Within the Myriad Beast Hall of the Mythological Beast Sect.
There was a divine cow with only one dull, yellow eye on the center of its face sitting on an antiquated jade chair. Its entire body was a dull grey color, and each and every one of its inhalations and exhalations was accompanied by claps of thunder.
It had purplish golden lightning revolving around its body, which was as dazzling as the sun and moon.
It had only a single leg, but this was a powerful, pillar-like leg that appeared to be capable of stamping mountains flat[1].
This divine cow was the Grand Elder of the Mythological Beast Sect, Kui!
This extremely renowned Dao Integration Stage super mighty figure was currently looking up ahead with an extremely grave expression on its face.
Standing before it was an extremely elegant and graceful phoenix.
Its feathers had nine different colors and were exquisitely beautiful to behold. Its tail feathers were like a vibrant dress that danced in the wind, creating a mesmerizing sight that was capable of entrancing onlookers.
This phoenix only had to stand still, and it was already the epitome of beauty.
“Mr. Kui, you’ve had three days to think. Have you come to a conclusion?” the phoenix asked in a slow voice, which sounded like heavenly music.
“Well… The conditions you have offered are very alluring. Two Nine Flame True Yang Fruits are almost the equivalent of two divine fruits… However, in exchange, you want to enter the Lethal Lightning Realm of the Five-Colored Lightning Pit and take away all of the treasures there…” A conflicted expression appeared on Kui’s face.
A smile appeared on the phoenix’s face. “The treasures in there might not even be worth two Nine Flame True Yang Fruits.
“Besides, you are a mythological beast at the pinnacle of lightning-type beasts, but you’re unable to go in, whereas I have a way to secure entry. Essentially, you’re receiving two Nine Flame True Yang Fruits for an opportunity that is inaccessible to you. Are you still dissatisfied with these conditions?”
Kui had to admit that it was very much tempted.
The Five-Colored Lightning Pit was one of the ten most perilous lethal realms of the Kingdom of the Nine States.
It usually refined its body using the Five-Colored Lightning Pit, but the Lethal Lightning Realm was like an absolute restricted realm that even it was unable to access.
There were other Dao Integration Stage super mighty figures that wanted to access it, but the one who had offered the highest price was the phoenix standing before it at this very moment.
This was the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird from the Southern Heavenly Wing Nation!
Just as Kui was hesitating, a loud voice suddenly sounded from outside.
“Mythological Beast Sect Bai Xian wishes to see Elder Kui.”
“Come in.”
Kui’s expression eased upon hearing this.
A gallant, imposing white dog walked in.
The huge dog’s expression shifted drastically at the sight of the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird.
The Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird was an extremely mysterious mythological beast that rarely ever left the Sun Tree, so what was she doing here at the Mythological Beast Sect?
Bai Xian could still remember the first and only time he had seen the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird. That was back when he had visited the Southern Heavenly Wing Nation as a representative of the Mythological Beast Sect. At that time, the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird descended from above like a proud, beautiful work of art, entrancing countless beasts present.
It was not an exaggeration to say that the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird was the goddess of all beasts. She was the epitome of beauty, power, and holiness.
“Let me make some introductions. This is the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird from the Southern Heavenly Wing Nation. This is one of the Three Immortal Beast Overlords of our sect, Bai Xian,” Kui introduced.
“Greetings, Senior Divine Vermilion Bird.” Bai Xian extended a respectful salute.
“Mr. Bai Xian.” The Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird nodded as a simple greeting.
Kui was a little curious. “Bai Xian, what did you want to see me for?”
“Grand Elder, Sect Leader An Lin of the Four Nine Immortal Sect would like to access your Five-Colored Lightning Pit,” Bai Xian replied.
The Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird’s eyes lit up slightly, but she didn’t say anything.
“Oh? He wants to access my Five-Colored Lightning Pit? Why would he want to do that?” Kui asked.
