Deep in the Qinling Mountains.
Two figures stood facing each other: a man and a roc.
The roc's entire body was covered in golden feathers, and it radiated tremendous might.
Golden light flowed all around it, especially the powerful bloodline coursing within its body.
It made the roc seem like a king. Each breath it took rumbled like thunder.
Every feather was distinct, like a golden divine sword—indestructible, able to cleave through anything.
Not far away, opposite it,
Lu Yuan stood tall, but looked utterly unremarkable.
Especially compared to the roc's overwhelming presence, he seemed as small as an ant.
Yet there was no fear in his eyes.
Instead, they held curiosity and amusement.
"Human, are you the one who wants me to become your mount?" The Golden-winged Great Peng Bird glanced at the dead Brown Bear King, but paid it no mind. Its golden eyes looked down on Lu Yuan, full of disdain.
It possessed a bloodline that rivaled those of myth, one of the most powerful in this world.
No Exotic Beast of equal rank dared trespass on its territory.
And now a human wanted to make it his mount?
To the Golden-winged Great Peng, the idea was utterly ridiculous—a humiliation.
"Actually, becoming my mount might be your good fortune."
Lu Yuan saw how proud the Mutant Beast was.
So he didn't bother sparing it any face.
Any being with a powerful bloodline had its own pride.
If he wanted to subdue it, a fight was unavoidable.
So,
why bother with pleasantries?
The only thing that mattered was whose fists were harder.
"You're asking to die!" The Golden-winged Great Peng was completely enraged.
It thought this human was far too bold—and far too confident.
There was nothing more to say.
Without the slightest hesitation, it beat its wings.