Chapter 41: Arrogant Little Bird (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
How could Shen Yanxiao not know of Shen Yue and the other’s opinions?
However, as an outsider, Shen Yanxiao thought of things more deeply than Shen Yue.
If it were merely to prevent the Vermilion Bird Family from embarrassment before the sage, then they would lose face anyway, even if she was not on the list.
Shen Yifeng had no plans to go easy on the twins, even if Shen Yanxiao did not participate in the contest and it was an inevitable fact for those twins to get crushed. With her image of a trash that had neither brains or strength, she would merely be more of an embarassment compared to the twins.
Therefore, Shen Yanxiao knew that Shen Feng added her name to the contest for another purpose.
“No matter the reason, this is a great opportunity for you. So why should you be perplexed over the intentions?” Xiu’s voice was still ice-cold like snow. In his opinion, there was no need to consider the circumstances. No matter what Shen Feng’s intentions were, it was a golden opportunity bestowed by heaven for her to have the chance to stand before the Vermilion Bird.
Shen Yanxiao curled her lips. Xiu behaved as if the Vermilion Bird was guaranteed to be hers, but she was not confident.
She had only arrived in this world for a short period, and she wasn’t even clear about the concept of a magical beast, let alone a mythological beast that stood at the top of the food chain?
“Opportunities also have to be grasped. Didn’t you hear them saying that the Vermilion Bird has been lying dormant for hundreds of years? None of them could obtain its favor and with just my current physical state…” It was a good thing to have confidence, but blind self-confidence would only lead to a disaster. Even though Shen Yanxiao was confident, she was extremely cautious in the face of unfamiliar matters.
That had been her habit and allowed her to succeed repeatedly and not get arrested. As a thief goddess, skills was important, but sufficient preparations ahead of time was also a must.
To her, the Vermilion Bird was just like a huge hundred-carat diamond that was kept in a highly dangerous place that she had never heard of.
There were plenty of good items. However, they were only considered as a good item if she was confident that she could obtain it.
“It’s only a little bird.” Xiu snorted and disapproved of Shen Yanxiao’s over-cautiousness.
There he goes again…
That had to be some kind of acknowledgment for the mythological Vermilion Bird to be called an ‘little bird’, when a certain lord had regarded an eight-ranked magical beast as a ‘little beast.’
Shen Yanxiao remained silent, but Xiu’s words caused her to think of something. She hesitated and asked, “From your tone, you know the Vermilion Bird?”
There were no undulations with Xiu’s voice as he spoke with an aloof and remote tone. “It’s not worthy for me to get acquainted with it. I merely know of its master.”
Shen Yanxiao’s eyes brightened!
Xiu’s identity was full of mysteries, and with her understanding of him during this period, she knew that he had an arrogant personality. If he said that he was acquainted with the Vermilion Bird’s master, then he must have genuinely knew him!
Speaking of which…
How old was that guy anyway? The Vermilion Bird hadn’t reappeared in the world for a hundred years, and if Xiu was acquainted with its owner, then that must have been something that happened more than a hundred years ago.
If Xiu had lived in this world a hundred years ago, wouldn’t that mean he was more than a hundred years old?!
Shen Yanxiao could not believe that the slightly cold and cheerless voice that seemed to belong to a young man was actually from an ‘old man’ who was more than a hundred years old! He sounded like he was still in his early twenties!
Chapter 42: Arrogant Little Bird (3)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Hehe, since you’re an old acquaintance, why don’t you tell me what the Vermilion Bird looks like and the special conditions to sign a contract with it!” Even the current Family Head, Shen Feng, had only heard about its notoriety but he had never seen the Vermilion Bird with his own eyes. However, the fellow inside her had seen it before, and very possibly might had been close with its previous master. Since she knew someone who understood the Vermilion Bird, Shen Yanxiao started to have designs about the mythical beast to some extent.
However, that was still a mythical beast!
Even though she was ignorant about mythical beasts, just the thought of ‘obtaining the Vermilion Bird meant becoming the Family Head,’ was sufficient for her to be curious about it.
“It’s merely an arrogant little bird who overestimates its capabilities, and it is slightly larger than the normal aerial magical beasts,” said Xiu.
If possible, Shen Yanxiao wanted to pry Xiu’s head open to have a good look at the information about the Vermilion Bird. What kind of information was that? What was the difference between saying something and saying nothing at all?
In any case, it seemed that lord Xiu had no intention to say anything else. No matter how Shen Yanxiao threatened and bribed, he did not continue with the topic and urged her to start her training instead. Even though the Vermilion Bird was only a smelly fart in his eyes, but with its capabilities, Shen Yanxiao had to raise either her battle aura or magic to the sixth rank, at the very least, to get the little bird to surrender and pay its allegiance to her.
Without any useful information, coupled with Xiu’s whip that forced her to continue with her training, Shen Yanxiao could only retract her curiosity and followed his orders.
However, she had her own plans too.
‘If you can do it, then just continue to keep your mouth shut. I don’t believe you would be willing to look on helplessly as the Vermilion Bird throws itself at another person when the time comes!’
They were like ants on the same rope, so what did she have to be afraid for?
...
Five days passed in a blink of an eye. Several luxurious carriages were already parked in front of the Vermilion Bird Family gates early in the morning.
The sage was already seated in his exclusive carriage and nodded at Shen Feng through the window.
Led by Shen Yifeng, the candidates for the Vermilion Bird stood respectfully before Shen Feng and listened to his last lecture before they set out for a long journey.
“This trip is related to our family’s reputation and no matter the cost, one of you must successfully bring the Vermilion Bird back.” Shen Feng solemnly looked at the four grandchildren who stood before him. The long journey was led by the God Realm’s envoy and other than the four candidates from the Vermilion Bird Family, they only assigned one servant to accompany each of them.
Among the four of them, Shen Yifeng had the highest chance to obtain the Vermilion Bird. Not only did he inherit the best lineage, but he was also a rare prodigy that one had ever seen in a century, and the entire Vermilion Bird Family held high expectations for him.
Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei’s strength might be inferior to Shen Yifeng, but their talents were still pretty good. They merely appeared mediocre due to Shen Yifeng’s skills.
The Vermilion Bird hadn’t shown itself in the human world for a century, and no one knew of its conditions for a master. If the criteria were not based on their strengths, it was very likely for the twins to obtain its favor.
After all, the mental energy of twins was a very delicate thing. If they have the intention to complement each other, then their mental energy would probably be on the same level as Shen Yifeng.
The satisfaction that he concealed deep down changed when Shen Feng’s gaze shifted to that thin and weak physique.
Chapter 43: Lava Valley (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Unlike the three candidates who were in high spirits, Shen Yanxiao stood at the edge with a confused gaze and a slack expression. She looked like someone who was on a mental journey of her own, and she did not even listen to what Shen Feng had told them. The only bright and delicate feature on her face wandered left and right with a lack of focus. When one looked at her, they would see no signs of someone who had a long journey ahead of them, and she seemed like an ignorant little kid who was forced to go along with the team.
When she stood next to others, one could see the huge contrast between them.
The three attractive and lively youngsters, and an oblivious ugly duckling with a dull appearance that looked confused had stood together. It was quite a ridiculous scene.
Shen Jiayi dressed meticulously that day, and she deliberately stood beside Shen Yanxiao. She had taken extra care with her looks, and she seemed exceptionally beautiful when compared with Shen Yanxiao’s ordinary looks.
When the two of them stood side by side, the difference between them was as if one was made of flowers and the other of mud.
A triumphant smile quirked on Shen Jiayi’s lips. There were only two women in the third generation of the Vermilion Bird Family, and Shen Yanxiao’s undeniable ugliness made her seemed more beautiful.
Even if she was unable to contest for the Vermilion Bird, she had to make the idiot suffer during the trip and to disgrace herself before the sage, as revenge for the past humiliation that she had suffered because of her!
“We understand.” The three of them respectfully answered.
It was not only about their attempt to restore the Vermilion Bird Family’s reputation to its peak, but it was also about the future of their status in the family. No matter who it was, they would not let go of such an opportunity!
...
