Infinite Professions-Chapter 62 - 57: Challenge

Lei Xun bowed respectfully, filled with trepidation.

The young man remained silent, and the others were quiet as well.

After a moment of silence, the young man smiled, gesturing to help Lei Xun up, "Patriarch Lei, no need to be nervous, it was merely a casual question."

Lei Xun stood up, seeming slightly more relaxed, but continued speaking, "Sir of the Chapter of Guardian, this person has always acted arrogantly, and now he is just a Spirit-level Spirit Master, yet he treats these Wind Thunder Mountain Range as his own land. If he advances to King Level..."

"I understand, I understand!"

The young man smiled faintly, appearing gentle, and then looked out the window, "Wind Thunder Mountain will soon arrive. We newcomers need someone familiar to manage things at the mountain’s base to avoid causing any trouble, so we’ll rely on Patriarch Lei."

"This... Yes, yes, yes!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Xun hesitated at first, then nodded repeatedly.

The young man smiled slightly and said no more.

Moments later, the group finally reached the base of Wind Thunder Mountain, the woman and young man disembarked hand in hand, leading several others up the mountain, leaving Lei Xun and the Knight Guard waiting below.

The rugged mountain path posed no hindrance; they proceeded steadily while exchanging words.

"Young Master, it’s evident that Lei Xun is stirring up trouble!"

One person spoke, their words icy.

Dongfang Bai shook his head, "Though there is some suspicion of instigation, his words might be true. Li Qingshan’s striving for progress shows ambition, so it’s likely that a standard title isn’t enough for him."

An elderly man also nodded, "I’ve heard that to recruit people and increase the population under his governance, he offers generous terms, allocating not only land but also Spirit Beasts, even establishing the Spirit Control Master Academy to select talent from civilians and train them as Spirit Control Masters.

Moreover, he engages in charity, setting up numerous relief warehouses in towns around Wind Thunder Mountain Range, distributing grains and even beast meat periodically.

Thus, he is seen as domineering by major forces within Wind Thunder Mountain Range, but to civilians, he is a benevolent savior with unrivaled public support. If we were to clash with him, even engage in battle, he would surely exploit this to his advantage."

Upon hearing this, Feng Qingming felt some concern, "This is very unfavorable for us to rebuild the Kingdom."

Dongfang Bai remained indifferent, "Throughout history, power and prestige cannot be bestowed upon others. Such a person must have the ambition of a Monarch. Even if we avoid conflict, he will challenge us; the Wind Thunder Mountain Range cannot accommodate two kingdoms."

A middle-aged man turned, "Then, Young Master’s intention is...?"

Dongfang Bai did not respond directly, merely raising his gaze to the peak, "Let’s first observe the Wind Thunder Monarch Emperor’s attitude."

...

"Screech!!!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Rumble!"

At the mountain summit, thunder and lightning flashed, accompanied by cries piercing the clouds, revealing eagles soaring high, bathed in fierce winds and thunder.

As the group reached the summit, they saw the eagles descending, aggressively blocking their path.

Feng Qingming had anticipated this, immediately producing a staff and approached the eagles, "I am the Princess of Wind Thunder Kingdom, direct bloodline of the Wind Thunder Monarch Emperor. I seek an audience with the Celestial Eagle King of Wind Thunder Mountain Range."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The eagle flock remained silent, eyeing her coldly, then after a moment, one giant eagle stepped forward, "Follow me!"

With that, it spread its wings and flew to the high heavens, heading towards a mountaintop cave formed by Wind-Thunder Spirit Crystal.

Feng Qingming and Dongfang Bai exchanged glances, then displayed Spirit Fusion Martial Skills, flying to the eagle’s nest.

Not only them, but the others also possessed aerial flight capabilities, all with strength not below Tier Four.

Entering the eagle’s nest, they saw two giant eagles, exuding a kingly presence, as if they had been waiting for some time.

"The Monarch of Wind Thunder Mountain Range!"

Feng Qingming’s eyes focused, immediately stepping forward, offering up her staff, "According to the ancestor’s agreement, I’ve come to fulfill the contract."

"..."

"..."

The two Wind Thunder Divine Eagles eyed the staff in her hands, silent for a moment before speaking, "According to the ancestor’s agreement, you may choose one among my offspring to be your Contracted Spirit Beast."

As anticipated, Feng Qingming said no more, standing up to proceed as planned.

But unexpectedly...

"But now I offer you a second choice!"

The larger eagle, seeming to be the king, said, "If you can complete a challenge, then when you and your companion reach Tier Five, you may come directly to Wind Thunder Mountain and form a contract with us, the Wind Thunder Divine Eagles will once again pledge allegiance to Wind Thunder Kingdom."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, not only Feng Qingming, but even Dongfang Bai and others were somewhat stunned.

