Chapter 23: Peace Talks on Finger Pointing to the Sky Mountain, Demonstrating Control Over Colored Smoke Sparrows
Three days from now, peace talks will be held on Finger Pointing to the Sky Mountain. Fourteen city-island forces will each send representatives. The mediator will be the Sleeping Old Man? When Chu Yun returned to Shu Family City, the envoy had already departed. He learned the detailed arrangements for the peace talks from Shu Tianhao.
“The Sleeping Old Man, Master Yao? He’s on the Peculiar Person Ranking, his strength is unfathomable, and he’s highly respected. He is indeed the best choice. However, the representatives from each force this time are either island masters, young island masters, or powerful generals. This doesn’t look like a peace talk at all…” Chu Yun frowned, sensing the strong smell of gunpowder, and mused.
Among the representatives for the peace talks, the Ning Family and Hua Family island masters were personally attending, the Fang Family sent their most powerful general, Hammering Heavens Fang Hong, and the Yan Family sent their young island master…
“It’s no wonder. Although we defeated the allied forces, we only hurt them. Their foundations are still intact, and fourteen families united to lose to one. It’s reasonable for them to be unconvinced. It seems this peace talk won’t be easy,” Shu Tianhao analyzed calmly.
“We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. The key is to have our own fists hard enough. What is the Azure Sea Dragon’s cultivation level, and is it possible to raise it to the Spirit Demon realm soon?” Chu Yun asked.
The realms of Demonic Creatures, from small to large, are divided into Young Demon, Lesser Demon, Great Demon, Spirit Demon, and Tribulation Demon.
The Azure Sea Dragon was once a Tribulation Demon, possessing the combat power of a peak Demonic Beast. However, due to severe injuries, its cultivation level declined. When it was subdued, it was only at the Great Demon level.
If they could have a Spirit Demon as a deterrent, this peace talk would be much easier.
Eloquent speeches are useless; only strength is fundamental.
“Currently, it has 999 years of cultivation,” Shu Tianhao sighed, admitting to Chu Yun, “But I don’t plan to raise it to the Spirit Demon realm.”
“Why? As long as it passes through a Spirit Demon tribulation once, its cultivation will not face the same demon tribulation again when it recovers. Wait a moment, Dad, you…” Chu Yun looked at Shu Tianhao, and suddenly remembered something.
“That’s right. The Azure Sea Dragon is a Supreme grade Demonic Beast. As its cultivation level increases, I find it increasingly difficult to control it,” Shu Tianhao said truthfully.
“As expected.” Chu Yun looked at Shu Tianhao’s severed arm with a moment of distraction.
As a Demonic Beast’s cultivation increases, the Spirit within its body also grows. When the Demonic Beast’s Spirit approaches that of its Monster Tamer, it becomes very disobedient. If it surpasses the Monster Tamer’s Spirit, it will escape and become a wild Demonic Beast, or worse, it will enslave the Monster Tamer.
This is not uncommon in history. The most famous tragic example is the Bianxie Sword enslaving its master, turning the Monster Tamer into a slave, driven mad, and slaughtering hundreds of his relatives overnight. With no one left to kill, he castrated himself and became a eunuch, causing havoc for a long time before being besieged and chopped into mincemeat.
The body stores Spirit, and the soul produces Spirit. Because Shu Tianhao lost an arm, his body was damaged, like a water bucket with its top cut off. His Spirit naturally appeared weak. With the Azure Sea Dragon’s cultivation rapidly recovering, he could no longer control it.
In such situations, Monster Tamers usually try to suppress the Demonic Beast’s cultivation, or even actively reduce it, then use the Spirit energy fed back by the Demonic Beast to slowly nourish their own bodies. As their physical condition improves, they can carry more Spirit.
Then, when they raise the Demonic Beast’s cultivation again, they will be able to control it.
“We urgently need the combat power of a Spirit Demon as a deterrent right now. Dad, I have a way to solve this problem.”
