He Yiming’s expression shifted slightly. But as he gazed upon the Black Vulture King, already soaring more than thirty zhang above, a flicker of helplessness crossed his eyes.
The strength of the White Horse was truly immense, but its temperament was equally volatile. If it had only waited for them to arrive before striking, they could have wiped out this entire flock of Black Vultures in one fell swoop. Even the Saint Beast Black Vulture King would have stood no chance of escape.
Now, although the White Horse had exacted its revenge, judging by the Black Vulture King’s posture, it was likely about to flee far away with the Dragon Whip, never to be seen again.
As He Yiming mused over this, a vast and incredible pressure suddenly surged towards them from ahead.
The expressions on the faces of He Yiming and the others grew intensely solemn. Upon sensing this formidable might, the True Qi within their bodies began to flow uncontrollably. Only their supremely honed self-control kept them from involuntarily manifesting their corporeal armor at that moment.
Then, a massive bolt of lightning, thick as a thousand-year-old tree trunk, erupted suddenly from the front.
This streak of light ripped through the void, piercing the dense barrier of branches and leaves, striking the ever-ascending Black Vulture King with incomparable speed and irresistible force.
A deafening explosion echoed from mid-air, and a huge net of purple electricity burst across the body of the Black Vulture King.
It let out a mournful, despairing cry in the sky. After a few strenuous flaps of its wings, it could hold on no longer, plummeting from the endless heights.
He Yiming and the others exchanged a glance and charged forward without hesitation.
Moments later, they found the triumphant White Horse in a vast mountain hollow.
It stood with its chest puffed out, radiating arrogance. Upon seeing He Yiming and the others arrive, it cast a sidelong glance at Chu Haozhou, an expression of disdain in its eyes that even He Yiming could easily interpret.
Shaking his head slightly, everyone knew the creature was still nursing a deep grudge.
Glancing around, they collectively gasped.
Near this spot lay the corpses of nine Black Vultures, positioned in various ways: some sprawled on the ground, others snagged on branches. Their deaths were bizarre—some bore fist-sized holes weeping blood, others had been cleanly severed in two mid-air, injuries He Yiming couldn’t fathom how the White Horse could inflict. Still others were charred black, wisps of purple electricity still flickering over their forms.
Nine innate spirit beasts, including two exceptionally robust ones equivalent to peak experts at the Human First-Heaven level, had perished instantly under the White Horse’s hooves. Such a glorious tally showcased the White Horse’s true power.
He Yiming finally withdrew his gaze, looking at the White Horse with unconcealed astonishment and delight.
Suddenly, as if remembering something urgent, he flashed past the bemused White Horse and sprinted into the distance, calling out sharply, “Dragon Whip.”
Chu Haozhou started in surprise and quickly followed. Only the White Horse pouted in dissatisfaction; surely, after its thunderous blow, the Black Vulture King was finished. Why the need for such anxiety?
The White Horse’s gaze suddenly settled on Bai Lingba. Though far stronger than before, its innate perceptiveness warned it against provoking this inscrutable being.
Taking a few steps back, the White Horse trotted after He Yiming.
Bai Lingba turned his head, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, he lifted his foot and followed.
He Yiming was pushing his speed to the limit; carrying the Treasure Pig, he reached the island’s beach in mere moments.
There, a huge, dark mass lay motionless on the sand. Faint purple electrical currents still danced intermittently across its body. Under the influence of this residual electricity, its muscles twitched incessantly, presenting a truly pitiful sight.
He Yiming sighed deeply. To think that a Saint Beast had met its end so swiftly was a feeling that stirred a thousand complex emotions within him.
Then, abruptly, the Black Vulture King lifted its head.
He Yiming’s expression tightened, and the True Qi within him instantly surged, radiating a powerful aura around him.
It turned out the Saint Beast hadn't died, merely suffered grievous injuries. Yet, a wounded spirit beast was often the most terrifying—truly the epitome of a cornered beast fighting for its life.
A massive Wind Blade suddenly shot out from its head, which was now almost completely charred black. Though its speed couldn't match lightning, it was still frighteningly fast.
He Yiming, holding the Treasure Pig in one arm, casually waved the other. A dense fog instantly materialized from his palm, transforming into the Five Elements Ring as the Wind Blade approached.
A crisp sound, like metal striking stone, rang out. The Wind Blade, imbued with immense power, was neutralized by He Yiming with surprising ease.
The massive body of the Black Vulture King stirred. It struggled to rise, its eyes burning with hatred fixed squarely on He Yiming, clearly intending to take a final victim even in death.
