Volume 3 Chapter 24

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Volume 3 Chapter 24: The Next Day (Part 4) — Phoenix

A phoenix descends gracefully, resting on the Wutong branch, while all birds gather in respect.

After Liu Huaxiang gave the Wutong branch imbued with phoenix power to Xu Qingfan, Xu Qingfan spent two years refining it into his "Spirit Control Object" and transformed it into the shape of a hairpin. He usually wears it on his head, tying his hair in a style similar to a daoist’s topknot.

At this moment, seeing several water dragons pursuing him, Xu Qingfan couldn’t think of anything in his magic or artifacts that could counter them, and since he couldn’t rely on Feng Qingtian within the "Dark Rain Barrier," Xu Qingfan had no choice but to use his "Spirit Control Object," the Wutong branch.

Through Xu Qingfan’s years of studying the "Spirit Purging Sutra," he discovered that this cultivation method, reputed to control all things, is essentially a combination of the arts of artifact refinement, external incarnation, and integration—but combined in a flawless and profound manner.

Therefore, before integrating the "Spirit Control Object" into one’s body, it can be used as an artifact, and its power is far greater than ordinary artifacts.

However, for everything in the world, where there is an advantage, there is also a disadvantage. To wield the Spirit Control Object, the refinement time is far longer than for ordinary artifacts, and it consumes more Spirit Qi during use. Most importantly, to wield the "Spirit Control Object," the user needs to use their own vital blood to activate it.

Vital blood is not the regular blood in the body but an essential essence. A mortal has only a few drops at most, and a cultivator, having transformed themselves through the refinement of the world’s Spirit Qi, possesses far more vital blood than a mortal, but only a few cups. Usually, it’s only used in dire crises to unlock one’s potential. Once consumed, it takes a very long time to replenish.

For these reasons, Xu Qingfan seldom uses his "Spirit Control Object." First, because after refining the Wutong branch, he had not encountered any great danger, making its use unnecessary. Second, because the cost of activating the Spirit Control Object is too great.

At this moment, with the dozens of water dragons pursuing him, Xu Qingfan had no other choice but to use his "Spirit Control Object." Although he knew that the "Dark Rain Barrier" was one of Liuhe Gate’s powerful skills and not to be underestimated, he didn’t expect it to be this strong. With their abilities limited, they had no power to resist Deng Tianao’s attack.

With no other option, Xu Qingfan could only rely on his "Spirit Control Object," hoping this tool, which was much stronger than ordinary magical items, could break Liuhe Gate’s "Dark Rain Barrier."

As the Wutong branch slipped from Xu Qingfan’s hair, his long hair fell loosely and floated freely under the stirring Spirit Qi. Fiery red, autumn gray, and vibrant green lights alternated around him, casting a mysterious aura over Xu Qingfan.

Beside Xu Qingfan, a branch filled with powerful wood and fire Spirit Qi floated quietly. These two originally different Spirit Qi harmoniously merged within this simple branch, giving it an enigmatic quality. The Spirit Qi contained within was so strong, even stronger than all those present combined, causing astonishment in those who witnessed it.

Seeing the luminous Xu Qingfan and the peculiar branch filled with powerful Spirit Qi, both Feng Qingtian and Deng Tianao felt unsure and apprehensive.

Especially Deng Tianao, who had previously felt in control of the situation, including the strength of Xu Qingfan and his group, and their response to his attacks. With the help of the Dark Rain Barrier, he was confident he could easily defeat the five from Jiuhua Gate.

But now, watching Xu Qingfan sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, an ominous feeling arose in Deng Tianao’s heart, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Hmph!" Deng Tianao snorted, brushing aside the ominous feeling in his heart. He swiftly formed finger signs with both hands, controlling the dozens of water dragons in the sky chasing Xu Qingfan and Feng Qingtian to suddenly speed up, quickly closing the distance between them.

Rather than relying on unreliable premonitions, Deng Tianao trusted in his own strength.

Just as the water dragons were about to attack Xu Qingfan and Feng Qingtian, Xu Qingfan, who had kept his eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide, pointed to the Wutong branch, and softly commanded, "Resist!"

As he uttered this command, Xu Qingfan spat a large mouthful of vital blood, all of which splattered onto the Wutong branch beside him. After expelling this blood, Xu Qingfan’s face turned deathly pale, clearly showing he was severely weakened.

The Wutong branch absorbed all the vital blood rapidly, and immediately, the branch emitted a dazzling glow of blue and red. In that moment, the entire Dark Rain Barrier was bathed in the radiance of these two spiritual lights.

Within the intense light, a clear and melodious phoenix cry seemed to echo faintly in the world.

