riding

Almost all magical creatures possess their own racial talents, and the Gryphon is naturally no exception.

Moreover, as a High-level Magical Beast, its racial talent is definitely more intuitive and powerful than that of Low-level Magical Beasts like the Goblin.

An adult Gryphon can sense changes in celestial phenomena and control and manipulate air currents.

Driven by extreme emotion, the magical power within the Gryphon surged outward, affecting the natural environment, causing the wind and clouds to change suddenly.

These air currents, mixed with magical power, were almost visible to the naked eye, emitting a faint green glow.

With a flap of its wings, the Gryphon swooped down from the sky, carrying a strong hurricane.

Before its sharp talons arrived, the powerful wind pressure made it difficult for the Adventurers to stand tall or lift their heads.

The power of a High-level Magical Beast could be glimpsed at this moment.

“Scatter!”

One of the two captains roared, then stopped and turned, raising a man-sized great shield, attempting to block the attack and buy time for his comrades.

As long as they could escape into the dense forest, the Gryphon's aerial advantage would be greatly diminished, and the hurricane it stirred up would be blocked by the trees, giving them a chance to retreat safely.

This decision was sound and the most correct course of action at the moment.

Since none of them were Silver-rank Adventurers, they certainly couldn't confront the Gryphon head-on.

After all, the latter could fly, possessed absolute air superiority, could fight or retreat as it pleased, and could simply wear them down until they died.

This is also an important reason why Gryphons are highly regarded.

They have flying speed comparable to Dragons, and their relatively smaller size makes their flight more agile.

However, this Adventurer, who had some Giant blood flowing through his veins, overestimated his strength. He realized this only when the Gryphon's sharp talons struck his Ironwood Shield, but alas, it was too late.

The Adventurer captain, over two meters tall, was effortlessly knocked flying by the Gryphon like a broken sack, his shield immediately slipped from his grasp, and he lay sprawled on the ground, unable to get up for a moment.

If the shield hadn't neutralized most of the impact, he would be dealing with more than just a few broken ribs right now.

Before the Giant Captain could celebrate saving his life, he looked up and saw the Gryphon's figure blocking the light above, its cold-iron-like talons grasping toward his head.

If those landed, his brains would probably be exposed to the air.

But at this moment, let alone dodging, the Giant Captain couldn't even lift his arm; his whole body felt like it had fallen apart, completely unresponsive to his will.

Just as he fell into despair, the ground suddenly trembled, and he heard a whoosh beside his ear. Before he could identify it, he felt a wave of scorching heat surge toward him.

When he finally focused his eyes, he saw a figure standing in front of him, holding a long sword, effortlessly blocking the Gryphon's attack completely, without even moving backward a single step.

“Captain!!”

“Are you alright?”

“...”

The team members finally arrived and helped the Giant Captain up. Before they could express gratitude to the rescuer, the enraged Gryphon flapped its wings, stirring up a gale that scattered them.

“Get farther away.”

Chen Nuo said lightly, his back facing the few people behind him.

Better late than never, or rather, perfectly timed. When he found this place, he happened to witness the Gryphon's display of power. Seeing that casualties were imminent, he rushed to the battlefield with a move, “Flame Breathing: First Form: Shiranui,” and saved the person.

The Giant Captain's physique was indeed extraordinary; he recovered within a few breaths. Even with several broken ribs, he acted as if nothing had happened, and even had the strength left to help up his fallen comrades.

“We're leaving now.”

After replying, they quickly withdrew.

The ensuing battle was beyond their ability to interfere with; it was better not to cause trouble for others.

Seeing its enemies flee, the Gryphon became furious. Ignoring its ongoing struggle with Chen Nuo, it was about to fly off in pursuit, but its body hung suspended in mid-air. Looking down, it saw Chen Nuo firmly gripping its rear leg.

Under the Gryphon's look of disbelief, Chen Nuo pulled hard and dragged it down, making it crash heavily onto the ground.

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Nuo flipped onto its back, grabbing the Gryphon's thick, dense mane and speaking.

“Little bird, I quite fancy you. How about you become my mount?”

“Hiss! Roar!!”

