Shi Zhao inwardly unleashed a storm of complaints. What was with this gathering? She was no zookeeper.
"Mm, don't say anything yet. Let me guess. You wanted to pick a fight with the Double Pupils One, then discovered he wasn't here. After that, you happened to learn he had an older sister staying here, so you came running to me?" she asked, standing atop the broken wall with one hand on her hip.
"How'd you know?" A True Hou with a glossy coat tilted his head.
The visitors from the Primordial Divine Mountains were all speechless. He had actually admitted it outright.
"I heard the Double Pupils One specifically asked to take you to Qilin Cliff. But that is a sacred treasure land belonging to our Primordial Divine Mountains. I want to test whether you're strong enough. Don't sully that pure land."
Someone stepped forward. He was a boy of thirteen or fourteen with piercing eyes. His standing was lower than that of the pureblood creatures, but hardly insignificant. He stared challengingly at Shi Zhao.
"As it should be. A mere human wants to set foot in the pure land of a divine mountain?" an Azure Luan sneered, hovering in midair as azure divine light danced around his body.
Whether they had arranged it beforehand or simply felt unrestrained within the territory of the Primordial Divine Mountains, most of the creatures had revealed their true forms. Only a handful had assumed human shapes.
"You really have nothing better to do." Shi Zhao laughed despite herself, then extended a hand and pointed at the fellow who wanted to challenge her. "Come, little crane. Survive one palm strike from me, and I'll take you as my mount. Someday, I'll bring you along when I ascend to immortality."
"You..." The boy flew into