Feng Qingtian’s body suddenly shook slightly because he distinctly felt the Spirit Qi within him begin to surge uncontrollably, almost as if it would burst forth entirely towards that Wutong branch. Alarmed, Feng Qingtian quickly calmed himself and managed to regain control over his Spirit Qi with great effort.

What secret did this branch hold that it could affect the Spirit Qi within him? Feng Qingtian looked at the branch in confusion, momentarily forgetting the approaching water dragons.

Then, an astonishing event occurred that left Feng Qingtian aghast. Flames suddenly erupted from the branch, burning so intensely that they quickly grew several yards high. The previously faint phoenix cry grew louder amidst the flames.

It seemed both fleeting yet eternal, for within the cry, the flames on the branch transformed into the form of a Flame Phoenix that soared into the sky with a majestic presence, then swiftly flew towards the water dragons.

Flame Phoenix! It was indeed the Flame Phoenix! This was unmistakably one of the Feng family’s three great secret techniques, the "Flame Phoenix"! While the form of a fiery phoenix could be faked, the blazing Phoenix Spirit Fire and the aura of the phoenix it carried could not deceive Feng Qingtian.

How is Xu Qingfan able to perform the "Flame Phoenix"? What exactly is that branch? It can transform into a Flame Phoenix under Xu Qingfan’s control.

Since his father’s death over forty years ago, Feng Qingtian had never felt emotions this intensely.

The Flame Phoenix charged toward the dozens of water dragons, and the flames on its body were not at all affected by the blue rain falling from the sky. Instead, the fire on its body became even more intense as the blue rain continued to fall.

Feng Qingtian did not know that the Flame Phoenix Xu Qingfan manifested was very different from the Feng family’s secret technique "Flame Phoenix." Unlike the Feng family heirs, who use their own Phoenix bloodline and fire Spirit Qi to perform the Flame Phoenix, Xu Qingfan used his Spirit Qi and vital essence to activate the Phoenix Spirit Qi contained within the Wutong branch. Therefore, this Flame Phoenix not only contained powerful fire Spirit Qi, but also a significant amount of Wood-type Spirit Qi.

Water helps wood grow, and wood helps fire grow.

In this situation, the Wood Spirit Qi within the Phoenix grew stronger with the Water Spirit Qi contained in the blue rain, subsequently increasing the fire Spirit Qi within the Phoenix. Thus, the Flame Phoenix performed by Xu Qingfan was not greatly affected by the blue rain.

In an instant, Xu Qingfan’s Flame Phoenix collided fiercely with Deng Tianao’s water dragons. The clear phoenix cries, the thunderous roars of the water dragons, and the deafening booms echoed across the sky, overwhelming the listeners.

Although the water dragons were fierce and numerous, the Spirit Qi within them was far inferior to that of the Flame Phoenix. Moreover, with the addition of Wood-type Spirit Qi, the water dragons could not suppress the Flame Phoenix in attributes.

As a result, once they clashed, the water dragons quickly fell into a disadvantage and were defeated one by one by the Flame Phoenix.

Witnessing the power of the Flame Phoenix, not only Deng Tianao and Feng Qingtian, but even Xu Qingfan was astonished. He had never used the Wutong branch before, and never imagined its power could be so strong.

Amid helpless roars, the last water dragon was shattered by the Flame Phoenix, turning into its most primitive Water Spirit Qi and dissipating into the world. But Xu Qingfan didn’t retrieve it, instead directing it towards Deng Tianao.

Using "Spirit Control Object" to attack consumed an enormous amount of Spirit Qi. Xu Qingfan knew he wouldn’t last for long, so he decided to push forward with all his might and defeat Deng Tianao at once.

Watching the rapidly approaching Flame Phoenix, Deng Tianao frowned slightly. His hands formed a series of gestures without pause, causing the remaining puddles on the ground to surge powerfully, creating countless water screens to block in front of him. Under the heavy layers of water screens, the entire "Dark Rain Barrier" seemed like a world of water.

However, Deng Tianao clearly underestimated the power of the Flame Phoenix. The water screens in front of him were like fragile paper, easily shattered by the Flame Phoenix in no time. In the blink of an eye, the Flame Phoenix reached him.

Seeing the Flame Phoenix about to strike him, Deng Tianao seemed so stunned by its power that he forgot to dodge.

Then, the Flame Phoenix crashed into Deng Tianao, with fierce flames enveloping him. In an instant, Deng Tianao was turned into a human-shaped fireball and fell to the ground. Strangely, although the fire was burning his body, Deng Tianao appeared to feel nothing, neither rolling on the ground nor crying out in pain. He simply lay there quietly, letting the flames consume him.

Witnessing this, Xu Qingfan and Feng Qingtian couldn’t help but frown.