As its name implied, the Lava Valley was situated between several high mountains with countless burnt ash-colored stones. It was autumn, and the weather was supposed to be crisp and refreshing. However, the temperature for the area around the Lava Valley was so hot that it was as if the air was boiling. Heatwave surged from underground, and there was no vegetation in the entire valley. From a distance, it looked as if a rift valley was split between the forest, and it was pitch-black.
There were no houses in the vicinity of the Lava Valley. Everyone in the Longxuan Empire knew that even the usually fuss-free jackals refused to live there, let alone the more picky humans. In that barren and torrid place, only demon beasts would hide there and struggle at their death’s door. .
Back when the Lava Valley had not existed, the land was covered in luscious greenery. It was when the mythical beast decided to settle down there that all life was set on fire by the Vermilion Bird’s flame until there was nothing left. All life then completely disappeared from the soil of that land.
Other than the Vermilion Bird Family who would dispatch men to check up on the Vermilion Bird for every generation, no one else would want to step foot in the land of the dead.
Even when the Vermilion Bird Family’s men went there, every visit would incur severe injuries. The high temperature that surrounded the Lava Valley made it impossible for people who had yet to advance to the sixth level to stay for an extended period. The demon beasts that hid in the shadows would also wait for an opportunity. Every visit would end with the death of several people at the hands of those ferocious demon beasts, and even so, the Vermilion Bird Family were unwilling to abandon the land that they had long regarded as their sacred place.
Seven to eight luxurious carriages slowly entered the quiet valley. The leading carriage was much larger than the carriages in the rear. The scene was actually quite weird. The area was, undoubtedly, scorching hot, but the carriages radiated a slight chill around it, and they were not affected by the high temperature at all.
Chapter 44: Lava Valley (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Feng had made preparations for everything because he understood the importance of the trip to the valley. The main frame of the carriages was built with Hoarfrost Darksteel so that the people inside the carriages would not feel the slightest heat, not even in a blistering hot environment.
The cost for those carriages was enough to purchase a whole city, and with their wealth, the affluent Vermilion Bird Family could only afford to build ten.
And this time, they had utilized eight of those for the trip to the valley.
Other than the hoarfrost carriages that could help to prevent heatstroke, those who were headed to the Lava Valley had also worn heat-resistant ice silk armors. The closer they got to the place where the Vermilion Bird rested, the hotter it would get. Without the ice silk armor as protection, they would probably be roasted by the heat the moment they stepped into the Vermilion Bird’s nest.
It was reasonable to say that Shen Feng would not have sent only four guards to follow them as they were about to enter a place with harsh environment and where dangers lurked all around them. However, that was the sage’s intention.
Everything that had to do with the God Realm was like a mystery to outsiders, and the powers that the sage would use to awaken the mythical beast was a secret of their own. If they were not worried that the four young masters and misses, who had lived pampered lives were unable to bear the long and difficult journey, the envoys from the God Realm would not even bother to bring the four guards with them.
As for their safety…
How powerful was the existence of the God Realm? There were eighteen envoys in total for the trip to the valley, and the most powerful existence in the God Realm sat in the front carriage – the sage.
Even high-leveled demon beasts would think thrice about their sinister plans for that group, let alone the ordinary demon beasts.
Across the entire Brilliance Continent, the God Realm was probably the only one who dared to claim that they had not seen a single strand of demon beast hair in their territory.
Everyone knew that the high-level demon beasts also had a higher level of wisdom. They were not only powerful, but they were also as smart as humans. They would never risk their lives to attack a group of humans with a powerful leader in their midst.
As soon as they entered the Lava Valley, the human scent from the carriages attracted a large number of low-level demon beasts. Even though their wisdom was low, they could still sense the powerful suppressive aura that radiated from the first carriage. No matter how fragrant the human scent was, the fear that they felt, instinctively told them that the people in the carriages could never be used to satisfy their appetite.
Regardless of how ravenous those starved demon beasts were, they could only hide in the darkness and continued to smell the fragrant scent they had not inhaled for a long time to console themselves.
The carriage that Shen Yanxiao was in was at the second-to-last position of the group. Although those god envoys from the God Realm were arrogant, they knew the importance of that trip. They were responsible for the front and back of the group to prevent attacks from any ignorant demon beasts.
“Tsk tsk, the scenery is pathetic, as if a nuclear bomb had exploded here.” Shen Yanxiao surveyed her surroundings through the thin cloth that covered the window.
She was the only one in the entire carriage. The guard that was assigned to her had been ‘borrowed’ away by Shen Jiayi with the reason of ‘insufficient manpower’ the second day after their departure. The horses that pulled the hoarfrost carriage were specially selected heat-resistant military horses, and they would follow the front carriage automatically, and thus they did not require a driver for the carriage.
As long as she stayed in the carriage, no one would notice anything that Shen Yanxiao did in there, even if she did some somersaults. So she did not pay any attention to her own words or actions as she did not have to worry that anyone would be surprised by that.
Chapter 45: Lava Valley (3)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Yanxiao secretly gave Shen Jiayi a thumbs up for her efforts to make things difficult for her.
‘You’ve done well!’
If she had to display a Mona Lisa’s smile for twenty-four hours a day and to act like an idiot, how tragic would that be?
She was also very thankful for Shen Jiayi’s wickedness and her eight generations of?ancestors!?
“Xiu, were all these caused by that little bird?” The only one that could converse with her was Xiu, who resided within her, and she did not have any reservations with him.
“The South Flaming Vermilion Bird. Only that beast would take such great pains to burn the land to create such a nest.” It seemed like he was in a good mood, even though he answered Shen Yanxiao’s question reluctantly.
“Burn the land to create a nest? Didn’t you say that it was merely larger than the normal aerial magic beasts? Why does it need to stay in such a large nest?” Shen Yanxiao quirked her eyebrows. They had entered the Lava Valley for half a day already, but as she looked at the route in front of her, she knew that they still had a long way to go before they would reach their destination.
“The four mythical beasts have an arrogant temperament, and they would never allow other living things to exist near their nests. The Vermilion Bird is of the fire nature, and it has a preference for hot places. They would only accept the place for a nest after they raised the temperature around the surrounding area. Even though the Vermilion Bird usually hover at heights most of the time, they also have a strong desire to control the ground. This place is considered small when compared to its previous nest. It must have suffered from some heavy injuries before it went dormant. Otherwise, I reckon that the few mountains nearby would not have existed anymore.” Xiu’s voice was very calm like he only discussed the weather that day, and it was as if he thought there was nothing wrong for a bird to occupy such an ample space. It was also as if he believed that the nest that the Vermilion Bird had chosen was quite shabby.
Xiu might have been very calm, but Shen Yanxiao was not.
As a person from modern times, she understood how hard some people had struggled for their whole life just for a few dozen meters of land. She was shocked by Xiu’s nonchalant explanation of how the Lava Valley got its name.
Extravagant! It was honestly too extravagant!
It occupied an area that was comparable to a small city in modern times because it needed a place for a nest. How extravagant was that? When she recalled how arrogant those people were after they purchased an island, she then thought that their attempts were weak and pathetic when compared to the Vermilion Bird in the Lava Valley!
Shen Yanxiao understood Xiu’s hint about the larger size of the Vermilion Bird’s old nest. Apparently, for the standard of mythical beasts, its nest at the Lava Valley was as small as an underground basement.
She couldn’t imagine how vast the Vermilion Bird’s ‘official’ place of residence would be.
Furthermore, according to what he had said, the residence of the other mythical beasts were also extremely spacious.
Just how big was the Brilliance Continent anyway, for it did not only needed to accommodate so many humans and magical beasts, it also had to allocate vast spaces for those mythical beasts to be squandered away?
“Xiu, did you have a huge place of residence as well?” Shen Yanxiao knew that Xiu had a physical body a very long time ago. Even though she did not know the reason he became a soul that resided within her, she was very curious about the place that nurtured someone like him with such an arrogant temper.
Xiu did not reply immediately, as if he was deep in thought about the past. A short while later, he answered slowly.
“Hmm.”
‘Can you not give me such a concise answer?!’
Shen Yanxiao clicked her tongue and continued to ask.
“Bigger than the Lava Valley?”
“Hmm.”
