Su Chen nodded understandingly, "I know, so I won’t underestimate anyone." "Hmm, but bear in mind that the Grand Tournament permits the use of any weapons and spiritual objects. In fact, if you possess a strong talent for forbidden techniques, you can even bring spirit beast companions to the field." "Spirit beast companions?" This truly surprised Su Chen. He was puzzled and asked, "Isn’t it said that only after the Beast Soul can one tame spirit beast companions? How is it..." "That’s not actually the case." Phoenix shook her head and patiently explained, "Just like the release of skills, as long as you have a deep understanding of cultivation techniques and are skilled enough in controlling your qi, even before becoming a Beast Venerable, you can use the beast’s qi energy within your body to form external qi skill attacks. However, this type of attack differs from the one that harnesses the power of heaven and earth. The spirit beast companion can not only be contracted after the Beast Soul but, even before that, as long as you possess a strong Beast Cultivator strength, combined with powerful forbidden technique talent and some special means, you can still wield it for your own use. However, a spirit beast obtained this way has no freedom. It’s like a walking corpse, only able to be controlled by the forbidden technique on its body to launch auxiliary attacks for you again and again." "Moreover, once the power of the forbidden technique is unraveled externally, the spirit beast will exact extreme vengeance on the humans who imposed the forbidden technique on them." At this point, a flash of fear crossed Phoenix’s eyes. Su Chen suddenly realized, nodding repeatedly, "Have there been cases in previous Grand Tournaments where participants brought spirit beasts onto the field?" Phoenix nodded helplessly, looking more worried, "That’s precisely my concern, not only have there been cases, but it happened many times. The most terrifying part is that some people have both spirit beast companions and powerful weapon spiritual objects, making them fearless even when facing opponents several stars higher than themselves. Like Nalan Kang, don’t think he appeared so defeated under your hands; he wasn’t so pitiful in the Grand Tournament. Although he didn’t rely on any external force when he killed my brother, when advancing to the top three, he used a low-grade spiritual treasure and a pearl-like spiritual object called ’Thunder of the Tibetan King’! Ultimately, with the help of this Thunder of the Tibetan King, he smashed a four-star Beast Master to death!" Su Chen’s expression suddenly changed. After a year, Nalan Kang was still not yet a four-star Beast Master, but a year ago, he must have been weaker, yet he still managed to defeat opponents whose Beast Cultivator strength far surpassed his own, relying solely on terrifying external assistance. It seems this disproportionately fair competition is quite unfavorable to me. However, thinking of the Profound Water power and Flame power within his body, that anxious mind gradually calmed down. What am I worried about? In the Forest of Death, I once repelled dark power Beast King-level opponents, Renwang. Should I fear these immature opponents? Completely needless worry. Phoenix watched his complexion change several times in an instant and shook her head, smiling to comfort him: "Actually, you don’t need to worry too much. According to the scenarios from previous Grand Tournaments, the strongest champion was a twenty-four-year-old two-star Beast Venerable with a very formidable Beast Cultivator talent, and even if he boosted his strength several stars with a low-grade spiritual treasure he used, it wouldn’t be enough to defeat you." Su Chen feigned ignorance. "Because you have both the power of Profound Water and Flame within you, hehe, even if because of their identity, you cannot easily kill them, you still have more than enough power to protect yourself." