Forest Peril!

A hint of deathly stillness filled the air, broken only by the occasional howl of Soul Beasts in the distance.

Inside the tent, Qian Renxue sat with her cheeks puffed up, fuming. "Have you even been looking? It's been days already. Why haven't you found a Phoenix Winged Bird yet?"

The two Soul Douluos wore helpless expressions. When it came to fighting enemies on the battlefield, they feared nothing. But taking care of this young lady was far more difficult than killing enemies.

Chu Fan looked at the fuming Qian Renxue, then at the two aggrieved Soul Douluos, and smiled faintly. "The Phoenix Winged Bird is considered a king among birds. It can only be encountered by chance."

Just as Chu Fan spoke, suddenly—

A massive red bird streaked across the sky. Its tail feathers, six zhang long, spread out like a fan, and its cry echoed through the heavens.

"Phoenix Winged Bird! It's a Phoenix Winged Bird!" one of the Soul Douluos shouted excitedly.

The other Soul Douluo looked as though he had been granted release and said excitedly as well, "That bird is still a fledgling. It's perfect as a Soul Beast for Miss. Besides, it seems to be injured. Look at its left wing—it's clearly weak."

This little girl really has good luck. That Soul Beast looks to be around six or seven hundred years old, Chu Fan thought as he watched the Phoenix Winged Bird in the sky.

"Quick, you two! Catch it for me!" Qian Renxue's heart burned with excitement, and she could barely hide her joy.

"Big Brother, that bird can't fly far. Let's chase it." The two Soul Douluos took Chu Fan and Qian Renxue with them and flew in the Phoenix Winged Bird's direction.

The two Soul Douluos usually cultivated together and addressed one another as brothers.

"Big Brother, look! That beast is over there." One Soul Douluo pointed at an open clearing ahead.

The Phoenix Winged Bird lay flat in the clearing, letting out mournful cries. Its eyes kept darting about as it warily watched its surroundings.

"Second Brother, block its escape route later. I'll kill it."

The Soul Douluo then said softly to Qian Renxue, "Miss, once I kill it, deliver the final blow yourself. After absorbing the soul ring, we'll leave as soon as possible."

"Chu Fan, stay by Miss's side and protect her at all times."

"Mm." Chu Fan gave a soft response on the surface, but inwardly he sneered.

You dare order me around? If I weren't helping Qian Renxue obtain a soul ring, I'd blow you apart with one punch.

Qian Renxue looked at Chu Fan. This brat thinks it's such a burden to stand guard for me? Even without him, I can still absorb it successfully.

After finishing their instructions, the two brothers moved at the same time.

Fifth Soul Skill, Heavenly Net!

Fifth Soul Skill, Assault Spear!

The two brothers attacked with all their strength from the outset, intending to end the fight quickly.

Sensing danger, the Phoenix Winged Bird flapped its wings and shot toward the sky, trying to escape. Suddenly, a gigantic net appeared overhead, blocking its path.

Left with no choice, it returned to the ground. It stared at the two Soul Douluos before it and let out a harsh, hissing cry.

A massive spear flew toward the Phoenix Winged Bird. It was not particularly fast, but it carried immense power.

Seeing Qian Renxue's anxious expression, Chu Fan said softly, "Don't worry. It can't escape. If it were in the sky, those two brothers really would have no way to deal with it because of its speed. But now, it can only move on the ground. Even though Soul Beasts have thick hides and tough flesh, it won't be able to hold out for long."

Qian Renxue folded her arms and raised her chin slightly. "Who's worried? The people of Spirit Hall aren't pushovers."

Although the Phoenix Winged Bird was a dominant force among birds, it had yet to mature. Its strength was naturally limited. Though Soul Beasts possessed powerful bodies, it ultimately could not withstand an assault-type Soul Master. After only a few exchanges, the Phoenix Winged Bird was at death's door. It lay on the ground, gasping heavily, its eyes half-closed as it quietly awaited death.

"Miss, it's yours now." Second Brother descended from the air and handed Qian Renxue a dagger.

Qian Renxue walked up to the Phoenix Winged Bird and examined it carefully.

As expected of a Phoenix Winged Bird with phoenix blood in its veins, the feathers atop its head were dazzlingly multicolored and exceptionally beautiful. Its brilliant crimson tail feathers and perfect physique all displayed the majesty of a ruler among birds.

Gripping the dagger, Qian Renxue stabbed it down toward the top of its head.

At once—

The Phoenix Winged Bird exhausted all its remaining strength and let out a miserable cry before collapsing completely, motionless. Only its earlier cry continued to linger in the sky.

Suddenly—

A yellow soul ring appeared above the Phoenix Winged Bird's body. Looking at the yellow soul ring, Qian Renxue forcibly suppressed the joy in her heart. She sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and drew the soul ring into her body.

While Qian Renxue absorbed the soul ring, the two Soul Douluo brothers did not relax in the slightest. One stood in front and the other behind her, keeping watch over their surroundings.

Only Chu Fan felt no tension at all. His eyes rested on the Phoenix Winged Bird's corpse, and a faint smile curled his lips. "Such good material can't go to waste."

A moment later, a mournful cry rang out from the heart of the forest.

Damn it, the thing we feared most has come after all. The leading Soul Douluo's heart tightened as he spoke to Second Brother.

At once—

Phoenix flames surged into the sky, filling the heavens in the blink of an eye. The enormous blaze shot upward, accompanied by the eruption of a clear, resonant phoenix cry.

The dazzling phoenix flames tore through the sky. As they rose, the flames gradually faded, revealing a gigantic figure.

"A sixty-thousand-year Phoenix Winged Bird?"

"Brat, the two of us will hold it back. Once Miss finishes absorbing the soul ring, take her and run."

Are you telling me how to do things? Chu Fan thought.

Hearing someone call him brat made Chu Fan extremely displeased. But on second thought, the man was only trying to get Qian Renxue and him out of danger. He merely answered, "Mm."

In the sky, the Phoenix Winged Bird circled overhead. Seeing its child lying cold and still on the ground, it cried out madly in grief. Its eyes turned blood-red as it stared fixedly at Qian Renxue.

"Second Brother, fight with me. We absolutely cannot let it disturb Miss while she absorbs the soul ring."

Second Brother glanced at the Phoenix Winged Bird and cursed boldly, "You damned bird, today I'll let you taste your grandfather's methods."

The two brothers flew into the air, one to the left and one to the right. With long spears in hand, they attacked the Phoenix Winged Bird.

Chu Fan looked at Qian Renxue. Her brows were tightly furrowed, tiny beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and she bit her lower lip lightly, her face showing difficulty. This little girl has Innate Soul Power at level twenty. Why is she having such a hard time absorbing a seven-hundred-year soul ring?

You're the one I, Chu Fan, have set my sights on. You can't have a problem while absorbing a soul ring. Chu Fan shook his head, raised his right hand, and summoned his martial soul, the Chaos Green Lotus. Green light immediately enveloped Qian Renxue.

At once—

The difficulty vanished from Qian Renxue's face, replaced by peaceful calm. She even seemed to feel a trace of comfort. Seen from the side, her delicate brows relaxed and her thin lips parted slightly, making her look exactly like a sleeping beauty.

Suddenly—

Qian Renxue's tightly shut eyes slowly opened. Looking at Chu Fan as he released his martial soul, with green light radiating from the lotus, her cheeks flushed slightly red. She said softly, "Thank you."