World of Cultivation

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Chapter 162: Domination

Yu Minghong and Duan Chenfeng were rendered speechless by Ye Yun. This guy was simply too monstrous. Though they’d once considered catching up to challenge him, they’d now abandoned such thoughts entirely. Despite being the last to advance to the Qi refining stage, he had surged far ahead—leaving them hopelessly behind.

Ye Yun carefully stored the Purple Cloud Pill, an immensely precious item. For Qi refining stage disciples, it served as a supreme healing treasure, priceless beyond measure. Over her thousand-year existence, Hualun had refined only ten such pills. After using two, merely eight remained.

Throughout the centuries, Hualun had prepared countless resources spanning from the Qi refining stage to the foundation establishment stage—heavenly materials and earthly treasures, unusual flowers and herbs, various pills, spirit stones, and more—all stored within the Soul Turning Tower. Should these treasures ever surface, the entire Jin Kingdom would plunge into bloody chaos.

Ye Yun lacked a clear grasp of most treasures’ value, having never encountered such riches before. The worth of the items and spirit stones he recognized already rivaled nearly half of Tian Zhu Peak’s resources. As for the unknown treasures… their true value remained a mystery.

“Rest and recover for now. I’ll check on the Divine Feather Vulture King,” Ye Yun said, stepping past the two toward the creature.

The Divine Feather Vulture King’s formerly bare body now sprouted a layer of gentle golden fuzz. The golden feather atop its head glowed brighter, occasionally flashing with a radiant halo.

New feathers grew visibly with each breath. Within half an incense stick’s time, its entire body became cloaked in shimmering golden plumage. After another hour, the transformation completed—dense, magnificent feathers covered its form, reflecting dazzling halos under sunlight.

Abruptly, the Divine Feather Vulture King’s closed eyes snapped open. A beam of light shot forth like a physical force, crackling through the air before the creature slowly rose.

*Woooo!*

Its cry began low, then soared skyward, echoing across a hundred miles. Every disciple within Vulture Peak’s domain froze, staring upward as a golden halo exploded from the summit, rippling outward like water.

“What’s happening?” A yellow-robed disciple paled, trembling under the halo’s oppressive aura.

“The Vulture King? They say it’s a Ninth-level pinnacle beast… but this power…”

“If a mere beast exudes such might, what of true spirit beasts?”

“We should hide! We already have two tokens—enough to qualify.”

“Could it be… breaking through to transformation?”

Murmurs spread as disciples gaped at the descending halo.

Twenty miles from Vulture Peak, Zhen Huacheng stood grim-faced.

“Senior Brother Zhen?” A black-robed disciple eyed his ashen complexion.

Without answering, Zhen Huacheng turned and strode away.

At the peak, Ye Yun smiled at the Divine Feather Vulture King.

“What’re you staring at, brat?” the creature growled.

Ye Yun narrowed his eyes. “Has the Vulture King forgotten its oath? Shall we revisit the heavenly tribulation’s fury?”

The defiant aura vanished instantly. “I swore to serve you, but becoming a slave spirit beast? Impossible.”

“No fear of heavenly punishment?”

“Know this—ordinary vultures don’t live millennia!” Its voice deepened. “I descend from the Golden-winged Roc lineage, immortal beasts of noble stature! A Qi refining stage ant daring to claim such heritage? Heaven itself would erase you!”

Ye Yun remained silent, watching.

“Divine Feather Vulture King!” Yu Minghong barked. “A noble Roc descendant reneging on vows? Where’s your honor?”

“Little Yu’s right,” Duan Chenfeng slung an arm around his comrade. “This baldy’s worse than Qu Yiping—utterly faithless!”

The Divine Feather Vulture King abruptly rose, eyes gleaming with murderous intent. "What nonsense are you two young fellows spouting? Do you believe I dare not kill you?"

"Go ahead. If we die, Ye Yun will surely avenge us. When heavenly tribulation strikes, nothing will remain of you – not even a feather." Duan Chenfeng shrugged carelessly.

"You…" The enraged Vulture King beat his wings, stirring violent gusts.

"Enough, Vulture King. As Senior Brother Duan stated, killing them would force me to summon heavenly tribulation ensuring your utter destruction." Ye Yun raised a calming hand, his voice grave.

"Brat, how dare you…"

Ye Yun chuckled. "Since you refuse servitude, I’ll nullify our pact – provided you offer sufficient compensation."

The Vulture King’s eyes lit eagerly. "What compensation?"

"Perhaps several million top-grade spirit stones. Or millennium-old unusual flowers and herbs, heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Maybe level three cultivation techniques or level two Celestial Techniques. Details aren’t finalized." Ye Yun shrugged casually.

Having observed human cultivators before his transformation tribulation, the now-enlightened Vulture King nearly stumbled at these demands.

Top-grade spirit stones were manageable. Millennium flora possible to acquire. But level three techniques? Level two Celestial Techniques? Could the puny Heavenly Sword Sect possess such treasures? Their strongest techniques barely reached level four! In his thousand-year Tian Zhu Peak residence, he’d never heard of higher-level arts here.

"You mock me, boy?"

Ye Yun shrugged. "Can’t deliver? Then remain my servant."

"Don’t push your luck!" The Vulture King roared, then hissed lowly: "Any alternatives?"

"Greedy bird!" Ye Yun smirked. "Very well – another option."

"Speak!"

"Serve me a millennium as hired help, not slave. Stay afterward if you choose." Ye Yun spoke slowly.

Fierce light flashed in the Vulture King’s eyes. "A millennium’s too long. I won’t intervene in all matters."

"Then await heavenly tribulation." Ye Yun’s voice turned icy.

After prolonged silence, the beast growled: "Agreed. For Golden-winged Roc lineage, a millennium’s but moments. Yet I refuse actions against my kind."

"Unnecessary. Ten annual interventions suffice. Other times, observe if you wish." Ye Yun suddenly added: "As my spirit beast partner this millennium, become my mount. Swift travel aids pursuit or escape."

The Vulture King cocked his head, golden fuzz now covering his crown, single golden plume gleaming.

"Accepted."

"Excellent! Partners henceforth." Ye Yun laughed heartily. Originally seeking Battle Experience through slaying this beast for its beast core, he’d instead gained a millennium servant with ten annual actions – and a Golden-winged Roc descendant mount possessing limitless potential. This spirit beast might reach peak power rapidly.

"Remember – ten interventions yearly!" Though millennia-old, the Vulture King remained infantile by Golden-winged Roc standards – a race living 100,000 years.

This near-extinct species rarely appeared continent-wide, let alone in tiny Jin Kingdom. Yet the Vulture King knew nothing of his heritage, while Ye Yun’s trio only recalled vague legends about Golden-winged Rocs.

"Enough chatter. Practice using that new intelligence before speaking." Ye Yun waved dismissively, gazing down Tian Zhu Peak.

This trial proved laughably simple. With Zhong Ying slain and other disciples insignificant, only Zhen Huacheng remained noteworthy.

What once seemed challenging now barely registered to Ye Yun’s expanded perspective. A former purple robe disciple? Worthless.

"Pathetic evaluation."