The Battle of Burning Hinterland.

Flying over the Burning Hinterland Forest, Zimo, Deng Kun, and Lang Bai wore solemn expressions.

Above them, the bizarre dark clouds churned ominously, as if trying to swallow them whole.

Unknowingly, the three had unsheathed their weapons, their instincts preparing for battle—even though they had yet to be attacked.

Below them, the once-lush forest had withered into a lifeless wasteland.

Everything was eerily silent, no sounds of beasts or rustling leaves, only the dark mist rising from the desecrated land.

The sinister black mist tried to creep into their bodies, but their spiritual energy shields repelled it effortlessly.

Howl!

A powerful, bone-chilling howl echoed from the distance.

Hundreds of meters ahead, a massive avian beast streaked toward them at breathtaking speed.

It was the Iron-Feather Hawk.

Its wingspan stretched over five meters, its jet-black feathers glinting with an eerie metallic sheen.