Chapter 157

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Chapter 157: Divine Feather Vulture King

In the blink of an eye, Zhong Ying’s group’s belongings were completely divided between Duan Chenfeng and Yu Minghong, leaving nothing behind.

“Senior Brother Duan, did we take too much? Should we give some to Senior Brother Ye?” Yu Minghong suddenly asked, sounding uneasy.

“No need. Did you see those three treasures he unleashed earlier? Their power was immense! You think he didn’t gain enough from the great tomb?” Duan Chenfeng snorted, swiftly stashing everything away.

“From the great tomb…” Yu Minghong glanced at Ye Yun’s back, envy flickering in his eyes.

Ye Yun watched as the storm cloud above dispersed, reverting to mist around the mountains. With nine tokens securing their assessment quotas and their cultivation levels now at the Qi refining stage, it was time to confront the Divine Feather Vulture King.

The peak of Tian Zhu Peak was the Divine Feather Vulture King’s domain. For centuries, outer disciples who challenged it either fled gravely injured or met death and disappearance of the spirit.

Before entering, Elder Lan had offhandedly mentioned this, deeming it suicidal for disciples at their level. He assumed none would be foolish enough to provoke it.

Yet Ye Yun planned not only to provoke the beast but to slay it and claim its beast core.

The Divine Feather Vulture King was a ninth-level pinnacle beast, rivaling fifth or sixth-level Qi refining cultivators. Its core’s value went without saying.

But Ye Yun sought more than wealth—he craved challenge.

Having trained for far less time than others, he lagged in many areas, especially Battle Experience. Slaying this beast, whose combat style differed entirely from humans, would grant invaluable insights.

“Senior Brother Ye, what does the Divine Feather Vulture King look like?” Yu Minghong wondered aloud.

“Hear them call it the Vulture King? Must be bald. Remember—spare its dignity. Don’t aim for the head,” Duan Chenfeng joked, slinging an arm around Yu Minghong’s shoulders.

Ye Yun smiled. As time passed, their masks had slipped. Duan Chenfeng’s former arrogance was a ruse; beneath lay loyalty wrapped in humor. Yu Minghong, though revealing more of himself post-tomb, remained the polite youth from the Great Qin Empire, destined for grander realms than the Jin Kingdom or even the Jiaoyue Dynasty.

“Let’s kill the Divine Feather Vulture King,” Ye Yun declared, brimming with resolve.

The trio exchanged determined glances and charged upward.

Perched on a massive stone, the Divine Feather Vulture King neared spiritual awakening. For decades, Heavenly Sword Sect inner disciples had harassed it annually, vanishing like light and shadow afterward. Now, sensing its ascension tribulation nearing, it vowed to slaughter any intruders this year.

Hundreds of beasts scurried past its perch, trembling under its gaze.

The trio faced no resistance—no beast imagined their audacious target. Reaching the peak, Ye Yun spotted a ten-zhang stone radiating gentle gold light.

“That’s the Divine Feather Vulture King?” Yu Minghong gasped, catching up.

“Obviously! Bald head? That’s the Vulture King,” Duan Chenfeng grinned, fearless.

“Correct,” Ye Yun nodded, surprised by their unimpeded climb. “Let’s move. We’ll feast on roasted meat afterward.”

“Alright, you go first,” Ye Yun said with a faint smile, gesturing for him to proceed.

“Fine, I’ll do it!” Duan Chenfeng paused briefly before adopting a solemn expression. He picked up a pebble and hurled it at the stone beneath the Divine Feather Vulture King.

“This is your plan?” Ye Yun and Yu Minghong gaped in disbelief.

“Just testing. Seems my aim needs work,” Duan Chenfeng muttered, scratching his head awkwardly.

The Divine Feather Vulture King suddenly opened its eyes, its piercing gaze sweeping toward Ye Yun like solidified blades.

“See? Doesn’t matter who starts—results do,” Duan Chenfeng roared as light and shadow flared in his palm.

Ye Yun and Yu Minghong tensed. Rumors claimed this beast had reached ninth-level pinnacle over a century ago without advancing further. Though not a spirit beast, it dominated other creatures. Even with their Qi refining stage breakthroughs, facing a foe equal to fifth-level Qi refining’s peak—or even sixth-level—posed grave danger.

Ye Yun had once defeated Luo Wencheng at seventh-level Qi Refinement in the great tomb. But Luo had been exhausted, possibly injured, and fatally underestimated him. A single misstep allowed Ye Yun’s Nine Hells Spirit Settling mirror to freeze Luo’s true qi, enabling victory through raw physical strength.

Yet when Luo briefly recovered, he’d nearly slaughtered them all. Seventh-level Qi Refinement remained beyond their direct confrontation.

At present, Ye Yun might barely challenge fifth-level opponents. Against sixth-level? Hopeless.

“Brother Ye… what if we lose?” Yu Minghong whispered.

“No losing! Coward!” Duan Chenfeng cuffed his head.

“We flee if overwhelmed. Shattering life-saving talismans would forfeit our token and disqualify us,” Ye Yun stated calmly, resolved.

“Then attack!” Duan Chenfeng shrugged. The Breaking Sun Spear materialized in his grip.

Rising slowly, the Divine Feather Vulture King watched them with cold mockery.

“Charge! Kill it! Take the beast core!” Duan Chenfeng lunged forward.

Yu Minghong brandished his Pursuing Sun Slashing Soul Blade, following close.

“Wait!” Ye Yun barked—too late.

Boosted by Qi refining stage breakthroughs, the pair covered ten zhang instantly. Ye Yun’s gut twisted with danger. Jaw clenched, he followed, Purple Shadow Sword gleaming.

The beast’s wings snapped open.

A gale erupted, choking air with dust. Three faint golden streaks shot through the murk.

Ye Yun spotted the glints as death neared. He twisted sideways, barely dodging the golden light.

His companions fared worse. Buffeted by winds, they heard the warning too late. Shoulders jerked as golden spikes pierced through, trailing blood. Wild strength erupted within—right shoulders exploded in gory ruin.

A ninth-level pinnacle beast’s opening strike.

The storm faded. Ye Yun stood dust-caked. His comrades writhed on the ground, shoulders mangled.

Ye Yun inhaled sharply. The Divine Feather Vulture King’s power dwarfed expectations.

He stepped before the injured, Purple Shadow Sword pulsing.

Fight… or flee?