"Okay."
Ye Xuan turned around and looked at the silent Willow Tree standing guard.
"Master, this disciple plans to take Xiao Hao out for some training."
The Willow Twigs swayed gently, and a calm thought came to him.
"Go. A True Dragon cannot be raised in a greenhouse."
"The Great Wilderness is vast. Though dangerous, it is also the best whetstone for honing your edge."
"If you meet someone you cannot defeat..."
"Taking a step back is nothing to be ashamed of."
"But if someone uses their strength to bully the weak..."
A hint of domineering authority entered Willow Deity's voice.
"Take this Willow Twig with you."
A tender green branch detached itself and transformed into a jade-like ring, landing in Ye Xuan's hand.
It was a wisp of an Immortal King's incarnation.
With this in hand, no one in the Eight Lower Realms could harm them in the slightest.
"Thank you, Master!"
Ye Xuan carefully put it away and cupped his hands.
This was a part of Willow Deity herself. His master really spoiled him too much!
Ye Xuan thought happily to himself.
"Let's go, Little Dot."
"We'll pack our things first."
"Our journey is only just beginning."
The next morning.
Shi Yunfeng and all the villagers watched them go with reluctance.
A huge blue fierce bird rose into the air from the clearing at the village entrance.
It was an Azure Sky Roc!
After three months of feeding and training from Ye Xuan, this Green Scaled Eagle mount had completely returned to its ancestral bloodline and transformed into an Azure Sky Roc!
It had also broken through to the Array Forming Realm. Its feathers gleamed like cast azure gold, and it exuded a fearsome aura.
Ye Xuan and Little Shi Hao sat on its broad back.
Little Shi Hao carried a huge bundle stuffed with beast milk, dried meat, and snacks.
He leaned over the edge, waving frantically at the villagers below.
"Grandpa Chief! Everyone, take care!"
"I'll be back!"
"When I return, I'll bring you lots and lots of presents!"
Ye Xuan sat cross-legged at the front. He watched Stone Village grow smaller below, then turned his gaze toward the distant east.
There stood a sacred land of cultivation called Sky-Mending Pavilion.
It was the first place where Desolate Heaven Emperor made a name for himself.
"Let's go."
Ye Xuan gave the Azure Sky Roc's neck a light pat.
"Our destination: Sky-Mending Pavilion!"
"Caw—!"
The Azure Sky Roc let out a long cry. Its wings shattered the clouds, and it vanished at the edge of the horizon like a streak of blue lightning.
Little Rascal was on the loose.
The Great Wilderness was about to get lively.
High above the ninth heaven, astral winds howled.
The clouds were torn apart, and a colossal creature cast a vast shadow over the sky.
It was an Azure Sky Roc, its wings spanning hundreds of meters. Its feathers gleamed like cast azure gold, each plume shining with a cold, metallic luster.
A gentle flap of its wings whipped up a gale, carrying it straight up ninety thousand li.
As a fierce bird of the Array Forming Realm, it radiated such terrifying pressure that countless fierce beasts in the Great Wilderness below trembled and hid deep in their caves, not daring to show themselves.
Yet atop this airborne overlord's back was a completely different scene.
"Wow! It's so high!"
Little Shi Hao was sprawled across the Azure Sky Roc's neck, half his body hanging over the side.
The gale blew his short black hair wildly backward, but he didn't care in the slightest. His big eyes were full of excitement as he pointed at the mountains and rivers below, now tiny as ants, and shouted.
"Big Brother, look! Doesn't that mountain look like a giant steamed bun?"
"And that river—doesn't it look like a long worm?"
Ye Xuan sat cross-legged behind him, holding an ancient book—the Primal True Scripture he had obtained from the Mountain Treasure.
Hearing Little Shi Hao's shout, he smiled helplessly and casually conjured a spiritual barrier to shield the little fellow from the biting astral winds.
"Sit steady. Don't fall."
"I won't!"
Little Shi Hao grinned and turned to look at the little golden monkey perched on his shoulder.
"Furball, look. Isn't the outside world huge?"
Furball sat there with its arms folded, wearing an aloof expression.
Though it had shrunk to the size of a fist, that didn't stop it from putting on the airs of a Venerable.
Hearing Little Shi Hao, Furball curled its lip, a hint of disdain flashing in its golden eyes.
"Squeak, squeak! What a country bumpkin. You've never seen the world."
It was Zhu Yan, a primordial fierce beast. What hadn't it seen?
This was only a low-altitude flight. Back in the day, when it fought gods high above the ninth heaven, now that had been a spectacle.
Well, actually, it was just bragging! When had it ever been a match for the gods?
Little Shi Hao couldn't understand monkey speech, but he could read its expression.
"Oh? You cheeky little Furball! How dare you look down on me?"
Little Shi Hao raised his eyebrows and reached out to pluck Furball off his shoulder.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!" (How dare you! I am a Venerable!)
Furball struggled desperately, trying to cow the naughty child with a Venerable's dignity.
Unfortunately, Willow Deity had sealed its cultivation. Aside from its thick hide, it was weaker than an ordinary monkey.
"Let's see you roll your eyes now! Let's see you act all mysterious!"
Little Shi Hao pinned Furball to the bird's back, then used his chubby little hand to give its furry bottom a sound spanking.
"Smack! Smack! Smack!"
The sharp slaps echoed in the wind.
"Squeak—!" (Help! This naughty child is abusing a divine beast!)
Furball howled and wailed, tears nearly spilling from its eyes.
It was so humiliated.
A dignified Venerable of the Great Wilderness had been reduced to getting his bottom spanked by a three-year-old human toddler.
If word got out, how would it ever hold its head up among the fierce beasts again?
Watching them, Ye Xuan didn't intervene. He actually found it rather satisfying.
"All right, stop playing."
Ye Xuan put away the ancient book and looked ahead.
"We're almost there."
The land ahead gradually changed from a primitive, untamed forest into plains touched by signs of human life.
Ancient cities stood among the mountains and rivers. Though dilapidated, they carried the weight of history.
This was the Stone Kingdom's Second Ancestral Land.
It was also where Shi Hao's branch of the family had once lived.
The Azure Sky Roc slowly descended, finally landing outside an apparently desolate manor.
"We're here."
Ye Xuan jumped down from its back and straightened his clothes.
Little Shi Hao jumped down after him, still holding the utterly dejected Furball.
He looked around curiously. Broken walls and overgrown weeds surrounded them; it seemed no one had tended the place for a long time.
"Big Brother, what are we doing here?"
Little Shi Hao scratched his head, puzzled.
"There isn't even a ghost around. There definitely won't be anything tasty."
Ye Xuan looked at the mottled vermilion gate, his expression growing complicated.
"Little Dot."
He crouched down and looked Shi Hao in the eyes.
"There's an old man here, and a child."
"That child should have been like you, growing up carefree and enjoying his parents' love."
"But because of you, he's suffered a great deal here."
Little Shi Hao froze.
Because of me?
He was young, but perceptive.
Hearing those words, Little Shi Hao felt his heart tighten for no apparent reason.
"Come on. Let's go inside."
Ye Xuan took Little Shi Hao's hand and pushed open the heavy gate.
"Creeeak—"
The gate swung open, and a musty stench hit them.
The courtyard was even more desolate.
But from a corner of the courtyard came the sounds of abuse and lashes.
Before you continue