Chapter 15: The Golden Feathered Eagle King

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Though Old Hei spoke with unwavering certainty, his heart pounded like a drum, beating fiercely, nearly spilling the drink in his hand. Li Xuan smiled subtly and said, “Don’t be nervous. Although it’s the Golden Plume Eagle King, it’s already wounded. Besides, I have more than one strategy. Our ultimate goal is to kill the Golden Plume Eagle King and seize its source crystal. This will not only avenge your people but also help you overcome the excitement of the Beast King.”

Li Xuan’s words sounded perfect, yet in practice, unexpected events were inevitable. Those scheming against the Golden Plume Eagle King were not just a few individuals but a whole group. Old Hei swallowed nervously, stood up, and said, “Brother Li Xuan, I’m practically becoming a servant in your Li family. No need for formalities—whatever you say goes.”

Li Xuan nodded. After resting for a couple of hours, he leapt out once again, engaging the hurricane while reassessing the Golden Plume Eagle King’s flight speed and strength fluctuations. Then he searched the bodies of the fallen for the beast source crystals. After collecting enough, Li Xuan meticulously engraved different attack source patterns on each crystal. Once thrown into the sky, these would trigger a chain reaction with varying power depending on their placement.

Li Xuan called this the Chain Explosion Plan.

He was not timid or overly cautious; the Golden Plume Eagle King was simply too formidable. Even wounded, it could not be underestimated.

“Brother Li Xuan, following you is the most important decision of my life. Your strategies are interlinked, every step carefully crafted. The Golden Plume Eagle King ran into you and met its worst fate!” Old Hei spoke without hesitation, but Li Xuan found the tone somewhat off.

“Brother, are you insulting me or praising me?” Li Xuan retorted, and Old Hei immediately slapped himself, “Sometimes I’m just too blunt with my words.”

Li Xuan didn’t dwell on it. “Remember, follow my command. One misstep, and we’ll be finished here.”

His words were no exaggeration; the Golden Plume Eagle King’s strength was overwhelming.

Judging from the cultivation levels of the dead, there were definitely beings beyond the God-Slayer Realm, even some in the Mysterious Realm watching the Golden Plume Eagle King. The God-Slayers were merely the vanguard.

True masters hid in the shadows, waiting for the Golden Plume Eagle King to weaken before seizing victory.

Li Xuan hadn’t initially planned this but devised it after discovering the identities of the dead and the source crystals they plundered.

After all, the Golden Plume Eagle King’s source crystal was key to some old timers’ longevity.

Since they handed the opportunity to him, Li Xuan wouldn’t be polite.

He also considered the aftermath—after stealing the source crystal, he ensured there would be no suspicion, leaving contingencies in place.

Old Hei, straight-hearted as he was, couldn’t be told.

Li Xuan plunged alone into the storm, practicing the Sacred Will Azure Wave Sword Technique. This time, his gains surpassed before, though he kept it to himself. Wherever the Golden Plume Eagle King passed, destruction followed. God-Slayer cultivators were numerous; beasts living on the edge of Mist Shadow Mountain were found with broken limbs and gruesome deaths.

While cultivating, Li Xuan opportunistically picked ancient beasts to seize their source crystals, gathering plenty.

Only by noon the next day did Li Xuan, weary and dust-covered, climb into the carriage. After wolfing down food with Old Hei, he declared, “Everything proceeds as planned!”

Though prearranged, Old Hei’s heart still skipped a beat. He immediately roused himself, spurred the carriage with source power, and charged forward.

Meanwhile, the Golden Plume Eagle King’s piercing cries were heart-wrenching. At the same time, several powerful auras spread out; the lurking strong ones intended to intervene.

No time to waste, Li Xuan engraved the collected source crystals, transforming them into Source Sky Thunder. Binding them with cloth, he quickly fashioned a net of Source Sky Thunders and instructed Old Hei, “I’ll send these up first. You follow quickly. If we’re exposed, we’ll be providing the others with an advantage!”

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Li Xuan shot out, using Wind Riding Technique, hands tightly guarding his head to resist the fierce gale. Within a few breaths, his arms were covered in scars, blood instantly dissipated by the wind.

Distracted by healing, his Wind Riding Technique faltered, nearly blowing him away.

He hurried to steady himself, climbing upward again, each attempt perilous.

As he ascended higher, the gale weakened considerably, bolstering his confidence.

Old Hei, with profound cultivation, followed, though his Wind Riding Technique was clumsy. Li Xuan shielded the fierce wind ahead.

One before the other, they stealthily reached beneath the Golden Plume Eagle King. Lying on its sharp talons, they exchanged a glance, then leapt simultaneously, spreading the Source Sky Thunder net across the creature’s belly.

