Bestowing the Name Phoenix

"Huh? You're not going to kill me?"

Hearing Yuzuru's words, surprise flashed across Firebird's arrogant face. Though unexpected, it seemed its silent prayers had been inexplicably answered.

"Kill you for what? To eat your meat? There's so little meat on you, it wouldn't even fill the gaps between my teeth."

As Yuzuru spoke, he pinched and prodded Firebird, then made a face of distaste.

This made Firebird's teeth itch with anger, wishing it could blast this scoundrel to ashes with a mouthful of Tri-Color Flames!

"Submit to me, work for me, and I'll spare your life!"

Yuzuru's tone shifted from playful to serious, his voice filled with an undeniable command.

"...I submit!"

For Firebird, desperate to live, there was no choice. It had only one path, and so it lowered its head, expressing its allegiance to Yuzuru.

Seeing this, Yuzuru smiled. Under Firebird's gaze, a meter-long Black Rod materialized in his hand, then shrank at a visible rate until it was too small to see.

Then, Yuzuru simply inserted the unremarkable Black Rod into Firebird's head. This caused Firebird to fall silent. It had harbored a faint thought of rebellion, but now that thought was crushed.

After leaving a means of control within Firebird, Yuzuru retrieved the Black Rods from its body, restoring Firebird's freedom.

Without the Black Rods' restriction and interference, Firebird quickly sensed the surrounding Natural Energy, rapidly absorbing it. A unique crimson flame emerged from its body, and the puncture wounds caused by the Black Rods healed at a visible rate.

"What is that fire?"

Yuzuru stared curiously at the crimson flame on Firebird's body, asking, as it hadn't used this flame during their earlier battle.

"I call it the 'Flame of Life.' It has an extremely potent effect on healing injuries."

Firebird looked at the master who controlled its life, quickly adjusting its mindset. It answered Yuzuru's question without reservation.

"By the way, do you have a name?"

Hearing Firebird's words, Yuzuru felt it resembled a divine beast from his past life memories, and so he asked.

"They call me Firebird, or 'Blaze Calamity,' things like that..."

Firebird thought for a moment, then replied. From the day it gained consciousness, it had lived within the Magma of Flame Mountain, only occasionally venturing out when the Magma erupted, spending the rest of its time within Flame Mountain.

"In that case, from now on, you'll be called 'Phoenix'!"

Yuzuru said to Firebird, then continued, "Your Tri-Color Flames will be called 'Samadhi Fire,' and that 'Flame of Life' ability with the healing effect will be called 'Rebirth Through Fire'..."

Phoenix didn't care what it was called. Since Yuzuru said so, it would change accordingly.

Facing Phoenix's reaction, Yuzuru was very satisfied. In this way, he had gained a great help. But having only Phoenix as a hidden card wasn't very safe. It would be best to have a few more!

Thinking this, Yuzuru immediately opened a black-red portal, directly grabbing the Chimimōryō from inside.

Phoenix was shocked by this scene. After all, it wasn't some 'young and ignorant' demon. This ability to manipulate space was enough to show how terrifying Yuzuru's strength was!

"Lord Yuzuru! You've already subdued Firebird?"

As soon as the Chimimōryō was pulled out by Yuzuru, it saw a large bird covered in flames squatting obediently in front of Yuzuru. Without needing to think, it knew that Phoenix had been subdued by Yuzuru.

"Yes. From now on, it's called 'Phoenix.' Remember that."

Yuzuru nodded, then said to the Chimimōryō.

"Yes, Lord Yuzuru!"

The Chimimōryō respectfully responded, then circled around Phoenix like a floating purple-black insect, and then said with some smugness, "Phoenix, old buddy, I'm Chimimōryō, an 'old-timer' who submitted to the Lord earlier than you. Please take care of me in the future!"

Chimimōryō still remembered the scene of being chased by Phoenix's Tri-Color Flames all the way. That shameful memory had been lingering in the depths of its heart. Now, it could finally win one back in front of Phoenix!

As a 'newbie,' you must respect the 'old-timer'!

This was Chimimōryō's natural thought.

A slender stream of Tri-Color Flames shot out from Phoenix's mouth, landing directly on Chimimōryō.

The next moment, Chimimōryō cried out, its purple-black energy body dragging a black-smogging flame as it frantically circled in the air...

"Don't let it happen again!"

Seeing this, Yuzuru knew that Phoenix had shown mercy, so he only scolded it and didn't give any substantial punishment.

Hearing this, Phoenix only lowered its head slightly, expressing its obedience. Towards Yuzuru, who was far stronger than it, it could show submission and respect, which was the proper attitude towards the strong. As for a small, manipulative demon from another world, it didn't care about it at all!

As for 'old-timer' and 'newbie'?

Phoenix didn't have such concepts.

In Phoenix's heart, there were only two types of people: 'strong people' and 'weak people'!

After who knows how long, Chimimōryō finally managed to extinguish the trace of Tri-Color Flames on its body, then floated wearily behind Yuzuru, looking at the Phoenix in front with a lingering fear. The scene just now had reawakened the shameful memory of that year...

"Alright, I have important things to..."

Yuzuru spoke, about to say something, but before the last word 'say' could be uttered, Chimimōryō and Phoenix lost sight of Yuzuru's figure.

Just as Chimimōryō and Phoenix were puzzled, a sound of rushing wind came from afar, carrying gusts of wind.

"Hey! 'Blaze Calamity'!"

A loli's voice rang out, followed by a snow-white tiger with wings appearing above Chimimōryō and Phoenix, its pair of arrogant tiger eyes looking down, asking Phoenix, "Where's the person who was fighting you? I clearly sensed him here just now!"

This White Tiger wasn't very old to begin with, and her personality was the kind that loved to join in on the fun. So, when she learned that the Phoenix was in a great battle with an enemy, she considered whether or not to go and take a look. She had initially suppressed the curiosity in her heart and didn't plan to go, but she didn't expect the Phoenix to come straight towards her territory...

So she flew directly out of the canyon, heading straight for the Phoenix. Fortunately, she excelled at controlling wind and space-time, abilities that enhanced her speed, so it didn't take long for her to arrive. She had originally thought about joining forces with the Phoenix to play around with the enemy, but now the enemy had completely disappeared!

The Phoenix looked up at this silly White Tiger, her fiery bird eyes revealing pity and anticipation. Even the Chimimōryō beside her helplessly shook its head, its human-like face then showing an expression of watching a good show...

"?"

The White Tiger felt two deep waves of malice, but tilted her head, looking at the Phoenix and Chimimōryō with a puzzled expression on her cute tiger face.