With the Qingluan in her arms, Ganyu's face glowed with joy.
She hugged the little bird tightly, terrified it might suddenly fly away.
The Qingluan, however, was perfectly content to rest in such warmth.
Lifting its head, it chirped incessantly at Ganyu. Though she couldn't understand a word, she answered gently, like a mother coaxing her infant daughter.
In this cold and merciless Nine Nether Secret Realm, the sight of such harmony brought the group a rare sense of warmth.
"Ganyu's fortune truly is extraordinary…"
Ningguang sighed enviously.
"She found a Qingyuan Fruit the moment we entered the Myriad Demon Mountains—and now, by offering one fruit, she's gained this powerful little Qingluan."
"What a stroke of fate…"
Baizhu's eyes were red with jealousy. His heart burned with the desire to tame a spirit beast of his own.
But he knew it was only a dream. Spirit beasts were rarer than phoenix feathers. In all Nine Nether Secret Realm, this Qingluan was likely the only survivor.
"Still, having her with us is a blessing."
Keqing smiled softly.
"The Sect Master said Qingluan are unrivaled treasure-seekers. And she has lived in the Myriad Demon Mountains for two centuries. With her, our plan to fish in troubled waters will be far smoother."
The others immediately brightened.
Yes—this little one was practically a living treasure-compass for contribution points.
The Qingluan seemed to sense their goodwill. She wriggled free from Ganyu's arms, flitting in a playful circle around each person.
At last, she stopped before Venti, cocked her head, and—quite humanly—gave him a disdainful look before returning proudly to Ganyu's embrace.
"Wha—she… she just looked down on me?!"
Venti jabbed a finger at himself in disbelief.
Zhongli suppressed a chuckle and nodded.
"Most likely, yes."
"Argh! So what if she was born with divine speed? Big deal! Once I master a proper movement art, I'll leave her choking on my dust!"
Venti puffed his cheeks, glaring at the bird—though in truth, even he found her irresistibly endearing.
They had seen so many hideous, cruel demon beasts—fangs bared, dripping venom. Compared to those, this spirit beast was the very embodiment of purity and beauty.
Just thinking of that grotesque three-headed demon bird with needle-like feathers made everyone appreciate the Qingluan's elegance even more.
The cultivation world was treacherous beyond measure—but beauty like this was also part of its truth.
After days of fleeing through Nine Nether Secret Realm's Myriad Demon Mountains, they finally had a moment's reprieve. To bond with this Qingluan made their hearts feel lighter than they had in a long time.
"Even at the peak of Refining Essence into Qi, a spirit beast like her—if nurtured well—may one day become the guardian of Mount Shu itself," Jiang Yan remarked with a smile.
Ganyu stroked the bird's head, enchanted by the silky, aura-rich feathers.
"Master, will she always stay this small, even after growing up?"
At that, Jiang Yan laughed.
"Of course not. Even now, her true body spans hundreds of meters. When she reaches Spirit Transformation, she will stretch thousands, even tens of thousands of meters. Should she ever attain Unity of Dao, you will witness a true colossus."
"At that stage, a single spread of her wings could carry all of Liyue Harbor upon her back."
"You lack a clear sense of scale for beasts of the cultivation world. Take, for example, the Sky-Roaming Roc, one of the Seven Kings."
Jiang Yan lifted his gaze to the sky, his tone solemn.
"The Sky-Roaming Roc carries a thin trace of the ancient Roc's bloodline. Do you know how vast the Peng is?"
The disciples shook their heads.
Jiang Yan recited slowly:
"In the Northern Sea there is a fish, its name Kun. So great it stretches for thousands of li. Transformed into a bird, its name becomes Peng. Its back spans thousands of li; when it rises, its wings shroud the sky in clouds."
"And that… is but the simplified description."
"Once, a Roc at Unity of Dao spread its wings—and crushed an entire minor world beneath their weight."
"The Sky-Roaming Roc only carries a thread of that bloodline, but even so, its true size nears ten thousand meters."
"Yet in the Myriad Demon Mountains, a body that large is a living target. Hence, the stronger the beast, the less it relies on sheer size. Still—while a mighty beast need not be large, any beast that is large is surely mighty."
"This Qingluan's current form is simply her survival state."
The disciples nodded in dawning understanding.
Zhongli pondered for a while, then spoke quietly:
"In the Qingyun Invocation of Divine Manifestation, I once saw—True Lord Erlang excels at the art of Dharma-Body of Heaven and Earth."
"That technique enlarges one's form to hold the sun and moon in the palm—a battle art of unimaginable might."
Jiang Yan inclined his head.
"Indeed. Vast size is not always suited for combat, as it paints a target on one's back. But its destructive force is undeniable. If True Lord Erlang invokes that Dharma-Body, a single palm could shatter a minor world."
"Yet such matters are far removed from us. Do not dwell upon them."
The disciples sighed with awe. To touch Taiyi Golden Immortality was already beyond their reach—why dream of Heaven's War God?
