After resting for two months at the Fire God's inheritance site, Ma Hongjun prepared to return to the Fire Domain for training.
However, this time, the location was no longer the forest,
but Vermilion Bird Ridge.
He learned from the "Fire Domain Guide" that Vermilion Bird Ridge was a gathering place for powerful soul beasts.
There were many 100,000-year-old soul beasts there, and even some over 200,000 years old.
Even Xiao Chi didn't dare to be too high-profile when she entered Vermilion Bird Ridge. Although
she was the Fire God's envoy, the soul beasts in the Fire Domain were unaware of the Fire God's existence.
They were merely resources raised in the small world developed by the Fire God.
Vermilion Bird Ridge was too dangerous, and Ma Hongjun couldn't guarantee his own safety, so bringing Huo Wu along was clearly unrealistic.
Huo Wu's current strength was only at the Soul Emperor level; in a place like Vermilion Bird Ridge where 50,000-year-old soul beasts were commonplace, it was obviously unsuitable for Huo Wu's training.
Instead, the Fire Domain forest, which Ma Hongjun had cleared out, was more suitable for Huo Wu.
Moreover, only by letting Huo Wu train alone in the forest could the training be truly effective. Otherwise, with Ma Hongjun accompanying her, how could Huo Wu train effectively with his strength comparable to a Super Douluo?
The two people and the phoenix emerged from the lava lake, and a wave of scorching heat immediately washed over them.
"I'm going to Vermilion Bird Ridge. After I replenish my remaining four spirit rings, I'll return to the forest to find you."
Ma Hongjun gently embraced Huo Wu and lightly touched her forehead.
"Then be careful, I'll wait for you!"
Huo Wu said with reluctance and concern.
At this moment, Xiao Chi had already flown into the sky, its destination unknown.
However, Ma Hongjun could sense that Xiao Chi wasn't too far away from them.
Ma Hongjun was able to trust Huo Wu to train alone in the forest because of Xiao Chi.
Although Xiao Chi hadn't appeared, she was definitely protecting Huo Wu in secret.
She was the guardian phoenix of the Fire God's inheritor.
Vermilion Bird Ridge wasn't very large, but its terrain was relatively complex, with volcanoes, lava flows, and continuous mountain ranges.
Ma Hongjun summoned the Wind Dragon Wing Bone, imbuing himself with the Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, and flew low over Vermilion Bird Ridge.
Vermilion Birds are overlord-level soul beasts, dominating both land and air; in the Fire Domain, they are the true representatives of flame.
Of course, the Phoenix can rival them, but their numbers are extremely rare.
It is said that Vermilion Birds are not native to the Douluo Continent, but were brought from another world by the God of Fire.
Lacking natural enemies, they reign supreme in the Fire Domain, their numbers gradually increasing.
Vermilion Bird Ridge doesn't have many soul beasts,
but each species is formidable.
In the lava river below, Ma Hongjun saw fire dragons surging and churning.
These fire dragons are actually no weaker than fire dragons. Fire dragons
are not true dragons, but only sub-dragons, and in terms of racial quality, they are similar to fire dragons.
However, Vermilion Birds are different; they are the kings of birds, equal to true dragons.
This was only on the outskirts, yet he had already seen such powerful species as fire dragons.
Unfortunately, there weren't any fire dragons of the 100,000-year level here.
Ma Hongjun continued forward, his vigilance heightened once more.
As the lava flowed upward, the mountain gradually rose.
He could see vibrant flames rising from the towering peaks ahead.
This wasn't a volcanic eruption, but a mountain truly ablaze with fire.
Moreover, he could see a handful of giant trees atop the peaks. While
forests were filled with fiery trees, Vermilion Bird Ridge was a mountain of fire.
The sheer amount of fire energy alone made Vermilion Bird Ridge far superior.
Cultivating here would allow one's fire-type martial soul to improve at a rate a hundred times faster than outside.
Ma Hongjun's eyes turned red, and instantly the scene before him became crystal clear, as if right before his eyes.
On the high mountain ahead, three giant trees stood atop the summit.
A fiery red bird circled around one of the trees.
It looked very small, seemingly practicing flight.
"Vermilion Bird!"
This was the first Vermilion Bird Ma Hongjun had seen.
