Chapter Twenty-Four: Calm Your Nerves with a Grape

Heaven’s might! Unimaginable—a truly terrifying existence… Fufeng’s heart was deeply shaken, his eyes vacant as he gazed at Ye Qiu in the distance, his thoughts a mystery even to himself.

The others, upon hearing Fufeng’s words, felt a chill run through their hearts. Tian Zhong muttered, “In all these millennia, never have I seen Senior Brother display such a side. It seems this man is truly extraordinary…”

They all nodded silently. Ye Qiu’s strength had already been revealed before their very eyes. Even an existence like the Devouring Sky Lark could not withstand a single casual sword from him—what a staggering power that was.

Before the Lark’s ravaged body, Ye Qiu looked around, unsure how to handle the aftermath. Should he try to save it? He didn’t seem to have the means. But to leave it be… what a pity to let such a majestic mount slip away.

No, this great beast has such an imposing presence—how could I not take it as a steed?

Really? Is that even a reasonable thought? Who says a creature must become a mount simply because it looks fierce?

If the Devouring Sky Lark knew what was running through his mind, it would have chosen suicide out of sheer humiliation.

This was an insult—not just to men, but to birds as well.

I am of the ancient, wild bloodline, and you want to ride me? Absolutely not. Impossible.

The Lark stared at Ye Qiu in horror, desperate to flee, but its body could no longer support it. It collapsed, paralyzed.

Ye Qiu, after glancing around, gave up on finding a cure. Instead, he pulled out a bunch of grapes from his pocket, and with a leisurely air, sat down to eat them.

What Ye Qiu didn’t know was that, the moment he took out that bunch of grapes, everyone present was left utterly dumbfounded.

The Devouring Sky Lark stared at him in shock, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Fufeng trembled all over, mumbling, “Is that… is that the Jade Dew Fruit of the Nine Springs?”

“Heavens, what is he doing? Is he eating one of the legendary Nine Springs treasures as a snack?”

“Good lord, this is outrageous! That’s a Nine Springs treasure of legend, and he’s eating it like a common treat? I’ve never seen such blatant flaunting of wealth…”

For a moment, everyone was stupefied, standing there like fools.

The “grapes” in Ye Qiu’s hand, as he called them, were in fact the legendary treasures of Nine Springs! It was said that eating even one, no matter how grievously wounded or close to death one was, would instantly restore life—a miraculous elixir.

And Ye Qiu was eating them as snacks?

Ye Qiu had no idea. To him, these grapes were something he’d idly planted in his free time; in fact, he’d been eating them since childhood and had never noticed any particularly miraculous effects.

Of course, he’d never told anyone about this—otherwise, he’d have been beaten up ages ago.

“Mmm, these grapes are sweet! Quite a nice flavor…” Ye Qiu sat there, savoring his grapes, chatting idly with the Devouring Sky Lark as he ate.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Planning to hit me or something? Hey, I’m sitting right here. Try and hit me. You can’t reach me, can you? Doesn’t that just make you mad?”

If he couldn’t save it, at least he could tease it—maybe annoy it to death and put it out of its misery.

“Oh, still staring? What, you want to eat one too?”

Ye Qiu noticed several heated gazes around him—all fixed on his grapes. He couldn’t fathom why.

Strange, why are they all looking at my grapes? Do they want a taste? But these people don’t look poor. Could it be they can’t even afford grapes?

He glanced at them in confusion, unable to comprehend their shock.

Have I done something incredible again?

Well, this sort of thing isn’t exactly new anymore. I’m getting used to it.

Looking back at the Lark, he saw it eyeing his grapes greedily, as if desperate for a taste.

Ye Qiu thought for a moment. “Sigh… About to die, yet still yearning for grapes. Very well, I’ll grant you this last wish.”

He tossed a grape over; the Devouring Sky Lark caught it eagerly and swallowed it in one gulp.

Suddenly, a radiant light burst forth, startling Ye Qiu so much he nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Oh no, it’s come back from the dead!”

Ye Qiu was alarmed to see the Devouring Sky Lark healing at a visible rate. Power surged within it, growing explosively.

A column of golden light enveloped it. Its life force skyrocketed. Not only did its wounds heal, but its cultivation broke through the Ultimate Limit, ascending straight into the Supreme Pinnacle.

“Just one Jade Dew Fruit of Nine Springs, and the Devouring Sky Lark has completed its entire metamorphosis, becoming a true ancient terror. Its bloodline is now even purer! Its strength has nearly doubled—unbelievable…”

All the disciples of Radiant Light were dumbstruck. The Devouring Sky Lark, on the verge of death moments ago, had suddenly revived at full strength. Such an abrupt turn left everyone unable to react.

“As expected of a Nine Springs treasure—its medicinal power is simply defiant of heaven!”

“Everyone, get behind me, quickly…”

A storm of power erupted, sending a wave of pressure over the crowd. Fufeng swept his arm, unleashing his own Supreme Pinnacle strength.

In front of the Lark, Ye Qiu stared blankly at the unexpected scene.

Damn, it’s twice as strong as before! This is a disaster. I just finished mocking it, and now it’s come back with a vengeance.

So the old saying is true: the villain dies from talking too much. Wait, am I the villain here?

Ye Qiu was aghast. With the Devouring Sky Lark restored, this place was no longer safe!

Of all the strategies, retreat is best! In a flash, Ye Qiu darted back to the inn, slammed the door, and vanished inside.

Fufeng and the rest were left bewildered in the wind.

Fufeng: “???”

“Did you all see that? Was that big, black rat that just dashed by really the esteemed senior?”

“I think so! But that speed—wasn’t it a bit much?”

Everyone stared blankly, at a complete loss.

Why did Ye Qiu run? With his strength, a mere Devouring Sky Lark was nothing—he could destroy it with a flick of his hand. There was no need to flee.

“Senior Brother, this esteemed one… he seems a bit afraid of death…” Tian Zhong whispered, mortified.

Fufeng’s expression was equally awkward. He didn’t know how to explain, so he barked, “Silence! Do not presume to guess the intentions of a true master!”

At that moment, the Devouring Sky Lark, having eaten the grape, was instantly restored to full strength. Its massive body shot skyward, reaching for the moon.

A blaze of fire erupted, resounding mightily as the Lark let out a triumphant cry.

Now, ready to wash away its humiliation, it was about to strike when—above the inn, the gigantic sword slowly rose, pointing directly at it.

The Devouring Sky Lark immediately shriveled.

Not again…

No one knew better than it the power of that sword. The once-mighty Lark instantly lost its nerve.

No, I can’t afford to provoke him. I’d better run…

Just as the Lark was about to flee, a massive net descended from the sky, enveloping it completely.

Damn it, these youngsters have no honor—ambushing me like this…

Before it could escape, the net had it firmly trapped. No matter how fiercely it burned, it couldn’t break free.

This net… it’s an immortal artifact too? Just how many treasures does this guy have?

In an instant, the Devouring Sky Lark was ensnared, unable to fight back at all. The crowd felt a pang of sympathy for its plight.