Chapter 46: Path of a Warlock (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“What if you compared it to the Longxuan Empire?”
“Do not compare it with such a remote and desolate place.”
“…”
Remote… and… desolate…
Shen Yanxiao had to admit. She was tempted!
“Hey, if you regain your strength one day, will you return to your home?” Perhaps she was too idle, so Shen Yanxiao started to chat with Xiu about trivial questions for the first time ever.
“I will definitely return.” Xiu’s voice faintly revealed a determination that she had never encountered before.
Shen Yanxiao smiled. “Then, as your ally, shouldn’t you consider bringing me along to sightsee?” She was very curious about his luxurious home that could reduce the wealthy Longxuan Empire to a ‘remote and desolate’ place.
“Very well.” Even though Xiu did not understand what Shen Yanxiao meant when she said ‘sightsee,’ he could still guess her intentions by what the words meant individually.
“When I repossess my body, I will certainly bring you there.”
Shen Yanxiao smiled even more brilliantly.
Luxurious places were a thief’s favorite place to be. In a place where gold littered everywhere, it was an excellent opportunity for them to get rich!
Since she had loaned her body to someone for so long, she thought that she ought to charge a certain amount of ‘rent’ after the matter was settled.
Xiu did not realize that he had led a wolf into his home. After that short chat with Shen Yanxiao, he recovered his personality as a devious instructor.
“It’ll be awhile before we reach the Vermilion Bird’s lair. Before then, you must train without stopping to sleep or rest so that you can increase your strength.”
Shen Yanxiao’s face soured…
Even though her progress during that period was considered stable, it was still a distance to the sixth-rank target that Xiu had set for her!!
She thought that he simply wanted to hound her to her death!!
...
As they journeyed, Shen Yanxiao had barely managed to follow Xiu’s order to neither rest nor sleep under his strenuous training!
For the entirety of two days and nights, what she had done in the carriage other than train was to continue to train some more!
It had been two and a half days since they entered the Lava Valley, and they still had not reached the Vermilion Bird’s lair. It was a cruel reality!
For an entire two days and two nights, she didn’t even get the chance to rest her eyes, and if she relaxed for a little bit, Xiu’s ice-cold voice would explode in her mind. It was not a sound that she would hear in her ears, so even if she jabbed her ears, it would not have lowered the volume.
Every day, the sage would dispatch someone to send food and drinks to every carriage, and they would continue the journey for the rest of the time. Even after they had arrived at the Lava Mountain for so many days, Shen Yanxiao feet had never touched the ground.
Before the day ended, Shen Yanxiao’s magic finally broke through to the sixth rank under Xiu’s inhumane training.
After the sixth rank, Shen Yanxiao had to choose the direction of her magic training between three classes, and they were magus, warlocks, and priests.
Xiu was an excellent teacher. He analyzed the situation of the three paths and explained them in a simple but yet precise manner for Shen Yanxiao.
Magus had the strongest attack between the three classes, and even among a huge army, they still maintained a decisive role. A powerful magic attack often possessed a more terrifying killing power than the siege weapons.
However, a magus was also very weak. They were unequaled in situations with long-ranged enemies, but if a powerful opponent were to attack them from close proximity, then they would be very vulnerable to the attacks.
Chapter 47: Path of a Warlock (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
All magic attacks required a certain amount of time for chants, and more powerful magic would require longer time for the chants. The magus needed a perfectly safe environment to work because they had to concentrate on their chants, and so, they were an extreme class of their own.
They were like kings in long-ranged combats, but a weakling in close-quarter fights.
It was the first class that Shen Yanxiao had decided to abandon.
In a real battle, no enemy would allow the magus the time that they needed for their chants. Without the protection of powerful teammates, an unaccompanied vulnerable magus could be easily killed by a close combat class even if the opponent was lower-levelled. Of course, a skilled magus would require only a short time for his chant, and they could also torture those close combat enemies to death with their ample experiences.
However, that was not what Shen Yanxiao wanted. She did not have any support, and to be at a disadvantage in close quarters combat during the initial phase of her training was not something that she wanted to do.
Furthermore, she was accustomed to split-second decisions, and something as time-consuming and tedious as that was not suitable for her.
The second choice would be a priest. Their attack abilities were weak, and it was as if they had none. However, they possessed a powerful connection with nature and could heal any injuries by borrowing the power of nature. Furthermore, they could utilize the power of nature to strengthen themselves and their companions. Of course, those were all only short-term effects.
The priest was a class that relied more on their companions when compared to the magus. Without powerful allies, a single priest would not even be able to deal with a low-level demon beast.
The priests of this world were similar to doctors of modern times. They were merely more mysterious than doctors, and they were more of an all-rounder.
Before she heard the complete explanation, Shen Yanxiao had already vetoed that class that sounded like a path for the Virgin Mary.
She did not wish to stand behind other people and become a parasite that would enjoy someone else’s protection!
Finally, there was only the warlock class left.
Xiu was very precise when he explained about warlocks, and it was in more detailed when compared to his explanations about magus and priest.
Warlocks were an intriguing existence in the Brilliance Continent. They were far less aggressive than magus in terms of attack and did not possess the ability to heal any injuries. However, they were the nightmares of many.
Warlocks utilized strange curses, but they could not make someone vanish in a split second. However, they could secretly influence and cause the other person’s corpse to disappear. They were like an invisible poison that would corrode the enemies’ life force without anyone’s notice. Curses did not require chants, and it only needed to execute hand signs to activate it. Warlocks could execute curses in the blink of an eye and cause the opponent to be weakened. They could incapacitate a powerful magus to prevent access to their magic, and turn them into trash for their enemies to slaughter!
It was basically the first choice for any shady person!
The moment Xiu ended his explanation, Shen Yanxiao became very interested in that horrifying class.
As a thief goddess, it was not her nature to expose herself to charge and break through the enemy lines. Instead, she would conceal herself in a dark corner, and wait for an opportunity to struck as that was where her interest lies in!
The warlock class was simply tailor-made for her!
“Then, that’ll be it!” Shen Yanxiao instantly decided that she wanted to walk down the path of a warlock that seemed to have bright prospects.
However, Xiu reminded her that there weren’t many people in the entire Brilliance Continent that went down the path of a warlock. It was because many thought that they were an extremely sinister presence. Furthermore, they practiced despicable methods, and no family would allow their members to learn a class that would disgrace their family’s prestige as they believed a true warrior should face their enemy head on!
Chapter 48: Path of a Warlock (3)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The God Realm that was revered by everyone had loathed the existence of warlocks. Among the six different classes between magic and battle aura, the warlock class was the closest to darkness and the radiant God Realm refused to approach any power of evil.
Due to the prejudice of the common masses and the God Realm’s suppression, it was as if none trained in the path of a warlock in the entire Brilliance Continent.
Even if there were, they would live like a street rat and endured abuse by everyone else.
Shen Yanxiao couldn’t understand the reason behind that.
How did such an efficient class become such a despicable existence when the words came out from the hypocrites’ mouths?
Despicable? There were tons of people in the world who posed as a person of high morals with a bright and neat appearance, and yet they were happy to commit dirty acts in private. Since the world could accept those hypocrites, why couldn’t they accept a class that was just another branch of magic?
It was so absurd that she didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
“So what if they are boycotted? So what if they don’t like it? I have chosen my path, and why should I care about where other people would point their fingers?” Shen Yanxiao sneered. She was never a person who would care about how the world perceived things.
She would only choose what she believed to be right, and she would never comply with the world’s opinion.
Shen Yanxiao knew that no one in this world could be trusted and she could only rely on herself.
“Remember your words today. Only you can hold the ground for your own choices.” Since she insisted, Xiu did not even try to dissuade her. Shen Yanxiao could vaguely perceive that he was pleased with her choice.
Even though she had already decided the future for her path in magic, it was practically impossible to learn the skills of a warlock in a place as simple and as crude as the Lava Valley. Even if Xiu was someone who was veiled in mystery, it was also impossible for him to foresee that the owner of the body that he resided in would choose the path of a warlock. Therefore, it was natural that he did not cram information about warlocks into his mind.
