Chapter 207

Chapter 207: The Golden Roc’s True Form

The visitor was a giant Golden Roc.

Its enormous wings spread wide, blocking the light and casting a vast shadow over the area.

Zhang Yang looked at the approaching roc and felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it before.

He recalled the emotions reflected in the roc’s eyes and suddenly realized, Isn’t this Kou Feiyan’s Golden-Winged Great Roc? Why does it seem weakened?

Among the roc species, the ultimate transformation capable of rivaling dragons and phoenixes was the Golden-Winged Great Roc.

Other creatures, like the Kunpeng, could not undergo such an external transformation.

Now, the original form of the Golden-Winged Great Roc appeared as nothing more than a mere Golden Roc.

The roc landed gracefully in front of Zhang Yang.

“Zhang Yang!”

It spoke in a metallic voice, harsh to the ears.

“Here to seek revenge on me?” Zhang Yang mused. If it truly sought revenge, he figured he might as well cook it. He hadn’t enjoyed a good meal lately with all the training and fighting. Using the roc’s meat to replenish himself wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.

Sensing his intentions, the roc took a slight step back and deliberately shrank its body, speaking in a low voice, “I’m here to make a deal.”

Zhang Yang was genuinely surprised.

The roc continued, “I have come to negotiate in all sincerity; otherwise, I wouldn’t have revealed myself like this.”

“Is that so?” Zhang Yang scrutinized it once more.

The roc seemed to sense his doubt and snorted coldly. “This is my true form—the shape I had in Mo City. My appearance is only the result of a forced awakening of a strand of Golden-Winged Great Roc bloodline within me. Don’t tell me that you, the Mighty Battle God and Human Catastrophe, are unaware of this and still think I am a true Golden-Winged Great Roc. That would certainly make me underestimate you.”

Zhang Yang curled his lips into a smirk and replied, “Who would mistake that? I know that in the era of Eternal Night, where no immortals exist, true Golden-Winged Great Rocs cannot survive. I was just assessing whether your meat would taste good.”

The roc was startled and leaped back.

Zhang Yang muttered to himself. He really hadn’t considered that aspect before.

After all, most of the knowledge he had acquired in Mo City came through indoctrination, and he needed time to fully digest and apply it—something he could now do.

“I intend to trade with you; don’t provoke unnecessary trouble,” the roc warned cautiously.

Zhang Yang asked, “Where do you find the courage to trade with me? We are still enemies. Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you and take your treasure to eliminate any future threats?”

The roc scoffed. “We are enemies, but not because of Feiyan. She was killed by the Seventh Prince, and I know that well. Therefore, my true enemy is the Seventh Prince, and our goals align. As for the Mighty King, we can deal with that after we take down the Seventh Prince.”

Zhang Yang was intrigued. This roc feared neither the Seventh Prince nor himself, yet it dared to openly declare its intent for future revenge.

“Where does your confidence come from?”

Even if it possessed a strand of the Golden-Winged Great Roc bloodline, the likelihood of fully transforming into one was so slim it was almost nonexistent.

The roc raised its head proudly, exuding confidence. “I have joined the Ten Thousand Demons Holy Land in the Eastern Domain and have become one of their genius disciples, with the opportunity to compete for the title of Son.”

Zhang Yang thought to himself, Now I understand.

The Ten Thousand Demons Holy Land was one of the most unique holy sites in the vast world.

Beasts typically existed in forbidden areas, rarely surviving outside the five great regions. The only place that could serve as a sanctuary for them and compete with the world was the Ten Thousand Demons Holy Land.

It was rumored to gather all kinds of beasts from across the world, including descendants of legendary creatures that had roamed the heavens and earth before the era of Eternal Night.

Moreover, the Ten Thousand Demons Holy Land maintained an extremely low profile—so much so that there were almost no records of their involvement in significant events.

However, everyone knew that among the five great holy places and the three forbidden areas of the Eastern Domain, the only power capable of rivaling the mighty Lingxiao Sacred Place was the Ten Thousand Demons Holy Land.

To be admitted as a genius disciple and to compete for the title of Son undoubtedly meant that the Golden Roc’s path to ascension had become clear.

If it succeeded and became the Son while remaining an enemy of the Seventh Prince, then by definition, the enemy of his enemy could be an ally.

“Speak. What do you want to trade?” Zhang Yang asked.

The Golden Roc’s golden eyes gleamed as it replied, “If you use the holy corpse to destroy the Ghostly Divine Platform and establish the Ghost City, will you obtain treasures?”

