Black Plague Bird

On the Water Marsh.

One by one, large black birds opened their blood-red mouths, spewing out gusts of wind that transformed into Wind Arrow that shot forth in rapid succession.

Chen Mobai immediately crouched down in the Spirit Boat, activated two Grade 1 Low Rank Wood Shield Talisman in his hands, and two cyan shield-shaped light screens appeared, covering his entire upper body.

With a series of thuds, the first Wood Shield Talisman ran out of power, and the second one didn't last long either. But by then, the massive Wind Arrow had been blocked.

Having broken through two layers of Wood Escape defenses, only three arrows remained that could reach Chen Mobai's head. The "Water Element Shield" moved at his command, transforming into three water waves that blocked the path of the Wind Arrow.

"Aren't you ready yet?"

Chen Mobai took out two more Talisman from his inner lining and asked the person behind him.

"Alright!"

Qi Hou's voice rang out, followed by a burst of scorching heat behind Chen Mobai. A Fiery Red Sword Light shot out across the sky, like a startled swan flying past a dozen large black birds above the Water Marsh.

With a series of mournful bird cries, the leading bird was sliced in two by Qi Hou's fiery red Sword Light. The remaining water birds, without their leader, scattered instantly, though some were still slaughtered by Ba Jiang and the others who had been waiting.

"The meat of this Black Plague Bird doesn't taste good, and it doesn't fetch a good price in the market."

Looking at the Talisman that had turned to ashes in his hand, and then at the bird carcass that had fallen onto the Water Marsh, the Qi Hou showed a look of heartache.

This first-grade superior "Crimson Flame Sword Talisman" is worth 8 Spirit Stone, so this trip to guide the newcomers has been a loss.

However, he couldn't say anything, since in business, there are always gains and losses.

"Some people buy the feathers of this bird; they can be sold for some gold."

Seeing Qi Hou's expression, Ba Xing, being perceptive, immediately spoke up. As soon as she said this, her Junior Brother Xi looked up and glared at her, implying that he was the one who had to do the plucking of bird feathers.

"No need, it's not worth wasting your time."

Qi Hou, however, quickly came to terms with it. He took out another Spirit Stone and put it into the Spirit Boat, then called for Chen Mobai and the others to leave.

Black Plague Bird always travel in flocks, and the highest-ranking ones are said to be Second Grade.

They killed a group, but not all of them. They were afraid that several more groups would come to take revenge. Qi Hou was experienced and immediately told his men to run away after he made his move.

Before they left, the Qi Hou made them take off their coats stained with bird blood and throw them away, as the Black Plague Bird used these to track their enemies.

Sure enough, not long after they left, a dark swarm of Black Plague Bird over, circling around the spot where they had killed the birds and thrown their clothes, creating a blizzard-like atmosphere.

"I never expected to attract the Bird King. I can't come to this place anymore."

Qi Hou used a far-seeing Talisman to observe, and sensed a powerful and fierce Spiritual Mechanism far surpassing his own. He frowned, took out his map, and marked this place with an X.

"We were fortunate to have Senior Brother Qi leading the team, otherwise we would definitely not have escaped the pursuit of the Black Plague Bird."

After taking a Qi Restoration Pill, Ba Jiang stood up and thanked Qi Hou.

"It's simply a matter of each taking what they need."

But Qi Hou shook his head. In fact, this place was also chosen by him, the team leader. At this time of year, there were at most some Water Python Ox Demon Beast, which was a good place for newcomers and Rogue Cultivator to train.

But for some reason, there's a huge flock of Black Plague Bird today, and there's even a Second Grade Bird King nearby.

The training missions for new members in the Divine Wood Sect usually last for a month.

Chen Mobai followed several other teams, but felt that Qi Hou was the most reliable, so he joined them again this time. The Ba Siblings did the same; this was their third trip as a five-person team, and they were already somewhat familiar with each other.

"Let's go hunt Black Armored Turtle again tomorrow."

Qi Hou spoke again. He was only at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. Although he was confident that his Spell Duel skills were among the best in his level because he had hunted Demon Beast in Cloud Dream Marsh for many years, the Second Grade Bird King was already at the Foundation Establishment level. Even if there were ten of them, he would not be able to win.

He was training new recruits, not risking his life, so when he saw that the area was no longer safe, he immediately changed his plans.

"Well, Brother Qi, I may need to go into seclusion for the next few days to make some Talisman."

Chen Mobai suddenly spoke up, saying that he had gained a lot from following Qi Hou these past few days, but he had run out of Spirit Stone and could no longer afford to join the group.

The Ba Siblings were taken aback. Although they were not short of Spirit Stone for the time being, the place where they had trained with the Black Armored Turtle was no longer attractive to them. They also made an excuse not to join the group anymore.

The Qi Hou was not angry when he heard this.

"Judging from your Talisman skills, they all lean towards the Wood Attribute. Are you planning to join our Divine Wood Sect?"

The Junior Brother Xi, who had been ignoring them, suddenly spoke up and asked.

"We do have this plan."

Chen Mobai paused for a moment, hesitated, and then nodded slightly.

"Your Chen Guixian, right? I'll remember you."

Junior Brother Xi raised his head, looked at Chen Mobai seriously, and nodded as if he were approving.

"With your talent, joining my Divine Wood Sect shouldn't be a problem. Perhaps you'll become fellow disciples in the future. It's good to get to know each other beforehand."

Qi Hou's words greatly surprised the Ba Siblings. They knew the requirements for recruiting Rogue Cultivator to the Divine Wood Sect: they could not be over 30 years old and their cultivation level had to be at least the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. Although they had teamed up several times in recent days, Chen Mobai had never revealed his cultivation level.

They thought he was at most at the Qi Cultivation Level 6, just like them.

However, Chen Mobai's actions in stopping the Black Plague Bird today allowed Qi Hou to see his true level of skill. Without mastering Spiritual Sense, it would be impossible to go from someone who was struggling even when fighting the Black Armored Turtle to someone who was so at ease in such a short time.

"Brother Chen, I didn't expect you to be a Talisman Master. No wonder you have so many Talisman on you, some of which my brother and I have never even seen before."

After learning about Chen Mobai's level of cultivation, Ba Jiang became even more polite to him.

"Oh, not at all, I'm just interested in that."

After arriving on the island, Qi Hou left first with his junior brother. Chen Mobai exchanged a few polite words with the Ba Siblings, declined their invitation to dinner, and returned to his wooden house.

"Unbeknownst to me, I've been here for twenty days already."

Looking at the ordinary dark-colored long robe he was wearing, which he had bought on Green Light Island, Chen Mobai couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

His ancient-style outfit had long been worn out in battle. Although life in the Sky River Realm was tough, he was somewhat addicted to feeling his own improvement every day.

If it weren't for the fact that today is the day for checking College Entrance Exam scores, he would have almost forgotten to return to Earth Origin Star.