Chapter 208: Roc-beast
Yuling Island.
After everyone had gathered, twenty-seven Foundation Establishment cultivators, together with the Lu Clan’s three, made a total of thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators. Their momentum could not be said to be small.
“Set out!”
With high spirits, Master Tan waved his hand, and thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators followed behind him, heading toward the sea.
Half a month later.
“Master Tan, it is the island up ahead.”
A middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Lu Clan pointed solemnly at a distant island.
“This place was discovered by my Lu Clan by chance. Normally, Roc-beasts do not linger in one nest for long. Only when raising offspring do they stay for an extended period…”
The gathered Foundation Establishment cultivators all revealed solemn expressions.
Above the island, Roc-beasts circled. Even from afar, one could sense the aura.
“This is a warning signal.”
Standing on a flying sword, Lin Chang’an used his Spirit Eye and clearly saw the situation in the distance.
In the sky, two demonic beasts were signaling an alarm. As if they had discovered them, their sharp cries rang out. At once, over a dozen fierce birds flew out from the island’s cliffs.
“As expected, there is a third-rank demonic beast and a quasi–third-rank inside this nest. It seems it has given birth.”
Under the divine sense of the Core Formation cultivator, Master Tan only frowned, before a smile crept onto his face.
“Fellow friends, I’ll leave these second-rank flying beasts to you.”
“Rest assured, Master Tan. We shall keep these fierce birds occupied.”
One Foundation Establishment cultivator quickly spoke. But none were foolish. If they were asked to go onto the island and face the third-rank beast, they would rather flee now.
In the distance, the second-rank Roc-beasts let out shrill cries, seemingly warning them to leave.
However, the third-rank demonic beast within the island’s nest seemed to sense the aura of the Core Formation cultivator. In an instant, it soared out.
“What a beast!”
At the instant the male third-rank Roc-beast appeared, even Lin Chang’an could not help but be astonished.
Its brilliant, multicolored plumage was dazzling. No wonder Master Tan had traveled such a long way here.
“You all need only delay the other fierce birds. Do not allow them to disturb me.”
“Yes!”
Seeing such a stunning third-rank Roc-beast, Master Tan was overjoyed. With a lift of his hand, two flying spirit beasts appeared.
Yet, their strange body structures made the crowd cry out in surprise.
Lin Chang’an’s eyes gleamed with brilliance.
“Puppets!”
Puppets in the form of one third-rank and one quasi–third-rank flying spirit beast.
None had expected that this unremarkable-looking Master Tan was actually a Puppet Master.
“Everyone, attack.”
There were no superfluous steps. Once the target was found and confirmed through the divine sense of a Core Formation cultivator, the only thing left was to strike directly.
Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin also shouted, though their speed was not fast. After all, they were flying on swords.
“This one is mine.”
“Haha, this one will be restrained by me and Daoist Tian.”
The group joined forces, almost always two Foundation Establishment cultivators to restrain one beast.
Of course, there were also those confident in their own strength. For example, Fang Tie, who had perfected Foundation Establishment in Body Refinement, faced one alone.
Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin joined forces to entangle one of the second-rank demonic beasts.
“Old Hu, be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
Though they were not going all out, they still appeared somewhat disheveled against the fierce birds.
Flying demonic beasts were most troublesome for their flying ability.
After all, below Core Formation, all cultivators flew on artifacts. No matter how experienced they were, compared to beasts born with the gift of flight, their agility was one full grade inferior.
Unless they fought in terrain advantageous to them.
But at this moment, above the island, it was entirely the domain of flying fierce birds.
For a time, everyone looked rather embarrassed.
Still, relying on combat experience, they split up and surrounded their foes.
“Old Hu, just bind it down.”
Standing on a gourd and holding the Azure-scaled Sword, Lin Chang’an moved with extreme agility. Together with Hu Jin, they tightly entangled a second-rank fierce bird.
Even as Lin Chang’an deliberately held back, he still displayed extremely strong control.
This made him secretly think: his agility in artifact flight was not just due to his powerful divine sense.
More importantly, after cultivating the Art of Spirit Refinement, his control over divine sense had become far more delicate.
In fact, he discovered in this battle that if he unleashed his full strength, his combat technique in artifact flight would not be much inferior to that of these flying beasts.
“Be careful.”
In the sky, countless cultivators battled fierce birds, thunderous booms resounding.
