The Bright Sacred Deer lived in a stream valley surrounded by towering ancient trees.
The trees' crowns interlocked densely over both sides of the valley, shutting out most of the sunlight. Only a few stray rays slipped through the gaps and fell on the stream.
Deep in the valley, a silver-white deer Soul Beast lowered its head to drink on a patch of grass. Its branching antlers spread to either side, their tips gleaming with a soft silver-white light, while fine glimmers rippled across its coat.
It was somewhat smaller than the fire phoenix, but its Soul Power fluctuations suggested it was also around thirty-five thousand years old. Its pure light attribute carried no trace of any other element.
Li Long stepped out from behind the trees at the valley's edge, the Dragon Emperor Rod poised in his hand.
The Bright Sacred Deer had exceptionally keen senses. Almost the instant he took his first step, it raised its head and fixed its silver-white eyes on him.
It did not attack. Instead, it kicked off with its hind legs and fled deeper into the valley at astonishing speed.
Li Long unfurled his dragon wings and gave chase. He cut off its escape at a bend in the valley, then swept the Dragon Emperor Rod into its flank, driving the Sacred Deer back toward the stream.
Silver-white light gathered around the Sacred Deer's antlers. It fired a gentle-looking beam toward Li Long, one with formidable piercing power.
Li Long sidestepped the beam and closed in from the flank. Two successive blows from the Dragon Emperor Rod struck the joints of its hind legs, severely hampering its movement.
The Sacred Deer tried to fire another beam as it retreated, but Li Long had already reached its blind spot. He swept his rod into