Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

Upon hearing this, Phoenix's eyes flashed with a complex mix of emotions: helplessness, heartache, and an undeniable resolve.

She gently shook her head, her voice soft yet carrying immense weight:

“No. Lion King, you should know that Hades’ seclusion this time is of profound significance. I did not disturb him in the slightest when I was giving birth, and now we cannot interrupt his cultivation because of the invasion of foreign enemies.”

A final flicker of pity and resolve for her people flashed in her eyes:

"Moreover, if Hades were to handle this matter personally, the Phoenix Clan would certainly face his wrath for his rebellious behavior. He showed leniency to my father and the clan last time out of consideration for me, but he will never grant me that mercy again. At that time, I wonder how many more souls will be lost and how much blood will be shed in the clan."

The Lion King frowned. He understood his wife's concerns and her remaining affection for her mother's clan, but he was more worried about her safety and the hard-won stability of the underworld.

"Madam, your safety and the stability of the Underworld are of utmost importance! The rebels have arrived; how can we treat this lightly?"

"That's why I have to go. Lion King, it's not just for the wolf clan, but also for the phoenix clan. Perhaps this is my last chance as a liaison between the two clans to prevent infighting and bloodshed."

The phoenix struggled, using her arms to support herself as she sat upright, her pale face radiating a majesty and brilliance befitting the mistress of the underworld:

"Some things can only be clearly explained by me; some paths can only be walked by me with a clear conscience."

Looking into the Phoenix's unwavering gaze, so like that of Hades, the Lion King knew that further persuasion would be futile.

He took a deep breath, said no more, and abruptly knelt on one knee, clenching his right fist and slamming it heavily against his breastplate with a thud, a muffled vow:

"In that case, your subordinates swear to protect Madam's safety with their lives! Madam is benevolent and willing to risk her life to resolve this conflict. But if Xiang Yu dares to show the slightest disrespect to Madam or make the slightest rash move, I, the Lion King, will spare no effort to crush his army and leave no one alive!"

Looking at the loyal and fearless general before her, Phoenix's pale face revealed a smile of relief mixed with apology.

"Thank you for your help, Lion King."

She knew that this negotiation was a responsibility she had to bear as the Queen of Hades, a way to protect her husband's career, and also the last effort she made for the people she called "family" from the bottom of her heart—a final negotiation about faith and kinship.

Just as the Lion King received his orders and was about to turn away to arrange the guards, the Phoenix's gaze involuntarily and tenderly fell upon the exquisitely wrapped baby beside her.

She stretched out her slightly pale but still slender and graceful fingers and stroked her daughter's delicate, healthy-rosy sleeping face with extreme gentleness, as if afraid of disturbing a beautiful dream.

The little one seemed to feel the familiar warmth and love from his mother's fingertips, and unconsciously smacked his pink lips in his sleep, his little nostrils twitching slightly.

The pale pink mark between her brows, shaped like a miniature phoenix feather, seemed to shimmer with an almost imperceptible glow in the dim light of the hall.

At that moment, Phoenix's eyes softened instantly, filled with an overflowing, deep, and tender maternal love.

This child, the fruit of her and Qin Chuan's blood fusion, is a testament to their love, a hope for the future of the underworld, and her greatest motivation and weakness in facing all the unknown storms and swords ahead.

Chapter 21 The Ancestral Laws Cannot Be Changed

Beyond the wolf clan's territory, the sky hung low, thick with leaden clouds. The wind whipped up sand and gravel, sweeping across the jagged rocks with a mournful sound.

The Phoenix Clan's elite army stood in solemn formation, their crimson armor forming a continuous line, like a wildfire igniting on the horizon, their sharp arrows aimed directly at the heart of the Wolf Clan's territory.

At the front, Xiang Yu stood proudly, clad in flame-like armor. His young face was filled with sharpness and undisguised hostility, and his gaze was piercing, as if it could penetrate every inch of the land in front of him.