Furthermore, as the second layer of the Seven Star Moon Seal had not been undone, Shen Yanxiao’s growth in magic had come to a standstill after she advanced to the sixth rank. No matter how much she trained, there had not been any further progress.
It was as Xiu had mentioned, the effects that she had experienced when the first seal was undone were closely related to the seal.
Shen Yanxiao could only abandon her thoughts to continue with the path of a warlock and concentrated on her battle aura instead.
Unfortunately, for one to advance to the sixth rank of magic in such a short period was really a rare occurrence and if she wanted to continue to advance in battle aura with such a short time available… well, it would simply be the ravings of a lunatic!
Xiu no longer urged Shen Yanxiao to train as hard as she previously did.
As the Vermilion Bird Family’s carriages advanced toward the depths of the Lava Valley, the surrounding temperature also increased. Any drops of water would evaporate the instant it touched the ground, and even the low-level demon beasts did not dare to enter such a hot place.
The people inside the carriages knew that as the temperature rose, it also meant that they were closer to the Vermilion Bird’s lair.
...
Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei sat in the same carriage, with a middle-aged servant to serve them as they rested. As for the other two servants, they had been left behind in the carriage that Shen Jiawei was supposed to be in.
“How long until we arrive? I feel like my body is about to fall apart from sitting in the carriage all day! I’ve had enough of meat jerky, and if I eat any more, I will definitely puke!” Shen Jiayi frowned and leaned against the carriage. She had been accustomed to a pampered life in the Vermilion Bird Family’s compound, and the long journey had made her uncomfortable. If it weren’t for the Vermilion Bird and for the chance to gain the sage’s favor, she would never agree to suffer through all those hardships.
Chapter 49: Vermilion Bird’s Nest (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“How would I know? It has been so unbearable, to be cooped up in this carriage and without anything to do. I’m nearly bored to death! It’s a good thing that I have you to accompany me. Otherwise, I would have gone crazy!” Shen Jiawei had always followed his sister, Shen Jiayi. He was too bored when he was alone in his carriage and could no longer stand it. Thus, he took the opportunity to sneak into his sister’s carriage during one of their stops.
When the two unruly twins got together, things were not as dull as before.
Even then, they still could not bear with the boredom.
“Hmm, I wonder how that idiot is coping with being cooped up in the carriage all alone… Haha, don’t tell me she has made a mess in the carriage? It’s an expensive carriage too.” Shen Jiayi looked out the window and snorted.
“Perhaps she did. She’s an idiot anyway. Simple tasks like eating and dressing on her own are already an issue for her. In any case, I will not dare to look inside her carriage, who knows what it’ll look like. Sister, you’re brilliant to ask for her attendant.” Shen Jiawei chuckled.
“An attendant to serve her? Is she even worthy of the service from them? Stop joking. The four guards that grandfather dispatched this time are all part of our family’s team of elites, and it’s simply a waste of resources to have them wait on an idiot like her. I’d like to see if she can live comfortably without anyone to take care of her while she is confined inside the carriage.” Shen Jiayi was aware that she could not deliberately make things difficult for her in an obvious manner while they were with the sage. However, it was still possible to take some actions discreetly. Even though it couldn’t diminish her hatred, it would still make Shen Yanxiao suffer.
The twins conspired with each other, and the attendant who waited on them turned a blind eye on their actions. Instead, he carefully observed the situation outside their window.
All of a sudden, a blurry figure flashed past the window. The attendant stretched his head out in astonishment, but he could not locate a single silhouette outside on the charred soil.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Jiayi noticed the attendant’s strange action and asked.
The attendant another look and after he ensured that there were no abnormalities, he sat down and said, “Your lowly subordinate’s eyes went blurry for a moment, and it was as if I saw someone.”
Shen Jiayi laughed and said, “Did your eyes go blurry from being in the carriage for far too long? How could there be anyone outside? According to my father, anyone without the ice silk armor would be dried up instantly. So how could there be anyone outside?
The attendant nodded as he also felt that he must have made a mistake. Therefore, he paid no more heed to that.
On the third day when the night fell, the eight carriages stopped in front of a huge cave.
After a long journey, they finally arrived at their destination. Fed up with the long bumpy ride, everyone hurriedly got down from their carriages.
Shen Jiayi was aware of the severity of the situation, so she sent the attendant that was charged with Shen Yanxiao’s well-being back to her.
As the attendant led her down the carriage, Shen Yanxiao stretched and looked up at the huge entrance in front of her.
The pitch-black cave was half the size of a hill. As she stood in front of the entrance, she could sense a constant stream of hot wave that radiated from within the cave. Luckily, the ice silk armor that she wore had managed to block the heat. Although she could still feel the boiling temperature, it was still bearable for her.
“This way, please.” The attendant returned and stood by Shen Yanxiao’s side. Even though he doubted that she understood what was said, he had to be respectful toward Shen Yanxiao in front of the sage.
Chapter 50: Vermilion Bird’s Nest (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In reality, the attendant had never taken Shen Yanxiao seriously. He was an elite nurtured by the Vermilion Bird Family, and his participation in the quest had proved his worth. However, he did not expect that he’d be sent to take care of the trash and deep down, he was unsatisfied with the task. Therefore, when Shen Jiayi decided to cause trouble for Shen Yanxiao, he did not hesitate as he walked toward her and left Shen Yanxiao alone in the carriage for three whole days.
Shen Yanxiao knew what some people thought of the situation, but she was too lazy to pay any attention to it and walked directly toward the entrance.
Shen Jiayi and the rest had already arrived at the entrance, and the constant stream of the heatwave that radiated from the pitch-black cave stopped them from their next step into the cave.
“This is the Vermilion Bird’s lair. All of you should prepare yourselves, and we’ll be entering the cave shortly.” Just like before, a pure and holy smile appeared the sage’s face, and as he faced the cave before him, he was not tense at all.
Shen Yifeng’s heartbeat quickened. After they awakened the Vermilion Bird, he was the most likely candidate to obtain it. He was confident that the mythical beast that laid dormant there would eventually belong to him. He concealed his excitement and turned to look at Shen Yanxiao, who had walked to his side.
He was aware of Shen Jiayi’s deliberate actions to make things difficult for Shen Yanxiao for the past previous days, but he did not do anything to stop her. At that moment, he revealed a friendly smile toward the ignorant Shen Yanxiao and said, “Seventh sister, it has been hard on you these past few days but don’t you worry. Your older brother is here, and I will take good care of you.”
With a gentle tone and some sweet words, Shen Yifeng transformed into a good brother that took care of his younger little sister.
However, Shen Yanxiao felt only disdain toward his sudden display of kindness. If Shen Yifeng honestly cared about her, then he would not have allowed Shen Jiayi to harass her. He had never once stood up for her in those three days, and his sudden display of kindness was because he wanted to show a good side of him in front of the sage. Shen Yanxiao had already noticed that when they were back at the Vermilion Bird Family’s compound. Shen Yifeng would shower her with affection whenever Shen Siyu was present and acted as if she was his biological little sister. However, as long as Shen Siyu was absent, he would treat her like an invisible person. He did not even look at her, let alone to speak nicely to her.
Shen Yanxiao had caught on to his little scheme. However, she was too lazy to bother with an idiot who did not know how to conceal his hypocritical thoughts.
Shen Yifeng did not expect the idiot to respond to his goodwill. He said those kind words to project a kind personality before the sage. The world respected the people from the God Realm because they had always treated others with benevolence. They loathed evil and darkness while advocated for light and kindness.
Naturally, Shen Yifeng knew what to say and when to say it. The best way to display his kindness was to treat the idiot well. In any case, the trash would not be able to snatch the Family Head position from him, and superficial actions were always simple and easily done.
Shen Yanxiao’s participation in the quest was not only as the twin’s unfortunate cushion, but she also became the prop for Shen Yifeng to display his positive side.
It seemed as if everyone had made full use of the idiot.
The sage’s smile deepened as he looked at Shen Yifeng’s ‘care’ toward Shen Yanxiao. However, an unfathomable glint then flashed across his eyes.
