The sky was a vast, cloudless blue. Below, a lush, green grassland stretched out—a perfect place for riding.
This was a strategic location, heavily guarded by the Myriad Beast Silver Tribe. Under normal circumstances, any unauthorized trespassers would be killed on sight. No one dared to set foot here without permission.
But today, the White Feathered Eagle soared high on beating wings, following behind Fang Yang as they entered this place together.
Fang Yang had come here on the way, mainly after settling matters with the White Feathered Eagle tribe.
The hierarchy of power in the Xuan Domain was incredibly strict!
The eight great Golden Tribes reigned supreme, followed by the Silver Tribes, the Bronze Tribes, and then the unranked tribes.
Each tier controlled the one below it, layer upon layer, forming a great net that was enough to make anyone of humble birth despair.
The White Feathered Eagle tribe originally fell under the jurisdiction of the Myriad Beast Silver Tribe. Therefore, even though Fang Yang possessed the White Feather Order, the proper and righteous protocols required him to come and handle the transfer.
After all, the Myriad Beast Silver Tribe hadn't disappeared.
'The Small Frost Horse... timid and a crybaby, yet with extraordinary potential. What will it be like?'
The moment he set foot on the grassland, anticipation filled Fang Yang's heart.
He hadn't forgotten the exhilarating experience of straddling Frost White, the Frost Horse, as they galloped across the Cloud Sea.
Moreover, for a battle general, the importance of a prized steed was self-evident.
In his heart, he already faintly considered the Small Frost Horse his own Pet Beast.
Of course, the Small Frost Horse's status would be higher than the White Feathered Eagle's, even though the eagle had been with him for longer.
"NEIGH..." Before long, a familiar whinny rang out. A cloud of white flame-like mist parted, and a magnificent, extraordinary Frost Horse stood before Fang Yang.
"Frost White."
"SCREECH."
Fang Yang and the White Feathered Eagle greeted the Frost Horse. After nodding at them, the great horse leaned affectionately against Second Uncle Fang.
Timidly hiding behind the Frost Horse's left hind leg was a Small Frost Horse, about as tall as a carriage wheel.
At that moment, the Small Frost Horse kept its body hidden behind the Large Frost Horse's legs, nervously watching Fang Yang and the White Feathered Eagle.
When Fang Yang saw the Small Frost Horse, his eyes instantly lit up, and he took a small step forward.
In that exact instant, the sound of rushing wind suddenly cut through the air.
The Small Frost Horse, startled and timid, had kicked up its hooves and bolted, showing Fang Yang no courtesy at all.
Seeing this, the White Feathered Eagle let out a continuous screech and immediately dove after it.
But then, something shocking happened—
The White Feathered Eagle actually couldn't catch up to the Small Frost Horse!
The Small Frost Horse had only been born recently and had not yet channeled Primordial Qi; it was still just a normal beast.
But the White Feathered Eagle was not only a Tier One flying beast, it had also been diligently training under Fang Yang's command, toiling day and night. Yet, it still couldn't match the Small Frost Horse.
It was astonishing.
FLAP, FLAP... The White Feathered Eagle returned dejectedly.
'Do bloodline and talent really determine one's future?'
'Is hard work not enough?'
"Good horse, good horse." Fang Yang's eyes grew brighter. He felt his luck was good; this Small Frost Horse truly had extraordinary potential.
"NEIGH! NEIGH!" On the other side, urged on by the Large Frost Horse, the Small Frost Horse took tiny steps toward Fang Yang.
Fang Yang, for his part, put on an extremely rare, gentle expression and bent down.
Closer.
And closer still.
Fang Yang reached out and gently stroked the Small Frost Horse's head.
The Small Frost Horse fought the urge to flee. Though its body trembled, it accepted Fang Yang's touch and affection.
Fang Yang had officially gained the Small Frost Horse's initial acceptance!
Seeing this, the Large Frost Horse and Second Uncle Fang were both overjoyed.
