Qian Duoduo and Yu Yixiang were greatly startled.
Who could approach so silently? His Cultivation must be far superior to theirs.
Looking in the direction of the voice, they saw a huge Azure Phoenix perched on the big tree behind them, its eyes fixed on the cauldron.
Most of the Azure Phoenix's feathers were white, turning silver at the tail, while its two claws were gray, and only its beak was fiery red.
Its Cultivation was similar to that of the Purple-Forehead Golden Tiger, a High-Level Profound Beast. Judging by its voice, it seemed to be a female Phoenix.
"Senior, of course." Qian Duoduo quickly replied. He opened the cauldron lid, took out a Spirit Chicken leg, and, supporting it with Spiritual Qi, offered it to the Azure Phoenix.
With a flap of the Azure Phoenix's wing, the Spirit Chicken leg was already at its beak and then vanished.
"It's good, it's really delicious. You two didn't lie." After the Spirit Chicken leg went down, the Azure Phoenix commented.
Qian Duoduo hesitated for a moment, "Senior, how about I roast a few more?" Qian Duoduo thought that with such a large body, the Azure Phoenix certainly wouldn't be full after eating one Spirit Chicken leg. It would be very uncomfortable if she felt it tasted good but wasn't allowed to eat her fill.
The Azure Phoenix's eyes widened slightly, and she slowly said, "I didn't tell you to roast them; you did it willingly."
Qian Duoduo's thoughts were simple, but the Azure Phoenix's were complex.
"Yes, yes, yes. I'm willing." Qian Duoduo took out ten Spirit Chicken legs and put them into the cauldron. The same process, the same aroma.
However, Qian Duoduo opened the cauldron lid a little wider this time, needing to let out more aroma for it to drift to the big tree.
The Azure Phoenix stirred slightly, descended from the big tree, and appeared in front of the tent.
Because he often dealt with the Purple-Forehead Golden Tiger and the Seven-Colored Golden Bull, Qian Duoduo showed no panic with the Azure Phoenix so close. Yu Yixiang was also very calm.
After a while, the Spirit Chicken legs were roasted. Qian Duoduo took out five and handed them to the Azure Phoenix.
With a gulp, the Azure Phoenix swallowed the five Spirit Chicken legs.
Qian Duoduo handed over five more, and the Azure Phoenix gulped them down again.
"Ten more?" Qian Duoduo briefly compared her size to his and Yu Yixiang's and thought the Azure Phoenix could eat at least ten more.
The Azure Phoenix hesitated, then shook her head, "No more. I'm almost full. Full."
"Ten more." Qian Duoduo took out Spirit Chicken legs, put them into the cauldron, and began to roast. "These Spirit Chicken legs don't take up much space and digest quickly."
The Azure Phoenix shook her head, "You two eat them, I don't want any more."
Soon after, ten more Spirit Chicken legs were roasted. Qian Duoduo handed five to the Azure Phoenix, "Please help, I roasted too many at once."
The Azure Phoenix looked at Qian Duoduo with her round eyes, "Did you really roast too many?"
"I roasted too many, please help." Qian Duoduo had seen this expression of wanting to eat but fearing being told off for eating too much many times on Wang Dahei.
Wang Dahei's resistance to delicious food only existed verbally. As long as you gave him an excuse to eat, he would immediately open his mouth.
"Then I'll help you; you two young ones seem quite pleasing to the eye." The Azure Phoenix gulped down the five Spirit Chicken legs.
Qian Duoduo handed one to the dumbfounded Yu Yixiang next to him, picked up one himself, and slowly began to eat.
The cauldron lid was still open, and three more were inside, emitting aroma.
"Senior, this is our first time in the Jinlun Mountains. Could you tell us about the situation here?" Qian Duoduo tore off a piece of meat, put it in his mouth, and slowly chewed.
The Azure Phoenix raised her head, trying not to look at the cauldron, "You two are quite brave, daring to enter here before reaching Foundation Establishment. In this mountain range, besides me, there are two large groups you cannot provoke: the Devouring Gold Ants and the Spiritual Bees."
Qian Duoduo and Yu Yixiang exchanged glances, their eyes saying: This Azure Phoenix knows about the Devouring Gold Ants!
