Feast of Crows

Xiao Bai stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the Flying Boat, swiftly navigating through the vast sea of clouds.

The Astral Wind howled past, a roaring thunder, yet his clothes and hair remained perfectly still.

The Mysterious Rank Dao Alliance Flying Boat was a dark, sword-shaped Spirit Boat, five zhang long and six chi wide, capable of carrying up to fifty people.

The pentagonal Spirit Drive Wheel at the h hilt was the Spirit Stone power source. It could adjust the ratio of Five Elements Spiritual Power based on the environment to achieve maximum thrust or the most energy-efficient flying speed.

The sword body had a recessed cabin, and there was a viewing platform at the bow. The exterior of the boat was covered by a faint sky-blue light shield, providing a perfect aerodynamic shape and defensive Formation.

Both the Snow Flame Sect's Discipline Hall and the imperial court's Ministry of Justice were equipped with a Mysterious Rank Dao Alliance Flying Boat to strengthen their ties with the Dao Alliance.

Generally speaking, a Mysterious Rank Dao Alliance Flying Boat required at least one Golden Core cultivator to operate skillfully.

According to the rules, two co-pilots were also needed.

But on today's Flying Boat, besides Xiao Bai, there was only Zhang Yufeng.

Xiao Bai felt something was off and asked directly:

"Generally, shouldn't a Mysterious Rank Dao Alliance Flying Boat have three Boat Handlers? Why is there only Zhang, Enforcer of Discipline, handling the boat on this trip?"

Zhang Yufeng's expression was normal, stern and unsmiling.

"If Martial Uncle Xiao was afraid, you should have mentioned it before boarding. That way, the Discipline Elder might have brought a few more people to protect us."

Protect us?

Xiao Bai didn't feel any danger. He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unchanged.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. I just purely feel that doing this is illogical."

Zhang Yufeng was expressionless, feeling he could easily handle this newly promoted Martial Uncle at any time.

"So... Martial Uncle is afraid of me?"

He called him Martial Uncle, but his tone was that of an elder speaking to a junior.

Even though Xiao Bai had unexpectedly displayed Sword Dao talent not inferior to Lan Daozi's during the Sect Tour Ceremony.

As the chief Core Disciple of Discipline Peak, with Early Golden Core cultivation, Zhang Yufeng found it difficult to truly take Xiao Bai, who was currently only in the Qi Refining Realm, seriously.

His Sword Dao talent might be high, but he was ultimately just in the Qi Refining Realm. How could he be worthy of Elder Yuhu?

Perhaps, his future held infinite possibilities.

But currently... he was just a pawn.

"Afraid of you? Who do you think you are?"

Xiao Bai's single sentence shut Zhang Yufeng down.

He wasn't afraid of Zhang Yufeng. Any problems that occurred on this journey were the Dao Alliance's responsibility.

Whether they were good people or bad, Zhang Yufeng didn't have the guts.

Even if the Dao Alliance truly wanted to kill him, they wouldn't do it on the way to the Dao Supervision Palace.

At the very least, they would wait for him to take office as Supervising Constable, then arrange some unexpected accidents while he was apprehending criminals, and conveniently frame the criminals. That would be the safe approach.

Zhang Yufeng was a bit stunned by Xiao Bai's retort. Only then did he lower his demeanor and explain seriously:

"The reason I, as a disciple, am accompanying Martial Uncle alone is mainly because I feel there might be danger along the way. My strength is limited, and with more people, it's hard to guarantee full protection. Only when it's just the two of us facing danger can I do my best to abandon the boat and escape, ensuring Martial Uncle's safety."

What kind of humblebragging explanation is this?

Xiao Bai found it annoying to listen to.

"Stop being a Crow's Mouth. Just focus on piloting the boat."

With that, Xiao Bai stood at the bow, looking down at the dark jungle below, always feeling like there were fierce beasts staring at him...

Zhang Yufeng saw Xiao Bai's concern and reassured him:

"This area belongs to the Dao Alliance's routes. Let alone Golden Core realm fierce beasts, even Foundation Establishment realm fierce beasts have basically been captured. There are no fierce beasts that can threaten us right now."

Xiao Bai thought: Just talk normally, don't jinx it.

As a result, his words came true!

