A Fierce Battle

(Tomorrow is Monday again, and the author has to go back to work. Aaaaaah!)

(I wonder which of you dear readers have to go to work, and which have to go to school!)

The sky looked as though it were filled with a meteor shower.

The boulders that collided with the lightning balls shattered and fell toward the ground, while the remaining lightning balls kept raining down on the Rock-Armored Rhino.

The Rock-Armored Rhino dodged incessantly, but the lightning balls covered too wide an area. They kept striking its body, their terrifying thunderous power leaving patches of charred wounds across it.

Agonized cries rang out from the Rock-Armored Rhino's mouth.

Several more lightning balls fell, striking the Rock-Armored Rhino's legs. The pain slowed its movements, leaving it a living target.

More lightning balls fell, engulfing the Rock-Armored Rhino's body.

All the remaining lightning balls came crashing down.

The Rock-Armored Rhino collapsed with a thunderous crash. Looking at the fallen beast, Xiao Ning'er wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled triumphantly.

"Tianhao, I did it!" Xiao Ning'er called excitedly to Xiao Tianhao behind her.

Xiao Tianhao walked over with a smile. "Ning'er, you did great! But this is only the beginning. Let's keep going."

Xiao Ning'er put the Rock-Armored Rhino's corpse into her Space Ring.

The two continued through the Trial Secret Realm, encountering plenty more Demon Beasts along the way.

There were blindingly fast Gale Wolves, as well as Shadow Leopards skilled at concealing themselves.

Each time, Xiao Ning'er defeated the Demon Beasts under Xiao Tianhao's guidance, and her strength continued to grow.

However, just as they were about to venture deeper into the realm, a Five-Star Gold Rank Blazing Phoenix suddenly swooped down from the sky.

Roaring flames engulfed the Blazing Phoenix, scorching the ground red wherever it passed.

Sensing the Blazing Phoenix's powerful aura, Xiao Ning'er's expression grew grave.

She immediately unleashed Thunder Shine Nine Heavens, trying to suppress the Blazing Phoenix's flames with the power of lightning.

But the Blazing Phoenix's flames were far too powerful, and her cultivation was far below its own. The lightning collided with the flames, triggering a violent explosion.

The blast sent Xiao Ning'er flying. Xiao Tianhao's heart clenched at the sight, and he immediately rushed over to catch her. "Ning'er, are you all right?" he asked anxiously.

Xiao Ning'er shook her head. "I'm fine, Tianhao. This Blazing Phoenix is too powerful. I'm no match for it."

Xiao Tianhao looked at the Blazing Phoenix, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

This Blazing Phoenix likely possessed a trace of True Phoenix bloodline, making it far stronger than an ordinary peak Gold Rank beast.

"Leave this Blazing Phoenix to me. Rest for a while. I'll deal with it."

Xiao Tianhao immediately merged with his Demon Eye Demon Spirit. Black energy shrouded his entire body, and his aura surged.

He instantly unleashed his powerful mental force, striking the Blazing Phoenix's mental sea.

Struck by Xiao Tianhao's mental force, the Blazing Phoenix let out an enraged cry, its flames burning even more fiercely.

The mental attack clearly hadn't inflicted much damage. Phoenix-type Demon Beasts all possessed some degree of immunity to mental attacks.

It spat a massive fireball at Xiao Tianhao.

Xiao Tianhao immediately activated Spirit Transformation, turning his body into a cloud of black mist. The fireball passed straight through him.

The fireball struck the ground, instantly melting the stones there into a small pool of lava.

Even Xiao Tianhao couldn't help sucking in a cold breath at the sight. He murmured to himself.

"As expected of a Demon Beast with a trace of True Phoenix bloodline. Its attacks are so powerful. Its Demon Spirit's growth potential has probably already reached exceptional."

Seeing that its attack had failed, the Blazing Phoenix immediately switched to another offensive battle technique, spewing out a sea of fire.

