Infinite Professions-Chapter 75 - 5: Intimidation

A few days later, Wind Thunder Mountain.

It was deep into the night, and the wilderness lay silent.

Suddenly, a fierce wind howled down from the sky.

A brilliant shadow surged forth, like a flying fire meteor cutting through the night sky, breaking open the darkness and illuminating the entire Wind Thunder Mountain Range.

Within the light and shadow, a faint outline was visible—it was a gigantic Vermilion Bird, wrapped in blazing flames and radiant light. Each feather contained destructive power, the might of a Tier Six Monarch descending from above. Though not as terrifying as an Emperor, it brought great changes to the wilderness below.

Countless spirit beasts awoke from their slumber, trembling under the majesty of the Tier Six Monarch. Those of slightly lower tier were struck dead by fear outright, while some fire-attribute spirit beasts adopted a worshipful stance, as if witnessing their deities.

Tier Six Monarch species - Immortal Vermilion Bird!

Though it hadn’t advanced to an Emperor Species like the Undying Fire Phoenix, Tier Six remained Tier Six, the pinnacle of the Spirit Control Continent, above all living beings, subdued only by Emperor-level Spirit Masters.

Upon this Immortal Vermilion Bird was a towering figure. Enveloped in flames and radiant light, their features were obscured, yet they exuded the dignity of an emperor.

Emperor-level Spirit Master!

Tier Six Phoenix!

Such an entity arriving at Wind Thunder, spreading their fiery light over the mountains, seemed destined to bring calamitous flames of destruction.

Countless spirit beasts awoke, powerless to flee, left with only their fate to await judgment.

And at this moment...

"Caw!"

A clear cry pierced the air, wind and lightning flickering in response. It was the master of the Wind Thunder Mountain peak—Wind Thunder Sky Eagle King.

Wind Thunder Eagle King flew swiftly forward, arriving before the Immortal Vermilion Bird, and slightly lowered his head as a sign of respect.

Yet the person atop the Vermilion Bird, brusquely questioned without courtesy: "Where is Li Taiyi?"

Only then did Wind Thunder Eagle King lift his head, replying calmly: "Gone!"

"What!?"

The person’s gaze sharpened, flames stirring around them. "Gone?"

Wind Thunder Eagle King’s frame sank, strained under the pressure of the Tier Six Monarch, yet he maintained composure in his reply: "Indeed!"

The Vermilion Bird’s master cast a keen look, "Gone where?"

Wind Thunder Eagle King’s expression remained unchanged: "Traveling across the continent."

"Traveling across the continent?"

"Hahaha!"

The Vermilion Bird’s master murmured, then burst into laughter: "This time he’s learned wisdom, but for one to leave, does the entire group think they can escape as well?"

And with that, they drew back to Wind Thunder Eagle King, revealing murderous intent: "Your Wind Thunder Eagle tribe has surely pledged allegiance to him, otherwise you wouldn’t have stepped forward."

"Correct!"

Wind Thunder Eagle King nodded, indifferent to the murderous intent within the words: "Before leaving, he left a message for me to relay to you."

"What!?"

The master of the Vermilion Bird’s eyes narrowed: "What message?"

"Tit for tat, eye for eye!"

Wind Thunder Eagle King uttered calmly.

"What!?"

The Vermilion Bird’s master’s gaze condensed, revealing boundless killing intent: "Are you threatening me?"

"No!"

Wind Thunder Eagle King shook his head, speaking calmly: "He’s the one threatening you. If today you dare kill one at Wind Thunder Mountain Range, tomorrow he’ll ensure the royal family of your Fire Country is annihilated, with no soul spared!"

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, the master of the Vermilion Bird burst into laughter: "Then I’ll have to see if he has the strength."

And with that, the Immortal Vermilion Bird beneath them emitted blazing fire, shooting directly at the Wind Thunder Eagle King in front.

"Boom!!!"

A deafening crash echoed, the firelight scattered, revealing Wind Thunder Eagle King’s form unharmed.

Yet this was not the restraint of the Immortal Vermilion Bird, but because someone had shielded Wind Thunder Eagle King.

This was an elder, a white-robed elder enshrouded in Holy Light.