When the nearby White Feathered Eagle saw Fang Yang smile, it also grew happy.
But for some reason, it huddled deep in the shadows behind them, watching silently, completely still, like a sewer rat peeking at a happiness it dared not approach.
...
Just as Fang Yang was working to command the White Feathered Eagle tribe and secure a top-tier Tier Five opportunity, the merit board under Sen Yue's command was updated.
Two new items were pinned to the top:
The Fortune Swordfish!
The Fortune Lion!
The moment these two fortune manifestations appeared on the merit board, they caused a massive uproar throughout the eight banners, including the Thunder Punishment Banner, the Cangmu Banner, and the Cold Flood Dragon Banner, sparking widespread and heated discussions.
"It's the legendary fortune manifestations! These are supreme treasures for transcending tribulations and becoming a Saint! Lord Sen Yue actually put them up for grabs!"
"Hiss... Fortune manifestations are incredibly precious. In past years, every other faction leader would have kept such a thing for themselves to bolster their foundation. Lord Sen Yue's magnanimity is unimaginable."
"Let me see how many merit points they cost!"
"Heavens, what an enormous price! For a treasure like this, only a top-tier expert like Desert Dragon would even have a chance to contend for it."
"..."
Sen Yue's grand gesture instantly sent the entire army into a frenzy.
It was like a giant boulder crashing into a lake, sending out endless ripples.
WHOOSH, WHOOSH.
WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH.
Super experts like Desert Dragon flew one after another toward the merit point encampment, terrified of missing their chance.
After a long while, sighs of disappointment, regret, and relief rose from the crowd.
Because right now, no one could afford to redeem them.
At the very least, someone would have to devour the entire Qingkong army before they could accumulate enough points for such a treasure.
'My ancestor became a Saint back then only because he stumbled upon a fortune manifestation. This time, I must obtain it,' Desert Dragon thought, his gaze cold and sharp.
He was the head of the four great battle generals under Sen Yue. If he couldn't get it, who could?
Besides Desert Dragon, one Tier Five Great Cultivator after another under Sen Yue's command made their appearance, making even Second Uncle Fang's heart pound in secret.
These top-tier experts, galvanized by the two fortune manifestations, threw themselves at the Qingkong army. They took the initiative completely, and the results were outstanding!
"The Fortune Swordfish... Brother Ye, this supreme treasure would be so perfect for you. What a shame you're going to miss out on it," Zhang Le sighed repeatedly behind the Medicine Hall.
Indeed, the Fortune Swordfish would complement his, Zhang Ye's, Molten Crocodile phantom perfectly. If he could obtain it, he would definitely undergo an even deeper transformation!
At this moment, faced with such a massive prize, even the calm lake of Zhang Ye's heart was stirred by violent waves, its previous tranquility gone.
「Meanwhile, at the White Feathered Eagle tribe's encampment.」
Second Uncle Fang spoke with a melancholic tone, "Ah Yang, did you know that over two hundred years ago, our Fang Clan also possessed a fortune manifestation..."
Back then, after Ancestor Fang Nian fell unexpectedly, the clan was thrown into turmoil.
Driven by some unknown powerful figure, a situation gradually formed where multiple clans ganged up on the Fang Clan, like a pack of wolves tearing apart a carcass.
Among them, the Desert Clan profited greatly, seizing the Fang Clan's fortune manifestation. One of their own even became a Saint, nearly wiping the slate clean of their past transgressions.
The Zhang Clan, however, had no one who reached Sainthood and achieved transcendence, so they could only remain locked in a death grip with the Fang Clan.
'Fortune manifestation... the Desert Clan... becoming a Saint and achieving transcendence...'
Fang Yang felt the White Feather Order in his robes grow hot as a contemplative look appeared in his eyes.
Although a fortune manifestation was only a Tier Five opportunity, its special nature meant it brushed against the domain of Saints.
Therefore, a fortune manifestation was a treasure so precious that people would tear off all pretenses of civility to fight for it, even turning on their own kin!