Hearing such a cry, Shu Bao touched his chest, feeling a twinge of guilt. However, considering that it’s common for him to feel guilty, he didn’t dwell on it too much, especially since they still had the hair growth potion.
In front of the pile of fruit, the balding phoenix circled around the fallen feathers, unwilling to give up. It even tried to nudge the feathers with its beak, hoping they would somehow return to its head.
The scene’s misery made Lan Qing feel quite moved, even shedding a tear as the instigator of the situation. As he wiped away the tear with the tip of his tail, he sighed, “So tragic.”
He then checked his system bracelet, noting, “There are still nine bottles of hair growth potion here, which could get us 27 more phoenix feathers.”
Shu Bao glanced over and gave a thumbs-up to the well-prepared snake teammate. Shu Bao liked how the snake teammate seemed financially generous.
Over there, the phoenix, after much struggle, finally accepted that the three feathers could not return to its head. It mournfully called out to the feathers for a while, then carefully picked them out of the pile of fruit.
Then…
It continued eating, undeterred by the loss of its remaining three feathers. In fact, it seemed to channel its grief into a greater appetite, eating the fruit even faster.
The three watching from a distance were amazed. Though the feathers were sparse, the phoenix had quite an appetite.
Soon, the small pile of fruit was completely consumed by the phoenix. After finishing its meal, the phoenix burped contentedly, then, with its long neck lowered, picked up the three feathers one by one, looking like it was ready to leave with its takeout.
Now, Shu Bao and his team couldn’t remain passive. After all, the phoenix feathers were the reason for their journey here. They couldn’t let the phoenix take them away.
Under Shu Bao and Fu Qing’s command, the three giant dragons immediately took off and positioned themselves behind the phoenix, blocking its path. At the same time, they moved to the front, forming a pincer attack on the phoenix.
The bald phoenix was momentarily stunned, likely confused as to why the three dragons suddenly launched an attack. After assessing the strength of both sides, it instinctively chose to confront the trio, thinking these small ants were easier to handle.
With the feathers in its beak, the phoenix charged towards the three at high speed, its powerful claws kicking up a cloud of dust. Just as it approached the trio, ready to stomp on one, a massive, searing fireball came hurtling toward it, and even the phoenix could sense the terrifying energy contained within.
The phoenix quickly darted to the side to avoid the incoming attack. In the next second, the nearby small snake rapidly inflated, growing to a size even larger than the phoenix. With a loud crash, the snake’s tail struck the phoenix, sending it crashing backward and rolling several times on the ground.
Before the phoenix could rise again, a series of invisible yet extremely powerful wind blades struck, carving deep gashes into its bare skin.
In pain, the phoenix couldn’t help but cry out. The three feathers it had been holding in its beak fell to the ground.
Shu Bao seized the opportunity, dashing over with impressive speed. Its fluffy little body moved agilely, performing a few neat flips to gather the feathers before they hit the ground. Then, just before the phoenix could peck at him again, Shu Bao swiftly burrowed underground to avoid further attacks.
Meanwhile, the three dragon cubs took advantage of the distraction, joining forces to pin the phoenix down, making it immobile despite its frantic cries.
Seeing the encircling group, the bald phoenix showed a look of despair, and, unable to help itself, emitted a mournful cry before closing its eyes and tilting its neck as if resigned to its fate.
Shu Bao and the others: “…” Not only did this world’s phoenix look ugly, but its demeanor was also remarkably submissive?
After waiting for some time, the phoenix did not receive the expected fatal blow. Curious, it slightly opened its eyes and, seeing that the group was not holding any weapons, fully opened them.
The phoenix let out a confused call as if questioning what these strange beings intended to do.
The only one still maintaining a human form, Fu Qing, took the hair growth potion from Lan Qing and prepared to administer it to the phoenix.
Seeing this, the phoenix began to curse loudly, realizing that these creatures had upgraded their method of killing—it was no longer knives but poison!
Of course, to Shu Bao and his team, all they heard was a series of rising and falling cries from the phoenix. Despite its unappealing appearance, its calls were quite melodious. Lan Qing even happily waved his tail, “Listen, it’s singing to express its thanks.”
The phoenix, which had been cursing continuously, promptly shut its mouth. Unfortunately, it was ultimately forced to open its beak by the antennaed ant and was made to swallow the poison.
The poison slid down the phoenix’s throat, causing an intense itch all over its body. The phoenix continued to lie down, emitting a series of deep, sorrowful cries.
Lan Qing, seeing this, extended his tail to pat the phoenix, saying, “No need to thank us. But next time, could you sing a less mournful song? I’m about to start crying myself.”
