Chapter 238

Chapter 238: The True Heavenly Emperor Hong Fei

Though shocked by the leveled Heavenly Palace, Xiao Man eventually found the direction and guided the two to Fuqiu Valley.

From afar, they glimpsed a desolate valley swept by howling winds that whipped towering sandstorms into gray haze. The barren expanse held nothing but swirling grit. You You was about to ask Feng Rong to investigate when he declared, "This is an illusion!"

"What?" She blinked.

Feng Rong gestured around. "The entire valley’s a mirage. The real thing’s hidden behind it. Never sensed such a vast illusion before."

"Can you break it?"

"Obviously." Flames erupted from his palm, engulfing the valley. The scenery peeled away like burnt parchment, revealing the truth beneath.

"…" So much for "breaking" it. Typical Feng Rong—when in doubt, set it ablaze.

The transformed valley seethed with cloying resentment—thick black ooze clinging to every surface. Oddly, no resentful souls haunted this Immortal Realm wasteland.

A colossal formation loomed overhead, radiating familiar yet repulsive energy. Beneath it sprawled smaller formations, their purposes unclear. At the center stood a sacrificial altar stained with old blood, above which hovered a flickering female phantom bound by glowing chains.

"The Emperor’s original spirit!" Xiao Man cried, lunging forward.

"Wait." You You grabbed her sleeve. "Clear the resentment first." She tugged Feng Rong’s hand.

Grumbling, he unleashed flames that devoured the black miasma. They hovered above the main formation.

"These siphon Cultivation and immortal power." Feng Rong frowned. "Probably the demon tribes’ work. Don’t enter—especially that big one. No guarantee we’d escape."

"Then destroy it." You You summoned her Spirit Sword. The formation’s oppressive aura made her skin crawl.

"Formations retaliate when broken!" Xiao Man warned.

*Clang!*

The grand formation shattered like eggshells, dragging subsidiary arrays into darkness.

Xiao Man stared at the ordinary-looking blade. *This leveled the Seventh Heavenly Layer? Definitely a divine artifact.*

They descended to the reeking altar. Freed from the broken formation, the Seventh Heavenly Emperor’s fading original spirit drifted downward. You You’s grasping hands passed through the phantom—catching air.

Xiao Man stabilized the spirit with celestial energy. "Heavenly Emperor Hong Fei?"

After multiple calls, the phantom stirred. "New sacrifices?" Her voice dripped sorrow.

"We’re rescuing you." You You smiled. "The formation’s gone."

"Gone?" Panic replaced confusion. "Flee! He’ll come!"

"Ming Ye the demon?"

"Demon? So that’s why…" Hong Fei’s eyes widened. "You’re in danger!"

"He’s dead." You You withdrew her half-extended hand. "We came after."

"Dead?" Hong Fei stared at Feng Rong. "Divine Clan…" Her laughter twisted with tears. "Heavenly punishment! Good…pity I couldn’t strike the blow."

Centuries of torment flashed across her flickering form. You You waited out her catharsis.

"Your body’s failing. We must reunite you."

"No." Hong Fei’s smile held peace. "Hearing that wretch’s end before my spirit fades—that’s enough. I’m too weak to return."