C37 Zou Lieh Shot the Cloud Pigeon

Deep in the forest, heading in the opposite direction from Jiaang Lin and his companions, a scene unfolded.

"Young Master, I've heard that you've taken an elder from the Green Mountain Sect as your master. Your potential for future accomplishments is boundless. This is truly a cause for celebration. Our South Mountain Village will now be under the protection of the Green Mountain Sect. You are indeed a great benefactor to our village!"

Next to a strikingly handsome young man with a tall, erect posture, a stooped old man lavished praise upon him. The old man's demeanor was obsequious, his attitude subservient, and his words brimmed with flattery for the young man.

Despite the transparent nature of the old man's flattery, the young man basked in it, a hint of arrogance creeping onto his face.

"Naturally. When the Young Master was chosen by the Green Mountain Sect, his exceptional talent drew the gaze of many elders. Your achievements today are solely the result of your remarkable innate abilities!"

Beside the young man stood a muscular man of similar age to Tie Ta, who unabashedly showered the young man with compliments, further inflating his sense of pride.

"You speak the truth!" The young man flicked open his folding fan with a flourish. The fan spread wide, complementing his handsome features and adding an air of suaveness to his appearance.

"Once disciples of the Green Mountain Sect ascend the mountain, they are not permitted to descend at will. It was only because my master valued my talent that I was allowed to accompany the resource collection team down to the village for a two-day visit. Otherwise, who knows when I would have been able to return?"

The young man feigned disappointment, but his expression was all about flaunting the special attention he had received from the sect and his esteemed master.

The hunched old man and the robust man at his side continued to heap praise upon the young man, careful not to show any disrespect.

"This return coincides with our village's hunting day. I'll give you a demonstration of a martial cultivator's skills!" the young man declared with a proud smile.

"That would be most splendid!" both the old man and the robust man responded, bowing deeply.

At that moment, a disturbance arose ahead of them. A massive pigeon emerged from the woods, sending the group of dozens into a frenzy.

"Look, it's a Cloud Pigeon!"

"The meat of a Cloud Pigeon is succulent, but its elusive nature makes it a rare catch. With Young Master Zou Lieh here today, we're in for a treat!"

"We are indeed fortunate!"

...

"This Cloud Pigeon has practically delivered itself to our doorstep; how could I possibly let it slip away?" Zou Lieh gazed at the Cloud Pigeon soaring above, and with a flick of his fan, a burst of astral energy erupted forth. The energy morphed into a series of sharp spikes. The piercing force was so intense that those nearby felt as though their hearts could be skewered by the astral energy!

"Is this the fearsome power of an Immortal Master?"

The residents of South Mountain Village watched in awe as Zou Lieh's fan trembled in their chests with fear.

Zou Lieh could already picture the terror etched on their faces, a smug satisfaction spreading across his own.

The next moment, he brandished his fan, and the razor-sharp astral energy sliced through the air, screaming like a banshee as it targeted the Cloud Pigeon!

"Today, we'll light a fire right here in the woods, and you'll all join me in savoring the rich flavors of Cloud Pigeon meat!"

Zou Lieh's lips twitched upward, confident that his move would ensure the Cloud Pigeon's heart would be pierced, turning it into their feast.

But in the very next instant, Zou Lieh's eyes narrowed sharply!

The Cloud Pigeon's flight path shifted abruptly, as if it had suddenly become powerless, plummeting softly towards the ground. His astral energy had merely grazed the wings of the Cloud Pigeon, missing its vital organs!

Zou Lieh's face darkened with displeasure.

"Look! The young master has brought down the Cloud Pigeon!"

Everyone immediately hurried to where the Cloud Pigeon had fallen.

"What in the world happened?" Zou Lieh's brow furrowed in confusion.