The Winged Human Race
Two figures hovered in mid-air above Zhuge Xiang's head. The reason they could stand in mid-air was not because their cultivation had reached the Deity Transformation stage, but because each of the two figures had a pair of azure wings growing from their backs, which slowly flapped, allowing them to float in mid-air.
Humanoid Race!? Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback as he looked at the figure hovering in mid-air.
Between Heaven and Earth, there is a group of races that resemble Human Clan in appearance, but with some differences. This type of race is collectively called Humanoid Race. There are many kinds of Humanoid Race, but they are all gifted and often have their own special and strange abilities. Some are born without fear of Flame, some can devour other races to become stronger, and some, like the Winged Human Race with wings on their backs, are born with a pair of wings and can fly in the air.
"Human, why have you trespassed into the territory of my Winged Human Race? Do you know that this is Forbidden Ground for the Asura Sect Disciples?" Two figures hovered in mid-air, two bows drawn taut, locked onto Zhuge Xiang, their tone hostile.
The Endless Mountain Range harbor Humanoid Race? Isn't this the training ground for the outer disciples of the Asura Sect? Why are there Forbidden Ground here? How can the Sect tolerate the existence of these Humanoid Race who hate humans within the Endless Mountain Range?
Inwardly surprised, Zhuge Xiang remained outwardly calm, pointing to the slain Golden-Winged Great Peng on the ground, and said, "I didn't know this was Forbidden Ground. This demonic bird brought me here. If I have offended you, please forgive me. I will leave now."
Glancing briefly at the corpse of the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird on the ground, the two Winged Human Race relaxed slightly. However, they didn't intend to let Zhuge Xiang leave. They simply said, "Even so, we cannot decide to let you go. We need to take you to see the elder so he can make the decision."
With a slight frown, Zhuge Xiang took out the Hundred Refinements Bow from his Storage Ring, stared at the two Winged Human Race in the air, and said in a deep voice, "What if I don't agree?"
Although both Winged Human Race had reached the Meridian Opening Realm, Zhuge Xiang was confident he could escape. However, if he went to the Winged Human Race territory, he would have no chance at all. Besides, it was clear from their appearance that these Winged Human Race had no goodwill towards humans.
With the Arrow Intent activated, the bows and arrows in the hands of the two Winged Human Race rang out, vibrating incessantly as if about to fly out of their grasp. Their expressions changed in horror, and the two Winged Human Race cried out in alarm, "Arrow Intent!?"
Splash...
A chorus of flapping wings filled the air. As Zhuge Xiang's Arrow Intent emerged, seven or eight Winged Human Race suddenly flew out from the depths of the nearby woods. All of them were at the Qi Meridian Opening Realm, their bows and arrows trembling and difficult to lock onto. These Winged Human Race put away their bows and arrows, each holding a Short Sword. They landed on the ground and surrounded Zhuge Xiang, staring at Zhuge Xiang with solemn eyes. Humans who had comprehended Arrow Intent knew very well what this meant.
"Alright, lead the way," Zhuge Xiang said, putting away his Hundred Refinements Bow as he saw that he was surrounded.
This is, after all, the territory of the Winged Human Race. If things get out of hand, the Winged Human Race have the advantage of flight, and it will be too difficult for me to escape their pursuit. It's better to wait and see what the Humanoid Race territory looks like.
"Come with us," Zhuge Xiang said warily. Seven or eight Winged Human Race surrounded him as they walked together into the deepest part of the forest.
Without the Arrow Intent, two Winged Human Race would have been enough to take him to see the elders. However, having comprehended the Arrow Intent, Zhuge Xiang not only became even more formidable, but almost all the Winged Human Race were also suppressed by his Arrow Intent. Therefore, a total of seven or eight Winged Human Race surrounded him.
The Winged Human Race are born with wings and the ability to fly. Naturally, to maximize this advantage, attacking from the air is the best option. Therefore, almost all Winged Human Race specialize in bows and arrows. Zhuge Xiang, on the other hand, possesses the Arrow Intent, which is a great advantage for them. The suppression of Arrow Intent over ordinary archers ignores the difference in cultivation level, directly reaching the level of Divine Sense and soul.
"You don't need to be so nervous. This is your Winged Human Race territory. There are so many of you, and your cultivation levels are all higher than mine. Are you afraid I'll run away?" Seven or eight Winged Human Race drew their Short Sword, looking ready to attack him at any moment. Zhuge Xiang felt helpless and shrugged to indicate that he was harmless.
"You are the first human to arrive here in three years, which is highly suspicious. We cannot give you any chance to escape until the elders make a decision," the Winged Human Race, their attitude unchanged, their faces still stern.
Shaking his head inwardly with helplessness, Zhuge Xiang said nothing more. Under the watchful eyes of several Winged Human Race, he walked towards their territory. Xiao Yue, perched on his shoulder, remained oblivious, looking just like a harmless and adorable puppy.
After all, they were all at the Meridian Opening Realm, so they moved very quickly. In the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, Zhuge Xiang and his group had already entered the depths of the forest and arrived at the territory of the Winged Human Race. However, upon looking around, Zhuge Xiang was secretly surprised.