The Four Nine Immortal Sect was extremely renowned, so Kui was naturally aware of who An Lin was. This was also the reason why it didn’t immediately turn down the request.
“He seems to want to refine his body here as well. As you know, he is a master of lightning-based spell techniques as well, so he’s very interested in the Five-Colored Lightning Pit.” Bai Xian didn’t tell Kui about An Lin’s objective to find a bead. Otherwise, it would be the equivalent of disclosing to Kui that there was a treasure to be found in the Five-Colored Lightning Pit.
Kui pondered whether it should allow this or not.
The Five-Colored Lightning Pit was an extremely important restricted area to it. If something was to happen to it, it would die from heartbreak.
“Well… how about we discuss this another time? I’m currently also conversing with the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird about the Five-Colored Lightning Pit…” Kui thought about it before deciding to decline for now.
“There’s no need for that,” an extremely pleasant voice sounded.
The Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird suddenly spoke, “I’m quite interested in this legendary sect leader of the Four Nine Immortal Sect. If you agree for me to enter the Five-Colored Lightning Pit, I don’t mind going in together with him. That way, you would obtain the treasure I’m offering and also have sold him a favor in the process.”
Kui thought about it for a moment and felt like this logic was reasonable.
No matter how powerful An Lin was, he could only hang around the outer perimeters of the Five-Colored Lightning Pit. What was the worst that could happen?
The Four Nine Immortal Sect was now on par with the Nine Imperials, so it was a good idea to sell their sect leader a favor. Besides, both the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird and Bai Xian had taken his side, so Kui really had no reason to decline his request.
Hmm… Speaking of which, to think that a mysterious and proud being like the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird would be interested in An Lin. This was quite interesting.
Even though Kui was a little surprised by this, it still nodded in the end. “Alright, get An Lin to come and see me. Also, Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird, I accept your conditions!”
A vibrant smile appeared on the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird’s face. “You have my thanks, Mr. Kui.”
Bai Xian also took his leave after that.
…
An Lin soon heard this good news.
Thus, he was led by Bai Xian past countless statues of powerful, ferocious beasts before arriving at a huge hall from which bursts of divine light emanated.
An Lin was almost blinded by the scintillating lightning flashing within the hall upon his arrival.
“Junior An Lin pays his respects to Senior Kui.” An Lin extended a respectful bow.
He then turned to the phoenix within the hall.
The phoenix was simply too gorgeous and eye-catching for him to ignore. Her colorful feathers rippled with beautiful divine light, and her energy fluctuations were as warm as the spring wind blowing over a field of vibrant flowers.
He turned toward the phoenix to discover the phoenix was also looking at him, and thus, their eyes met.
The phoenix immediately averted her gaze like an arrogant Queen.
An Lin was a little perplexed. He had a nagging feeling that this phoenix was somehow very familiar.
“Let me introduce to you the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird of the Southern Heavenly Wing Nation, and this is An Lin of the Four Nine Immortal Sect,” Kui spoke with a friendly smile.
An Lin instantly drew a sharp intake of breath. It’s her!
She was the Vermilion Bird Princess from the Southern Heavenly Wing Nation!
An Lin’s expression instantly shifted.
However, the Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird continued to adopt her haughty facade. “So, you’re An Lin from the Four Nine Immortal Sect. Not bad. You’re one to look out for among the younger generation.”
An Lin: “…”
Was she playing some sort of game?
“It’s an honor to meet you, Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird of the Southern Heavenly Wing Nation. All the ballads sung about you do not do you justice. You really are the most beautiful mythological beast!” An Lin praised.
The Nine-Colored Divine Vermilion Bird blushed slightly and did not say anything.
Kui didn’t notice the strange atmosphere between them. “Now then, come with me, and I’ll take you to the Five-Colored Lightning Pit.”
[1] The Kui is a creature in Chinese myths and legends which is depicted to be a cow with only a single leg.
