Chapter 54: The Sculpted Clouds Chamber

Hearing Mu Kaishan’s shout, Chu Feng knew it was time to set off. He immediately bid farewell to Mu Qiaoxue and placed the two primitive puppets into his storage pouch.

Knowing that Chu Feng would be leaving the Mu family that day for the Wind and Thunder Martial Academy, the Mu family’s patriarch, Mu Zhendong, led the elders Mu Zhenxi, Mu Zhennan, and Mu Zhenbei, as well as the outstanding disciples of the fifty and fifty-first generations, to Tianji Peak to host a farewell banquet for Chu Feng.

On the broad and level Tianji Peak, Han Mo, head of the Wind Hall at the Wind and Thunder Martial Academy, stood beside a huge black eagle, chatting with Mu Zhendong as they awaited Chu Feng’s arrival.

The male and female disciples of two generations were quietly discussing among themselves, their topic none other than the death of Chief Senior Disciple Ding Wanchong.

“I remember when Young Master Chu first arrived at the Mu family, Senior Brother Ding was so arrogant and almost accused him of being a charlatan! And even after Young Master Chu succeeded in creating the meridian needles, there was no joy on Senior Brother Ding’s face. His mind was just too narrow!”

“Exactly! That could still be called narrow-mindedness, but what he did later—sending anonymous letters to both the Wind and Thunder Martial Academy and the Fear Gate, trying to bring disaster upon Young Master Chu even if it meant dragging the Mu family into it—Ding Wanchong’s heart was even more venomous than a serpent or a scorpion!”

“Indeed! Since Young Master Chu arrived, he not only cured the young lady’s meridian pain, saving the entire Tianji Mu family from disaster, but also rid us of the black sheep Ding Wanchong, sparing us from future harm. Young Master Chu truly is the Mu family’s lucky star!”

“Ah, speak of the lucky star, and he appears—Young Master Chu is here!”

As the disciples saw Chu Feng approach, their faces lit up with joy, and their eyes brimmed with admiration and respect, as if commoners were beholding their emperor.

“Uncle Han, thank you for waiting. Chu Feng has arrived! Senior brothers and sisters, I thank you all!”

Chu Feng hurried over, clearly having heard the disciples’ earlier discussions and their praise, and he clasped his hands in gratitude.

In the next instant, his gaze fell upon the enormous eagle beside Han Mo, and he could not help but be shocked.

So this was the Cloud-Cleaving Eagle? It was even larger than he’d imagined!

The Cloud-Cleaving Eagle Han Mo had brought was even bigger than the house-sized Vajra War Rhino—its entire body pitch black as ink, save for a patch of white feathers on its massive head.

Such a massive eagle crouched motionless behind Han Mo, its cold, piercing eyes sweeping across the crowd, sending a chill through heaven and earth.

Many disciples kept their distance, clearly intimidated by the Cloud-Cleaving Eagle.

“With ‘house’ in its name, I didn’t expect it to be literally bigger than a house! Such a colossal eagle must be even more powerful than the Vajra War Rhino, right?”

“Of course! Compared to this eagle, the Vajra War Rhino is like a chicken to an eagle—the difference in aura between these two giant beasts is obvious!”

“Exactly, the presence of this eagle is overwhelming. Even getting a bit closer, I can feel the pressure! I wonder if Young Master Chu will feel the same pressure when he rides it?”

“Do you know who Young Master Chu is? He managed to pry up the Vajra War Rhino and even scared it witless! This eagle may be imposing, but certainly not more so than Young Master Chu!”

“Well, I’m not so sure about that…”

A dozen paces away, the two generations of disciples muttered among themselves, observing the eagle’s might and feeling its powerful aura.

Mu Zhendong turned to Han Mo. “Brother Han, the Nine Mysteries Sect has a Cloud-Cleaving Eagle—I’ve seen it once myself. When did your esteemed academy acquire such a beast? I had no idea.”

Han Mo laughed. “You have a keen eye, Brother Mu! This is indeed the very same eagle from the Nine Mysteries Sect. Two days ago, when our Thunder Shadow Hall Master heard that Young Master Chu had agreed to go to the Wind and Thunder Cavern, he immediately borrowed the eagle from the Nine Mysteries Sect to spare Young Master Chu the hardship of travel and to save time. It is here solely to escort Young Master Chu to the academy.”

At this, the surrounding Mu family disciples showed obvious excitement and envy.