“Of course—many treasures,” Zhang Yang confirmed.

The Golden Roc’s eyes brightened with excitement. “Is there a golden feather?”

There had been many treasures at that time, but after consuming a significant portion during the first Ascending to Heaven calamity and even more in the Mountain River Pill Furnace, some extraordinary items had been sent back to the Vast Forest by Lang Xiaotian and others.

Now, the treasures in Zhang Yang’s possession were relatively few.

He searched through his collection and took out a golden feather, only about a foot long.

The feather shone brilliantly, resembling pure gold. It was highly resilient, making it suitable as a weapon; however, Zhang Yang had not studied it in detail.

“This is it!” the Golden Roc exclaimed joyfully.

Zhang Yang picked it up and examined it closely. The feather emanated an extraordinary aura, prompting him to channel Nine Extremes True Essence into it to investigate further.

The Golden Roc said, “I am trading with you without seeking any advantage. This golden feather comes from a Golden Roc of the Great Boundless rank that fought in a battle a millennium ago. It was refined for a hundred years, so it can be considered a feather of the Golden-Winged Great Roc. However, it still lacks true essence, as Golden-Winged Great Rocs are born celestial.”

“You’re quite honest,” Zhang Yang remarked with a laugh. “What do you intend to trade with me?”

The Golden Roc waved its right wing, and a pearl flew out.

As the pearl appeared, a surge of powerful dragon essence radiated from within, as if a dragon resided inside.

Zhang Yang squinted and said, “Jiaolong Pearl!”

“True dragons are rare in the Eternal Night, and the Jiaolong is already among the highest ranks. Moreover, this is a Jiaolong Pearl condensed from the life essence of a Jiaolong on the verge of attaining sainthood,” the Golden Roc explained. “I know your woman, Yuluan, is a dragon girl, so this will undoubtedly be of great significance to her.”

Zhang Yang flicked his finger, and the golden feather shot toward the Golden Roc.

The two completed the trade.

Holding the Jiaolong Pearl in his hand, Zhang Yang felt the powerful dragon essence swirling within. Through the pearl, the shadow of a dragon flickered within the mist.

Both of them had gained something valuable.

The Golden Roc flapped its wings and took flight, turning back to say, “Let me remind you, the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins are far more complicated than they seem. Be careful not to die too early—and pay special attention to the Ghostly Divine Platform.”

With that, it transformed into a beam of golden light and swiftly vanished.

Zhang Yang felt intrigued.

The Golden Roc had unexpectedly given him a warning. Was it out of genuine concern, or did it have ulterior motives?

Regardless, he already understood that this place was anything but simple.

Holy corpse.

The power of the Daybreak Phoenix Luan breaking through heavenly tribulations.

Both were signs that this place was far from ordinary.

He looked at the Jiaolong Pearl again and channeled Nine Extremes True Essence into it.

The pearl immediately burst forth with brilliance, and the dragon shadow inside expanded, becoming more lifelike.

The Jiaolong soared with majestic grace.

That kind of spirit—the true essence of the dragon way—was something that neither Dragon Bone, the Chi Dragon Jade Pendant, nor any other artifact could replicate.

As Zhang Yang observed it more closely, he felt another wave of understanding wash over him.

The barrier he had been facing—once feeling as thin as paper—gradually grew even thinner, almost like a single strand of hair, yet it still remained unbroken.

He couldn’t help but feel speechless. Was it really possible to achieve this?

It seemed nearly impossible to break through without a moment of inspiration.

Descending from the sky, he handed the Jiaolong Pearl to Yuluan.

Yuluan examined it, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “This pearl may not be useful to me directly, but I can temper it using my chi dragon royal bloodline to upgrade the Snow Guards! They will become… the Flying Dragon Guards!”

This was indeed great news.

The Snow Guards had already been refined using Dragon Bone Pills, establishing a foundation in the dragon way. With further upgrades and transformations, their combat power would soar even higher.

Zhang Yang smiled and said, “In that case, you’ll fulfill your sister’s request and achieve your true self. Meanwhile, your sister will be able to confidently control the entire Vast Forest, and I can finally be a hands-off manager…”

He suddenly paused, his expression shifting dramatically as he looked toward the sky.

Yuluan sensed it a moment later. Realizing the significance, she turned her gaze in astonishment toward the sky above the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.

Even those near the Dragon Bone area felt the disturbance and instinctively turned their eyes toward the horizon.