Deep within the forest, there are enormous ancient trees, each so large that it would take at least five or six people holding hands to encircle them. On these trees, small houses have been built using timber and weeds. These are the dwellings of the Winged Human Race. Winged Human Race can be seen flying in and out from time to time. Judging from their appearance, there are at least eight thousand, if not ten thousand, of these Winged Human Race.
In the very center of the Winged Human Race territory stands an enormous statue, seemingly carved from a single ancient tree. It depicts a woman, her dress flowing, gazing up at the sky, exuding a sense of solitude and serenity, lifelike in its depiction.
However, this female statue has no wings on its back. This is the territory of the Winged Human Race Human Clan, who are hostile to humans. How could there be such a huge Human Clan statue here?
The enormous statue stood in the very center of the Winged Human Race's territory. Although the Winged Human Race flew back and forth in the sky, none of Winged Human Race dared to fly over the statue. Occasionally, a few Winged Human Race would pass by the statue, but they would slow down as much as possible, and their eyes would be full of respect when they looked at the statue.
"Who is that statue?" Zhuge Xiang asked curiously upon seeing this.
"You don't even know who she is?" Zhuge Xiang's question surprised the Winged Human Race around him, who then looked him up and down and asked, "Are you lying? Aren't you Asura Sect Disciple?"
"Could that person be very famous?" The reaction of the Winged Human Race surprised Zhuge Xiang even more.
"Humans? How could humans be here?" Several Winged Human Race brought Zhuge Xiang to their territory, which naturally attracted the attention of many other Winged Human Race. Many whispered among themselves, discussing and pointing, but almost every Winged Human Race's face was filled with hostility.
"Elder, a human has broken into our territory today. I have brought him here to await your decision," the Winged Human Race said, without answering Zhuge Xiang's question. They led Zhuge Xiang to a thatched hut not far from the statue. Unlike other Winged Human Race's houses, which were built on the treetops, this hut was situated on the ground.
Many Winged Human Race emerged from their houses and landed on tree trunks, looking down at Zhuge Xiang and whispering amongst themselves. The door of the thatched hut was pushed open, and an old man emerged. He appeared to be around seventy years old, with a full head of white hair, cloudy eyes, and a hunched back, giving him an air of frailty and old age. What surprised Zhuge Xiang the most was that this elder of the Winged Human Race did not have wings on his back.
"That's strange. Why doesn't this elder of the Winged Human Race have wings? Could he be Human Clan too?" Xiao Yue, perched on Zhuge Xiang's shoulder, raised her eyes and asked in Zhuge Xiang's mind through Divine Sense Transmission.
Silently shaking his head, Zhuge Xiang also indicated that he did not know. This Winged Human Race was indeed strange. They clearly hated humans, yet they stood before a Human Clan statue with utmost respect. Moreover, the elders of this Winged Human Race did not have wings growing from their backs.
"Hehe, you little dog, you're wrong. I am not without wings, it's just that my wings were broken in a great battle three years ago," the elder of the Winged Human Race said with a smile, leaning on his cane, giving off a kind feeling.
Could he hear Xiao Yue's Divine Sense Transmission to him? Just what was the cultivation level of this seemingly frail and elderly elder? Zhuge Xiang's heart skipped a beat.
"Young man, don't be nervous. Because of the great war three years ago, it's inevitable that our people harbor some hatred towards humans. I see you're only sixteen years old, yet you've already reached the Meridian Opening Realm. According to the rules of the Asura Sect, you can be considered one of the most outstanding geniuses," the Winged Human Race Elder said with a smile, his cloudy eyes falling on Zhuge Xiang. He not only saw through Zhuge Xiang's age and cultivation level at a glance, but also seemed to know the rules of the Asura Sect very well.
"Elder, this human seems to have been brought here by a Four-Star demon roc. However, we dare not make a decision about his fate, so we brought him here," said a Winged Human Race who had brought Zhuge Xiang.
"Even if you harbor hatred towards humans, it's a bit of an overreaction to bring seven or eight of you here just to be a young Winged Human Race at the Meridian Opening Realm First Layer," the elder said with a smile, his face still bearing a kind and benevolent expression.
"Elder, it's not that we're being overly cautious, it's just that this person has grasped the Arrow Intent, and we have to be on guard," the Winged Human Race replied, bowing his head.
"Arrow Intent!?" Upon uttering these words, the elder's eyes suddenly gleamed with a sharp light as he stared directly at Zhuge Xiang, making Zhuge Xiang feel as if he had been stripped naked and his entire body had been seen through, which made him extremely uncomfortable.
Zhuge Xiang was also secretly shocked. As expected of the elder of the Winged Human Race, the old man who looked like nothing special, as if a gust of wind could blow him over, actually had such terrifying cultivation. With just a glance, he was unable to move.
"To reach the Meridian Opening Realm at the age of sixteen, such a cultivation speed has already amazed this old man. I never thought that you could comprehend the Arrow Intent at such a young age and with such cultivation." A glint of light flashed in his eyes, as if it were an illusion, but the elder exclaimed in amazement again, and there was something more in his eyes when he looked at Zhuge Xiang.
(One chapter was missing from yesterday's update, but there will be one chapter to make up for it today. There are two more chapters to come. Please recommend and add to your favorites...)