Chapter 235

Chapter 235: Cheating

The Flower Phantom led the way, and when they finally found Yuluan, Ye Kuanglan, Yi Piaopiao, Ironback Blue Bull, Ling Yue, and Xu Li, their faces were filled with complex emotions.

After questioning them, Zhang Yang learned that they had been outsmarted.

The Rebirth Fire had indeed been found.

But just as they were gathering it, they had been ambushed—caught off guard by a joint attack from the Seventh Prince, Mu Lin’er, Yaoruoxian, and Yu Yihang.

This was something they had never anticipated, and their precautions had been severely lacking.

At that moment, they realized something chilling—Mu Lin’er had already completed more than half of the Rebirth process. Because of this, she had gained a special connection with the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.

She had been watching them all along.

She had anticipated their every move.

And then, she had turned their own tactics against them—intentionally creating internal conflicts to confuse them, waiting patiently until they found the Rebirth Fire, before launching her sudden attack.

According to the Seventh Prince’s plan, he had intended to annihilate them in a single strike.

However, unexpected problems arose during the fierce battle.

Ye Kuanglan fought against the Seventh Prince. Although he was outmatched, the Seventh Prince found it difficult to completely crush him.

Previously, Yuluan and Yaoruoxian had seemed evenly matched.

But this time, Yaoruoxian finally acknowledged Yuluan as a true opponent.

With the stakes higher than ever, the proud Yaoruoxian did something unprecedented—she used her Saint Laws against Yuluan for the first time.

The pressure was overwhelming.

At that moment, Yuluan fully understood the terror of Yaoruoxian.

But even so, she stood her ground, showing enough resilience to stall Yaoruoxian and prevent her from interfering in the other battles.

As for Mu Lin’er, she suffered a heavy blow.

To control the Rebirth Fire, she had to fend off Ironback Blue Bull, Ling Yue, Xu Li, and the Ghost Asura—all at once.

The Ghost Asura moved like a phantom, striking unpredictably.

Ling Yue and Xu Li—Chi Zhenyi’s disciples—displayed strength that was surprisingly close to that of the others.

After experiencing the trials and opportunities in the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, these two had grown at an astonishing rate, showing signs of becoming super geniuses of the Southern Region with their incredible teamwork.

But the key player in this battle was Ironback Blue Bull.

Fierce as the Bull Demon King, his attacks made it particularly difficult for Mu Lin’er to hold her ground.

In the end, Mu Lin’er had no choice.

She grabbed the Rebirth Fire—and fled far away.

Thus, the battle came to an end.

"As long as Mu Lin’er remains in the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, we still have a chance," Zhang Yang reassured them.

But to their shock, Yi Ren Zui arrived with a message.

Mu Lin’er had already left the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.

She had used an ancient teleportation array—returning directly to the Daxia Imperial Capital.

She had done this to eliminate any further risks—to ensure the Rebirth Fire was completely out of their reach.

Now, there was no hope of regaining the Phoenix Soul.

Even Zhang Yang couldn’t help but sigh.

"The Daybreak Phoenix Luan tribe truly faces endless tribulations."

A thousand years ago, they had been exterminated.

A thousand years later, their last hope was stolen away by their enemies.

After finally seeing a glimmer of salvation, it had slipped through their fingers once more.

Even the mysterious Fire Maiden—a strange life form had been killed.

"As long as Mu Lin’er is alive, there’s still hope to extract the Phoenix Soul from her," Ye Kuanglan said, his eyes flashing with a captivating sword light. "Since I promised the Fire Maiden, I will see it through to the end!"

He had received an unparalleled sword technique from the Fire Maiden, and it was precisely because of this that he had been able to endure against the Seventh Prince, Mu Lin’er, and the Sun Warriors until Zhang Yang and Yuluan arrived, while the Fire Maiden had sacrificed herself for him.

He had solemnly sworn to the Fire Maiden that he would help rebuild the Daybreak Phoenix Luan tribe.

Therefore, with deep emotions and an unwavering sense of loyalty, Ye Kuanglan made his decision—once the matters of the Daybreak Phoenix Luan were settled, he would head to the Daxia Imperial Capital.

His goal remained unchanged: to seize the Phoenix Soul.

As the foremost saint of the Eastern Domain, Lu Changkong—the Sword Saint of the Eastern Domain’s prized disciple—he had nothing to fear. If he went to the Great Xia Empire, no one would dare to bully him.

The Lingxiao Sacred Place was far beyond the Great Xia Empire in power; it could stand on equal footing with the Ghostly Divine Platform.

But beyond this frustrating matter, there was also good news.

