Chapter Nineteen: The Eldest Brother's Duty

“Ah? Spirit herbs? Now?”

“But wild beasts roam outside. It’s far too dangerous for us to go searching for spirit herbs!”

“Yeah, big brother, and building nests for every single bird—it seems unnecessary. I think what we have now is just fine.”

“Exactly! In this environment, we never even dared to dream of such things before!”

After returning to the nest, Jiang Xuan announced the upcoming tasks.

Spirit herbs are an invaluable resource for beasts.

They are divided into nine tiers, each with upper, middle, and lower grades, and different spirit herbs have varying effects.

Undoubtedly, spirit herbs greatly aid beasts in their cultivation.

Building nests is meant to zone the young birds, preventing constant fights over prime spots.

The previous nest built by Mother Eagle was already overcrowded. Now, it’s divided between the Empress and the Demon Lord, each claiming half.

Hearing his younger brothers dare to oppose his suggestion, Jiang Xuan’s eyes instantly turned icy cold.

“Fine then. From now on, go gather resources yourselves. I’ll destroy this spirit-gathering formation.”

“In this world, no one gets something for nothing, right?”

“Looks like when you all swore to recognize me as big brother and obey my orders, it wasn’t sincere at all.”

In an instant, all the chirping little birds trembled!

Without big brother, where could they find resources as good as the ninth-tier Moon-Slaying Wolf Spirit? Where else could they find such a supreme cultivation sanctuary?

They knew full well the difference between occasional fullness and constant abundance.

“Big brother, I was just joking earlier. Whatever you ask, I’ll do without hesitation!”

“Me too! Don’t take it seriously. Our admiration and loyalty to you are as clear as the sun and moon!”

“It’s only spirit herbs, right? My mom said on the cliff, there’s plenty to be had! Wait, where’s my mom?!”

“Pfft…”

Jiang Xuan couldn’t help but laugh, and the other young eagles folded their wings and burst into laughter as well.

“Your mom? Either she died in battle or went elsewhere searching for resources. What kind of precious bird is your mom?”

“Exactly! It’s just a mom, no need for her! Big brother’s here, who needs a mom?”

“This bird brother speaks reason!”

Listening to these ridiculous remarks from the little birds, Jiang Xuan felt his worldview shatter.

But the collision between his past life’s values and this life’s was bound to spark some friction—it was only natural.

“Alright, Empress and Demon Lord, each take a group and go collect spirit herbs, branches, and withered grass.”

“Bring back as much as you can. Don’t come back before noon—I’m going to take a nap. Don’t disturb my sweet dreams!”

Jiang Xuan issued his orders.

“I’m coming too? How generous of you! You insignificant pest, you dare order me around?”

“Hmph, my will is divine decree. How dare you defy heaven’s will?”

What the hell! They sure weren’t saying that when they were feasting on wolf spirit meat!

Jiang Xuan was utterly baffled.

He knew these two were utterly insubordinate!

Defiant and unruly!

“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

“If you don’t want to go, fine. But from now on, get out of my nest!”

With a cold snort filled with anger, his voice grew heavier.

Looks like these two need some disciplining…

“Fine, I’ll go! It’s no big deal.”

“Yeah, I’ll deign to go as well, but it’s just a trivial matter!”

Jiang Xuan was too tired to retort. These two were shameless beyond measure!

“Remember, whoever brings back the highest-grade, best-quality spirit herbs will receive more resources in the future.”

“If anyone slacks off, don’t blame me when I turn my back on you.”

His words ignited the fighting spirit within the young eagles.

Everyone knew Jiang Xuan could bring them immense resources. The more and better spirit herbs they returned with, the more they would receive.

At Jiang Xuan’s command, the Empress and Demon Lord took off immediately, and the other young birds quickly followed.

Soon, only Jiang Xuan remained in the cave.

“Spirit energy +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1…”

Jiang Xuan nestled down, tucking his head under his wings, and soon drifted off to sleep.

Inside him, the spirit energy continued to grow, transforming into spiritual power.

…

Meanwhile, deep in the forest atop the cliff, two groups of young eagle warriors set off in separate directions to collect spirit herbs.

The difference between spirit herbs and ordinary weeds was easy to distinguish. Except for a few rare exceptions, the spirit energy contained within spirit herbs was detectable by beasts nearby.

Moreover, much of Mother Eagle’s memories had been passed down to the young birds since birth…

“That’s great! This is Dragon Breath Grass! A second-tier spirit herb!”

A mottled eagle darted through the forest and soon spotted a spirit herb with dragon whisker-like tendrils.

Flying down, he rejoiced immediately.

In this outer realm, it was mostly first-tier spirit herbs like Grass of Breath and Spirit-Gathering Flowers, mostly middle to low grade.

Second-tier herbs were rare; third-tier herbs were practically a stroke of incredible luck.

The young mottled eagle quickly hid the Dragon Breath Grass beneath the feathers around his neck, glancing left and right to ensure no other young eagles would steal it.

Elsewhere, the Demon Lord had shaken off the other young eagles and headed deeper into the forest.

“These fools want high-grade spirit herbs? They need to get close to Hengyu. What good could there be in this barren place?”

“Hey! Heaven really favors me! That’s… Burnt Tendon Grass! A superior second-tier herb!”

“Hmph, that fat bird is lucky! Such a treasure he won’t want to give up!”

“But compared to resources, it’s better to let him have it!”

Muttering to himself, the Demon Lord swiftly descended to a flame-red herb, which looked like a flickering flame—Burnt Tendon Grass.

“That was my discovery first!”

“Just a fifth-tier eagle brat, you dare to compete with me, a mantis warrior, for resources?”

As the Demon Lord bent to seize the Burnt Tendon Grass, a fifth-tier Blade Mantis perched on a nearby branch, glaring at him unwaveringly.

Turning to look, the Demon Lord sneered.

“You say you found it first? Then why did you arrive later than me?”

“Besides, even if you got it first, you’ll have to hand it over to me when you meet me!”

“Little mantis, kneel now!”

As the Demon Lord’s voice rang out, his aura surged, black energy swirling around him!

The Blade Mantis licked its legs and looked back curiously.

“You’re different from the other eagle demons I’ve killed. That ominous killing intent shows you’re skilled—worthy of my attention!”

“Hmph, such arrogance!”

“You’re nothing but a pest in my eyes, but I won’t waste this resource!”

With that, the Demon Lord leapt upward—but to the Blade Mantis, his speed seemed laughably slow, like a slow-motion scene…