Mystic Swan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Mystic Swan (玄鹄)
Alias(es)	“Birdman”; self-styled “lord of all beasts” 39 40
Species/Race	Spirit Beast 21
Affiliation	Independent; conditional cooperator of Li Jun 29
First Appearance	Chapter 21

Background / History

The Mystic Swan first appears over Yunwang Mountain carrying a Purple Lightning Thunder Bud. It flies to the mountaintop and feeds the bud to an injured Ghost-Faced Crab before competing with Li Jun for the strange mire nearby. It attacks Li Jun with its talons and gale-force wings, knocking him into the mire and indirectly leading to his discovery of the Black Box. 21

When Li Jun removes the Black Box from the mire, the Swan attacks again. Li Jun uses Star-Shattering Finger as a feint and escapes while the Swan remains behind, prioritizing the mire as a treasure that could help it advance. 22 The substance within and around the site is later identified as Pupa Mud, which both the Ghost-Faced Crab and the Mystic Swan had pursued. 49

After the mire dries up, the Mystic Swan clashes with Li Jun again. Its arrow-feathers and Li Jun's Flowing Cloud Sword Technique cancel each other out; rather than continuing the fight, the Swan carries him to Cangwu Mountain to show him the Spirit River Phantom. 28 A glance from the phantom causes the Swan to lose consciousness mid-flight, and Li Jun revives it using Fusang Hand. 28

Through a simple call-based system, Li Jun learns that the Swan can perceive the Spirit River Phantom because it consumed the mire. It reports that Yao Yuzhi also cultivated in the mire, prompting both Li Jun and the Swan to fear that Yao may be able to see the phantom as well. 28

The Swan subsequently enters a transactional partnership with Li Jun: it carries him through the Hundred Thousand Mountains and to Fire Cloud City in return for medicinal herbs, spirit-beast milk, fine wine, and other supplies. 29 35 During the Black Rock Mine arc, it scouts Yao Yuzhi and Lu Jinxuan, helps Li Jun investigate the Fiery Mane Horses, and watches Yao's activities near the illusory grave at the Spirit River's source. 39 40 41

Appearance

A gigantic black bird with broad wings, powerful talons, and feathers capable of becoming projectiles. Its flight produces crushing wind pressure and violent gales. 21 28 39

• Its wing feathers can flash with a cold gleam before transforming into arrow-like feathers. 28
• Its size allows it to carry Li Jun over long distances. 28 29
• Its claws are strong enough to seize a Fiery Mane Horse, carry it into the air, and repeatedly throw it to the ground. 40

Personality

The Mystic Swan is intelligent, proud, and easily provoked by perceived disrespect. It considers itself superior to lesser beasts and reacts indignantly when Li Jun questions whether it can subdue the Fiery Mane Horses. 40 It also resents being deceived; after Li Jun escapes using Star-Shattering Finger, it is enraged that a human has toyed with it. 22

Despite its hostility during their early encounters, it is capable of practical cooperation. It communicates through calls and gestures, accepts Li Jun's system of yes-or-no responses, and repeatedly assists him when compensated with food or drink. 28 29 39

Abilities & Skills

Flight and Wind Manipulation

The Mystic Swan is an exceptionally fast aerial Spirit Beast.

• Its speed approaches that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator and is not inferior to a second-tier yao beast. 22 40
• It can carry Li Jun across the Hundred Thousand Mountains and to distant locations such as Cangwu Mountain and Fire Cloud City. 28 29
• Wingbeats generate powerful gales capable of throwing opponents away. 21
• It can create crushing wind pressure while flying at low altitude. 21

Feather Projectiles

The Swan can turn its wing feathers into ranged attacks.

• Its feathers transform into arrow-feathers and barrage enemies from the air. 28
• Its projectile attack matched Li Jun's fourth-layer Flowing Cloud Sword Technique, with both attacks annihilating each other. 28

Beast Suppression

The Mystic Swan possesses a commanding presence over lower-ranked beasts.

• It claims the status of “lord of all beasts.” 40
• It forcibly subdues a Fiery Mane Horse through overwhelming speed and repeated aerial throws, leaving it docile enough for Li Jun to examine and treat. 40
• Its intimidation helps Li Jun manage the poisoned Fiery Mane Horses. 40 41

Spirit River Perception

After consuming the mysterious mire, the Swan gains the ability to perceive the Spirit River Phantom.

• It can see the illusory Spirit Energy River and the woman within it, unlike most people. 28
• It helps Li Jun observe the phantom's changes and Yao Yuzhi's array work near the illusory grave at the river's source. 41
• The phantom's gaze is powerful enough to make the Swan faint in mid-flight. 28

Reconnaissance and Communication

The Swan serves as Li Jun's aerial scout.

• It communicates through whistles, cries, and wing gestures; Li Jun later establishes a yes-or-no call system to interpret it. 28 39
• It reports Yao Yuzhi's arrival at Cangwu Mountain and her cultivation of a strange method. 40
• It discovers that Lu Jinxuan's group did not tame the Fiery Mane Horses, but instead fed them suspicious pills. 40
• It is assigned to monitor Yao Yuzhi and Lu Jinxuan from the air. 39 41

Relationships

• Li Jun — Initially rivals over the Yunwang Mountain mire, they become mutually beneficial partners. The Swan provides transport, scouting, and beast suppression in exchange for herbs, milk, and fine wine. 21 22 29 39 41
• Yao Yuzhi — A potential threat connected to the mysterious mire and Spirit River Phantom. The Swan helps Li Jun monitor her movements around Cangwu Mountain. 28 40 41
• Spirit River Phantom — The Swan can perceive the phantom after consuming the mire, but is incapacitated by a single glance from it. 28
• Fiery Mane Horses — It forcibly establishes dominance over the poisoned horses, enabling Li Jun to treat them. 40 41

Trivia

• The Mystic Swan is particularly fond of Li Jun's fine wine, medicinal herbs, and spirit-beast milk. 29 39 41
• Li Jun commonly addresses it as “Birdman.” 39 40
• Li Jun fails to contact the Swan when the Cold Bone Ice Spider beast tide surrounds Cangwu Mountain. 44