“Huh?! They’re wearing shells…?” Wu Zhao stared in surprise at their unusual forms, her gaze traveling over their towering figures. The one that stood up was around three meters tall, its back resembling the shell of a tortoise.
They look so different from what was depicted in the scrolls, Wu Zhao thought, still processing the sight before her. The only similarity is the mention of them being amalgamations of birds—though they seem to be a mix of animals instead.
Feng and Huang had the beak of a rooster and the face of a swallow, their long necks covered in scales resembling those of a snake. Their backs were protected by tough shells like those of a tortoise, while their muscular legs resembled those of a stag. Completing their unique appearance, their tails looked like those of fish, swaying gracefully behind them.
Wu Zhao was so baffled by the stark disparity between what she had learned from the scrolls and the depictions of Feng and Huang in the royal palace that she found herself momentarily speechless. She had anticipated they might look slightly different, but not this drastically so.
Are they perhaps not Feng and Huang, but their subordinates? Wu Zhao wondered, her thoughts racing. But they give off such a divine aura…
“Speak, why are you here, unknown one.” one of the bird spoke again, which jolted Wu Zhao’s mind back.
“My apologies, I was momentarily captivated by your forms,” she said, lowering her head slightly in respect before offering a graceful curtsy.
“I am Wu Zhao, child of Wu Shi Yue. I have journeyed here to seek the blessings of Feng and Huang,” she continued, carefully choosing her words. Her tone was measured, and her posture poised, as she subtly sought to discern whether the majestic beings before her were indeed Feng and Huang or merely their subordinates, all while ensuring she did not risk offending them.
“We granted blessings to the humans of this land on a whim,” the bird began, its voice resonant and commanding. “They were weak creatures, incapable of thriving without aid. But you… you are different. I will not ask again—who are you, unknown one?”
Wu Zhao’s eyes narrowed in confusion. Unknown one? She straightened her posture, trying to maintain her composure. “I am the child of—”
“I care not for your meager lineage,” the bird interrupted sharply, its tone laced with disdain. “I demand to know the nature of your existence itself, foolish one.”
Wu Zhao’s breath hitched, her regal facade barely concealing her unease. What do they mean by that? she wondered, her thoughts swirling as she tried to decipher the bird’s cryptic words.
“I am a human,” Wu Zhao said firmly, her voice carrying a note of indignation. “How can I be anything but human? I was born from my mother’s womb, and she is a human too!”
The bird still lying in the nest let out a low, derisive chuckle. “Pitiful one, unaware of her own existence. Truly pitiful and foolish.”
The standing bird’s gaze bore into Wu Zhao, its tone unwavering. “No human could possess such a bond with elementals, let alone two. Your affinity with two different types of elementals already betrays your claim of humanity.”
Wu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. Two elementals? Do they mean when I suddenly gained the memories and the power of the assailant who tried to kill me? she thought, her mind racing as she grappled with their accusations.
“Does it matter if I am human or not, Feng and Huang?” she asked, trying to change the topic. “I am still the ruler of Luo Yang, on a pilgrimage to receive your blessings.”
Her words hung in the air, a delicate plea for understanding. She hoped to reframe the discussion and remind them of the purpose of her visit.
“Though this pitiful one does not yet comprehend her true nature, there is a familiar scent about her,” the standing bird observed, its tone sharp and calculating.
“Indeed, as you say, what shall we do about her, Feng?” the resting bird asked, its voice softer, contemplative.
“I propose we subject her to a more rigorous trial, to test her true worthiness,” Feng, the standing bird, declared with authority.
“I am Feng,” the bird continued, its regal presence radiating a commanding aura.
“And I am Huang,” responded the other, who had now fully risen from the nest, its movements deliberate and poised.
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“Pitiful one,” Feng addressed Wu Zhao with a cool gaze, “Are you prepared to face the trial we shall set before you?”
“No matter what trial you give, I will complete it, for my people!” Wu Zhao declared firmly.
“Very well,” Feng said, preparing himself.
“You will battle us now,” he continued, his gaze sharp. “You will pass only when we deem you satisfactory.”
“Now?!” Wu Zhao thought, a surge of panic rising within her. This is bad—my mana hasn’t fully replenished from the fight with Peng earlier!
She took a deep breath. No choice… I’ll have to tough it out!
“Here we come!” Feng announced, his deep voice reverberating across the mountaintop as he launched himself toward Wu Zhao like a thunderbolt.
Reacting swiftly, Wu Zhao summoned [Earth Shield], a solid wall of rock rising in front of her just in time to meet his charge. Yet, to her dismay, Feng shattered through it effortlessly, the fragments crumbling like dry leaves under his raw power.
The impact seemed unavoidable—until Feng’s strike passed straight through Wu Zhao’s form. She had vanished.
“What?” Feng muttered, skidding to a halt. The Wu Zhao he hit dissolved like mist; it was her [Mirage], cleverly cast the instant her shield was up.
But Huang was faster to spot the truth. She flanked from the side, her sharp eyes locking onto Wu Zhao’s real body. With a powerful kick of her stag-like legs, she closed the gap and struck Wu Zhao squarely, sending her hurtling through the air.
Wu Zhao tumbled across the rocky ground, her breath escaping in a harsh gasp. Clutching her stomach, she forced herself upright, ignoring the pain radiating through her body.
“Is this all you’ve got, pitiful one?” Feng taunted, his wings spreading as he loomed over her.
