Chapter 0354: The Vermilion Beauty Fruit Tree
Ever since obtaining the Four Symbols Celestial Arrow Canon, Yi Tianxing had yearned to cultivate this peerless archery art. Unfortunately, its threshold was too high. To train in it, the most basic requirement was to condense Arrow Intent. Only by doing so could one visualize the Four Divine Beasts and manifest their Four Symbols Arrow Intents, unleashing the true power of this celestial archery. It wasn't merely an archery technique—it was the Dao of the Arrow. A pure path of Arrow Intent.
Condensed Arrow Intent carried terrifying destructive power—immensely powerful and awe-inspiring.
But now was clearly not the time to cultivate this supreme archery technique.
"Let's see whether this golden scarecrow can really resist even Arrow Intent."
Yi Tianxing's gaze fixed on the golden scarecrow, inwardly wary.
Without hesitation, he drew the Falling Star Bow. A Bone Battle Arrow appeared on the string. This arrow was not an Armor-Piercing Arrow but a Gale Arrow—the fastest among all types of battle arrows.
What he needed now was pure speed.
He drew the bow and nocked the arrow!
The arrowhead pointed straight at the golden scarecrow.The Arrow Intent surged within the arrow, forming an invisible force that instantly enveloped the scarecrow—seemingly locking onto it completely.
But this was merely an illusion.
Whoosh!!
The arrow tore through the air.
Green divine light flickered around it, like a spring breeze twining around its shaft. The speed was extreme—faster than a blink. In an instant, the arrow was already upon its target, aimed straight at the heart.
Bang!!
The golden scarecrow's eyes flashed with light. The bronze bamboo staff in its hand struck with lightning speed, faster than the arrow itself. The staff glowed brilliantly upon impact.
A strange Dao rhythm pulsed through the bamboo staff.
As it covered the battle arrow, the entire shaft began to visibly disintegrate, inch by inch, like snow melting under the summer sun. It completely dissolved—vanishing into nothingness. Even the Arrow Intent within was utterly obliterated.
A single arrow, imbued with terrifying power and Arrow Intent, had vanished completely under the staff's strike.
The sight was indescribably shocking.
"That's a Divine Ability. The golden scarecrow has developed a Divine Ability. What kind is this? It can even destroy Arrow Intent in an instant!"
Yi Tianxing's heart trembled.
Pure physical strength couldn't destroy Arrow Intent unless it had reached a superhuman level. Though the scarecrow was powerful, it couldn't possibly be that powerful. Once martial intent was formed, it had near-indestructible qualities.
Yet it had been shattered by a single strike.
He could see the rhythm of a Divine Ability on the bamboo staff—not just brute strength. It wasn't a physical divine ability, but rather a Life Aperture Divine Ability born within the scarecrow.
Whoosh!!
Without pause, Yi Tianxing once again drew his Falling Star Bow and fired. This time, it was an Armor-Piercing Arrow, not only sharper but also more durable and powerful—razor-sharp.
Clang!!
Yet the same scene repeated. The golden scarecrow unhesitatingly struck with its staff. The golden light on the arrow dissipated, and the Arrow Intent began to crumble. Even the arrow itself disintegrated inch by inch.
"As expected. A scarecrow at the White Cauldron Realm even possesses a mysterious Divine Ability capable of obliterating all attacks," Yi Tianxing thought grimly.
With two probing strikes, he now understood: the golden scarecrow was equipped with a powerful Divine Ability—strong enough to crush even Arrow Intent. This was far beyond ordinary toughness.
"Let's go. We're leaving this place."
He took a deep breath and gave Goldwing Roc a command before soaring away from the valley.
Goldwing Roc didn't resist. It also sensed how dangerous the scarecrow was.
With a flap of its wings, it soared into the skies.
As the golden scarecrow watched them leave, its golden pupils dimmed and retracted. It turned back and resumed directing the other scarecrows to patrol the rice fields.
It then pulled out a bundle of straw.
Several scarecrows gathered together, quickly weaving new straw men. However, the freshly woven scarecrows were lifeless—clearly just ordinary constructs, lacking spirit or strength. Still, the scarecrows worked tirelessly, never stopping.
On a mountaintop.
Goldwing Roc landed with Yi Tianxing atop a high peak. Without delay, Yi Tianxing summoned a treasure tower. With a flash of light, a massive figure appeared before them.