This move was so powerful that even a Three-Star Black Gold Demon Spirit Master would have suffered severe injuries.

Moreover, it covered an extremely wide area, engulfing the entire stretch where he and Xiao Ning'er stood.

With Xiao Ning'er's strength, she couldn't possibly evade it. Realizing this, Xiao Tianhao rushed toward her. Xiao Ning'er was also retreating, but she was clearly slower than the approaching sea of fire.

Xiao Tianhao reached Xiao Ning'er's side, quickly scooped her into his arms, and flew off to one side.

After escaping the sea of fire's attack range, he activated a Gold Rank Earth Shield Inscription Scroll beside Xiao Ning'er. It could withstand attacks from anyone below Legend rank for an hour without breaking.

Xiao Tianhao turned and charged at the Blazing Phoenix, engaging it in close combat.

Xiao Tianhao possessed a powerful physique. Although the Demon Eye Demon Spirit was only a mental-attribute Demon Spirit, it still provided some enhancement to his physique and Soul Force. The enhancement wasn't as great as that of a combat-type Demon Spirit, but he had practiced body refinement himself.

Thus, every blow he landed on the Blazing Phoenix inflicted tremendous damage.

The Blazing Phoenix released a wave of flames around itself, forcing Xiao Tianhao back, then suddenly cried out at him.

A sharp pain shot through Xiao Tianhao's head.

"A mental attack! Damn-I've run into someone in the same line of work."

He hurriedly circulated his mental force to protect himself, and the headache stopped instantly.

At the same time, he launched a mental attack at the Blazing Phoenix. Now both sides were unleashing mental attacks.

Fortunately, Xiao Tianhao's mental force was stronger than the Blazing Phoenix's. He remained unaffected by its mental attacks, while the Blazing Phoenix was still affected by his.

Continuing to unleash mental attacks, Xiao Tianhao drew a Gold Rank War Weapon longsword and charged at the Blazing Phoenix again.

The two clashed once more.

Xiao Tianhao increased his mental force output, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

The Blazing Phoenix's movements were severely restricted. It struggled in the air, and the flames on its body no longer burned as fiercely as before.

After a fierce battle, Xiao Tianhao severed the Blazing Phoenix's head.

He flew over to Xiao Ning'er and deactivated the Earth Shield Inscription Scroll.

Xiao Tianhao let out a breath. His legs went weak, and he nearly fell to the ground.

Xiao Ning'er hurried over to support him.

"Tianhao, are you all right?" Xiao Ning'er looked at him worriedly.

Once Xiao Tianhao steadied himself, he smiled and waved a hand. "I'm fine. I'm just a little exhausted all of a sudden. Ning'er, go put away the Blazing Phoenix's corpse first."

Watching Xiao Ning'er head over to collect the Blazing Phoenix, he murmured a few words to himself.

"I never expected such an exceptional Demon Beast to appear on the outskirts of the first level. I've never encountered one here before. Good thing I came in with Ning'er this time. If she'd run into it alone, she would've been in danger."

At the same time, he thought about how glaring his weakness was: he didn't have a combat-type Demon Spirit.

They rested for a while.

The two continued training in the Trial Secret Realm. Whenever Xiao Ning'er could handle an enemy, he stayed out of it; whenever she couldn't, he stepped in. Watching Xiao Ning'er steadily grow through battle filled Xiao Tianhao with satisfaction.

As they ventured deeper into the Trial Secret Realm, the Demon Beasts grew stronger and stronger. Yet with Xiao Tianhao's help, Xiao Ning'er always managed to turn danger into safety.

Her combat skills became increasingly polished, and her control over the Thunderclap Sparrow Demon Spirit grew ever more effortless.

(Hello, hello! Are there any clever, kind, beautiful, handsome readers willing to tap follow and urge an update? If possible, send some free "Generate Power with Love" gifts too!)

(The author wishes all you dear readers success in your studies, progress at work, a happy family, and joy every day.)