Rebirth of the Heavenly Beast Tamer

Chapter 33: The Clash of Titans

The battle outside the Heavenly Beast Sect's gates continued to escalate, the air thick with the clash of weapons and the roars of beasts. Lin Tian's heart pounded as he fought alongside his disciples, his movements fluid and precise, guided by his connection to the Phoenix Rebirth. Each time his enemies fell, another wave of Black Lotus Sect disciples surged forward, their dark energy amplifying the sense of dread in the air.

But amidst the chaos, there was a palpable shift—a change in the very atmosphere that made Lin Tian pause in his tracks. The battlefield seemed to quiet, the sounds of combat muffled as if the world was holding its breath.

He turned toward the center of the fray, and there, standing at the forefront of the Black Lotus Sect's forces, was Bai Ying.

Her presence was overwhelming. The energy around her crackled with raw power, as if the very earth itself was bending to her will. Her black robes fluttered in an unseen wind, and her cold, calculating eyes locked onto Lin Tian. A smile, both cruel and seductive, curled at the corners of her lips.

"Ah, Lin Tian," Bai Ying's voice rang out, echoing across the battlefield. "It seems you've been busy building a little kingdom for yourself. But no matter how strong you become, you will always be beneath the Black Lotus Sect. I will personally see to it that you understand your place."

Lin Tian's eyes narrowed. "If you think you can crush us, you're gravely mistaken, Bai Ying. We're not here to bend to anyone."

Bai Ying's smile only grew wider as she stepped forward, her aura intensifying. The black energy surrounding her seemed to shift and pulse like living tendrils, swirling around her form with dark grace.

"The Black Lotus Sect does not bow to anyone. And you, Lin Tian, will serve as an example to all those who think they can stand in our way," she said coldly, raising her hand toward the sky.

The air crackled with energy, and Lin Tian's instincts screamed for him to move. But it was already too late.

From the ground beneath them, dark lotus flowers began to bloom. Each one was a deep, almost otherworldly black, radiating with malevolent energy. As they opened, they released blasts of dark power, streaking toward Lin Tian and his disciples. The destructive force was enough to send shockwaves through the battlefield, throwing enemies and allies alike into disarray.

"Take cover!" Lin Tian shouted to his disciples as he leaped into the air, his bloodline power surging within him.

The Golden Flame Phoenix responded instinctively, flying to meet him. Its fiery wings clashed against the dark energy of the lotus blasts, creating a magnificent explosion of light and shadow that momentarily blinded everyone around them.

But Lin Tian could feel it—Bai Ying wasn't done yet. She had only just begun to show her true power.

With a sudden motion, Bai Ying swept her hand across the sky, and the lotus flowers in the distance bloomed once more, this time filling the air with a suffocating darkness. The very light of the moon seemed to dim in their presence, casting the battlefield into a shadow that felt as though it were devouring everything in its path.

Lin Tian gritted his teeth. He had to keep his focus. This was no ordinary opponent. Bai Ying's control over the Black Lotus energy was vast, and if he let his guard down, even for a second, the battle would turn in her favor.

With a roar, Lin Tian activated his Phoenix Rebirth once more. His body became engulfed in golden flames, a powerful aura radiating outward. The flames of the Phoenix were a pure counterforce to Bai Ying's dark energy, and as the fire expanded, it began to push back against the black lotus flowers.

"Let's see how well your darkness fares against the flames of rebirth!" Lin Tian shouted, his voice carrying over the battlefield.

Bai Ying's eyes glinted with malice. "Is that all you have, Lin Tian? Your flames are nothing against the might of the Black Lotus. You will burn, and when the flames die, so will you."

With a snap of her fingers, the ground beneath Lin Tian's feet cracked open, releasing a surge of dark energy that sought to engulf him. He could feel the pull of the power, trying to drag him into the abyss, but he refused to be chained by her influence.

Summoning every ounce of his strength, Lin Tian leaped forward, charging at Bai Ying with the full force of his bloodline power. The Golden Flame Phoenix followed, its fiery wings trailing behind him like a comet, determined to burn through the darkness.

But Bai Ying was no novice. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a massive shield of black lotus petals, and as Lin Tian's flaming form collided with it, the explosion of force sent ripples of energy across the battlefield, scattering both allies and enemies alike.

For a moment, everything went silent.

And then, with terrifying speed, Bai Ying's figure reappeared, her dark energy now concentrated into a single sphere hovering above her palm.

Lin Tian's eyes widened in recognition. This was no ordinary attack—it was her ultimate move.

"Feel the despair of the Black Lotus!" Bai Ying screamed, her voice trembling with fury as she hurled the sphere of dark energy directly at Lin Tian.

The energy crashed toward him like a collapsing star, and Lin Tian's body tensed, preparing for the impact. He could feel the heat of the Phoenix flames flickering out in his body, the battle now at its peak.

But just as the sphere was about to collide with him, the Golden Flame Phoenix dove forward, intercepting the attack with its fiery form.

The explosion of dark energy and flame sent shockwaves through the entire battlefield, shaking the ground beneath them. Lin Tian was thrown backward, tumbling through the air, but he quickly regained his balance. His body was battered, his clothes singed, but the fire within him burned brighter than ever.

The Golden Flame Phoenix, now scorched and weakened, landed beside him, its form flickering with diminishing strength. Lin Tian's heart clenched at the sight, but he knew that it wasn't over yet. He still had the Phoenix Rebirth—he could still recover.

Bai Ying was still standing, her black energy swirling around her. She was bruised, but unbroken, and the malicious smile on her lips never faltered.

"Impressive," she sneered. "But it won't be enough to save you."

Lin Tian's gaze hardened. He could feel the heat of the Phoenix flames rising within him, and with that, his resolve solidified.

"It's not over yet," he muttered, stepping forward, the flames of the Phoenix roaring to life around him. "We'll see who stands victorious in the end."