Chapter Sixty-Four: The Bounty

Amid the startled cries of the crowd, the two flying spirit beast carriages vanished from sight. Some lingered, reluctant to let the moment go, gazing at the tracks left in the sky. These carriages were renowned; it was said that finding the beasts to pull them had been no easy feat, stirring even the spirit beast clans. After secret negotiations with the Zi family, the beasts had finally been kept.

The street vendor, caught up in the excitement, regaled the nearby cultivators with tales, hoping to attract business. Both carriages soared southward toward the city’s most prosperous district, where an immense mansion stood. From above, its pavilions and waterscapes appeared exquisitely crafted, as if some master artisan had seamlessly fused the estate with the natural surroundings. No matter the vantage, it was breathtaking.

Inside, chaos reigned. Servants and maids hurried about, all rushing toward the grand courtyard in the rear garden. There, a crowd had gathered. At the center stood a middle-aged man, his expression wooden, eyes moist, hair disheveled, hands trembling, face drawn long with worry.

Beside him, a woman was supported by two maids. Tears glistened in her eyes, streaks ran down her cheeks, and she struggled to stand, sobbing, her voice hoarse.

Two small black dots appeared in the sky, growing rapidly. First descended a spirit beast with the head of an elephant and the body of a man, towering over ten meters tall, pulling a splendid carriage. Its pure white wings beat fiercely, and as it landed, a cloud of white mist billowed, forcing people to squint.

The middle-aged man, ignoring the mist, dashed forward in excitement, running toward the carriage just landed.

Suddenly, a piercing cry echoed in the sky. Vast wings blotted out the sun, plunging the entire garden into shadow. As it drew nearer, it became clear that this was a small purple bird—small in body, barely over a meter long, but its wings spanned more than twenty meters. With another sharp call, it landed, folding its wings so swiftly they vanished from sight, an astonishing sight that baffled all who witnessed it.

As the purple bird touched down, the doors of both spirit beast carriages opened. The two middle-aged men aboard exchanged nods and stepped out slowly, smiles on their faces.

The man who had rushed over threw himself at them, gripping their hands tightly, using all his strength.

“Big brother, what are you doing? What’s happened? Aren’t second and third brother here with you?” he said, glancing at the third brother.

“Yes, big brother, let go of us first. Tell us what’s going on, we’ll figure it out together,” the two replied, both turning to the woman.

Though weary, she was experienced in adversity and instantly understood their intent, calling out, “Zi Fancheng, let go of your brothers. Now that they’re here, we’ll find a way.”

Zi Fancheng slowly released his grip, gazing at Zi Fanshan and Zi Fansheng. Since the three brothers had carved out their own territories, such unity was rare.

“It’s Chenyu’s soul token—it’s shattered. We don’t know what’s happened to him. We can’t reach him, he’s not in the city, we’ve searched everywhere. But Zi Immortal City is sealed,” he said, his gaze growing darker.

Chenyu’s soul token was broken, but as long as he lived, they could find him. “Big brother, the urgent thing now is to compose yourself. You were once a legend across the continent—I believe you’ll find a way,” Zi Fanshan said, grasping Zi Fancheng’s hand.

“Second brother is right. Fancheng, to find Yu’er, you must lead us. We’ll mobilize the city’s resources and extend the search to the outskirts,” the woman said, her tone earnest. Her initial panic had clouded her husband’s mind, causing his distress.

Zi Fancheng straightened his attire and tied back his tousled hair. The long, drawn face became cold and resolute, and the dim eyes turned sharp and steely.

Sweeping his gaze over the crowd, he pronounced his instructions with measured words. “Everyone else, disperse. Second and third brother, to the hall.” Without waiting for a reply, he strode off, his robe sleeves flowing, spine straight.

“Second brother, that’s the big brother I remember,” Zi Fansheng said, following after.

The group marched forward to the grand hall. Inside, Zi Fancheng took the seat of honor, while Zi Fanshan and Zi Fansheng sat together. Maids hurried in to serve tea.

“In a moment, you’ll spread the word: Due to a traitor from the beast clan infiltrating Zi Immortal City, Zi Chenyu of the Zi Immortal Palace has likely been captured while on a mission. Anyone reporting information or clues will be handsomely rewarded.

“A Gathering Spirit Pill for information, with an extra reward for those who rescue Zi Chenyu—a promise from the Zi family. Anything within our power, we will see done.”

He gestured to several people, who rushed out to carry out his orders.

“Big brother’s wisdom shines. Once the city is mobilized, whoever is responsible will not escape the Zi family’s grasp. They’ll pay dearly,” someone said, teeth clenched.

Meanwhile, Dao Sansheng’s hand remained at Zi Chenyu’s throat. Over an hour had passed. When he saw the purple flower bloom in the sky, he knew Zi Chenyu had sent a signal, but he could not reveal it, lest Steward Liu notice.

Steward Liu, his spiritual power still depleted, could only hold his ground. He knew that once the Zi family arrived, he and the young master would be saved.

Inside Dao Sansheng’s gourd, a slumbering soul disc had just awakened, observing the standoff for over an hour and growing anxious at the scene.

“If only I could control the two of them,” Dao Sansheng muttered inwardly.

“Master, I can help you,” a gentle, sweet voice echoed in Dao Sansheng’s mind, intoxicating him with its dreamy charm.

“You can help me?”

“Master, our Greenborn clan is formed from the souls of dead plants. I told you—I can enhance your soul, make your spiritual sense stronger. You’ve seen it for yourself.”

Dao Sansheng scoffed inwardly. “So what if my spiritual sense is a bit stronger? Useless—more trouble than it’s worth. If you weren’t so pleasing to the eye, I might have abandoned you already.”

“That’s just one of our abilities. We also possess powerful soul techniques. We can control the souls of others—once we enter their consciousness, their fate is mine to command,” she said, her face proud.

“You can control those two as well?” Dao Sansheng pointed to Zi Chenyu and Steward Liu outside his body.

The soul disc nodded obediently, gazing at Dao Sansheng.

Suddenly, a girl of about sixteen appeared beside Dao Sansheng. Her skin was pale and flawless, dressed in a dark green dress that fell just above her knees, with beautiful wings on her back and large, sparkling eyes that darted around. On her feet were white shoes.

“Master, Soul Disc awaits your command,” she said in a voice so gentle and alluring it felt like a dream.

Zi Chenyu stared at the sudden appearance, his eyes wide. Hearing her mesmerizing voice, he nearly drooled, but the chill of the blade at his neck snapped him back to reality.

“Sir Dao, give me this girl and release me. I’ll give you whatever you want—the Zi family can help you accomplish anything you cannot achieve in the Windwalker Continent.”

The blade pressed deeper, though not enough to draw blood. Steward Liu cried out in alarm.

“If you kill him, you won’t survive either. The power of the Zi family—you haven’t seen it in the Windwalker Continent. Those who have are all dead. Unless you wish to be next,” Steward Liu said, gathering spiritual power.

“I’ll try and see if I dare,” Dao Sansheng infused the blade with spiritual energy, its edge gleaming cold.

“Don’t kill him!” Steward Liu’s face turned pale. If the young master died, his own fate was sealed. The lord would never spare him.

“Fine, as long as you both obey, I’ll spare you,” Dao Sansheng said, withdrawing the spiritual energy from the blade.

Steward Liu hesitated, but Zi Chenyu was impatient, shouting, “Promise him whatever he wants and I’ll reward you with a Gathering Spirit Pill when we return!”