Ten minutes later, Zhang Yufeng's words truly became a Crow's Mouth.

The originally clear sky suddenly saw wind gather Spiritual Power, and black clouds covered the area.

Black Crows!

Dense Black Crows swooped down from the black swirling clouds, relentlessly crashing into the Flying Boat one after another.

Their eyes had crimson Spiral Pupils, and their long beaks were sharp as swords.

Although individual Black Crows were generally only in the Qi Refining Realm, their numbers were enormous, exceeding one hundred thousand!

The Dao Alliance Flying Boat's defense was very effective. Black Crows were burned to ashes by the blue light Formation.

Unfortunately, the Formation's sound insulation was truly poor. The piercing screams constantly grated on Xiao Bai's nerves.

"Didn't you say there were no fierce beasts that could threaten us?"

Zhang Yufeng steadied the boat, trying his best to remain calm, and muttered:

"This is a beast tide... only the Demon Alliance has the capability to launch a beast tide of this scale. It seems someone in the Demon Alliance wants your life... Hold on, we're accelerating!"

With that, the Flying Boat switched to full thrust.

But the bow of the boat was constantly being rammed by the Black Crows, severely slowing down their speed.

Demon Alliance?

Xiao Bai felt a bit strange.

Yu Hu's contact in the Demon Alliance, that Black Sheep Crone, had said she wouldn't interfere with her Dao Companion...

Why would they suddenly attack him?

Just then!

A portion of the Black Crows chasing the Flying Boat changed their attack pattern.

They suddenly self-destructed right before hitting the blue light Formation!

The boat shook violently.

Once a Qi Refining Realm Black Crow self-destructs, it unleashes Spiritual Pressure exceeding Peak Qi Refining and approaching Foundation Establishment, using this to damage and deplete the Flying Boat's blue light Formation.

Zhang Yufeng felt the pressure and had to reevaluate Xiao Bai's worth.

"There's a powerful expert controlling the beast tide. It seems Martial Uncle is no ordinary person."

Xiao Bai was speechless. He's still chatting at a time like this?

"You're a bit late in figuring that out."

A ruthless war of attrition began...

Brilliant fireworks bloomed around the boat, front and back, erupting with deafening sounds.

The Flying Boat couldn't escape the beast tide's pursuit, and the boat itself was constantly shaking from the bombardment.

Zhang Yufeng sat cross-legged at the stern, controlling the boat, his face extremely pale, on the verge of collapse.

Misfortune often follows fortune. Xiao Bai felt like the kidney stones left over from his previous life were being shattered by the shaking.

That was a good thing, he supposed. Plus, with Yu Hu's Pills and Elixirs to protect his life, he was relatively calm.

Splash...

Zhang Yufeng coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"At this rate, the Flying Boat won't hold up. We'll have to abandon ship and escape. I'll carry you on my sword!"

Xiao Bai felt like they had become a Feast of Crows and simply decided to await death.

"My intuition tells me there might be an ambush outside. Better to live and die with the Flying Boat."

Zhang Yufeng was startled, unsure why Xiao Bai had such a death-wish idea.

"No need to worry. Generally speaking, the person controlling the beast tide won't be too strong, otherwise they wouldn't bother controlling a beast tide. I'll get off the boat first and scout the way for Martial Uncle."

Xiao Bai nodded.

"Be careful."

Zhang Yufeng set the Flying Boat to Autonomous Mode and leaped off the boat.

Although Autonomous Mode wouldn't last long, it was enough for him to find the person controlling the Crow Tide.

As a result, just as he jumped off the boat, a Golden Core Realm Giant Crow hidden within the beast tide suddenly appeared and plunged a claw into his chest...

If Zhang Yufeng hadn't reacted quickly, that claw would have pierced his lower abdomen and crushed his Dantian!

Coming back to his senses amidst the gushing blood, Zhang Yufeng immediately drew his sword and slashed at the Giant Crow.

Xiao Bai was speechless. This guy was practically a Flag Saint!

At the same time, a mechanical voice mercilessly cut into his mind—

[Ding—The System has detected suspected evil deeds by the Second Female Lead, Xiahou Mu Yun. Do you wish to immediately Remote Sense and observe?]

This is related to Mu Yun too?

Xiao Bai was shocked.

Immediately!

Right now!