Though nearly depleted of his own magical energy, Mo Han continued to draw upon it, desperately pushing past his limits. The mana currently being expended was being fueled by his very life force. In this state of utter despair, Mo Han suddenly felt as if he could perceive, with startling clarity, the mood of every single magical element within the vast space surrounding him, which was composed of countless such elements.

Mo Han could even sense the distinct emotional state of each individual elemental particle, a feeling entirely different from anything he had experienced before. While he had previously been able to communicate with the elemental forces, he could only sense the collective mood of large groups of them. Now, he could perceive the condition of elements far smaller than the very particles of air—an entirely new dimension of experience.

He felt his mind and body completely submerged in this marvelous sensation, utterly forgetting the dangers lurking nearby. He focused solely on communing with these elemental spirits, experiencing the joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness of each one. Mo Han’s own emotions shifted and changed in direct response to the fluctuating moods of these spirits—it was an experience of profound wonder.

At that moment, Mo Han sensed that the elemental spirits in the air seemed to perceive his state as well. Countless magical elements, which had previously been drifting aimlessly, suddenly surged madly into Mo Han’s body, accompanied by an influx of vibrant, multicolored light.

Mo Han’s previously exhausted reserves of magical energy were instantly inundated by the innumerable elemental spirits, reaching levels far exceeding his former capacity. A surge of joy filled him; he realized that in this moment of crisis, he had unintentionally achieved a breakthrough.

He had clearly stepped into the realm of the second tier of Saint Magus. This was an outcome Mo Han had never anticipated. He had been stuck at the initial stage of Saint Magus for a long time, unable to advance smoothly. Unexpectedly, being cornered by the two Holy Beast Fire Phoenixes had forced this breakthrough.

The Holy Light Barrier, whose radiance had dimmed considerably, began to emit a brilliant white glow again as Mo Han's magical energy was restored.

It stubbornly resisted the onslaught of the blue flames. The flames, for the moment, could not breach the barrier erected by Mo Han, who now possessed the strength of a second-tier Saint Magus. The standoff had resumed.

And then.

Bai Ling’s previously slow chant suddenly accelerated: "In the boundless isolation of indifference, the Creator who lingers; in the eternal sorrow of the void, the Spirit of Doom who roams. Hear my plea, cease all agitation—Seal! The Most Beautiful Radiance!" Bai Ling’s chant stopped abruptly, and a blinding light erupted from her form. Mo Han suddenly felt as if all surrounding matter had frozen solid. He could even sense that the magical elements in the air around him had instantly ceased all movement.

The two Fire Phoenixes, which had been hovering mid-air, continuously spewing fire, instantly halted. Mo Han could clearly see the blue flames suspended at the edges of their beaks; even the combustion appeared frozen in time, creating an eerie tableau where everything in the world seemed utterly static.

What terrifying magic was this? To be able to seal every material object within its radius, including the very magical elements themselves! Surely, only the highest level of Divine Curses could achieve such power. While Mo Han was still reeling from the shock, Bai Ling spoke with urgency from the side.

"Use your Dou Qi, quickly move to subdue those two Fire Phoenixes! I cannot hold this for much longer."

Hearing Bai Ling, Mo Han snapped back to reality. He violently unleashed the Dou Qi within his body and lunged toward the two suspended Fire Phoenixes. His speed was impossibly swift; in the blink of an eye, he was directly in front of the two birds immobilized by the sealing magic. Mo Han himself was startled, nearly unable to brake and crashing directly into them.

This speed was double what he possessed before. Mo Han could clearly see the terror reflected in the eyes of the two phoenixes, trapped by the magical stasis, but he had no time for contemplation. He raised the Holy Sword of Light in his hand and swung it toward them. Under the infusion of Mo Han’s Dou Qi, the Holy Sword of Light radiated dazzling brilliance.