Jiang Yan chuckled, turning back to the Qingluan.
"Do not forget what I said earlier. This little one is a master treasure-hunter. If you wish to reap great harvests here, you will need her help."
The disciples nodded earnestly. Yes—this was their greatest advantage for now.
They were just about to ask the Qingluan to search for nearby spirit herbs—when suddenly, the bird grew visibly anxious.
She beat her wings, chirping low, straining against Ganyu's hold.
"Qingluan?"
Ganyu worried she was holding too tightly. But the bird seized a lock of Ganyu's hair and tugged hard in another direction.
"Ow, you're hurting me…"
Ganyu poked the little beak lightly, but the Qingluan only grew more frantic.
"Wait!"
Ningguang's eyes sharpened, recalling Jiang Yan's earlier words.
"For her to survive two centuries in this range, her instinct to seek fortune and avoid calamity must be unmatched. If she's this agitated now…"
Her expression changed.
"Not good! A demon beast is coming! Move!"
At her cry, everyone immediately understood and followed as the Qingluan led the way.
They had barely fled some distance when a violent clash erupted behind them. Aura surged skyward, scattering the clouds.
The disciples glanced back—only to see a golden eagle and a crimson python locked in savage combat.
They must have battled all the way here, for the forest lay shattered, mists torn asunder.
"Late-stage Spirit Transformation demon beasts!"
Zhongli's heart sank with the weight of dread.
Fortunately, the two were engrossed in their duel. The eagle's feathers were ragged, blood dripping, but its talons clamped tight on the python. The serpent, in turn, coiled mercilessly, fangs buried deep.
"They're likely vassals of rival Demon Kings—perhaps under the Fire Qilin King or the Violet Cloud Eagle," Venti murmured, eyes flicking to Zhongli with a spark of mischief.
"Old man… mantis stalks cicada, shall we?"
Zhongli did not answer at once. His divine sense spread carefully, probing the battlefield. No other beasts lingered nearby; the area had been cleared.
"It seems… only these two."
His eyes narrowed.
"We have three late-stage Spirit Transformation among us. We've never truly fought demon beasts head-on, but our arts are stronger. A swift strike… might succeed. Shall we seize the chance?"
Venti nearly bounced with impatience. Two late-stage demon beasts! The contribution points would be astronomical.
Yet Zhongli's voice was steady.
"Wait."
He glanced back at Ningguang and the others. If the three of them engaged, the rest would be helplessly exposed.
But Ningguang stepped forward, voice firm.
"First Seat Zhongli, if you wish to try, do not worry for us. With Qingluan, we can avoid danger."
Zhongli's gaze lingered on the bird perched upon Ganyu's shoulder. For a moment he hesitated—until Ningguang spoke again:
"We did not come to Nine Nether Secret Realm merely to flee."
That struck deep. Zhongli's eyes hardened.
He turned to Venti and Alice.
"Encircle them. Venti, set a formation. Conceal our presence."
Venti grinned and shot off like a streak of light.
Zhongli addressed the others one last time.
"Follow Qingluan to safety. If we cannot finish this within half an hour—run."
Half an hour was his limit.
The combined aura of five late-stage Spirit Transformation cultivators could not be hidden for long. If the battle dragged and leaked outward, the entire Myriad Demon Mountains would descend upon them.
But two great beasts… worth perhaps a hundred thousand contribution points.
A gamble worth taking.
Ningguang and the rest nodded, retreating with Qingluan.
Klee looked longingly at Alice, who waved cheerfully—though her face hardened as soon as the others were gone.
Three against two. They had the numbers—but against demon kings' vassals, nothing was certain.
Still, they were Mount Shu disciples. To cower forever was unworthy.
All around, spiritual energy surged as Venti poured every last mid-grade spirit stone into his array.
Above, the duel reached a crescendo. The golden eagle broke free of the serpent's coils, shifted into human form—a ragged, bloodstained warrior, glaring with hatred.
"Pathetic creature. After centuries, you still have only that one trick?"
The crimson python also transformed, becoming a cold-eyed middle-aged woman.
"Many tricks I know—but to deal with you, this one is enough."
"I've no time to waste! Delay me, and my King will grind your bones to dust!"
The eagle's eyes burned with murderous rage.
"You dare invoke your King before me, carrion? A mere servant of the Violet Cloud Eagle—who should fear whom?"
"You—intend to stop me?"
"Mount Shu's disciples belong to Azure Ravine!" the serpent spat.
The eagle threw back his head and laughed bitterly.
"Very well! Then I'll slay you first—before I claim those little mice myself!"
Once more, they clashed, light filling the sky, earth shattering beneath.
But then—both froze.
Their wild auras had been abruptly cut off, sealed within a boundary.
The eagle and the serpent exchanged a single glance, their faces paling.
And in that instant—
A silver streak split the heavens.
Hot on its heels, a violet-gold Buddha flame roared into existence.
"Mount Shu—strike!"
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