All sorts of dazzling spells lit up the heavens.
The fierce birds shrieked wildly, their cries sharp and piercing.
The male Roc-beast’s plumage was not only beautiful but also extraordinarily fast, while the female’s was dull and gray, its body bulkier, but its strength clearly greater.
At the same time, terrifying shockwaves from the battle between the third-rank beast and the Core Formation cultivator erupted across the island.
“So this is the strength of a Core Formation cultivator!”
Countless Foundation Establishment cultivators gazed at the battle in awe—some with fear, others with blazing eyes.
Core Formation—this was the pursuit of all Foundation Establishment cultivators.
“You beast!”
From afar came Master Tan’s angry shout. Through his Spirit Eye, Lin Chang’an could see even farther, observing the Core Formation battle clearly.
“Master Tan obviously does not want to damage the Roc-beast’s feathers, so his fighting is somewhat restrained.”
At the same time, Lin Chang’an marveled at Master Tan’s strength.
His strength was truly high—mid Core Formation cultivation, assisted by two puppets.
The third-rank Roc-beast was strong, but clearly preoccupied with protecting its nest.
“As expected, this Roc-beast has produced offspring.”
Third-rank demonic beasts already possessed high intelligence, especially Roc-beasts, famed for their wits.
Normally, when encountering human cultivators, if they could win, they fought; if not, they turned and fled.
But this time, these Roc-beasts fought madly, clearly unusual.
“He’s setting up a formation!”
Through the Spirit Eye, Lin Chang’an saw that while Master Tan fought the third-rank Roc-beast, several small, nimble puppets landed on the island, rapidly planting formation flags.
They were swiftly erecting a formation.
“Beast, today you are destined to be mine.”
At the instant the formation was completed, Master Tan rejoiced. With a laugh, he formed a seal.
At once, a light-screen barrier spread out.
“This is a third-rank Metal-attribute Trapping Formation.”
As a Formation Master, Lin Chang’an immediately recognized its attribute and function.
“Old Lin, lure this beast, I’ll strike!”
In their fight, Hu Jin was also roused to fury by the Roc-beast.
While Lin Chang’an drew its attention, Hu Jin raised his hand, revealing a net-shaped magical artifact that instantly bound the beast.
Just as it was about to break free, a sword light from Lin Chang’an’s hand and a blade light from Hu Jin flashed forth.
In that instant, blood splattered. The second-rank Roc-beast let out a mournful shriek, its wings severed as its body plummeted straight into the sea below.
Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin moved swiftly. With perfect coordination, their sword and blade lights flashed, and moments later, the sea churned with waves of blood.
The second-rank Roc-beast floated lifelessly to the surface, its blood dyeing the waters red.
“This is the advantage of flying beasts—once their wings are cut, they are nothing more than chickens compared to a plucked phoenix.”
Watching as they smoothly slew a second-rank fierce bird, Hu Jin could not help but laugh heartily.
Lin Chang’an also smiled and nodded.
Just as Hu Jin had said, every demonic beast and cultivation method had its weakness.
Although this fierce bird was formidable, once its wings were injured, its combat strength would greatly decline.
As the two began collecting spoils of war, other Foundation Establishment cultivators also slew second-rank Roc-beasts.
Some cultivators, however—those only at mid Foundation Establishment or not skilled in aerial combat—were left struggling defensively in the sky.
Having finished, Lin Chang’an and Hu Jin feigned exhaustion, pretending to restore their mana.
Meanwhile, within the island, the booming clash between the third-rank beast and the Core Formation cultivator raged. Following a sharp screech, Master Tan’s furious roar resounded.
“You beast!”
The mountain peak collapsed. Through a gap revealed in the formation, a mournful cry shook heaven and earth.
A black shadow shot forth—the dull-gray female Roc-beast, a quasi–third-rank demonic beast—clutching two fledglings as it fled.
Within the formation, the male Roc-beast shrieked shrilly, battling Master Tan in madness.
At the same time, the surrounding Roc-beasts, as if called, also fled into the distance.
“Do not give chase, everyone. These Roc-beasts are too fast for us to catch, and besides, today’s objective has already been achieved.”
With this shouted, although the Foundation Establishment cultivators were drained, they still watched the island’s battle with heavy vigilance.
Master Tan was furious. His target had been the male, but letting the two fledglings escape was a great loss.
At last, the third-rank beast trapped in the formation exhausted its mana amidst mournful cries and was slain with a single blow from Master Tan.
