Nine Nether Island.
Under the shocked gazes of Jiang Hao and Han You, the countless chains were broken free.
Immediately afterward, a pair of blood-red wings that obscured the sky and sun unfurled. Upon those wings flowed a luster like colored glaze, immensely beautiful. As a long and graceful neck stretched out, the incomparably arrogant head of a Phoenix appeared before everyone's eyes, its twin pupils, like two blood-red Nether Moons, flashing with light.
The Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix reappeared in the world!
Although its power was much weaker compared to its peak, the fierce might originating from the Primordial Era, the domineering aura that controlled Devouring and Destruction, had already reigned over this heaven and earth!
Merely floating there, it seemed to become the Incarnation of Death and Ending, causing all creation to tremble!
Jiang Hao found it difficult even to breathe, and his Divine Soul trembled slightly. This was the true might of a Primordial Demon God.
"Hahaha! This great one has finally been born."
A laugh rang out like thunder.
"This fellow... I didn't expect it to be so powerful."
Jiang Hao muttered to himself, feeling the immense power of the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix. Its might seemed comparable to, if not greater than, the display Han Xuanji had shown earlier.
He even wondered if this fellow would betray them.
After all, for a powerhouse of this caliber, could an oath truly restrain it?
Han Xuanji naturally was not worried about this fellow betraying him. At its peak, the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix was an existence at the pinnacle of the Celestial Golden Immortal level, but after countless years, its power had declined terribly.
Although its might seemed extraordinary, in reality, it was only at the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal level.
Of course, ordinary Primordial Chaos Golden Immortals would likely just be courting death. Its essence was still extremely high, and given enough time, it could easily return to the Celestial Golden Immortal level in the future.
Having seemingly finished venting, the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix, which appeared infinitely majestic in everyone's eyes, then made a move that nearly caused people's eyes to pop out.
Its massive body rapidly shrank, and the terrifying, heart-stopping pressure surrounding it receded like a tide.
In the blink of an eye, the sky-shading Primordial Fierce Beast was gone. In its place was a small Phoenix... not much larger than its previous Nether Crow form, covered entirely in dark red light, appearing extraordinarily magnificent.
This dark red small Phoenix flapped its wings, flying like lightning to Han Xuanji, and then... skillfully rubbed its head against Han Xuanji's sleeve, letting out a voice identical to before, or perhaps even more fawning:
"Milord! Take a look! How is this new appearance? Isn't it much cooler than before?
Of course, this is all thanks to Milord's blessing! Without Milord, I wouldn't be where I am today! From now on, this little one will certainly serve Milord diligently and faithfully!"
Jiang Hao watched, dumbfounded, his jaw nearly hitting the floor. After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a sentence:
"You... you fellow... you truly... haven't forgotten your original aspiration!"
Even Han You couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh.
Han Xuanji looked at the small Phoenix before him, which possessed an extraordinary appearance and had flattery etched into its bones. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, a rare occurrence.
"Do you have a name?"
The creature was not offended by being pushed away. It puffed out its small chest and spoke in a tone mixed with pride and recollection:
"Replying to Milord! This little one was conceived when heaven and earth first opened, born from the Dao of Devouring, and existed since the beginning of creation! At that time, I was ignorant and unnamed. Later, I dominated the Primordial Era, and all spirits held me in awe, calling me—the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix, and I called myself 'Shi' (Devour)!"
It paused, seemingly savoring the supreme might and ancient history contained within that single character, but then the tone immediately shifted, and it laughed fawningly:
"However, that is all in the past and not worth mentioning. This little one can see the light of day again entirely thanks to Milord's grace!
That title sounds too fierce and unfriendly, and it doesn't suit this little one's current status as Milord's follower!
If Milord does not mind, please bestow a new name upon this little one, allowing me to completely bid farewell to the past, turn over a new leaf, and wholeheartedly serve Milord!"
It looked eagerly at Han Xuanji, its eyes clearly saying: Please give me a resonant and intimate name!
Jiang Hao rolled his eyes from the side and couldn't help but mock:
"You really are a textbook lackey... But you let..."
"Shut up, you brat!"
The small Phoenix immediately turned its head and angrily shouted at Jiang Hao,
"A name bestowed by Milord is supreme glory! What do you know!"
Han Xuanji looked at this lively creature and pondered briefly.
Its true form was the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix, controlling Devouring. The name'Shi' was indeed appropriate.
"Since you control Devouring and underwent Nirvana here, I shall call you Little Red."
Han Xuanji spoke calmly.
Little... Little Red?
The dark red small Phoenix froze in mid-air as if struck by a bolt of lightning. Its eyes, which had originally flashed with blood-red light, instantly dimmed, filled with an expression of disbelief.
It found Han Xuanji's naming method hard to believe.
Little Red?
This had absolutely nothing to do with the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix, did it?
It opened its beak, seemingly wanting to subtly suggest whether this name was perhaps a little too... simple and unadorned?
But the moment it met Han Xuanji's calm, unwavering gaze, all the protests that reached its mouth were instantly blocked by an invisible pressure, turning into a trembling reply:
"Th-thank you, Master, for bestowing the name."
It tried hard to make its voice sound grateful, but the profound sense of grievance and despair was palpable, even to Han You beside them.
Jiang Hao looked at the creature, which appeared as if it had swallowed ten thousand flies yet was forced to smile, and he couldn't hold back his laughter:
"What a great name! Truly... fitting and intimate! From now on, we'll call you Little Red!"
"You brat, you're courting death!"
The small Phoenix immediately vented all its grief and indignation onto Jiang Hao, flapping its wings and trying to peck him. Its dark red feathers bristled with anger.
"Laugh again! Laugh again and I'll devour you!"
Han You also blinked her pure, large eyes, looked at the furious Little Red, and quietly said:
"Little Red..."
Then, seemingly finding the name pleasant to pronounce, he also chuckled softly.
Hearing Han You's laughter, Little Red felt even more profound sorrow, sensing that the dignity of its Primordial Fierce Beast self was utterly swept away and shattered beyond recognition.
It drooped its head, listlessly flying back to Han Xuanji's shoulder, weakly perching there like an eggplant hit by frost, only managing to mumble in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz:
"Master, Little Red... awaits your command."
Han Xuanji looked at the Primordial Fierce Beast on his shoulder, which had completely deflated because of a name. A fleeting, faint smile seemed to cross the depths of his eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual calm.
He flicked his sleeve and said plainly:
"Matters here are concluded. It is time to leave."
The gains from this trip to Guixu Land clearly surpassed his expectations.
Not only did he subdue two Primordial Chaos level combatants, but he also obtained a large amount of cultivation resources.
He only needed time to absorb and digest them, and his strength would certainly undergo earth-shattering changes.