Chapter 542

Chapter 542: Tongtong and the Vulture King

The practice methods of the Thousand Mechanisms Guide weren’t complex. Ye Yun mastered it quickly after some time.

This treasure required neither blood pact recognition nor complicated cultivation techniques. This simplicity might explain why the Divine Grace Palace Master hesitated to lend it – too easily controlled, becoming dangerous if acquired by rivals of equal strength.

Yet the Divine Grace Palace Master surely had safeguards for lending it. His true mistake lay in unawareness of the guide’s connection to the Burning Divine Platform.

"Your Golden-winged Roc descendant is remarkable. Raise it well – it’ll become useful." Tian Yunzi observed the Divine Feather Vulture King and Tongtong during Ye Yun’s practice, his spirit wandering Absolute Heart Peak.

"That girl from Thunder Falls Valley shows exceptional talent. Proper training could make her reach Nascent Soul stage."

Ye Yun nodded silently. Both the Vulture King and Tongtong were extraordinary. The girl particularly intrigued him – her eyes mirrored those from his visions, and her claim of visiting Lingxiao City in Central Plains seemed improbable. The journey from Central Plains to Great Qin Empire spanned countless miles, impossible for Tongtong to traverse.

She boasted about using super teleportation formations, yet none existed in Great Qin Empire. Moon Goddess Palace’s formation hadn’t activated for millennia, as Jun Ruolan claimed. So how did Tongtong appear? Could Jun Ruolan’s suspicion be true – that an ancient soul dwelled within the girl?

"You’ve grasped the basics. Consolidate your understanding for few days before using it. Remember to investigate Burning Divine Platform." Tian Yunzi gazed at cloud seas, voice calm.

Ye Yun bowed. "Understood." Leaping from the clouds, he descended to his southern-facing residence halfway down Absolute Heart Peak – one of four exclusive platforms for Tian Yunzi’s top disciples, each containing single courtyard with panoramic views.

Before entering, bickering voices greeted him:

"Come down brat, or Vulture King spanks your bottom!"

"Make me! Stingy bird – riding you briefly won’t kill you. Weak but tempermental!"

"Tempermental? Weak? Come down! I’ll make you cry for mother!"

"Try it! So-called immortal beast acting pig-headed! Become my mount and I’ll make you Golden-winged Roc leader, dominating Three Realms!"

"Mock me, not Golden-winged Rocs!"

"Calling you their leader insults them? No ambition! Only good beasts become leaders!"

"Insolent brat! Come down!"

"You first! Low cultivation yet loudmouth! Dumber than pigs!"

"Raaah! I’ll end you!"

"Dare? Big brother will pluck you bald if you touch me!"

Ye Yun arched an eyebrow, amused. The newly-met pair already clashed fiercely, with Divine Feather Vulture King apparently struggling.

Curious how weaker Tongtong dominated, Ye Yun entered. The sight made him chuckle – Tongtong rode the Vulture King’s neck like saddle, pounding its head despite violent thrashing.

"Useless chick! I’ll stew half you tomorrow, roast the rest!"

"True warriors don’t perch on heads!"

"I’m no warrior – just a girl. Silly bird!"

“Waaah! This is so infuriating!”

The two creatures tussled fiercely, their quarrel escalating.

The Divine Feather Vulture King couldn’t comprehend why it couldn’t dislodge Tongtong from its neck. Even when it unleashed its spiritual attacks, they merely struck an ethereal figure while Tongtong remained unharmed, stubbornly clinging to her perch.

“What’s the meaning of this? Stop immediately!”

Ye Yun observed the chaos for several minutes before suppressing his amusement and barking a stern command.

Tongtong and the Divine Feather Vulture King froze mid-scuffle, finally noticing Ye Yun’s presence in the courtyard.

“Big brother! This evil bird bullied me!” Tongtong instantly transformed into a picture of pitiful innocence, her large eyes brimming with manufactured tears that cascaded down her cheeks.

She released the vulture’s neck and flung herself at Ye Yun, burying her face in his robes with dramatic sobs.

