frame. The large, luxuriantly furred, white canine seemed to serve as a favored mascot, meandering between various training sectors alongside the Torrent Rider, who was still actively learning from all disciplines.

Finally, our path led us to the White Tigers. There stood Tigu, arms akimbo, a broad smile gracing her features.

Before her were not seasoned warriors, but rather scholars.

Some of whom appeared visibly perplexed.

“The new recruits are currently undertaking their initial ethics examination,” Tigu announced with undisguised pride.

With a solemn nod, I managed to stifle my grin. “A truly magnificent notion—though morality is frequently neglected, it forms a crucial component in the cultivation of one's perspective,” I declared, channeling the persona of a venerable elder. My voice was projected so that all those undergoing the examination could clearly perceive my words.

Suddenly, a considerable number of individuals exhibited a renewed fervor for the test. Tigu's face lit up with delight, while Xiulan responded with an amused shake of her head.

The sun had just passed its zenith when our exploration of the premises concluded. The Lord Magistrate and Lady Wu, succumbing to their exhaustion from the lack of rest, excused themselves, and Xue Ji accompanied them back to the mountain.

They departed for their quarters, and we proceeded into the bustling town that lay at the foot of the Dueling Peaks.

I anticipated discovering the extent of its transformation… and, more specifically, checking on the well-being of the petite shopkeeper, Ning.