The barren ground and the vast lava lake all indicated the desolation of this land. Yet, it was precisely this fiery domain that served as the ancestral land of a kingdom. Breathing in the scorching air, the two found it oddly comfortable. This ancient land had granted them great fortune, especially for Huo Ling’er—enough to influence her entire life.
They identified their direction and walked into the distance. Soon, they ascended a highland, scanning the surroundings for an exit, as there was no need to linger here—the true opportunity had already been seized.
In the distance, flames surged, volcanoes stood tall, and ancient trees with lush foliage took root within the craters, transforming the area into sacred ground.
“These fools are audacious, daring to trespass into my clan’s forbidden land,” Huo Ling’er snorted. Among the figures in that region, not all were human—clearly, they were young powerhouses from beyond this domain, exploring the area.
*Boom!*
A volcano erupted, sending rivers of lava surging forward. A flock of crimson raptors soared out, forcing the young powerhouses to retreat in alarm.
“Let’s go. There’s a certain ‘Little Red’ over there. Forget these people—even their ancestors wouldn’t stand a chance,” Shi Hao said.
“Who’s Little Red? You seem to know a lot,” Huo Ling’er shot him a glance.
“Isn’t Little Red just the Fire Clan’s Guardian Spirit? I’m quite familiar with it,” Shi Hao replied casually.
Huo Ling’er was stunned. *Guardian Spirit… Little Red?* That was too jarring to the ears. This scoundrel’s shamelessness truly knew no bounds.
“If you know my clan’s Guardian Spirit, introduce me. Maybe she’ll take me as her disciple?” The Phoenix bloodline had awakened within her, and if she could learn from the Guardian Spirit, it would be far more suitable than guidance from her father. After all, no one understood the true essence of the Vermilion Bird better than the Vermilion Bird Clan itself.
“Why bother? She’s unreliable. Let’s just leave,” Shi Hao said, suddenly nervous.
“Little Red—I want to be your disciple!” Huo Ling’er shouted recklessly, shooting a sidelong glance at Shi Hao.
Shi Hao’s expression changed instantly. He swiftly covered her mouth, panicking at the thought of that little red bird appearing to settle scores with him.
“Let me go!” Huo Ling’er struggled.
*Whoosh!*
A streak of fire streaked across the sky, dyeing the clouds crimson as a bird’s cry echoed.
“Little brat, are you provoking me?” A fist-sized bird with dazzling scarlet plumage descended, eyes wide with fury, engulfing Shi Hao in towering flames.
“Wait, this isn’t my fault! It’s all my junior sister’s doing. I’ll drag her away immediately!” Shi Hao clamped Huo Ling’er’s mouth shut and tried to pull her away.
“Mmph—!” Huo Ling’er, though muffled, twisted her graceful figure, struggling desperately and casting pleading glances at the little red bird.
*Whoosh!*
A true flame descended, repelling Shi Hao and enveloping Huo Ling’er. Bathed in fire, she remained unharmed, her skin glowing—an unexpected sight that made Little Red pause.
“You’re showing skin again,” Shi Hao reminded.
In a flash, a radiant crimson mist descended, cloaking Huo Ling’er in a dazzling feather robe—a priceless treasure woven from divine fire and inscribed with countless runes.
“You’ve awakened the Vermilion Bird bloodline. By tradition, you may receive guidance from the Guardian Spirit and, in time, inherit the throne of the Fire Nation,” Little Red declared.
Shi Hao’s heart skipped a beat. *Was she really going to take Huo Ling’er as a disciple?* He had nearly ruined the opportunity.
Overjoyed, Huo Ling’er immediately knelt, addressing Little Red as “Master”—a title that made the little bird fidget, unused to such reverence.
“Go inform your father. Return in a few days,” Little Red said before turning to Shi Hao. With a blink of her beautiful eyes, she suddenly kicked him—*BAM!*—sending him flying like a meteor.
Shi Hao cursed inwardly as flames wreathed his body. *Damn bird! One day, I’ll catch you and keep you in a cage!*
He crashed miles away, sending dust and debris flying. Moments later, Huo Ling’er arrived, laughing uncontrollably at the sight of the “holy terror” crawling out of a human-shaped crater.
