Xun Wood City, Winged Human Race

It's a miracle that the Winged Human Race haven't been led astray by this Saintess all these years.

Qin Yi had no time to complain about them at the moment; it seemed that his own situation was even more embarrassing.

The hostage is gone...

We haven't fallen into the worst-case scenario of being cornered and beaten in someone's home, but right now there's nothing we can do. It seems like the only solution is to turn around and run away.

Otherwise, if this Saintess were to say, "Capture this lecherous thief," it would truly be a tragedy...

Qin Yi quietly took half a step back, shifted his weight, and prepared to run away.

But then the Saintess Maiden spoke up, "Since you're already here, why don't you come in and have a seat?"

Qin Yi: "..."

Several winged women on either side of Qin Yi secretly sized him up and asked in low voices, "Saintess, who is he?"

Yu Shang pursed her lips, as if she couldn't say whether she was an enemy or a guest, and finally simply said, "Come or don't come, it's up to you. Let's go."

Qin Yi stared dumbfounded at her haughty back as she walked away, and transmitted his voice to Liusu: "Bang Bang, do you think five hundred axemen will come out and chop us into mincemeat if we go in?"

Liusu said irritably, "If you're going to make minced meat, then it'll be you."

"You're the one who humiliated her."

"Is there a difference?" Liusu said, "I think it's okay to go in. If she really wanted to scam you, she wouldn't be acting like this."

That makes sense...

Qin Yi thought for a moment, then steeled himself and chased after him. "Um, you dropped something."

Yu Shang turned her head and saw Qin Yi chasing after her with her forehead ornament in his hand. "Your Extra gum."

Yu Shang twitched her lips. She didn't understand Qin Yi's casual joke, but she could tell that Qin Yi was a little flustered at the moment.

As expected, he needed something from the Winged Human Race.

Seeing him go from bullying her to being a little obsequious, Yu Shang's mood suddenly improved. She raised her head slightly, glanced at him with a cool expression, took the forehead ornament, and turned away without saying a word.

This smooth, effortless display of sophistication seemed to be something she did every day, and the female warriors around her felt no sense of incongruity. They were only a little curious as to why the Saintess's precious forehead ornament had fallen off...

Inside the ring, the dog is chatting with the Korean: "Her expression looks a lot like yours."

The Korean man said calmly, "It lacks the refinement of craftsmanship."

Dog: "..."

Qin Yi, fuming with frustration, silently followed behind and entered the city gate.

The so-called city gate was just a tree hole, and it was even open in mid-air, so ordinary people who couldn't fly couldn't get in at all.

The tree hollow at the city gate alone was several meters thick, like passing through a passage. There were guards on both sides of the tree hollow; other birds guarded the outside, and two winged women stood on either side after passing through the passage. When they saw Yu Shang leading people in, they bowed and greeted her, "Saintess."

Yu Shang nodded slightly and asked, "Is the High Priest here?"

Qin Yi secretly observed her choice of words— High Priest and priest. At first glance, they both mean the same thing: someone who is in charge of sacrificial rites. However, "High Priest" implies being on duty, while "priest" is a job title. Their main tribe is not here, but in the sea. This means that this place is only used to conduct sacrificial rites, and the tribal political leader seems to be Yu Shang herself.

As expected, the winged woman replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Saintess, the Second Priest is at the Ancestral Altar."

Yu Shang nodded and glanced at Qin Yi: "Come with me."

Qin Yi felt that life was too absurd.

This woman is not only a leader, but she's the most powerful person in this area! Whether or not someone can take people to the center of the sea is entirely up to her!

Qin Yi rubbed his forehead.

A Wolf Tooth Club inside the ring bent and touched his forehead.

The dog held its forehead with both paws.

If I had known this would happen, I would have just kidnapped her and headed straight to the center of the sea. Why did I have to come to their territory and walk right into their trap?

Now, she has her people all around her. You can feel that all the winged people are very strong. Most of them are at the Cloud Ascension stage, and one or two are even at the early stage of the Radiant Sun realm.

Besides the winged people, there are many other races, including birds, humans with beaks, and even those who look like ordinary people, wearing wide conical hats to cover the back of their heads and backs.

These people are all very strong... but they all show great respect to Yu Shang, with many people stepping aside and bowing respectfully.

Yu Shang nodded slightly the whole way, without saying a word.

This is a core city inhabited by various races. The Winged Human Race seem to be the ruling race of this City of Seeking Wood. This Yu Shang Woman is not only Saintess of the Winged Human Race, but perhaps also the city lord, or at least some kind of "leader of the council of various races"...

