Finding a level nine wind element magical beast was no easy task. Had Andrew not familiarized himself with this area over the past while, he would not have had much confidence either.
According to my tally, earth element magical beasts are the most common in this area, followed by wind element ones. Fire and water element ones are relatively rare.
Andrew could not help thinking as he ran. Over the past three months and more, at least forty high-level magical beasts had died at his hands. Four of them had been level nine magical beasts, including the One-Horned Ice Python from before. Fifteen had been eighth-level magical beasts, and the rest had all been seventh-level magical beasts. As for sixth-level magical beasts and the like, he had paid them no attention at all.
I remember hearing an eagle's cry from the northwest before. Judging by the fluctuations in its oppressive aura, it should be a level nine magical beast! Eagles are the most common high-level wind element magical beasts. Its Magic Crystal Core should be enough for Golden Tiger!
With that thought, Andrew headed straight northwest.
After several months of living in the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, he had adapted considerably to the environment, and his traveling speed had improved as well. Half a day later, he and Flame Wolf arrived at the foot of a solitary peak shaped like a sharp sword.
Andrew looked up. Faint fluctuations of wind element magic came from above the solitary peak. However, with clouds swirling around it, he could not make out exactly what was up there.
"This should be the place. Flame Wolf, wait down here," Andrew instructed Flame Wolf quietly. At the same time, he leaped lightly more than ten meters into the air, caught a jutting rock with his right hand, and sprang upward again. In just a few movements, his figure vanished into the clouds.
The surface of the solitary peak was much smoother than that of ordinary mountains, making it considerably harder to climb. In the past, Andrew would not have had much confidence either. After all, he not only had to climb the mountain but also kill a level nine magical beast skilled at flying. That was rather difficult...
But ever since he had comprehended wielding something light as though it were heavy, not only had his attacks become far more powerful, their speed had increased considerably too. This had given his strength another substantial boost, even though speed had already been his forte.
With Andrew climbing at full strength, even the three-thousand-meter solitary peak could not stop his advance. Before long, he passed the cloud-wreathed section and headed toward the summit.
Such powerful winds. The magical beast on this mountain definitely isn't below level nine!
The closer Andrew came to the summit, the more clearly he sensed that aura. From the looks of things, this magical beast was probably cultivating. Otherwise, it would not have stirred up such powerful winds.
Magical beasts generally seldom cultivated of their own accord. They mostly grew naturally, reaching the peak of their rank upon adulthood. For example, the Dark Demonic Ape Andrew had killed before had a ceiling of the seventh level. Once past its growth period, any Dark Demonic Ape could become a seventh-level magical beast. This growth process was lengthy, too. The higher a magical beast's level, the longer it took to grow. The Dragon Clan, for instance, had growth periods lasting at least several hundred years.
Of course, this was natural growth. If a magical beast was intelligent enough to cultivate on its own, that time could be greatly shortened.
Every gain came with a loss. Such was the way of all things.
By comparison, humans had no strength at all without cultivation, but their potential was very high. Given enough time to cultivate, their strength would continue to increase. For that reason, across countless planes, human talent was not outstanding overall, yet their enormous population meant that humans had the most experts.
High-level wind element magical beasts could generally fly. Eagles and hawks in particular excelled at it. Their flying speed often reigned supreme among magical beasts of the same level.
I have to be careful. If I let it take flight, things will get troublesome.
Andrew approached cautiously, doing his utmost to conceal his aura for fear of alerting the magical beast on the mountain. He knew perfectly well that this time, he could only launch a sneak attack. Flying magical beasts were unlike others. The moment they were defeated, they could flee. Andrew felt that after comprehending Momentum, he could be considered invincible below the Saint-level, but he still could not fly.
Back then, had he not enticed Golden Tiger with other terms, Golden Tiger would probably have fled long ago.
Gradually, Andrew could see the scene at the summit. Sheltered by the rocks, he took every step with great care, making not a single sound.
This is as far as I can go. Any farther, and it'll definitely discover me.
With nearly a hundred meters still separating him from the summit, Andrew concealed himself. Through a gap in the rocks, he saw the magical beast.
As expected, it was a level nine magical beast. Judging by its aura, it was probably weaker than the One-Horned Ice Python.
At the summit was a broad stone platform. The magical beast was crouched on it, continually beating its wings. With each beat, a tiny whirlwind formed around it, then gradually moved away before finally disappearing. And that distance was precisely a hundred meters!
That was also why Andrew did not dare advance any farther. Wind element magic inherently possessed a detection function. Wherever the whirlwinds danced was within the other's detection range.
