Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Morning Routine
After confirming that they would deliver the necessary documents the next day, the envoys from the Three Fangs Kingdom took off, soaring into the sky. They didn’t spare a single glance at the smoldering rings of flame below, nor did they acknowledge the beasts lingering in the shadows.
John and his flock watched their figures shrink into the distance, their wings slicing through the sky until they finally disappeared beyond the horizon. Only then did John chirp, "Well, well, that was entertaining! You all performed splendidly today. Congratulations are in order."
His sharp gaze swept across the gathered birds. "Your contribution points will be recorded by Blackie here, as he is the Provisional Head of our clan." He clicked his beak, then sighed dramatically. "But good? No, no, no. Look at this mess! This is unacceptable. We are a newly established clan—our image matters! A clean and orderly territory is a reflection of our strength."
With an air of authority, he began issuing commands. "Sparrow Hall, get to work on those flames. Put them out immediately. As for the rest of you, chop up the burnt remains and store them underground. We’ll be needing that charcoal for the winter."
Satisfied, he flapped his wings. "Get to it." Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the cavern.
The cleaning crew wasted no time. Birds descended the hillside in a flurry of movement, while four sparrows darted through the air, spitting rapid bursts of water onto the lingering fires. Steam hissed and curled into the night as the flames slowly died out, leaving behind the crackling remains of a battlefield-turned-resource pile.
The Sky Dominating Clan had secured its first major victory—and they were just getting started.
Inside the cavern, John perched on his majestic throne, his sharp eyes gleaming with thought. He muttered, "System, how strong am I and my crew compared to those three envoys?"
With a familiar chime, the System flickered to life.
[Error! Error! Insufficient cultivation data for an accurate comparison.]
[Physical Assessment: You surpass all of them in raw strength.]
[Magical Assessment: Novice level. You need to master all the skills of your subordinates. Real-time training is required to increase your grade.]
John let out a dry chuckle. "Tch, just as expected. Relying on a broken system like you is my biggest shortcoming. But what can I do? You’re all I have." He clicked his beak in frustration, then exhaled. "Forget it. Once I get my hands on those cultivation records and the chronological history of this place, I expect you to be useful for once."
With that, he ruffled his feathers, tucked his head under his wing, and drifted into sleep.
A New Day Begins
Hours later, John awoke feeling refreshed and energized.
The cavern was already alive with the chorus of his flock. Birds sang in harmonious waves, their voices weaving through the morning air. It wasn’t just simple chirping—it was a competition. Some sang with gentleness, others with intricate verses, while a few injected their melodies with an unmistakable excitement.
A new day had begun for the Sky Dominating Clan, and John had much to prepare for.
As he soared out of the cavern and perched atop the tallest tree, he noticed something peculiar—the gigantic tree had grown a few inches overnight. His sharp eyes scanned the landscape below.
The flock, in the middle of an intense rap battle, immediately paused and greeted him in unison. "Good morning, Master!"
"Morning! Don’t mind me, carry on." John waved a wing dismissively before turning his gaze downward.
The aftermath of the previous night’s fire had been completely erased. Not a single scorch mark remained on the wood surrounding the foot of the hills. His keen vision swept across the area—where there had once been flames, now only dirt remained. No burned grass, no traces of destruction.
He gave a satisfied nod. They worked hard.
Turning his attention back to the rap battle, he listened intently and soon reached an amusing conclusion—Woodie, despite being naive, was unknowingly the most ruthless battle rapper among them. She effortlessly dissed everyone, not out of malice, but through sheer ignorance, using her innocence as a shield against the sharpest insults.
John let out a chuckle. "Hah! They’re getting frustrated because their best lines are wasted on someone too naive to even realize she’s being insulted. What a joyful morning."
The birds let out collective sighs, glancing at Woodie with exasperation. After all their efforts, they had no choice but to accept defeat. With no real competition, Woodie became the undisputed winner of today’s battle—by sheer ignorance alone.
John smirked as he observed their dilemma. "Look at them. To them, she’s lovely and naive... but also utterly frustrating. They’re stuck between getting mad or trying to teach her some manners. Too bad for them—she’s beyond teaching. Ignoring her is their only hope." He muttered under his breath, amused.
He then added with a chuckle, "She’s a damn lost cause—can’t even grasp the basics of her own skills. How is she supposed to absorb their insults?"
With the singing competition over, John flapped his wings and announced, "Alright, enough fun. Morning exercise first! The loser will be today’s cook. After breakfast, we’re reorganizing our food storage."
He led them through a series of drills, starting with coordinated aerial maneuvers, his voice acting as the conductor. After that, he introduced more rigorous exercises—carrying heavy stones while flying, sharpening their beak and claw techniques, and finally, magical training under the supervision of each house leader.
Magic training focused on control and refining the basics. As John observed their progress, he noted the potential in their abilities. "They’re still young... but give them time. When they mature, the world will tremble at the name Sky Dominating Clan."
Just then, he sensed a presence. His sharp eyes flicked upward toward the empty sky. A smirk tugged at his beak as he spoke, "Brother Damien, you came alone this time. Please, join me for breakfast. We have much to discuss today."