Now, being here... I'm so weak, pitiful, and helpless. If things turn sour, it will be difficult to break through.

Qin Yi looked up at the sky. Fortunately, it wasn't a closed piece of wood; part of the top had been cut off, and the entire sky was clearly visible.

It seems like there's a chance to escape; it's better than being in a closed-off place...

Qin Yi suddenly felt that the crossbeam that had been cut off looked like an open coffin... Wouldn't it be shabby for these people to live in there?

But thinking about it, it's not a big deal. These giant trees stretching for thousands of miles are so unique that ordinary people wouldn't even think of such a shape if they lived inside... In fact, the Spiritual Qi in this wooden city is extremely rich, making it an excellent place for cultivation. No wonder the overall strength of this place is so strong.

"Do you really want to run away?" Yu Shang suddenly asked.

"Well..."

"If your Dragon Might is truly inherited through normal means, then there's no need to run away; you'll still be our honored guest."

Qin Yi sighed, "I'm afraid you won't be able to authenticate it."

"Slaying dragons brings resentment, while inheriting tradition brings peace; it's easy to tell the difference."

"What if that itself is a vengeful dragon?"

Yu Shang paused, seemingly having not considered this aspect either. After thinking for a moment, she said, "The effects of resentment vary, and the High Priest should be able to determine that. I am not a practitioner of this path, so I will wait for her to make the decision."

Qin Yi said, "What if she deduces that this is dragon slaying?"

Yu Shang didn't speak. A grand hall resembling white jade appeared in front of her, with wing-shaped reliefs carved all over the walls and soaring dragons and phoenixes at the top of the hall.

It possesses both dragon and phoenix qualities; it's not just about dragons...

Yu Shang said, "This is where our altar is located. Are you... sure you want to go in?"

This question was strange, as if she wasn't sure whether she should let Qin Yi make the assessment, leaving all the initiative to Qin Yi himself.

Qin Yi looked up at the dragon and phoenix carvings and smiled slightly, "Having never done anything wrong in my life, what is there that I wouldn't dare to enter?"

Before the words were finished, the old woman's voice came from inside the hall. "Dragon Might? Why doesn't the Saintess kill this man?"

Qin Yi: "..."

Well, I guess it's really no wonder Yu Shang is like this; the entire Winged Human Race are all so Sand Sculpture.

Yu Shang said, "This person seems special. I came here to have the High Priest assess him. Should we take him back to our clan?"

"No need, it's not a very difficult appraisal..." the old woman said. "Since the Saintess thinks he's special, then bring him in."

Yu Shang stepped inside, and Qin Yi followed her in.

At a glance, I saw two rows of winged female warriors kneeling on the ground, six on each side, twelve in total, praying devoutly together. The twelve pairs of pure white wings were folded, and the whole atmosphere was holy and solemn, just like angels.

Even Yu Shang, Time Slow, seemed to have gained a more holy air, making her look more like an angel.

However, at this moment, all the winged women opened their eyes, their sharp gazes fixed on Qin Yi.

Qin Yi felt extremely awkward.

All twelve girls were beautiful; in fact, none of the winged people he'd seen since entering the city were ugly, and these twelve were the most beautiful. However, they weren't the kind of girls who would line up at a karaoke bar asking if you were satisfied; they were the kind who would kill you at the slightest provocation...

In the center is an old winged person kneeling in the middle of the altar, on which are sculptures of their winged ancestors, as well as dragons and phoenixes.

Qin Yi was certain that they couldn't possibly have received any divine pronouncements from Dragon God Phoenix God; it was purely a ritual, but they performed it meticulously, as if it were a faith.

Having faith is a powerful force, but cultivators in the Divine Continent don't possess it. Or rather, the common faith of cultivators in the Divine Continent is called "the Dao." The Witch God Sect is somewhat related to this place, but their faith is less about pursuing the power of the ancient and Great Desolation.

The old woman with feathered hair opened her eyes, glanced at Qin Yi, and her originally sharp gaze slowly turned to surprise. "Possessing dragon blood does not affect bloodline modification or cultivation attributes; it simply grants the power of a divine dragon. This is unheard of."

Qin Yi said, "The Divine Dragon did it itself. I was only at the time of flying on clouds, so I didn't understand how it did it."

The old woman remained noncommittal, her face still stern, and said, "It's useless to say anything."

He then handed over a jade bowl, saying, "Put a drop of blood here, and the truth will be revealed."

Qin Yi peeked inside and saw that the bowl was engraved with the shape of a divine dragon, so lifelike that it seemed to be alive and moving.

Qin Yi held up one finger.

The air grew still, and Yu Shang clenched her fists inwardly.