Chapter Fifty-Six: The Value of the Sparrow

The sudden disappearance of the three lotus seeds caused both monstrous beasts to freeze in their movements. Their gazes met, and with a furious roar, the Qiongqi, suspended in mid-air, opened its massive jaws and fired a ball of primal energy like lightning at the serpent’s head.

The one-horned serpent, recovering from its brief stupor, was equally enraged. It decided that the Qiongqi must have been responsible for the missing lotus seeds; seeing the beast attack, it retaliated with mounting fury. The serpent reared its head back, narrowly dodging the Qiongqi’s energy blast, which grazed its neck scales and crashed into the lake behind. At the same time, the horn atop its head glimmered with azure light and unleashed a bolt of blue lightning that tore through space, reaching the Qiongqi in an instant.

By now, the Qiongqi had transformed dramatically. A pair of enormous wings, striped yellow and black, had unfurled from its back. With a mighty beat, it soared above the serpent, easily evading the lightning strike.

Two thunderous explosions erupted almost simultaneously, sending twin surges of giant waves crashing over the lake, instantly engulfing the Purple Flame Lotus.

After seizing the lotus seeds, Leng Tian darted away from the lake, landing atop a large tree to quietly observe the ensuing battle between the two beasts.

The Qiongqi beat its mighty wings, summoning two tornado-like gales that descended upon the serpent with overwhelming force. The serpent’s blood-red eyes shone as it retaliated, firing two beams of crimson light.

The crimson beams collided with the twin tornadoes in a flash, unleashing a deafening roar that echoed far and wide. The energies exploded violently, sending wild shockwaves rolling in all directions.

Nearby vegetation was obliterated, debris and dust spiraling high into the air. Even the tree on which Leng Tian stood was not spared from destruction.

Left with no choice, he allowed Judah’s phantom form to suspend him in mid-air until the chaotic currents and dust settled, finally revealing the scene below.

By now, the one-horned serpent had emerged from the water, its massive body, dozens of yards long and covered in icy scales, now fully exposed except for the tip of its tail, which still anchored it to the lake.

The horn on its head blazed with blue light, releasing bolt after bolt of lightning at the airborne Qiongqi. The Qiongqi, in turn, beat its wings to summon more tornado gales, countering the serpent’s attacks.

Finding its efforts futile, the serpent’s blood-red eyes flashed, and in an uncharacteristic move, it dove beneath the lake’s surface.

Seeing the serpent retreat into the depths, Qiongqi roared, opening its maw to fire a dozen energy blasts at the lake.

The eruptions sent waves surging, smashing water onto the shore and flattening flowers and grass.

But despite the relentless attacks, the serpent did not resurface. The Qiongqi, recalling the vanished lotus seeds, concluded that the serpent must have stolen them.

Furious, it let out a series of enraged roars, but dared not enter the water, knowing it would be at the serpent’s mercy. Agitated, it circled overhead, occasionally dropping another energy blast that kept the lake churning with waves.

Leng Tian, while monitoring the events below, also turned his attention inward, focusing his mind on the Infernal Realm to inspect the lotus seeds.

When the three seeds had appeared there, Max had become visibly excited, his huge body circling the floating seeds, drooling with anticipation—his true intentions clear.

The three pure white lotus seeds floated serenely in mid-air, each engulfed by a deep violet flame flickering ceaselessly.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get your share, but you can’t consume them yet. I’ll ask Zhuangzhuang when I return,” Leng Tian said, amused by Max’s impatience.

“Thank you, boss! These must be the seeds of the Purple Flame Lotus—I’ve seen them in our clan’s records. Wonderful! I can finally ascend to a Sacred Beast!” Max exclaimed, his joy unrestrained.

Leng Tian chuckled and withdrew his senses from the Infernal Realm.

Opening his eyes, he glanced below just in time to see the one-horned serpent burst from the water.

Its body shot upward like a dark blue spear, arcs of blue lightning coiling around it, leaving sinuous white traces in the air—marks where the air itself had been scorched.

The serpent had not obtained the seeds, nor could it best the Qiongqi in direct combat. Puzzled as to why the beast remained to tangle with it instead of fleeing with the prize, the serpent grew ever more incensed. Seizing the opportunity while the Qiongqi was roaring skyward, it gathered all its power for a decisive strike.

Sensing the violent surge of energy below, the Qiongqi looked down, its tiger eyes narrowing in alarm—too late to counter or evade.