The phoenix: “…”
Fu Qing jumped down from the bird’s beak and grasped its neck, saying, “Singing is not as effective as something practical. Where are the other phoenixes? Take us to them!”
Shu Bao: “…” The mouse couldn’t help but feel that the phoenix’s gaze seemed to be murderous, not at all expressing gratitude.
At this moment, the phoenix was indeed seething with anger. It was bad enough to have its feathers plucked out for food, and being captured and fed poison was already too much. But now it was being forced to help find other phoenixes before it could even rest! It felt utterly mistreated.
In its extreme fury, the phoenix let out an angry cry and slowly began to stand up. It was about to flap its wings in retaliation when it suddenly noticed its wings were gradually becoming fuller!
The fiery red feathers were a sight it hadn’t seen in ages. The phoenix was stunned and quickly turned its long neck to inspect itself, discovering that all its feathers were regrowing at an astonishing speed!
The long, magnificent tail feathers, the beautiful wings, the full chest feathers and leg feathers, and the crest on top of its head!
The phoenix twisted its neck, almost wanting to inspect itself from every angle. As it did so, its feathers continued to grow. Soon, an incredibly resplendent fire-red divine bird appeared before everyone.
Lan Qing stood in place, astonished. The snake never imagined that the phoenix, now adorned with feathers, could be so stunning. It was like a different bird compared to when they first saw it! The long tail feathers were especially eye-catching. It was easy to imagine how beautiful it would look when it took flight.
With a clear and crisp phoenix cry, the fire-red divine bird spread its wings. The already fiery forest instantly sparkled with brilliance. A gentle breeze brushed by, and the phoenix soared into the clouds!
Seeing this, Shu Bao and the others quickly hopped onto the three dragonlings’ heads. The dragons immediately whipped up a whirlwind and took flight, following the phoenix.
The phoenix, having not enjoyed the pleasure of soaring through the sky for a long time, was exhilarated. Its long tail feathers traced perfect arcs in the air, and its iridescent feathers created a fleeting shadow in the night.
Observing the three giant dragons following it, the phoenix had no resistance this time. It had realized that its feathers regrowing was due to the effect of that strange potion! Although it didn’t know the purpose of those who helped it, it was certainly better than those who had exploited it. It even hoped that they might save its kind.
After circling in the air for a while, the phoenix finally made a decision. It led the three dragons deeper into the Fire forest.
The fire trees were incredibly tall, and many peculiar creatures inhabited them. Usually, creatures unfamiliar with the area would not dare to fly around in the fire forest, as they might crash into a spider web the size of a small mountain or be captured by a predator disguised as a fire tree.
However, as the king of the fire forest, the phoenix led the way, and they encountered no dangers along the route.
After flying for about half an hour, they came upon an enormous fire tree! This fire tree was entirely fire-red, and the surrounding trees, which were a hundred meters high, seemed tiny in comparison. Looking up, its sprawling branches formed a gigantic umbrella structure, covering a vast expanse of sky.
“This tree must be a kilometer high!” Lan Qing exclaimed, lifting his head in awe.
The phoenix gracefully landed on a branch of the gigantic fire tree. The three dragon babies followed and landed on the branch as well. The tree was remarkably sturdy and held the three massive dragons securely.
As they settled on the branch, phoenix cries echoed all around—above, below, and on the surrounding branches.
Looking around, Shu Bao saw many phoenixes. What surprised the mouse the most was the immense difference among the surrounding phoenixes!
On the tree and in the sky, the phoenixes were small and clearly juvenile. Their feathers were the fullest among all the phoenixes. In contrast, the phoenixes on the ground were in a much more pitiful state. They resembled the first phoenix encountered, with feathers missing to varying degrees, many of them reduced to just the three feathers on top of their heads.
Fu Qing climbed down from Lai Fu’s head and stood on the tree trunk. Seeing the situation, he was naturally very curious and wanted to jump down to investigate.
However, for some unknown reason, although Fu Qing spread his wings when he jumped, he did not fly. Shu Bao heard a loud thud as Fu Qing fell to the ground.
Lai Fu on the tree trunk stretched its neck to look down and then let out a roar.
Soon, Fu Qing’s voice came from below, “I’m fine; it’s just faster to come down this way.”
Shu Bao and Lan Qing exchanged glances and, mimicking Fu Qing, jumped down. Of course, they didn’t jump straight to the ground like Fu Qing but landed on top of him.
Thus, Fu Qing, who had just gotten up, was immediately bombarded by a fluffy landing on his face and a snake hanging around his neck.
With such a peculiar appearance, Fu Qing naturally drew a lot of attention. As he pondered how to communicate, a black-skinned phoenix emerged from the group of phoenixes and asked, “Did you all make Ale’s feathers grow back?”