Yu Yixiang put down the Spirit Chicken leg in her hand and asked, "Senior, between you, the Devouring Gold Ants, and the Spiritual Bees, who is the strongest?"
The Azure Phoenix said proudly, "They just rely on numbers; how can they compare to me?"
Yu Yixiang nodded, "I think so too. So, between the Devouring Gold Ants and the Spiritual Bees, who is stronger?"
The Azure Phoenix thought for a moment, "They are quite similar. The Devouring Gold Ants and the Spiritual Bees are also sworn enemies; they fight whenever they see each other."
"Why do they fight?" Qian Duoduo asked curiously.
"To seize territory."
"They don't seize Senior's territory?"
"The sky belongs to me. I have no interest in the ground and underground; they can divide that." The Azure Phoenix explained, her eyes unconsciously looking at the cauldron.
"Senior Sister, can you still eat?" Qian Duoduo winked at Yu Yixiang.
"I'm full." Yu Yixiang immediately understood Qian Duoduo's meaning.
Qian Duoduo looked at the Azure Phoenix and said awkwardly, "What should I do? I roasted too many at once; these three will go to waste."
The Azure Phoenix moved her claws and said, "Young people don't cherish things! I'll help you eliminate them."
Qian Duoduo said happily, "That's great, Senior is truly wonderful."
This tactic of feigning reluctance to get what you want, Qian Duoduo had tried it many times on Wang Dahei with great success. With the Azure Phoenix, it was no exception.
After eating the last three Spirit Chicken legs, the Azure Phoenix flapped her wings contentedly, "Few Cultivators come here; what are you two doing here?"
Yu Yixiang honestly replied, "To be frank, Senior, we came here to complete a mission."
"What mission?"
"To collect the golden honey of the Devouring Gold Ants."
"Just you two?" The Azure Phoenix shook her head, "Go home quickly. You two can't possibly succeed."
Yu Yixiang smiled and said, "We certainly can't attack directly, but what if we use cunning?"
"You humans have many tricks; cunning might work. Ah--" The Azure Phoenix yawned twice, "I'm going to rest. I wish you good luck."
After speaking, the Azure Phoenix moved her body, returned to the big tree, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.
Qian Duoduo made a face at Yu Yixiang, "Let's rest too. Get enough sleep, and we'll talk about it tomorrow."
In this area, with the Azure Phoenix present, it was absolutely safe; there was no need to worry about other Spirit Beasts bothering them.
Just as he lay down, Yu Yixiang, who was facing away from Qian Duoduo, asked, "Do you snore at night?"
Qian Duoduo scratched his head, "I really don't know. Do you?"
"Yes." Yu Yixiang laughed, "I snore like thunder; be careful I don't blow you away."
That night, Qian Duoduo slept soundly, waking only when the sunlight shone into the tent. He turned his head and looked out the window to see Yu Yixiang already outside. She was standing on a high point, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.
Qian Duoduo walked outside and stretched. This was the first night in a year without Cultivating. The feeling of being lazy was truly wonderful, especially when being lazy with someone he liked.
The Azure Phoenix was not on the big tree; she had flown somewhere unknown.
"Senior Sister, your snoring is too astonishing." Qian Duoduo said to Yu Yixiang.
Yu Yixiang turned around, her face flushed, whether from embarrassment or the sunlight on her face, "Did I snore? You're the one who snores. You even shook me out of the tent."
After sending messages to the sect to report their safety, they began searching this mountain forest for traces of the Devouring Gold Ants.
The south side of the mountain forest bordered a winding river, and to the north were three high mountains. Enclosed by these three high mountains was this mountain forest, the dwelling place of the Azure Phoenix.
They worked all day with no success. In the evening, just as Qian Duoduo was preparing to roast Spirit Chicken legs for Yu Yixiang, he saw the Azure Phoenix fly back and land on the big tree, her wing feathers disheveled, and it looked like she had lost a few.
No need to guess, she had been fighting outside!
Qian Duoduo glanced at Yu Yixiang. She, however, seemed not to notice the Azure Phoenix's bad mood and looked up, gently calling to the Azure Phoenix, "Senior, dinner is ready, won't you come over?"