In a barren mountain hundreds of miles from the fortress, damp mist permeated a karst cave concealed beneath vines and moss.
A cultivator in black robes sat cross-legged, faint fluctuations of spiritual power swirling around him.
Suddenly, the cultivator's tightly shut eyes snapped open. Fiery excitement burned in his star-like pupils, as if he had caught the scent of prey.
A ghostly green streak of light tore through the dusk outside the cave and shot inside like an arrow.
When it came to a halt, it turned out to be a palm-sized spirit bird with emerald feathers. A metallic chill glinted from its petite beak, while the scales on its talons gleamed a dark blue-green.
This was a demonic beast known as the Green Luan Mountain Sparrow. It possessed a flying speed comparable to a cultivator's escape technique and could even follow the faintest trace of an aura to pinpoint a target anywhere within a thousand miles.
The Green Luan Mountain Sparrow circled the cultivator several times, its crisp cries seemingly conveying a message, before settling firmly on his shoulder.
Xiao Fang raised a hand and gently stroked the spirit bird's feathers. Wherever his fingertips passed, the sparrow's plumage shimmered faintly.
Xiao Fang took a lustrous Jade Bottle from his Storage Ring, poured out a fragrant pill, and fed it to the sparrow.
After the sparrow swallowed it, he flicked his sleeve and stored it in his Beast Bag, his movements practiced and clean.
Xiao Fang took a Jade Bottle from his Storage Ring, poured out a pill, fed it to the Green Luan Mountain Sparrow, and then stored it in the Beast Bag.
Immediately afterward, a ghostly blue light flashed at Xiao Fang's waist, and a jade talisman covered in runes appeared in his palm.
As spiritual power poured