"We wouldn't dare do such a thing. The three lords are welcome to personally verify the age of the spirit herbs," the small beast replied hastily, startled.
At the same time, the golden-furred giant ape flipped both of its furry hands over, and white light flickered before it, revealing the two jade boxes filled with Wood Essence. It then held one box in each hand and offered them forward.
The young Sky Roc male accepted the two jade boxes with a skeptical expression and opened them.
Immediately, a golden radiance filled his vision, and a rich, fragrant aroma assailed his nostrils.
All three Sky Roc clan members were momentarily stunned, then broke into delighted smiles.
"Indeed, they are Wood Essence over a thousand years old, and the quality is first-rate." The young Sky Roc woman picked up a single Wood Essence flower, examined it carefully, and then said excitedly.
"Not bad. It's rare for you to hand over such high-quality spirit herbs this time. Which of the other tributes are short? Tell me first." The thirty-something Sky Roc man's look of joy faded as his expression considerably relaxed.
The four demons felt a sense of relief upon seeing this, knowing they would most likely pass this time.
They promptly produced their tributes one by one, allowing the three Sky Roc clan members to carefully count them.
"Hmm, the Gold Marrow Crystal Worms and Gold Mother Coral Sand are a bit short. The Azure Light Wood is only half the required amount..." The young Sky Roc man listed out each tribute that fell short.
"Fortunately, the shortages aren't too severe. The excess Wood Essence can just about cover the gap. We'll consider the tribute complete this time. Here are the pills for suppressing your slave marks. Next time we come, the more Wood Essence, the better." The thirty-something Sky Roc man nodded, and at the same time shook his sleeve, sending four azure jade bottles flying out to land in each of the four demons' hands.
The four demons each received the small bottles, thanking them profusely.
The three Sky Roc clan members collected the tributes, lingered not a moment longer, and immediately departed from the small beast's cave dwelling.
The four demons respectfully escorted the Sky Roc clan members to the gate, and only after watching the three Sky Roc members transform into three large birds and fly away did they truly relax and return to the cave dwelling to continue discussing their important matters.
These demons naturally failed to notice that in a corner of the great hall, a small golden insect had at some point settled down, lying motionless, appearing as lifeless as a dead thing.
At the same time, Han Li was concealing his aura as he trailed behind the three large birds, his gaze flickering.
Just now inside the small beast's cave dwelling, he had witnessed the entire scene of the Sky Roc clan members collecting the tributes. He estimated they would certainly be heading back to the Sky Roc clan's settlement.
What he needed to do now was follow the three Sky Roc clan members for a stretch and find a safe route back to the Tianyuan Continent.
After all, this stretch of sea was vast, and who knew what hidden dangers lurked where. Han Li had no intention of blindly charging into some powerful being's territory without even realizing it.
Moreover, these Flying Spirit Race members looked so similar to humans — if he could find the Sky Roc clan's settlement and blend in using his abilities, gathering intelligence and needed materials and spirit herbs wouldn't be too difficult.
Perhaps these alien races also possessed many rare treasures like the Gold Marrow Crystal Worms.
After all, the Flying Spirit Race was different from humans. The same item might be invaluable to humans but merely ordinary to them.
With such thoughts in mind, Han Li felt a flicker of excitement and became even more careful as he tailed the three Sky Roc clan members.
With Han Li's abilities, as long as the three didn't exceed the hundred-li range of his spiritual sense, there was no way he would lose track of them.
And so the three birds and one man flew swiftly along the waters near the coast of the peninsula for over two months before Han Li finally caught sight of a dark line on the distant horizon.
He had finally reached the coastline of the Tianyuan Continent.
By now, the three Sky Roc clan members ahead had already plunged into the mainland.
Nearest to the coast was a complex terrain of interconnected hills of varying sizes.
Han Li dared not delay, immediately increasing his speed and cutting the distance in half.
But just then, something unexpected suddenly occurred ahead!
In front of the three Sky Roc clan members, a two-headed giant bird and seven or eight other winged beings of the same race appeared without warning.
The moment they materialized, they surrounded the three Sky Roc clan members, their intentions clearly hostile.
Han Li was taken aback but didn't halt his movement. Moments later, he flew to within two hundred zhang of the scene and silently stopped his light.
The two-headed giant bird was extraordinarily fierce — ten zhang in length, with one head resembling a tiger and the other a flood dragon. Its feathers were brilliantly multicolored, strikingly vivid. The seven or eight winged beings were equally grotesque in appearance, and the wings on their backs were not only a size larger than those of the three Sky Roc clan members but blazed a fiery crimson, like raging flames.
The three Sky Roc clan members instantly reverted to their human forms, standing shoulder to shoulder with grave expressions.
"Tianming, what is the meaning of this? This is our Sky Roc clan's territory. Why are you Crimson Fusion Clan members here, blocking our path? Are you not afraid of punishment under the Ten Prohibitions?" The thirty-something Sky Roc man shouted coldly at a large man within the surrounding group.
The large man wore a red robe, had a tall, imposing build, and not a single hair on his head.