Invincible Snake Emperor-Chapter 184 - 181: Taming the Peacock
The gloom in the Peacock Azure Owl's heart was immeasurable as she pecked at the rice with tears in her eyes.
Over the past few days, she had learned to be smart. She ate slowly, pecking one grain at a time. If she ate too quickly, Wen Qiu would think she was still starving.
Then, another handful of rice would be scattered over, and she would honestly want to die.
Just then, Wen Qiu watched the Azure Owl peck at the rice, a smile on her face. She nodded in satisfaction. 'This bird is so beautiful. I never expected it to be so easy to raise.'
At first, she had worried the bird wouldn't like rice, but after a few days, she noticed that every grain she scattered was eaten clean, with none going to waste.
This made her very happy. She even thought this bird was easier to raise than a chicken.
Thankfully, Wen Qiu kept this thought to herself. If she were to say it out loud now, the Azure Owl would probably spit out a mouthful of blood in frustration.
What a massive misunderstanding.
A moment later, Wen Qiu saw that the Peacock had eaten all the scattered rice and asked with a smile, "Are you full? If not, I can get you some more."
As soon as she said this, the Azure Owl shook its head for dear life, breaking out in a cold sweat. It swore it never wanted to eat rice again as long as it lived.
'This bird is so smart; it seems to understand everything I say.'
Wen Qiu was extremely fond of this bird. It gave her the feeling of raising a chicken at home.
But it was much easier to raise than a chicken. It didn't relieve itself everywhere, and on top of that, it was so beautiful it was a pleasure to behold.
Just looking at this bird every day would brighten her mood.
"Are you really full?" Wen Qiu asked again, still not quite reassured.
The Azure Owl immediately nodded frantically, terrified the woman would misunderstand and bring another handful of rice.
"So clever."
Wen Qiu reached out her hand to pet it, and the Azure Owl quickly extended its noble head, allowing her to stroke it.
After petting it for a while, Wen Qiu was satisfied and contentedly returned to the house.
The Azure Owl let out a heavy sigh of relief, covered in a cold sweat. It felt as if it had narrowly escaped a disaster.
Suddenly, out of the corner of its eye, it saw a snake floating in the air above. It immediately gritted its beak and spoke in a human voice, "You villain! Villain! Villain!"
At first glance, it was a little surprised. The snake had changed color; it was different. But the Azure Owl would recognize this snake even if it were burned to ashes.
Besides, this was its current master. There was a soul imprint connecting them; it was impossible to be mistaken.
Tu Xiao'an had seen everything unfold, and it was truly amusing. 'Mom thinks the bird eats rice, but how could I not know? How could a noble, awakened Peacock possibly enjoy eating rice?'
'It's just enduring the humiliation for now.'
"Die, you villain!"
The Azure Owl was seething with pent-up rage. It spread its magnificent wings with the might of a Da Peng, flapped them a few times, and in an instant, several whirlwinds materialized, sweeping toward the Purple Gold Snake in the air.
As the whirlwinds swept forward, a series of cracking pops echoed through the air. However, just as the whirlwinds reached the Purple Gold Snake, Tu Xiao'an gave them a casual glance, and they automatically dissipated.
The Azure Owl was instantly astonished. 'This rotten-to-the-core snake... it seems even stronger than before.'
'It's over. I'll never be free in this lifetime.'
"Is this how you greet your master?" Tu Xiao'an asked with a faint, teasing smile as he gazed at the incredibly beautiful Azure Owl.
The Azure Owl was furious, but the voice that came out was still crisp and pleasant to the ear. "Villain, villain, you big villain..."
It was helpless against the snake and could only resort to name-calling. But all it could say was "villain" over and over; its vocabulary was sorely lacking.
'Looks like this Peacock needs to spend some time in human society to learn how to properly curse someone out.'
'If it just found some local hoodlum to be its teacher, it could learn a hundred different curses without a single repeat.'
At that moment, a strange fragrance suddenly drifted through the air, fragrant and alluring. The Azure Owl's gem-like eyes began to sparkle brightly as it saw a small, glistening, crimson fruit floating in front of it.