Even the elders were thrilled to see such a rare beast in person. The fact that the eagle had traveled so far for the sole purpose of fetching Chu Feng filled everyone with deep admiration.

“Uncle Han, this is too kind! Though my martial strength is not high, I could still manage a journey of several thousand miles! There are still one hundred and twenty days until my duel with the Fear Gate—two or three days on the road is nothing.”

Chu Feng smiled, recognizing the martial academy’s generous gesture. Whether their intentions were genuine or not, the proper courtesies had to be observed.

Han Mo smiled back. “It’s nothing! Oh, by the way, Young Master Chu, this Cloud-Cleaving Eagle is a top-tier savage beast. Though tamed by the Nine Mysteries Sect, it still retains a beast’s pride and will only carry those it deems strong. Before mounting, we must kneel and bow before it three times. Otherwise, it will feel disrespected and refuse to carry us.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Chu Feng frowned, his expression darkening.

Seeing his change of expression, Mu Zhendong interjected, “Nephew, Hall Master Han speaks the truth. A rare beast like this is a king among animals, with its own dignity and pride. It’s normal for warriors to bow before such a beast before asking it to serve.”

But Chu Feng shook his head. “Uncle Mu, Uncle Han, forgive my arrogance, but we are human warriors. We may kill or tame such beasts, but how can we, as warriors, kneel to mere animals? If kneeling is absolutely required, I’d rather spend an extra two or three days traveling on foot to the academy.”

“This… Young Master Chu, why be so stubborn? I myself bowed to the eagle before coming here—otherwise, it wouldn’t have carried me.”

Seeing Chu Feng’s resolve, Han Mo grew anxious.

“No need to say more, Uncle Han. You may go ahead on the eagle; I will arrive at the academy in three days’ time.”

With these words, Chu Feng made it clear he would absolutely not bow to the eagle.

As soon as he spoke, the eagle behind Han Mo moved its massive claw, scratching at the hard ground.

Scratch! Scratch! Scratch!

With three swipes, the eagle left three deep grooves in the stone beneath its feet.

“Hmm? Is this eagle trying to provoke me?”

Witnessing the eagle’s movements, Chu Feng’s anger rose.

Ever since consuming the python’s flesh and gall, Chu Feng’s own essence, spirit, and energy had taken on the qualities of the golden war python—a powerful fighting spirit, fearless even against stronger foes, especially beasts. The stronger the opponent, the more his fighting spirit surged.

Han Mo rubbed his hands together. “Young Master Chu, don’t be angry. If you wish to ride the eagle without bowing, you must prove to it that you are a true strongman!”

“Uncle Han, do you mean I should challenge the eagle as I did the Vajra War Rhino?”

Chu Feng’s muscles seemed ready to burst, his fighting spirit blazing.

“Exactly. To prove yourself to the eagle, you need not fight it with martial skills. The Cloud-Cleaving Eagle is famed for its strength among beasts—if you can best it in raw power, it will acknowledge your strength.”

Han Mo said this with clear unease. The eagle belonged to the Nine Mysteries Sect, making it a “distinguished beast,” while Chu Feng was a “distinguished guest” whom the Wind and Thunder Martial Academy desperately needed. He didn’t want to upset either.

“Very well! In that case, I’ll take the risk and pit my strength against the eagle. How do we compete?”

“Step onto the eagle’s back. If you can force its back to bend under your weight and make it cry out, it will know your strength and submit.”

Han Mo explained, though he himself wasn’t optimistic about Chu Feng’s chances.

He’d heard about Chu Feng scaring the Vajra War Rhino, but this eagle was on a different level—a top-tier savage beast, almost a mystical beast.

Many of the disciples around shared Han Mo’s doubts.

“I didn’t expect this—though the eagle’s aura is fierce, Young Master Chu’s is even fiercer! To dare challenge the eagle’s strength—I am truly in awe!”

“Yes, the eagle is renowned for its strength among beasts, and Young Master Chu’s power is ferocious among warriors! It’s hard to say who will win.”

“Exactly! It’s not that I doubt Young Master Chu, but the eagle’s strength is overwhelming. To be honest, I don’t think one person can defeat it by force alone.”

“We’ll just have to wait and see…”

As the disciples murmured, Chu Feng’s figure blurred, his Soul-Piercing Step technique flashing. With a shadowy afterimage, he landed squarely on the eagle’s back.