Chapter 42: Cloudwing Bird

“You’re getting too cocky—this kid is sharp as a tack, not an easy mark. Don’t let your eyes be blinded by the prospect of success only to fail at the last moment because of this boy.”

Master Mo’s expression changed instantly, his face hardening like frost as he coldly rebuked:

“Yu Zitong, mind your own business. I don’t need your advice. If I succeed, you’ll get your share—but your cultivation method has flaws. Are you hoping I’ll have an accident?” The suspicion in Master Mo’s voice was unmistakable.

The voice seemed terrified of Master Mo; upon hearing his threat, it hurriedly explained:

“How could there be errors? Haven’t you already tested it on animals? One of them died only because you weren’t proficient yet—but that one’s death shouldn’t interfere with your plan.”

“Hmph! Better be so. Too bad I can’t practice more—if I could, I’d have greater confidence.” After hearing the voice and recalling his previous trials, Master Mo’s last trace of doubt vanished.

After saying this, the voice, having learned its lesson, fell silent. Only Master Mo remained, muttering to himself in a nervous, erratic tone, filling the room with an eerie atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Han Li was hidden in an obscure ravine, even more secluded and hidden than the place where he met Li Feiyu.

The terrain here was long and narrow, squeezed between two steep peaks into a straight “ Yi ” shape. Both ends of the ravine were completely blocked by thick shrubbery, impassable. The only exit was a rope secretly lowered from the top of the shorter peak.

Thick patches of thorny bushes covered most of the ground, leaving only a small clearing where Han Li could stand. Above, countless unnamed vines wove together into a natural green canopy, shielding him from any accidental passersby above.

Han Li placed his belongings beneath a massive boulder, then returned to the center of the clearing, closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, opened them again, and revealed a resolute expression as he softly said: “I’ll start with the hardest skill—the Soft Bones Technique.”

Thus began Han Li’s solitary cultivation journey.

He did not know that not far away, a small yellow bird perched on a branch, watching him day and night. Only because he showed no sign of fleeing did it refrain from returning to report to its master.

Time flew swiftly; half of the four months had passed in the blink of an eye.

Now, the ravine appeared utterly empty—Han Li had vanished. Only the small yellow bird remained, calmly perched in place, slowly preening its feathers, as if utterly indifferent to the disappearance of its surveillance target, as though it had already forgotten its mission.

Suddenly, another small gray bird flew through the green vines above and descended into the ravine. After circling a few times, it landed on a yellow wooden stake at the edge of the clearing, seemingly intending to rest before flying off again.

The yellow bird tilted its head, gazing down at the newcomer with a haughty look, then displayed a human-like sneer, clearly dismissing the gray bird.

The newcomer stood on one leg, scanning the surroundings, and finally spotted its kindred. It flapped its wings as if preparing to fly over.

Suddenly—an unexpected event! A withered yellow hand descended from above and seized the startled gray bird.

The bird panicked, struggling desperately—but it could not break free from the hand’s control.

Only then did the bird realize that the wooden stake beneath its feet had transformed into a young boy in yellow robes. The boy had dark skin, an ordinary face, thick eyebrows and large eyes; apart from his clear gaze, he had no other striking features.

The boy smiled, watching the bird struggle. When it was nearly exhausted, he loosened his grip and said gently:

“Go. Don’t be so foolish next time—check your landing spot before you settle down.”

The bird instantly gained freedom. Ignoring its fellow, it flapped its wings frantically and flew out of the ravine without looking back.

After watching the bird vanish into the sky, the boy stood still for a long while, then slowly murmured to himself:

“My Concealment Technique and Disguise Art have reached a certain level. Next, I should practice the secret assassination techniques in the chamber.”

Saying this, Han Li moved toward a newly built wooden hut nearby. As he passed beneath the tree where the yellow bird perched, he glanced up.

Han Li had noticed this strange bird over half a month ago. It had remained on nearby branches, constantly watching him, seemingly highly intelligent.

The moment he first saw it, he was captivated by its intelligence and grew fond of the little yellow bird.

He tried to lure it away—using bait, charm, traps—but none worked. The bird never fell for any trick, and often looked at him with a mocking, “you’re an idiot” expression, leaving Han Li both amused and exasperated.

Later, in frustration, he tried to grab it by force—but before he could get close, it instantly took flight. When he left, it immediately returned to its perch. Han Li could only stand there, helplessly staring.

Thinking of this, Han Li turned away with a faint frown, ignoring it. Yet deep down, he had already suspected: this bird’s origin was likely tied to Master Mo—probably his spy.

But Han Li didn’t care. As long as Master Mo himself didn’t come, what could a bird reveal? Besides, he truly liked this intelligent little creature and couldn’t bring himself to use cruel methods against it.

Meanwhile, Master Mo was in a stone chamber, drawing a strange array with powdered animal bones. As he traced the lines, he conversed with the voice in his mind, completely unaware that Han Li had already uncovered his surveillance method.

web