As Zhong Shixiu finished speaking, he actually took out his top-tier magic treasure, the "Chaos Tablet." This artifact held countless types of demonic beasts and ghosts, including some ancient divine beasts! No one expected Zhong Shixiu to bring it out at this moment; what exactly was he planning?

The "Hawkeye" woman was immediately drawn to the "Chaos Tablet" hovering before Zhong Shixiu. Just as she was observing what it was, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth, accompanied by an overwhelming, surging aura!

The level-nine demonic beast on the ground had been planning to flee, but upon sensing this presence, it curled up on the earth, trembling in fear!

Looking back at the "Hawkeye" woman now, the look of horror on her face had reached an unparalleled degree; her mind even went blank for a brief moment!

Just then, a sound like "Jiu~" rang out, and a beam of light resembling blue lightning suddenly shot out from the "Chaos Tablet," dancing joyfully high in the sky!

The speed was so incredible that one could only see a long blue trail scored across the heavens. As for what creature it was or what it looked like, it was impossible to ascertain! The "Hawkeye" woman stared blankly upwards. She prided herself on her sharp vision, yet she still couldn't keep up with the speed of that blue light!

What in the world was that? Why do I feel my blood boiling? Why do I have this irresistible excitement? The stunned expression on the "Hawkeye" woman's face was quite lovely, like an exquisitely beautiful statue fixed in place!

And at that moment, the rapidly moving blue light in the sky finally stopped, revealing its true form! The instant she saw it clearly, the "Hawkeye" woman's body began to tremble uncontrollably. It wasn't fear; it was sheer excitement!

High above, a great bird shimmering with blue flames was looking down upon everything below. Its massive wings were clearly motionless, yet its body remained suspended in the air, radiating an aura of pure kingship!

This bird had a beautiful name: The Unfathomable Phoenix Dance, Lan Sha!

It was no exaggeration to say that if this "Lan Sha" were to unleash its power, it could cause this "Forest of No Return" to vanish from the continent in a matter of minutes! It was that formidable, that utterly dominant!

Yet, from another perspective, this also reflected Zhong Shixiu's own might: powerful as "Lan Sha" was, it ultimately had to obey Zhong Shixiu's commands, for if Zhong Shixiu chose to exert himself, even a hundred "Lan Shas" could be instantly obliterated!

It had been countless years since the various demonic beasts within Zhong Shixiu's "Chaos Tablet" had been released, so it was understandable that this "Lan Sha" was so ecstatic upon emerging!

That fresh air, the feeling of soaring freely—it was indescribably wonderful, certainly better than being in an endless, pitch-black world! Wait—what is that? The eyes of "Lan Sha" suddenly darted, having spotted the swarm of "Demon Bugs" flying toward them!

Insects held an absolute, fatal attraction for birds. The blue flames on "Lan Sha's" body instantly soared several feet higher, and it let out excited chirps of "Jiu Jiu!"

This sound seemed to possess immense penetrative power; the entire "Forest of No Return" seemed able to hear it. Coupled with its conspicuous flames, many people and beasts noticed its presence, all showing expressions of astonishment! "Heavens, look at that demonic beast! I've never seen anything like it before!" The soldiers who had just fled were the first to spot the "Lan Sha" in the sky, all gazing upward with their mouths agape!

As for the members of the "Ethereal Legion" currently engaged in capturing demonic beasts, they were also stunned when they saw this "Lan Sha." However, unlike those common soldiers who hadn't seen the world, after watching for a moment, they could say with certainty: This must have been summoned by the Young Master!

But avian demonic beasts reacted differently. The moment "Lan Sha" cried out, not a single flying bird could be seen in the sky over the "Forest of No Return"; all were clinging to perches, trembling violently.

To these demonic beasts, the aura of "Lan Sha" was irresistible—it was a kingly presence compelling their submission!

Simultaneously, the Demon Bugs flying toward Zhong Shixiu seemed to sense danger and collectively retreated like a tide, beating their wings frantically!

If they could speak, they would certainly be yelling: Brothers, this one's too tough, retreat now!

However, was it so easy for prey targeted by "Lan Sha" to escape? If they could simply flee, then "Lan Sha" wouldn't be following Zhong Shixiu; it would have probably ended up as a bowl of bird soup long ago!

In an instant, "Lan Sha's" body expanded at an extreme speed. In mere moments, it hovered in the air like a small mountain! Then, following a joyful cry, it transformed once more into a beam of blue light, shooting toward the swarm of bugs. It had barely accelerated before it was right upon the Demon Bugs, sucking one in and immediately beginning to chew!