This act of Riding firmly captured the Gryphon's hatred. It immediately threw the other Adventurers to the back of its mind, now focused entirely on tearing apart the person on its back who was trampling its dignity.

The eagle head twisted back to bite, but Chen Nuo countered with a slap that left it dizzy and disoriented.

Its eyes were momentarily confused.

How could this human possess such immense strength?

Chen Nuo being able to block its pounce earlier had already surprised it, but since the Gryphon's attention hadn't been fully on Chen Nuo then, it only now had a sudden realization.

This human seems excessively strong.

The Gryphon lowered its head and shook it, pulling itself together. It was hesitant to turn back and bite, as that huge smack had caused too much psychological damage to a Magical Beast that had only just reached adulthood.

So it took a great leap and violently shook its rear end, like an untamed wild horse, trying to throw Chen Nuo off its back.

However, the person seemed glued to its back, remaining completely motionless no matter how the Gryphon twisted and struggled.

Finally, the Gryphon flew straight up toward the high sky, determined to challenge Chen Nuo to the end. In its entire life as a Gryphon, it should only be ridden by its mate; how could it allow a human to ride on its back?

“Captain, what should we do now?”

The comrade beside the Giant Captain looked up at the Gryphon and Chen Nuo, who had become black dots in the sky, and couldn't help but ask.

“Follow them.”

The Giant Captain gritted his teeth, deciding he couldn't ignore it. After all, Chen Nuo had just saved his life, so he felt he had to attempt a rescue and see if they could help bring the Gryphon down.

“You all better not go over there and cause trouble. Nuo is having fun right now.”

The Witch appeared and stopped the Giant Captain. The Young Lady beside her also nodded and spoke.

“That's right. What could you possibly help with? Just stay here obediently.”

“And who are you two?”

The Giant Captain looked at the Witch and the other woman, having some guesses about their identities, but still asked subconsciously.

“Who we are is none of your business.”

The Young Lady's attitude toward the Giant Captain and his group was not friendly; it even carried a hint of wariness.

After all, she didn't want to have to haggle with them later over the ownership of the Gryphon.

You can know a person's face, but not their heart.

Even though Chen Nuo had just saved their lives, the potential benefits associated with the Gryphon were too great.

According to the unwritten rules among Adventurers, since the Giant Squad decided to stop and withdraw, they automatically forfeited the right of the first arrival. If they were to intervene again later, there would certainly be arguments.

The Witch didn't speak, but her attitude on this matter was consistent with the Young Lady's—a rare moment of consensus between the two.

“I understand.”

The Giant Captain naturally understood the implication, and he actually had no such intentions.

However, it was best not to cause misunderstanding now. More importantly, the continuous hearty laughter echoing from the sky seemed to confirm the Young Lady's statement.

Conquering the Gryphon, for that person, truly seemed to be nothing more than a game, and he was clearly enjoying himself immensely.

As a Knight who had condensed a Transcendent Class, Chen Nuo naturally possessed professional abilities that ordinary people did not.

Such as Riding.

Although it sounds like just a common skill, under the enhancement of the Knight class, it has now transcended the mundane.

Even a High-level Magical Beast, once its body submits beneath Chen Nuo, its mind will quickly be colored by his influence.

This is a contest of wills.

In other words, even if it were a Dragon, once Chen Nuo rode it, there would only be two outcomes.

Either Chen Nuo falls from its back to his death, or the Dragon is conquered by him.

Of course, if it truly were a Dragon, it would necessarily be an extremely long process.

Even in the Mythological Era, historically few Knights succeeded, as human willpower and stamina were far inferior to that of a Dragon; they almost never lasted until the moment the Dragon submitted.

Even with a High-level Magical Beast, few Knights succeed on the first try.

More often, Magical Beasts are made to submit through other means: enticement, contracts, or raising them from a young age.

If Chen Nuo could forcibly conquer the Gryphon, such a feat would become an epic sung by bards, even if placed in the Mythological Era.

However, people of the current era rarely realized the significance of Chen Nuo's action; they were mostly just astonished by his bravery and audacity.

Time passed slowly.

The Gryphon's initial anger at being ridden had transformed into nervousness and anxiety, and its roars gradually became hoarse and weak.

In this contest involving mind, will, and stamina, the Gryphon had been completely disadvantaged from the start.

