Gale Falcon

At this moment, high in the sky, a black speck moved across the azure expanse.

The speck was so small, it was like an ant crawling across the cerulean sky.

If one's eyesight wasn't good, they might not even notice it.

But obviously, ants couldn't crawl on the sky.

It was a large bird, a bird-type demon beast flying high in the sky.

It was just that the distance was so vast, that it appeared as nothing more than a tiny black speck, like an ant.

"Changchuan, what do you think? Can we handle it?"

Not far away, Han Qinhu walked over, also looking up at the high sky with apprehension, and asked worriedly.

He was currently holding a mid-to-low-tier magic item sword, captured from the third of the Four Fiends of Heshan, and was wearing the leather armor that Shen Changchuan had damaged and defeated during an ambush.

He looked fully armed.

But these clearly didn't bring him much sense of security.

"It's a bit troublesome. That thing's rank is probably around peak early-stage first-tier, and its strength realm should be comparable to Peak Qi Gathering Sixth Level."

"But if I'm not mistaken, that thing is a Gale Falcon, an extremely troublesome demon beast. These demon beasts are naturally drawn to the power of wind and are incredibly fast. Even cultivators at the Qi Gathering Late-stage might have trouble capturing it."

Shen Changchuan shook his head slightly, his brow furrowed.

His perfected Spirit Eye Technique allowed him to see the general situation of the black speck from a great distance.

But precisely because of this, after seeing the demon beast's specific details, he found it very tricky.

"Then perhaps we should abandon the operation plan and proceed directly with the backup plan."

"Round up everyone in the village and harvest together. Try to harvest as quickly as possible. Take as much as we can!"

A ruthless glint flashed in Han Qinhu's eyes.

"No, that would only lead to more casualties. Besides, that thing's target is the spirit grain. Even if we disregard the villagers' lives, we probably won't be able to harvest much."

"Let's proceed with the original plan."

Shen Changchuan pondered for a moment before ultimately rejecting Han Qinhu's suggestion.

While the current plan might not necessarily succeed, it was already the best possible method.

They could only do their best.

Speaking of which, the reason Shen Changchuan was able to prepare in advance was greatly related to three days ago when he emerged from seclusion to inspect the spirit fields. He discovered that ten mu of spirit fields could yield a significant increase in production, so he decided to "issue bonuses" to encourage the villagers' enthusiasm.

Because not long after announcing the news that day, a villager reported something to Han Qinhu.

He said that a few days prior, he had seen a black speck hovering in the sky for fifteen minutes before leaving.

That villager had excellent eyesight and vaguely saw the outline of the black speck. It was roughly a large bird resembling an eagle, flying very high, and was likely some kind of unknown demon beast.

He had originally intended to keep it to himself.

After all, the demon beast had flown away after circling once, and he had no proof. If he reported it rashly and they couldn't find it later, it would waste the immortal masters' energy and get him in trouble instead.

So, he buried the matter in his heart.

But when Shen Changchuan decided to use a portion of the increased yield to "issue bonuses," things changed.

Having stayed in Great Bay Village for many years, the villager knew that spirit grain was a spiritual item. When it matured, it might attract demon beasts.

Six months ago, the newly appointed young immortal master had dealt with a giant Yao Pig on his way.

That Yao Pig had been a major threat to Great Bay Village for two consecutive years, causing the previous immortal master considerable distress.

Now, if that large bird demon beast attacked during the spirit grain harvest, causing a decrease in yield, would the immortal master still "issue bonuses"?

Obviously not!

So, the villagers, prepared to face any consequences, reported the matter.

Upon learning of this, Han Qinhu didn't dare to delay and directly sought out Shen Changchuan.

Shen Changchuan, upon hearing the full details, couldn't help but sigh.

Indeed, only when one's own interests are involved can people be more dedicated.

Afterward, Shen Changchuan repeatedly went to the highest point of the back mountain to observe.

And later, he did indeed find traces of the Gale Falcon.

The creature circled Great Bay Village a few times before leaving.

Based on his deductions, the Gale Falcon was likely a recent arrival.

Its behavior of circling the village before leaving was also easy to guess.

It was probably scouting, to see if the spirit grain was ripe.

He estimated that the creature's target was the twelve mu of spirit grain in Great Bay Village!

Therefore, on this day when the spirit grain was ripe, Shen Changchuan had already prepared a plan.

However, facing a Gale Falcon at the peak of the first-tier mid-stage, which even cultivators in the Qi Gathering Late-stage found difficult to deal with, Shen Changchuan wasn't very confident.

Moreover, the spirit fields he needed to pay attention to were not limited to just Great Bay Village.

He had to remember that Zhao Family Village also had two mu of spirit fields.

"Troublesome."

"Currently, Great Uncle is the only cultivator stationed at Zhao Family Village. Although I left the Mizong Liangyi Formation there, Great Uncle only recently succeeded in Qi Gathering. Sigh, I hope everything goes smoothly."

Thinking of the two mu of spirit fields in Zhao Family Village, a hint of worry resurfaced in Shen Changchuan's heart.

But there was nothing he could do.

Great Bay Village was more important at the moment.

He could only rely on Great Uncle there.

He simply didn't have enough manpower.

After this period, he would properly consider how to resolve this, whether to cultivate his own subordinate cultivators or to strengthen the defenses with external forces like formations.

He needed a plan for the future.

Shen Changchuan's thoughts flashed through his mind.

But he quickly suppressed all these thoughts.

These matters, he would consider later.

For now, all his energy had to be focused on the Gale Falcon above.

As time passed, the sun gradually climbed to its zenith, casting down scorching sunlight.

Outside the spirit fields, selected strong villagers, armed with scythes forged from fine steel, stood by, waiting quietly.

Their clothes were soaked with sweat under the hot sun.

The air was filled with a dry heat.

After an unknown amount of time, suddenly, the dense patches of spirit rice growing in the spirit fields, at this moment, seemed like a sky full of flowers blooming, swaying and rustling.

A golden radiance illuminated the entire land!

A rich aroma of spirit grain wafted through every corner of the air!

Everyone's attention was captivated by this spectacular sight.

The spirit grain, It's ripe!

"Here it comes!"

At that very moment, Shen Changchuan, standing at a high vantage point, felt his heart tighten.

He saw, the black dot in the sky circle once for a long time, then dive toward the spirit fields with lightning speed!

So fast, it was as if a streak of gray lightning flashed across the sky!

The second update isn't written yet, looks like it'll have to be posted later too.