Although the little creature was still small, its outline was unmistakably identical to the image of the Vermilion Bird in the *Fire Domain Guide*.
Its appearance wasn't as graceful as a phoenix, nor as delicate as a bird; its streamlined skeletal structure exuded a sharp,
fierce aura!
The Vermilion Bird's flames were called Vermilion Flames, and the flames that erupted from its body were orange.
The little Vermilion Bird seemed to sense Ma Hongjun and let out a chirping sound.
Then it flew towards him.
Because of its small size, it looked like a cute little bird.
Despite the distance, Ma Hongjun could clearly see the little Vermilion Bird through his Fiery Eyes.
Its eyes were pure, and it flew towards him with curiosity.
"Sigh!"
Ma Hongjun sighed, somewhat disappointed.
This Vermilion Bird was too inexperienced; it was still a little bird.
It was impossible for it to be his fourth spirit ring for his second spirit. He
had originally thought that any Vermilion Bird from Vermilion Bird Ridge would be incredibly powerful.
While he was pondering this, the little Vermilion Bird flew over.
However, it didn't get too close, but instead observed Ma Hongjun from afar, its large eyes blinking, wondering how he had come to its home.
Its eyes fell on the enormous bone wings on Ma Hongjun's back; those massive wings exerted considerable pressure on it.
"Awoo~"
the little Vermilion Bird cried fiercely.
However, its gaze towards Ma Hongjun was filled with more curiosity.
In Vermilion Bird Ridge, Vermilion Birds had no natural enemies, and in their territory, a large portion of the surrounding area was devoid of spirit beasts. This was why the little Vermilion Bird was so bold and curious.
Ma Hongjun was the first human-bird it had ever seen.
"Awoo!"
Ma Hongjun mimicked the little Vermilion Bird's call.
Then,
"Awoo..."
"Awoo..."
...
The man and the bird communicated seamlessly in the air.
It's unclear how the little Vermilion Bird understood Ma Hongjun's meaning, but it actually led him back to the mountain peak.
That was the Vermilion Bird's nest.
Ma Hongjun wasn't worried about the old Vermilion Bird there; through his Fiery Eyes, he could see that besides the three giant trees, there were no other creatures.
The little Vermilion Bird seemed eager to confide in Ma Hongjun, its calls becoming increasingly excited, the initial sharpness replaced by a more animated tone.
Ma Hongjun wasn't particularly interested in it; he was trying to use the little Vermilion Bird to lure the larger one.
Soon, they reached the mountain peak.
The three giant trees were actually connected, branching into three thick trunks from the main trunk at the ground.
On each of the three main branches were three large bird nests, and the little Vermilion Bird flew directly to the middle one.
While Ma Hongjun was examining the three trees, the little Vermilion Bird was rummaging through its nest.
Ma Hongjun's eyes quickly locked onto the fruit on the tree.
On the three main branches, clusters of crimson fruits grew.
"These are Vermilion Fruits!"
Ma Hongjun quickly realized, having already gained a general understanding of the treasures in Vermilion Bird Ridge.
Vermilion Fruits were among the most precious
, considered one of the best treasures in the Fire Domain.
Their effects were even stronger than Fire Spirit Fruits.
Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up, and he prepared to pick one to taste.
Suddenly, the little Vermilion Bird flew over, carrying a large, crimson Vermilion Fruit in its beak.
Fluttering its small wings, it happily flew towards Ma Hongjun.
"This is to entertain a guest!"
Ma Hongjun immediately understood, reaching out to take the Vermilion Fruit from the little Vermilion Bird's beak.
Looking at the crimson, glistening fruit and smelling its fragrant aroma, Ma Hongjun unconsciously swallowed, unable to resist the urge to eat it in one bite.
At this moment, the little Vermilion Bird kept looking at him, its eyes pure and filled with excitement.
It was making a friend!
Ma Hongjun suddenly felt a pang of guilt. They had invited him to their home,
and he had actually tried to steal their fruit and even tried to steal their parents' spirit rings.
How wicked people could be!
This little sparrow, how could she be so naive?
Just then, the little Vermilion Bird let out a cry, gesturing for Ma Hongjun to eat the Vermilion Fruit.
Looking at the adorable little Vermilion Bird,
Ma Hongjun thought of rabbits; they
were just as cute, and must taste delicious!