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The Kunpeng Clan’s ancestor moved at such a swift pace that everyone was simply unable to make out the surroundings clearly.

As the scenery changed in the blink of an eye, a mere glimpse outside would leave one’s head spinning.

Suddenly, everyone felt emptiness beneath their feet, and the water mass that had restrained them disappeared as they dropped to the ground like dumplings.

Fortunately, the fall was not from a great height, so although disheveled, no one was hurt.

"Why is this ground so rough?" Man Gu said, rubbing his behind.

"No, this isn’t the ground, it’s a bird’s nest," Li Haoran said with a solemn expression; beneath their feet were interwoven branches, each as thick as two men, plucked from some unknown tree.

The bird’s nest was so immensely vast and boundless that it extended for a thousand miles, and even if Lu Yang and the others flew with all their might, it would still take a good while to reach the end of the nest.

Li Haoran’s complexion worsened as he remembered an ominous rumor, "I’ve heard that in ancient times, ferocious birds would go out to capture food for their chicks, and us geniuses with years of cultivation and bodies full of unmatched spiritual essence are considered great nourishment, perfectly suited for feeding young birds!"

Man Gu was startled and recalled the records of his tribe, confirming Li Haoran’s words were not false: "Our Barbarian tribe has similar records that in ancient times, the ancient Barbarian Tribe would capture food for their younglings, and the most suitable as food were the various fierce beasts of ancient times, each with unparalleled spiritual essence in their bodies."

Everyone gave Man Gu weird looks and silently moved away from him.

Seeing the atmosphere turn grave, Li Haoran quickly added, "However, the situation has not yet reached a dead end; I have also heard that in order to train their chicks, the ancient ferocious birds would let the chicks fight with the captured cultivators, which would help in training the young birds. Usually, the chicks and the cultivators are matched in cultivation level.

If we manage to defeat the young birds, we may be able to escape."

A cold, black wind blew past, making everyone shiver with a bone-chilling coldness.

Everyone looked up, only to see the true form of the black shadow that had appeared: an immensely large peng bird with wings spread that reached over a thousand miles, feathers as dark as ink, and the bird’s nest engulfed in its shadow.

It then shrank in size and transformed into a human figure with an appearance of over fifty years old, with narrow and deep-set eyes that shone with a ruthless and merciless light.

The Kunpeng Clan’s ancestor, the Venerable Blackfeather!

"I have sought you out for an important matter, and you shall not lie!"

"Are you disciples of the Five Elements Sect? How has Shangguan Yu been faring recently?"

Shangguan Yu, mother of Qiu Jin’an, and at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage in cultivation.

Everyone: "..."

This identity as a disciple of the Five Elements Sect seemed not as safe as imagined.

Seeing everyone’s silence, Venerable Blackfeather frowned slightly, "Are you not disciples of the Five Elements Sect? But that can’t be, aren’t you able to perform the Five Elements battle formation?"

"You don’t know Shangguan Yu? That’s also not right; I’ve heard she often mingles among you young cultivators, and you even have amulets for safety, which must be given to you by Shangguan Yu."

The amulet mentioned by Venerable Blackfeather was obtained when they visited the Five Elements Sect for an exchange study. After seeing the Firmament Tree, Shangguan Yu had Lu Yang and the others call her Sister as a reward, she took a small section of the tree branch and made it into amulets for Lu Yang and the others.

Lu Yang and the others still wore the amulets around their necks to this day.

With caution, Lu Yang asked, "Elder, are you... very close with Sister Shangguan?"

Venerable Blackfeather revealed a smile as if to say ’of course’, "Back when Shangguan Yu and I were still in our cultivation days, we met in the East Sea. I led her in exploring the East Sea, together we sought out secret realms, found Immortal Herbs, overcame difficulties, and passed through tough times.

If not for Qiu Duanya’s sweet talk to steal her heart away, the two of us would’ve long been joyfully united in marriage!"

"If it weren’t for Qiu Duanya, Qiu Jin’an would have been my son!"