By now, the sun was rising higher and higher. Sunlight illuminated the summit, allowing Andrew to make out the magical beast's appearance.
On the stone platform, a giant eagle three meters tall beat its wings as though about to take flight. Golden-yellow plumage covered its body. Those feathers looked as though they had been cast from gold, each one exceedingly sharp, like a golden sword. Most eye-catching of all was the tuft of feathers on its head. That tuft was pure gold in color, with several unusually shaped feathers standing upright. At a glance, it resembled a crown.
Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng! Andrew finally recognized it.
According to the records, the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng was a magical beast with both wind and lightning attributes. Upon maturity, it was generally a level nine magical beast, and a considerable proportion could become Saint-level magical beasts. This differed greatly from other magical beasts and was somewhat similar to the Dragon Clan. Many pureblood dragons shared this trait.
The Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng's greatest distinction was its fast flying speed. At level nine, its speed far exceeded that of most members of the Dragon Clan, with some even able to rival Golden Dragons! Golden Dragons were already among the dragon species skilled at flying. After reaching the Saint-level, the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng became even faster. Across the entire Yulan Continent, no kind of Saint-level magical beast could surpass it in flying speed.
By comparison, even if Golden Tiger became a Windwing Tiger Emperor, comparing its speed to the peng's would be like comparing a bicycle to a supercar.
Wouldn't killing such a precious magical beast be too much of a waste? Andrew could not help thinking.
As he thought about the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng's speed, Andrew was tempted.
If I subdue it, then even if I'm cultivating in the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts in the future, I can hurry back quickly if anything happens at home.
Andrew thought it over. At the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng's speed, it could cover the several thousand li from the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts to the Yulan Empire's imperial capital in under an hour. To him, a living Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng was worth far more!
Subdue it. I have to subdue it!
Andrew soon made up his mind. Previously, no magical beast had caught his eye, and he had never intended to take a magical beast companion. This time, however, he had changed his mind. Moreover, its ability to fly was precisely what he lacked most at present.
Andrew held his breath and began considering how to act.
If he wanted to assassinate it, he had plenty of options. The most direct was to strike with all his strength while it was cultivating. The Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng was not a magical beast renowned for defense to begin with. Its body was far inferior to the One-Horned Ice Python's. Even the latter could not withstand Andrew's Fusion Battle-qi, much less this creature.
To subdue it, I have to rob it of its ability to fly first. Otherwise, I won't be able to catch it.
Andrew quietly drew the Godslaying Saber, his eyes fixed on its wings.
The Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng's spread wings were enormous, spanning more than ten meters and covering the entire stone platform.
I have to severely injure its wings right away... but I can't hurt it so badly that it affects it later.
Andrew's plan was clear: slash its wings, and as long as the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng did not want to die, it would surely submit.
If it refuses to submit, I'll take its Magic Crystal Core and let Golden Tiger benefit!
On the stone platform, the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng was still drawing in and releasing wind elements. Andrew would not strike at this moment. Once the whirlwinds detected him, it would definitely take to the air immediately.
He was waiting, waiting for it to stop cultivating!
The Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng did not keep him waiting long. When the sun had fully risen, it stopped beating its wings. Then those enormous wings gradually folded.
Now! Andrew activated Explosive Steps. The Fusion Battle-qi rising around him shattered the rocks ahead, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared behind the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng. At the same time, the Godslaying Saber, shrouded in a hazy azure glow, seemed to break through the restrictions of space, instantly striking the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng's enormous right wing.
"Gu, gu, gu!"
Struck heavily, the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng cried out, immediately lost its balance, and toppled over.
Andrew was not surprised. In that strike, he had already used wielding something light as though it were heavy. It seemed only a little faster, but in fact, it contained tremendous force as well. Moreover, this was not his limit. Had he unleashed his full strength, that blow could have shattered the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng's bones.
Even after it fell, Andrew did not relax. He swung the Godslaying Saber and struck its back again. However, the Golden-Crowned Wind-Thunder Peng reacted quickly too. At that critical moment, it actually condensed a Wind Shield over its back.
As expected of a top-tier wind element magical beast. That control over magic is truly impressive!
Andrew felt some admiration, but his hands showed no mercy. Without the slightest obstruction, the Godslaying Saber smashed through the Wind Shield and struck its back. This time, the force contained in the saber traveled into its internal organs, severely injuring it and completely depriving it of the ability to resist.
Andrew was delighted that the sneak attack had succeeded. Just now, had he been even the slightest bit careless, he could never have achieved such a result. In that seemingly brief instant, he had already pushed every one of his abilities to the limit...
Explosive power, speed, strength!