Chapter 51: Vermilion Bird’s Nest (3)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Lord sage, is the Vermilion Bird in here?” Shen Jiayi gulped, and traces of fear emerged on her face as she looked at the cave that surged with heat. She knew that the people from the God Realm were all very benevolent, so she decided to deliberately act shy and pitiful as she stood by the sage’s side to win his favorable opinion.
The sage looked at her and nodded.
“The Vermilion Bird is inside, but there’s no need to worry. It’s currently dormant and would not injure anyone.”
After they completed all the preparations, they finally stepped into the pitch-black cave.
Eighteen god envoys had split into two teams, with one group to clear the path in front of them, and the other to guard the back to prevent any untoward incidents.
The god envoys that led the way promptly released the light crystal in their hands as they stepped into the cave. Light crystals were a type of special item that could be used to provide light, and they only required a magus to pour their magic into it. After which, they would be released to float mid-air to produce a weak light and serve as torches to light up the surrounding areas.
Along the way, dozens of light crystals had illuminated the dark cave.
It was only then that they noticed the dark red light that flickered on the wall of the cave. Those thin red marks looked similar to lava buried deep underneath the ground and emitted a weird gleam. It was like countless blood-colored vines had extended throughout the whole cave.
Shen Yanxiao walked behind everyone, and her large eyes looked across those strange marks. She could vaguely detect a very faint yet odd smell.
It was somewhat sweet, yet fishy, but she could not understand the smell.
The pitch-black cave extended endlessly. As time passed, they could no longer see any scenery when they looked back to the entrance of the cave. They could only see the light that radiated from the light crystal.
“How much longer do we have to walk? It’s getting hotter here.” Shen Jiawei was afraid and walked carefully beside Shen Jiayi. Even with the protection of the ice silk armor, he could still feel the increasingly unbearable high temperature. Beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, and his face was flushed.
Other than Shen Yanxiao who could not train in magic or battle aura, Shen Jiawei’s strength was the weakest in the group. He could no longer bear the heat that was produced by the Vermilion Bird with his current strength.
“I don’t know. We should reach there soon. Bear with it for a while longer.” Shen Jiayi also felt uncertain. As she looked at her brother’s flushed complexion, she was suddenly curious about that idiot’s condition in such a hot and unbearable place.
As she turned to look at Shen Yanxiao, she expected to see a face drenched with beads of sweat and a look that screamed exhaustion. However, Shen Yanxiao seemed perfectly fine. There was not a single bead of sweat on her unattractive face, let alone a face soaked with sweat.
Wasn’t that weird? Even she, who was about to break through to the sixth rank, felt hot in there, but why was there no anomaly with that idiot?
In terms of magic and battle aura, the difference between the fifth and the sixth rank was huge. Even though Shen Jiayi had trained to the fifth rank, she could not wholly withstand the high temperature because she had not advanced to the sixth rank. Only Shen Yifeng was completely unaffected by the heat as he had already successfully advanced to the sixth rank and was currently a level three swordsman.
So, what was wrong with Shen Yanxiao? She was clearly trash who was incapable of training, so how could she seem more relaxed than them?
Chapter 52: Vermilion Bird Appears (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Jiayi remained confused, even after she gave it some more thought.
Shen Yanxiao examined the situation in the cave, and as she looked up, she saw the twins looked at her with some weird expressions on their faces. After they stared at her for a brief moment, they finally retracted their gaze.
Shen Yanxiao could not figure out what was wrong with those two kids, but she was too lazy to think about that.
After she broke through to the sixth rank at Xiu’s pressure, she could withstand the high temperature, and so she was unaware of the anomaly in her situation. Since she entered the cave, she had not felt any discomfort, and she assumed that it was the effect of the ice silk armor that she had worn. She did not think that it had anything to do with the level of her magic.
The long road seemed endless, and even with the light crystals’ illumination, Shen Yifeng and the others walked cautiously as it was their first time at the Vermilion Bird’s nest. They followed the sage closely from behind as if they feared that something would jump out and attack them if they stood too far away.
Shen Yanxiao inwardly laughed as she looked at the quail-like third-generation disciples of the Vermilion Bird Family.
Finally, after they had walked in the narrow passage for what seemed like a long time, they passed through the tunnel and came to a spacious cave.
They then brightened the entire cave with about twenty light crystals.
Under the light crystal’s illumination, everything in the cave appeared before them.
A pitch-black stone pillar extended from the bottom of the cave to its summit and on the thick stone pillar that was the size of ten adult men’s waist, dark-red drawings could be seen. Beneath the stone pillar, there was a huge obsidian stone, and on top of that was an egg the size of a human head.
Yes, it was an egg!
The egg had a shell with different shades of color and also a life-like image of a flame. A portion of the egg was embedded into the solid black obsidian stone, and there were fracture lines that spread from the bottom of the egg to the entire rock.
The instant Shen Yifeng saw the Vermilion Bird egg, his heart started to beat wildly, and he could not shift his gaze away from it.
Powerful fire element flooded the entire cave, and they could feel the heat as it poured into their chest with every breath they took. Even those who had broken through to the sixth rank could not resist the invasion of the tyrannical fire element.
The fire element choked Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei as they inhaled it, to the extent that their eyes had reddened. However, they could not bear to shift their gaze away from the Vermilion Bird.
“This is the Vermilion Bird?” Shen Yifeng sounded uncertain as he asked the sage. He had looked across the whole cave, and only that egg seemed to be related to the Vermilion Bird.
The sage smiled and nodded. It seemed like the powerful fire element did not cause him any discomfort.
The Vermilion Bird that had slumbered for hundreds of years and once brought supreme glory to the Vermilion Bird Family had finally appeared again.
An egg…
As she stood behind everyone else, Shen Yanxiao looked at the valiant-looking egg silently. No one would be able to guess how hard she had inwardly laughed at that situation.
She finally understood why the Vermilion Bird made so much effort to clear such a big area for its nest. The mythical beast’s dormant appearance was an egg! If some ignorant magical beasts had found it and ate it because they thought that it was an ordinary egg, she wondered if the Vermilion Bird would still remain in its dreamland while it was in the magical beast’s stomach.
Even though the egg had a compelling aura, ultimately, it was still an egg!
Chapter 53: Vermilion Bird Appears (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Yanxiao inwardly laughed. She quietly looked at Shen Yifeng and the others as they stared at the egg in reverence. It was as if they wanted to pounce over there and worship it.
“We’ll have to trouble the sage!” Shen Yifeng forced himself to restrain his excitement and then bowed respectfully to the sage. However, his hands shook, and that betrayed the wild emotions that he felt in his heart.
The Vermilion Bird was close at hand, and the opportunity to become the Family Head and to obtain supreme glory was right in front of him! How could Shen Yifeng not be excited? He had not cared about Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei since the start of the contest as he knew that their skills were not comparable to him.
The Vermilion Bird would, undoubtedly, be his!
Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei stared at Shen Yifeng discreetly. They had talents, but they were still weak when compared to him. They would not even dare to compete with him if they didn’t have to. Even though they were cousins, Shen Yue and Shen Duan had never been on friendly terms with each other, and naturally, the relations between their children had not fared better.
If their strengths were not weaker than Shen Yifeng, the twins would have joined hands to defeat their older cousin.
At present, they could only look on helplessly as the great opportunity slipped between their fingers. Both of them had secretly wished that the Vermilion Bird would not like Shen Yifeng and would be unwilling to sign the contract with him. If that happened, they would have the chance to obtain the Vermilion Bird’s favor.
Who wouldn’t want such an opportunity for instant success? Since they couldn’t get it, then they wouldn’t want anyone to get it either.
The constant strife between the third-generation disciples was very well hidden between them, and the god envoys from the God Realm had no intentions to speculate their internal conflicts.
The eighteen god envoys surrounded the obsidian from a ten-step distance. They stood side by side and formed a circle with the Vermilion Bird egg in the center.
The sage slowly walked toward the Vermilion Bird egg that still radiated high heat, and suddenly, a palm-sized golden compass appeared in his hand. There were four circles on the compass, and some ancient design carved the course of every circle. In the outermost ring, images of four ancient mythical beasts were carved in each of the four directions.
Shen Yanxiao stood quite far from the sage, and thus, she could only see the golden compass in the sage’s hand that was continually turned.