Screeches pierced the air—sharp, agonizing cries from the Golden Plume Eagle King. Waves of sound rippled outward, stirring massive waves. Yet the force was weaker than before.

“Now’s the time!” Li Xuan shouted to Old Hei.

Both unleashed Wind Riding Technique, climbing beyond the Golden Plume Eagle King’s height to its back.

Suddenly, the creature flapped its wings vigorously; the gale surged violently. Old Hei was caught off guard, flung from the creature’s back.

He dropped rapidly as a cutting gale howled, “Brother Li Xuan, this is farewell!”

Li Xuan frowned, tossed his backpack toward Old Hei, then leapt midair, catching him precisely. Spinning, he kicked upward with his feet hooked on the backpack.

The backpack surged upward with the wind after two relays.

Li Xuan resumed Wind Riding Technique, stepping on air. Exhausted, he landed steadily on the Golden Plume Eagle King’s back, stepping on the backpack.

“Brother Li Xuan…” Old Hei smacked his lips, “You saved me again!”

Li Xuan said nothing, immediately working, pulling out a large pile of Source Sky Thunder from his universe bag, arranging them one by one.

Especially between the beast’s bloodlines and sinews, he densely placed the Source Sky Thunder.

Old Hei watched Li Xuan busily working, quickly placing more Source Sky Thunder himself. Despite the fierce gale, the two toiled all day, finally finishing the setup.

The Golden Plume Eagle King, the size of a small island, was entirely covered by the Source Sky Thunder.

Li Xuan’s skill amazed Old Hei, who kept murmuring, “Unbelievable. For me, Old Hei, to fight alongside a Source Master—even if I die, it’ll be legendary!”

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“All done?” Li Xuan and Old Hei reunited. Li Xuan paid no heed to Old Hei’s wounds. A mountain nine fathoms high cannot falter at the last step.

Old Hei patted his chest, “Completed! Shall we strike now?”

Suddenly, the Golden Plume Eagle King trembled violently. Several powerful auras surged like tides, enveloping them.

Li Xuan and Old Hei clung tightly to the creature’s back, barely stabilizing themselves as the gale howled overhead.

“Don’t rush. Someone is attacking the Golden Plume Eagle King. We just need to wait,” Li Xuan called out.

If Li Xuan acted now, joining those strong attackers, he might kill the beast. But facing their combined assault, he would gain nothing and invite great disaster—a loss outweighing any gain.

Therefore, Li Xuan planned to lead the Golden Plume Eagle King into the deeper regions of Mist Shadow Mountain, using the source pattern barriers there to block the strong enemies.

As the saying goes, when the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman benefits. By then, the Golden Plume Eagle King would be utterly exhausted, and the strong ones and their followers would dare not trespass further.

These strategists were shrewd, using weaker God-Slayer cultivators to harass the Golden Plume Eagle King, waiting for it to tire before striking—a clever plan indeed.

Now, all the strong ones appeared—some casting aerial spells continuously intercepting, others relentlessly pursuing, attacking with various long-range source devices. Their methods were ruthless.

The temptation of an ancient Golden Plume Eagle King was immense. Even with all these strong ones out, killing it was not guaranteed, especially given the perilous terrain it inhabited.

No one knew how long these schemers plotted, how many strong warriors they sent, or how many lives were sacrificed to lure the Golden Plume Eagle King from that area.

To secure victory, Li Xuan had no choice but to guide the Golden Plume Eagle King back into that treacherous domain.

“Old Hei, reach out your hand!” Li Xuan activated the Blue Bag Scroll technique, aiding Old Hei’s recovery. “Brother Old Hei, your task is done. While they assault the Golden Plume Eagle King fiercely, slip away in the chaos. The rest is up to me!”

Old Hei’s source power restored, his voice stronger, “Brother Li Xuan, you don’t trust me, do you? I don’t understand why you must deal with the Golden Plume Eagle King, but I’ll risk my life to help.”

His eyes bloodshot, resolute in his death wish, he shouted, “My people are in your care!”

Before he could act, Li Xuan slapped him hard, roaring, “Remember what I said! If this were a battlefield, I’d kill you! The Golden Plume Eagle King is about to reach that mysterious region—get moving!”

Li Xuan’s powerful kick, reinforced by gale force, sent Old Hei flying like a broken kite.

“Remember our agreement!” Li Xuan shouted toward Old Hei’s falling direction. “This is a critical step!”

Before Li Xuan could regain composure, a desolate, ancient aura enveloped them—heavy and solemn. Then a tremendous collision burst forth as the ancient source pattern barrier began to reveal its majestic light patterns.

Terrifying waves of energy surged like mountains. At this moment, all the strong ones dared not advance further, watching anxiously as the Golden Plume Eagle King prepared to enter the forbidden relic zone of the ancient era.