The group from the Beast Taming Sect resumed their journey.
Hidden in the shadows, Xin Ci couldn't help but shake his head.
This Beast Taming Sect was truly reckless, even daring to capture an Undying Phoenix to be a spirit beast.
Suddenly, Xin Ci sensed a spiritual beast's aura rapidly approaching the group from the Beast Taming Sect.
A cold smile curved Xin Ci's lips, and he mused inwardly, "The Undying Phoenix is not so easily tamed. Your troubles have arrived."
The four Wind Flame Horses pulling the carriage of the Beast Taming Sect suddenly sensed something. They stopped abruptly, trembling and unwilling to move forward, as if terrified.
Lie Yu noticed the Wind Flame Horses' abnormality and immediately became alert. He scanned their surroundings and said sternly, "Show yourselves!"
Two elders from the Beast Taming Sect were the first to pinpoint the approaching entity. They clenched the air with their hands, and a nearby mountain peak shattered.
With a clear phoenix cry, two Undying Phoenixes, wreathed in deep crimson flames, emerged from within.
A powerful flap of their broad wings unleashed two torrents of fire that surged directly towards the Beast Taming Sect group.
Wherever they passed, trees and rocks alike turned to ash, leaving behind scorched black trails.
The Beast Taming Sect members instantly panicked. Many disciples anxiously shouted, "Quick, dodge their attacks!"
The others scattered in all directions to avoid the Undying Phoenixes' fiery storms.
Although the Undying Phoenixes' offensive power was formidable, the strength of the two Beast Taming Sect elders was not to be underestimated.
With their powerful true essence, the two elders conjured true essence shields with a raise of their hands, blocking the attacks and protecting everyone.
The two elders' sharp gazes fixed on the two Undying Phoenixes, a hint of greed in their eyes.
"Two more Undying Phoenixes delivered to our doorstep. It seems heaven truly favors our Beast Taming Sect."
"Defeat these two beasts, and our Beast Taming Sect will have three Undying Phoenixes as contract spirit beasts."
Lie Yu wished he could capture these two Undying Phoenixes immediately. He ordered the two elders beside him, "Elders, quickly capture those two Undying Phoenixes!"
With that, the two elders sprang into action.
In an effort to rescue their kin, the two Undying Phoenixes transformed into human form and engaged them in battle.
"That is... Feng Jin Yao. To encounter her here!"
In the space of consciousness, Mu Qing Qing recognized one of the transformed Undying Phoenixes and transmitted a message to Xin Ci.
Xin Ci was slightly surprised and replied, "Qing Qing, are you saying that Undying Phoenix is the Fire Phoenix we encountered at Fengming Mountain in Dong Zhou back then?"
"Indeed."
Xin Ci had been in a deep slumber at the time, with Mu Qing Qing primarily in control of his body, so he had not met Feng Jin Yao.
Years had passed, and Feng Jin Yao's strength had risen from the peak of the King realm to the peak of the Celestial Venerable realm, just one step away from reaching the Saint tier spiritual beast level.
Her companion was a handsome man with fiery red hair, whose aura was even more potent than the two Beast Taming Sect elders, equivalent to a four-star Saint Emperor.
Transformed into human form, he single-handedly blocked the combined assault of the two Beast Taming Sect elders.
Feng Jin Yao seized the opportunity to land near the carriage, intending to rescue the injured Undying Phoenix.
Lie Yu, having finally captured an Undying Phoenix, would not let it be taken away so easily.
"Stop her!" Lie Yu loudly commanded the surrounding Beast Taming Sect disciples.
These disciples unleashed their true artifacts and charged at Feng Jin Yao from all sides.
However, these disciples were only at the King realm. In front of Feng Jin Yao, who was at the peak Celestial Venerable realm, they were no match.
Feng Jin Yao didn't even bother to look at them. A cluster of deep crimson flames appeared at her fingertips, and with a sweep of her finger, pillars of fire erupted beneath each disciple's feet.
"Ah!"
The disciples, scorched by the flames, let out heart-wrenching screams.
Each of them desperately tried to extinguish the flames on their bodies. Some even used ice-elemental true intent, but this was the Undying Phoenix Flame, not something easily doused.
All the struggling Beast Taming Sect disciples were reduced to ashes, their struggles futile.
"A bunch of good-for-nothings! What use are you!"
Seeing his fellow disciples consumed by the Undying Phoenix Flame, Lie Yu not only offered no aid but mocked them coldly.
Enraged, Lie Yu personally moved to intercept Feng Jin Yao.
"Get lost!" Feng Jin Yao unleashed a palm strike, and the Undying Phoenix Flame surged towards Lie Yu like a tidal wave of fire.
Lie Yu, as the young sect master of the Beast Taming Sect, possessed strength far beyond ordinary disciples.
A deep crimson longsword suddenly appeared in his hand, and with a single slash, he cut through the Undying Phoenix Flame, which could even incinerate true essence, into two streams.
Then, a clear and pure jade bottle materialized to Lie Yu's left, absorbing the divided Undying Phoenix Flame.
Feng Jin Yao's expression shifted slightly upon witnessing this. She thought that this human was not as easy to deal with as she had imagined.
Seeing Feng Jin Yao's changing expression, Lie Yu became arrogant and boastful. "How about it, beast? This young master has plenty of ways to deal with you. If you're wise, you'll surrender obediently and become this young master's spirit pet. Perhaps I'll be magnanimous and spare your life, saving you some physical suffering."
"Pah! Wishful thinking!" Feng Jin Yao scoffed disdainfully.
Lie Yu's face darkened at her words. He snorted, "You refuse a toast and insist on a forfeit!"
He then unhooked a spirit beast bag from his waist, and a swarm of black insects poured out.
The sheer number of these insects was staggering, forming a dense mass that made one's scalp tingle.
Lie Yu chuckled sinisterly. "Let my Black Poison Bees have some fun with you!"
As soon as he spoke, the Black Poison Bees, like a dark cloud, surged towards Feng Jin Yao.
Seeing this, Feng Jin Yao instinctively intended to incinerate the Black Poison Bees with the Undying Phoenix Flame.
However, Lie Yu had already seen through her intention. The jade spirit bottle once again absorbed Feng Jin Yao's Undying Phoenix Flame.
"Damn you humans!"
Feng Jin Yao cursed and immediately used her demonic essence to form a defensive shield around her, blocking the Black Poison Bees.
Simultaneously, she unleashed the true intent of the Undying Phoenix clan to attack these insects.
Yet, the number of Black Poison Bees was simply too great. For every swarm that was killed, another large group emerged, surrounding Feng Jin Yao tightly.
"In that case, I'll kill you first!"
Temporarily unable to deal with these Black Poison Bees, Feng Jin Yao decisively shifted her target to Lie Yu.
Maintaining her demonic essence shield, she broke through the swarm of Black Poison Bees and charged towards Lie Yu.
Lie Yu, however, showed no panic. He chuckled coldly, "Do you think my Black Poison Bees are my only spirit pets?"
With that, Lie Yu produced another spirit beast bag.
This time, a Saint-tier demonic beast emerged from the bag: the Silver Winged Thunder Dragon!
Xin Ci, hidden in the shadows, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
One could not underestimate the Beast Taming Sect. Their strength could not be judged by the true essence realm of their disciples alone, but rather by the spirit beasts they possessed.