At the top of the huge dead tree the green shade grew thick, holding the last thread of living force.

Because the tree's bulk was so appalling, the naturally formed hollow in it was far larger than an ordinary cave estate.

Away from the ocean, the inside of the hollow was reasonably dry.

Feathers with an azure glow on them lay scattered across the floor. Their owner was vast in build, its breathing somewhat heavy, its face savage as it leaned back against the wall of wood; and by the look of it, the thing was plainly an azure phoenix!

The reason this azure phoenix wore such an expression just now was that it was wrapped from head to foot in thick Earth-Nether Dark Pythons!

Most of that crowd of Dark Pythons were the Young Master's beloved consorts, and some its elders. They were coiling their slick bodies around the azure phoenix's wings now, winding its neck, gripping its feet fast, grinding hard against its feathers, as though they meant to strangle and crush it alive.

"Harder… than that!"

The azure phoenix opened a pair of bloodshot eyes and let out a hoarse sound.

After the slight shudder a moment ago, it had caught the smell of blood.

Being interrupted at its play did not anger the azure phoenix at all; if anything it grew more excited for it.

That long neck of its own was like a snake in the same way. It shot out suddenly, and the sharp beak tore open the snake-scales of one Earth-Nether Dark Python with ease, drove into the flesh, and began pecking the creature up without mercy.

In front of the azure phoenix, the demon bodies the Dark Python clan was proudest of were just as much a joke.

"Ssss…" That Earth-Nether Dark Python hurt to the last degree, and yet dared give out only the faintest cry of pain; and on the strength of that pain it coiled its body tighter without thinking.

"Hnh!"

The azure phoenix felt the cold snake-blood slide down its throat, and under the great python's straining it…