“You lying imp! How dare you play the victim!” The Divine Feather Vulture King’s golden plumage bristled with rage. “If I don’t discipline you today, I’ll renounce my title as Vulture King!”

“Mean bird! Big brother will spank your bottom!” Tongtong retorted through fake sniffles, maintaining her charade.

Ye Yun’s expression darkened. He’d witnessed Tongtong’s earlier arrogance as she’d triumphantly ridden the vulture’s head – her current tearful act would’ve fooled anyone who hadn’t seen the truth.

Yanking her down, he fixed her with a stern glare. “Do you think I’m blind? You’ve been pounding the Vulture King’s skull while sitting on its neck this whole time.”

“Exactly! Finally, someone reasonable!” The Divine Feather Vulture King bobbed its head vigorously.

“Reasonable? Compare our cultivation levels!” Tongtong abandoned her act, hands flying to her hips. “How could I possibly overpower you? Stop spouting nonsense – people will think you’re delusional!”

“You’re clearly using wicked tricks!” The vulture’s voice rose in pitch. “I’ll teach you proper manners today or–”

“Or you’ll stop being Vulture King? Come try!” Tongtong interrupted with a mocking smirk.

As the enraged vulture lunged forward, Ye Yun waved his hand, creating an invisible barrier. “Another word from either of you, and you’ll both be confined for a month!”

“Traitor! You’re supposed to support me!” The Divine Feather Vulture King squawked indignantly.

Tongtong stuck out her tongue. “Come on then! No punishment means you’re just a worthless chicken!”

Ye Yun flicked her forehead. “Keep provoking him and you’ll regret it.”

“You’d hit me?” Tongtong clutched her head dramatically. “I’ll summon my Nascent Soul brothers from Lingxiao City! Even Earth Immortals will come!”

“Empty threats!” The vulture cackled. “Fail and you’ll prove yourself no hero!”

“Hero? I’m just a sweet baby!” Tongtong retorted. “But you – didn’t you swear to punish me or lose your title? Where’s your courage?”

The Divine Feather Vulture King’s eyes blazed with fury, feathers quivering.

Ye Yun’s voice turned glacial. “Shall I discipline you both?”

The vulture’s anger deflated instantly. “Beneath my dignity to fight children,” it muttered.

Tongtong clapped mockingly. “Change your name to Cowardly Hen!”

“I never claimed that ridiculous title anyway!” The vulture sniffed.

“Oh?” Tongtong leaned forward curiously. “What’s your real name then?”

With exaggerated dignity, the creature declared: “I am the Divine Feather Vulture King!”

Tongtong stumbled in mock surprise. “You’re shameless enough to recycle the same title?”

Ye Yun separated the quarreling pair with an energy push. “Is this how you bond? I ordered you to get along!”

“Bond with this featherbrain?” Tongtong scoffed. “Speaking of which – where’ve you been? The paltry top-grade spirit stones you gave me barely lasted three days!”

“You consumed twenty thousand already?” Ye Yun blinked in astonishment.

“My cultivation’s reached Fifth Level Golden Core stage!” Tongtong bragged. “More top-grade stones or Immortal Spirit Stones, and I’ll reach peak Golden Core in weeks!”

Ye Yun massaged his temples. The resources he’d spent reaching Golden Core paled compared to Tongtong’s monstrous consumption. Her leap from Third to Fifth Level in days was unheard of – and terrifyingly expensive.

His gaze shifted to the Divine Feather Vulture King, another cultivation prodigy draining his resources. The impending Saint’s Secret Vault exploration couldn’t come soon enough – its treasures might offset these bottomless appetites.

A sly smile crept across his face.

Tongtong immediately sidled up to her former foe. “See that smirk? He’s plotting something. Let’s avoid him.”

“Wise suggestion,” the vulture intoned gravely.

Ye Yun’s eye twitched at their sudden camaraderie. “Seems you both need–”

A familiar voice interrupted:

“Junior brother! You’ve returned!”

Kun Huazi’s call preceded the arrival of two figures at the courtyard gate – Kun Huazi and Zhuge Chong.