Suddenly, a ‘snapping’ sound was heard, and the golden compass stopped as several rays of light shot out from it. Under the rays’ brilliant illumination, a fiery red silhouette suddenly surfaced in mid-air, and it was similar to a flaming bird that hovered with its wings spread open. Its entire body radiated angry flames and the huge bird spiraled around mid-air. In a blink of an eye, it transformed into a red light and dashed into the motionless egg.
The scene that they had witnessed stunned the eight people from the Vermilion Bird Family. They did not know what was the golden compass in the sage’s hand, nor could they discern if the huge flaming bird was a product of their imagination.
Everything had exceeded their levels of comprehension.
All of a sudden, the massive cave shook vigorously, and several cracks appeared on the ground where Shen Yanxiao stood. Through the cracks, she saw the flowing lava and the fiery-red magma that were just one meter below her feet. White vapor gushed out endlessly from the fissures, and the boiling temperature made them feel as if they were in a steamer basket.
Chapter 54: Vermilion Bird Appears (3)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Yanxiao looked at the strange scene in the cave in astonishment. Other than the calm and collected envoys from the God Realm, the other seven members of the Vermilion Bird Family were in disarray. Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei clung to the attendant as they shrieked miserably while Shen Yifeng fanatically tried to dodge the cracks beneath his feet. His previous elegant demeanor had utterly disappeared as his face turned deathly white.
“The Vermilion Bird is about to awaken.” Xiu’s voice sounded from the inside of Shen Yanxiao’s mind.
Cracking sounds could be heard during the commotion as fractures began to appear on the Vermilion Bird egg that had laid peacefully on the obsidian stone. After that, blinding red lights shot out from the fractures.
As an intense heatwave engulfed the entire cave, the fiery-red light flooded everyone’s lines of sight.
No one else could see anything except for the color red and panic spread through their minds.
Fortunately, the blinding light faded after a short moment and gradually gathered at the obsidian stone.
In the blink of an eye, a flame ignited on the obsidian stone, and then it burned.
A fair little hand stretched out, and the flame seemed to be spiritual as it hastily converged and covered that hand. It was as if a piece of flaming armor was fitted on that little arm.
As the flames gradually converged, a little boy of no more than three or four-years-old appeared in front of them.
Scarlet-red long hair flowed across his shoulders, and his delicate features were like heaven’s most outstanding works. Even the most exquisite work of art was only less than one-tenth of that child’s beautiful appearance.
The young yet exquisite face that would make everyone gasp in surprise had a pair of flame-like dazzling scarlet red eyes. It was as if the child had no innocence in his eyes, only supreme existence.
The flames clung onto the little boy’s body like a flaming armor and accompanied him as he floated in mid-air.
Evidently, the boy had a small physique, and yet he displayed a proud and arrogant attitude as he hovered above them. He sat cross-legged proudly, and he propped his chin with one hand as he overlooked those dumbstruck humans beneath him with his scarlet eyes..
Shen Yifeng and everyone else was thoroughly stupefied. They looked up at that extraordinary little boy, and had correctly guessed his identity in their minds. However…
They could not believe that the arrogant little brat was the rumored Vermilion Bird!
Where was the promised mythical beast?!
“Foolish humans, do you know the consequences of disrupting my sleep?” An eerie voice echoed from the little boy. Even though his voice sounded like a small child, the temperature in the cave immediately increased after he asked the question.
The sudden jump in heat tormented Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei until they had to gasp for air. However, they were afraid that the heat would cause harm to their bodies if they breathed it in, and so they had no choice but to cover their mouths.
The little boy haughtily swept another glance at everyone in the cave, and when he saw the beaming sage, he frowned.
“I hate your smile.” With a wave of his small hand, a wave of flames similar to a tide headed toward the sage.
Golden rays of light shot out from the sage’s hands and struck the incoming flames, and the collision produced a loud boom.
“The Vermilion Bird is truly as unruly as the rumors claimed. I am the current sage of the God Realm.” The sage’s gentle voice sounded, and a loud rumble followed.
Chapter 55: How Am I Not a Woman? (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The Vermillion Bird that took on the appearance of a child softly snorted and withdrew the flame.
“I’ve been wondering who you are since you’ve been so rude to me. It turns out that you’re from the God Realm. After so many years, you have not changed one bit, and I still hate you.” Even though the Vermilion Bird’s words were sharp and direct, he did not attack again.
The sage confirmed their inner thoughts when the Vermilion Bird Family members heard him address the child as the Vermilion Bird.
When they had reached a certain level, some of the magical beasts could transform into humans. Since the mythical beasts were more powerful than the ordinary magical beasts, it was quite simple for them to adopt a human form.
They looked at the child passionately when they knew that he was the transformation of the Vermillion Bird.
That was the hope of their family! It was their mythical beast!
“Lord Vermilion Bird, I am the Vermilion Bird Family’s twelfth-generation disciple! We had to trouble the sage to disturb your sleep, and it wasn’t a deliberate act to offend you. However, you’ve been asleep for so long, and my family has been looking forward to welcoming your return!” Shen Yifeng was the first one to jump forward to worship the Vermilion Bird. Even though his small physique surprised him, he had also witnessed the Vermilion Bird’s daring attack on the sage just moments ago. Rather than angered by that attack, the sage had been quite polite about it. It was apparent that the two of them were acquainted. Shen Yifeng’s mind was also blown by the brief display of the Vermilion Bird’s strength.
That fire element was the purest that he had ever seen in his entire life!
No magical beast was comparable to the Vermilion Bird. He deserved to be the top-ranked mythical beast in the fire element.
The Vermilion Bird gave Shen Yifeng, who knelt before him, a cold glance. An arrogant smile quirked on its ruddy lips.
“To welcome my return? Hehe, humans are still as hypocritical as ever. Are you the one who wants to sign a contract with me?”
The Vermilion Bird did not hold back with his words, and it caught everyone else by surprise.
Shen Yanxiao blinked. She inwardly laughed as she looked at the ‘mythical beast’ who had emerged so ostentatiously and also spoke so straightforwardly. It was evident that Shen Yifeng’s flattery did not win the Vermilion Bird’s favor. How could a mythical beast that had lived for several thousands of years not surmise the cunning plots that the humans had cooked up?
To welcome his return? Was it not just to sign a contract with him so that they would gain powerful strength?
Shen Yifeng was so stunned by Vermilion Bird’s words that he could not think of a response. He could only weep privately in his heart.
It was one thing for it to not appear in its original form, but the Vermilion Bird’s human form even mocked his flattery in such a candid manner. That mythical beast had gone too far!
Shen Yifeng only managed to pick up his shattered confidence after a short while, and then he said, “It is my good fortune if I am lucky enough to obtain Lord Vermilion Bird’s favor. Lord Vermilion Bird, please give me a chance!”
The Vermilion Bird’s gaze swept across Shen Yifeng’s eager face. His fiery brows knitted together, and he snorted and said, “Get lost, you’re unworthy.”
Unworthy… Un… worthy…
Those few words from the Vermilion Bird had instantly turned the confident Shen Yifeng into a statue. In a blink of an eye, it was as if the confidence and self-esteem of the Vermilion Bird Family’s number one prodigy had turned into dust.
Shen Yifeng looked at the Vermilion Bird with a blank expression as he could not believe he would deny him so bluntly.
He was abandoned before he even had the chance to show off!
Chapter 56: How am I Not a Woman? (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
At that moment, Shen Yifeng suffered an unprecedented blow, and it was as if his eyes lost its usual radiance.
Shen Yifeng’s encounter with the Vermilion Bird delighted both Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei. Initially, they had only bitterness toward their cousin. All those years, they had only ever felt resignation due to Shen Yifeng’s dazzling achievements as they did not have the opportunity to stand out in the Vermilion Bird Family because Shen Yifeng’s name had always overshadowed them.
However, the Vermilion Bird had refused Shen Yifeng’s attempts to curry his favor.
Didn’t that mean they had a chance to compete for the Vermilion Bird?
Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei did not conceal their happy and excited emotions as they were too thrilled with the unexpected news. At the same time, the two devoted twins had pulled apart from each other in an instant.
