Eternal Life through Drawing Lots

Muri Shengkai was dead.

He had died just like that, in a rather unceremonious fashion.

The death of a prodigy—one who could have been called a young Great Saint—in such a bizarre manner immediately sparked widespread discussion throughout the Xuanzhiyu.

Factions everywhere were astonished, finding it difficult to believe.

「Fanliu Blessed Land.」

A gentle breeze blew, and the willows fluttered.

Beneath a willow tree, Sen Wei’s Dragon Robe billowed in the wind.

At that moment, Sen Wei was speechless. She casually caught a falling leaf in her hand.

"Sister, did that Shengkai fellow really die just like that?" A flicker of disbelief crossed Sen Hui’s stunningly beautiful face.

Sen Wei sighed softly. "He is indeed dead. No one could have imagined the Autumn Cicada’s Cosmic Dao Divine Techniques would be so powerful. It directly stripped Shengkai of his True Blood of the Vermilion Bird..."

In fact, the moment the Autumn Cicada revealed its aura, the Saints of the Muri clan had already begun to act.

But they were no match for it. The Autumn Cicada was a Desolate Beast of the Cosmic Dao School!

If a Desolate Beast from any other school had killed Shengkai, the Saints might have had a chance to save him.

But once the Autumn Cicada acted, he was basically beyond saving.

Unless... a Great Saint of the Cosmic Dao had intervened at the exact same moment!

But no matter how talented Shengkai was, he didn’t warrant a Great Saint watching over him at every moment, much less one from the Cosmic Dao School.

A single Great Saint of the Cosmic Dao would be enough to alter the balance of power in the Eight Domains.

"Life is so fragile..." Sen Wei mused.

’Actually, I was well aware of the so-called marriage alliance the ancestors had in mind.’

’But I didn’t like Shengkai, and I certainly wasn’t going to submit to some arranged marriage.’

’Besides, I’d met Shengkai. I felt he couldn’t even compare to Fang Yang!’

’What’s more, my heart is already set on the Great Dao. I have sworn to achieve enlightenment and become a true master.’

’That’s why I had my own plans and countermeasures for dealing with Muri Shengkai’s ill intentions.’

’But wouldn’t you know it, before I could even begin to put my plans into motion, Shengkai just up and died.’

’It was a perfect example of the old saying: "Success and failure turn to naught in the blink of an eye. The green mountains still stand, as sunsets come and go..."’

"I heard Shengkai might have been targeted by a Saint. If so... what about Ah Yang? Will he be...?" Sen Hui asked, a sudden worry on her face.

"No, he won’t." Sen Wei chuckled and shook her head. "Only if Fang Yang had a Kunpeng Spirit Body would he draw the attention of a Saint."

The gap between a Grade A Spirit Body and a Perfect Spirit Body is vast. Immense, even.

The Carp Eagle Saint of old failed to reach the perfect grade, and as a result, he ultimately perished with regret during his Tier Eight tribulation.

「Meanwhile.」

「Profound Mysterious Study.」

The four Pavilion Elders—Elder Hua, Elder Bird, Elder Yu, and Elder Insect—looked at each other, speechless.

They found it hard to accept that Muri Shengkai’s story had ended so abruptly.

And yet, the facts were the facts, leaving no room for doubt.

"Heh. Now that things have come to this, it might actually be a good thing."

Elder Yu sneered. "In that case, what arrangements should be made for Fang Yang?"

"Let him be a bird in the sky, a fish in the sea, free from all restraints!" Elder Hua chimed in.

"Precisely. If we want him to become a Kunpeng, how can we treat him like a caged bird or a fish in a net?" Elder Bird said, slowly rising to his feet and gazing at the distant sky.

The other three Pavilion Elders followed his gaze and saw a swath of fiery clouds burning intensely in the sky.

They had no choice but to believe what Sen Yue had said:

If it was Fang Yang, perhaps he really could become a Kunpeng!

...

Flying Eagles soared leisurely over the grasslands, their powerful wings beating in a majestic display. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Dawn broke, illuminating the camp of the White Feathered Eagle Tribe.

The White Feathered Eagle Tribe had now arrived at the Leran Grassland.

