Seeing that a UR was coming out, Xu Tao quickly cleared the surroundings and erected a barrier for a brief moment of serenity.
"…Huh?"
But although he expected the figure to be summoned instantly, instead, he saw a black droplet fall from mid-air, hitting the bottom of the barrier. As soon as it touched, the droplet scattered—then erupted into ravaging flames.
"What the?!" Xu Tao recoiled in shock.
After all, black flames were ominous, even for a cultivator of his level. In the worst-case scenario, just being licked by them could mean death!
But the surprise didn't end there. The flames grew stronger, forcing Xu Tao to back off immediately. He canceled the barrier and flew away, feeling safer among monsters than near that thing.
The fire expanded, forming into the shape of a black phoenix—its eyes burning with white flames that stood in eerie contrast to the rest of its form. Slowly, the blazing silhouette morphed.
A woman appeared, standing where the phoenix once soared.
