The Imperial Inferno Roc threw its head back and roared toward the darkened sky. The sound was deafening, carrying tyrannical pressure that rolled through the forest like a wave. Crimson flames surged from its beak, spiraling upward and tearing through the night, lighting the clouds in burning red before slowly dissipating.
Then the beast lowered its head.
Its blood-red eyes locked onto Zhuo Riyan.
The pressure alone made the air feel heavy, as if every breath weighed a thousand jin.
The pink-haired woman stood calmly beneath the Roc's shadow, her robe fluttering in the scorching wind. She looked at Zhuo Riyan as if he were already prey and said indifferently, "You see, your lifebound beast said something it shouldn't have. So now, you have to fight my lifebound beast. If you manage to injure him even a little, I'll let both of you leave alive."
Zhuo Riyan's face stiffened in panic. "Wait—what the hell? Why do we have to fight? Didn't I already tell you he just learned how to speak? He doesn't even know what he's saying!"
The white-haired woman had already turned away. She walked toward a nearby tree, her movements unhurried, then leaned against the trunk with her arms folded, completely uninterested in his excuses. "It doesn't matter," she said flatly. "A lifebound beast reflects its master. Teaching it manners is your responsibility."
She paused, then glanced at him from the corner of her eye, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "But I'll sweeten the deal. If you injure her beast, I'll give you as many Three Leaf Frozen Grass as you want. How about that?"
Those words hit Zhuo Riyan like thunder.
His gaze snapped toward her.
Three Leaf Frozen Grass.
The thing he had been desperately searching for all night. The thing his mother needed to survive.
The white-haired woman stood calmly by the tree, moonlight outlining her figure as she watched him, amusement flickering in her eyes. Inside, her thoughts churned. Interesting… a talking lifebound beast at the Beast Vein Stage. Even my master's Fusion Stage beast can't speak. This boy is full of secrets.
On the ground, Zhuo Riyan clenched his fists.
Little Cat tapped his paw against Zhuo Riyan's head, whispering urgently, "Hey, let's get the fuck out of here. We can't fight that thing. One breath from it and we're ash."
Zhuo Riyan stared at the Imperial Inferno Roc, flames rippling along its wings. His jaw tightened. "I know," he replied quietly. "But that woman made a good offer. I need that grass… for my mother."
Little Cat froze.
Then he jumped down from Zhuo Riyan's head, landing on the ground with a sharp thud. He let out a long sigh, ears flattening. "Fuck. You really are a troublemaker."
Zhuo Riyan snapped back immediately, anger flaring. "You bastard, you were the one who ran your mouth about her!"
The pink-haired woman had already moved as well. She walked toward another tree beside her senior sister, clearly signaling that she would not interfere. This fight was between her lifebound beast and Zhuo Riyan with his lifebound beast .
She turned back, lips curling into a smirk. "So?" she asked lightly. "Are you ready?"
Inside her mind, her thoughts were anything but light. I won't kill him. A talking lifebound beast is too valuable. Once he's beaten, I'll make him tell me how he did it—even if it costs him his life.
Zhuo Riyan exhaled slowly, steadying himself. The ground beneath his feet was scorched and cracked. His left arm—the black, scaled one—throbbed faintly, pulsing with a terrifying, unfamiliar power.
He glanced at Little Cat.
Little Cat met his gaze, eyes sharp despite the fear.
Zhuo Riyan straightened his back, purple thunder faintly crackling around his legs, crimson-black qi circulating through his veins. He lifted his head and looked straight at the Imperial Inferno Roc.
"Bring it on," he said coldly. "We're ready."
The moment Zhuo Riyan's words fell, the Imperial Inferno Roc moved.
Its massive wings spread wide, blotting out the moon. Scarlet flames ignited along every feather, the heat instantly warping the air. With a violent flap, the Roc launched forward.
Inferno Wings.
A storm of fire erupted from its wings, dozens of flaming arcs slicing through the forest like blades. Trees ignited midair, trunks splitting and exploding before even hitting the ground.
"Move, you damn cat!" Zhuo Riyan roared.
Purple thunder exploded beneath his feet as he dragged Little Cat with him, barely dodging to the side. Flames scorched his back, burning through his clothes and searing his skin. He slammed into the ground and rolled, coughing violently as smoke filled his lungs.
Little Cat wasn't spared either. A flaming feather clipped his side, sending him skidding across the dirt. His fur singed black, sparks dancing wildly around his body.
"Fuck!" Little Cat hissed, teeth clenched. "That thing's playing with us!"
The Imperial Inferno Roc didn't give them time to recover. Its head snapped downward, beak glowing molten red.
Flame Beak.
A concentrated pillar of fire shot out like a spear.
Zhuo Riyan barely had time to react. He crossed his arms, Cosmic Thunderfiend Body surging as purple lightning wrapped around him. The beam smashed into him head-on.
Boom.
He was blasted backward, crashing through two burning trees before slamming into a rock. Blood sprayed from his mouth, steam rising from his scorched skin.
Little Cat fared no better. The shockwave threw him into the air, spinning violently before he crashed beside Zhuo Riyan. He coughed, purple sparks sputtering weakly around his paws.
Both of them lay there for a split second, breathing hard.
"You alive?" Zhuo Riyan muttered.
"Barely," Little Cat growled. "That fucking bird hits harder than a Beast Spirit Stage should."
High above, the Imperial Inferno Roc screeched triumphantly, flames roaring louder as it gathered power again. Its chest expanded, fire condensing into a blazing sphere.
Inferno Blast.
The temperature spiked instantly. Even the white-haired woman straightened slightly, eyes narrowing, while the pink-haired woman smiled faintly, confident.
"That attack will end it," she thought.
Zhuo Riyan wiped blood from his mouth and forced himself to stand, legs trembling. His eyes sharpened.
"No," he said quietly. "That's exactly why we don't take it head-on."
He glanced at Little Cat. "You still got enough thunder?"
Little Cat's eyes glowed red-purple. "Enough to piss it off."
"That's all we need."
The Inferno Blast was released.
A massive fireball descended, turning the battlefield into a sea of flame.