The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 371: Another One

"Too late," Aldrian said as the entire formation lit up with an ominous reddish glow, and the ground trembled. Aldrian could feel that this summon was vastly different from any he had encountered before, given the sheer magnitude of sacrifices and energy required. He counted twenty King-stage devils channeling their energy just to activate the formation, making him wonder what kind of beast was about to be summoned.

His devil energy was strong, having already been strengthened by his golden energy after being absorbed. The devils attempting to stop Aldrian had no time to react as, suddenly, a massive silhouette of a beast’s head emerged from the formation.

A black flame exuded from its head, striking terror into those who beheld it as its searing heat spread instantly throughout the underground hall. Even the Great Peng, waiting at the entrance outside, sensed its presence. His heart pounded, and sweat rolled down his forehead, an astonishing reaction, considering his own immense power.

He could feel the extraordinary presence emanating from the underground base, its sheer force affecting even him. He realized that the entity appearing below came from the same place as he did, yet it was far more powerful than him.

At the summoning formation, chaos had already erupted. Many King-stage devils had perished, consumed by the sudden black flames that engulfed the entire hall. The fact that these flames could easily kill King-stage beings made it clear—the summoned beast was at least at the Emperor stage. The formation’s protective barrier had already collapsed under the intensity of the flames, and the beast’s full form began to emerge.

It had a massive beak and two piercing red pupils that locked onto Aldrian with a menacing gaze. Standing right in front of it, Aldrian frowned as he sensed the beast’s presence. This was the most intimidating spiritual beast he had ever encountered—far more terrifying than the Great Peng. Yet, at the same time, it felt familiar. He had seen this head many times before... in his visions.

"So this is a phoenix... but what kind of phoenix is it?" Aldrian wondered as he examined the information that appeared before him.

"A clone of the Golden Phoenix?" If his memories from his visions were correct, the Golden Phoenix was one of the great clans among the Phoenix lineage.

However, just like the Golden-Winged Great Peng’s clone outside, this one looked nothing like a typical Golden Phoenix. The eerie black flames surrounding its body were unlike anything he had ever encountered—something that felt as if it had emerged from the depths of hell itself. And the heat... it was no joke.

Right now, Aldrian was already using the power of his domain to form a spatial shield, protecting himself from the scorching flames. At the same time, he reinforced the spatial barrier covering the underground base. He hadn’t expected the summoned being to be a phoenix—let alone one with such overwhelming strength.

Screech!!!

The phoenix’s cry echoed through the entire underground base, causing the spatial barrier Aldrian had created to tremble under its sheer force. A peak Emperor-stage aura erupted from its body, pressing down on Aldrian with immense pressure.

Although the phoenix seemed aware that he was the one who had summoned it, there was clear reluctance in its demeanor—it had no intention of obeying him so easily.

Aldrian found this rather interesting. Deciding that this confined underground hall was too small for what was to come, he prepared to move it to a much more expansive space. He already knew this beast was far larger than the Great Peng—just its head alone nearly filled the entire summoning formation.

With his will and mastery over space, Aldrian created a massive spatial gate on the ceiling of the hall, directly above the giant beast. The space split apart, opening like a doorway to another world, revealing a completely different scenery on the other side.

The surviving devils stared in shock. Controlling a gate of that magnitude required both precise spatial manipulation and an immense amount of energy. Only a cultivator stronger than middle Emperor-stage with a deep affinity for spatial elements could achieve such a feat. fгeewebnovёl.com

The phoenix, noticing the vast expanse beyond the gate, instinctively tried to free itself from the summoning formation. After a few moments of struggle, it finally managed to break free. However, due to its sheer size, only half of its body had passed through, while the other half remained within the underground hall.

The phoenix instantly leaped into the air, soaring pass the spatial gate and into the vast, desolate forest beyond. Aldrian had specifically chosen this location—a remote area still within church territory, spanning 2,000 kilometers without a single inhabitant.

Finally freed from the confines of the underground hall, the phoenix ascended into the night sky, its dark flames flickering under the moonlight, making it both breathtaking and menacing.

