I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

"..."

Chu Feng looked at Elder Shi, expression filled with exasperation. "Elder Shi, do you even hear yourself? What else are mounts for if not to ride?"

Elder Shi smiled warmly. "I thought perhaps Chief Chu had a sudden whim, wanting to guide a spirit beast in cultivation as a way to challenge your limits."

"You think I'm that bored?"

Chu Feng took a sip of wine as he spoke. These guys never cultivate properly—always coming up with nonsense.

"Hehe."

Elder Shi chuckled. "Just teasing. Chief Chu, do you have any specific requirements for your mount?"

Chu Feng thought for a moment. "Handsome. Fast. Doesn't matter how strong it is, as long as it looks good."

Elder Shi nodded and called over a nearby disciple. "Bring the Beast Registry from our institute."

"Yes, Elder!"

The disciple quickly left and returned shortly after with a jade slip.

"Master, the Beast Registry."

Elder Shi took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense, then smiled. "Chief Chu, based on your criteria and befitting your status, there are three spirit beasts."

Chu Feng played with his wine cup. "Let's hear it."

"The Azure Flood Dragon King, a Nirvana Realm four-clawed dragon. It can travel over 108,000 li in a day, able to traverse both sky and sea."

Chu Feng instantly rejected it. "Too green. A man shouldn't go green."

Elder Shi continued. "The One-Horned Cloud Steed, pure white all over with a single horn on its head. It rides clouds and commands wind and weather."

"A white horse prince?"

Chu Feng considered it and decided it lacked flair. "What's the third?"

"The Golden-Winged Eagle King. It carries divine beast bloodline. With one flap of its wings, it can soar over 18,000 li. Top-tier flying spirit beast."

Chu Feng reflexively asked, "A big eagle?"

"Yes," Elder Shi nodded.

"Then I want to see this eagle king. Now that's what a man truly loves."

Hearing this, Elder Shi gave Chu Feng a thumbs-up. "Chief Chu has excellent taste. However, the Golden-Winged Eagle King is a bit prideful. If it offends you, I ask for your understanding."

Chu Feng replied, "No worries. It's a Nirvana Realm demon king, it's only natural to have some temper."

Elder Shi stood up and gestured. "Then allow me to lead the way."

"Thank you, Elder Shi."

Chu Feng followed him out of the courtyard.

Moments later.

The group of three arrived at a peak filled with dense spiritual energy and towering ancient trees. Just as they landed, they felt a powerful pressure coming from atop one of the massive trees.

Along with that pressure came an irritable voice.

"Xiao Yanzi, didn't I tell you not to disturb me unless it was important? Are you ignoring this king's words now?"

Hearing Elder Shi's nickname nearly made Chu Feng burst out laughing. Thankfully, he held it in professionally.

Elder Shi put on an awkward but polite smile and bowed toward a black speck on the tree. "Senior Golden-Wing, today a chief would like to meet you. He wishes to ask if you'd be willing to become his companion."

"Hmph!"

A cold snort came from the treetop. "Which blind brat wants me as their mount? Have they forgotten the lessons I gave their predecessors? Is it the Free Sword King? Or that Sword Martial brat?"

Sweat beaded down Elder Shi's forehead as he flashed a helpless smile at Chu Feng. He had expected trouble, but the eagle was even more arrogant than before.

No wonder—this eagle had been at Wendao Academy for a thousand years, older than even the chief. Usually, everyone treated him like an ancestral spirit.

Chu Feng wasn't angry. Instead, he calmly released his aura. In an instant, the pressure of a Half-Saint enveloped the mountain.

"What the hell?!"

A shocked cry echoed from the sky as a black speck plummeted from above and landed before them.

It was a massive golden-winged eagle. Every feather gleamed brightly, and the golden wings shimmered in the sunlight.

The Golden-Winged Eagle King bowed with its wings. "I didn't realize a senior had arrived. Please forgive my earlier offense."

This shift from arrogance to humility stunned Elder Shi. In his centuries at the Beast Institute, he'd never seen the eagle act like this.

Chu Feng looked at the eagle and smiled. "Honestly, I liked your wild, untamed attitude more."

The Golden-Winged Eagle King straightened up, proudly folding its wings and looking straight ahead.

"May I ask which mighty figure of Wendao Academy you are, Senior?"

Chu Feng nodded. "I'm the Chief of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Ah?"

The eagle froze. "Don't tell me… that brat Kong is dead?"

"You knew my master?" Chu Feng asked in return.

At that, the eagle's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You're Kong's disciple?"

"Eagle King, mind your manners," Elder Shi quickly stepped in and began introductions. "Standing before you is the youngest chief in Wendao Academy's history—rumored to be the reincarnation of the Literary Saint, blessed with the grace of an emperor, master of a hundred arts, and a Half-Saint after less than ten years of cultivation—Chief Chu Feng!"

After that barrage of praise, the eagle was dumbfounded. In all his thousand years, he'd never seen such a terrifying prodigy.

Chu Feng was a little embarrassed by Elder Shi's flattery. "Elder Shi, that's all just gossip. Don't take it seriously."

The Golden-Winged Eagle King asked instinctively, "So you really became a Half-Saint in less than ten years?"

Chu Feng nodded. "More or less. I've only been at Wendao Academy for ten years."

"A genius, a true genius!" the eagle exclaimed.

Elder Shi, sensing the moment was right, quickly asked, "Eagle King, are you now willing to follow Chief Chu?"

"Chief Chu? Xiao Yanzi, how dare you be so rude? This is my foster father!"

The eagle knelt. "I've wandered alone my whole life, always yearning for a true master. If Chief Chu does not mind, I'd like to take him as my foster father."

Hiss—

Chu Feng sucked in a cold breath, feeling a chill run down his spine. "That move was way too smooth. This isn't your first time doing this, is it?"

???

The eagle blinked at him.

Elder Shi laughed. "Chief Chu, you guessed right. Back then, the Eagle King also tried to take the Dean as his foster father. The Dean brought him to Wendao Academy because he thought the eagle saw him as a parent."

"So the Dean didn't accept him as a foster son?"

Elder Shi chuckled. "At that time, the Dean was already a Half-Saint, and the Eagle King had just hatched. He probably thought the Eagle King had imprinted on him."

"I see."

Chu Feng said, "I'm not used to playing the role of father. Since you were brought here by the Dean, let's just treat each other as brothers. Eagle Brother, are you willing to come with me to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute?"

The Golden-Winged Eagle King felt a pang of disappointment—not getting to cling to such a powerful leg. But forming brotherhood with a future Saint was also not bad.

"If Brother Chu asks, how could I refuse? Please take care of me in the future."

====================================================================================

Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44