Golden-Winged Peng

Gu Qingfeng transformed into a streak of light as he flew into the distance.

As he soared, he suddenly noticed a large group of cultivators rushing in the same direction, their figures streaking through the sky like countless beams of light.

"What's going on?" Gu Qingfeng wondered, swiftly moving to intercept one of them.

The intercepted cultivator wore an impatient expression, about to snap back when a shimmering azure glow flashed before his eyes.

Gulp.

The man swallowed his words and gasped, "H-heavenly Thunder Pearl!?"

"Seriously?"

"Enough nonsense. I’m asking you—why the hurry?"

The man reluctantly explained, "Word just spread that a Golden-Winged Great Peng at the peak of the Tianyuan realm has been spotted in the central region of the Xuantian Secret Realm, so..."

"Why the excitement over a Golden-Winged Great Peng? It’s not like you all have a system or something."

The man didn’t understand Gu Qingfeng’s sarcasm but, under the threat of the Heavenly Thunder Pearl, continued, "The Golden-Winged Great Peng is guarding the Ethereal Spirit Water, a rare treasure from an immortal’s abode. This divine water can purify one’s essence, energy, and spirit, reduce bottlenecks, and increase breakthrough chances—immensely beneficial for cultivation."

At the mention of the Ethereal Spirit Water, Gu Qingfeng’s eyes blazed with brilliance.

Ethereal Spirit Water! Golden-Winged Great Peng!

Heh heh heh... This lord has arrived!

The value of the Ethereal Spirit Water aside, the Golden-Winged Great Peng alone was worth the trip.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng was a primordial ferocious beast, one of the rarest creatures of heaven and earth, possessing strength far beyond its peers. It might even grant him some extra attributes.

"Um... can I go now?" the man asked timidly.

"Sure. Leave your Qiankun Ring behind, and you’re free to go."

"What?! Don’t push your—"

Bam!

Gu Qingfeng’s fist slammed into the man’s gut, the sheer force nearly dislodging his organs.

Feeling the overwhelming power, the man wisely surrendered.

......

In a desolate valley.

A massive Golden-Winged Great Peng, its body bathed in golden divine light, let out a deafening roar that shook the heavens.

Behind it, a small spring flowed with water of an ethereal, almost illusory hue—the Ethereal Spirit Water. The space around it seemed to blur as the liquid trickled forth.

Surrounding the valley stood a dense crowd of human cultivators, their greedy eyes fixed on the Golden-Winged Great Peng and the treasure behind it.

More and more figures arrived from all directions.

When Gu Qingfeng arrived, he was slightly surprised by the sheer number of people. Since entering the Xuantian Secret Realm, this was the first time he’d seen so many prodigies gathered in one place.

After all, prodigies were usually proud and solitary, traveling alone unless accompanied by close friends or sectmates.

Like sheep flock together, while beasts roam alone.

For such a large gathering today, and with the Ethereal Spirit Water at stake yet no one making a move, it was clear they feared the Golden-Winged Great Peng’s strength.

This struck Gu Qingfeng as odd. The Xuantian Secret Realm had level restrictions. Even if the Golden-Winged Great Peng was a primordial ferocious beast with strength surpassing its peers, it was still just one creature. Logically, it shouldn’t intimidate so many prodigies. Was there something unusual about it?

Curious, Gu Qingfeng activated his Truth-Seeking Eyes to observe the beast—and instantly grew exhilarated!

Strong!

Unbelievably strong!

This was far beyond the power of a peak Tianyuan realm being!

The Golden-Winged Great Peng’s demonic energy was as vast as an ocean. Not only that, but its demonic energy, soul, and even body were refined to near-perfection, flawless like pristine jade—clearly the result of long-term consumption of the Ethereal Spirit Water.

With this level of refinement and the potential of a primordial ferocious beast, it was no exaggeration to say the Golden-Winged Great Peng’s strength was nearing the half-step Heavenly Human realm!

If not for being trapped in the Xuantian Secret Realm, this beast would have long ascended to the Heavenly Human realm!

No wonder these proud prodigies hesitated to act. They must have spread the news themselves, gathering forces to take down the Golden-Winged Great Peng together!

As Gu Qingfeng pondered, a commotion erupted in the crowd. Many rushed toward the eastern slope.

Following the movement, he saw several figures standing proudly atop the elevated ridge. Among them were the Little Yama King of the Hell’s Gate and Sword Maniac of the Sword Sect.

Beside them stood other extraordinary individuals—men and women alike—each radiating divine light, their auras imposing like celestial beings. Clearly, they were also peerless prodigies.

The fact that they stood alongside the Little Yama King and Sword Maniac spoke volumes.

"Esteemed peers," a young man dressed in royal robes declared loudly, "this Golden-Winged Great Peng is a primordial ferocious beast, its strength nearing the half-step Heavenly Human realm. Only by joining forces can we hope to defeat it. Once the beast is slain, the Ethereal Spirit Water... shall be contested fairly. What say you?"

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Who is this guy? How dare he give orders here?"

"That’s Wu Qianfeng, the Seventh Prince of the Martial Dynasty!"

"What?! The Martial Dynasty’s top prodigy, Wu Qianfeng? No wonder he has the confidence to speak before so many elites."

Then, a dissenting voice rose from the crowd.

"If we all contribute to killing the Golden-Winged Great Peng, the Ethereal Spirit Water will just end up in the hands of you top-tier prodigies. What’s in it for the rest of us?"

Wu Qianfeng smiled. "Friends, haven’t you noticed the growing demonic aura here? While we gather forces, that feathered beast is also summoning other demons.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng reigns supreme in the Xuantian Secret Realm, commanding countless demonic subordinates.

Your opportunity lies in slaying those demons. We—" he gestured to Sword Maniac and the others, "—will claim none of their remains. We seek only the Ethereal Spirit Water. Fellow Daoists, do you agree?"

Sword Maniac and the others had no interest in demon corpses, their eyes fixed solely on the Ethereal Spirit Water, so they nodded.

The crowd grew tempted.

In terms of strength, Wu Qianfeng, the Little Yama King, and Sword Maniac were all at the peak of the Tianyuan realm but wielded power far beyond it—the very pinnacle of prodigies.

Facing such monsters, no one dared dream of claiming the Ethereal Spirit Water. Even if they somehow obtained it, they couldn’t defend it.

Accepting Wu Qianfeng’s proposal at least promised other rewards.

Thus, more and more voices rose in agreement.

Yet, some peak Tianyuan experts, confident in their strength, remained silent, their eyes gleaming with schemes—clearly hoping to play the waiting game and reap the spoils later.

Wu Qianfeng and his companions paid no heed to those insignificant nobodies, for their overwhelming strength granted them the confidence to suppress all opposition.