Chapter 178: The Falcon Elchris and the Three-Day Pact
In a wide open expanse, a massive river surged endlessly toward the horizon. Vegetation sprawled for miles, thick and lush, but scars of forgotten wars marred the landscape. Broken battlefields, skeletal remains of soldiers, and crumbled villages were half-buried beneath soil and moss, silent witnesses to carnage that had long passed.
Yet this land was far from dead. It teemed with life—though of a terrifying sort. Strange creatures prowled across the land, darted through the skies, and swam in the rushing river. Each was unnaturally strong. Even the weakest beast carried the aura of Silver tier 4, a level of danger far beyond what most regions could bear. The deeper one traveled into this wilderness, the more overwhelming the creatures became. Here, Golden-tier entities roamed freely, unchallenged monarchs of their respective domains.
One such creature soared overhead—a colossal falcon. Its body gleamed as though clad in overlapping red-and-brown metallic plates. Its hooked orange beak split to reveal carnivorous fangs, and its talons burned purple and orange like molten steel. A long feathered tail, reminiscent of a peacock's fan, shimmered with hues of red, brown, purple, and orange, each plume tipped with razor-sharp edges.
The falcon shrieked—a piercing cry that echoed like steel tearing—and streaked forward across the river, its body blurring into a rocket of motion.
Snap!
The waters below exploded as a gigantic turtle's head surged from the depths, jaws yawning wide. Its serrated maw closed on empty air, barely missing the falcon's tail. The sheer force of its bite produced a crackling sound like shattered mountains.
Balanced upon the falcon's back were Elton, Christy, Shayleaf, Tongsheng, and Shayleaf's three familiars. Each clung to their perch with wary eyes, unsettled despite the falcon's mastery of the skies.
"This place is truly terrifying…" Christy muttered as her gaze lingered on the turtle-beast before it sank back into the depths. Her Kokon Tengan glimmered faintly, gauging threats from every direction.
"Yeah, it certainly is," Elton agreed, eyes scanning the terrain. "The density of natural essence here is higher than anywhere I've been, outside of man-made sect formations. Every beast here is cultivating in an environment designed to make monsters."
"I agree." Shayleaf wrung her hands before peeking at Christy. "But, um, Sister Chris… are you sure you still can't see the exit?"
Christy exhaled softly and shook her head. "Like I've said, we're heading in the right direction. The Kokon Tengan is showing me currents in the essence flow, like paths. It doesn't reveal where the exit is outright. Just trust me."
Shayleaf pouted, then relented with a wink. "Fine. I'll trust you."
The falcon rumbled in its throat, lowering its cry to a deep resonance as if speaking.
"Haha, yes yes, Elchris. I hear you," Christy laughed warmly, striding forward and stroking the beast's metallic-feathered neck. "Of course I'll take you with me when we leave."
"I wish I had such a majestic essence beast…" Shayleaf sighed wistfully, chin resting in her palm.
Tongsheng's blank eyes drifted toward her. "Milady Shayleaf, do you not already have Prawna?"
"That doesn't count!" Shayleaf groaned, tossing her hands up. "She's not fast enough yet, and besides, she's… different." Her words trailed into a grumble as she glanced back at Prawna.
The voluptuous reborn familiar stood tall with her usual faint smile, though her golden-green eyes smoldered with something far more primal.
Christy chuckled, amused. "Well, maybe we can find you another beast in here. Though, taming Elchris worked only because of my Kokon Tengan's mark. Don't expect it to be as easy."
The banter continued as Elchris carried them deeper through the perilous skies. Though it seemed peaceful, it was only thanks to the falcon's speed—and Elton's group's constant vigilance—that they avoided disaster. Normally, a Gold tier 3 beast like Elchris would have had to flee often from other Gold tier predators, especially packs. But with Elton's presence, and Christy's Kokon Tengan binding, Elchris dared to fly boldly.
By evening, the falcon descended to a riverside clearing. After Elton and the others cleared out lingering threats, Tongsheng hunted down stragglers and returned with carcasses of essence beasts. Elchris consumed two whole, while the rest of the group divided the spoils.
Christy's eyes flared as she studied the currents of essence again. "I think we'll reach our destination within two days."
"That's good news," Elton replied, rubbing his chin. "Until then, we stick to routine. But everyone—stay cautious."
Tongsheng inclined her head. "Agreed."
Shayleaf tilted her head coyly. "Brother Elly… three days have passed. So now it's my turn."
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
Cromlan and Corvin froze, stiff as statues, both flushed with unwilling envy. Prawna's pupils dilated as a predatory hunger gleamed in her eyes. Tongsheng's expression remained neutral, though faint desire lingered beneath her calm mask. Christy, however, blanched and flushed in turns, goosebumps prickling her brown skin.
"S-Shay, can't you be more subtle…" Elton groaned, scratching his cheek, though his own face reddened.
"Hehe, oh, I'll try harder next time." Shayleaf winked mischievously, then waved her hand. Six trees erupted from the soil, intertwining to form a makeshift wooden structure. A small opening yawned in its trunk like a doorway.
"Come, Brother Elly!" she chimed, dragging him by the arm into the hollow. With a gesture, the entry sealed shut, a barrier shimmering around the leafy shelter. The entire thing vanished under layers of vines, branches, and soundproofing magic.
Inside, the night filled with the rhythm of synchronized cultivation. Outside, Christy sat in silence, her Kokon Tengan faintly glowing until she forced it shut with a weary sigh.
Weeks ago, the three had agreed: every three days, one woman would take her turn cultivating with Elton. It was a system meant to keep balance—and to prevent intimacy from tipping over a dangerous line. Twice now, Tongsheng had been allowed on one of the days in between that rotation, and since then her eyes had betrayed longings she no longer hid.
Christy's gaze drifted toward Prawna, who stared at the makeshift wooden structure like an ovulating beast in heat. Her jaw tightened. "Not her," she muttered under her breath. "Not ever."
But soon her thoughts darkened further. In the patterns of energy during synchronized cultivation, she had glimpsed something Elton himself had not noticed.
Gege is showing signs of awakening an eighth meridian… and it only manifested after Tongsheng's turn. Why?
She shook her head and turned her eyes to the stars. For now, she would wait.
At dawn, Elchris spread its metallic wings once more, carrying them back into the perilous skies, toward a destination yet unseen.