C26 Phoenix

Upon hearing the words, Goldie remained silent next to it, yet its tiny ears perked up stealthily.

It was exceptionally intelligent, an anomaly among its scarlet macaw kin, with a wit rivaling that of an average human.

Aware of its newcomer status, Goldie understood it could never hold the same place in Zhou Mu's heart as Gator did.

Thus, it refrained from competing with Gator, free from envy. Even when Gator roughed it up, Goldie appeared utterly unfazed.

The underlying reason, of course, was that it simply couldn't win.

Yet, deep down, Goldie yearned for affection and care, aspiring to Gator's esteemed standing.

"Absolutely, the moment it entered into a pact with me, it became my most faithful ally. It would lay down its life for my protection, and I would spare no effort to safeguard it," Zhou Mu asserted with unwavering conviction, not a trace of hesitation in his voice.

Goldie's crown feathers involuntarily quivered as Zhou Mu's words reached its ears.

"Bravo! Since you're committed to giving it your all, I'll grant you that opportunity!" Sinister Six bellowed, launching himself at Zhou Mu.

It was undeniable; Sinister Six was a formidable foe.

Bold and resolute, he wasted no time.

Upon realizing he was outmatched, he swiftly pivoted his tactics.

His earlier conversation with Zhou Mu was merely a ploy to stall for time, allowing him to adapt to his newfound surge of power.

Now, Sinister Six harbored a lethal intent toward Zhou Mu.

In his possession were two lord-tier spirit animals, one of dragon lineage and the other of phoenix descent.

Should they reach their potential, they were bound to become powerhouses on par with the likes of Poisongarde and Vision of the Ended.

"No!"

As Sinister Six made his move, Fong Ju and Hai Ming let out involuntary shrieks.

One was their promising protégé, the other a childhood friend and longtime desk mate. In this critical moment, their emotions surged to the surface.

With the cries echoing in his ears and Sinister Six bearing down on him, Zhou Mu's expression remained stoic. In his heart, he beckoned to the system, ready to trade years of his life for a sliver of a chance to escape.

At that moment, a vibrant shadow suddenly interposed itself before him.

It was like a moth to a flame—courageous, resolute, and unstoppable.

Simultaneously, a piercing cry echoed across the wilderness.

"Chirp!"

Zhou Mu gazed at the familiar silhouette bathed in light, his face betraying utter astonishment.

Regal and resplendent, it shimmered with an array of colors.

The crown of feathers atop its head seemed to sprout like branches, its wings undulated like waves, its robust body was as solid as the earth, and its talons were as keen as blades.

Behind it, the long plumes bore flames so intense they could warp space itself.

This was the sovereign of birds! The mythical harbinger of good fortune! The phoenix!

In the face of impending doom, as Sinister Six lunged at Zhou Mu, Jin Zi made the valiant choice to ignite his bloodline, sacrificing his life to save Zhou Mu.

A fleeting, radiant bloom of youth.

There was no weighing of worth, only the steadfast resolve to act!

"Flying Feathers in the Sky!"

A myriad of five-colored lights gathered behind Goldie, transforming into swords that streaked towards Sinister Six.

The power of the five elements, each enhancing and countering the other.

They tore, solidified, corroded, scorched, and assimilated.

Five distinct forces burst forth simultaneously, dealing a severe blow to Sinister Six.

"You've lost your mind! Burning your bloodline will reduce you to a mere beast, less than a sparrow!"

Sinister Six bellowed in disbelief.

Yet, what met him was not a reprieve but a searing white brilliance.

"Golden Sword Qi!"

The radiance coalesced into a blade, piercing through Sinister Six's brow in an instant.

Boom!

The colossal form crashed to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust. The splendid five-colored light in the sky, like a flame spent, dwindled to mere embers descending to the earth.

Zhou Mu reached out to catch Goldie, his eyes misting over.

"Boss... your bird... it's broken..."

Goldie murmured faintly before succumbing to unconsciousness.

"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, you won't break."

Zhou Mu sealed Goldie back into the Soul Contract, his face etched with a fierce resolve for vengeance.

"Those Brightsmiths... I won't rest until I've annihilated you all, until my fury is quelled by your utter destruction!"

Boom!

Crash!

Thunder suddenly shattered the silence, with dark clouds having stealthily blanketed the sky.

The ghastly lightning cast an eerie glow on Zhou Mu's face, rendering him a fearsome sight.

Without a word, everyone silently supported their wounded peers back into the vehicle.

The battle had been brutal. Over thirty students perished, with more than a hundred sustaining serious injuries. Nearly everyone bore the marks of combat. Over half of the spirit animals were lost, with the survivors barely clinging to life.

The driver and Fong Ju's spirit animal were gravely injured, desperately needing care.

Even Zhou Mu's spirit animals were critically wounded, one teetering on the brink of death.

Thankfully, the Soul Contract greatly aids in the healing of spirit animals. Even if full recovery was impossible, it could at least prevent their condition from deteriorating.

For Zhou Mu, as long as Goldie was alive, everything else was secondary.

What did it matter if he dropped to the first rank? Or reverted to an ordinary quality?

They were mere points!

In no time at all, Zhou Mu was confident he could restore Goldie from a mere chick to a majestic phoenix, once again robust and mighty!

The carriage was filled with a somber air, silent except for the few students adept in healing quietly tending to everyone's injuries.

Amidst the darkness, desolation, and relentless downpour, the battle loomed like an oppressive shadow over their spirits.

Failure to overcome it meant a lifetime haunted by this nightmare.

But for those who prevailed, it was a step onto the path of the mighty.

This was a challenge each had to face alone; no one else could break through it for them.

Compared to the others, Zhou Mu was significantly more composed.

After a thorough check confirmed Goldie was not in mortal danger, he finally allowed himself a sigh of relief.

"Once we return, I'll request a supply of resources from the school," he said.

Fong Ju clapped Zhou Mu on the shoulder, gratitude in his eyes. "We owe you big time. Without you, we'd all be goners."

"I was just looking out for myself," Zhou Mu replied, shaking his head.

"You could've easily walked away unscathed, but you chose to stand with us. Remember, if you ever need help, just ask. I'm sure the others will be just as eager to support you."

Fong Ju chuckled and cast his gaze beyond Zhou Mu.

As Zhou Mu followed his line of sight, he saw his classmates looking back at him with eyes brimming with admiration and gratitude, stirring something within his once cold, unyielding heart.

In his past life, he was alone, competing with wild beasts for sustenance, with humans for gain, and with the very forces of nature for his existence.

To survive, his heart had turned to ice, always looking out for himself above all else.

But in the end, that life was nothing more than a ludicrous dream.

Now, in this life, he had loving parents and family, a loyal spirit animal companion, a quirky girl next door, and a childhood friend who was his desk mate—foolish, yet endearing.

This life was filled with so much more happiness than the last.

Zhou Mu faced forward as the rain poured and the wind howled.

Yet his heart, against the elements, beat with a warmth like that of a blazing fire.