Qiu Duanya, father of Qiu Jin’an and the former Sect Leader of the Five Elements Sect.

"What, haven’t you heard her mention me?" Venerable Blackfeather asked dissatisfiedly, seeing the dumbstruck faces of Lu Yang and the others.

```

Esteemed Black Feather had long harbored a secret affection for Shangguan Yu, yet he never dared to go to Great Xia to see her. When he heard that disciples of the Five Elements Sect were in the East Sea, he took it upon himself to invite Lu Yang and the others back to inquire about Shangguan Yu’s recent situation.

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Concerned about his reputation, he invited Lu Yang and the others while wearing a mask, worried about being recognized by outsiders.

Esteemed Black Feather saw through the disguises of Lu Yang and the others at a glance, but that didn’t matter. Since they knew the Five Elements battle technique and had tokens, they must be disciples of the Five Elements Sect.

"Er, actually, we are disciples of the Seek Dao Sect," Lu Yang said, bracing himself and explaining awkwardly.

"Seek Dao Sect, the grand disciple of Tang Shengyi?"

Seeing that Esteemed Black Feather’s expression was turning from sunny to cloudy, Lu Yang quickly added, "But we have a good relationship with Sister Shangguan. She has visited our Seek Dao Sect as a guest, and I was the one who hosted her."

Upon hearing this, Esteemed Black Feather’s countenance improved, "Then how has she been doing recently?"

Lu Yang thought for a moment and said, "I think she seems to be quite happy."

This was an absolute truth. Among all the Transcendance Tribulation Stage cultivators Lu Yang had met, Shangguan Yu was the most lively and cheerful.

"Does she have any plans to remarry?" Esteemed Black Feather asked the most crucial question.

Lu Yang remembered Uncle Ba’s unrequited affection and felt that Shangguan Yu probably had no feelings for Uncle Ba.

"She probably doesn’t."

Upon hearing this, Esteemed Black Feather hung his head in dejection and was greatly disappointed.

"It’s fine, it seems our fate has not yet arrived. The matters that occurred here must not be disclosed to others. If I come to know of any leaks, you will all be punished!"

"Yes," everyone hastily agreed, not daring to say otherwise.

"However, my Kunpeng Clan is not unaware of the proper rites. Since you’ve come to my Kunpeng Clan, you should be well received."

Esteemed Black Feather once again enveloped everyone with a bubble of water, himself transforming into a black-winged great peng bird, whistling past, flying out of the nest and plunging downward.

North of the East Sea was a forest growing in the water, the trees soaring into the clouds, as tall as the clouds themselves. Esteemed Black Feather’s nest was built atop the tallest of these trees.

Beneath the bird’s nest was the living area of the Kunpeng Clan. The group saw a large kun breaking through the sea’s restraint amid surging waters and leaping waves. In an instant, it burst forth from the constraints of the sea, rising like a moving island, scales glittering with strange light that gradually dissipated, replaced by sturdy feathers becoming a peng bird soaring into the sky.

Esteemed Black Feather brought the group to the Clan Leader of the Kunpeng Clan.

Upon seeing the ancient ancestor suddenly bringing six people, the Kunpeng Clan Leader hurriedly paid his respects, "I pay my respects to the ancient ancestor."

"These six are honored guests of our clan, treat them well."

"Yes, yes, yes," the Kunpeng Clan Leader quickly nodded in affirmation, always striving to fulfill the ancient ancestor’s instructions to the best of his ability.

Clan Leader Xiao?" Meng Jingzhou blurted out upon seeing the Kunpeng Clan Leader.

Wasn’t this the very Clan Leader Xiao who had visited the Meng Family during New Year’s and even given him a New Year’s gift?

Clan Leader Xiao was startled, seeing through Meng Jingzhou’s disguise and appeared even more surprised than Meng Jingzhou, "Young Master Meng?"

"Has the Meng Family come directly to the ancient ancestor to collect a debt?"