Under the leadership of Fang Yang and Lu Yao, the tribe began to set up camp. The scene was bustling with activity as they prepared to make their new home on the Leran Grassland.

"Your Eminence, I’ve scouted the area. There are five Bronze Tribes and nine unranked tribes on the Leran Grassland."

"The strongest of the Bronze Tribes has no more than two thousand elite warriors, and their most powerful expert is a Tier Three Peak Earth Dao Cultivator."

"If the White Feathered Eagle Tribe establishes itself here, we’ll definitely have the opportunity to become a Bronze Tribe, or even a Silver Tribe..."

Lu Yao ambitiously laid out her plans for Fang Yang.

Fang Yang, meanwhile, was contemplating the problem with his ultimate technique while watching the camp take shape.

A White Feathered Eagle soared high above them, seemingly pleased by the tribe’s growing strength.

Under the influence of [Fortune Manifestation], the White Feathered Eagle could now be regarded as the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit of the White Feathered Eagle Tribe.

The stronger the White Feathered Eagle Tribe grew, the more powerful the White Feathered Eagle would become!

"Very good. I have complete confidence in your abilities."

"Keep up the good work. When the White Feathered Eagle Tribe becomes a Silver Tribe, I will help you reestablish the Cyan Deer Tribe."

Fang Yang gazed into the distance for a moment, his voice soft as he casually made Lu Yao a grand promise.

But instead of being happy, Lu Yao dropped to one knee in alarm. "Your Eminence, I swear I have no other ambitions! My heart is completely devoted to the White Feathered Eagle—"

Fang Yang bent down and pulled her to her feet. "I told you once before: if the day comes when I reign supreme, I will share the long years of glory with you."

"This world is vast. We have shared a bond as lord and retainer, and I will not treat you poorly."

"The Xuanzhiyu is certainly large enough to accommodate a small Cyan Deer Tribe. Just keep up the good work."

Suddenly, Fang Yang strode away, turning and leaving at a quick pace.

He had just thought of a solution to the mutual repulsion between the phantoms of the Electric Python and the Thunder Carp.

’The solution was to introduce the White Feathered Eagle!’

’Everything must be centered on the White Feathered Eagle!’

’It would no longer be a balance of two forces like Tai Chi, but a complementary relationship, like that of a sovereign and their subjects!’

BOOM—

On the training grounds.

Fang Yang stood holding a war spear, clad in armor of lightning and fire. Fire Wings sprouted from his back and thunder scales covered his skin, giving him an exotic, almost demonic, charisma.

He had succeeded. He had truly succeeded.

He had managed to fuse the White Feathered Eagle and the Electric Python.

In this state, he could easily kill a Tier Three Advanced opponent, hold his own against a Tier Three Peak, and survive an encounter with a Tier Four Elementary foe.

It seemed he was about to reach the minimum threshold of a young Great Saint.

Furthermore, now that Fang Yang had replaced the Black Water Eagle with the White Feathered Eagle, the Flying Eagle Group he could command had grown to two hundred strong.

The strength of the flock was now sufficient to help the White Feathered Eagle slay a Tier Two Peak Fierce Beast and hold its own against a Tier Three Elementary one!

...

While the front lines were in turmoil, Fang Yang remained in secluded cultivation.

These peaceful days stood in stark contrast to the dire situation of Sen Yue’s army, which was currently under siege.

But it wasn’t long before the peace was shattered.

Apparently, after Muri Shengkai’s demise, Liu Manlou had returned to his original post.

And under strict orders from his superiors, Liu Manlou was now preparing to lead his army in an assault!

’A duel of champions against Fang Yang? Heh...’ Liu Manlou thought, mounted atop his large, navy-blue steed.

’I can kill a Tier Three Middle opponent, and even hold my own against a Tier Three Advanced.’

’According to my intelligence, I should have no problem dueling Fang Yang. I should at least be able to remain undefeated.’

’But if Shengkai were still alive, I wouldn’t have to be so cautious.’

RUMBLE—

Dust plumed into the air as the army advanced.

The massive army advanced on the Leran Grassland, an imposing force like dark clouds gathering over a city.

Upon learning that Liu Manlou was leading an army to attack, Fang Yang also prepared for battle and led his own forces out to meet them.

This would be his first battle fighting purely as a commander...