Chapter 14: The Seventy-Thousand-Year Radiant Phoenix

Qian Yunyu caught the mocking look in the Nine-Nether Azure Phoenix’s eyes. She knew it did not believe her, but she paid it no mind, simply patting it before sending it into the system space.

It didn't matter if it didn't believe her; time would prove everything.

Once inside the system space, the Nine-Nether Azure Phoenix cautiously surveyed the shimmering, golden expanse. Finding no danger other than the dazzling color, it began to plot its escape. However, after exhausting every attack in its arsenal, the space remained entirely unchanged. Its strikes vanished without so much as a ripple.

Frustrated and doubting its own reality, the beast felt a sense of defeat. It was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, after all! Could it be that in this outside world, such beings were considered weak? How else could it be unable to defeat a mere human Soul Ancestor? Unwilling to give up, it continued to lash out at the space.

Watching the creature struggle, the system let out a yawn, its lazy voice echoing through the void: "I suggest you save your energy. In this space, even if the gods of this world were to arrive, they would have to behave themselves."

Hearing the voice but seeing no one, the Nine-Nether Azure Phoenix became fully alert. "Who are you? Why won't you show yourself?"

"Listen well: this space has two masters, and I am one of them." The system remained unseen, its voice reverberating.

The master of this space? The phoenix wasn't foolish; it immediately guessed that the other master must be the human girl who had enslaved it. Having witnessed the miraculous nature of the system space, the phoenix quieted down. That human girl possessed strange means, and there was at least one mysterious entity here of unknown strength—perhaps more. It was best to bide its time.

Qian Yunyu was well aware of the activity within the system space. Seeing that the system had successfully intimidated the rowdy phoenix, she gave it a silent nod of approval.

Returning to her group, she was quickly surrounded.

"Junior Sister, what technique did you just use? To think you could subdue a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!"

"Exactly, exactly! Your Highness, tell us, we are so curious!"

"Yuer, I would love to know as well!"

Meeting their curious gazes, Qian Yunyu smiled slightly and explained, "It is the divine authority and power left to me by my Master. No matter how strong a hundred-thousand-year soul beast is, it cannot contend with the power of a god. I used my Master’s power to forge a contract with the Nine-Nether Azure Phoenix; from now on, it is my mount."

Qian Yunyu did not hide the truth; everyone present was a loyal supporter of the Spirit Hall and would never betray it. While the others listened in confusion, Qian Renxue and Hu Liena understood exactly what she meant.

Qian Renxue laughed, "So it was the power of that Emperor. That is no surprise."

Yuer often spoke of her Master, seizing every opportunity to praise him as peerless in all the heavens and earth. It would have been difficult for them not to remember.

"Of course! Master is the most powerful. A mere hundred-thousand-year soul beast? Child's play!" Qian Yunyu put her hands on her hips and tilted her head proudly.

Qian Renxue smiled helplessly. There she went again—her sister always wore such an expression of reflected glory whenever her Emperor Master was mentioned.

After the thrilling interlude, the group decided to rest. Just as Qian Yunyu sat down, she sensed something and stood up, looking at Qian Renxue. "Sister, there is movement over there. It should be a ten-thousand-year soul beast."

Qian Renxue looked at her, instantly understanding her sister's intent. If it were just an ordinary ten-thousand-year beast, Yuer wouldn't have mentioned it specifically. It must be something extraordinary—perhaps suitable for her seventh soul ring.

"Let's go take a look." Trusting in her sister’s formidable spiritual power, Qian Renxue decisively led the group forward. As they drew closer, she felt a surge of joy; she could sense the beast now, and it was indeed a perfect match for her.

Reaching their destination, they hid behind a giant tree and observed the beast resting in its den. Qian Renxue’s face lit up with a faint smile. "I never expected to encounter a Radiant Phoenix. Our luck today is truly exceptional!"

Qian Yunyu added, "Its attributes are indeed a perfect fit for you, Sister. However, a seventy-thousand-year Radiant Phoenix has strength comparable to a Soul Douluo. Do you want me to bring out the Nine-Nether Azure Phoenix?"

Qian Renxue shook her head. "Not yet. With the two of us joining forces, we should be able to subdue it."

"Very well. With me here, that phoenix won't be able to harm you in the slightest. You just focus on the offense, Sister." Qian Yunyu respected her sister's wishes; if she wanted a satisfying battle, she would naturally provide the support.

"Then I leave my back to you, Yuer!" Qian Renxue said with a smile, patting her sister's head.

Turning to Hu Liena and the others, Qian Renxue commanded, "When the battle begins, Nana, Xie Yue, you two provide interference from the sides. Yuer will ensure your safety."

Although the attacks from Hu Liena and the others might not deal significant damage, constant harassment would be enough to drive the Radiant Phoenix to distraction.

With the plan set, the group unleashed their aura. Eight figures darted out, surrounding the phoenix from all sides.

Startled by the sudden movement, the Radiant Phoenix initially thought a group of human Soul Douluos had come to hunt it, and it grew wary. But upon seeing only a Soul Saint and a few Soul Ancestors and Soul Elders, its gaze turned dismissive.

A bunch of weaklings like these dared to hunt it? They truly didn't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth!

Ignoring the phoenix's disdain, Qian Yunyu tightened her expression and activated her Geo God Domain. Softly, she whispered, "Solid as Stone."

The domain, saturated with Geo elemental energy, enveloped a hundred-meter radius. It not only boosted all her teammates to their peak state but also granted them a forty-percent increase in all stats. Golden shields shimmered around them, providing an overwhelming sense of security.

As for the Radiant Phoenix, just as it prepared to teach these humans a lesson, a wave of golden light swept over it, and it felt all its attributes weaken by thirty percent.

Strike while the iron is hot. Qian Renxue summoned her Martial Soul, sword in hand, and slashed toward the phoenix. Simultaneously, Hu Liena and Xie Yue activated their Martial Soul Fusion skill, "Demonic Charm," and charged forward.

The Radiant Phoenix reacted quickly, launching a counterattack. Yet, the group faced the beast's onslaught without flinching, taking the hits head-on.

The group thought to themselves: *Heh, we have shields anyway. Why dodge? Just keep attacking! Dodging would be a sign of disrespect to the shield!*