“A third-rank demonic beast… slain just like that!”
Many Foundation Establishment cultivators’ eyes turned red at the sight. Were it not for Master Tan being a Core Formation cultivator, they might have already acted.
“The demon core of a third-rank beast could be exchanged for an ordinary Core Formation spirit item.”
Lin Chang’an shook his head in secret. Unlike the others fixated on the demon core, his attention was on the formation from start to finish.
Even Hu Jin secretly sent him a voice transmission:
“Old Lin, what do you think? If we had a third-rank formation, could we also trap and kill a third-rank demonic beast?”
Back in the secret realm, everyone had gained something. Lin Chang’an possessed a third-rank formation plate, and Hu Jin knew of it. They had long plotted about such matters.
Now, seeing with his own eyes a third-rank beast perish within a formation, Hu Jin could not help feeling tempted.
Lin Chang’an frowned, then shook his head and sighed in reply:
“Old Hu, even with Master Tan’s third-rank Trapping Formation, the beast nearly escaped. If it were the two of us, we lack his skill…”
The Blood Fiend Scarlet Sun Formation was a killing array, but comparatively weak in defense.
At lower third-rank, it could trap an early third-rank beast without issue, but killing one would be far more difficult.
A Core Formation cultivator, relying on overwhelming strength, could finish the kill. But he and Old Hu together would need many more methods.
“Besides, Master Tan struggled so much today mainly because he feared damaging the Roc-beast’s feathers, hence all the effort.”
Lin Chang’an’s gaze flickered. His offensive power could not compare to the Core Formation cultivator’s. But if he alone trapped a third-rank beast with a formation…
With his powerful recovery ability, perhaps he could wear one down to death.
“Still, fighting a third-rank beast to the death is too dangerous.”
Lin Chang’an frowned inwardly. He preferred hunting second-rank or quasi–third-rank beasts to accumulate resources, rather than risk his life against a third-rank.
A single misstep could spell disaster.
“Moreover, third-rank beasts dwell either in the sea or the sky. This time, the Lu Clan was simply fortunate to discover one raising offspring.
Otherwise, there was no way we could have kept it today.”
Shaking his head, Lin Chang’an spoke to Old Hu via transmission.
His words were not false. A third-rank beast’s intelligence was too high to be easily tricked, and luring one into a trap was no easy feat.
Old Hu sighed helplessly upon hearing this.
“Yes… a third-rank beast reproducing, or one that is injured—such chances are rare indeed.”
It was not unheard of for Foundation Establishment cultivators to hunt third-rank beasts, but mostly by sheer luck.
For instance, with the Lu Clan’s discovery of this nest—had it been a stronger clan, using their entire force and formations, they might have had a chance.
But such luck was always rare.
He had even heard of a Qi Refining rogue cultivator, blessed by fortune, who once came across two third-rank beasts fighting over a spirit fruit. After they both perished, he seized the spoils.
That cultivator rode that fortune all the way to Foundation Establishment and Core Formation, and still lived to this day.
With the hunt concluded, not only Lin Chang’an and Old Hu harbored these thoughts.
Other Foundation Establishment cultivators, in small groups, also exchanged glances, tempted by the power of the third-rank formation.
“If we joined hands, pooled resources, we might purchase a third-rank formation. Then, by hunting beasts together and sharing the spoils, we could gather Core Formation resources far faster than alone.”
As expected, someone voiced this thought. Some responded with interest, others with indifference, others with mockery.
But once the formation dispersed, everyone stepped forward to offer congratulations.
“Congratulations, Master Tan.”
The short and stocky Master Tan, though displeased at losing the fledglings, was satisfied with his harvest. Smiling, he waved his hand.
“I must thank all of you, otherwise this would not have been so easy.”
“Hardly. It was but a flock of second-rank beasts. For Master Tan, a mere wave of the hand.”
“Indeed, Master Tan’s divine abilities are formidable. We are impressed.”
Afterwards, the group finished plundering the island and began their return.
This time, the trouble or conspiracies Lin Chang’an secretly feared did not appear.
This made him mutter inwardly:
“Those stories of others encountering conspiracies or sudden mishaps are truly rare. How could such coincidences happen to me?”
An ordinary hunting trip—this was the true experience of most cultivators.
After all, to reach this stage, every cultivator was seasoned, joining only after careful judgment of safety.