Just as the Holy Sword of Light was about to strike the two Fire Phoenixes, Mo Han abruptly felt the surrounding frozen space snap back to normal. The sealing magic had clearly been lifted. The two Fire Phoenixes seized this momentary chance, and a crimson light flared around them. However, the instant the red glow ignited, Mo Han’s Holy Sword of Light found its mark with precision.

The light emanating from the Holy Sword of Light instantly pierced through the red aura surrounding the phoenixes, striking their bodies accurately. With two soft peng sounds, the two Fire Phoenixes were struck by the Holy Sword of Light and sent hurtling toward the ground like rockets.

When they hit the earth, they created two thunderous impacts, stirring up falling leaves in a violent flurry. Two deep craters were clearly visible in the ground, and the dead leaves surrounding the impact zones were violently swept aside by the sheer force of the air current generated by the collision, creating a vacuum zone. It was easy to imagine the terrifying power and speed of that impact.

Mo Han landed immediately beside the two craters without hesitation. Although the Holy Sword of Light had struck the Fire Phoenixes, Mo Han remembered their monstrous defensive capabilities and held no certainty of victory. However, upon seeing the condition of the two beasts, a wave of relief washed over him.

The crimson light that had surrounded the two Fire Phoenixes after being struck by the Holy Sword of Light had completely dimmed. The two beasts lay limp and lifeless on the ground, their eyes pleading as they emitted weak, mournful cries.

Seeing this state, Mo Han, who had been ready to press the advantage, hesitated. After all, achieving the rank of Holy Beast was no easy feat. Now that the Fire Phoenixes clearly lacked any ability to resist, the thought of having to kill them made Mo Han genuinely reluctant.

"You don't necessarily have to kill them," Bai Ling said softly from behind him. "You can form a contract with them. That would solve the problem."

Hearing Bai Ling, Mo Han’s eyes lit up. In truth, he felt a deep reluctance to slay the two Fire Phoenixes. Their formidable power was etched into his memory; without Bai Ling's sealing magic, he would never have defeated them. If he could subdue them now, wouldn't that mean gaining two powerful allies?

Forming a Monster Contract—Mo Han understood the implications. Once a magical beast entered a contract with its master, it must obey the master's every command. Should the master die, the contracted beasts would also die. However, if the beasts died, it had no effect on the master.

Generally, magical beasts lived much longer than humans, often possessing lifespans of several hundred years, while Saint Beasts could live for over a thousand. Divine Beasts, of course, possessed virtually endless life. However, the restriction of the contract held no sway over Divine Beasts. Even if a Divine Beast contracted with a human, once the master perished, the contract would dissolve, restoring the beast to freedom. Yet, no one had ever heard of anyone managing to keep a Divine Beast as a pet; they were immensely powerful and incredibly proud, looking down upon weak humans.

On the Dragon Ascent Continent, human lifespans generally topped out around a century, though the strongest practitioners were rumored to reach two or three hundred years—still far short of the beasts' longevity. If a contracted beast’s master died, the beast was doomed unless it had reached the Divine Beast tier to escape the contract’s bonds. This was why beasts were unwilling to easily enter contracts unless they were completely defeated and their very lives were threatened.

Thus, upon hearing Bai Ling’s suggestion, Mo Han grew excited. The power of these two Fire Phoenixes was undeniable; subduing them would offer an immense advantage.

"But I've never contracted with a Saint Beast before," Mo Han voiced his apprehension, "and these two Fire Phoenixes are at the peak of the Saint Beast tier. I doubt they’ll agree to form a Monster Contract with me, considering they have lifespans measured in millennia." Mo Han articulated his worry: if he were a Saint Beast, he too would hesitate to bind himself to someone whose life was so fleeting.

Bai Ling merely smiled in response. "Don't worry. If I say it's possible, it is possible."

With that, Bai Ling waved her delicate hand, and a faint white light enveloped the two gravely wounded Fire Phoenixes, gently floating them down before Mo Han and his companion.

"We don't have to kill you," Bai Ling addressed the two birds, "but you must form a contract with my friend."

