Chapter 314: Chapter 301: Trapped in Peril
"Golden-winged Thunder Eagle," once it matures, becomes a Tier Four Demon Beast. The offspring of such high-tier demon beasts are certainly incomparable to those of ordinary demon beasts.
The newly born little eagle not only exudes the aura of a Tier One High-Grade Demon Beast from birth, but it also possesses the ability to fly and can directly launch lightning attacks.
Although the power of that lightning is only comparable to a Tier Two Lower Grade technique like "Fire Bomb Technique," it nonetheless reveals the potential this demon beast possesses.
Fortunately, despite its great potential and formidable strength, the little eagle is still a blank slate in terms of intelligence, even less developed than a newborn human infant.
Zhouyang has often been together with it before it hatched, and over these months he has daily activated an array to stimulate thunder to assist its hatching, making Zhouyang’s presence akin to that of a parent in its consciousness.
As for why Zhouyang doesn’t look like it, in its still blank mind, how could it understand such things?
Not just this little eagle, even a human child raised by fierce beasts like tigers and wolves would instinctively consider the tiger or wolf a relative.
Of course, as the little eagle grows and its wisdom gradually increases, it will definitely realize Zhouyang is not its biological parent.
However, by that time, having lived with Zhouyang for several decades, emotionally it will treat Zhouyang as a true relative, making it unlikely to leave him easily.
But this is not completely foolproof. After all, the sudden departure of a painstakingly raised demon beast, never to return, is common in the Cultivation Realm.
Therefore, Zhouyang has long decided that once the little eagle is born, he will take it to find a Beast Taming Sect cultivator to establish a "Demonic Soul Contract," ensuring it will never leave him for the rest of its life.
Originally, he thought to accomplish this, he would have to personally visit the Ten Thousand Beasts Immortal City established by the Beast Taming Sect in Canglong Country.
However, several months ago, while shopping on the Flying Giant Ship, he accidentally discovered a Golden Core Stage cultivator wearing Beast Taming Sect attire.
Later, through inquiry, he learned that because of the arrival of the "East Splendor United Trading Group," several Golden Core Stage cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect, along with some Purple Mansion Cultivators, had come to Immortal Sun City.
With the knowledge that there are Golden Core Stage cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect within Immortal Sun City, Zhouyang naturally found it unnecessary to go far.
Thus, only two days after the little eagle hatched, he brought it to the location he had learned the Beast Taming Sect Golden Core cultivators were staying and sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to express his intentions.
Free Spirit Stones offered up, the Beast Taming Sect cultivators naturally had no reason not to earn them.
What Zhouyang did not expect was that when he entered the residence of Golden Core Stage cultivator Zhong Chuming from the Beast Taming Sect and summoned the "Golden-winged Thunder Eagle" from the Spirit Beast Bag, Zhong Chuming, who had originally agreed to establish a "Demonic Soul Contract," suddenly changed his mind.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you know well what our Beast Taming Sect excels in. In your care, this ’Golden-winged Thunder Eagle’ can at best become a Tier Four spirit beast for transportation."
"But if our Beast Taming Sect cultivator were to nurture this ’Golden-winged Thunder Eagle,’ it could at least advance to become a Tier Five Demon Beast!"
"Since you haven’t established a Soul Contract with this ’Golden-winged Thunder Eagle,’ if you agree to transfer it to me, whether it be Spirit Stones or treasures, feel free to name your price!"
In the residence, Zhong Chuming from the Beast Taming Sect gazed intently at Zhouyang, speaking excitedly about his plans.
It turns out he suddenly changed his mind because he was thrilled by the pursuit, coveting the newly hatched "Golden-winged Thunder Eagle" cub in Zhouyang’s possession.
Such demon beasts are extraordinarily rare. Apart from a few places like the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, even in the vast Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, it is difficult to find such precious beasts.
Therefore, Zhong Chuming, being a Golden Core Stage cultivator from the Beast Taming Sect, despite already owning a Tier Five Demon Beast, could not resist the charm of such a demon beast, willing to break his promise to obtain the little eagle from Zhouyang.
Upon hearing Zhong Chuming’s words, Zhouyang was filled with anger and regret, regretting why he hurried to establish the "Demonic Soul Contract."
If he hadn’t brought the "Golden-winged Thunder Eagle" cub today and instead waited until the cub matured into a Tier Three Demon Beast before seeking a Golden Core Stage cultivator from the Beast Taming Sect to establish the "Demonic Soul Contract," such a situation today would certainly not occur.
The eagle nature is proud, and the "Golden-winged Thunder Eagle" is especially so.
If it were a "Golden-winged Thunder Eagle" already matured to a Tier Three Demon Beast level, aside from Zhouyang, its nurturer, even a Golden Core Stage cultivator would struggle to convince it to agree to the "Demonic Soul Contract."
But the little eagle Zhouyang brought now, although it regards him as a relative, it has yet to develop any intelligence.
If Zhong Chuming were to obtain this little eagle, with his years of experience in beast taming, he could easily make the little eagle sign the "Demonic Soul Contract" in confusion.
