"Oh, why so many questions? I just want to go out and see the world, is that not allowed?" Phoenix said helplessly, yet with no other choice.
"I truly don't want you to submit, but he does." Ye Lanshan pointed at Ye Yutian, her eyes wary and full of suspicion toward Phoenix, completely disbelieving her words.
"Ah, haha, don't joke around. If he really wanted me to submit, he wouldn't have held back just now." Phoenix laughed dryly, trembling inside from the pressure Ye Yutian exuded, and naturally didn't believe Ye Lanshan's claim.
"Oh?" Ye Lanshan turned her head to look at Ye Yutian, as if waiting for his answer.
"This Phoenix was originally meant to be a gift for you. Your strength is too weak; with this Phoenix protecting you, I can rest a little easier." Ye Yutian couldn't bear to discourage her, but her current power was indeed lacking.
"Is that so? Then I suppose I should thank you properly?" The suspicion on Ye Lanshan's face hadn't diminished in the slightest, and was now tinged with anger.
Seeing the doubt on Ye Lanshan's face, Ye Yutian turned to Phoenix, his voice low and dark as he spoke: "If you don't want to die, then form a contract with her."
Though Phoenix feared Ye Yutian, her innate pride remained, and she naturally refused to contract with Ye Lanshan.
"If you won't contract with her, then what use are you?" The aura of death grew heavier as a long spear appeared in Ye Yutian's hand, aimed at Phoenix.
Phoenix's heart trembled, but in the end, dignity won out. With a flash, she reverted to her true form and charged straight at Ye Yutian.
Just as Ye Yutian and Phoenix began to fight, Ye Lanshan spoke up: "Stop. Shouldn't it be my decision whether to contract or not?"
Hearing this, Ye Yutian instinctively halted, but Phoenix seized the opening to land a heavy blow on him. Even as fast as Ye Yutian dodged, he couldn't avoid being hit.
"Wings of Carnage." Ye Lanshan's eyes turned icy cold, a sinister smile curling at the corner of her mouth. Her hair whipped wildly behind her as two wings formed of flames flapped at her back. Her entire being radiated a killing intent, like a war goddess inspiring fear in all who saw her.
Such an aura was utterly unlike the ethereal, indifferent person who seemed to care about nothing.
"Flying Fire Meteors."
"Volcanic Seas of Flame."
"Let's see if your Nirvana Fire or my Red Lotus Karma Fire is stronger." Ye Lanshan's voice carried an ethereal quality, and the temperature inside the cave rose with her words.
"You—" Phoenix's gaze darkened as her pressure surged, immediately shifting her attack from Ye Yutian to Ye Lanshan.
"Three Flavors True Fire." Ye Lanshan formed hand seals, and a torrent of golden flame erupted from her palms.
But would Phoenix fear such things? She charged straight at Ye Lanshan, spitting out arrows of fire.
Ye Lanshan dodged swiftly, pulling out Devourer and hurling it at Phoenix. True to its reputation as an ancient killing weapon, it broke through Phoenix's defenses, though Phoenix dodged quickly and remained unscathed.
"How did Devourer end up here?" Clearly, Phoenix recognized the dagger. Her pupils widened in shock, her voice filled with surprise.
At that moment, Wu Jiao crept up and whispered persuasively: "Why not just form a contract with Ye Lanshan? With her talent, she'll surely leave this continent soon, and then she can avenge you."
"Hmph, unless she defeats me, I will never accept her as my master." Phoenix's eyes held a fierce determination, but her voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Freeze Ten Thousand Miles." Ye Lanshan suddenly changed tactics, using water elemental techniques.
"Flowing Water Strike." After Phoenix effortlessly blocked that move, Ye Lanshan continued with water techniques.
"Flying Fire Meteors." Just as a flicker of disdain crossed Phoenix's eyes, Ye Lanshan abruptly switched to her specialty—fire techniques.
"You—" Though her level was low, her Red Lotus Karma Fire proved stronger than Phoenix's Nirvana Fire. Caught off guard, a few of Phoenix's feathers were singed off.
Ye Lanshan, wielding Devourer, leaped onto Phoenix's back at lightning speed, grabbing her feathers and pressing the dagger against her neck. Her voice rang with authority: "Submit, or die."
"Submit, I'll form the contract with you, alright?" Phoenix immediately agreed and formed a contract with Ye Lanshan.
Once the contract was established, Ye Lanshan showed no joy. Instead, she walked step by step to Ye Yutian, lifted his chin, and asked darkly: "Am I really that weak?"
Her gaze was fierce, as if she would devour him if he dared say yes.
A hint of indulgence flickered in Ye Yutian's eyes as he chuckled softly: "Not weak at all. If you're weak, then there's no one strong under heaven."
"Then will you ever call me weak again?" The anger in Ye Lanshan's eyes seemed to subside slightly, her voice softening.
"Of course not. I was blind before. Please, let this one off as a minor offense." Ye Yutian raised his hands in surrender, letting her hold his chin.
Ye Lanshan's eyes seemed to clear, and she immediately retreated ten meters away from Ye Yutian, inwardly chiding herself for today's lapse.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you have a Phoenix." As Ye Lanshan silently berated herself, Ye Yutian approached and tucked her disheveled hair behind her ear.
"Since the Phoenix is subdued, let's go up. Yun Di must be getting anxious." Ye Lanshan avoided his hand, her face slightly flushed with awkwardness.
"Alright." Ignoring her resistance, Ye Yutian scooped her up and flew upward.
"You—you—" Yun Di had been anxiously waiting by the magma pool when he saw the two emerge from the lava in a close embrace, looking extremely intimate. His eyes went wide.
Upon reaching the shore, Ye Lanshan struggled out of Ye Yutian's arms, her voice tinged with anger as she shot him a glare. "Let's go."
"Hey, wait for me! What happened in there?" Yun Di hurried after Ye Lanshan as she strode away.
Ye Yutian gave a wry smile and followed close behind.
The journey was silent. Even the spirit beasts could sense the strange tension between them and dared not provoke them.
"Now that we're at the capital, let's part ways here." Ye Lanshan finally spoke her first words since returning.
"Fine." Ye Yutian didn't cling or pester, but parted cleanly with her.
Ye Lanshan entered the city, her heart growing heavier. Countless schemes and traps awaited her within these walls.
"Go back first. I'll follow shortly." Ye Lanshan handed him the Phoenix blood she had drawn earlier.
"Alright, I understand." Yun Di took the blood and quickly left.
The streets were deserted, with soldiers patrolling everywhere. The city was under tight lockdown. What had happened in just a few days?
Ye Lanshan grabbed a passing soldier to ask, but he didn't recognize her and shouted rudely: "Where did this troublemaker come from? Get lost!" His attitude was extremely hostile.