Chapter 1086, A Seat on the Bird’s Back

Translator: Silavin

 

Su Bai arrived at the forest beyond the Tribe under Ye Jiu’s escort.

 

The purpose was to assess the Tamed flying Ferocious Beasts. It was time to assign them a role.

 

They had been back from the Hunting Ground for a while now, and they had already adjusted.

 

*Coo coo… coo…*

 

The Grey Feathered Giant Birds spotted Yan Hua and the others and came gliding over at once.

 

They lined up side by side, four of them, still and straight, as though awaiting inspection.

 

“Good birds.” Su Bai reached out and ran a hand along the feathers of the nearest one.

 

*Coo coo coo…* The Grey Feathered Giant Bird responded with a low, rumbling call. It was the sound of something very large being quite content.

 

Though it was Yan Hua and the others who had used the Shaman Bone Tablets for the Taming, the Skill ultimately belonged to Su Bai. The birds felt that connection when he touched them. It settled them in a way nothing else did.

 

“Are you comfortable here?” Su Bai asked, his voice easy and unhurried.

 

His Taming Skill had Levelled Up through continued use. He could understand what the Tamed Ferocious Beasts were saying, and they could understand him in return.

 

*Coo coo coo…*

 

All four Grey Feathered Giant Birds sounded at once in a low, rounded chorus. The forest around the Flame Dragon Tribe suited them. There were no Ferocious Beasts nearby that outmatched them in size or rank. Life here was, by all measure, comfortable.

 

“Good. Come then, take me up.” Su Bai stepped forward and swung himself onto a bird’s back in a single motion.

 

He wanted to feel what flight with a Grey Feathered Giant Bird was actually like. He needed to test the speed, the stability, everything that would determine what kind of transportation role they could fill.

 

“Shaman, I want to come too.” Yu Ying looked up at him with those pale pink eyes, an expression of quiet hope on her face.

 

Yu Ying had deliberated over it for some time before saying anything. She was still fearful, but she had prepared herself and made herself speak.

 

“Come with me then.” Su Bai signalled the Grey Feathered Giant Bird to tilt its body to the right and lower its wing, making it easier for Yu Ying to board.

 

Yu Ying hesitated for a moment, then with Yan Hua’s help she got herself onto the bird’s back.

 

Su Bai reached out and pulled her up the rest of the way, settling her in front of him. “Tightly hold onto the feathers. And if it gets too much, you can hold onto me.”

 

Yu Ying was not a Totem Warrior. If all else failed, Su Bai knew he had to cover for her.

 

“Yes, Shaman.” Yu Ying did not dare to hold onto him yet. She gripped the feathers firmly instead.

 

Yan Hua and the others stayed below.

 

*Fwap, fwap…* The Grey Feathered Giant Bird began beating its wings, steady and rhythmic, then pushed off the ground and climbed into the air.

 

“The takeoff stability is good.” Su Bai noted with quiet satisfaction. “No lurching. No violent swaying.”

 

It was not long before they were high above the Tribe. The Grey Feathered Giant Bird circled once according to his direction, then began moving, accelerating sharply, then slowing to a glide, then pulling into a steep dive and climbed up fast again.

 

Yu Ying had her eyes shut the entire time. She did not dare open them. During the dives and climbs especially, she gripped the feathers as though her life depended on it.

 

Su Bai felt her trembling. “We can go down if you need it. Don’t just tolerate it just because I’m already up in the sky.”

 

He had one hand on the feathers and one arm around Yu Ying. It was obvious how much she was trembling.

 

“I’m all right, Shaman. This is the first time I’ve flown on a Ferocious Beast. I’m a little scared, that’s all.” What Yu Ying really wanted was to get past her own timidity. That was why she had asked to come. She had known it would be frightening.

 

“Then turn this way and hold onto me.” Su Bai shifted her with one arm, adjusting her position.

 

His Physique had grown considerably through daily training. He was stronger now than most High Grade Totem Warriors. Moving Yu Ying and repositioning her was easier than lifting a cup.

 

Yu Ying found herself repositioned before she had fully understood what was happening. Her pink eyes went wide.

 

She wrapped both arms around Su Bai and felt her face immediately got hot.

 

Her heart was beating very fast. She became aware of how warm he was, how solid. It gave her a feeling she did not have a word for, except that it was steady, and she did not want it to end.

 

A small, private thought took hold. [What if we just stayed up here forever? What if this moment does not end?]

 

Su Bai could feel her heartbeat against his chest, and the warmth of her face pressed close. He said nothing about either of those things. He simply let the corner of his mouth rise and directed the bird to continue.

 

They stayed in the air for a while before he finally guided it down.

 

*Coo coo coo…* The Grey Feathered Giant Bird called softly as it descended, landing smoothly and without a stumble.

 

Su Bai stepped off and helped Yu Ying down after him. The trial flight had gone well. In fact, better than well.

 

The most important thing, Su Bai privately thought, was the warmth of Yu Ying’s presence in the air. Especially the endearing way she had been too embarrassed to look at anything.

 

Yu Ying stood where she had landed and could not bring herself to raise her head. Her face was still hot. The feeling in the air stayed with her still.

 

“Did Xiao Yu get scared?” Yan Hua asked, keeping her expression completely innocent. She knew what had happened. That teasing of hers was all deliberate. And alongside it, there was a small and honest feeling of longing.

 

She wondered if she had been bolder, would she have been able to experience the same thing?

 

“I was not. Ah’Hua, don’t make things up.” Yu Ying’s pink fox tail swept back and forth at considerable speed.

 

“Ha ha ha ha… all right, all right, I’m done teasing you.” Yan Hua’s laughter rang out.

 

Su Bai gave the Grey Feathered Giant Bird an approving pat. “What comes next for you is really important.”

 

“Shaman, do the Grey Feathered Giant Birds suit our needs as a transportation vehicle?” Sha Lan asked, curious.

 

“Yes. They are perfect. Takeoff, landing, acceleration, everything about them is perfect.” Su Bai explained with clear satisfaction. “The next step is to have a seat built for their back. Once that’s done, our transportation vehicle will be complete.”

 

“A seat on their backs, Shaman? I thought we’d directly sit on them.” Sha Lan tilted her head, her cat ears giving a small flick.

 

“That won’t work. You can’t carry enough people that way, and those riding would be at risk of falling.” Su Bai shook his head.

 

“What sort of seat would be needed, Shaman?” Sha Lan’s cat ears twitched with interest.