In the southern part of the Star Dou Great Forest, within a remote and rarely visited canyon, the vegetation was exceptionally lush. Ancient trees stretched toward the sky, and twisting vines coiled around them like writhing dragons. Deep within the canyon, an intense pressure filled the air—a mixture of light and heat that repelled ordinary soul beasts from approaching.
At the center of the canyon stood a particularly striking giant tree. This ancient tree had lived for countless years. Its trunk exceeded twenty meters in diameter, and its bark gleamed with a deep golden hue, as if cast from metal. Its branches and leaves were verdant and full of vigorous life force.
Most astonishingly, on one of its thickest horizontal branches rested a massive bird-like creature with its eyes closed in repose.
The bird was enormous. Even while curled up on the branch, its body rivaled the size of a Dark Demonic Tiger soul beast. Had the giant tree not been so extraordinary, it likely could not have supported such a heavy creature.
Only upon closer inspection did its true form become clear. Its entire plumage was a noble, dazzling golden color, with feather edges as sharp as knives that glittered coldly under the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Pure light aura and blazing golden flames swirled around it, flowing quietly across its whole body.
Most striking were its elegant long neck and magnificent tail feathers, which highlighted its extraordinary bloodline. This was none other than the extremely rare top-tier soul beast of pure light and fire attributes—the Radiant Phoenix!
At this moment, the Radiant Phoenix was immersed in cultivation and rest, enjoying the tranquility of this secluded valley.
Suddenly!
The tightly closed phoenix eyes snapped open, golden pupils flashing with vigilance. From below the canyon, it clearly sensed four unfamiliar auras approaching the giant tree where it perched.
Two of these auras were familiar. One belonged to the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Mastiff under Di Tian's command, and the other was the Little Ancestor of the Star Dou Great Forest—the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, whose aura had once rendered it powerless.
What caused even greater unease was that the remaining two auras clearly belonged to humans. One was relatively young; its aura was pure and powerful but only average in strength. However, the other carried an emotion as deep as the sea, and the heavy pressure it emitted was no different from that of an emperor.
"Hey! Big Bird, this auspicious beast has returned again! Surprised? Unexpected?"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion raised its shining golden head high and strode proudly to the base of the giant tree, looking up at the Radiant Phoenix perched above.
The Radiant Phoenix's golden eyes solemnly fixed on Qian Daoliu, causing alarm bells to ring in its heart.
Then, it turned its cold gaze toward the Three-Eyed Golden Lion below, who was acting like a bully, and spoke with suppressed anger:
"Three-Eyed Golden Lion! Don't tell me… you were the one who brought humans here?"
Hearing this, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion elegantly flicked the magnificent golden mane around its neck and struck a majestic pose.
"Big Bird, someone asked me to deliver a message to you. As long as you agree to become her soul ring and provide your skull bone, your future will be unimaginably bright!"
"Daydreaming, you traitor!"
The Radiant Phoenix instantly flew into a rage and let out a sharp cry.
It had truly never imagined that the majestic emperor beast, symbol of the Star Dou Great Forest's fate, would become a traitor!
The Radiant Phoenix suddenly turned its head and sharply questioned the Scarlet King standing quietly beside the Three-Eyed Golden Lion:
"Red Dog? This female lion is colluding with humans to harm her own kind. Are you just going to stand by and watch?!"
As Di Tian's trusted subordinate, the Scarlet King had a duty to protect the forest's order and the interests of soul beasts—he should stand on its side.
However, the Scarlet King merely raised his head and stared intently at the sky above the canyon, as if observing the shape of the clouds. He completely ignored the Radiant Phoenix's question and showed no intention of acting.
Mocking me!
Radiant Phoenix, you are indeed powerful, but our factions have never been closely connected, and we usually have little interaction. Why should I help you? Moreover, calling me "Red Dog" when you're on the verge of death—you must have a death wish!
Seeing the Scarlet King's indifferent attitude, the Radiant Phoenix's heart sank completely.
