CHAPTER 190: CHAPTER 190: DEMON ROC

"Buzz..."

Two more days passed.

In the Drunken Ink Residence, Ji Chen and Qu Luoning were instructing Yanyan’s cultivation.

Suddenly, a wave of energy arrived from the distant horizon.

He immediately frowned, gazing towards it.

He saw a young man in brocade clothing flying rapidly, with a giant Peng Bird chasing behind him.

Judging by the youth’s appearance, he seemed to have been injured, attempting to flee to escape the Peng Bird’s pursuit.

But the Peng Bird stretched its wings, each flap spanned a thousand feet in an instant, its speed incredibly fast. This was a type of demon bird known for its speed, said to have some bloodline of the Peng Race flowing within it.

"Boom!"

As the young man in brocade clothing flew, he continually struck towards the Peng Bird behind him, trying to scare it off.

However, the Peng Bird’s feathers were like blades, sharp and hard, rendering the youth’s attacks ineffective.

He had been on the run for three days and nights, and now his internal spiritual power was nearly depleted, at the end of his rope. If the Peng Bird caught up, he would surely die.

"What is that?"

"It’s actually an adult Demon Peng!"

Within the Lingyun Sect, many disciples were also startled and came out, looking far into the distance where the scene unfolded.

"Hmm?"

The young man in brocade clothing also noticed the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate located there, a gleam of hope lighting up on his face as if he saw a light of salvation.

He quickened his speed, flying towards the Lingyun Sect, simultaneously shouting, "I am a descendant of the Yu Family from the celestial swift star in the Outer Realm, please open the mountain protection array so I can seek refuge within. I will offer great thanks later!"

The voice traveled, alerting many elders of the Lingyun Sect, who flew out one after another.

Ji Chen also arrived in front of the mountain gate, standing within the mountain protection array.

"Young Sect Leader."

Lu Daoyi and others also came. Upon seeing Ji Chen appear, they cupped their fists in salute and asked, "Should we offer help?"

Ji Chen remained silent, appearing somewhat hesitant.

After all, it was an adult Demon Peng. If the mountain protection array were opened and something unexpected happened, it could cause significant damage to the Lingyun Sect.

"Fellow Daoists, please open the array!"

In the void ahead, the young man in brocade clothing pleaded again, having reached the end of his rope.

"Open a gap in the array and let him in."

After a moment of hesitation, Ji Chen said this.

Lu Daoyi nodded, then went to the array in front of the mountain gate, tapped a few times, and soon an entrance appeared.

Seeing this, the young man in brocade clothing was overjoyed and flew over as quickly as possible.

As he entered the mountain gate, Lu Daoyi quickly closed the array again.

"Screech!"

The Demon Peng let out a piercing cry, its massive body diving down.

"Boom!"

But the solidity of the mountain protection array, even a full-force strike from a Saint might not be able to break it.

Unsurprisingly, the Demon Peng’s massive body crashed directly into the defense array.

The entire mountain gate shook at that moment, like a giant mountain falling down.

Fortunately, with the array’s presence, the mountain gate didn’t suffer too much impact.

"Thank you!"

The young man in brocade clothing, still fearful, gasped for breath, yet thanked Ji Chen and the others with cupped hands.

"The Demon Peng is one of the rare Desolate Ancient exotic breeds. It seldom appears. Where did you provoke it?" Ji Chen inquired.

Such a Demon Peng appearing within Chu Kingdom’s borders could cause significant trouble if not dealt with promptly.

"I encountered it in the Demon Beast Mountain Range, chased all the way here. Thankfully, you rescued me; otherwise, I might have perished today in Celestial Martial." He panted, briefly explaining the situation.

Ji Chen then understood.

The Demon Beast Mountain Range in Chu Kingdom had existed for many years, often overrun by beast hordes; the imperial capital’s southern migration back then was due to the massive emergence of demon beasts from the mountain range.

"A Demon Peng’s intelligence is not ordinary. Unless provoked, it wouldn’t chase you so far. Did you inadvertently disturb its lair?" Lu Daoyi asked curiously.

"I was searching for spirit medicine in the mountains and found the Demon Peng’s nest. While investigating, I accidentally broke one of its eggs." The young man in brocade clothing scratched his head.

Everyone was speechless. No wonder the Demon Peng went crazy, chasing him all the way from the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

"Screech!"

And while they were discussing, the Demon Peng outside the mountain gate repeatedly rammed its massive body against the mountain protection array, causing loud disturbances.

Though its chances of breaking the array were slim, it still disrupted the members inside the Lingyun Sect. If not driven away, it would be hard for them to focus on cultivation.

"Let’s drive it away first. This exotic beast has not had an easy cultivation path, and it’s said to be a descendant of the Peng Race. Killing it directly would be difficult to explain to the Peng Race." Ji Chen proposed.

Saying this, he walked forward, intending to step outside the array’s protection.

The young man in brocade clothing was shocked, reminding him, "Friend, don’t be rash. This Demon Peng isn’t easy to deal with. Unless a Void Realm expert acts, I’m afraid it will be hard to subdue it."

Judging by Ji Chen’s aura, he seemed only to possess First Layer Celestial Essence Realm cultivation. Naturally, the young man in brocade clothing doubted Ji Chen could contend with the Demon Peng. If he recklessly intervened, it might result in a needless loss of life.

After all, he himself had Sixth Layer Celestial Essence Realm strength, yet was chased by this Demon Peng for three days and nights. How could Ji Chen, with mere First Layer Celestial Essence Realm, drive it away?

Thinking this, he glanced at Lu Daoyi.

With Lu Daoyi now at the Void Realm level, he could easily handle the Demon Peng if he acted.

Yet Lu Daoyi stood motionless, instead smiling and saying, "No worries, let the Young Sect Leader handle it."

"Won’t that be too much to bear?" The young man in brocade clothing furrowed his brows.

"Boom!"

Just as his words fell, an explosion echoed from the void outside the mountain gate.

Looking up, he saw Ji Chen already risen mid-air, his tightly clenched fist angrily striking the Demon Peng.

"Crack!"

The sound of breaking reached his ears. The Peng Bird’s feathers were as sharp as blades, said to be unbreakable even by Void Realm masters.

Yet now, the young man in brocade clothing witnessed Ji Chen’s punch directly shatter the Peng Bird’s feathers, as hard as scale armor.

"How is this possible..."

He was stunned, standing in place, incredulous.

How could this be?

First Layer Celestial Essence Realm cultivation, able to break the Demon Peng’s defense with one punch—such a feat, had he not seen it himself, he might not have believed it could be true.

"Boom!"

"Crack!"

Two more punches followed, the immense force sending the Demon Peng flying far, crashing into a distant hillside.

"Screech..."

It let out a mournful cry, a mix of panic and dread within it, finally soaring into the sky, fleeing into the distance.