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥 Phoenix said with a cheerful grin. Su Chen laughed wryly, "You’re so confident in me, but what if my opponent is of extremely high standing, um, like the Imperial Prince, and I can’t use the Profound Water and Flame powers to kill him?" Phoenix chuckled lightly, carefree, "Then just admit defeat; at worst, we won’t be first, but second. Second place in the Grand Tournament isn’t such a bad result!" So she had it all planned out. "Haha, you had it planned in advance, no wonder you’re so fearless." Su Chen said meaningfully. Phoenix gave a light chuckle, walked ahead, turned and said to Su Chen, "Of course, not only did I plan these things, but I have planned many more things about us!" Su Chen asked, puzzled. Unexpectedly, Phoenix suddenly stepped forward. In his suddenly wide eyes, she held his face, and a deep kiss fell on his lips, lasting longer than any combined previous kisses, so forceful that their lips and teeth intertwined. Under Su Chen’s stunned gaze, Phoenix let go, her face slightly flushed, and said while walking, "Does this count as matters about our future, hee hee..." Su Chen dumbly watched Phoenix’s happy receding figure, unable to snap out of it for a long time. When he came to, Phoenix was already gone. He raised his hand, gently touched the lips still warm, and once again smiled foolishly with happiness. In Muni City, within the tall palace walls. A straight and upright figure gazed at the deep blue sky, silent for a long time. Through time and space, he seemed to see the face of the young boy from that day, fresh and refined. The words of Tianhui echoed in his mind, lingering incessantly. "After thirteen years, we meet again, but it’s in the Forest of Death, where he has already become a four-star Beast Master with both Profound Water and Flame’s incredible powers..." The silhouette murmured to himself, appearing bewildered. He wavered between Tianhui and Flame, wavering. He was Wusentan, the Referee Chief of the White Tiger Judgment Institute. "Teacher, I’ve brought Imperial Brother over!" A voice with a hint of excitement rang out, and Wusentan turned to see the girl who appeared right in the Nanding Auction House, the Empire Princess, Ginny. Walking alongside Ginny was a tall, stately young man, handsome in appearance. He wore a noble royal robe trailing to his heels, walked with vigorous steps, and had an imposing aura, making people feel timid at the sight. Especially with that commanding demeanor that inspired awe even among those as proud as Ginny, no one dared act insolently. The young man walked to Wusentan, bowed slightly, and said, "Teacher, what matter did you wish to discuss with me?" Wusentan gave Ginny a careless glance, and she immediately deflated like a punctured balloon, murmuring, "Alright then, I’ll leave, won’t eavesdrop on you discussing big matters." Saying this, she reluctantly stepped away. Only then did Wusentan gaze at the young man, his voice low and steady, "Your Highness, how confident are you in winning the championship at this Grand Tournament?" The young man was none other than Jin Zhenhuan, the Eldest Prince of the Golden Wind Empire. Hearing Wusentan’s question, he gave a faint smile, his brow expressing a self-confidence that dared not be challenged. While such an expression might earn disdain on someone else, on Jin Zhenhuan, no one dared doubt it—not because of his identity, but because he truly had the strength. "Rest assured, Teacher, just yesterday, I crossed that threshold. For this Grand Tournament, I am certain of victory." At these words, Wusentan’s eyes slightly narrowed, and a rare smile graced his strict mouth, nodding approvingly, "Very well, you are indeed worthy of being my first disciple, Wusentan. However..." "There is a young boy from the East also participating in this Grand Tournament. In terms of Beast Cultivator strength, he might not surpass you, but he possesses the terrifying powers of both Flame and Profound Water within." Wusentan’s tone was low. Jin Zhenhuan’s expression changed abruptly, yet such shocking news did not elicit any sound from him, clearly showcasing his strong mental capacity. After slightly adjusting his emotions, his face became solemn, saying, "My sister mentioned him to me, but she only said the boy is very young and has received recognition from Lord Tianhui and Dolmont." Wusentan nodded, with a tone somewhat indescribable. If anyone could fathom his mind, they would know it was jealousy. "At such a young age to have such terrifying accomplishments, let him grow for another decade, and he might just become unbeatable among the younger generation." Wusentan said with worry, an expression Jin Zhenhuan had never seen before. "Then what does Teacher intend..." Jin Zhenhuan sought to understand Wusentan’s intentions. Even knowing Su Chen’s limitless potential, he couldn’t grasp how this concerned the Judgment Institute’s Referee Chief. "We must seize the opportunity of this Grand Tournament to nip his talent in the bud."