Chapter 121: Crisis of the Winged Folk

I struggled desperately to pull my legs free, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t budge them. The birdman had already reached me. I quickly drew my Frostblade to defend myself. “Shameless birdman! Even if I have to risk my life, today I will reclaim the Reincarnation Cauldron!”

I expected the birdman to order his comrades to tear me apart, but one sentence from him stunned me into silence: “Please accept the worship of the Feather King!” Instantly, countless birdmen behind him knelt down, creating a magnificent scene. I was momentarily dumbfounded, unable to grasp what was happening. I had killed their companions, yet they were bowing to me? They must be mad! Seeing no attack coming, I continued to focus on pulling my legs free.

Then the birdman who called himself the Feather King approached. I swiftly swung my sword, but he caught the blade with his large hand. “Hero, no need to be tense. Try withdrawing your internal energy naturally, and your legs will come free.”

Following the Feather King’s advice, I retracted my internal energy, and to my surprise, it worked. Without any effort, I pulled my legs out. I jumped out of the Reincarnation Cauldron, ready to grab it and leave immediately. I had no desire to waste time with this group of lunatics. My master was still holding back the Bloodtail Spotted Python in the Demonic Abyss—I had to return at once!

Just as I was about to leave, the Feather King reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned and slashed my sword, but the Feather King folded his wings and deflected the blade with a ringing clang. The sharp sword energy was completely nullified by him.

Seeing I was about to attack again, the Feather King raised his palm and said, “Hero, please hold your hand!”

“What exactly do you want? I’m in a hurry to save someone. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving!” I didn’t want to get entangled with him. Just as I was about to walk away, the Feather King flapped his wings and knocked me away. I rolled like a kite with a broken string.

Getting up from the ground, I gathered a ball of energy and hurled it at him. “Damn it! You think I’m afraid just because you have numbers?”

The energy ball was blocked by his wings once more. The Feather King instantly appeared before me and twisted my arm behind my back. Damn it—this was my exclusive grappling technique! Since when did this birdman learn it? I struggled hard, but the Feather King’s strength was greater than mine. Unable to break free, I lifted my head and said, “Damn it! If you want to kill me, then do it quickly!” Meanwhile, I was calculating how to seize the Reincarnation Cauldron into my space ring and escape the moment he let down his guard.

But my plan failed. The Feather King never relaxed his vigilance or attacked. Like a prisoner, I was held firmly by him. After a long moment, he said loudly, “Hero, don’t be impulsive. We mean no harm. How about this? I’ll let you go if you won’t attack me.”

His voice buzzed in my ears. At this point, what else could I say? I could only nod in agreement, curious to see what trick he was playing.

After releasing me, the Feather King knelt deeply and said, “Hero, the Featherfolk face an unprecedented crisis. Recently, my people told me you subdued the mutated demon dragon, so I sent them to invite you here. Seeing you caught in the Reincarnation Cauldron proves your strength. Forgive any offense; please do not take it to heart.”

So the Reincarnation Cauldron had another secret: if someone with strong internal energy and cultivation stood inside it and released their energy, no matter how powerful, they couldn’t pull their legs free. The crisis the Feather King spoke of was a Daoist fox demon with six hundred years of cultivation, known as the “Emerald-Eyed Fox.” With six tails, skilled in illusion magic, it was notoriously difficult to subdue.

The Emerald-Eyed Fox was about to undergo its heavenly tribulation and needed vast quantities of blood to strengthen itself. Thus, it targeted the Featherfolk, a weak and secluded people. Within a few days, nearly ten thousand Featherfolk had perished at its hands. If this continued, extinction would come in under half a month. The Feather King had his followers monitor my every move closely because he knew I wanted to examine the Reincarnation Cauldron. That was why he resorted to such a lowly trick to lure me here.

After finishing, the Feather King bowed deeply again. “I earnestly beg you, hero, to extend your aid and save tens of thousands of Featherfolk lives!”

Behind him, the kneeling birdmen echoed, “We beseech you to help us!”

I helped the Feather King to his feet. Now I understood the whole story—no wonder those birdmen risked everything protecting their comrades. Even the wounded one had used his last breath to complete the mission!

I, Li Yunfei, am no cold-hearted man. If only they had explained sooner, none of this misunderstanding would have happened. “I promise you. Rise now.”

The Feather King’s smile stretched from ear to ear upon hearing my agreement. I approached the wounded birdman for a check—no hope left. I had been too brutal. The Feather King ordered his men to bury him. I pocketed the Reincarnation Cauldron into my space ring.

“Feather King, you displayed great power just now. Why couldn’t you subdue the fox demon?”

The Feather King sighed deeply. “Hero, you don’t know. That fox demon excels in illusion magic. I cannot attack from afar and cannot get close to it.”

I understood. That fox was probably the same type as the Nine-Tailed Fox, just with six tails. Tomorrow, I would subdue it. Why was there such disparity among fox demons? The Nine-Tailed Fox cultivated for nearly a thousand years without killing, while this Emerald-Eyed Fox, with only six hundred years, dared to slaughter innocents recklessly. Didn’t it fear retribution?

I told the Feather King that I would subdue the fox demon tomorrow. Until then, he should gather twenty thousand Featherfolk to follow me. He agreed without hesitation.

Under our leadership, twenty thousand birdmen flew toward the Demonic Abyss. I rode on the Feather King’s back, feeling extremely comfortable—this sensation of standing above all others, something everyone desires, I was truly experiencing it now. Building good relations with the Featherfolk might prove unexpectedly useful in the future.

I wondered how my master was faring. Hopefully, the Bloodtail Spotted Python had not defeated him. Master, please hold on—I’m coming to rescue you!

(P.S.: In these recent chapters, I’ve written very earnestly. Thanks to Brother Xuechou’s guidance, I found some shortcomings in the previous text. I apologize for that. Some readers have suggested more fight scenes for excitement, so I’ll try to include more thrilling moments. Curious about the crises Li Yunfei will face next? Want to know what changes the arrival of the Nether Ruins Star will bring? Thanks again to Brother Xuechou, thanks to Little Wolf for the VIP ticket, and thanks to all readers supporting me! Thank you all! Please accept my deepest bow! And shamelessly, please consider adding this book to your favorites.)