Yuluan had officially become a disciple of the Dawn Goddess, Shui Lianyi.

"Leader Yuluan has received a gift from the Goddess!"

"The Goddess is truly generous!"

"A saint indeed! Her actions are as grand as her status!"

A group of people praised her.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang’s smile was stiff, and he occasionally cast warning glances at the Flower Phantom, silently telling her not to expose the truth.

Yuluan, brimming with joy, said, "My master also mentioned that you have the Silver Dragon Holy Sword. She went through great difficulties to retrieve it from a forbidden area, saying it will greatly aid my awakening of the Chi Dragon royal bloodline."

Zhang Yang gritted his teeth inwardly, cursing the Goddess for being so shameless.

He had worked hard to obtain it—yet most of it had been snatched away, and now she was claiming the credit for herself.

How utterly shameless!

But he couldn’t refute her words, so he simply took out the Silver Dragon Holy Sword.

The moment it appeared, Yuluan’s Chi Dragon royal bloodline surged to life, awakening with a deep, resounding dragon’s roar.

The Silver Dragon Holy Sword also shone with radiant silver light, resonating from a distance.

This meant that Yuluan would be able to refine the Silver Dragon Holy Sword more easily, and the awakening of her Chi Dragon royal bloodline would progress even further.

"My master also said," Yuluan gently caressed the Silver Dragon Holy Sword before putting it away, then continued, "you’ve made several mistakes and should be heavily punished. But for my sake, she’ll let you off this time. If it happens again, she won’t be so forgiving."

Zhang Yang chuckled.

He knew Shui Lianyi wouldn’t truly turn Yuluan against him—Yuluan would never agree to it.

In that sense, this could be considered a happy occasion.

His possessions were back.

And Yuluan, as Shui Lianyi’s disciple, had now formed a direct connection to the Heavenly Water Sacred Realm—a top-tier holy land in the current era.

This was both a joyous development and a cause for concern.

Now, their focus had to shift toward the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree’s emergence.

This would be the final battle, and it was of utmost importance.

So, instead of separating, everyone stayed together, preparing to act collectively.

The Four Great Phantoms, led by the Flower Phantom, monitored the entire Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, staying alert and ready to pinpoint the exact location of the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree’s emergence at any moment.

Meanwhile, the others remained in quiet meditation, adjusting their breathing, always prepared for battle.

Unfortunately, Yi Ren Zui and her group had already left ahead of them.

After helping locate the Rebirth Fire, she had taken the Golden Asura, Moon Asura, and a hundred Asura assassins, along with her Moonlight Nineteen Killers and Zhuo Yutang’s Great Wind Guards, and had immediately retrieved what she had originally sought Zhang Yang’s help for back in Mo City.

She left without hesitation, showing no interest in the Great Path Sacred Fruit.

Her decisiveness was admirable, but also worrying—such a bold move would inevitably draw the attention of Yilie.

For Yilie, the Great Path Sacred Fruit was absolutely crucial.

However, Yi Ren Zui’s actions had disrupted Yilie’s plans. Since her entire force had withdrawn, she had lost the chance to claim the Great Path Sacred Fruit first.

Naturally, Yilie was furious.

But Yi Ren Zui had been one step ahead. She used an ancient teleportation array to return to Moonview Tower’s headquarters, leaving Yilie with no outlet for her rage.

With no other choice, Yilie hastily deployed her forces to vie for the Great Path Sacred Fruit.

This was merely a small episode in the grander scheme.

Within the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, a competitive atmosphere for the Great Path Sacred Fruit was quietly taking shape.

On one side, Zhang Yang and Ye Kuanglan led the forces of the Vast Forest and the Lingxiao Sacred Place.

On another side, the Seventh Prince and Yaoruoxian led Saint-level forces from the Southern Region.

A third faction consisted of non-Saint-level forces, ambitious and eager to claim the fruit.

The fourth faction included warriors from the Western Desert and Eastern Domain, who had traveled to the Southern Region and banded together.

Everyone was waiting.

At that moment, Yuluan approached Zhang Yang privately, drawing many kind smiles from onlookers.

Unbeknownst to them, this was not just an ordinary conversation.

Yuluan was secretly informing Zhang Yang about Shui Lianyi’s plan to cheat.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang was left speechless.

The Goddess was truly… too generous.

She had devised a cheating scheme—involving the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree—a tree she herself had created.

How wonderful!

After hearing the detailed plan, Zhang Yang immediately handed over the Green Mountain and the Nine Tribulations Holy Blade to Yuluan.

Then, he took out the Holy Bell of a Thousand Powers and continued his comprehension.