Unexpectedly, as soon as Chu Yun spoke, Shu Tianhao waved his hand and refused, “You want to use the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill? Impossible. The Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill is a Semi-Supreme grade pill, difficult to refine, and requires the sincere sacrifice of a Monster Tamer. The two you have might be the last pills in the world. You are still young, but your Demonic Creatures have advanced by leaps and bounds. Soon, you will face the same dilemma as me. These two pills are for you. I will never use them.”
Shu Tianhao’s attitude was firm. Chu Yun knew his character very well and knew that persuasion would be futile, so he gave up.
“Actually, raising it to the Spirit Demon realm only means reaching my limit, it’s not impossible. Don’t worry, when it’s time for the peace talks, summon the Azure Sea Dragon, and they’ll be dumbfounded, hahaha.” Shu Tianhao comforted Chu Yun.
“But this would be too risky. Demonic Beasts absorb Vital Energy every day, and their cultivation will increase bit by bit. Who knows when…” Chu Yun said worriedly.
“Then we’ll endure this period. After the peace talks, I will proactively reduce the Azure Sea Dragon’s cultivation.”
“Alas, that’s all we can do.”
Finger Pointing to the Sky Mountain resembles a giant arm extending from the seabed. On the sea’s surface, four fingers form a fist, with the index finger pointing to the sky. Its peculiar shape is famous. It is also one of the iconic landscapes of the Archipelago.
Three days later, Chu Yun ascended Finger Pointing to the Sky Mountain with Shu Tianhao.
Finger Pointing to the Sky Mountain is tens of feet high, with the index finger as its peak, soaring into the clouds, with wisps of clouds drifting around.
A large tent was set up on the index finger peak, where the talks were to be held.
The talks lasted for a day and a night, centering on compensation terms. The forces clung to their limited interests and refused to compromise.
The Sleeping Old Man, Master Yao, even fell asleep during the meeting. As no progress was made due to the stubbornness of all parties, the peace talks stalled.
This situation was indeed somewhat peculiar.
Although the allied forces were defeated, their foundations remained. If they were to form another alliance, they undoubtedly could. Moreover, they were utterly unwilling to accept their defeat.
Although Shu Family Island had won, they knew that the great victory in the Iron Cage Island battle could not be replicated. They needed time to digest the spoils of war.
Furthermore, since Wei Family Island had become the “fat meat” in the eyes of the major powers, neither side wanted to continue the war, but they were also unwilling to sacrifice their own interests and compromise with the other.
On the second day, the situation remained the same.
“Hahaha, aren’t you all feeling a bit bored? Let’s take a break. Allow the female warriors of our Yan Family to perform a song to ease the atmosphere and lift our spirits,” said the Young Master of the Yan Family suddenly, proposing this.
The leaders of each faction exchanged glances, unsure of the Yan Family Young Master’s intentions.
“This humble one, Yan Jisi, will perform a song to ease the tension. I ask for your esteemed appreciation,” said a beautiful young woman as she stepped forward. She wore a red warrior outfit, had a high nose and deep-set eyes, and long, curly fiery red hair that cascaded to her shoulders, making her fair skin appear even more flawless.
She strode with her long, well-proportioned legs to the center of the tent. First, she opened an Immortal Pouch at her waist and then took out a Great Demon Soldier’s Red Jade Flute from her bosom.
She brought the flute to her full, red lips, and the melody rose gently at first, then suddenly soared, like a phoenix spreading its wings and soaring into the sky.
*Rustle, rustle.*
A flock of colored smoke sparrows flew out from the opened Immortal Pouch. Following the flute’s melody, they intertwined in mid-air, like schools of fish swimming, then scattered like brilliant fireworks.
Each colored smoke sparrow was as small as a fist. The vibrations of their delicate wings released countless streams of colored smoke, dazzling and magnificent.
The expressions of the assembled heroes changed, and even Chu Yun’s eyes narrowed.
