Heavenly Beings Reappear
The word "shangshi" highlights some issues.
Both the Winged Human Race and the Uwabami Bird are ancient races with long histories and have experienced many events. Unlike the Divine Continent, which suffered an additional Demon Calamity that caused a break in their lineage, some of the Nine Sons of the Dragon may still be alive after experiencing the Immortal-God Calamity.
Although so much time has passed that most ordinary people are unaware of what happened, treating some events merely as ancient legends, there are still quite a few who know about it, probably more than in China.
Gu Shuanglin's words implied that he clearly knew where the other party came from.
The Heavenly Being are beginning to intervene in the Great Wilderness, planning to take some unknown actions. Gu Shuanglin is merely a pawn they have chosen, while the Winged Human Race are one of their targets.
In reality, the Heavenly Being have never stopped interfering in various places in secret, but they do so inconspicuously and are generally unknown to the public.
Both the Central Plains and the Great Wilderness should have their place in the game.
Even Qin Yi only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg because of the Demon City incident. Beyond that, Qin Yi had repeatedly tried to track the Heavenly Being, paying special attention in the Land of Chaos, but to no avail. He wondered what their operating principles were, making things so mysterious.
I don't know why I came into contact with Gu Shuanglin this time.
This was also Gu Shuanglin's first time meeting a celestial messenger. After meeting him, he realized that the "strength" that people generally perceived was actually far from the truth.
This old man, whose life force was at its peak and who could roam freely in the human world, was, in the eyes of the heavens, merely the person in charge of a project.
His status wasn't low, but it was certainly not as high as one might imagine.
This means that there are many people in the heavens of his caliber. It also means that no so-called No Form Sect in the world is as strong as the heavens.
With such a powerful backer, who are we afraid of?
In fact, Gu Shuanglin's actions have violated the taboos of Xun Wood City.
Originally, there was a consensus among the various tribes of Xun Wood City: this vast city could accommodate other tribes, but the rulers had to be birds. It was fine to be on good terms with other tribes, and even to compete among tribes for the position of city lord, but you absolutely could not allow other tribes to interfere in the affairs of Xun Wood City; this was something that would be met with unanimous resistance from all the tribes of Xun Wood City.
The reason is simple: bird populations have different living habits than other species. For example, the protection of forests must prioritize the habits of birds. There are countless other examples as well. Once others interfere, even if they claim to respect the birds, the details will inevitably clash and end in discord.
Therefore, for tens of thousands of years, Xun Wood City has not allowed outsiders to interfere in its affairs. Internal strife is not a problem, but if anyone invites outsiders to interfere, it is a violation of taboos, and the neutral parties will instantly turn against them.
The Ghost Carriage Race submitted to the Myriad Manifestations of the Myriad Images of the Universe, acting as their vanguard in unifying the Netherworld—this was a matter of strategic considerations. Meng Qingying was only focused on dealing with the Winged Human Race and had no interest in interfering in the affairs of Xun Wood City. She hadn't even planned to come here before, and the Ghost Carriage Race had no intention of using the power of the Myriad Images of the Universe for any purpose.
Since Qin Yi and Yu Shang are now married, they obviously won't interfere with the management of Xun Wood City.
That's alright.
Gu Shuanglin is different... He got involved with the Heavenly Being. It was fine before, but once he planned to use force, it would be a typical case of letting outsiders interfere. Who would belong to Xun Wood City after that?
Even the Ubagabi Bird Tribe wouldn't approve of this, but unfortunately Gu Shuanglin isn't Uwabami Bird.
He is a two-faced person.
Being two-faced and disloyal is human nature.
It doesn't matter who Xun Wood City listens to, or even if the Uwabami Bird are all dead; what he wants is a choice that benefits him.
To rule Xun Wood City, covet Jianmu, and march into Kunlun Void, the Winged Human Race can be used as a springboard for everything.
Qin Yi knew that Gu Shuanglin had ulterior motives, so he didn't immediately think of the Heavenly Being.
Xun Wood City, though a small and powerful place, is involved in the entanglements of so many major forces, including the Dragon Son of the Sea, the Heavenly Being, and the Myriad Images of the Universe. This was something he had not anticipated.