But Feng Qingming quickly reacted and tentatively asked the two Wind Thunder Divine Eagles, "What kind of challenge is it?"

"Very simple!"

The Wind Thunder Divine Eagle was straightforward: "Defeat one person and expel him from the Wind Thunder Mountain Range."

"One person?"

Feng Qingming’s eyes narrowed, and Dongfang Bai and others also frowned, "Who?"

"Sand Beast Valley!"

"Li Qingshan!"

The Wind Thunder Divine Eagle looked down at Feng Qingming, "As long as you or your partner can defeat Li Qingshan and expel him from the Wind Thunder Mountain Range, or simply kill him, we Wind Thunder Divine Eagles will once again pledge allegiance to the Wind Thunder Kingdom."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised; Feng Qingming and Dongfang Bai looked at each other, and after a moment, they turned back, "Did this person offend the Hawk King?"

The Wind Thunder Divine Eagle’s gaze was indifferent, "No!"

"Then why..."

"No reason!"

Feng Qingming still wanted to ask, but was abruptly interrupted by the Wind Thunder Divine Eagle, "The challenge is this challenge, you can accept it, or you can refuse it. If you choose the latter, then pick your Contracted Spirit Beasts and leave."

"..."

"..."

After these words, both fell silent. Feng Qingming turned his gaze to Dongfang Bai, intending to seek his opinion.

Dongfang Bai remained silent for a while, then lifted his head, meeting the gaze of the Wind Thunder Divine Eagle, "Understood, we accept this challenge."

"Good!"

This was expected by the Wind Thunder Divine Eagle, who merely flapped its wings, "Go down the mountain, come see me again after completing the challenge."

Dongfang Bai nodded, said no more, helped Feng Qingming up, and turned to leave the eagle’s nest.

"Father!"

After a while, as the group left, the Wind Thunder Celestial Eagle that led the way arrived before the two Monarchs, looking at its parents in bewilderment, "Why do this? Li Qingshan is my friend; why are you targeting him? How did he provoke you?"

Seeing its excited Xiaojiu, the two Monarchs’ expressions remained calm, "He didn’t provoke us."

"Then why?"

Xiaojiu grew even more agitated upon hearing this, "Why do you want those people to target him?"

"Because a single Wind Thunder Mountain Range cannot accommodate two human Monarchs!"

The Wind Thunder Divine Eagle said coldly, "Li Qingshan harbors the ambition of a Monarch and possesses the capability of a Monarch. We are Spirit Beasts, we can tolerate his development, allow him to act freely in the Wind Thunder Mountain Range.

But others cannot. If the Wind Thunder Kingdom cannot expel or eliminate him now, they will certainly face an extremely terrifying enemy in the future.

We Wind Thunder Celestial Eagles have a contract with the Wind Thunder Kingdom, allowing them to command us unconditionally three times. If by then they demand us to eliminate Li Qingshan, the ones facing this terrifying enemy will be our Wind Thunder Eagle clan."

The Wind Thunder Divine Eagle lowered its gaze, "So do you understand now? Either let them eliminate Li Qingshan now, or let themselves be eliminated by Li Qingshan, or wait until the future when Li Qingshan grows stronger and forces them to push us into a battle against him."

"..."

This explanation left Xiaojiu dumbfounded.

"Li Qingshan, he is an extremely formidable and frightening human."

The Wind Thunder Divine Eagle spoke solemnly, "The changes in the Wind Thunder Mountain Range over these years, along with his development and growth, we have seen it all. If the Wind Thunder Kingdom cannot eliminate him now, they will undoubtedly be destroyed by him in the future, and we, the Wind Thunder Eagles, cannot accompany them to their demise."

"So you let them challenge Li Qingshan?"

Xiaojiu flapped its wings in anger, "What if they succeed, or if they reveal this matter after failing, won’t we still become his enemy?"

"If they succeed, then it is Celestial Destiny that allows the revival of the Wind Thunder Kingdom!"

The Wind Thunder Divine Eagle remained unmoved, "If they fail, then I will lead the Wind Thunder Eagle clan to pledge allegiance to Li Qingshan. Humans are creatures that value interests greatly; Li Qingshan, being an extremely rational person, will never refuse the allegiance of the Wind Thunder Eagle clan because of this matter."

"..."

Xiaojiu stood in place, staring in disbelief at its father, struggling to comprehend the intricate web of interests.

Yet the Wind Thunder Divine Eagle paid no mind, "Go, tell him this news, the king of the Wind Thunder Mountain Range is set to be born in this challenge!"

With that said, it didn’t wait for Xiaojiu to react, flapping its wings and sweeping it out of the nest.