Feng Yan's massive wings beat steadily as she carried the three elves through the sky.
Her fifteen-meter wingspan created shadows on the forest canopy below.
The wind whipped past them but her flight was surprisingly smooth.
Shen Tianxu sat comfortably on her back between her wings.
The twins pressed close on either side of him, gripping his arms nervously.
Neither girl was used to flying, especially not at this height.
"Are you sure she won't drop us?" Shen Yue asked. Her voice was tight despite her usual boldness.
"Feng Yan is more reliable than any human transport," Shen Tianxu replied calmly.
He stroked the bird's feathers gently. "She knows what she's doing."
Shen Xian peeked over the edge, then immediately pressed closer to Shen Tianxu.
"That's very high."
"Don't look down if it bothers you," he suggested.
But Shen Xian didn't pull away. Neither did Shen Yue.
Both girls remained pressed against his sides, their warmth noticeable even through the cold air.
The Phoenix Fate System pulsed quietly in his consciousness. He could feel its influence working on them.
Their attraction wasn't forced, but it was definitely being encouraged.
Amplified beyond what would naturally develop this quickly.
'This system is dangerous in its own way,' he thought with mild amusement.
'More subtle than raw power but potentially more troublesome.'
Below them, the landscape changed gradually.
The frozen wasteland where they'd fought the slavers gave way to dense forest.
This was the Endless Green Range, a massive forest that stretched for thousands of miles.
Home to countless spirit beasts and the seven hidden Elf tribes.
The forest was surrounded on all sides by human settlements.
Kingdoms and cities that had grown wealthy through trade and conquest.
But the forest itself remained largely untouched.
Too dangerous for normal humans. Too filled with powerful beasts.
The highest order beasts in the Endless Green were Seventh Order.
Equivalent to Qi Condensation Realm cultivators.
In the mortal world, Qi Condensation was the absolute peak. The realm where one could finally sense and manipulate spiritual energy directly.
Most people never reached even the early stages of Qi Condensation.
Spiritual energy was too sparse in the mortal world.
Cultivation beyond Body Cultivation realms was incredibly difficult without access to the Cultivation World above.
But Seventh Order beasts existed naturally. Born with the ability to sense spiritual energy.
They dominated the forest, creating territories that even human armies couldn't breach.
Each of the seven Elf tribes had managed to contract one such beast as their guardian. These alliances were the only reason the Elf race hadn't been completely exterminated.
Shen Tianxu had knew all this from the memories of the original Shen Tianxu which he reviewed during their flight.
The twins also shared what they knew as they discussed. They'd explained the situation of their people while clinging to him nervously.
The human kingdoms surrounding the forest had grown increasingly aggressive over the past decade.
Sending more slavers. Offering higher bounties for captured elves. Organizing larger hunting parties.
The reason was a rumor. Someone had spread word that the Elf tribes possessed ancient treasures.
Cultivation resources and techniques from before the curse. Items that could help someone break through to the Cultivation World.
The rumor was partially true. Each tribe did possess fragments of their former glory.
But nothing that would justify the attention they were receiving.
More troubling, certain cultivation sects from the Cultivation World had descended to investigate.
These sects were backing different human kingdoms, providing support in exchange for shares of whatever treasures were found.
The human kingdoms couldn't obtain the treasures diplomatically.
The Elf tribes refused all negotiations, knowing that any admission of possessing treasures would only increase the danger.
So the humans had turned to force.
Systematic hunting and enslavement designed to pressure the tribes into surrender.
"We're getting close," Shen Yue said suddenly. She pointed ahead. "I can see the barrier formation."
Shen Tianxu looked where she indicated. His enhanced vision caught the faint shimmer of energy in the air ahead.
A concealment formation hiding the Silverwood Tribe's village from outsiders.
Feng Yan adjusted her flight path slightly. She could sense the formation and knew where the entrance was located.
They descended through the barrier without resistance. Feng Yan's Fourth Order presence was recognized by the formation as non-hostile.
The village came into view below. Dozens of wooden structures built among massive trees.
Elegant architecture that worked with nature rather than against it. Elevated walkways connected the buildings. Gardens and cultivation plots were scattered throughout.
And elves. Hundreds of them moving about their daily activities. Silver-haired figures with pointed ears and graceful movements.
Feng Yan's arrival caused immediate alarm. People looked up and saw a massive Vermillion Bird descending.
Panic rippled through the village. A Fourth Order beast was a deadly threat.
Then they saw the passengers on her back. Recognition spread quickly.
"It's the young master!"
"Shen Tianxu has returned!"
"He's alive!"
The panic transformed into celebration in seconds.
Elves poured out of buildings. Children shouted excitedly. Adults called out questions.
Feng Yan landed in the central plaza with surprising gentleness despite her size. Her talons touched down carefully, creating only small cracks in the stone.
Shen Tianxu dismounted smoothly. The twins followed less gracefully, their legs shaky from the flight.
A older man pushed through the gathering crowd. He was tall and powerfully built despite his age.
Silver hair marked him as an elf but scars showed he'd seen combat. His eyes were fierce until they landed on Shen Tianxu.
"My son," Clan Chief Shen Ming's voice cracked with emotion.
Shen Tianxu found himself pulled into an embrace before he could respond.
His father's arms wrapped around him tightly. The older man's body shook slightly.
"Father," Shen Tianxu said. He returned the embrace carefully.
These emotions were still new to him.
Still strange.
But he understood what his survival meant to this man.
"We thought you were dead," Shen Ming said roughly.
"When the slavers took you, we tried to follow. But they had a Bone Forging cultivator. We couldn't respond quickly..."
"I'm alive. I'm home."
Shen Ming pulled back, studying his son's face. Then his eyes moved to Feng Yan. The massive Vermillion Bird stood calmly nearby, watching the reunion.
"Is that..." Shen Ming's voice trailed off in disbelief.
"My companion," Shen Tianxu confirmed. "Her name is Feng Yan. Fourth Order Vermillion Bird."
The crowd murmured in shock. A Fourth Order companion. For someone at Shen Tianxu's cultivation level.
It was unheard off in the mortal lands.
A howl echoed through the village. Deep and resonant. A massive wolf emerged from the forest edge.
Its fur was azure blue and seemed to shimmer with inner light. Its eyes were intelligent and proud.
The Azure Wind Wolf.
Silverwood Tribe's Seventh Order guardian beast.