Chapter 527: Ling Lan: Popcorn? Where is it?
Snapping her head up at the mention of popcorn, Ling Lan’s eyes immediately lit up— a giant pot of popcorn?!??
In the next second, Ling Lan transforms from a plain old pigeon back into her human form and pounces straight onto Bai Feng, her head swinging left and right, scrutinizing him from every angle: “Popcorn? Where is it?”
“…In the pot. Hold on a second,” Bai Feng said patiently, reaching out to lift Ling Lan off him. Though he knew her personality a bit, he didn’t expect her to toss her disguise so easily just because popcorn was involved. He had thought she’d hesitate a few seconds longer.
But instead of unleashing a torrent of critiques in his mind, he kept a straight face and, before Ling Lan could ask where the pot was, he cut straight to the chase: “Before we talk popcorn, let’s discuss your mission.”
Ling Lan hurriedly nodded, practically bouncing with eagerness: “What mission? Do I need to go help out the Holy Land of Tian Yan in the Central Continent? Can I get an advance of some popcorn now?”
“I get how anxious you are, but hold your horses,” Bai Feng gently pressed down on Ling Lan’s eager beak. “Your task isn’t to assist Tian Yan Holy Land in Zhongzhou. You’re supposed to patrol around the sect— hit some small towns and villages nearby, don’t leave a single one untouched.”
Ling Lan’s little pigeon hand waved: “But I’m just a pigeon, how can I patrol all that?”
“Find some other pigeons to help,” Bai Feng reassured. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay them for their trouble. Plus, you guys can use the Image Retainer to help monitor— I’ll send you a batch, and you can install them in strategic spots for surveillance.”
Though he already tasked Tian Yan Holy Land and the Silver-Winged Doves to keep an eye on the Siku Family, the Northern Region can’t let its guard down. With the Divine Monarch’s sneaky tricks and the Siku Family’s cooperation, they still need to watch out to prevent any chances the Divine Monarch might seize.
Perfect for giving Ling Lan something to do, the little freeloader who’s been leeching off him— otherwise, he’s worried she’ll end up like Little Jiu, turning into a pet by her own choice.
“Mm-hm! Promise I’ll finish the task!”
Ling Lan nodded quickly. That sounded way simpler.
Bai Feng added a few more warnings: “Remember, keep it diligent. If I catch you slacking off, then popcorn—”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but Ling Lan instantly caught the meaning. She hurriedly nodded: “Yes, I promise I won’t slack off!”
“Good. Now go call the other pigeons. I’ll keep making popcorn here,” Bai Feng said.
“Alright!”
Ling Lan swiftly nodded, flung open the window, and transformed into a pigeon again, soaring out in a flash.
Her silvery wings shimmered under the sunlight, looking like a streak of silver lightning from afar.
All that was in her heart now was Bai Feng’s promise of a giant pot of popcorn. Her previous worries dissolved like butter in hot popcorn. She even didn’t mind that Bai Feng knew she was disguising herself as a pigeon— why would he blow her cover? As long as she can get her popcorn, everything else is secondary.
……
“Ugh, talking to monsters is more exhausting than fighting…” He Yi stretched a lazy yawn, then flopped onto the table with no regard for dignity. “When will the chaos in the Southern Region ever end?”
Yearning for her peaceful days past.
Though they already defeated the Divine Monarch’s schemes and captured the bl**d snake, the impact he left behind hasn’t vanished— like the Southern Bloc formed under the pressure of the bl**d Snake Clan.
Plus, the Zhongzhou Holy Land and Tian Jian Sect from the North also indirectly affected the South. After dealing with the Divine Monarch, Zhongzhou’s interest in the region waned, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s on the same page—especially with the monsters leaning toward the holy sects.
So some monster clans witnessing the power of the Holy Land and refusing to join the Southern Bloc are gathering around the pro-Holy Land factions, forming a second “alliance” outside the Southern Alliance.
As for Tian Jian Sect… the weapons Bai Feng made to help fight the bl**d Snake directly changed the Southern Region’s landscape. Though they haven’t given the small monster tribes enough strength to challenge the bigger clans, it’s definitely altered their ecosystem.
Adding to that, a guard of Bai Feng’s stayed behind to investigate the Divine Monarch further— so besides the Southern Bloc and the Holy Land faction, there’s now a new faction: the Tian Jian Sect, or more precisely, Bai Feng’s own clique.
In theory, Bai Feng’s faction shouldn’t compare with the Southern Bloc or the Holy Land faction. After all, his guard mostly recruited defeated small and medium monster tribes from the bl**d Snake war, which aren’t exactly a threat on their own. But here’s the kicker: the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan left the Southern Bloc and joined Bai Feng’s faction, boosting its strength instantly and attracting other monster clans to join in.
The more factions there are, the more friction is inevitable. Especially since the Southern Region still hosts formidable big monsters, and new powers will inevitably clash with the established big clans. Things are relatively peaceful for now, with only minor skirmishes, but if things continue, a war bigger than the bl**d Snake extermination might just explode someday.
“When are we heading to Tian Jian Sect to find Bai Feng? My tiger feed is almost gone,” He Yi pushed the door open, ready to go. “If you’re not coming, I’ll go myself.”
“Of course I’m coming!”
He Yi suddenly sat bolt upright. She’s fed up with dealing with this mess— her childhood dream, even now, was to meet a genius, fight her hardest, and end up a mount for that genius, not handling all this chaos!
One day she’d write to her grandpa, asking to go out and train. She’s not cut out for this stuff; she’d rather spar with other cultivators or fight on the battlefield. Leave this boring work to others.
And lately, she’d already messed up several things— just thinking about it makes her head ache.
He Yi didn’t care why He Yi Yi was suddenly so excited— she’s more concerned about her dreams of fighting tigers— so she continued: “So, when are we leaving?”
“Right now!”
He Yi stood up from her seat with resolve. She had good reason to head out this time— besides helping He Yi Yi with her issues, she also planned to buy some weapons from Bai Feng. Having these excuses would keep the sect from criticizing her.
“Already in such a hurry?”
He Yi chuckled, scratching her head. She thought it’d be tomorrow at the earliest, but it seems He Yi Yi is even more eager than she is.
“Things have been dragging on forever, and I still have loads to do. Might as well help you straighten out your stuff first,” He Yi said, without packing up. She headed straight for the door. “Come on, let’s go to Tian Jian Sect!”
“Okay!”
And so, they set out without delay.