"Hehe…"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion let out a strange laugh and said smugly to the Radiant Phoenix on the tree:
"Dead bird, did you see that? Humans have a saying: 'Like attracts like.' This time, you're really finished—you're about to become a truly dead bird!"
"Don't worry. For the sake of our friendship, this auspicious beast will reluctantly enjoy your brain marrow."
It shook its head and continued in an infuriating tone:
"A dead bird like you will either be cremated or dissolved in water in the end. Today, this auspicious beast will take pity on you and digest you!"
"How about it? Moved?"
"Courting death!"
The Radiant Phoenix was enraged by these shameless and infuriating words and could no longer hold back.
It knew the situation would not turn in its favor today.
The enemies had come fully prepared, and there was no hope of calling for reinforcements.
The only choice left was to fight to the death. And perhaps, a slim chance of survival still remained!
It suddenly opened its massive beak and let out a sharp phoenix cry. Golden phoenix flames filled its mouth and poured down toward the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and Qian Renxue below.
While spitting blazing flames, the Radiant Phoenix abruptly spread its enormous wings, creating a fierce gust of wind. Its massive body soared into the sky without hesitation, transforming into a streak of golden light as it fled toward the edge of the canyon.
It did not even have confidence in defeating the Scarlet King alone, let alone the unfathomably terrifying human beside him. A direct confrontation would only lead to death.
The only way to escape might be to rely on its unparalleled speed within the forest!
"Hmph!" Qian Daoliu, who had been standing quietly nearby, merely snorted coldly at the sight.
Six-winged angel phantoms instantly appeared behind him, holy swords pointed forward. A massive barrier formed of sacred flames rose up, blocking the path in front of Qian Renxue and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion!
"Boom—!"
The golden phoenix flames spat out by the Radiant Phoenix collided with the sacred flame wall and were instantly swallowed by the holy flames without raising even a ripple, vanishing completely.
The moment this casual defensive move ended, Qian Daoliu's figure had already disappeared from the spot.
In the next instant, he appeared high in the sky far ahead along the Radiant Phoenix's escape route, as if teleporting. Behind him, six massive angel wings slowly flapped, and his golden eyes quietly watched the enormous golden bird charging toward him.
The Radiant Phoenix trembled with fear. It regretted not growing two more pairs of wings when it had emerged from its shell. As a result, it still wasn't fast enough to escape.
It had originally held absolute confidence in its speed, believing itself to be the undisputed "King of the Skies" in the Star Dou Great Forest—no human could catch up to it.
Yet the reality before it ruthlessly shattered that illusion.
Seeing the old human man with six wings on his back—the one it had dreamed of—quietly waiting for it, the Radiant Phoenix fell into despair.
In the field it was most proud of—speed—it had been completely defeated by a human using superior means?!
"Not good!"
The Radiant Phoenix's eyes instantly turned frenzied.
There was no way to escape!
The only choice left was to fight to the death!
It gritted its teeth, and the golden flames surrounding its body suddenly blazed several times more fiercely. Its whole body seemed to transform into a small sun. Risking the danger of burning part of its life force, it pushed its speed and power to the limit and charged straight at Qian Daoliu.
"Overestimating yourself." Qian Daoliu spoke four emotionless words.
"Seventh Soul Skill—True Form of the Angel!"
The six-winged angel phantom behind him instantly merged with his true body. Immediately afterward, countless enormous sword shadows unfolded behind him like a peacock spreading its tail and flew toward the oncoming small sun.
The holy sword shadows violently collided with the phoenix true flames that burned the essence of life itself!
"Boom boom boom boom!!!"
Continuous explosions echoed through the canyon as golden and platinum flames intertwined fiercely. Terrifying shockwaves caused rocks to crumble and fall from the cliffs on both sides.
However, the stalemate lasted only a few breaths.
"Skree—!!!"
From the center of the explosion came a painful, hate-filled, and mournful phoenix cry!
The massive body of the Radiant Phoenix was covered in blood, with charred feathers peeling off everywhere. Trailing thick smoke, it fell helplessly from the sky and crashed with a dull thud onto the soft ground at the bottom of the canyon.