The scent wafting from the fruit made the Azure Owl desperately want to devour it in a single gulp.
"Want a bite?" Tu Xiao'an asked, looking at the Azure Owl with amusement.
The Azure Owl started nodding frantically again, its eyes glued to the small, floating fruit.
"Call me 'Master,' and I'll let you have it."
"Villain... villain..." A cunning glint flashed in the Azure Owl's eyes. With a flap of its magnificent wings, it leaped high into the air and caught the small fruit in its sharp beak.
Then, it swallowed it in one gulp and shot Tu Xiao'an a triumphant, gloating expression.
Tu Xiao'an just smiled. If he hadn't intentionally gone easy on it, how could the Azure Owl have possibly snatched food from his grasp?
Then, Tu Xiao'an began to observe the Azure Owl's reaction. This was a Snakeberry, which grew in Snake Valley. It could be considered a Divine Fruit for the Snake Race, but he didn't know what effect it would have on other creatures.
In just a moment, the Azure Owl's magnificent feathers began to glow faintly, and a terrifying aura spread out from it. Its eyes grew as bright as stars. Clearly, it had benefited.
However, Tu Xiao'an frowned. The Azure Owl's body hadn't increased in size at all.
'It seems this Peacock's bloodline is too noble for it to change so easily.'
"More... I want more."
Having digested the Snakeberry's Energy, the Azure Owl looked up at the floating Purple Gold Snake and said, a little shyly.
"Call me 'Master,' and I'll give you more."
The Azure Owl was like a pouting little girl. It rolled its bright eyes and said, "Villain! I'm not calling you 'Master'!"
'How could the King of Hundred Birds call a mere snake 'Master'?'
*POP...*
A crimson Snakeberry appeared above the Azure Owl. It instantly prepared to leap up, but in the next second, it deflated like a punctured ball and gritted its beak at the snake.
A Formless power had enveloped its body, rendering it unable to move.
"Call me 'Master,' and this little fruit is yours," Tu Xiao'an said, in a great mood as he teased the impossibly proud Peacock.
The Azure Owl immediately put on an air of defiance, but its eyes remained glued to the floating Snakeberry. It swallowed hard, its greedy expression just like that of a gluttonous little girl.
*POP...*
Two Snakeberries appeared, floating in front of the Azure Owl.
"So, are you going to call me 'Master' or not?"
'I am the noble and elegant King of Hundred Birds. How could I sell myself out for a mere piece of fruit?'
*POP...* Three Snakeberries appeared, all of them emitting a rich, strange fragrance that seemed to beckon to its very soul.
The Azure Owl looked like it wanted to speak but hesitated. Its proud heart wouldn't allow it to submit so easily.
*POP, POP, POP...* A full ten Snakeberries appeared, lining up in a row in front of the Azure Owl, as if to force its submission.
The Azure Owl felt like it was going to go crazy. 'Why is he tormenting me like this?'
"As expected of the King of Hundred Birds. You've got backbone. In that case, you can go back to pecking rice. I'll just give these Snakeberries to Xiaobai."
Just then, a fluffy dog caught the strange fragrance in the air and came running over in a flash.
"Aarf! Aarf!"
When Xiaobai saw the Snakeberries floating in front of the Azure Owl, it didn't bother with pleasantries, directly shoving its snout forward and swallowing one down.
The Azure Owl's heart was bleeding. 'You can't bully a peacock like this!'
After swallowing one Snakeberry, Xiaobai became as excited as if it had taken a stimulant. It then proceeded to gobble down the Snakeberries in front of the Azure Owl, one by one.
"Stupid dog, get lost! Those are mine!"
The Azure Owl was so angry it felt like it would explode on the spot. It glared viciously at the floating snake and called out, reluctantly and resentfully, "Master..."
It had figured things out. 'What's the point of dignity? I'm already this snake's pet. I'd be a fool not to take advantage of this. I can't just let this stupid dog get everything for nothing!'
