The instant the enormous black eagle landed firmly atop the suspended cliff on the Back Mountain, the entire hard bluestone cliff face trembled slightly.
Its towering body was massive, its sinews knotted and its physique robust. Standing beside the cliff, it resembled a solid, heavy little mountain of black stone crouched there, its bulk covering the ground and rocks with an imposing presence.
Layers upon layers of feathers covered its body, packed tight as iron. Every feather shimmered with a faint exotic beast radiance, glossy black and hard, bearing the savage might of a high-tier exotic beast.
This Black Eagle was a genuine high-tier pattern-condensing exotic beast. It had spent years drawing in the spirit energy of heaven and earth, roaming the boundless skies above the Sea of Clouds, and tempering its flesh and feathers. Ordinary exotic beasts could not compare.
Out in the wider world, a terrifying exotic beast of this caliber would have made even accomplished True Qi Realm masters wary, if not driven them to give it a wide berth.
Yet before the two Core-Realm Experts, Cao Zhen and Bai Bing, Black Eagle had completely reined in its savage dominance. It was as docile as a domesticated spirit bird, without the slightest trace of unruly arrogance.
Its thick, sharp talons gently curled around the bluestone at the cliff's edge. Its broad wings drooped slightly, and its head slowly lowered. The ferocity faded from its sharp, icy eyes, replaced by remarkably human eagerness to please and flatter.
Its head bobbed gently against the air in a meek, humble gesture. It crouched obediently on the ground, ready to welcome and serve the two Core-Realm Experts with reverence.
Standing nearby, Yang Jing quietly watched the scene, unsure whether to laugh or sigh.
Everyone said exotic beasts were savage, violent by