Chapter 6: The Rainbow-Crowned Swan

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Fan Honghong suddenly declared, “I’ve made up my mind—I’ll choose the Batwing Wyvern!” Saying this, she eagerly dashed over to a nearby attendant.

Each area had its own attendant. Newcomers who fancied a particular flying mount only needed to tell the attendant, who would then prepare the mount and store it inside a spiritual energy card to be handed over.

Fan Honghong told the attendant which Batwing Wyvern she wanted, then happily bounced back.

“I’ve made my choice, Xingxing, now let’s pick yours,” Fan Honghong said affectionately, linking arms with Fanxing.

“All right. Thanks for guiding me—I’m not familiar with these flying mounts,” Fanxing smiled.

Fan Honghong patted her chest confidently. “No problem, leave it to me.”

They moved on to the next area, which resembled a toy town. Fanxing scanned it for a long time but couldn’t spot any flying mounts.

Just then, a pattering sound came from within—the toy town was suddenly filled with a group of wooden carved animals: wooden horses, oxen, cats, dogs, and so on.

Each wooden figure had a pair of small wooden wings attached—not large enough for flight, more ornamental than functional.

Fan Honghong explained, “These are Flying Puppets, toy spirit species—the only transformed spirit species among all the flying spirits in the Exotic Garden. The rest of the flying mounts are beast spirits.”

Fanxing nodded, learning a new term: transformed spirit species.

Soon, she saw the Flying Puppets flutter their tiny wings and take to the air.

“Well? Anything catch your eye? Flying Puppets are pretty adorable, too,” Fan Honghong asked.

Fanxing thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“All right, let’s move on,” Fan Honghong said, taking Fanxing’s hand and leading her to the next area.

This section resembled a rocky cavern, with vast exposed stones scattered throughout and numerous caves nestled between them.

Inside one cave, several large brown eagles lay resting with their eyes closed.

If the earlier skylarks were cute, these eagles were majestic and imposing.

Fanxing glanced at a sign that read “White-tailed Eagle.”

The entire body of the White-tailed Eagle was covered in brown feathers, except for its tail, which was pure white.

Fan Honghong explained, “Flying mounts bred by Radiant Light Academy mostly excel only in flight and lack combat prowess, sometimes unable to fight at all. But the White-tailed Eagle is an exception—it has attack power comparable to common offensive spirit species.”

Fanxing looked at the eagle’s sharp claws and hooked beak, nodding in understanding. “I can see that.”

“What do you think? How about the White-tailed Eagle? Look how handsome it is!” Fan Honghong pressed her face against the glass, eyes gleaming with desire. Unfortunately, since she had already chosen the Batwing Wyvern, she couldn’t pick another.

Fanxing thought the White-tailed Eagle was indeed impressive—tall and powerful.

Just as she was about to decide, a piercing cry interrupted her thoughts.

Following the sound, she looked toward the adjacent glass enclosure and saw a bird spirit elegantly perched on a wooden rack.

This spirit was covered in black feathers, with a slender neck, eyes arrogantly cast upward, wearing an expression of supreme pride.

What’s more, its eyes were clear and gem-like, and atop its head sat a crown embedded with seven differently colored jewels.

Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple—the red gem was the largest and most prominent, set in the crown’s center.

Long blue eyelashes framed its eyes, giving off a fairy-tale aura—elegant and mysterious.

Strangely, this glass enclosure housed only this single spirit.

“A Black Swan!” Fanxing exclaimed in surprise.

Fan Honghong also turned toward the sound and gasped, “What the heck, a Demon Spirit species?! How is there a Demon Spirit here?”

Fanxing thought to herself: another new term—Demon Spirit species.

They approached the enclosure, and the sign read “Rainbow Crown Swan.”

“Rainbow Crown Swan, so it really is a Demon Spirit species!” Fan Honghong said in disbelief.

Fanxing asked, “What’s so special about Demon Spirits? Why are you so shocked?”

Fan Honghong replied, “Demon Spirits and Divine Spirits are extremely rare among spirit species. They’re hard to come across.”

A nearby attendant chuckled and explained, “She’s right. This Rainbow Crown Swan is a spirit species born from Western fairy tales, obtained from outside the Academy. There’s only one like it.”