It is precisely because of this that Zhong Chuming sees this opportunity as a heavenly favor, willing to break his promise to acquire the little eagle from Zhouyang.
Now faced with Zhong Chuming’s demand, Zhouyang is both angry and regretful, as well as somewhat panicked and unsure of how to handle the situation.
Of course, he would not be willing to hand over the little eagle to Zhong Chuming, even if Zhong Chuming offers a Tier Five spiritual artifact in exchange, he would refuse.
However, seeing Zhong Chuming’s appearance now, as well as the fact that he is currently inside the other’s cave abode, if he doesn’t agree to this matter, the other party might resort to forcibly taking it.
After all, the Beast Taming Sect is also a top-tier major sect. If Zhong Chuming snatches the little eagle and escapes from Immortal Sun City back to the Beast Taming Sect in time, the Profound Sun Immortal Sect would likely not go to the extent of seeking justice over this.
Fortunately, he had encountered some significant situations before, and after a brief moment of panic, he thought of a solution.
He composed himself and cupped his hands toward Zhong Chuming, saying: "The rarity of the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle is something Senior must know better than this junior. I wonder how much senior is willing to pay for it?"
Zhong Chuming, upon hearing this, thought that he was trying to make a hefty demand and take advantage of the situation.
Hence, although he was not pleased, he still smiled and said, "Rest assured, what I offer will definitely be..."
What Zhong Chuming never expected was that just as he was about to state his terms for exchanging the little eagle,
Zhouyang suddenly patted the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist, collecting the little eagle inside, and simultaneously slapped his Storage Bag with the other hand, taking out the "Profound Sun Order" and infusing it with magical power to activate it.
"You..."
Zhong Chuming looked at the "Profound Sun Order" emitting dazzling light in Zhouyang’s hand, full of anger.
His eyes flickered with ferocity, staring at Zhouyang like an enraged beast about to pounce and devour him.
Zhouyang, seeing this, felt his heart tighten and quickly raised the glowing "Profound Sun Order" in his hand, shouting, "Elder Zhong, you’d best not act rashly. This is Immortal Sun City, and Master Cyan Yang of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect is stationed in the city!"
Zhong Chuming, of course, understood what he implied with these words.
This is Immortal Sun City, under the watchful eyes of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, where no disorderly conduct, forced buying, or selling is allowed.
Moreover, Zhouyang is the holder of the "Profound Sun Order" and has already activated its rescue signal.
Once this rescue signal is sent out, all Profound Sun Immortal Sect cultivators with cultivation above the Purple Mansion Stage within Immortal Sun City can receive it through their sect’s identity tokens.
In the outside world, Zhong Chuming might dare to risk killing Zhouyang before the Profound Sun Immortal Sect cultivators arrive, then abscond with the treasure.
As long as he flees in time, even if the Profound Sun Immortal Sect cultivators discover afterward that he did the killing, they wouldn’t trouble him over a dead person.
After all, he only killed someone holding the "Profound Sun Order," not an actual member of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.
But now, within Immortal Sun City, the stronghold of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, if he dares to kill the holder of the "Profound Sun Order" who has already activated the rescue signal, the Profound Sun Immortal Sect certainly wouldn’t let him off lightly!
Thus, even though his heart was filled with the urge to kill Zhouyang, Zhong Chuming ultimately restrained himself from actually committing murder.
"Very good, really very good! Boy, you’ve successfully angered me!"
He looked coldly at Zhouyang, a wry smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he said, "Do you think that with the ’Profound Sun Order’ in hand, I really can’t do anything to you? Don’t forget, you’re just a small Purple Mansion cultivator; I have plenty of ways to kill you!"
He was genuinely angry, which is why he unabashedly uttered such words as threats.
But since Zhouyang had already decided to act this way, and having done it, how could he change his mind due to a few threatening words?
He looked at Zhong Chuming unflinchingly and retaliated with words, "I’ll be sure to convey your words to Senior Xu Zhengyang!"
Upon hearing these words, mixed with sarcasm and barbs, Zhong Chuming’s face darkened, and he was about to say something.
But before he could speak, as if realizing something, his expression changed slightly, and he suddenly fell silent.
Simultaneously, the cave abode shook violently, as if under heavy attack.
Before long, Zhouyang heard the rumbling sound of the array being shattered.
Soon after, he saw Xu Zhengyang barging in furiously with a sword and men in tow.
When Xu Zhengyang rushed into the cave abode and saw Zhouyang, his face changed dramatically. Upon seeing that Zhouyang stood there with a stable aura and unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He glanced at the "Profound Sun Order" in Zhouyang’s hand, waved a spell to disable the rescue function of the magical artifact, then nodded slightly at Zhouyang and said, "I wondered who in the city triggered the ’Profound Sun Order’ rescue—it turns out it’s Fellow Daoist Zhou!"
After speaking, he didn’t wait for Zhouyang to reply, raising an eyebrow again, gazing sharply at Zhong Chuming, "Oh, isn’t this Fellow Daoist Zhong from the Beast Taming Sect? What, could it be that the one causing Fellow Daoist Zhou to activate the ’Profound Sun Order’ rescue was indeed Fellow Daoist Zhong?"