Sunset Warrior Chant - Chapter 35 - The Bird in the Cage

Yu An listened to Yu Fei’s nonsensical talk and thought to himself, “What two big guys? The Arrow Snake is already half a lap behind. There’s no hope for a championship now. As for the Wind Leopard, it’s still leisurely strolling around the first lap, docile as if grazing on the hillside. How could there be any danger? Why isn’t the beautiful host speaking up now? Don’t these kinds of tournaments need someone to liven up the atmosphere?”

Alixin had just completed four full laps when he encountered the Wind Leopard coming head-on. He said, “Stand aside, brave one!” Wang Tianhao nudged the Wind Leopard, saying, “Let’s make way, let our friend pass first.” The Wind Leopard sidestepped, its large body leaping nimbly, flashing to a spot ten meters away.

Alixin smiled and entered the fifth lap, catching up to the tail of the Arrow Snake and again said, “Stand aside, brave one!” The Arrow Snake’s body also flashed to the side, and Alixin sped off, covering most of the lap. With only the last five hundred meters left, he prepared for the final sprint. However, he saw the Wind Leopard standing like a barricade on the track ahead. Alixin repeated, “Stand aside, brave one!” This time, the Wind Leopard didn’t move at all. Alixin found its behavior eerie and tried to bypass it towards the stone wall, only to see Wang Tianhao standing ahead, who said with a grin, “Pay the toll for passage!”

Alixin leaped over Wang Tianhao, but suddenly a barrage of sand and stones came flying towards him. The sound of them cutting through the air was intense, and the stones were densely packed without any gaps. Alixin, small as he was, seemed to be submerged in the sand and stones. Suddenly, he leapt back, retreating. The fine sand almost got into his tiny eyes, and the red ribbon around his waist was grazed by the airborne stones, shattering into pieces in the blink of an eye.

From the stands, Yu An saw Alixin being blocked and shouted at Wang Tianhao, “This is a tournament arena, not a place for fighting. If you don’t want the championship, I still do.”

“Ha ha, let me introduce what is meant by a contest of pen and sword. A contest of pen, you see, is more refined, but a contest of sword has no rules. What do I care about rules when I’m competing?”

Yu An angrily said, “And you, beautiful host, you see Young Master Wang causing trouble in a magical beast competition, why don’t you intervene?”

The beautiful host spread her hands across her chest and said, “Once the competition starts, the Beast Arena can’t intervene, otherwise we would have to pay out ten times the bet.”

Fu Qiruo clearly saw from the stands as Wang Tianhao casually swung a handful of sand and gravel, casting the level 2 earth magic “Stone Rain.” Wang Tianhao was a couple of years older than him, and despite his youth, no one would doubt he was at least a mage level 2. Stone Rain was a suitable choice against Alixin, whose small frame might dodge a level 3 Flying Rock Spell or large boulders, but the overwhelming barrage of Stone Rain sealed off the path completely, making it clear that Wang Tianhao had prepared well for facing Alixin.

Fu Qiruo guessed that Wang Tianhao’s use of Stone Rain was meant for either Alixin or the little white cat, unaware of how Wang Tianhao had honed his skills against various magical beasts during his years at the Beast Arena.

Alixin sped up to dodge Wang Tianhao, attempting another dash forward, only to be repelled by Stone Rain again. With a gesture, Wang Tianhao unleashed a force spanning more than ten meters in radius, undoubtedly the work of a level 5 mage. In the brief moments Alixin was thwarted, the little white cat had already charged forward, having anticipated Wang Tianhao’s tactics. It sprinted towards the Wind Leopard, leaping into the air, when suddenly the Wind Leopard roared, its bellow reverberating across the tournament arena. Mid-air, the little white cat felt the gusting wind destabilize its form.

The Wind Leopard sprang up, casting the level 2 wind magic: Wind Curse.