Each colored smoke sparrow was only at the Lesser Demon level. Individually, they posed no threat, but in large numbers, they could rival the combat power of a Great Demon. Moreover, the Colored Smoke Sparrow King had not appeared and remained hidden within the Immortal Pouch.
What truly made the assembled heroes wary was not the Colored Smoke Sparrow King, but the Yan Jisi’s method of controlling the birds. Controlling a flock of sparrows with flute music was a high-grade sound-control technique.
Generally, Monster Tamers would shout commands to control their Demonic Beasts and activate various Cultivation Methods. However, this easily revealed their tactical intentions. In certain combat environments, such as a blizzard, if a Monster Tamer opened their mouth, the wind and snow would force their way in, freezing their tongue and making it difficult to speak.
Using musical instruments and conducting Demonic Creatures with music was different.
Yan Jisi’s flute playing was incredibly skilled. She commanded the flock of Demonic Sparrows with ease, as if they were extensions of her own body, and her thoughts moved in unison. The fact that she could perform such a splendid and magnificent sparrow dance demonstrated how powerful her command of the sparrow flock would be in actual combat.
“The Yan Family Young Master has ulterior motives; this is a show of force.”
“He is displaying the Yan Family’s strength to increase their bargaining chips.”
The assembled heroes murmured among themselves, seeing through the Yan Family Young Master’s intentions.
More and more colored smoke sparrows filled the air, swirling with smoke, creating a dreamlike and enchanting scene. Yan Jisi handled it with ease, her expression consistently calm. Her emerald green eyes held a hidden pride.
“Hundreds of colored smoke sparrows. This woman’s strength is formidable.”
“The Yan, Shui, Tie, Sen, and Shan families are five great families from ancient times, existing to this day with profound heritage. This young woman, despite her youth, is exceptionally talented. She has mastered sound-control techniques to perfection and possesses the musical theory attainments of the Great Accomplishment realm. Truly extraordinary.”
“Hmm? The colored smoke sparrows are constantly flying towards the Shu Family’s position. This is a subtle provocation…”
Before long, the assembled heroes saw through the ruse. Laughter and schadenfreude gleamed in their eyes.
The colored smoke sparrows were fire-element Demonic Creatures, emitting brilliant colored smoke and fiery heat. In their flight, they focused on Shu Tianhao. They often flew close enough that Chu Yun, standing behind Shu Tianhao, could feel an unbearable heat wash over him, nearly scorching his eyebrows.
Let alone Shu Tianhao, who was sitting in front.
“Hmph, insidious and cunning wretch!” Chu Yun was furious. This situation was like someone practicing swordplay right in front of him, the sword light flashing, and the blade constantly circling around his face. It was clearly a provocation, a display of power.
Shu Tianhao, however, sat upright, his expression unchanged, as if the intense heat washing over him simply didn’t exist.
“Shu Tianhao has the demeanor of a great general, truly worthy of being called the Fierce Tiger of Many Stars of yesteryear.”
“Heh, Shu Tianhao has reservations and cannot act. The opponent is a junior, and it would be looked down upon if he were to teach her a lesson.”
The flute’s melody grew more intense, with a power that could pierce metal and crack clouds. It was also like a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, singing high in the heavens. The heat surged forth, wave after wave. The colored smoke billowed, a dreamlike splendor.
The colored smoke sparrows pushed their luck, getting closer to Shu Tianhao, trying to embarrass him. Some even landed on the tea table in front of Shu Tianhao, hopping and chirping.
“Hehehe, the junior’s musical skills are still unrefined. Please forgive me, Island Master Shu,” the Yan Family Young Master said with a slight smile, feigning an apology.
Everyone present looked at Shu Tianhao, their eyes filled with evident mockery.
“Hmph. With Great Accomplishment level musical art, how could she make such a mistake? This is blatant provocation!” Chu Yun felt waves of anger. He immediately sneered, shifted a few steps, and moved from behind Shu Tianhao to behind the Yan Family Young Master.
The flute music suddenly faltered, almost going off-key.