At that moment, Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei were no longer siblings that worked together to defeat their enemies. They were rivals to compete for the Vermilion Bird, and no one could resist the temptation to obtain the power that came with the mythical beast.
“Jiawei, I’m your older sister, so you should let me have this chance.” Shen Jiayi looked at her brother grimly. After Shen Yifeng, she was the most powerful third-generation disciple, and she had the highest chance to receive the Vermilion Bird’s approval.
She would never allow anyone to fight her for the Vermilion Bird, not even her biological brother.
Shen Jiawei gritted his teeth and looked at Shen Jiayi. For a long time, he had always obeyed Shen Jiayi’s orders. Firstly, it was because Shen Jiayi was born a few minutes earlier than him and secondly, her strength was slightly more powerful than him. However, that did not mean that he was a brainless idiot, and that was his best opportunity to prove himself. Since Shen Jiayi had suppressed him for the longest time, how could he not wish to change his situation?
Therefore, he decided to gather his courage to go against his sister for the first time in his life.
“Sister, you’re a woman, and you will have to marry in the future. The Vermilion Bird Family needs a man to inherit it!” He was not ready to step back! He knew that the one who could get close to the Vermilion Bird was the one who would most likely, sign a contract with it in that present situation!
Shen Jiayi looked at her brother with a cold expression.
“Jiawei, you’re getting more courageous, and you even dare to disobey me!”
Just as Shen Jiayi finished her sentences, a fireball shot toward Shen Jiawei. Completely unguarded against the attack, the fireball struck Shen Jiawei and threw him a few meters backward.
“Fool! How dare you compete against me?” Shen Jiayi glanced at Shen Jiawei who had fallen on the ground before she walked toward the Vermilion Bird.
As she stood on one side, Shen Yanxiao was dumbstruck with what the twins did to each other. She saw how ruthless Shen Jiayi was, and the fireball that threw Shen Jiawei backward was the same one that she had intended to use against her. However, no matter how much Shen Jiayi hated her, she did not dare to make the fireball explode on her.
Even though a fireball that was created by a fifth-ranked magician apprentice was not as powerful as one released by a magus, it would still cause significant damage if it struck someone who was unguarded against it. Shen Jiayi seemed to have disregarded their sibling relations and sent an attack toward Shen Jiawei. She had ignored everything that was supposed to be important to her to obtain the Vermilion Bird!
When she saw Shen Jiawei fall to the ground miserably and desperately tried to get up, she felt nothing but pity for him because he had such a ruthless sister.
However…
She also loved the scenes where the two unruly kids fought against each other!
Chapter 57: How am I Not a Woman? (3)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Jiawei had never expected that his sister would treat him that way, not even in his wildest dreams. He stood up strenuously and looked on helplessly as Shen Jiayi walked toward the Vermilion Bird. She then respectfully got down on one knee and expressed her goodwill toward it.
“I hate human women the most!”
Shen Jiayi heard a loud roar filled with annoyance from the Vermilion Bird, and then she felt a strong wave of heat hit her in the face. The wave threw her tiny body backward like a broken kite, and she landed not far away from Shen Jiawei.
“…” Shen Yanxiao was so stunned by what had happened that she only managed to swallow the laughter that was about to creep up her lips.
The Vermilion Bird was honestly…
Too violent! Too violent!
However, why did she feel as if the arrogant little bird looked more pleasant the longer she looked at it?
Then again, did the Vermilion Bird not say that he hated women? Something definitely sounded fishy! However…
Shen Yanxiao quietly looked down to her ‘washboard’ chest. Even though they had yet to grow… but… she should be considered as a woman!
“Hey! Wouldn’t it be hard to take care of this little bird? What if he despises my gender?” Since everyone’s attention was not on her, Shen Yanxiao hastily asked Xiu.
Xiu replied casually, “You? Can we really consider you as a woman?”
Shen Yanxiao was annoyed that Xiu had decided to ignore her gender as a woman so blatantly!
If Xiu had a physical body, she could even imagine his eyes as he looked at her chest with extreme disdain.
‘You’re such a jerk!’
Even though her growth was stunted, what should grow would still grow if she nourished herself for a year or two, okay?!
While Shen Yanxiao was confused as to why she was not considered a woman, Shen Jiawei rejoiced at Shen Jiayi’s misfortune.
Shen Jiawei smiled as he saw Shen Jiayi, who had attacked him to get the Vermilion Bird for herself, suffered a brutal attack.
“Who is Shen Yifeng? What of Shen Jiayi? Ultimately, the one to obtain the Vermilion Bird would be me!” Even though his body trembled as he stood up from the ground, Shen Jiawei’s heart was filled with joy. The Vermilion Bird had successively denied two high-achievers in the family, and at that moment, he thought that he was the only one who could inherit the Vermilion Bird!
Every time the Vermilion Bird had awakened, it would choose one member from the Vermilion Bird Family and bound itself and its loyalty to that person. Since the Vermilion Bird had denied both Shen Yifeng and Shen Jiayi, he was the only one left to own the Vermilion Bird!
Shen Jiawei disregarded the pain that he felt, and strode toward the Vermilion Bird that would soon belong to him.
Shen Yifeng’s expression darkened as he never expected to lose to his two mediocre cousins. However, since the Vermilion Bird had rejected him, he knew that he stood no chance.
Shen Jiayi had an even uglier expression on her face. The Vermilion Bird had attacked her, and it did not even hold back its strength. Even though he had casually waved his hand, Shen Jiayi felt as if her internal organs had shattered, and it had caused her acute pain. She could barely manage to stay conscious to look at her younger brother, who she had injured earlier, as he walked toward the Vermilion Bird. At that moment, she felt only remorse. No one told her that the mythical beast hated women, and if she had known that she had no chance to get the Vermilion Bird, she would not have attacked Shen Jiawei and fallen out with him.
Instead, she would help Shen Jiawei to obtain the Vermilion Bird’s favor.
However, everything was too late then. The sibling bond between them had shattered the moment Shen Jiayi released the fireball. Once Shen Jiawei obtained the Vermilion Bird and became the future successor of the family, she would be…
Shen Jiayi did not even dare to think about that.
Chapter 58: Misfortunes Come From the Mouth (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
No one thought that the Vermilion Bird would reject Shen Jiawei. According to the Vermilion Bird’s promise, it would undoubtedly pledge his loyalty to one disciple from the family when he awakened from his slumber, even if it was one that he did not like.
That was the agreement between him and the first generation of the Vermilion Bird Family.
Everyone thought that Shen Jiawei was already halfway to his ownership of the Vermilion Bird.
Shen Jiawei had the same thoughts too. As he approached the Vermillion Bird, he fantasized about how he would send Shen Yifeng to the branch family once he became the successor to the Family Head position. He had found that talented older cousin of his an eye sore long ago. He was also Shen Feng’s grandson, so why was his position inferior to Shen Yifeng? As for his sister, no one would blame him if he was ruthless since she was the one who attacked him first.
There was also that idiot, Shen Yanxiao. Once he obtained the Vermillion Bird, he would certainly have his grandfather toss that trash from the family home the first chance he got! He was about to inherit the Vermilion Bird Family, and he would never allow the existence of such disgrace to the family!
With countless plans in his mind, Shen Jiawei finally dragged his scar-riddled body before the Vermilion Bird. He smiled confidently as he knelt on one knee, and said, “Lord Vermilion Bird, I am the last disciple of the Vermilion Bird Family here today. It is my great honor to be of service…”
Before Shen Jiawei could finish his sentence, the Vermilion Bird suddenly pointed his finger at Shen Jiawei, and an invisible force lifted him from the ground.
The action took Shen Jiawei by surprise, but he was not thrown out like what had happened to Shen Jiayi. It was evident that the Vermilion Bird might be trying to sign a contract with him!
Or so he thought.
“It appears that you humans are still stuck in your old ways! How dare you lie to my face!” The Vermilion Bird’s voice was filled with fury.
At the very next moment, Shen Jiawei was thrown from mid-air, and his beautiful dreams were shattered along with that action.
Shen Jiawei was confused with what the Vermillion Bird had said because he most definitely did not lie to him.