Though the Demon Bug was huge, that depended on who it was compared to. Compared to this ancestor of the avian class, it was merely an insignificant corn kernel beneath a chicken's beak!

"Lan Sha" swallowed that Demon Bug in just three chews, then accelerated suddenly to snatch another one in its beak, commencing the "Ka-tsun Kabā" crunching sound again!

Witnessing this scene, the "Hawkeye" woman was utterly dumbfounded. The power and abnormality of "Lan Sha" had completely exceeded her limit of comprehension. Her brain was currently undergoing a turbulent, tidal wave of a baptism!

For someone who viewed birds as gods, "Lan Sha" was undoubtedly the ancestor of gods!

This "Lan Sha" was incomparably more formidable than the "Bird God" her "Hawke Clan" worshipped during sacrifices!

The "Hawkeye" woman was now so excited she nearly shrieked aloud. She had never imagined she would live to witness such a "god"! Her eyes now shone with an unusual light, gazing dazedly at "Lan Sha" as if it were a lover she had known for years!

This woman was completely captivated by "Lan Sha's" majesty!

"Hey, Sister, what do you think of the bird I raise?" Zhong Shixiu asked the "Hawkeye" woman, suppressing a smile. The "Hawkeye" woman mechanically turned her head toward him, unable to utter a word.

Zhong Shixiu had intended to tease her a bit more, but at that moment, he suddenly thought of something. He turned and looked toward "Lan Sha," feeling a surge of anger so intense he wanted to deep-fry the creature!

In just this short while, those swarms of Demon Bugs had basically been devoured by "Lan Sha," which was still chewing contentedly.

He needed those Demon Bugs to count toward his competition score. Now, after just a moment's distraction, they were almost all gone. While the bird was efficient, it hadn't considered Zhong Shixiu's feelings at all! Heavens, so many points wasted just like that! "Get over here!" Zhong Shixiu’s voice was not loud, but it made the happily feeding "Lan Sha" shudder.

Although Zhong Shixiu's appearance was completely different now, his aura and divine sense had never changed. The fear of Zhong Shixiu was deeply etched into "Lan Sha's" very soul. It knew all too well the consequences of angering Zhong Shixiu—either being used as an experimental white mouse or being disposed of as food (in short, nothing would go to waste)!

In an instant, "Lan Sha's" kingly aura vanished without a trace, and its massive body shrank in the blink of an eye to the size of a parrot, flying back fearfully! "Jiu Jiu~ Jiu Jiu~" "Lan Sha" chirped pitifully before Zhong Shixiu, which translated roughly to: Master, I ate too much, I’ll never dare again...

At this moment, "Lan Sha" fully recognized what a foolish mistake it was to become so carried away that it completely ignored Zhong Shixiu! "Who told you to eat those Demon Bugs? Spit them out!" Zhong Shixiu scolded, acting like a petulant child.

The thought of all those lost points gave Zhong Shixiu a pang of pain! And the thought of having to play the role of a woman again gave him a headache!

"Lan Sha" felt even more wronged. Those Demon Bugs had already been digested in its stomach; how could it possibly spit them out? But it dared not disobey Zhong Shixiu, so it could only make "Ka Ka" sounds while trying to regurgitate, yet nothing came out except water! (Though its efforts were quite a sight!)

"Hmph!" A cold snort from Zhong Shixiu made "Lan Sha's" body tremble again.

(In truth, "Lan Sha" didn't need to be this terrified, as the current Zhong Shixiu was not the same as the old one—now he possessed only a hint of childishness and wouldn't truly harm it!)

However, since "Lan Sha" had only just emerged, it didn't understand the current situation. It mistakenly believed Zhong Shixiu was growing angrier, causing its body to shake even more violently! "Jiu Jiu~" "Lan Sha" spoke in a voice filled with extreme fear and grievance: Master, I really can't throw it up! (Good heavens, it actually took him seriously!)

Just then, the "Hawkeye" woman, who had been watching everything, suddenly took a step forward, knelt on one knee, and spoke a very strange sentence: "Please, Lord Fara, quell your anger. Do not rebuke Lord Yūshén further. Richele, Sylvia is willing to accept any punishment from Lord Fara!" Lord Fara? Lord Yūshén? At that moment, Zhong Shixiu was truly bewildered, staring blankly at the apologetic "Hawkeye" woman!

(It seems this turn of events is quite unexpectedly favorable!)