Around him, no spirit beast was visible, only a divine glow emanating. The light from the Immortal Vermilion Bird’s flames fell upon him, transforming into nothingness, causing no harm.

In response, the Vermilion Bird’s master expressed no surprise, only a cold voice emerging from the flame and light: "How long does Holy City intend to protect him?"

"He is the Celestial Destiny Spirit Master, the Savior of the Spirit Control Continent. Holy City ought to maintain his position eternally."

The elder’s expression remained unchanged: "Not interfering in your grudges is already the biggest concession. Under no circumstances should you be allowed to rampantly kill and slaughter innocent spirit beasts and people?"

"Innocent?"

The Vermilion Bird’s master laughed coldly: "If aligned with him, there’s nothing so innocent to speak of. These people and spirit beasts, providing him nourishment, aiding his growth, and strength— Holy City wants to intervene if I eradicate my enemies?"

"Flame Emperor!"

The elder sighed, revealing the vermilion bird’s master’s identity: "I know Li Taiyi killed your offspring and even forced you to bow publicly, but that’s all in the past. Do you really wish an unending feud, rather than considering the bigger picture?"

The Flame Emperor heard this and roared in fury, "The bigger picture—what bigger picture? Waiting for him to grow and wield a sword against Fire Country, slaughtering me and my clan—this is Holy City’s bigger picture? Nangong Tianming, do not forget—he has a blood feud with you as well. Do you think that by protecting him now, he’ll spare you later, spare the Nangong clan?"

"My directionless guidance spawned an unworthy descendant, meeting such an end is what’s deserved!"

Nangong Tianming remained unfazed: "Flame Emperor, you are the Sovereign of Fire Country, you must consider your nation and people. Today you massacre Wind Thunder Mountain Range, tomorrow he’ll massacre your Fire Kingdom. Such killing and hatred will only lead to mutual ruin, no benefit for any side."

"Which is why you shouldn’t side with him!"

The Flame Emperor roared: "We should unite hands to eradicate this threat; eliminate this latent danger while it’s still in its cradle. Only in this way can we maintain the peace and stability of the Spirit Control Continent, that is truly considering the bigger picture."

"You’re too extreme!"

Nangong Tianming shook his head: "Though his past actions were somewhat excessive, after so many occurrences, he has changed. His sparing of Dongfang Bai is proof, I believe we can sit down and talk, avoid conflict."

"It’s his ploy—a facade to delude you!"

The Flame Emperor was further enraged: "He spares Dongfang Bai as a charade to make you believe he’s changed, that everything can be negotiated, reconciled. But ultimately it’s a delay tactic, once grown, he’ll have reckoning for all of us. Do you understand, or are you deceiving yourselves?"

"You’re too extreme!"

Nangong Tianming stayed calm: "Li Taiyi of the past was not such, and Li Taiyi today is even less so..."

"He is no longer the Li Taiyi of old!"

Before he could finish, the Flame Emperor interrupted, roaring in rage: "Do you think he remains that pawn you could manipulate back then? Where did he acquire such power? Now he can defeat Dongfang Bai with celestial spirit beast and once he’s grown to full Emperor’s power, do you think you can control him, reconcile, forgive the past in stroke?"

"..."

Nangong Tianming fell silent, after a long pause he spoke chilled: "Regardless, I cannot allow you to slaughter innocent spirit beasts and people. It is Holy City’s rule, an iron law all spirit masters must follow, you may hunt him down—that’s your personal grudge, Holy City will not intervene."

"Alright, alright, alright!"

At this, the Flame Emperor comprehended his meaning, and burst into laughter: "I shall pursue him, while you sit back and enjoy the fruits, alright, alright—hope you’ll not regret it then!"

And with that, regardless of Nangong Tianming’s react, he transformed into firelight alongside the Immortal Vermilion Bird, shooting away.

"..."

Nangong Tianming lapsed into silence, then turned his gaze upon Wind Thunder Eagle King: "If possible, tell Taiyi that Holy City back then was also beyond its control, hopefully he can understand, Holy City’s doors will always be open for him."

Wind Thunder Eagle King nodded: "I will definitely pass on the message!"

"Very well!"

At this, Nangong Tianming spoke no further, transforming into Holy Light and fading away, returning the Wind Thunder Mountain Range under imperial pressure back to tranquility.