Screech!!!

Its cry echoed across the entire region, its overwhelming aura surging outward like a declaration of its arrival. From above, the phoenix gazed down, locking eyes with Aldrian. In an instant, it dived toward him, as if preparing to strike.

However, Aldrian exerted his will, commanding it to obey. The powerful force of his authority stopped the phoenix mid-air, forcing it to hover in place.

Screech!!

Aldrian sensed the phoenix’s lingering reluctance—it still refused to obey him, making him frown. Were beasts summoned through the formation not always guaranteed to be under the summoner’s control?

Deciding to assert his dominance, he unleashed his golden energy, infusing it with the power of his domain.

His presence was completely different now—no longer as he was before. He stood like a divine being, unwavering, with none worthy of standing above him.

Sensing Aldrian’s immense strength and golden energy, the phoenix trembled. Its defiance faded as it flew down in a more submissive manner, landing right in front of him. Its red eyes quivered as they met his gaze.

Aldrian tilted his head in confusion. Through their summoning connection, he could sense the phoenix’s emotions—chaotic, confusion, and... fearful?

"Change into your human form."

With his commanding presence and overwhelming aura, his words carried the weight like heaven’s mandate, impossible to disobey.

The phoenix closed its eyes, and the flames surrounding its body gradually extinguished. A black light enveloped it, shrinking its massive form bit by bit until it took on the shape of a human.

From within the fading glow, a feminine silhouette emerged. As the light disappeared completely, a woman stood before Aldrian. He raised an eyebrow slightly, stunned by the phoenix’s human form.

She possessed a mature, breathtaking beauty. Sharp captivating eyes, perfectly arched brows, and plump red lips. Her alluring, curvaceous figure was wrapped in a tight black dress with a high slit along her leg, revealing smooth, flawless skin. Her ample bosom naturally drew many attention, making it impossible to ignore her seductive presence. Every aspect of her appearance embodied perfection by any man’s standards.

In conclusion, she is Femme Fatale

Yet, despite her outward confidence, she looked at Aldrian with trembling eyes. He could sense the turmoil within her through their summoning connection—but he still couldn’t understand the source of her chaotic emotions.

"Can you speak?" he asked.

The woman seemed to understand his words and nodded.

"I... speak... barely." Her speech was slow and imperfect, but it was enough for him.

With a peak emperor-stage phoenix clone under his command, Aldrian had gained yet another powerful asset. Now, with two emperor-stage spiritual beasts at his disposal, he had another hidden card to play when the time came.

"Cripple them and bring them here. I want to check something," he ordered, pointing toward the devils who still stared at them in horror. The devils had also been moved to this forest by Aldrian, unable to resist as they were helplessly teleported here.

Hearing Aldrian give the order to the phoenix, the remaining devils who could still move felt a chill run down their spines. In desperation, they tried to escape, flying at full speed. However, the phoenix merely released her oppressive aura, forcing all of them to the ground.

Without hesitation, she activated her movement technique, black flames igniting beneath her feet as she shot forward with terrifying speed. As she passed each devil, her palm, wreathed in black fire, struck their abdomens with pinpoint precision—shattering their dantians instantly.

There was no escape. No matter how fast they tried to run, none could outrun a peak emperor-stage phoenix. One by one, they were crippled, each palm strike sealing their fate.

The low emperor-stage devil also attempted to escape, but before he could fly again, his gaze met the woman’s eyes. In that moment, his body froze, and the next instant, his fate was the same as the others. The gap in strength was far too vast—neither he nor any of the devils here had any hope of resisting or fleeing.

After finishing her task, the woman used her energy to carry the ten surviving devils before Aldrian. She looked at him with a nervous expression, which he found amusing.

"Good job," he said.

Her face lit up with joy, her nervousness instantly replaced by excitement. Aldrian smiled at her before shifting his gaze to the devils sprawled on the ground, their bodies weak after losing the power they had cultivated for a lifetime.

"Let’s check on them first before we go back."