Chapter 51 – Toward the Inheritance Site
Flux raised a brow. "An inheritance site, hmm… That does sound interesting."
He turned to Lucas. "Mind if I tag along?"
Lucas chuckled lightly. "Please do. I'd rather not face it alone."
With a low exhale, the massive eagle began to shift. Feathers melted into golden robes as his body shrank into the form of a tall, broad-shouldered man. His golden eyes retained their beastly sharpness, and charred feathers still clung to a tattered cloak. Burn scars covered his arms, yet he stood with quiet dignity.
"I… can guide you now," he said hoarsely.
Flux nodded, calm as ever. "Lead the way."
The eagle dipped his head slightly, then turned and began walking—his steps slow but steady.
The three moved deeper into the forest, branches parting like a corridor before them.
"It's quite far from here," the eagle rasped after a while. "At full speed, we should reach it by tomorrow. Shall we take to the skies?"
Flux and Lucas exchanged a glance and nodded.
"Alright then."
Rather than fully transforming back, the eagle summoned a pair of wings from his back—still marred with scars and fresh wounds from his battle with Flux—and rose into the air. Lucas flicked his wrist and summoned a flying sword, stepping onto it with practiced ease.
Flux simply rose into the air using his own qi.
Together, the three soared toward the deeper regions of the forest.
Lucas stayed close to Flux, keeping a careful distance from the eagle. His wariness hadn't faded. After all, the eagle had tried to kill them only hours ago.
Flux noticed the tension but said nothing. His gaze shifted to the eagle, who panted quietly, wings trembling from exhaustion. Yet he continued without complaint.
Flux couldn't help but remember the day he first arrived in this world—powerless, with no cultivation, no belongings. That very day, he'd seen this same eagle locked in brutal combat with another Core Formation beast. All he could do then was run and hide, silently blaming his creator for not placing him somewhere safer.
Now, two years later, he had faced the eagle—and won.
A faint, unconscious smile touched his lips. He looked at the eagle's weary figure, then turned his eyes skyward.
"There really is too much unexpected in life," he thought.
The silence between them stretched for hours, broken only by the occasional flap of wings or shift of wind.
Eventually, Flux spoke.
"By the way… why are you looking for this inheritance site?"
Lucas turned slightly in mid-air, his expression more thoughtful now. "I'm trying to find an opportunity to break through to Core Formation."
Flux raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you a disciple of the Jade Rain Temple? And part of the Myrin Clan? Don't they provide resources for breakthroughs?"
Lucas gave a wry smile, shaking his head. "Both true. But it's our clan's tradition—once we reach the tenth level of Foundation Establishment, we're expected to go on a solo journey to seek our own chance at advancement."
"It's not easy," he added with a shrug. "Some wander for years, relying only on themselves. Some never return. But if someone joins us along the way… the elders say that's fate."
"I see," Flux said mildly.
Lucas scratched his head, chuckling. "Honestly, I thought I was ready. But I didn't expect trouble so soon."
"Core Formation isn't easy," he added. "But you… you must've had some amazing opportunity, right? Your foundation feels rock-solid. And your progress—it's crazy."
Flux shrugged. "I got lucky."
Lucas grinned. "Guess that's the best answer I'm getting."
Night fell and the surrounding spiritual qi grew denser as they advanced, but they didn't stop. By the time the stars dimmed, Flux noticed the eagle beginning to falter—his wings trembling, breathing uneven.
Reaching into his pouch, Flux pulled out a small jade bottle. "Hey, eagle. Catch."
The eagle flinched and turned quickly. "Yes!?"
Flux tossed the bottle. "Relax. It's a healing pill."
The eagle caught it, eyes wide with surprise. "Thank you…"
"Just keep leading the way."
"Of course…"
As they resumed their flight, Flux's eyes narrowed in thought.
"Strange," he mused. "Back during the fight, he seemed ready to die when he went completely berserk, burning everything in his path. But now, he's obedient. Not even a trace of hostility."
His gaze sharpened. "Well, if he does show hostility… I'll finish the job."
A chill ran down the eagle's spine. Unconsciously, he dipped his head, flying a little lower. He didn't speak another word.
As they flew, Flux expanded his spiritual sense outward, scanning the vast terrain for movement, qi signatures, or signs of other threats. Time passed in near silence, and eventually, pale morning light crept across the trees below.
"We've been flying all night. I haven't sensed any other Core Formation beasts or any trace of them in the area," Flux finally said. "Why's that?"
The eagle, wings still straining, answered between breaths, "Whenever a beast breaks through to Core Formation in this region… they either challenge me for dominion, or leave quietly."
"I've been ruler of these mountains for over three hundred years."
Flux gave a small nod. "So they're either gone… or dead."
The eagle looked down but said nothing.
Flux added flatly, "Relax. I don't plan to kill you… unless you give me a reason."
The eagle said nothing, but his mind churned with quiet turmoil.
"Where did he come from? His aura feels so calm… so clean. But in battle—it was like standing before death itself."
"I was truly prepared to die in that battle. That's how I ruled this forest for so long. But when my flames were devoured… no, they turned to ice. That moment shattered my frenzy. It terrified me… and shattered my will."
"Was I really… afraid of death?"
"No… I've faced death many times before."
But as silence returned, the truth settled within him.
"I've never been this close to dying before."
Still, he kept flying, never voicing a single thought.
Hours later, the terrain grew more rugged, and the air denser with spiritual pressure. They reached a secluded region at the base of a jagged mountain, where the trees grew ancient and roots twisted like serpents in the soil. The eagle landed first, his feet touching the moss-covered ground with silent reverence.
He gestured forward. "This is the place. We're close. Please, follow me."
Flux and Lucas landed beside him.
Lucas scanned the clearing with curious eyes. "So… it's around here?"
The eagle nodded. "We're already standing near it."
Lucas blinked. "Huh? But I don't see anything."
"There's an illusion array. We just need to walk a bit closer."
"Ohh? Alright then, let's go."
They did.
As they stepped forward, the veil around them shimmered and fell away like mist.
Before them stood a pristine white temple, half-submerged in a veil of fog.
"This is it," the eagle said.