Although it instinctively tried to resist, its body unconsciously accepted Chen Nuo's command, moving according to his will.

This was the beginning of total surrender.

Before nightfall, the Gryphon finally ran out of strength, tumbling and sliding down from the sky, collapsing onto the grass.

Originally, its endurance was enough to fly continuously for several days; it shouldn't have been exhausted so quickly. However, the defeat on the level of will greatly accelerated the rate of stamina depletion.

Ultimately, both its body and will completely submitted at this moment.

When Chen Nuo offered the reins, the Gryphon even actively put its head through them, displaying a submission completely unlike a wild High-level Magical Beast.

When the Witch and the others arrived, they saw the Gryphon nuzzling affectionately into Chen Nuo's arms.

“Hiss!!”

Upon seeing the strangers, the Gryphon immediately changed its expression, glaring fiercely at the group, looking ready to pounce and bite at any moment.

Then Chen Nuo lightly patted its head, and it immediately lowered its head again, crouching at his feet.

“Did he succeed just like that?”

The Young Lady was very bold. She walked up to the Gryphon and immediately started touching it.

The Gryphon secretly glanced at Chen Nuo, observed its new master's demeanor, and after catching Chen Nuo's scent on the Young Lady, it immediately and sensibly changed its posture.

“What a handsome kitty.”

The Witch also reached out with her restless hand.

This added a hint of confusion to the Gryphon's clear eyes. Being a monogamous creature, it needed some time to understand Chen Nuo's interpersonal relationships.

“Sir Knight, thank you for your intervention earlier.”

The Giant Captain stepped forward to express his gratitude.

Initially, he hadn't recognized Chen Nuo's identity, but after careful recollection, he remembered, as the Northland Knight's appearance was simply too striking.

“You're welcome. It was nothing, just something I did along the way.”

Chen Nuo replied casually. After a brief exchange, the Adventurers decided to hurry back to town.

The Misty Forest at night is much more dangerous than during the day. Staying overnight here was not a good option, especially since their group was injured.

As for the topic of the Gryphon, everyone wisely refrained from mentioning it.

Before recognizing Chen Nuo as the Northland Knight, a few individual Adventurers might still have harbored greedy thoughts, but now, they all crushed those inappropriate ideas in the cradle.

They knew that along with the Northland Knight's striking looks, his petty nature was also widely known.

The Northland Knight was certainly not a bad person, but anyone who truly dared to provoke him never came to a good end.

Although he was a Knight, Chen Nuo never took the etiquette rules of a Noble Knight to heart. Retaliation was never delayed overnight; he could scatter your ashes immediately.

As for Chen Nuo and his party, they headed toward the Gryphon's Lair.

The Gryphon's back was broad and thick; the three of them Riding on it felt no crowding, and the experience of Riding a Gryphon was far more exhilarating and enjoyable than Riding a Warhorse.

The Gryphon's strength goes without saying; carrying three people was effortless.

The Gryphon's Lair was situated atop a cliff, hidden among the mountains.

If the Gryphon hadn't guided them here, finding this lair would undoubtedly have been incredibly difficult.

“Legend says Gryphons love gems.”

The Young Lady whispered, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the gigantic nest.

Seeing the Witch's similar expression, she knew the Witch shared the same expectation. What woman doesn't love gems?

However, this rumor wasn't entirely accurate.

What Gryphons actually like are shiny things. So, while gems might indeed appear in its lair, it's more likely to contain a pile of useless junk, some of which might even be harmful to humans.

After all, objects that glow in nature may carry certain radioactive substances.

Hearing the call of her mate, the female Gryphon in the nest poked out her head. However, seeing the strangers made her extremely alert, requiring the male Gryphon to spend some time reassuring her.

Chen Nuo and the two women did not get too close to the main nest, choosing instead to set up camp on one side of the cliff.

He had just seen a Gryphon Egg hatching in the nest. This was truly good news. If possible, a Knight's mount was best raised from a young age via contract.

High-level Magical Beasts have great difficulty reproducing, so laying just one egg at a time is normal.

Female Gryphons are extremely sensitive during this period. Even with the reassurance of the male Gryphon, it was best not to get too close, so as not to agitate the expectant mother.