Over the next week, Chen Yuan and Chen Xin patiently waited on the cliffs, observing various flying soul beasts.
They saw many different types of avian soul beasts, each with varying ages. Some of them were suitable in both type and age, and could have granted Chen Yuan the ability to fly.
However, Chen Xin didn't make a move to hunt them. They weren't as powerful as the Golden Feather Divine Eagle. Since they had come this far, they couldn't settle for just any soul beast.
Finally, after a week of waiting, they spotted a Golden Feather Divine Eagle of the right age.
"Screech!"
A piercing eagle cry echoed through the sky as a golden-feathered eagle descended from the clouds. This was the Golden Feather Divine Eagle.
Its sharp beak, razor-like talons, and even its golden feathers exuded a cutting aura, as if they could slice through metal and jade like blades.
From their vantage point on the distant cliff, Chen Xin carefully observed the eagle and then nodded.
"With a body length of nearly three meters, a wingspan of about eight meters, and the richness of its golden feathers, this is at least a 5,000-year-old Golden Feather Divine Eagle. Normally, only a level-40 soul master would be able to absorb its soul ring. However, your situation is special. Absorbing its soul ring shouldn't be a problem. In that case, I'll bring it down first."
Chen Yuan stared intently at the Golden Feather Divine Eagle. Without his teacher by his side, he would never have been able to absorb the soul ring of such a sky-dominating soul beast. He expressed his gratitude:
"Thank you for your efforts, Teacher."
Chen Xin acknowledged this with a nod, then summoned his martial soul. He stretched out his hand, and a ball of white light gathered in his palm, radiating a sharp, cutting intent. The light transformed into an ancient-looking sword—the Seven Kill Sword.
At the same time, soul rings began to rise from beneath his feet: two yellow, two purple, and five black. The nine soul rings caused the air to grow heavy. Chen Xin's killing intent surged, and his aura intensified a hundredfold, far surpassing the level he displayed during his usual sparring sessions with Chen Yuan.
Chen Xin then declared in a clear voice:
"Yuan'er, watch closely. This is the technique of sword flight—Third Soul Skill, Sword Wings Like Flight!"
As he spoke, his third soul ring lit up. The Seven Kill Sword emitted a resonant hum, trembled slightly, and then shot into the sky on its own.
Chen Xin didn't exert any force; the sword wasn't thrown. It was flying on its own.
The sword streaked through the sky like a beam of light, heading straight for the Golden Feather Divine Eagle. The eagle sensed the sudden threat and reacted instantly. Its feathers bristled as it flapped its wings and soared higher into the sky.
The Seven Kill Sword missed its target but immediately changed direction, its blade tilting upward as it continued to pursue the eagle.
The Golden Feather Divine Eagle let out an angry screech. It had been startled by the sudden attack, but that didn't mean it was afraid.
It folded its wings and dove toward the Seven Kill Sword, resembling a golden sword itself. As it descended, its speed increased rapidly, causing the eagle and the sword to collide almost instantly.
A deafening clash erupted as white and golden light collided. The Golden Feather Divine Eagle tried to crush the Seven Kill Sword with its talons, but the sword's sharpness was on par with, if not superior to, the eagle's claws. Gradually, the sword gained the upper hand, leaving deep gashes on the eagle's talons.
In pain, the Golden Feather Divine Eagle flapped its wings and used its speed to create distance. Its eyes now held a hint of wariness. Its once-invincible talons had met their match, and the sword's sharpness was even more terrifying.
From the distant cliff, Chen Xin grew concerned that further delays might lead to complications. He no longer wanted to prolong the battle. With a wave of his hand, his aura surged once more. His fingers formed a sword gesture, and the Seven Kill Sword began to spin rapidly.
The sword spun faster and faster, creating a dense blur of afterimages. Soon, it resembled a full moon, churning the air and releasing razor-sharp energy. The Golden Feather Divine Eagle, with its keen sense of danger, immediately sensed the threat posed by this spinning "moon."
But the eagle was proud. It disdained the idea of fleeing and instead folded its wings, diving once more toward the spinning sword.
At that moment, Chen Xin flicked his finger, and the sword-formed moon shot toward the Golden Feather Divine Eagle. The two collided in mid-air…
"Screech!"
The Golden Feather Divine Eagle let out a shrill cry of pain. One of its wings had been severed, and blood rained down from the sky. With only one wing left, it could no longer maintain its balance and began to plummet toward the base of the cliff.
Chen Xin had anticipated this outcome and wasn't particularly surprised. He immediately recalled the Seven Kill Sword, then grabbed Chen Yuan by the shoulder and leaped onto the sword.
He quickly said:
"Yuan'er, let's go. It's time to prepare for you to absorb the soul ring!"
Chen Yuan stood on Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword, initially unsteady. However, Chen Xin kept a firm grip on his shoulder, ensuring he wouldn't fall.
Chen Yuan soon adjusted to the sensation. To his surprise, he realized that the speed of their sword flight was even faster than Chen Xin's usual flying speed. It seemed that the Sword Wings Like Flight technique also provided a speed boost.
With such speed, they quickly reached the base of the cliff. Following his senses, Chen Xin located the Golden Feather Divine Eagle, now weak and barely alive.
Despite falling from such a height, the eagle was still clinging to life, a testament to its 5,000 years of cultivation.
After landing, Chen Xin retracted the Seven Kill Sword and released his soul power pressure, suppressing the Golden Feather Divine Eagle to prevent any last-ditch attacks.
He then nudged Chen Yuan and said:
"Go ahead. Kill it and absorb the soul ring."
Chen Yuan nodded. He reached out, and a white light flashed as his Seven Kill Sword appeared in his hand. Two soul rings rose from beneath his feet—one yellow and one purple. He then strode toward the Golden Feather Divine Eagle.
The eagle weakly lifted its head, its eyes reflecting the figures of Chen Xin and Chen Yuan. It finally understood who its adversaries were. Because of this, it felt a deep sense of resentment. It refused to become the third soul ring of such a weak human.
"Screech!"
With its last ounce of strength, it let out a threatening cry, hoping to intimidate Chen Xin and Chen Yuan.
But with Chen Xin standing behind him, Chen Yuan felt no fear. He continued forward, and once he was close enough, he thrust his sword into one of the eagle's eyes, twisting the blade to destroy its brain.
The Golden Feather Divine Eagle soon breathed its last. However, before its consciousness completely faded, it gathered its remaining energy, channeling it into the soul ring that was about to form. It left a "surprise" for the human who had killed it.
Even in death, it wanted to drag this human down with it.
Soon, as the eagle died, a milky white energy began to emanate from its body, eventually coalescing into a purple soul ring. It was dazzling, magnificent, and exuded an aura of nobility, containing immense energy.
(End of Chapter)
Word Count : 1,293
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Mass Release for Power Stones:
100 Power Stones = 5 Extra Chapters
500 Power Stones = 10 Extra Chapter
1000 Power Stones = 20 Extra Chapter
Ends on 15 March.
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