Fan Honghong was puzzled, “If it’s so rare, why hasn’t anyone taken it?”

The attendant explained, “Not that no one wants it—it’s that no one can have it.”

Fanxing and Fan Honghong looked at the attendant curiously.

The attendant continued, “All the other flying spirits here were bred by our Academy for newcomers to choose from, so if a newcomer picks one, it’s willing to go with them.

“But the Rainbow Crown Swan is different. It’s an outsider and proud. It will only go with someone it chooses.”

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“No wonder,” Fan Honghong said, suddenly enlightened.

“How can one be chosen by it?” Fanxing asked, clearly intrigued by the Rainbow Crown Swan.

The attendant replied, “Simple—defeat it!”

Just as he finished, an excited voice rang out, “Wow, a Demon Spirit species!”

Fanxing and Fan Honghong turned to see Lu Xiangxiang and Mei Xiaohuan approaching.

“I want that Rainbow Crown Swan!” Lu Xiangxiang declared arrogantly.

Fan Honghong immediately protested, “Do you think the Exotic Garden belongs to you? You can’t just claim it like that!”

Lu Xiangxiang snapped back, “You’ve already chosen one; what business is it of yours?”

Fan Honghong placed her hands on her hips, “I don’t care if you’ve chosen or not—I just don’t like you. Ever heard of first come, first served?”

At that moment, the attendant interjected, “Enough. It’s not about who shouts the loudest; the Rainbow Crown Swan only acknowledges the worthy.”

“Hmph!” Fan Honghong and Lu Xiangxiang snorted simultaneously.

“If you want the Rainbow Crown Swan, go in and try. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—it’s fierce,” the attendant cautioned.

“I’ll go!” Lu Xiangxiang stepped forward eagerly.

The attendant opened the glass enclosure door. “Go ahead.”

Lu Xiangxiang glanced triumphantly at Fanxing and Fan Honghong.

Mei Xiaohuan tugged at Lu Xiangxiang’s sleeve. “Xiangxiang, be careful. This Demon Spirit species doesn’t look easy to handle.”

Lu Xiangxiang confidently replied, “Don’t worry. Don’t you trust me?”

She strode into the enclosure.

Fan Honghong whispered anxiously to Fanxing, “Don’t let her actually get that Rainbow Crown Swan! Even though I don’t get along with her, she’s been a genius since childhood—very strong.”

Fanxing said, “Let’s wait and see.”

Fan Honghong pouted. “I guess that’s all we can do.”

Other newcomers gathered around, equally stunned by the Demon Spirit species, their eyes fixed on Lu Xiangxiang inside.

No sooner had Lu Xiangxiang entered than the Rainbow Crown Swan locked its gaze on her.

Before she could summon her spirit, the swan flapped its wings and took flight.

Lu Xiangxiang was about to call her spirit when the swan suddenly stomped on her face.

She screamed in pain. When she recovered, a red imprint of a goose’s foot adorned her cheek—like a sharp slap.

Fortunately, the swan was restrained and did not strike hard; otherwise, her face would have been badly bruised.

Outside the enclosure, the newcomers burst into laughter.

Furious and embarrassed, Lu Xiangxiang shouted, “You damn creature! I’ll teach you a lesson!”

She summoned her spirit with a wave of her hand, the energy card glowing as a spirit appeared beside her.

It was a massive fish spirit, pure white with smooth contours, sharp teeth bared. Blue currents of water swirled around it, its beautiful fins cutting through the air like blades.

Fanxing stared in surprise—it was a shark spirit.

Amazingly, the shark swam freely through the air.

Fan Honghong whispered to Fanxing, “That’s Lu Xiangxiang’s spirit, the Giant Que Shark, a beast spirit and fiercely aggressive. I bet only three or fewer of us newbies here are stronger than her.”

“Giant Que Shark, bite it!” Lu Xiangxiang commanded, pointing at the Rainbow Crown Swan.

The shark roared, whipping its tail and spraying mist, then lunged at the swan.

The Rainbow Crown Swan looked at it disdainfully, showing no intention to dodge.

Just as the shark was about to strike, the swan raised one wing.

*Whap!*

It struck the shark’s face with full force.

A scream followed as the shark crashed heavily to the ground, convulsed twice, and lost consciousness.

