Zhu Yan Chongming

In the mountains and forests.

After a long period of adjusting his breathing, Lu Chuan slowly opened his eyes as he exhaled again, his scattered true qi now fully returned to his dantian.

The Divine Tiger squatted not far from him, gazing at the distant battle with a solemn expression.

"Brother Tiger, shall we go take a look too?" Lu Chuan, having just recovered, was eager to try.

The situation just now had been too perilous; he hadn't even gotten a clear look at the giant ape and divine bird. This time, he wanted to get closer to see clearly, but only if he brought the Divine Tiger along.

Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to withstand a single roar from that ferocious ape.

The Divine Tiger's expression was grave. It raised a paw, pointed to itself, then to Lu Chuan, and shook its head.

"Really? You can't protect me either!"

Lu Chuan couldn't help but feel disappointed. He glanced again at the two sides fighting ahead and said, "Then let's go back. There's no point in staying here anymore..."

Shen Gongbao had originally told him to come here for tempering. He had thought the ferocious beast was a common wild animal like wolves, insects, tigers, or leopards. Shen Gongbao had probably thought the same.

An opponent like that would have been suitable for his current strength level. But clearly, the ape and the bird before him were both beyond his capabilities.

"Chii..."

Just as he was preparing to leave, a sharp sound of air being torn apart rang out.

The Divine Tiger and Lu Chuan looked up and saw a streak of escaping light land beside them, transforming into Shen Gongbao.

Lu Chuan's eyes lit up: "Master, why are you here?"

"Zhu Yan has appeared, so I had to come!"

Shen Gongbao's expression was somewhat serious. He looked in the direction of the battle and nodded, "With this ferocious creature running out, it seems the world is truly about to descend into chaos."

"Zhu Yan?" Lu Chuan exclaimed in surprise: "Master, are you saying that ape-like monster is Zhu Yan?"

Shen Gongbao retorted: "It seems you've heard of it?"

Lu Chuan nodded, then pointed to the ball of yellow light and asked, "Then what about that bird?"

"It's the ancient divine bird Chongming, a divine bird that expels wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, demons, and monsters, and protects the human world."

Shen Gongbao said, then muttered with a strange expression: "Strange, Zhu Yan's appearance was originally meant to signify the decline of Yin Shang and the chaos of the world.

But where did a Chongming bird come from? Could Yin Shang have noble assistance?"

"Master, then quickly go fight Zhu Yan!"

Lu Chuan said from the side: "Since this beast is a great malevolent creature and its appearance will lead to many deaths, it cannot be allowed to live."

"Good!"

Shen Gongbao nodded. He formed a hand seal with his right hand and sent out a dazzling beam of light, like a purple lightning bolt, which tore through the air with a "chii" sound towards the two battling parties.

Zhu Yan and Chongming bird had been evenly matched, entangled for a long time, each sustaining injuries but neither able to overcome the other.

The purple lightning struck with extreme speed, heading directly for the ball of yellow light in the center of the battlefield.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Huang Feihu was leading his men in a rapid march through the mountains and forests.

But soon, ferocious roars and phoenix cries echoed through the sky and reverberated through the mountains and forests, reaching their ears.

"Big Brother, listen."

Zhou Ji, on Huang Feihu's right flank, urged his horse forward.

"It's here!"

Huang Feihu's gaze sharpened, a glint flashing in his eyes: "It's not far ahead. We'll be able to see it once we cross this mountain."

He then turned back and said: "Flying Tiger Army, obey my command, full speed ahead."

His voice was not loud, but it reached every soldier's ears with absolute clarity.

Before long, they reached the top of this mountain and stopped, gazing forward from the summit.

"Big Brother, look there!"

Zhou Ji pointed ahead, speaking in astonishment.

They saw that the mountain peak in front of them was shrouded in rolling black smoke and raging fires, burning away nearly half the mountain.

And on that dark mountaintop, the naked, white-headed giant ape beast and the phoenix-like divine bird also came into their sight.

