The courtyard was deathly silent. Every disciple stood frozen, their expressions a mix of shock, confusion, and disbelief.
Zou Fang's bold declaration—"I am Zou Fang, and I am here to beat you all up!"—still echoed in their minds.
And then, before the stunned silence could break, Zou Fang took another step forward. His back was straight, his gaze unwavering, and then—
"Come, Bashawk."
A gust of wind swept across the courtyard as a figure stepped forward. It was an unusual beast—one that looked like a cross between an emperor penguin and a fierce eagle.
Bashawk's dark blue feathers gleamed under the sunlight, and its sharp golden eyes scanned the crowd with an innate sense of authority.
The moment it appeared, whispers broke out among the disciples.
"What is that beast?"
"Is that… a Bashawk? I've seen one before, but…"
"That's just a regular Bashawk, isn't it? What's so special about it?"
