Howl!!
The Wind God Pterodrake King almost exploded with rage. It never expected its own subordinates to launch a deadly attack against it at this critical moment. Caught off guard, its body was suddenly clawed by several savage birds. Were it not for its peculiar, green-glowing scales that radiated powerful defensive force, it would have been seriously injured in an instant.
Fury surged uncontrollably in its heart.
With a flap of its iron wings, it struck several ferocious birds heavily. Instantly, they were smashed into pieces, their bodies blown apart and turned into clouds of blood and flesh scattering through the air.
But even as those birds died, more came surging in. They pounced on the Wind God Pterodrake King like a tide, densely packed and overwhelming.
Razor-sharp claws and fangs swept toward it madly.
Its massive size, once an advantage, now became a liability, making it a much easier target. Overwhelmed by the flood of savage birds, the Pterodrake was quickly submerged. Many of these birds were special species, each wielding unique innate bloodline abilities and talents. As they tore into it, even its dragon scales began to rip open, leaving gashes across its body.
Howl!!
With an enraged roar, green divine light flickered across the Pterodrake's body, instantly transforming into massive Wind Blades that shot outward in a torrential storm in all directions.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh!!
The dense Wind Blades were devastating—scores of savage birds were sliced into fragments mid-air, raining down on the battlefield. The Wind Blades carried unparalleled speed and edge, forming a green tempest that shredded anything caught within.
Any bird drawn into the storm was instantly torn apart. The Wind God Pterodrake King exuded a brutal, demonic aura, suppressing the ferocity of the surrounding birds.
But at that moment, a golden streak flashed by. With a sharp screech, the Golden Roc dove fiercely at the Pterodrake again—fearless and unyielding, its head always held high.
The Golden Roc possessed a Wind-type Life Aperture—Golden Wind, a special elemental ability that combined wind's swiftness with metal's sharpness, making its Wind Blades even deadlier and more penetrating than normal.
Its entire body glowed with golden light.
Thanks to its Heavenly Feathers Life Aperture, the Roc's feathers shimmered like invulnerable armor.
It dove straight into the green storm. Golden light flared as Wind Blades clashed against its feathers, creating metallic clangs and sparks. Its wings, like blades, slashed once more at the Pterodrake, each swing as masterful as a sword technique. This time, the attacks were even more ferocious.
The Golden Roc's strength and combat power were immense—even the Wind God Pterodrake couldn't completely ignore it.
Yet, its superior realm still gave it an edge. The Pterodrake retaliated without hesitation, sweeping its massive wings like collapsing heavens toward the Roc.
Seeing this, a fierce glint appeared in the Roc's eyes. Golden light flared from its body.
It lunged upward and pecked ferociously at the descending iron wing. Its beak gleamed with a razor edge, capable of shattering even stone.
Thud!!
The Golden Roc's power exploded—its beak drilled a bloody hole in the Pterodrake's wing, even shattering the scales.
But it was also sent flying by the force of the blow.
Seeing itself wounded by the Roc, the Pterodrake King revealed a trace of disbelief before a surge of fury flooded out. Its scales flared open, and with a fierce screech, it lashed out with its giant claws like lightning.
The Golden Roc didn't retreat.
Though smaller, it was more agile and faster. It lunged back at the Pterodrake without hesitation.
Claws tore, beaks clashed, and flesh struck scale. The Roc's wings were like great golden blades, sharp and deadly. With its speed and resilient body, it tangled fiercely with the Pterodrake, refusing to yield.
"Only by fearing no enemy, daring death, and holding unwavering resolve can one truly grow through combat—nourishing battle with battle. That's the path the Golden Roc has chosen."
Yi Tianxing watched the brutal aerial clash with calm eyes.
The battle between two dominant sky beasts was utterly savage—a true death match.
The Golden Roc was already a first-rank, ninth-grade fierce beast, just a step away from the second rank. That step could happen overnight—or take time. But for a noble-blooded creature like it, breakthrough was inevitable. And one method was to force its potential out through life-and-death battle.
Fighting the second-rank Wind God Pterodrake King—king among second-rank beasts—was extremely dangerous. One misstep meant death. But if it broke through, all the potential awakened during battle would transform into raw strength. Born to fight, its combat prowess would soar.
It was a gamble—but one worth taking.
Even now, its golden feathers were falling, its body covered in wounds. Again and again it was battered away or struck by Wind Blades, bleeding heavily. Though it countered with its own Golden Wind Blades, the damage it inflicted paled in comparison. The Pterodrake's sheer size made even penetrative strikes seem insignificant.
Sensing the Roc's threat, the Pterodrake King grew more vicious. Wind Blades raged like lightning, their power escalating with each blast.
"Do not interfere in their fight," Yi Tianxing ordered. "This might be a turning point for the Golden Roc. With it restraining the Pterodrake King, that beast won't have the chance to attack our town. Instead—control the savage birds. Turn them on the other enemy armies."
Clearly, the Pterodrake wanted to break free and attack the walls. But every time it pushed the Roc away, the latter returned like an immortal cockroach, relentlessly clinging and fighting.
Ding-dong!!
As Yi Tianxing spoke, Cai Yan changed her melody. Her zither's notes grew clearer, carrying a strange, mystical allure.
With the music's shift, the circling savage birds shrieked—and dove toward the battlefield. But this time, they didn't target the humans.
They turned on the foreign races.
"Damn it! These wretched beasts dare attack my Jackal-Wolfmen?! Courting death!!"
The Frost Jackal-Wolf King roared, only to watch a giant bird seize one of its kin, rise into the sky, and shred it apart mid-air. Blood splattered like rain.
"Die! You dare eat your ogre grandpa!"
A savage bird dove on an ogre. Too large to carry off, it instead ripped out a hunk of flesh—but before it could flee, the furious ogre seized its talon and smashed it to the ground, bones cracking audibly.
Birds even attacked the snake swarm.
There, the effect was even more devastating—birds were natural enemies of snakes. One by one, venomous serpents were snatched into the air, their gall bladders pecked out and devoured. Each fell dead instantly.
The battlefield shifted dramatically.
What were enemies seconds ago—the savage birds—suddenly became powerful allies, clashing violently with the foreign armies.
Blood and gore surged, the air thick with a metallic stench. Blood mist filled the sky.
"What terrifying music! She can control savage birds? That's the same as commanding an army of hundreds of thousands under the right conditions! Turning allies into enemies in an instant—frightening. That woman must never be underestimated."
Some cultivators looked at Cai Yan with newfound dread.
Even if she could only control first-rank birds, their sheer numbers made them a terrifying force.
"They say Miss Cai Yan is a literary prodigy, and even betrothed to Governor Yi Tianxing—this town's lady. With such power, no wonder she holds such status."
People began to view her differently.
"Indeed. Only Miss Cai has the bearing to be our lady. No ordinary woman could qualify. From now on, I only recognize Miss Cai as our lady," one townsperson said with a smile.
The townsfolk's recognition of Cai Yan deepened.
"Archers! Divine Mechanized Corps! Fire at will! Every dead foreigner is one less problem!"
Yang Ye, seeing the chaotic battlefield, issued his order firmly.
Only dead aliens are good aliens.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!
Archers on the walls hesitated no longer.
Drawing, aiming, releasing—rune arrows pierced through the air like lightning, striking their chosen targets.
Now trapped between the savage birds and the town's attacks, the foreign armies found themselves in a deadly pincer.