However, another thick bolt of lightning descended from behind He Yiming, slamming heavily into the Black Vulture King.
Only after the lightning flashed past his side did He Yiming feel the hairs on his body stand on end.
His heart pounded. He realized that against an attack moving at such extreme velocity, any attempt to evade was futile; only specialized armor or defensive techniques could withstand such power. But even activating his corporeal armor, He Yiming doubted he could match the speed of the White Horse’s lightning strikes.
With a flash, Chu Haozhou appeared by his side. The old man’s gaze was locked on the Black Vulture King struck by the second bolt of lightning. Killing intent boiled off him; he clearly would not let this creature—which had absconded with his Dragon Whip—get away.
The Black Vulture King’s body convulsed violently. Its prone form suddenly leaped up, its massive body spasming uncontrollably as if suffering an epileptic fit.
Finally, when it collapsed once more, the life force radiating from it had faded to near nothingness.
The White Horse strode proudly behind it, its rear hoof lifting lightly. It seemed to carry the weight of ten thousand jin in that kick; with just a gentle tap, the Black Vulture King was flipped onto its back.
Then, it moved beneath the now utterly immobilized creature, opened its wide maw, clamped down on something, and yanked hard.
The Black Vulture King spasmed one last time, struggling briefly, but ultimately failed to rise again.
He Yiming’s face was a picture of bewilderment, for he now clearly saw what was clutched in the creature’s mouth: the Dragon Whip, which Chu Haozhou considered his very life.
The White Horse moved swiftly, covering the distance to Chu Haozhou in a few steps, tossing the Dragon Whip directly before him.
Chu Haozhou sullenly retrieved the whip, lightly stroking its surface. His True Qi surged powerfully, as if he intended to refine the whip instantly.
After a long pause, he looked up and clasped his hands toward the White Horse, saying, “Thank you.”
The White Horse retreated a few steps. Purple electricity sparked in its eyes again, and a powerful fighting intent erupted from its body.
Chu Haozhou froze, cautiously glancing at the Black Vulture King lying on the beach nearby. A chill crept down his spine.
Forcing a wry smile, Chu Haozhou uttered with difficulty, “Brother White Horse, we’ve been old acquaintances for decades; fighting to the death is hardly appropriate. How about I make you some grilled fish instead… Ah! You sneak attack!”
Before he could finish speaking, the White Horse grew impatient and charged straight ahead.
Chu Haozhou dared not engage. With a cry of distress, he turned and fled.
The White Horse’s single horn suddenly became wreathed in purple lightning. In just an instant, a considerably smaller bolt of light shot from the horn, striking heavily near Chu Haozhou’s feet.
Chu Haozhou shouted and yelped, his already near-limitless movement technique accelerating further.
The White Horse pursued closely behind, occasionally unleashing a bolt of purple lightning near Chu Haozhou, keeping him perpetually on the run.
After a long while, He Yiming finally let out a breath, withdrawing his anxious gaze.
Bai Lingba, standing beside him, suddenly asked, “Aren’t you going down to mediate?”
He Yiming spread his hands. “What is there to mediate? Although the White Horse seems aggressive, its intent is purely martial, devoid of killing lust. Why should I join in on their spectacle?”
He paused, then smiled slightly, as if speaking only to himself. “You saw the White Horse’s speed. If it truly wanted to catch Old Brother Chu, it would have done so long ago. Moreover, every lightning strike it unleashed seemed potent, yet each one landed near him. Surely you don’t think it misses every single time?”
Bai Lingba considered this seriously, then suddenly asked, “If the White Horse doesn't want to harm him, why does it keep chasing?”
He Yiming chuckled mysteriously. “For decades, they—man and horse—have lived on this island, even saving each other’s lives. Their relationship is beyond simple description; perhaps even they themselves don't fully comprehend it.”
Bai Lingba was silent for a long time before finally concluding, “You humans are peculiar life forms, and that White Horse is equally strange.”
He Yiming smiled proudly. “Brother Bai, this is what humanity is. Since you intend to integrate with us, you must experience it fully.”
Bai Lingba nodded slightly, then suddenly reached out and plucked the Treasure Pig from He Yiming’s embrace.
Both He Yiming and the Treasure Pig stared at him, utterly confused.
“Treasure Pig, you run, I chase.”
He Yiming asked with great curiosity, “Why?”
Bai Lingba pointed toward the man and the horse, one pursuing and the other fleeing in joyful tandem, and said with perfect solemnity, “I wish to learn.”
He Yiming: “…”
Treasure Pig: “…”