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

The shark’s strength was obvious, yet it had been knocked out by a single wing strike.

This was simply overwhelming—a true testament to the power of a Demon Spirit species.

After knocking out the shark, the Rainbow Crown Swan leisurely flapped its wings and settled back on the wooden rack, wearing a composed expression and letting out a scoff as if mocking Lu Xiangxiang’s overconfidence.

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Arrogant—too arrogant!

“Giant Que Shark!” Lu Xiangxiang knelt beside her spirit, checking its condition with concern.

The attendant said, “If you fail the challenge, come out quickly.”

Lu Xiangxiang had no choice but to recall her spirit, crestfallen, and exited the enclosure.

“Well, you’re out. Still bragging? Bet your face is all swollen and bruised,” Fan Honghong teased.

“Mind your own business!” Lu Xiangxiang glared. “If I can’t do it, can you? Or maybe your hillbilly friend there?”

“Who are you calling a hillbilly? Want me to rip your mouth apart? A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory—no wonder you got slapped in the face. Your mouth is just too foul,” Fan Honghong fired back, making Lu Xiangxiang blush with anger.

Lu Xiangxiang was about to retort, but Mei Xiaohuan quickly stepped in.

“Let me treat your Giant Que Shark. Bring it out.”

Lu Xiangxiang reluctantly complied.

Mei Xiaohuan summoned her spirit with a card. A giant white night-blooming cereus slowly blossomed on the ground, eventually as large as a car.

Lu Xiangxiang released her shark again, and the cereus’s vines wrapped around it, pulling the shark into its center and enveloping it with petals.

The flower emitted a gentle glow as the shark’s wounds began to heal.

A faint fragrance wafted from the cereus, filling Fanxing’s senses with serenity.

“So amazing!” Fanxing stared at the beautiful cereus.

Fan Honghong whispered, “That’s Mei Xiaohuan’s spirit, Little Leaf Cereus, a celestial spirit species specialized in healing. Among healing spirits, it’s exceptional and quite rare.”

Fanxing didn’t notice that Fan Honghong’s tone had grown somewhat melancholy.

Fanxing nodded, thinking: the variety and functions of spirit species really are astonishing.

The attendant looked around and asked, “Anyone else want to try?”

After witnessing Lu Xiangxiang’s setback, no one dared to step forward; everyone instinctively took a step back.

The attendant smiled, “Don’t be so afraid. The Rainbow Crown Swan is fierce but measured—it won’t seriously injure anyone.”

Upon hearing that, the crowd moved back another step.

See? Even you said it’s fierce.

Fanxing patted her bag as Nightfall poked out his head.

“Do you think you can beat that Rainbow Crown Swan?” she whispered.

Earlier that morning, Fanxing had tried to store Nightfall in her spirit energy card, but he stubbornly refused, so she brought him along.

Nightfall looked confident. Of course! It’s just a bird.

“Then let’s give it a try,” Fanxing said softly.

“Meow~ I’ll get it for you, Master!” Nightfall promised with determination.

Having made her decision, Fanxing stepped forward and said, “Teacher, I’d like to try.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd buzzed—some admired her courage, others secretly mocked her presumptuousness.

Fan Honghong approached and whispered, “Are you sure? That Rainbow Crown Swan is ridiculously strong. It’s tough for a newbie like us to win.”

Fanxing smiled, “The teacher said it’s measured. Worst case, I get roughed up. But what if I win? Didn’t you say Demon Spirits are rare?”

Fan Honghong hesitated, “Well…”

Fanxing patted her shoulder, “I’ve made up my mind.”

Fan Honghong said, “All right, be careful then.”

Not far off, Lu Xiangxiang snorted, “You really have guts. Is this what they call ‘fearless because of ignorance’?”

Fanxing stopped and looked at her. “Some people get slapped in the face and aren’t ashamed. What do I have to fear?”

“You…” Lu Xiangxiang flushed with anger. “Let’s see what a hillbilly like you can do.”

Ignoring her, Fanxing approached the glass enclosure door.

Before entering, she summoned Nightfall, determined not to be caught unprepared like Lu Xiangxiang.

Nightfall, the size of a palm, landed on the ground, shrouded in black mist. In the blink of an eye, he grew to the size of a leopard.