Escorted by the Lion King, the Golden Lion, and the Silver Lion, the Phoenix slowly walked to the front of the formation.

She was still pale and weak shortly after giving birth, but her steps were unusually steady, and in her clear eyes there was only unwavering determination.

"Wait here."

The phoenix whispered instructions to the lion king beside it.

She took a deep breath and, alone, walked toward the naturally formed stone bridge that spanned the two armies.

Below the bridge lies a bottomless valley, where fierce winds howl.

On the other side, Xiang Yu also stepped out from the crowd and onto the stone bridge, facing her across the distance.

Xiang Yu's voice was like a thunderclap, exploding in the empty valley, carrying a strong smell of gunpowder:

"How dare you stand before my clan? You have betrayed the honor of your people, fallen into depravity, and united with that dark King of the Underworld. Do you know that our marshal, your father, was driven to his death by your actions?"

This news was like the coldest, sharpest blade, suddenly piercing the phoenix's heart.

Her delicate body trembled violently, her face instantly drained of all color, turning ashen white, her eyes filled with disbelief, horror, and heart-wrenching grief.

Although the father and daughter have broken ties, they are still connected by blood.

Xiang Yu took in her reaction, his inward sneer deepening, and his words of veiled sarcasm followed:

"The Marshal left a dying wish! He commanded that all members of the Phoenix Clan must remember this blood feud, and one day join the Snow Queen's ranks to sweep away the darkness of the Underworld, annihilate all the wolf clans, especially that Underworld King! This hatred is irreconcilable!"

Phoenix suppressed the agonizing pain churning within her, her nails digging deep into her palms, her voice trembling uncontrollably:

"Xiang Yu, let's withdraw the troops. Continuing to fight will only lead to more of our people sacrificing their lives in vain and shedding blood!"

"Withdraw your troops?" Xiang Yu sneered, his face full of mockery and disdain. "You? A traitor, what right do you have to negotiate with me?"

“I have the blood of the Phoenix Clan flowing in my veins, and I was once a princess of the clan. How can I not be qualified?”

Phoenix raised its head, and the sorrow in its eyes was replaced by a resolute determination.

"Princess? Hahaha!"

Xiang Yu burst into laughter, his laughter filled with undisguised mockery:

"You have long been despised by the entire clan and are a recognized traitor! What princess status do you have left! Do not tarnish that title any further!"

Phoenix remained silent for a moment, as if gathering her last bit of courage. She slowly raised her head, her gaze piercing through Xiang Yu, looking at the crimson army formation behind him, and spoke, word by word:

"Xiang Yu, do you still remember an ancient precept of our clan? No matter what sins a clansman has committed, he can throw himself into the sacred fire and burn away his sins with the pain of being burned, thus washing away all his past sins."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Yu's pupils contracted sharply, and the shock on his face was palpable.

"You...you want to..."

“That’s right. If I can cleanse myself of this sin of ‘betrayal’ with fire, then according to the clan rules, I will still be the princess of the Phoenix Clan with a pure heart.”

Phoenix's tone was unusually calm, yet it carried a heart-stirring resolve:

"Now that my father has passed away, I am the rightful leader of the Phoenix Clan! At that time, as the leader, I will order you to immediately withdraw your troops and swear an eternal blood oath with the Wolf Clan that you will never invade us!"

Xiang Yu was completely stunned. He never expected that Phoenix would be willing to choose this path of self-destruction in order to stop this war and for the people she cherished!

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that the clan rules were as solid as a mountain, and the laws passed down from the ancestors were not to be questioned.

His expression shifted rapidly, finally settling into a cold snort. He turned to the side and made a stiff, sarcastic "please" gesture.

"Since you insist on following the ancient teachings, then come with me back to our tribe and receive the baptism of fire!"

Seeing that the phoenix was really about to leave with Xiang Yu, the lion king, who had been on edge and closely monitoring the situation, could no longer contain himself. With a low roar, he moved like lightning and charged onto the stone bridge.

"Madam! No!"