Wu Zhao wiped the corner of her mouth, glaring back at him. “Ugh… If only I had conserved more mana in my fight with Peng…” she muttered under her breath.
Feng chuckled, his voice full of scorn. “Excuses will not save you here.”
Wu Zhao’s grip on her mana tightened, her determination flaring like a beacon. “I’ll show you what I’ve got!” she shouted, slamming her palms into the ground.
The earth rumbled beneath them as [Earth Spears] erupted in a deadly array, jagged spires shooting upward toward Feng and Huang. Feng leaped backward, his movements fluid and calculated, while Huang nimbly dodged the onslaught, her powerful legs propelling her into the air.
“You have spirit,” Huang remarked, landing gracefully on a ledge. “But let us see if you have the endurance to match it.”
Wu Zhao’s heart pounded as she steeled herself, the mountain’s harsh wind whipping through her tattered inner robe. The trial had only just begun.
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At the gates of Luo Yang, the city buzzed with activity. Peng Xian’s ornate carriage, adorned with intricate carvings and silken banners, rolled to a halt as part of the routine inspection by the guards.
The guards approached the carriage, their postures stiff with discipline, but upon seeing Peng Xian through the window, they immediately relaxed.
“Lord Peng Xian, welcome back!” one of the guards said with a deep bow.
Peng Xian gave a slight nod, signaling them to proceed. The guards stepped aside, allowing the carriage to pass through.
As the carriage trundled forward, Peng Xian’s sharp eyes caught sight of a commotion near the city’s barracks. Soldiers, clad in polished armor, mounted their horses in a hurried but organized fashion. Among them stood Xiao Jie, commanding the preparations with an air of authority.
Peng Xian gestured for the carriage to stop. He stepped out, his robes billowing slightly in the breeze, and called out, “Brother, where are you heading in such haste?”
Xiao Jie turned at the sound of Peng Xian’s voice, his face lighting up with a brief smile of acknowledgment. “You’ve returned, Brother,” Xiao Jie said, his tone brisk. “Just in time to watch over the city in my absence.”
Peng Xian raised a brow, intrigued. “What requires your attention so urgently?”
Xiao Jie adjusted his gauntlets and replied, his expression turning serious, “There have been reports of a colossal beast in the south, as tall as the mountains. Its appearance has caused great alarm among the nearby villages. I must investigate before it threatens the city.”
Peng Xian stepped closer to Xiao Jie, his face clouded with concern. “I was about to inform you of this,” he said, his tone heavy. “I sensed a tremendous magical energy emanating from the south. When I used my clairvoyance magic to investigate, I saw a colossal beast resembling the Taurus beastmen. Its sheer size was staggering—its presence alone was enough to send shivers down my spine.”
Xiao Jie’s expression grew grave. “So the reports were true after all. How powerful do you believe this creature to be?”
Peng Xian hesitated, his gaze distant as if replaying the vision in his mind. “Powerful enough to obliterate Luo Yang,” he said, his voice laced with unease. “But there’s something strange—after wreaking havoc, it vanished without a trace. Before disappearing, it summoned meteors that rained down with devastating force.”
Xiao Jie frowned, gripping the reins of his horse tightly. “A colossal beast that disappears into thin air? That’s no ordinary creature.”
Peng Xian nodded, rubbing his temple as though trying to dispel a headache. “I suspect there’s a summoner behind this—someone or something capable of wielding incredible power.”
Xiao Jie’s jaw tightened. “All the more reason for me to investigate this matter personally. If such a summoner exists, they cannot be allowed to endanger Luo Yang.”
“Brother,” Peng Xian said, his voice dropping with urgency, “if you do encounter this summoner, promise me you’ll proceed with caution. Someone who can summon a creature of that magnitude is not to be underestimated.”
Xiao Jie looked into his brother’s eyes, determination blazing in his own. “If such a summoner exists, they won’t go unnoticed for long. But summoning a beast the size of a mountain… no single summoner could have accomplished that alone. There must be several working together, and they’re likely part of the same organization. That makes this matter even more critical to address.”
“And one last thing,” Xiao Jie said gravely, “Gilles passed away this morning… from starvation.”
Peng Xian sighed, his expression a mix of pity and disappointment. “What a shame. He should have stayed alive to atone for his sins, rather than taking the easy way out…”
Turning his horse toward the gates, Xiao Jie added firmly, “Take care of Luo Yang in my absence. I’ll return once I have answers.”
Peng Xian watched as his brother rode away, a knot of worry tightening in his chest. He wanted desperately to stop Xiao Jie from leaving to face such a dangerous and unknown threat, especially given his lingering injuries. But he knew better—Xiao Jie was unyielding, bound by a sense of duty that would not allow him to stand idle.
Resigned, Peng Xian could only pray for his brother’s safety. Yet, his unease deepened as his thoughts turned to the timing of Gilles’ death. The man had died leaving a trail of unanswered questions. Where had he found the girl who so closely resembled Queen Wu? And what of the assailants who had attacked him? Their skills were formidable, their identities and motives shrouded in mystery. The more Peng Xian dwelled on it, the more his sense of foreboding grew.
For now, there was only one immediate course of action: to examine Gilles’ corpse and uncover the truth behind his death.
As the rhythmic sound of galloping hooves faded into the distance, Peng Xian stood motionless at the city gate, his thoughts a tempest of worry and unease. The looming threat of the colossal beast and its possible summoner pressed heavily on his mind, but he took some solace in his brother’s strength and resolve.