But since he has feelings for Jianmu, regardless of whether he has any entanglement with Yu Shang, he is destined to get involved in this turmoil.
This is typical of his extraordinary fate, because everything he needed to do for Liusu was high-end, which naturally meant he had to deal with more challenges.
To obtain the Blood-Chilling Nether Marrow, one must confront the Witch God Sect; to obtain the Jianmu... it's not surprising that one must confront the Heavenly Being.
Fortunately, this unexpected connection with Yu Shang, coupled with the support of the entire Winged Human Race, made things much easier than before.
At this time, the Winged Human Race were joyfully preparing for their wedding. This wedding was not a formal one, as a formal one must be held in the clan. This was just a banquet held in Xun Wood City to celebrate together and to announce the results of the previously much-discussed public Marriage Recruitment.
So there weren't many rules, and three days of preparation was enough. The Feathered Girls went out to buy festive items, while Qin Yi and Yu Shang hid in their room and whispered to each other.
"Are you saying, my Husband, that Gu Shuanglin has ulterior motives?"
"Yes... he might like you quite a bit, but it's probably just lust, not genuine affection. His real intention is definitely to control you, and even control the Winged Human Race." Qin Yi said, "Before, our relationship was uncertain, and you were competitors. You might not believe me if I said this, and it would make me seem like a petty person who spreads rumors and attacks his rivals. Now that everything has settled, you should believe that I have no reason to frame him."
"Husband, what are you saying..." Yu Shang stood behind him, massaging his shoulders. "Even if you said it before, I believed you."
Qin Yi thought to himself, "You didn't necessarily trust me before, and you still might not. Personal feelings and trust within a clan are two different things." He didn't say anything, only adding, "They possess a treasure that influences your emotions, making you gradually worship them as your god, you know that?"
"I've heard about it, but we'll definitely be on guard against that." Yu Shang pointed to the sapphire forehead ornament on her head. "This treasure of mine can completely suppress that kind of effect and even backfire."
Qin Yi shook his head. "It's hard to guard against a thief within the family. If he really marries into your family, his sincere and devoted manner will eventually lower your guard. Besides, you won't be wearing your forehead ornament all the time. Even if he doesn't affect you, he'll probably have influenced all the other Feathered Girls."
Yu Shang felt a chill run down her spine.
"He previously mistakenly thought I was a son-in-law recruited by the Winged Human Race from the sea, and even gave me a kind of bird egg. If I had any bad intentions and used that thing, even I would be controlled." Qin Yi sighed, "Unfortunately, my dog ate that thing, so there's no evidence now."
The dog poked its head out. "I was saving you."
Qin Yi patted its head. "I'm not blaming you, be good."
The dog showed a comfortable expression.
I've gotten used to it, I've completely become like a dog...
Yu Shang asked thoughtfully, "What does my Husband plan to do? Should we take action against the Ubagabi Bird Tribe?"
Qin Yi said decisively, "Check your own people first. He even gave gifts to me, a newly arrived son-in-law. His people in the city must have received a lot of gifts before. Search immediately and confiscate everything from those who have received gifts from the Uwabami Bird! Otherwise, if something goes wrong during the wedding, we'll be doomed."
That night.
Yu Shang and the High Priest looked at the various treasures scattered on the ground, their expressions turning ashen.
Some are the same type of bird eggs as those given to Qin Yi before, while others are different items of other styles, but they all share the same characteristic—once you use them, you will be unconsciously affected in your mind.
Apart from the twelve guards and the High Priest who had just arrived with Yu Shang, almost all the original winged people had received a share; everyone got one. Some of these shares had been there for a long time, while others had acquired them through barter or other means.
This was a long-planned scheme, so well-concealed that no one would be on guard against it.
If Gu Shuanglin were to marry into the family, within days all the Feathered People would likely become his subordinates.
Yu Shang broke out in a cold sweat, gritting her teeth as she forced out a sentence: "Monitor the Flying Bird Forest completely, and don't let any disturbance escape!"
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