The memory of the little red bird casually flapping its wings, turning mountains and earth into molten lava, sent a shiver through Shi Yi. He sprang to his feet, startled.
"What are you scared of? I'm not here to hurt you. I'm just curious about your Tenth Heavenly Passage," the little red bird chirped, landing on Shi Yi's head and giving him a playful smack with its wing.
The human-like gesture was comical on the palm-sized bird, but Shi Yi's reaction was even more amusing. He winced, his head throbbing as if struck by a hammer, yet he didn't dare confront the creature.
"Bird Senior, is there anything this junior can assist with?" he asked cautiously, swallowing his pride.
An old saying came to mind: Those who know the times are wise.
"Assist?" The little red bird tilted its head, scrutinizing Shi Yi. It rubbed its chin with a wing and said, "You may be a Tenth Heavenly Passage prodigy, capable of fighting above your realm, but right now, you can't help me with anything."
Over the years, Shi Yi was the first Tenth Heavenly Passage prodigy it had encountered, so compelling that it paused its battle with the golden claw to come take a look.
"If that's the case, Bird Senior—"
Before Shi Yi could finish, another wing smacked his head.
The little red bird puffed out its chest, standing arrogantly on his head. "None of this 'senior' nonsense! I don't care for your human formalities. Call me Granny!"
Female?
Shi Yi's eyelids twitched. He glanced upward but could only see the bird's wings, part of its forelimbs, and its domineering aura. Its feathers tickled his scalp, tempting him to yank it down, but he hesitated, not daring to act.
"Granny, since I can't be of help—"
He tried again, only to be interrupted once more.
"Boy, what's your name?" the bird demanded, hopping from his head to his shoulder. Noticing his lowered gaze, it hooked his chin with a wing, forcing him to look up.
"My name is Shi Yi," he replied, his tone resigned.
He was at a loss. Liu Shen had forcibly taken him as a disciple and vanished into his Tenth Heavenly Passage, leaving him defenseless against this mysterious bird. Though he had absolute control over his passages, Liu Shen's presence inside meant that control was no longer his alone.
"Shi… You're not from the Stone Nation's imperial clan, are you?" the bird asked, its tone tinged with suspicion.
"Martial King's Manor," Shi Yi answered flatly.
He was being interrogated, but what could he do? He was at the mercy of this creature. A direct confrontation was out of the question—what if it incinerated him with a single burst of flame? It was like stepping out of the novice village only to encounter a max-level, god-tier boss.
"Martial King's Manor? Not bad," the bird mused, glancing at Shi Yi's profile and nodding thoughtfully.
Wait.
Shi Yi, Martial King's Manor?
A spark of recognition flickered in the bird's eyes. It seemed to understand why Shi Yi could achieve the Tenth Heavenly Passage. For a Double Pupil bearer, such talent wasn't surprising. Yet, there was something odd about his Tenth Passage, as if it harbored an inexplicable terror within.
"Granny, I still—"
Shi Yi's words were cut off again, this time by a wing covering his mouth. Today was not his day.
"How about a princess?" the bird said abruptly. "I'm close with the Fire Nation's Human Emperor. Just say the word, and I'll skip fighting that big oaf for the mountain treasure. I'll have the Fire Country princess delivered to your bed."
The bird's words left Shi Yi speechless. Before he could respond, it used its free wing to pat the back of his head, enthusiastically nodding on his behalf.
"You're that eager?" it teased, feigning shock.
"Mmph!" Shi Yi protested, struggling under the wing.
"Don't get so worked up!" the bird said, as if soothing him. "I'm tight with the Fire Nation's Human Emperor, but we can't rush this. You're still young. I'll have him talk to the Martial King's Manor first. Don't worry—Granny keeps her promises. Even if the little princess objects, I'll make sure she ends up in your bed."
The bird withdrew its wing, somehow conveying an "I get your eagerness" vibe with its eyes and gestures.
"I didn't nod! You forced me! I'm not agreeing to this marriage!" Shi Yi fumed, chest heaving with indignation.
But the bird's next words hit like a sentence to a life of matrimony.
"Shi Yi, you wouldn't want the Martial King's Manor to suffer because of you, would you?"
Its tone was calm, but the underlying threat was palpable, leaving no room for refusal.
"Granny, a forced melon isn't sweet," Shi Yi sighed.
"Sweet or not, you'll know once you taste it," the bird retorted, smirking.
"I—"
Shi Yi wanted to argue but couldn't find the words. This bird was clearly determined to force the issue. Refusing would be tantamount to offending it.
"Don't worry, it won't be a loss. Marrying the Fire Nation princess comes with benefits beyond your imagination," the bird assured him.
As it prepared to fly off, it paused, as if remembering something. A single crimson feather fell from its tail, landing precisely on Shi Yi's head.
"Shi Yi, Granny's got some clout in this Great Wilderness. With my feather, you can roam freely," it declared.
With that, the little red bird shot into the sky like a scarlet bolt of lightning, vanishing westward.
The terrifying entity behind the golden claw glanced at Shi Yi but didn't descend. "So, the Double Pupil bearer Shi Yi was sent to the First Ancestral Land. The Martial King's Manor kept that quiet. The Stone Nation's Human Emperor thought this young prodigy had met with misfortune."
"The mountain treasure's not worth it. Since she's gone, there's no point in staying. If the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow or Qiongqi gang up on me, even if I survive, I'll be skinned alive."
"Better head back and ask the Stone Nation's Human Emperor if he has a suitable princess to marry off. Can't let Fire Country snatch up this Tenth Heavenly Passage prodigy."
The speaker was a golden, three-headed, six-armed creature resembling a monkey, radiating divine might. For two years, it had shattered countless mountains with its golden claw. A terror of the Great Wilderness, it treated the land like its backyard.
And so, the fearsome beings that had battled in the skies for two years departed. Their conflict likely stemmed from mutual animosity rather than the mountain treasure itself. Fighting before the treasure emerged risked mutual destruction, leaving the prize for latecomers.
___
Half a day later.
"Shi Yi, regarding your Tenth Heavenly Passage, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" Liu Shen's voice was gentle, like a soft breeze.
Shi Yi, however, was too drained to respond. Twice today, he'd been coerced—first into apprenticeship, then into a betrothal. Exhausted by the day's events, he buried his head in Liu Shen's embrace, seeking a fleeting moment of warmth.
Until he felt his ear being tugged.
Reluctantly, he lifted his head, his expression one of begrudging resignation.
_
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