Qian Daoliu slowly withdrew his martial soul true body and returned to his original form. He stood in the air, looking down expressionlessly at the dying Radiant Phoenix.
Playing with light and fire in front of him? That was tantamount to suicide.
The power of the Angel God represented the ultimate expression of light and holiness, possessing an innate ability to suppress and restrain forces of the same attribute.
The Radiant Phoenix lay in the shallow crater it had created. Its body was riddled with deep wounds exposing bone, golden blood flowing ceaselessly, and its aura completely gone.
It barely raised its head and looked up at the old man hovering in the air like a god. Its eyes still carried an expression of disbelief.
This human far surpassed it in both understanding and control of light and fire powers.
Just then, rustling sounds came from behind as Qian Renxue, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, and the Scarlet King finally arrived at the battlefield.
Seeing the Radiant Phoenix lying in a pool of blood, a flash of shock appeared in the Scarlet King's eyes. Although this Radiant Phoenix was not as powerful as himself—with his top-tier phoenix bloodline and aerial superiority—he was not certain he could win even if he went all out. He had never imagined it would be driven to the brink of death so easily and decisively.
This old man was truly terrifyingly strong!
In contrast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion elegantly walked up beside the Radiant Phoenix, lowered its head, and said with a slightly disappointed tone:
"You big bird. If you had been a bit more sensible, you wouldn't have had to suffer like this. Because you refused to listen to this wise beast's advice, you're now paying the price."
"You…!"
The enraged Radiant Phoenix spat out another mouthful of golden blood. It stared fixedly at the face of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion right in front of it, gritted its teeth, and squeezed out a venomous voice:
"Back then… I should have killed you sooner… you traitorous soul beast!"
"Tch, the whining of a loser."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion disdainfully curled its lips in annoyance and raised its head high.
"But don't worry. This time, by donating your spirit ring and spirit bone, you can be considered as contributing to the Douluo Continent. This will accumulate good karma for you."
"Besides, since you've given me a meal, you've done two good deeds at once!"
Seeing the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's shameless appearance, the Radiant Phoenix grew even more furious. Flames shot from its eyes directly at the lion, but they only flew a short distance before slowly dissipating.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion then turned, rushed to Qian Renxue's side, rubbed its head against her leg, and urged:
"Hurry, hurry. We still need to complete the necessary procedures."
"Quickly deliver it! I want to eat soon! I can't wait any longer!"
Qian Renxue couldn't help but laugh at the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eager and greedy demeanor. She nodded and walked toward the Radiant Phoenix.
As Qian Renxue approached, the anger and hatred in the Radiant Phoenix's eyes turned into deathly silence. It closed its eyes and stopped struggling.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath. Light flashed in her hand as the Angel Holy Sword appeared. She fiercely slashed at the Radiant Phoenix's vital point!
"Slash!"
As the sword light flashed, the massive body of the Radiant Phoenix trembled slightly, and its final traces of life completely vanished.
The next moment, a crimson soul ring with two golden lines slowly rose from the Radiant Phoenix's corpse and floated in the air.
A flash of excitement appeared in Qian Renxue's eyes. She stopped hesitating, circulated her soul power, and began absorbing the 200,000-year Radiant Phoenix soul ring with all her strength.
Meanwhile, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, which had been waiting for the opportunity to attack, pounced on the Radiant Phoenix's massive head the instant Qian Renxue made her move.
It extended its sharp front claws and skillfully pried open the hard skull. Instantly, a portion of the skull containing pure light and intense heat flew out from the brain.
With a wave of its claws, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion tossed the precious 200,000-year Radiant Phoenix skull bone toward Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu reached out to catch it, carefully examined its texture, nodded in satisfaction, and put it away carefully.
After completing this, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion could no longer restrain itself.
It opened its ferocious mouth lined with sharp teeth and let out an excited growl. Then it buried its entire head into the skull and began devouring it greedily, making satisfied "chomping" sounds.
In the canyon, only the humming of soul power circulating as Qian Renxue absorbed the soul ring and the pleasant sounds of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's meal remained.
….