Chapter 71: The Young Thunderhawk

The fat man shouted his innocence. Yet the guards searched his sleeve and found a black wooden flute. That black flute was the real Blackwood Patterned Flute. The fat man was led away by the guards as the crowd began to murmur.

“That bastard turned out to be a swindler? And to think I thought he looked so honest.”

“You can never truly know someone. We almost wronged this young man.”

“Good thing the young man recognized the trick, saw through the con. No wonder both these young ladies are with him.”

The captain of the guard lowered his head to Xu Han, apologetic. “Sorry, we misunderstood you just now. We’ll take him back for investigation immediately. He will be punished.”

With that, the guards escorted the fat man away, and the onlookers gradually dispersed.

Qin Xuanyi whispered, “Thank you, Xu Han… If you hadn’t noticed, I would’ve spent over four million on a bronze-grade weapon.”

Xu Han waved it off. “It was nothing.”

At first, he too had believed that was the Blackwood Patterned Flute. But out of habit, he used his Piercing Eye, only to discover the flute was a bronze-grade weapon. The fat man had hidden the real Blackwood Patterned Flute in his sleeve, revealing its attributes only when needed. Most people would never have noticed the deception and would have fallen for the scam.

The three continued wandering through the market. Xu Han bought some pet food—twelve varieties in total: three platinum-grade, nine gold-grade—costing him twelve million altogether. His newly earned savings instantly dwindled to three million. When he returned, he planned to feed these to his little one, hoping to further enhance its strength.

As for equipment, nothing in the market interested Xu Han, not even gold-grade weapons. He could only hope to find something worthwhile in the secret realm—perhaps a high-level exotic beast leader.

Both Xia Ling and Qin Xuanyi bought some equipment as well. Together, they walked toward the station. Xu Han kept an eye out, searching for any hidden treasures.

Suddenly, his gaze landed on an iron cage at a nearby stall. Inside was a bird, no larger than a palm, its feathers ruffled and body marked by several wounds, looking battered and pitiful. Yet its eyes blazed with unwavering defiance and fighting spirit.

Xu Han stared at the bird, surprised and delighted.

[Name: Storm Thunder Hawk Hatchling (One-in-a-billion Skyshattering Thunder Hawk bloodline)]
[Species: Bird]
[Level: 1]
[Strength: 4]
[Constitution: 3]
[Agility: 10]
[Spirit: 1]
[Skill 1: Wind Rending Claw LV.1 (Imbues the claws with wind attribute energy, increasing attack speed. 10% chance to deal double damage. Cooldown: 1 minute)]
[Skill 2: Wind Blade LV.1 (Harnesses wind to create three sharp blades to attack enemies. Cooldown: 1 minute)]
[Bloodline Purification Requirement: Silver-grade thunder attribute pet food x1]

Xu Han hadn’t expected this little creature to possess even a trace of a divine beast’s bloodline—the Skyshattering Thunder Hawk, a supreme beast known for its incredible speed, lord of the skies, its power rivaling even the Titan God Tiger.

Xu Han stepped forward and asked, “How much for this Storm Thunder Hawk hatchling?”

The stall owner, a bald middle-aged man, glanced at Xu Han. “Five hundred thousand.”

Xia Ling was startled. “Five hundred thousand? Why so expensive? An adult Storm Thunder Hawk is only a third-tier exotic beast; hatchlings usually cost between a hundred and two hundred thousand. Why are you charging five hundred thousand? Isn’t that robbery?”

The man closed his eyes impatiently. “If it’s too expensive, don’t buy.”

But Xu Han responded directly, “I’ll take it.”

He handed over his bank card. The stall owner looked at him in surprise, swiped the card, and the money was transferred. He handed Xu Han the iron cage, giving the Storm Thunder Hawk hatchling a deep, lingering look.

“It’s very strong-willed. No matter how badly it’s hurt, it never yields. If you nurture it well, it will surpass ordinary Storm Thunder Hawks.”

Xu Han nodded slightly, though in his heart he thought, Not just surpass them. With proper training, it could become the legendary divine beast—the Skyshattering Thunder Hawk itself!

Seeing Xu Han carrying the cage, Xia Ling and Qin Xuanyi looked puzzled.

“Xu Han, isn’t it a bit much to spend five hundred thousand on a Storm Thunder Hawk hatchling?” Xia Ling, who had grown up in the marketplace and knew the value of things well, questioned him.

Xu Han shook his head, smiling at the little bird in the cage. “Not at all. This little one’s potential is far beyond what we imagine.”

Hearing this, Xia Ling said nothing more. The three headed towards the station.

“Xu Han?!”

A surprised voice called out. Xu Han looked up to see Shui Lingyao and Shui Xuelan, the two sisters, standing on the platform.

Shui Lingyao quickly walked over, smiling. “What a coincidence to meet you here.” She glanced at Xia Ling and Qin Xuanyi, asking hesitantly, “Are these two your girlfriends?”

Qin Xuanyi blushed and shook her head quickly. “We’re just friends, happened to run into each other…”

Shui Lingyao quietly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “I see.” She turned to Xu Han, looking at him meaningfully. “Xu Han, do you remember what you once said? That you’d invite me to visit your dormitory?”

Xu Han was momentarily confused. When had he ever said that?

Shui Lingyao continued, “Tonight, my sister and I will come visit, all right? See you tonight!” Without giving Xu Han a chance to refuse, she took Shui Xuelan’s hand and hurried away.

Xu Han was left speechless. He had been planning to spend the evening helping his little one and the new Storm Thunder Hawk purify their bloodlines.

Xia Ling eyed him suspiciously. “Xu Han, don’t you live in the boys’ dorm? How can they…”

With a helpless sigh, Xu Han explained the dormitory arrangements to them. Both Xia Ling and Qin Xuanyi stared in shock.

“You were assigned to an A-class student dormitory?!” Xia Ling exclaimed.

Xu Han nodded.

“Then can I come see it too, with Xuanyi?” Xia Ling smiled, clutching Qin Xuanyi’s arm.

Xu Han sighed deeply and nodded. Since the Shui sisters were coming anyway, it wouldn’t make a difference.

The three took the aerial tram back to Longguo University. As they entered the campus, Xu Han could clearly feel it was livelier than before. Many people in various gear walked the roads. Xia Ling and Qin Xuanyi drew every eye, making heads turn as if three hundred percent. As for Xu Han, he was merely the escort for two beautiful women.

Back at the dorm, Xu Han put the iron cage on the table. The Storm Thunder Hawk hatchling glared at him defiantly, refusing to come out. Xu Han grinned. This little thing was stubborn, but no matter how strong-willed, could it resist his culinary assault?

Ignoring the hatchling for the moment, he went to the kitchen, fetched a large slab of exotic beast meat he’d saved, and began to grill it.

Soon, the smell of roasting meat filled the entire room.