Chapter 49: Run Quickly

This change in travel arrangements had saved him from much toil and hardship.

At first, Chai Xiaoyue found everything wonderfully novel, but now the freshness had faded. Having just been chastised by Hongyun, she was now hiding in a corner, racking her brains to recall his admonitions.

Regarding her uncle from the clouds, she initially believed his cultivation level was as formidable as her father’s. Yet after only a brief period of training, she realized her own realm had already surpassed her missing father’s, and she could no longer gauge her uncle’s true strength. She only felt that his cultivation must be exceedingly high.

After all, feats such as flying across the sky had once seemed beyond her wildest dreams. She wondered when she herself might reach her uncle’s realm. She stole a furtive glance at his back, her eyes full of longing: at such a level, perhaps she could finally do all the things she wished...

At this moment, Hongyun was well aware of the little one’s gaze upon him. Yet he paid it no mind, his interest instead drawn to the wings that had appeared on his back.

These Cloud-Walking Wings were much like the spiritual wings he had casually bestowed upon creatures in the distant wilderness; they could change at will. As he had guessed, they were attached to his divine soul, and could be controlled by his own intent.

He observed the wings sprouting from his soul, marveling at their form: such a technique surpassed many ancient arts, approaching the very workings of creation itself.

In his eyes, which could pierce through the haze of fate, these wings were pure and flawless—comparable even to some innate treasures.

Moreover, within this world, aided by these wings, his speed now unmatched at the Nirvana realm. The wings could store baleful energy, as if granting him an external dantian.

Though the amount stored was not vast—only a tenth or so of his own—it was still nearly double what Bat Yue possessed when they first met...

Still, these were external objects and clearly added to the host, meaning they did little for his true ancient self. If they could augment his main body by even a tenth of spiritual energy, that would surpass many Golden Immortals.

But such a thing was unrealistic; if true, their value would rival that of a supreme innate treasure with thirty-six restrictions.

Furthermore, upon reaching the Golden Immortal realm, spiritual power itself becomes conceptual, limitless. Besides, cultivators typically compete in three things: lineage, treasures, and divine abilities. To contest pure spiritual power is beneath notice.

Though these wings were now somewhat redundant, they marked him as unique; should he meet an opponent he could not best, revealing the wings and claiming to be a half-demon would likely forestall suspicion.

With this thought, his mind eased, and he settled down to cultivate his host’s strength.

Within the Bottle World, though he was a Golden Immortal and could shatter stars with a thought, he found it difficult to exert his true power here. It was better, then, to raise the host’s realm.

His current cultivation, through fate and diligent practice, had reached the peak of mid-Nirvana. He estimated that, before arriving at his destination, he might enter late Nirvana, or even reach Nirvana completion.

As his small boat drifted northward, it had already attracted the attention of two hidden observers.

“Are you certain this is the flying vessel carrying the Greenwater Demon King’s beloved treasure?”

Hidden deep within the clouds, the two scrutinized Hongyun’s boat, suspicion in their eyes.

“Why does it seem a bit off...”

“What’s off about it, brother? The more precious something is, the more it must be concealed. Keeping it discreet is to protect it; otherwise, it wouldn’t look so ordinary.”

The other pondered, then schemed: “Ordinary flying vessels usually carry only minor demons, or at most those at the Baleful Energy realm. Let me test it—if there’s a Nirvana cultivator aboard, then it must indeed be the Greenwater Demon King’s heart’s treasure.”

“That makes sense, but...”

He meant to say more, but his companion, intent upon the prize, had already vanished from sight. He considered calling him back, yet feared alarming those on the vessel, so he held his tongue, worry flickering in his eyes: something felt amiss; he hoped it was only a false impression.

When this figure emerged from the clouds, two magpies barred the vessel’s path, their baleful energy saturating the air and anchoring the boat in mid-flight.

He revealed himself—a demon cultivator with the body of a bird and the head of a man.

“This is the domain of Black Crow Ridge. Please leave some tribute for passage.”

Hmm?

Hongyun, deep in cultivation, sensed the sudden halt and was puzzled. He extended his divine sense and saw a Nirvana demon standing before his boat, holding it in place, and raised an eyebrow: he truly wondered what was happening.

Without hesitation, he flashed outside the boat.

“You block my path—what is the reason?”

This cultivation… Why can’t I see through it?

The bird-bodied demon was startled to find someone appear before him, and stared intently, full of doubt.

“Perhaps you did not understand my words?”

Hongyun, seeing the other remain silent, felt a flicker of impatience.

“To halt my vessel without cause—unless you provide an explanation, do not expect to leave.”

Hearing this, the demon’s uncertain heart grew uneasy: could this be a demon king?

He considered retreating—especially since the opponent appeared so human-like, a transformation few besides demon kings could achieve.

“You answer neither this nor that—are you here to amuse me?”

Hongyun’s irritation deepened.

Upon hearing this, the demon resolved to flee.

Something is wrong—run!