However, this time they saw even more clearly that the giant ape's feet were as red as burning coals.

"Big Brother!"

Long Huan exclaimed in surprise: "Which one is the ferocious beast we're looking for?"

"Red feet and white head, shaped like an ape... this... this is..."

Zhou Ji murmured for a moment, then his face changed drastically, and he cried out in horror: "The legendary ferocious beast Zhu Yan!"

"Zhu Yan? What is that?"

Long Huan asked in surprise: "Isn't it just an ape? It's only a bit bigger than a normal ape, but why are you so scared?"

"You are wrong. The Zhu Yan is a peerless beast of great calamity, possessing the strength to battle Gods and Devils, symbolizing war and misfortune."

Huang Feihu stared straight ahead, his expression turning grim as he said, "The moment traces of such a beast appear in the world, it signifies that terrible warfare is about to descend upon the realm. But how could a Zhu Yan appear outside Chaoge City?"

"What?"

Long Huan could not help but be startled upon hearing this. He couldn't help but glance at the fiery red giant ape and asked, "Is this beast truly that formidable?"

Huang Feihu nodded with a heavy face, "There is no mistake; it is the legendary Zhu Yan."

After a pause, Huang Feihu suddenly issued an order: "What happened today must not be spread. Anyone who violates this will be executed without mercy!"

"Big Brother, are you worried that..." Zhou Ji whispered.

"Currently, the East Earl is leading a rebellion in the east, and the South Earl is causing chaos in the south; for years, neither has been quelled."

Huang Feihu sighed, "If news of this beast's appearance spreads and is exploited by those with ulterior motives, the world will surely descend into great turmoil."

"Indeed!"

Zhou Ji also sighed with a sense of melancholy.

"Big Brother, since that is the calamitous Zhu Yan, then what is the origin of that bird? Is it a phoenix?" Long Huan suddenly asked.

Zhou Ji squinted and stared intently for a long while before suddenly exclaiming with joy, "One eye with two pupils—that is the ancient divine bird Chongming, whose strength can subdue dragons and tigers."

"Legend has it that the ancient sage-king Shun was the reincarnation of the Chongming bird, born with double pupils, a sign of a sage. Big Brother, this is a sign of great fortune!"

"Great calamity and great fortune..."

Huang Feihu was left with mixed feelings after hearing this: "What kind of omen is this?"

"Big Brother, the beast we have been searching for so desperately is right before our eyes. Give the order."

Zhou Ji looked at Huang Feihu, raised his axe, and requested, "The appearance of this beast is too ominous. Let us go and help the divine Chongming bird slay it."

Just as he spoke, a streak of purple lightning flashed before their eyes with incredible speed.

"Pfft!"

The Chongming bird flapped its wings to ascend rapidly, yet it still could not evade the purple lightning. With a soft "pfft," blood splattered as one of its wings was pierced through by the purple light.

Boom!

Worse yet, the Zhu Yan seized the opportunity, leaped with all its might, and struck the Chongming bird with a punch, sending it crashing into the dense forest below.

"Skree!"

With a mournful cry, the injured Chongming bird fled.

"Master, you..."

Lu Chuan looked at Shen Gongbao beside him in shock. He never expected that while asking Shen Gongbao for help, the latter would actually strike at the Chongming bird.

"Why?"

"Disciple, the fate of Yin Shang has reached its end. Its destruction is the decree of Heaven; no one can change it," Shen Gongbao said indifferently.

"Despicable villain, how dare you ambush and injure the divine Chongming bird!"

Seeing this, Huang Feihu was enraged. He leaped into the air, soaring a hundred meters high, and threw a punch toward the hilltop where Lu Chuan and the others were standing.

Boom!

A massive golden fist imprint came crashing toward the hilltop.

"Let's go!"

Shen Gongbao swept up Lu Chuan and the Divine Tiger with his sleeves, and their figures transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the clouds.