The phoenix stopped and looked back at the lion king, its eyes filled with complex emotions, yet its tone carried an unyielding command:

"Lion King, the Phoenix Clan has agreed to withdraw their troops. But I need to go back with them. After you return, please tell Hades to make sure he takes good care of Tianyu."

That last name carries endless longing and tenderness.

How could the Lion King allow her to venture alone into the lion's den? He urged:

"Your subordinate must accompany and protect Madam! The journey is fraught with peril!"

"That's an order!"

Phoenix, in her capacity as Hades' wife, shouted sternly.

"This humble general obeys only one order, which is to protect the lady! This is the King of the Underworld's personal command, and I will not rest until death!"

The Lion King stood firm, his imposing body blocking the Phoenix's path, his resolve as unwavering as iron.

Xiang Yu impatiently interrupted the argument, her tone laced with contempt:

"Retreat immediately! Otherwise, don't blame us for not keeping our promise!"

"A promise? What promise?"

The Lion King keenly caught the key words, and suddenly turned to look at the Phoenix, his eyes filled with surprise and intense unease.

Phoenix avoided his burning gaze, pursed her lips, and remained silent.

She knew all too well that if the Lion King knew the truth, he would never let her leave his side.

Upon seeing this, Xiang Yu sneered, his words laced with deep-seated contempt:

"Hmph! It seems your wolf clan is full of cowards and incompetents, needing a woman to sacrifice her life for a mere semblance of peace. How pathetic! How pitiful! How utterly laughable!"

These words struck him like a thunderbolt, and the Lion King instantly understood what the Phoenix meant by "going back for a trip"!

That's practically a path to death!

His eyes were bloodshot, and a surge of powerful, alien energy erupted from his body, sending up a violent shockwave that whipped up debris.

"Madam! Absolutely not!"

With a roar, the Lion King was about to disregard everything and forcibly bring the Phoenix back to its base.

Xiang Yu let out a cold shout, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. He also unleashed a burst of scorching and violent fiery energy, and in a flash, he met the Lion King head-on.

"Bam—!"

The two powerful energies collided violently, producing a deafening roar. A violent shockwave spread outward from the two people, stirring up clouds of dust.

Xiang Yu, a once-in-a-millennium genius of the Phoenix Clan, possesses unparalleled and fierce moves. His fiery energy is intensely hot and violent, seemingly capable of incinerating everything.

After receiving personal guidance from Qin Chuan, the Lion King's combat skills and energy utilization had reached a state of perfection. His moves were fierce and domineering, containing terrifying power that could tear everything apart. For a time, he was evenly matched with Xiang Yu, who was going all out, and the sound of their energy clashing was endless.

Upon seeing this, the Golden Lion and the Silver Lion exchanged a glance, their inner energy surging. They wanted to take the opportunity to go forward and take Phoenix away, but Phoenix stopped them with a stern look in her eyes.

"Don't come any closer!"

Phoenix looked at the Lion King, who was fighting with all his might for her sake in the fierce battle, and a deep sense of pity and final resolve flashed in her eyes.

Without further hesitation, she quickly removed the radiant Phoenix Clan power lock from her wrist. It had once been a symbol of her birth and glory, but now it was to become a token of farewell.

Phoenix solemnly placed it into the hands of the golden lion that rushed forward, saying, "Give this to Hades."

Her movements were as swift as lightning, with a resolute determination to cut everything off.

In the blink of an eye, the Phoenix Clan's elite warriors received orders and surged forward like a crimson tide, engaging in a fierce battle with the roaring golden and silver lions that charged at them.

In an instant, the sounds of clashing weapons, energy explosions, roars, and screams echoed across the land, shattering the brief silence and turning it into a bloody battlefield.

The battle on the stone bridge suddenly changed after Xiang Yu let out a clear and powerful roar!

"Super Beast Armed Forces—!"

An intensely bright light erupted instantly, completely engulfing Xiang Yu's figure. The massive amount of alien energy was detonated by the alien energy lock, connecting to the other dimension.