In the forest
After regulating his breathing for a long while, Lu Chuan slowly let out another breath and opened his eyes. The true qi that had been scattered through his body had all been drawn back into his dantian.
The Divine Tiger was crouched not far from him, gazing at the battle in the distance. Its expression looked grave.
"Brother Tiger, how about we go take a look too?" Lu Chuan had only just recovered, but he was already itching to try.
The situation just now had been far too dangerous. He hadn't even gotten a clear look at the Giant Ape or the divine bird. This time, he wanted to get closer and see them properly—but only if he could bring the Divine Tiger along.
Otherwise, he couldn't even withstand a single roar from that savage ape.
The Divine Tiger's expression was solemn. It raised a paw to point at itself, then at Lu Chuan, and shook its head.
"Is that so? You can't protect me either?"
Lu Chuan couldn't help feeling disappointed. He glanced again at the two sides fighting ahead and said, "Then let's go back. There's no point staying here any longer..."
Shen Gongbao had originally sent him here to hone his skills. Lu Chuan had assumed the fierce beast would be some kind of wolf, insect, tiger, or leopard, and Shen Gongbao had probably thought the same.
An opponent like that would have been a suitable match for his current strength. But it was obvious that the ape and the bird before him were both far beyond his abilities.
"Whoosh..."
Just as he was preparing to head back, a sharp sound split the air.
The Divine Tiger and Lu Chuan looked up and saw a streak of light descend beside them, transforming into Shen Gongbao.
Lu Chuan's eyes lit up. "Master, what brings you here?"
"The emergence of Zhu Yan left me no choice but to come!"
Shen Gongbao looked grave as he gazed in that direction and nodded. "With this beast loose, it seems the world truly is on the verge of great turmoil."
"Zhu Yan?" Lu Chuan exclaimed. "Master, are you saying that ape-like monster is Zhu Yan?"
Shen Gongbao asked in return, "It seems you've heard of it?"
Lu Chuan nodded, then pointed at the mass of yellow light. "Then what about that bird?"
"The Chongming Divine Bird, an ancient divine bird that drives away wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, demons, and monsters, and protects the mortal world."
Shen Gongbao answered, then muttered with a strange expression, "Strange. Zhu Yan's emergence is an omen of Yin Shang's waning fortune and chaos throughout the realm. But where did this Chongming Bird come from? Could Yin Shang still have a noble helping them?"
"Master, then hurry and attack Zhu Yan!"
Lu Chuan said from the side, "If this beast is a great omen of calamity, and its appearance means many people will die, then it can't be allowed to live."
"Fine!"
Shen Gongbao nodded. He formed a hand seal with his right hand and sent out a dazzling streak of light, like a bolt of violet lightning. With a sharp hiss, it shot toward the two battling creatures.
Zhu Yan and the Chongming Bird had been evenly matched. They had been locked in combat for a long time, each suffering injuries, yet neither could overcome the other.
The bolt of violet lightning shot in at tremendous speed, heading straight for the mass of yellow light in the middle of the battle.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Huang Feihu was leading his men at a rapid march through the forest.
But soon, a savage roar and a phoenix's cry rang through the skies, echoing between the trees and reaching their ears.
"Brother, listen."
Zhou Ji, riding on Huang Feihu's right, urged his horse forward.
"It's appeared!"
Huang Feihu's gaze sharpened, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "It's not far ahead. We'll see it once we cross that hill."
Then he turned and called, "Flying Tiger Army, heed my command! Advance at full speed!"
His voice was not loud, but it carried with absolute clarity to every soldier's ears.
Before long, they reached the hill and stopped at its summit to gaze into the distance.
"Brother, look over there!"
Zhou Ji pointed ahead in alarm.
On the hill before them, thick black smoke billowed as flames raged, having burned almost half the mountainside.
And atop the blackened peak, the fierce beast with a white head and a bare body, along with the phoenix-like divine bird, came into view.
This time, however, they could also see the Giant Ape's feet, red as burning coals.
"Brother!"
Long Huan stared in astonishment. "Which one is the fierce beast we've been searching for?"
"Red feet and a white head, shaped like an ape... this... this is..."
Zhou Ji murmured for a moment, then suddenly turned pale and cried out in horror, "The legendary fierce beast, Zhu Yan!"
"Zhu Yan? What's that?"
Long Huan asked in surprise. "Isn't it just an ape? It's only a bit bigger than an ordinary one. Why are you so scared?"
"You're wrong. Zhu Yan is an unparalleled monster of calamity, with the power to battle gods and demons. It symbolizes war and ill fortune."
Huang Feihu watched the scene before them, his face turning terribly grim. "Whenever traces of this beast appear in the world, it means terrible wars are coming. But why would Zhu Yan appear outside Chaoge City?"
"What?"
Long Huan was startled too. He couldn't help glancing at the fiery red Giant Ape. "Is this beast really that powerful?"
Huang Feihu nodded gravely. "There's no mistake. It's the legendary Zhu Yan."
After a pause, Huang Feihu suddenly ordered, "No one is to let word of today's events get out. Anyone who disobeys will be executed without mercy!"
"Brother, are you worried that..." Zhou Ji asked quietly.
"Right now, the East Earl has rebelled in the east, while the South Earl has stirred up trouble in the south. We haven't been able to pacify them for years."
Huang Feihu sighed. "If word of this beast's appearance gets out, someone with ulterior motives could exploit it, and the whole realm will surely descend into chaos."
"Indeed!"
Zhou Ji sighed, his own spirits somewhat heavy.
"Brother, if that's the great calamity Zhu Yan, then what is that bird? Is it a Phoenix?" Long Huan suddenly asked.
At his words, Zhou Ji narrowed his eyes and studied it carefully for a long while. Then he cried out in delight, "Two pupils in each eye—that's the ancient divine bird, the Chongming Bird, whose might can subdue dragons and tigers.
"It's said that the ancient sage-king Shun was the reincarnation of the Chongming Bird, born with double pupils—the sign of a sage. Brother, this is another great auspice!"
"A great calamity and a great blessing..."
Huang Feihu heard this and felt both joy and worry. "What does this portend?"
"Brother, the fierce beast we've been searching for is right before us. Give the order."
Zhou Ji looked toward Huang Feihu and raised his axe to volunteer. "The appearance of this beast is a terrible omen. Let's help the Chongming Divine Bird kill it."
Just then, an incredibly swift streak of violet lightning flashed before their eyes.
"Pfft!"
The Chongming Bird beat its wings and shot upward, but it still couldn't evade the bolt of violet lightning. With a "pfft," blood sprayed as the purple light pierced one of its wings.
Boom!
Worse still, Zhu Yan seized the opportunity, leaped with all its might, and slammed a punch into the Chongming Bird, knocking it down into the dense forest below.
"Creee!"
With a mournful cry, the wounded Chongming Bird fled.
"Master, you..."
Lu Chuan stared at Shen Gongbao beside him in shock. He had never expected that after asking Shen Gongbao for help, he would attack the Chongming Bird instead.
"Why?"
"Disciple, Yin Shang's fortune has reached its end. Its destruction is Heaven's will, and no one can change it," Shen Gongbao said indifferently.
"Despicable scoundrel! How dare you ambush and wound the Chongming Divine Bird!"
Seeing this, Huang Feihu flew into a rage. He leaped into the air, soaring a hundred meters high, and punched toward the hill where Lu Chuan and the others stood.
Rumble!
A gigantic golden fist print hurtled toward the hill.
"Let's go!"
Shen Gongbao swept Lu Chuan and the Divine Tiger up in his sleeve. Their figures transformed into streaks of light and vanished into the clouds.
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