It was none other than the Wind God Winged Dragon King.
The wounds on its body had largely healed. As a Tier-2 ferocious beast, it possessed vast life force and vitality, allowing its body to recover quickly. While not at full strength, it was still a powerful force.
The Wind God Winged Dragon King looked at Goldwing Roc, then at Yi Tianxing.
When its gaze landed on Yi Tianxing, there was still a deep chill in its eyes—clear hostility.
"Wind God Winged Dragon King, as a Tier-2 beast, your intelligence should allow you to understand my words. I don't know what happened before, but you once saved Goldwing Roc. Goldwing Roc is my war beast, so I came and saved you in turn. A life for a life—no debts owed.If you still plan to treat me as an enemy… then don't expect mercy from me."
Yi Tianxing stared directly at the dragon king and spoke decisively.
That was his nature—he repaid kindness with kindness and enmity with enmity. If debts were cleared, the choice of friend or foe lay with the other party.
If it chose to be his enemy, then he would show no mercy.
An enemy must die.
The Wind God Winged Dragon King's eyes flickered between savagery and hesitation. It looked at Goldwing Roc, then at Yi Tianxing again.
Suddenly, it let out a loud cry and soared into the air, flying off into the distance.
Clearly, it had chosen to leave.
Howl!!
Goldwing Roc instantly became agitated, letting out a cry and chasing after the Wind God Winged Dragon King.
"Is… the Wind God Winged Dragon King a female? Goldwing Roc's going into heat?"
Yi Tianxing watched Goldwing Roc's desperate pursuit, dark lines forming on his forehead.
Was this mating season or something?
The Green Emperor had gone into heat and pounced on a flower maiden. Now Goldwing Roc seemed to be doing the same, hot in pursuit of the dragon king. If that were the case, something very interesting might happen.
As Goldwing Roc chased after the Wind God Winged Dragon King into the sky, the latter turned its head haughtily and flapped its wings. Goldwing Roc got slapped away but refused to give up, persistently pursuing it again.
They flew off, farther and farther—so far that Yi Tianxing was now completely ignored.
"Lust over loyalty. Ungrateful beast."
Yi Tianxing cursed with a laugh.
Since Goldwing Roc clearly wasn't coming back anytime soon, he didn't bother waiting. Surveying the terrain, he began descending the mountain.
But he didn't climb—he jumped.
Even from dozens of meters high, he landed without injury. The mountain's height meant nothing—within moments, he had reached halfway down.
Just as he was about to continue his descent, a red glow caught his eye.
Without thinking, he quickly moved toward the glowing spot.
As he approached, he saw—growing near a cliff edge—a small tree.
It was only two people tall, but gnarled and vigorous.
Its roots were embedded deep in the cliffside. Its leaves were like pine needles, glowing with a greenish hue. Hanging on its branches were red fruits—about the size of a baby's fist—glowing with a vibrant red light, radiating vitality.
"It's the Vermilion Beauty Fruit, a Profound-grade spirit herb!"
Yi Tianxing's eyes lit up in amazement.
A message appeared in his mind from the Wordless Heavenly Tome:
Vermilion Beauty Fruit: These trees grow only on cliffs, absorbing the essence of sun and moon. They bloom every 300 years, bear fruit after another 300, and ripen after 300 more—up to a thousand years in age. Their effects include enhancing beauty, maintaining youth, restoring youthful appearance, and healing scars. They can be used to craft Beauty Pills and Youth-Immortal Pills.Grade: Profound-grade Supreme
Just the ability to refine Beauty Pills, a sacred elixir of appearance enhancement, made this fruit's value multiply far beyond its grade—dozens or even hundreds of times more. No woman could possibly remain indifferent to her looks.
To preserve beauty and youth? That alone could drive countless female cultivators mad with desire, willing to pay any price.
"What a treasure! If I can get it, I could refine Beauty Pills in the future—and that would drive countless female cultivators crazy!"
Looking at the tree, Yi Tianxing's heart burned with desire.
Who wouldn't want such a treasure?
"My Life Aperture in my dantian is thirsting. This kind of spirit herb belongs in there—it's the best place for it."
A decision formed in his mind.
He began approaching the fruit tree.
But just as he got closer, his pupils contracted sharply—for he suddenly saw strange lights flickering around the tree...