The forward momentum of the little white cat gradually halted, then it was sent flying back. Although unharmed, it seemed helpless against the Wind Curse. The Wind Leopard, a level 4 wind magic beast, casually spewed the level 2 spell Wind Curse, its power far surpassing that of a regular level 2 mage. The Wind Leopard’s massive body, as imposing as Mount Tai, blocked the little white cat’s path.

Yu An, watching from the stands, couldn’t contain his outrage and shouted at Wang Tianhao, “Despicable and shameless scoundrel!”

Wang Tianhao retorted, “That young man is casually insulting others! Isn’t it just about winning or losing ten thousand gold coins? Can’t handle a loss, can he?”

“I’ll go in and help them too,” Yu An said urgently to Fu Qiruo. Fu Qiruo replied, “I also want to help Alixin, but can we really handle him? Wang Tianhao alone is a match for both of us-he might be a level 6 mage. Besides, if we go in now, it would simply turn into a brawl.”

The beautiful host suddenly interjected, “Sorry, but once the competition starts, no one is allowed to enter or leave until it ends.”

Yu An was startled and said, “If no one can enter or leave, what if Wang Tianhao takes the opportunity to kill the two little ones?”

“The Lord will protect them,” the beautiful host replied. “Oh, I’m sorry, it’s getting late, and I need to clock out. The judges will ensure the fairness of the competition results. Good night and goodbye! If there’s a chance, we’ll meet again tomorrow.”

Alixin and the little white cat stood helplessly on the track. The little white cat said, “Aren’t you supposed to be powerful? Try plucking a couple of hairs from the Wind Leopard.”

Alixin replied with a troubled expression, “Plucking hairs also depends on the situation and the subject.”

The little white cat asked, “So what do we do? We can’t just do nothing here.”

Just then, Wang Tianhao laughed and said, “Make way, make way, let the good dog pass!” The little white cat heard this and saw the Arrow Snake rushing up from behind, already on its fourth lap. The Arrow Snake and the Wind Leopard were in the same weight class, and to the Arrow Snake, Alixin and the little white cat were merely like jumping grasshoppers-clearly no obstacle. The little white cat moved a bit too slowly, and as the Arrow Snake sped past, the gust it brought along nearly blew the little white cat into the magical barrier.

Yu An shouted to the little white cat, “Follow right behind that Arrow Snake and charge through!”

The little white cat leaped forward to catch up with the Arrow Snake, almost biting its tail. As they approached within ten meters of the Wind Leopard, the leopard suddenly blew a strong wind. Both the Arrow Snake and the little white cat were hit by the attack. The Arrow Snake swayed its long body and managed to pass the Wind Leopard, and although the Wind Curse slowed it down, it was only a momentary pause before it successfully rushed into the fifth lap.

Although the little white cat was prepared, the Wind Curse blew it into a spin in mid-air, and before it could stabilize, Wang Tianhao unleashed a barrage of Stone Rain. The little white cat hastily dodged, losing several hairs in the process.

“The big ones can pass, but the little ones can’t-that’s clearly unfair. When will it grow to the size of an Arrow Snake?” Alixin sighed.

The little white cat sighed, “It’s over, the arms can never beat the legs.”

“It seems there’s really no way out.”

“Losing isn’t a big deal; it’s just losing some money for the master, just a mere ten thousand gold coins. It’s not like it’s bleeding from our own bodies.”

“Right, we don’t need to go all out.”

The little white cat and Alixin echoed each other, their voices carrying excellently across the tournament arena, their faint sounds echoing at the edge of the stands. Yu An, seeing Alixin speaking, approached the little white cat and stroked its tail. The little white cat turned its head and licked Alixin’s face with its tongue. Yu An, annoyed, said, “You two clowns, why are you so disheartened?”

He was just about to vent his frustration when suddenly, he saw Alixin and the little white cat turn around and run clockwise along the track. Halfway around, they encountered the oncoming Arrow Snake. Suddenly, the little white cat shot five Light Feather Arrows at the Arrow Snake. The Light Feather Arrow, a level 3 light magic, can be continuously shot in a short period by a level 4 magical beast.

