200: The whole city evacuated

"Caw!"

A bird's cry, echoing throughout the entire city, emanated from the City Lord's Mansion.

Then, a surge of azure-green light shot into the sky, like a green pillar of light connecting heaven and earth.

Such a massive commotion instantly drew the attention of everyone in the city.

"What is that?"

The streets, somewhat sparse due to the snow, became bustling again as people stood, gazing at the pillar of light in the city center.

Not long after, the vibrant pillar of light exploded in the sky above the city.

The figure of a divine bird emerged from the light pillar, spreading its wings and stretching its slender, graceful body.

Its posture was so elegant that it gave one the feeling of being able to admire it only from afar.

Suddenly, some older residents of Qingyang City cried out a name, "Lord Muxin Qingyang Bird? Isn't that Lord Muxin Qingyang Bird?"

"But this is a little different from what I remember."

The old man speaking also had a bewildered look in his eyes, wondering if his memory was confused due to the long time since he last saw Muxin Qingyang Bird.

Currently, the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan's body was a full two hundred meters in size; Luo Chen, hovering beside it, wasn't even as big as its head.

However, not long after the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan's figure appeared, Feng Qingyang flew over on his own accord.

"Lord Muxin Qingyang Bird?"

Though his tone was a question, seeing Luo Chen beside the divine bird, and its resemblance to Muxin Qingyang Bird, he had already mostly guessed the truth.

"It is I. The residents of Qingyang City, are they truly… leaving?"

Feng Qingyang was silent. "Yes, the time is set for five days from now. Lord Muxin Qingyang Bird has been in a coma, so we couldn't inform you of this news.

Lord Muxin Qingyang Bird, you can come with us to the new city. Wherever the residents of Qingyang City are, that will be the new Qingyang City."

Feng Qingyang's words were sincere, but the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan shook its head.

"This is different. It is because Qingyang City exists that I protect the humans within Qingyang City, not because of these humans that I stay in Qingyang City."

It looked at the snowflakes fluttering in the world, saying with some uncertainty, "Is it winter now?"

Luo Chen reached out and caught a few falling snowflakes. "This is the disaster I told you about. The world is freezing, and everything will be encased in ice, so for the safety of the residents, we have no choice but to relocate."

Feng Qingyang nodded in agreement beside him, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

The Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan gazed at the distant world, a sigh appearing in its eyes. It spread its wings, and golden and green specks of light fell with its movements.

Then, it seemed to patrol its territory, as if searching for places in this land that coincided with its memories.

Large swaths of light floated with its movements, reaching every corner of the city.

These lights fell on plants, causing their already yellowed or withered branches and leaves to regain their verdant vitality, with new tender leaves sprouting and growing in an instant.

It was as if spring had returned to the entire city; everywhere was a verdant scene, and even the temperature within the city seemed to have warmed up considerably.

Moreover, this light was not only effective on plants; it also gathered into people it landed on. Those bathed in the light felt their minds become much clearer.

Now, the residents of the city also knew that this was a blessing from the divine bird. Although they didn't know the specific effects, the feeling of physical lightness and mental clarity indicated that there were definitely many benefits.

"As the guardian Beast Master of Qingyang City, this is the last thing I can do for you. I only hope that you will have a bright future, free from disaster and hardship."

The Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan spread its light to every part of the city; all residents in Qingyang City received its blessing.

Someone shouted first, "Thank you, Lord Muxin Qingyang Bird, for your blessing."

Then, more and more voices converged, turning into waves that spread to every corner of the city.

Luo Chen saw that, as if some specks of light appeared from the shouting crowds and gathered towards the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan.

What was that?

Luo Chen used his Eye of Truth to examine it, but he didn't notice any changes in the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan, which made Luo Chen for a moment believe he had seen something wrong.

Listening to the shouts of the crowd, a strange fluctuation appeared in the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan's heart. It recalled its evolutionary journey:

From a Fierce-Tier Kingfisher, to a Spirit Rank Azure Wood Sparrow, a King Rank Qingyang Bird, and finally, the Wooden Heart Qingyang Bird.

It had endured much hardship along the way. Because of a person and a promise, it had guarded Qingyang City for several hundred years.

Qingyang City was named after it, so as long as it was alive, it should continue to guard Qingyang City until the end of time.

Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan (Modified Version)

…

The Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan ultimately did not agree to Feng Qingyang's request, and even rejected Luo Chen's invitation to take it to Chenyang Pet Store.

This made Luo Chen exclaim in regret, as in his opinion, the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan was perfectly suited for his mother.

Although his mother, currently only King Rank, couldn't yet form a contract with it, which was Wild Rank, affection and understanding could be cultivated in advance.

But it was clear that the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan had no such intention, so Luo Chen could only give up.

At the East Gate of Qingyang City, a spatial passage about a hundred meters high formed.

The main road was filled with people leaving the city, their figures indistinct, heading out through the East Gate.

The relocation of Qingyang City's population had begun, but due to the existence of spatial artifacts, it was rare to see people carrying large bundles.

However, many Beast Masters with their accompanying beasts were seen, as the temperature outside the city had already dropped below zero, a temperature that made many low-tier Beast Masters uncomfortable.

Even the sides of the streets outside the city were lined with Beast Masters possessing fire-elemental beasts, casting various fire-elemental Skills to make the road temperature a bit higher.

Inside the city, due to the presence of the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan, it remained warm like spring. Even with heavy snow outside, inside were lush green trees, a vibrant scene that easily created a sense of disconnect.

The Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan stood atop the tallest building in the city, the Qingyang City Lord's Mansion, watching the procession moving out of the city like ants relocating, its eyes filled with nostalgia.

The relocation procession continued for an entire day. As the last guard entered the glowing portal, Feng Qingyang stood at the East City Gate and bowed deeply in the direction of the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan.

"Lord Qingyang Bird, farewell for now."

Then he turned and entered the glowing portal behind him. As he entered, the portal slowly closed.

The scene inside the city was still vibrant, and with the departure of the people, the ubiquitous plants could grow even more freely.

But for some reason, the city felt desolate. The Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan didn't feel any discomfort; during its slumber, it had always been alone as a beast.

It was merely sentimental, with a sense of the curtain falling on prosperity, of the music ending and the people dispersing.

Just as the Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan hadn't quite understood what it truly felt inside,

A gentle voice suddenly spoke beside it.

"Hello, Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan."

The Golden-Patterned Azure Jade Luan looked with confused eyes at the unfamiliar woman who appeared beside it, and the two beasts accompanying her.

However, it was not alarmed, as the two beasts beside her felt very weak in its perception and posed no threat to it.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Su Muqing, an adventurous Beast Master. May I have the honor of befriending you?"