The Almighty Dragon General

"I'll give you a taste of my strength, so you won't think the Chosen One is just a paper tiger.
“My sister ordered me to bring you back unharmed, but that doesn't mean I can't kill you and find dozens more phoenixes," said James.
The phoenix trembled all over, then quickly distanced itself from James.
In that instant, James swiftly appeared behind it with the Dawnblaze Form. With a raised hand, he delivered a punch accompanied by a thunderous roar. The phoenix stumbled forward.
James flashed again, landing another punch on the phoenix, sending it flying in the opposite direction.
"Stop, stop!" The phoenix stabilized itself, finally yielding. "Is that all you want? I agree."
James appeared in front of it. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Seems I've been too lenient. Maybe I should learn from Mr. Taotie, then you and the other spirit beasts wouldn't dare to challenge me."

He pointed at the phantom image of the phoenix. "Kneel."
The phoenix hesitated, then clenched its fist. "Chosen One, you can't humiliate us like this."
"I'm only humiliating you." James retorted impatiently. "If you don't kneel, I'll kill you right now."
Feeling deeply humiliated, yet intimidated by James' aura, the phoenix reluctantly knelt down.
James nodded and suddenly reached out to grab its head. A vast Historial Great Curse immediately flooded its body.
With countless Curse Inscriptions enveloping its body, the phoenix let out a heart-wrenching scream.
As James released his grip, the humanoid form of the phoenix writhed in agony in the void.
"I'm assigning you a task," James said slowly. "Gather twenty companions and help me capture twenty nine-tailed foxes. You have half an epoch. If you exceed the time limit, you'll be executed."
The cursed phoenix gradually came to its senses, and then took a deep breath. "You're utterly merciless toward people."
"You're wrong again." James shook his head. "I'm ruthless to phoenixes, not people. You can't become human."
Looking at James, the phoenix seemed to be staring at a demon, but the curse in its mind reminded it that it was now a plaything in someone else's hands.
Realizing this, it immediately transformed back into its original phoenix form and flew into the Leviathan Forest with a mournful cry.