The Arrow Snake, unimpressed, closed its eyes, and the five Light Feather Arrows, along with an energy wave, hit its head. The Arrow Snake, shocked as if five sharp spikes had pierced its face, writhed in pain and recoiled several meters.

The little white cat greatly surprised the Arrow Snake, which, seeing its small size, had underestimated it as a level 4 magical beast. Angered by the attack, the Arrow Snake opened its mouth wide and shot a long fire tongue at the little white cat, which suddenly lit up with a white energy shield-the level 4 light magic, Glowing Silk Shield.

The little white cat was completely engulfed by the Arrow Snake’s fire tongue, but as the fire tongue neared the Glowing Silk Shield, it was completely dissolved. After the fire tongue faded, the little white cat meowed triumphantly.

Yu An finally realized that the little white cat was smarter than himself. Seeing the Arrow Snake entering its fifth lap being entangled by the little white cat halfway, he couldn’t help but be overjoyed. The Wind Leopard hadn’t even completed its first lap, and clearly, five laps were needed to reach the finish line. As long as the Arrow Snake hadn’t reached the finish line at this moment, they wouldn’t lose the race. The Arrow Snake, a big and dumb beast, how could it outsmart the clever little white cat?

Frustrated by the ineffectiveness of its attack, the Arrow Snake twisted its body, sweeping its long tail with massive force toward the little white cat. Even with the protection of the Glowing Silk Shield, a hit at this moment would not leave the cat bouncing back as easily as a ball.

The little white cat swiftly leapt aside, landing five meters away. As it touched down, the Arrow Snake’s tail came crashing down towards its head. The cat released three Light Feather Arrows and jumped away again. The Arrow Snake, having missed the cat entirely, was stabbed three more times, although the Light Feather Arrows did not cause any significant damage. However, the snake was now furiously determined to devour the little white cat alive.

Seeing the Arrow Snake clumsily trembling in its confrontation with the little white cat, Wang Tianhao shouted angrily, “You disgraceful beast, come over here or you’ll go without food tomorrow.” Upon hearing this, the Arrow Snake glared fiercely at the little white cat and dashed towards the finish line.

The little white cat sprang forward, releasing a “Holy Light Arrow” that silently struck the back of the Arrow Snake. As a level 4 light magic, the Holy Light Arrow penetrated the thick skin of the snake, leaving a bloody wound from which red blood splattered onto the track. The snake writhed in pain on the track, and the little white cat shot another Holy Light Arrow into its belly. Realizing its life was at stake, the Arrow Snake no longer cared about winning the championship and turned to fight the little white cat head-on. It opened its large mouth, its red tongue flickering out as if to swallow the cat whole. The little white cat, wary of getting too close, continued to dodge around the snake.

The Arrow Snake, increasingly infuriated by its inability to touch the cat, twisted and turned its long body, sometimes sweeping with its tail, other times biting with its sharp teeth. Its fierce demeanor had the spectators on edge, as it seemed that any moment of inattention could turn the little white cat into a tasty meal. However, the agility of the little white cat allowed it to release several Light Feather Arrows in critical moments, leaving the snake helpless at close range and increasingly wounded.

Wang Tianhao was astonished to see a ferocious Arrow Snake being bested by a little white cat. Just as he was about to step forward to help, the snake became flustered. Its eyes, guarding against the darting white shadow of the cat, were caught off guard by an even smaller shadow. Struck by a “Spatial Blade” launched by Alixin, one of the snake’s eyes felt an intense pain as it was hit, causing the snake to spring from the track and crash into the magical barrier.

The surface of the magical barrier rippled with light, shaking violently as it flashed brilliantly. The Arrow Snake was bounced back onto the track, collapsing in dizziness. The little white cat quickly pounced on the snake’s large head, and several Light Feather Arrows later, the snake’s eyes were riddled with holes. In its agony, the snake suddenly sprang up and began running wildly, crashing around. This struggle by the Arrow Snake was unmatched in power, leaving Alixin and the little white cat frightened and hiding far away.