Shen Yifeng and Shen Jiayi had indiscernible expressions on their faces as they looked at Shen Jiawei’s brutal treatment from the Vermillion Bird.
They were happy that Shen Jiawei did not obtain the Vermilion Bird’s favor. However, they were also astounded when Shen Jiawei was rejected as that meant they had suffered a complete wipe-out. Ultimately, the Vermilion Bird did not choose any of them, and that made no sense!
Just as everyone was still in confusion, the Vermilion Bird slowly floated toward a corner of the cave. To everyone’s surprise, he swiftly landed on his feet and stood in front of Shen Yanxiao who had hidden in a corner as she enjoyed the show.
Shen Yifeng, Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei’s expressions simultaneously turned as black as a pot.
What the heck! How could they have forgotten about that idiot?!
...
Shen Yanxiao stood rooted at where she was and looked at that arrogant face that was almost within her reach.
There was a huge difference between the Vermilion Bird’s appearance and a human’s. He had a pair of small pointy ears that reminded Shen Yanxiao of the elves in the movies. His scarlet-red eyes also did not project the kind of innocence that a child should have. Instead, there was only arrogance.
His facial features were also so perfect that she could not detect any flaws with it.
However!
She swore that if the stinky little bird dared to throw her around, she would let Xiu crush it to its death!
Chapter 59: Misfortunes Come From the Mouth (2)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The Vermilion Bird narrowed his eyes and looked at the ugly human before him. High-leveled magical beasts possess the ability to transform into a human form, and regardless of the species, their human form would be stunning. Even those from Vermilion Bird Family members that people regarded as handsome and beautiful were only average in the eyes of a magical beast.
Amongst the humans, the little girl in front of him was considered average, at best.
However, Shen Yanxiao would be deemed ugly in the eyes of the magical beasts.
“You’re ugly.” The Vermilion Bird evaluated Shen Yanxiao honestly.
Even though the mythical beasts would have lived for a very long time, they did not know how to mince their words, especially with their arrogant personalities.
Shen Yanxiao’s lips twitched as she glared at the stinky bird.
She did not go there for a beauty contest! For it to actually say that she was ugly?! He had better not land in her hands, or else she would absolutely pluck all of his feathers!
The Vermilion Bird ignored her furious expression and continued to size her up. He even went closer and sniffed Shen Yanxiao.
‘Was he a dog?!’
Shen Yanxiao was speechless as the clearly-a-bird fellow continued to sniff around her. If she could reveal her strength, she would have probably sent that stinky bird somewhere far away with a kick.
From Xiu’s tone, he clearly did not find the Vermilion Bird a threat. Since she already had Xiu’s invincible support, she thought that the so-called Vermilion Bird simply sucked!
The Vermilion Bird repeated his actions, and after a while, he finally stopped his unimaginable ‘observation’ actions.
His body was that of a three or four-year-old child, and he was only as tall as Shen Yanxiao’s abdomen. Since he was a mythical beast, he could not stand it if a human were to look down upon him. So, he floated upward until his eyes were at the same level as Shen Yanxiao’s.
“There’s a weird smell on you, and it seems like I have smelled it somewhere before.” The Vermilion Bird was somewhat vexed. The scent was very faint, and if he had not learned so close to her, he would never have smelled it. That scent existed in his memory, but he could not recall its origin at that time.
‘Was he really a dog?!’ Shen Yanxiao looked at the Vermilion Bird in silence. Even though she tried to maintain the image of an idiot with great effort, it did not mean she would act like an idiot who did not wash for several days. Why would there be any scent on her!?
“The Vermilion Bird seems to have noticed my existence, but it has been a thousand years since we last met. Thus, he mistook it as a scent.” Xiu’s voice suddenly echoed in Shen Yanxiao’s mind.
A thousand years ago…
Shen Yanxiao continued to gaze blankly ahead. What exactly was Xiu’s origin?
“You are of the family’s bloodline, and even though you’re ugly, you will become a woman in the future. However, on the account that you don’t speak much nonsense, I’ll reluctantly sign a contract with you!” The Vermilion Bird’s words and tone of voice were meant as a jab to the other people there.
Shen Yanxiao gritted her teeth in anger. ‘Stinky little bird, you’re toast!’
The Vermilion Bird’s words were sharp, and it was like thunderbolts that struck during clear skies as they entered Shen Yifeng and the other’s ears.
‘What a joke! That person is an idiot!’
What was wrong with the Vermilion Bird? Why did it reject the best of the Vermilion Bird Family’s third-generation disciples and chose that idiot instead? What happened? Did the Vermilion sleep for too long and then turn stupid?
Anyone else would have been a great choice, so why did he have to choose an idiot that could not even train in magic or battle aura?!
Chapter 60: Misfortunes Come From the Mouth (3)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Shen Yifeng was secretly relieved when Shen Jiayi and Shen Jiawei failed to obtain Vermilion Bird. However, he almost fainted from anger when Shen Yanxiao won the prize that they all had coveted. He could not believe that he had lost to that good-for-nothing idiot and disgrace in the Vermilion Bird Family.
Shen Jiayi was even more shocked with what had transpired. She stared at Shen Yanxiao with a stupefied expression as she could not believe what she had heard.
“Lord Vermilion Bird! But she’s also a woman!” Shen Jiayi shouted with objection. She could not understand why the reason that the Vermilion Bird used to reject her was suddenly not applicable for Shen Yanxiao.
The Vermilion Bird frowned. How dare those inferior humans questioned him? He coldly snorted and then looked at Shen Yanxiao’s washboard chest.
Shen Yanxiao then exploded.
‘What the f*ck are you looking at? Even though I’m flat right now, it’ll grow to become mountains someday!’
“Lord Vermilion Bird, please kindly reconsider! She’s an idiot and incapable of training in magic and battle aura. She doesn’t deserve you!” Shen Jiayi’s words gave Shen Yifeng a glimmer of hope. Shen Yanxiao was utterly useless, and it did not make sense that the Vermilion Bird would favor her. He was unconvinced that the Vermilion Bird would choose an idiot for its master!
The Vermilion Bird was upset with the commotion. Whenever he chose his master, no humans would dare to chatter at the side. Those humans irritated him. Did they think that he was an idiot? Even though the human was ugly, she possessed both magic and battle aura. It was evident to him that she was a rare prodigy of the century that could train in both paths. How dare they lie to him and call her trash?
When the Vermilion Bird woke up, he had seen through each of the Vermilion Bird Family’s candidates’ strengths clearly. Even though Shen Yifeng was the most powerful, a genius who could train in both magic and battle aura could easily silence that pretty boy in minutes. Everyone thought that the Vermilion Bird chose Shen Yanxiao at random; they were unaware that he had discovered the most prominent candidate of them all.
Furthermore, where did the little girl look like an idiot? He saw flames of fire within her gaze, so evidently, she possessed wisdom. Otherwise, she would not have been so happy after she found out that she was selected.
A beautiful mistake took shape when a certain little bird mistook rage for joy.
The Vermilion Bird continued to ignore Shen Yifeng and the others’ cries of indignation and they became nervous about his attitude.
Even if they disliked each other, it was nothing compared to the crushing defeat they would suffer at the hands of an idiot.
Shen Jiayi propped up her injured body and glared at Shen Yanxiao who still had not uttered a single word as she stood there. If expressions could kill, she probably would have hacked that idiot into tiny pieces.
How did that idiot chance upon all the good things in the world? Brother Siyu dotted and pampered her, and her grandfather even allowed that disgrace to join the quest as a candidate. At that moment, Shen Jiayi had as much contempt as hatred for Shen Yanxiao!
She did not dare to be rude toward the Vermilion Bird, but she had no such reservations for the trash that she had bullied most of her life which did not dare to retaliate against her.
“Trash! You shouldn’t even be here! You’re the Vermilion Bird Family’s disgrace, and you’re not fit to obtain lord Vermilion Bird’s favor! Father was right. You’re simply a bastard child and not even uncle’s child! How could a perfect man like uncle give birth to an inferior idiot like you!” Shen Jiayi screamed as she scolded Shen Yanxiao, and her heart was filled with rage and hatred.