Upon hearing this, the two Fire Phoenixes cried out in clear protest, evidently against Bai Ling’s proposal. Mo Han had expected this reaction and felt no surprise. Bai Ling, however, appeared entirely unconcerned. She spoke calmly, "You are worried that forming a contract will affect your lifespan, aren't you? After all, human lives are short compared to yours."

The two Fire Phoenixes nodded frantically at this, issuing sharp calls affirming Bai Ling's assessment. A slight smile touched the corners of Bai Ling’s lips. "But I can guarantee that after contracting with my friend, your lives will absolutely not be affected. Even if the master of the contract dies, it will not impact you. This will be the Wind Spirit Contract of your Saint Beast nature, not the common life-and-death contract of humans. Under these terms, even if the contracted master dies, it will never affect your lives. As Saint Beasts, you should know how to enact this form of contract magic, shouldn't you?"

The two Fire Phoenixes fell silent instantly. They were stunned that Bai Ling knew such details. Their eyes darted around as intense internal struggle played out, weighing Bai Ling's proposition. Seeing their hesitation, Bai Ling continued coolly, "I know that as Saint Beasts, you are fully aware of how to perform the Wind Spirit Contract magic, yet you are still unwilling to bind yourselves to a human, aren't you? Perhaps you are clinging to a sliver of hope?" Here, Bai Ling’s tone shifted, hardening into a chill. "But know this: if you refuse my proposal today, killing you would be as simple as lifting a finger for me right now."

As she spoke, Bai Ling abruptly raised a hand, and a crystalline dagger materialized within it, shimmering with clarity. Bai Ling smiled sweetly. "You surely realize that in your current state, piercing your physical defenses would be no challenge for me. Have you made up your minds? This is your final chance."

The two Fire Phoenixes seemed terrified of the crystal dagger in Bai Ling's hand, their gazes fixed upon it with evident dread. Finally, upon hearing Bai Ling’s ultimatum, they hastily nodded and chirped, agreeing to her terms. Mo Han watched, dumbfounded, at how readily the two Fire Phoenixes consented to Bai Ling’s arrangement to contract with him.

Then, a mass of crimson light slowly ascended above the heads of the two Fire Phoenixes. These two spheres of red light drifted slowly toward Mo Han. A thrill shot through Mo Han; he knew this must be the Wind Spirit Contract Bai Ling had mentioned. Though he had never witnessed such a contract before, as a Saint Magus, he could sense the general nature of the magic.

The two red orbs slowly merged into the top of Mo Han's head. He felt a comforting warmth spread from his forehead, immediately followed by a clear voice echoing in his mind: "Master, we have now established the Wind Spirit Contract with you. You may communicate with us through thought at any time, and we will clearly know your intentions."

Mo Han’s initial delight was quickly followed by a thought he immediately projected toward the two Fire Phoenixes: "Ah, you know everything I think? Then I won't have any secrets from you in the future?" The voice in his mind instantly replied, "That is not entirely true, Master. This form of exchange is limited only to communications between you and us. If you are not actively communicating with us, we cannot possibly know your inner thoughts. Please rest assured."

Hearing the Fire Phoenixes’ clarification, Mo Han finally relaxed. This arrangement was acceptable; otherwise, the situation would have been truly vexing.

Bai Ling then looked at Mo Han and asked with a smile, "Is it finished?" Mo Han smiled and nodded, replying, "Heh heh, yes. Now we have the aid of these two peak Saint Beasts; I believe our chances for this journey into the Ancient Blue Ruins have increased significantly. However, these two Fire Phoenixes are quite badly injured. I suggest we help them heal first and then find a safe place for them to rest. That way, we'll be much safer if we encounter trouble ahead."

Bai Ling nodded at Mo Han's suggestion. "We can rest here. I also need time to recover fully."

With that, Bai Ling slowly sat down on the ground, closed her eyes, and began to meditate. The previous spell had clearly drained the majority of her magical reserves, and she needed to restore her strength. In the perilous and treacherous Death Forest, only strength could guarantee one's safety.