Chapter 129: The Golden-Feathered Monster Bird of Red Flame Mountain

Bai Mu had never expected Bi Fang to oppose him at such a critical moment, and he was so furious it felt as if his lungs might explode. Yet upon reflection, soaring through the air alone with his cultivation was manageable, but to engage in combat against several massive hawks mid-flight was surely courting death.

Knowing that this matter had to rely on Bi Fang, Bai Mu changed his expression and, climbing onto Bi Fang’s back, spoke in a negotiating tone: “Bi Fang, if you help me save this little bird, how about I give you half of the fire lotus I gather?”

“Not a chance!” Bi Fang’s refusal was resolute, showing no interest in wealth.

“Such stubbornness!” Bai Mu muttered in dissatisfaction, anxiously scanning the clouds ahead.

The golden bird, pursued by seven hawks, was in grave danger. Watching the fragile creature dodge between those enormous beasts, Bai Mu couldn’t help but smile bitterly, seeing a reflection of his own predicament.

“The little bird is pitiful, but haven’t I suffered just as much?”

With a helpless sigh, sorrow quickly clouded Bai Mu’s face.

“What’s there to sigh about?”

“Watching the tiger fight on the mountain is more entertaining!” Bi Fang remained aloof, neither leaving nor offering help.

This time Bai Mu ignored Bi Fang’s arrogance and murmured to himself, “I sigh because I see my own situation mirrored in this little bird.”

“In this harsh realm teeming with mighty beings, I’ve made countless enemies since I began my journey.”

“Not long ago, the Gui Xu Sanctuary wrongfully accused me of harming one of their disciples, the Xuanyuan Sect claims I killed their chief sword immortal, and the Gray Crane Patriarch of the demon clan not only assassinates me in secret but also seized the precious spirit beast map my master gave me.”

“On top of that, I recently fought a disciple of the Evil King. Now, in this barbaric realm, the only faction I haven’t offended is the demon tribe; gods, demons, mortals alike have no place for me.”

“Given all this, how could I not sigh?”

“Why so full of complaints?” Bi Fang retorted dismissively, then softened his tone. “Seeing your precarious situation, I’ll help you this once. But I must warn you, this seemingly weak golden bird is unlike you—it’s not as fragile as you think!”

“What? Fragile?” Bai Mu was puzzled.

Though weak compared to other mighty beings in this savage realm, Bai Mu had accomplished many heroic feats: storming the world’s foremost sect, battling the ancient giant demon Gray Crane Patriarch, learning the Water Virtue Art from the Great Saint Fan, and recently resisting the evil clan to save the entire Fuxi Village.

His achievements might not shake the heavens, but compared to the pitiful little golden bird, his situation was hardly comparable.

Still grumbling, Bai Mu was grateful that Bi Fang would assist.

By the time they finished discussing, the golden bird was caught by a hawk amid piercing cries, blood trickling from its beak, eyes filled with despair and helplessness, moments from death.

Bi Fang charged into the hawk flock with Bai Mu on his back, unleashing a blast of fierce fire aimed at the hawk holding the golden bird.

The searing heat dissipated the surrounding clouds, tinting the sky in a magnificent blend of crimson and dusk.

The hawks, initially dismissive of the fiery one-legged bird, panic-screamed and scattered when engulfed in flames.

The hawk holding the golden bird was trapped, burned into a roasting carcass.

Surprisingly, the golden bird emerged unscathed by the fire. Though scorched alongside the hawk, it appeared untouched, its golden glow intensifying after the flames, dazzling Bai Mu’s eyes.

However, with the hawk incinerated midair, the injured golden bird inevitably began to plummet toward the ground.

“Bi Fang, hurry and save it!” Bai Mu urged anxiously, his heart nearly choking at the sight of the bird falling rapidly.

Bi Fang remained calm and composed. Despite the swift descent, he beat his wings and swiftly dove, reaching the golden bird’s side in an instant.

Seeing this, Bai Mu hastily reached out, clasping the bird to his chest as they descended together into the forest at the mountain’s base.

After landing, Bai Mu leapt down from Bi Fang’s back and examined the bird’s injuries beneath an ancient tree.

Yet after careful inspection, there was not a single wound; even the blood from the earlier hawk’s grasp had vanished—a true marvel.

Noticing Bai Mu’s doubt, Bi Fang kindly explained, “Don’t worry about the little one. After absorbing some of my fire spirit energy in the air, it has fully recovered.”

“It can absorb your fire spirit power? Could it be a fire-type spirit beast?” Bai Mu asked incredulously.

“Unknown,” Bi Fang replied arrogantly, then turned and walked away.

“Chirp chirp chirp...” The bird made a joyful sound from Bai Mu’s hand.

He quickly opened his palm, and to his surprise, the bird had awakened.

Carefully, he let the bird stand on his palm. Perhaps sensing Bai Mu’s rescue, the bird did not flee like other startled creatures but met his gaze with two tiny eyes like yellow beans, deep and unfathomable as the ocean.

It fluttered its golden wings occasionally, its black-and-white pupils profound and inscrutable, while its soft yellow beak stirred a tender affection within Bai Mu.

He stared at the bird, growing fond of it, and instinctively reached out to stroke its golden feathers.

But before his hand could touch the plumage, the bird flapped its wings and swiftly darted away.