A few golden bolts of lightning flashed, and Li Sheng and Bai Ye appeared high in the sky.

Outside the mountain gate, the giant bird dimmed, its left claw missing, and its spiritual energy continued to dissipate. After taking another hit, the giant bird let out a mournful cry, its aura becoming wildly turbulent as brilliant golden light enveloped it, diving toward the one-eyed giant demon.

Sensing the imminent danger, the one-eyed giant abandoned the nearby fierce tiger and shot several green beams toward the sky. The giant bird did not evade; instead, it charged head-on, piercing through its chest with several gaping holes, crashing into it violently.

The fierce tiger seized the opportunity, unleashing a barrage of over ten white energy beams before quickly jumping away.

"Boom!"

The three-colored energy waves—golden, white, and green—erupted abruptly, first contracting inward and then rapidly expanding.

"Chirp..."

A weak call reached Li Sheng and Bai Ye's ears, laden with exhaustion.

"Brother... Tuan Tuan..."

Bai Ye's silken hair was tousled by the wind, her eyes revealing a hint of worry.

"It's fine; Tuan Tuan just exhausted itself and fell asleep. It will recover in a few days," Li Sheng replied, his expression slightly solemn as he explained. Golden divine light radiated from him, enveloping both of them and isolating them from the surging energy waves.

As the energy tide gradually dissipated, the one-eyed giant demon emerged from the explosion's center. Its massive body was riddled with over a dozen fist-sized wounds, green blood dripping from its gaping injuries, looking fierce and terrifying.

"Roar~"

The one-eyed giant howled, surrounded by a hazy green light, as its injuries began to heal at a visible rate. Its huge vertical pupil, the size of a house, locked onto the two of them, striding toward them and creating ripples in the air. A blood-scented gale, filled with a gruesome aura, rushed toward them.

"Brother, be careful!"

Bai Ye's gentle reminder rang in his ears, and Li Sheng returned her a reassuring smile.

With a thought, the massive fierce tiger in the sky transformed into a flash of white light and entered the divine seed. The divine seed hovering behind his head glimmered with dazzling golden light, rising into the air.

Inside, the sounds of dragon roars and phoenix cries echoed as it rapidly expanded to ten feet in size, emitting waves of terrifying energy.

The advancing one-eyed demon immediately halted, fixating on the golden sphere in the sky, letting out a low, rumbling roar.

"Chirp~"

A lively cry resonated through the heavens.

The ten-foot golden sphere transformed into a mysterious spiritual bird—graceful, exquisite, and exuding an air of nobility. Its radiant crimson tail feathers and perfect form declared its royal status among birds.

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With a wingspan of over a hundred feet, the moment it appeared, the air became charged with heat, and the temperature skyrocketed. The black demonic energy swirling around it visibly evaporated.

"Chirp~"

With a flick of his thought, Li Sheng commanded the phoenix-like bird to dive down, its wings creating waves of boundless flames cascading from above.

"How beautiful... Brother, is that the legendary phoenix?" Bai Ye gasped, her autumn-like eyes filled with awe.

"Impossible... It's just a mere fraction of a phoenix's essence, but it's more than enough to deal with this demon," Li Sheng chuckled, amused by his sister's imagination.

True dragons and phoenixes had long been extinct; the martial arts named after them across the continent, including Li Sheng's own skills, were inspired by lesser spiritual beasts like the Qing Jiao and the Fire Phoenix.

As the sky rained down flames, the intense heat warped the space around them.

The one-eyed giant let out a roar, unleashing countless green beams from its vertical pupil. The crystalline beams shot into the sky, colliding with the relentless flames.

In an instant, green light and flames burst outward, the terrifying energy shockwaves sending the one-eyed demon tumbling hundreds of feet away.

"Chirp!"

The golden phoenix swooped down, unleashing a blazing beam from its mouth that burned a pitch-black mark into the space, engulfing the flipped one-eyed giant.

Within the beam, a green glow surrounded the demon, struggling against the surrounding flames. The previously indomitable green light appeared to encounter its nemesis, quickly melting under the scorching gold flames.

The painful roars of the one-eyed demon echoed within the golden blaze until the green light dissipated, leaving it eerily quiet.

"Chirp~"

The golden phoenix ceased its fiery onslaught, circling above Li Sheng and Bai Ye, before dropping a crystal the size of a baby's fist.

"Could it be?"

Li Sheng raised an eyebrow, a thought beginning to form in his mind.

Catching the falling crystal, a rich life force radiated from it, instantly washing away their fatigue, its effects far surpassing those of the spirit springs.

"Good stuff!"

"Brother, could this be the magic crystal?" Bai Ye leaned against Li Sheng's arm, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Exactly!"

Li Sheng nodded, taking out a spirit herb from his storage pouch, snapping off a slender branch, wrapping it around the magic crystal, tying it into a knot, and hanging it around Bai Ye's fair neck.

"This item is said to enhance one's lifespan; you should use it, Brother..."

Li Sheng waved his hand dismissively. "I'm still young, I don't need it. You, on the other hand, have a shattered dantian and broken meridians; this is far more useful for you than for me."

With that, he paused, and the two soared into the sky, landing on the head of the golden spiritual bird.

"Chirp~"

The spiritual bird let out a light call, flapping its golden wings as it ascended into the heavens.

"Brother, where are we going?" Bai Ye asked, somewhat puzzled.

"We're off to exterminate demons and take revenge... Sister, watch closely!" Li Sheng's clear laughter echoed across the sky.

In an instant, the skies around the Qing Ling Sect were engulfed in raging flames, countless fireballs scattering down like flowers in the wind.

The ground trembled as numerous demons sensed the lethal threat and began to flee. No matter how hard they struggled, the moment the golden flames descended, they were reduced to ashes.

The many disciples at the mountain gate erupted with cheers and applause.

"Flying in the sky, riding the tiger, commanding the phoenix—this is the power of our Master!"

"Old Chen said those demons are of the disaster level, equivalent to master-level strongholds. The Master actually triumphed..."

"Master-level warriors! From now on, our Qing Ling Sect will also be a top-tier power!"

"From today on, the Master is my deity!"

"Majestic and powerful... Absolutely incredible!"

"When I grow up, I want to marry the Master!"

"......"

Li Sheng and Bai Ye rode the phoenix, sweeping through the surroundings of the Qing Ling Sect, clearing out the demons for a hundred miles.

It wasn't until dusk that they finally returned to the sect.

The interior of the sect was brightly lit, filled with joyous laughter. The women in the village brought out their best dishes, preparing a feast.

During the banquet, many villagers approached to toast, expressing their respect.

Li Sheng welcomed everyone, showing no trace of the aloofness of a sect leader.

After enjoying the food and drink, and sending off the enthusiastic disciples and villagers, Li Sheng and Bai Ye made their way to the mountain gate.

He laid Bai Ye down in a reclining chair, preparing to heal her injuries.