The serpent shot upward, instantly reaching the Qiongqi’s side. Its massive, supple body coiled around the beast like lightning, binding it from head to tail. Blue arcs of electricity scorched the Qiongqi’s fur.

“Roar…” The Qiongqi cried out in pain, struggling frantically to break free. But the serpent’s strength matched its own, and constriction was the serpent’s innate talent—escape was impossible, especially as they plummeted in a parabolic arc into the lake.

Leng Tian, watching all this, had already formed a plan. Between the two monsters, he favored the Qiongqi and now saw an excellent opportunity to subdue it.

As the Qiongqi, bound tightly, plunged into the water with the serpent, the latter’s power surged dramatically in its aquatic domain. It dragged the Qiongqi to the lakebed, conjuring a circular whirlpool that pulled the beast inside. The vortex spun rapidly, trapping both monsters within, but the serpent gradually loosened its grip, controlling the vortex to open a gap for itself to slip out. Suspended in the water, its blood-red eyes fixed coldly and mercilessly on the Qiongqi.

Countless tiny water arrows condensed from the lake, densely arrayed around the whirlpool. “Hand over the lotus seeds, Qiongqi, and I’ll spare you. If not—hmph…” The serpent’s voice echoed in the Qiongqi’s mind, drawing attention to the deadly water arrows. “They’ll pierce you like a sieve.”

“Screw you!” Enraged, Qiongqi cursed, “You steal from me and dare to act righteous? I’ll admit defeat today, but do you really think these tricks can harm me?”

The serpent, equally hot-tempered, didn’t hesitate—controlling the water arrows, it sent them all hurtling toward the Qiongqi.

The Qiongqi summoned a white shield around itself. The water arrows, passing through the vortex, splashed harmlessly against the barrier.

The serpent sneered inwardly. Let’s see how long you can last. In this water, my power is unending, but you’re just draining your own energy!

Multiple times, the Qiongqi tried to break free with its immense demonic power, but the whirlpool, formed of lake water, seemed almost sentient, deftly neutralizing every attack and leaving the beast exhausted and helpless.

“Don’t waste your strength,” the serpent taunted, pride and mockery evident in its voice. “The entire lake is under my control. Every move you make is within my grasp!”

The Qiongqi made no reply, maintaining its defensive shield while racking its brain for a way to break the serpent’s hold. But each method was discarded—how could a descendant of the White Tiger, a true divine beast, bow to such an impure bloodline?

Time dragged on, and the Qiongqi began to tire. As its energy waned, the shield became thin and translucent, like a fragile bubble ready to burst. Yet the water arrows could not break through—at least, not yet.

On the shore, Leng Tian, his eyes gleaming with tricolor light, peered through the water, clearly seeing the situation below. He smiled slightly and mused aloud, “The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Will you be the former or the latter?”

“With your wisdom, boss, you’ve surely guessed it. I’m definitely the oriole, otherwise I’d disgrace you!” Judah replied with a sly grin.

“Very well, go ahead. The serpent is yours; the Qiongqi stays,” Leng Tian ordered.

“Watch and see!” Judah resumed his true form, gave Leng Tian a nod, and slipped stealthily into the lake, ready to ambush the serpent.

Below, the Qiongqi’s energy was nearly depleted, its protective shield as thin as a soap bubble. The serpent, overjoyed, commanded the water arrows to intensify their assault.

At last, the shield broke. The sharp water arrows struck the Qiongqi’s fur, bursting into sprays of water. The serpent’s eyes gleamed coldly as it focused the attack on one spot, determined to pierce the beast’s defenses and devour its demon core.

Under the relentless barrage, the Qiongqi’s defenses gave way—one arrow penetrated its body, drawing a howl of pain. But exhausted of energy, the Qiongqi could mount no further resistance.

“Who would have thought you’d end up like this? Arrogant, weren’t you? Once I devour your demon core, I’ll ascend whether I have the lotus seeds or not!” the serpent exulted, its voice trembling with excitement and madness.

“Oh, is that so? Your ambitions end here. You’ll serve better as my nourishment!” Judah’s voice echoed in the serpent’s mind.

“Who… who’s there? Show yourself—” Before it could finish, Judah’s spirit ruthlessly devoured its soul.

“The oriole’s value has never been clearer. I should play this part more often,” Judah murmured to himself, licking his slender tongue with relish.

Martial Path: The Edge, Chapter Fifty-Six—The Value of the Oriole—End.