Zhenniao

The Zhenniao or Zhen is a Rare Species of the Mythical Phoenix that first appeared in the book The Autistic Hero 2: Worlds Clashing. It is one of the first Critters to be seen inhabiting the Elemental Plane of Poison which is closest to the Underdark. Zhenniao are the result of Dead Phoenix ashes drifting into the Plane of Poison and evolving to become adapt to the poison as well as wielding it. This Species of Elemental Bird was unique because it had it's signature poison known as Zhendu which it made on its own. This Poison is so lethal that a Single drop of blood dripped from it's mighty wings will be able to kill a man instantly if they are of mortal origins. Zhenniao are seen in the chapter where Xenith has to go to the Elemental Plane of Poison to defeat a Greater Poison Deity before it entered the Material plane and gassed the whole planet, a Zhenniao is seen and it almost ponders attacking him but Shin Huanglong was there by Proxy and stopped the Poisonous Phoenix with an outstretched hand.

## Biology

Zhenniao are anatomically similar to the classic Phoenix which came from Suzaku the Vermillion bird of the South. their body is covered in Indigo purple feathers which end in teal green tips and it has a tail similar to a Red tailed hawk but they are pale at the end of the teal portion. Their claws are tipped like Syringes which when they grip with them they can inject the Zhendu into their Victim's bodies and kill them almost instantly. Their claws themselves are a maroon color. It's face is interesting because they have a skull mask over their eyes that on closer inspection appears to be calcified poison that makes armor for it's sensitive facial region. This Calcified poison Mask is the only thing that remains of the Zhenniao if it dies and the next one grows out of it implying the Mask was created first and then the phoenix grew around it. The wings of the Zhenniao have a similar property to the Gympie Gympie leaves in that they have tiny hairs that are laced with the Zhendu so if it does a spin attack it can throw these feathers and they could also inject the Poison. The beak of the Zhenniao is similar in shape to the Great Hornbill which is where the Poison is concentrated. The beak itself is the same color as it's mask so that means it is calcified Zhendu. It's eyes are a noxious green color and it preys primarily on other animals from the Elemental Planes. They reach average heights of 7.7 meters tall and a length of 11 meters and wingspan of 26 meters.

## Abilities

Elemental Physiology: Due to being an Elemental based life form, things such as Breathing Oxygen or experiencing things that normally affect a Mortal with flesh such as Mental Illness and Illnesses in general, The Zhenniao is immune to these things. it only needs nourishment from food to get it's energy.

Weightlessness: Zhenniao specimens have been shown to be utterly weightless, this is evident when Shin Huanglong uses a Simple gust of wind to push it away from attacking his friend.

Syringe Talons: The Zhenniao's talons are very interesting because they start out as black nubs but then a Syringe needle is pushed through a hole in the skin which is hollow inside and when it pierces the flesh of a victim it injects them with the Zhendu.

Zhendu: Zhenniao over the Generations in the Elemental Plane of Poisons have Adapted to the point where they have created their own poison known as Zhendu, this Zhendu Poison makes Poison dart frogs look like the common cold. A Single drop of this poison will quickly destroy the human body spreading like wildfire. it hurts painfully and in it's gaseous state it can be a deadly vapor if used properly, beating Mustard Gas as one of the most deadliest weapons of war if used for that purpose. Zhenniao Store most their Zhendu in their beak.

Calcified Zhendu mask: The Skull shaped mask on it's face is actually armor which upon being struck by a weapon will suddenly break down the weapon with the now released Zhendu as a counter attack. It also protects their eyes from attacks.

Sharp Beak. Because it's beak is like that of the Great Hornbill it's bite is not to be messed with, cleaving an ordinary human in half with enough pressure. Even just pecking can easily fracture the skull like a Terror Bird.

Needle Feathers: Zhenniao feathers are laced with thin needles similar to the Gympie Gympie leaves which if they barrel roll towards an enemy and swat them with their wings it will lace them with the Needles which are hardened Zhendu. These just outright kill most humans but some with enough body mass can be saved.

Reincarnation: When it dies, it explodes into a cloud of Zhendu which is a hope to take any attacker down with it and the skull of calcified Zhendu falls to the ground. The next incarnation uses the Mask as a home until it grows into an adult to wear it again.

## Trivia

In terms of comparison, Zhenniao is similar to the Venom Hawk which is just a Mad coincidence.