She felt a surge of satisfaction. This scoundrel had taken advantage of her one too many times, and she’d never been able to retaliate. Little Red’s direct and violent approach suited her perfectly—she almost wished she could punch him herself.
“Are you… the princess?” A group approached, led by a powerful figure with a third eye burning with intensity.
“What do you want?” Huo Ling’er asked.
“This is the young master of the Celestial Eye Sacred Mountain. We’ve come to the Fire Nation seeking an alliance,” one of his followers explained.
Whispers among Huo Ling’er’s guards revealed their true intent—a marriage proposal.
Frowning slightly, Huo Ling’er maintained a polite smile, unwilling to antagonize outsiders.
“Princess, a word, if you may,” an elder from the Celestial Eye Sacred Mountain said warmly.
“Another time. I have matters to attend to,” Huo Ling’er replied.
“This is urgent,” another insisted.
The young master’s gaze burned with fervor—he had just witnessed the Fire Clan’s Guardian Spirit accepting this girl as a disciple. Before coming, they had learned that only those destined to become monarchs received such favor.
With chaos looming in the wastelands, they needed a future ruler on their side.
“Step aside. We’ll talk later,” Shi Hao said, brushing off dust as he stepped forward.
The young master frowned. A subordinate sneered, “Know your place!”
Shi Hao smirked. *Did they mistake him for a servant?*
“What’s this—a proposal or a kidnapping? At least do it properly at the Fire Palace,” Shi Hao taunted.
“Silence! This is no concern of yours,” an elder snapped.
“She’s my sister. If you want her hand, you’d better impress me first. Offending me isn’t wise,” Shi Hao declared, deliberately stirring trouble.
“Nonsense! We saw you manhandling the princess. The Fire Clan has no such rogue in their ranks!” another retorted.
The crowd thickened around them.
Huo Ling’er grinned, unafraid of escalation. “He’s my top warrior. If you have grievances, challenge him. Otherwise, we’re leaving.”
“A mere servant dares obstruct us?” a cold-eyed elder scoffed.
“You’ve been holed up here too long, cut off from the world,” Shi Hao sighed, pulling Huo Ling’er away.
“Seize him!” the young master ordered, humiliated.
“Since we’re leaving today, I’ll handle your troubles,” Shi Hao told Huo Ling’er.
With a single exhale, a gale erupted, sending a dozen warriors crashing into distant boulders, blood trickling from their lips.
The crowd gasped. *One breath—that was all it took!*
“Suppress him!” the young master barked.
The ensuing battle was a foregone conclusion. At the peak of the Engraving Realm, tempered by the Divine Demon Wall, Shi Hao moved like a storm, dismantling his opponents effortlessly.
*Thud! Thud!*
Fists met flesh like hammer blows, each strike shattering runes and sending elders reeling.
“Interesting,” Shi Hao mused. These were descendants of ancient beasts—this young master was no ordinary foe.
Indeed, he was a near-pureblood, a prodigy of the Three-Eyed Clan.
“The so-called Celestial Eye Sacred Mountain is just the Three-Eyed Clan? Mediocre,” Shi Hao remarked, flicking away a beam from the young master’s third eye and sending him flying.
“Who *are* you?” the young master gasped. Such strength was rare even in his homeland—reserved only for the elite disciples of legendary sects.
The surrounding youths from beyond this domain watched in awe.
“Me? The Moon Fairy of the Heaven Mending Sect is my sister. Now scram!” Shi Hao declared.
The crowd reeled. *The Moon Fairy—his sister?* That peerless beauty, revered across realms, had no known siblings. Was this brazen fool lying?
“Liar!” someone shouted.
*Bam!*
Shi Hao struck the young master down, leaving him coughing blood. “Don’t believe me? Ask Moon Fairy herself.”
“No need. You’re lying.”
A group approached, radiant as young deities, their auras overwhelming.
“Heaven Mending Sect’s elites!” the crowd murmured, retreating hastily.
Even they had come to the Fire Domain—proof of the Vermilion Bird’s fearsome reputation.
“Is Moon Fairy here? Ask her,” Shi Hao said calmly.
His audacity left everyone unsettled, especially a cold-eyed youth from the Heaven Mending Sect.
The game was far from over.
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