Masked Sun Golden Roc, I Want to Kowtow in Person

The territory of the Great Roc Clan was relatively close to the Blackwater Marsh.

As such, they were among the first to receive the news.

"Recently, due to the gathering of aquatic clans in Blackwater Marsh, a large amount of moisture has condensed. The heavy rainfall from the day before yesterday has caused multiple mid-air Roc collisions."

"In the coming days, there remains a possibility of moderate to heavy rain. All ninth-grade Roc Demons are advised to refrain from flying, eighth-grade Roc Demons may fly at their discretion, while seventh-grade and above Roc Demons are permitted to take flight..."

"The cause of the heavy rainfall has been identified—the newly born Pureblood Celestial Serpent of the Mingjiao Clan possesses an overwhelmingly powerful bloodline and a terrifying physique, with signs of ancestral dragon bloodline resurgence..."

"—Golden Roc Meteorology reports."

Meanwhile, the Great Roc Clan was also conducting their Cloud Trials.

The clouds in the sky had been reshaped by the clan's great demons into winding cloud paths, where avian contestants raced like the wind.

However, due to the heavy rain, multiple Roc crashes had occurred in the cloud paths recently.

"The Mingjiao Clan is truly bullying us birds too much!"

"Wu Mo? Where did this outsider serpent come from? Could it be some old serpent repainted in green, pretending to be a fresh contestant?"

"Indeed, they’ve pulled such tricks before."

The avian clans were seething with anger.

Suddenly, a sigh came from nearby:

"Wu Mo did indeed come from beyond the Southern Border."

"Oh? How do you know?"

The birds turned toward the voice.

Had the Mingjiao Clan’s hired supporters infiltrated the Great Roc territory?

"Because I was the one who delivered him to Blackwater Marsh."

The bald Roc Demon pointed at the two large bumps stacked on his head, speaking with absolute certainty.

"......"

The Roc clans were stunned.

Despite his pitiful appearance, the bald Roc Demon was a peak seventh-grade, on the verge of breaking into sixth-grade, with the potential to even become a fifth-grade great demon.

Moreover, he had just completed the cloud path race in one minute and twenty-eight seconds.

And yet, Wu Mo had beaten him so badly?

"Then the rumor about him smashing one of the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s heads must also be true?"

"Well... he probably held back when he hit me."

"How does Wu Mo of the Mingjiao Clan compare to our own Zhi Duoluo?"

Whoosh—

As the avian clans debated, a figure streaked across the sky.

His speed was so immense that it created mushroom-shaped cloud rings, splitting the heavens and dispersing the dark clouds as he flashed through the cloud paths in an instant.

"One minute! The seventh-grade avian record has been broken again!"

The figure was a dark-skinned youth clad in golden armor, with wings sprouting from his back. He had a fully human form but retained some avian traits—most notably his wings, which, like his pupils and hair, were a pale golden hue.

He gazed down at the other avian clans with an emotionless, icy stare.

The Great Roc half-demon, Zhi Duoluo.

"Wu Mo?"

"So, it was him who disrupted the sect’s plans by fighting serpents in Blackwater Marsh, costing me an entire town’s worth of faith energy?"

......

Green Phoenix Clan Territory.

Inside the largest hollow of the blue-leafed forest, the young phoenixes of the Green Phoenix Clan had gathered.

Some wore serious expressions, while others brimmed with curiosity and anticipation as they watched Shang Qinqing on the stage.

Thud!

Shang Qinqing slammed the gavel onto the table.

"Now, the tale of the Mingjiao Clan’s Celestial Serpent is one of tragedy—a serpent who struggled to survive in human lands since childhood, with a wounded father, a frail mother, a not-too-bright younger brother, and a broken self..."

"His name... is Wu~~~ Mo!"

Hmm...

Since many Green Phoenixes were unable to speak, making communication with the outside world difficult, prolonged isolation could lead to cultivation instability.

Thus, the clan leader periodically gathered them to share major events or gossip from the Southern Border.

Colloquially known as "sermons."

After speaking, Shang Qinqing glanced sideways and noticed a young girl nearby, pouring tea over a large-headed doll.

She was human.

Yet, seated among the famously aloof and taciturn Green Phoenixes, she blended in seamlessly.

"Wu... Mo?"

Ying Bing’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she murmured the name.

In her memories of her past life, the Mingjiao Clan had never produced a genius named Wu Mo.

But this name—she couldn’t possibly misremember it...

"Yet, he journeyed thousands of miles to the Southern Border and stunned all at the aquatic clan trials, summoning unprecedented storms!"

"But who would have thought the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader would disregard martial honor and bully the weak..."

The Green Phoenixes listened intently, fully immersed.

Avian clans disliked rain.

But compared to the Mingjiao Clan, the Xiangliu Clan was far more detestable.

The former merely made the air damp and the rains heavier, while the latter wreaked havoc on the Southern Border’s environment—wherever they passed, plants withered, and even the clearest waters turned toxic.

"Yet Wu Mo not only possessed a formidable physique but had also trained in human martial arts!"

"With a single flick of his sleeve, he smashed one of the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s heads, then completely ignored the principle of restraint in combat, launching a relentless barrage of strikes!"

"Clearly, while he learned martial arts, he never learned martial virtue..."

The sound of wings clapping together rose from below.

After the applause, the birds subtly glanced at Ying Bing.

The emergence of a Mingjiao genius was not good news—it meant another formidable contender in the battle for the Celestial Jade.

Moreover, like the Divine Maiden, Wu Mo had also smashed one of the Xiangliu Young Clan Leader’s heads.

But one look at the girl sitting there made their worries seem unnecessary.

She was too dazzling.

Shang Qinqing sat across from Ying Bing and asked with a smile,

"The aquatic clans and our avian clans have long been at odds. So, confident?"

"Mm."

"As expected of you. But you haven’t even met this opponent yet."

"......"

Ying Bing’s jade-like face showed no tension—only a pensive expression tinged with indescribable complexity.

Shang Qinqing blinked, then added,

"What’s on your mind? Even if both names contain 'Mo,' a Mingjiao and a human are worlds apart."

"I don’t know."

Ying Bing stared at the large-headed doll, but it couldn’t give her answers.

Was there any way for a human to become indistinguishable from a Mingjiao?

And to stand out in the aquatic trials?

It seemed too fantastical...

Yet, if it was something that happened to him, even the most unbelievable became plausible.

"Ah, I see. If it’s not him, then it’s not worth mentioning."

"If it is him, then there’s no need for conflict..."

Shang Qinqing suddenly had an epiphany, then declared with utmost seriousness,

"In two days, I’ll personally escort you to the Hanging Temple."

"Why?"

"I want to witness it firsthand!"

"......"