Chapter 147 - 146: Her True Form Turns Out To Be...

Lost in the herbs they had just received, none of them noticed the Elder’s good intentions.

But once they calmed down, they gradually began to realize something.

Tears welled in their eyes, and they looked as if they wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Seeing their expressions, the Elder couldn’t help but stroke his beard. "What’s with all these long faces?" he said. "I’m still alive and well. It’s far too early to be crying."

His words left them unsure whether to laugh or cry, and the sorrowful mood vanished completely.

Seeing this, the Elder continued, "Alright, alright. Now that everything has been handed out, you should all be on your way. Don’t disturb Jiaojiao’s rest."

As the owner of the house, Xiong Jiaojiao had to see them out. She wasn’t in the mood to ask them to stay for a meal, however.

Her emotions were all over the place; she had no desire to prepare a meal.

Once everyone was gone, Xiong Jiaojiao suddenly felt a little lost.

It was only then that she noticed she was still holding the storage bag.

’Something that can hold this much must be quite useful,’ she thought. ’Sister Liangyu will definitely need it later.’

At this thought, Xiong Jiaojiao took the bag and started walking toward Chu Liangyu’s courtyard.

She stopped after only a few steps, however.

’Everyone is making lunch around this time, and they’ll probably take a nap afterward. Now isn’t a good time to go over.’

She turned and walked back into her courtyard, where she sat on a stool and stared blankly for a while.

When she felt a pang of hunger, she finally remembered to make herself something to eat.

----

In contrast to Xiong Jiaojiao’s scattered thoughts, the atmosphere at Chu Liangyu’s home was much more peaceful.

Eating the food she had made with her own hands, Chu Liangyu felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

When she had finished most of her meal, Chu Liangyu cleared the table, returned to her bedroom, and resumed her cultivation.

After cultivating peacefully for a good while, Chu Liangyu could clearly feel her energy increasing.

’At this rate,’ she thought, ’it won’t be long before my power increases.’

In addition to cultivating her internal energy, Chu Liangyu took stock of her equipment.

First was the bronze short knife. It had grown much stronger as her own power increased, and its improved sharpness was the least of its new qualities.

Its main advantage was its convenience. It was perfect for sneak attacks in battle and could even be the key to victory.

Chu Liangyu also brought out the Carp Essence she had obtained before, along with some leftover Crystal Cores.

However, these items were not very useful to her anymore at her current level.

But such things weren’t common, so Chu Liangyu couldn’t just toss them out. Instead, she decided she would use them as rewards for the young ones who were working hard on their Body Technique.

For them, it would not only increase their strength but also serve as motivation for their training.

Then there was the mask. It naturally suppressed bird-type Beastmen—even a Phoenix.

Not only that, but it could also make her power surge for a short time. This was the main reason she hadn’t been at a disadvantage during her fight with Jiang Li and Ye Han.

Speaking of the mask, she couldn’t help but think of the trident. Both had been her weapons before Jiang Li’s betrayal.

Afterward, when she turned his plot back on him, she had entrusted them to Lou Sang for safekeeping. She never expected that he would give the two items to the Golden Eagle and Mermaid clans.

Perhaps they hadn’t known the items’ origins, only that they were extraordinary, and so guarded them as Holy Artifacts. It was a fortunate coincidence, in a way.

As for the Thunder Spirit and Soul Chasing Needle she had acquired recently, Chu Liangyu was not yet proficient with them and was still in the process of figuring them out.

Chu Liangyu was so engrossed in her thoughts about these items that she momentarily forgot about the afternoon’s training session.

Fortunately, Xiong Jiaojiao’s voice came from outside the door at just the right moment. "Sister Liangyu, it’s about time. Are you ready to go?"

Her attention snapped back to the present. "Coming," she called out.

Then she opened the door, simultaneously directing a clone of herself from within the room to come forward.

"Sister Liangyu, here’s your storage bag."

Xiong Jiaojiao handed it to her with a smile, her eyes lingering on her for a few extra moments.

Chu Liangyu touched her face, a little puzzled. "What is it? Is there something on my face?"

"Not at all. It’s just... it feels like it’s been so long. I missed you."

"It’s been less than two months, Jiaojiao. That’s a bit of an exaggeration."

Xiong Jiaojiao coughed, a little embarrassed but her tone still sincere. "Really, I’m not joking."

Amused by her earnest expression, Chu Liangyu suddenly felt a warmth spread through her chest.

After a bit more small talk, they realized it was time to go.

Xiong Jiaojiao prepared to leave with the clone, but then her gaze fell on the storage bag Chu Liangyu was holding.

As if remembering something, she asked, "Sister Liangyu, I was just wondering, what kind of Beastman is that carved on the storage bag?"

"I’ve never seen anything like it before."

Chu Liangyu followed her gaze. "Oh, that," she explained with a knowing look. "That’s the true form of the Beast God. He’s the only one of his kind in the world—a Qilin."

Hearing this, Xiong Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up. "Then, Sister Liangyu, does that mean you’ve met the Beast God?"

"I have."

Seeing the adoration in her eyes, Chu Liangyu fell silent.

’With that old coot’s personality, how did he get most Beastmen to worship him like this?’

Xiong Jiaojiao, oblivious to her thoughts, found her own mind flooded with countless questions after that one simple answer.

But in the end, there were so many things she wanted to ask that she didn’t know where to start.

After a moment of thought, she asked, "So, Sister Liangyu, is your true form a Qilin, too?"

Although Xiong Jiaojiao had seen her Beastification, she didn’t know what Chu Liangyu’s true form was, so her question was understandable.

"Of course not. My true form is a Golden Crow."

Xiong Jiaojiao took a sharp breath, her tone suddenly uncertain. "A Golden Crow... as in, the Divine Bird of legend?"

"Yes." Chu Liangyu smiled and nodded, confirming her suspicion.

"In that case, Sister Liangyu, you’re also the only one of your kind in the world—a Golden Crow."

Xiong Jiaojiao said, imitating Chu Liangyu’s earlier words.

Chu Liangyu gave a wry smile. ’I wish I were the only one,’ she thought, ’but I’m not.’

Besides her, Jiang Li and Ye Han were also Golden Crows.

The only difference was that she was a pure black Golden Crow, while the two of them were more like an albino version.

They looked very refined, not much like a crow, but their true forms were the best proof.

Chu Liangyu didn’t explain any of this, however. Instead, she said, "If we keep chatting, it’ll be dark soon, Jiaojiao."

"Ah, you’re right! We need to get going."

She hadn’t expected one small question to lead to her learning about Chu Liangyu’s true form. She was surprised, but also a little proud.

After all, this was *her* Sister Liangyu.

The leader of their tribe was a legendary Divine Bird! Just being able to tell outsiders that would be a huge source of pride!