The spectators felt the ground tremble beneath their feet, a thunderous roar sounding as if an earthquake had occurred. The Arrow Snake, after several collisions, suddenly ran onto the track in a headless, frantic dash, but in the direction opposite to the finish line.

Seeing the Arrow Snake driven mad and bullied by the two small creatures, with its eyes quickly ruined, Wang Tianhao thought, “How can this beast be so foolish? Since these two little ones have injured my magical beast, they too shall not leave this cage today.” Resolved, Wang Tianhao was determined to kill the two small creatures to feed the Arrow Snake. As a level 6 mage, killing the two would be effortless for him.

Yu An and Fu Qiruo, seeing the championship contestant Arrow Snake rendered powerless, and with Wang Tianhao blocking the path and inviting trouble, felt it was no wonder the two small creatures had hurt someone. With the snake losing its mind, they felt a great deal of relief and were ready to see Wang Tianhao’s disappointed expression, only to find his face dark and menacing, as if he was about to devour Alixin and the little white cat alive. That’s when they realized something was amiss; this was no longer like a race.

Fu Qiruo said to Yu An, “Just give him your ten thousand gold coins, and let’s not worry about the championship.” Seeing Yu An nod in agreement, he shouted to the center of the tournament arena, “You two little ones, we’re not competing anymore. Wang Tianhao, you can have the championship; consider the wager a gift from us.”

Wang Tianhao sneered coldly, “The race isn’t over yet. My snake hasn’t reached the finish line. What’s the rush?”

Yu An and Fu Qiruo both heard the chilling words and feared for the little white cat and Alixin. They looked over at Wang Tianhao, who was already lunging toward the little white cat and Alixin. Yu An shouted, “You two little ones, run! Don’t let him catch you!”

Although Wang Tianhao was a level 6 mage, his speed was notoriously poor as an earth mage. The little white cat, however, could be considered a strong competitor among level 4 magical beasts in terms of speed, surprisingly matching Wang Tianhao’s pace. Alixin’s speed, needless to say, was even faster.

As soon as the little white cat and Alixin noticed something was off with Wang Tianhao, they stealthily ran far along the track. Wang Tianhao, circling the tournament arena track, quickly gave chase and within moments caught up to the Arrow Snake lying on the ground, which had already lost the strength to struggle. Wang Tianhao looked at the Arrow Snake and thought, “Although you are blinded and can no longer follow me, I won’t let you down. Today, the championship is still yours.” With that thought, he loudly called out, “Little Leopard, come here.” He whispered some instructions to the Wind Leopard and then continued his pursuit of Alixin and the little white cat around the track.

The Wind Leopard bowed its head, grabbed the Arrow Snake in its mouth, turned around, and began walking step by step toward the finish line of the track. The spectators in the stands saw the long body of the Arrow Snake dragging on the ground, covered in wounds with two bloody holes on its back and belly oozing fresh blood, looking like it could expire at any moment.

The Wind Leopard dragged the Arrow Snake close to the finish line and stopped about two meters away from it. As long as the Arrow Snake’s head crossed the finish line, it would undoubtedly become the champion of the arena. But in such a critical condition, what was Wang Tianhao waiting for?

Yu Fei whispered to Yu An, “Wang Tianhao intends to kill the two little ones first before allowing the Arrow Snake to cross the finish line and claim the championship. It’s a win-win for him. In the Beast Arena, casualties are disregarded, and no one will blame him. Wang Tianhao is set to be the big winner. If the Arrow Snake were already declared the champion, the event would end immediately, and others would have the right to intervene. By placing the Arrow Snake two meters from the championship, he’s just waiting to kill the two little beasts as a celebratory gift for the Arrow Snake’s victory.”