The scorching heatwave swept through the northern and southern training halls.
Thousands of disciples from the Qin clan hastily retreated and laid low on the ground.
Meanwhile, the 49 swordsmen prepared themselves for a battle.
If a divine beast like the Fire Phoenix went all out, it would be over.
The 49 swordsmen had personally witnessed the scene of the Fire Phoenix injuring all 36 Big Dipper flag bearers in one go. They did not think they were any stronger than the 36 flag bearers.
The Fire Phoenix spat out a stream of flames at the Dao inscriptions.
The inscriptions flashed frantically.
“This divine beast is too powerful. The barrier from the inscriptions are a joke to it,” Fan Zhong said.
Qin Renyue naturally knew the Dao inscriptions’ barrier could not hold the Fire Phoenix back. However, he was still displeased when he heard Fan Zhong’s words. Hence, he said coldly, “You’re not a joke. So can you block it for me?”
Fan Zhong was speechless.
Although both of them were Venerable Masters, Fan Zhong was slightly weaker than Qin Renyue. To be precise, Fan Zhong was the weakest among the four Venerable Masters. Perhaps, this was due to his overly-cautious character. Moreover, with his character, he was destined to have sincere friends. After all, he would not always try to balance relationships, unwilling to offend all parties. In a way, it could be said that he was the kind of person who only cared about himself and disregard the world.
The sky was fiery red.
The Dao inscriptions’ barrier were almost destroyed by the heat.
Qin Renyue said, “Follow me!”
The 49 swordsmen replied in unison, “Understood!”
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Qin Renyue and the 49 swordsmen flew into the sky immediately.
The 49 swordsmen immediately converged into seven-point formation.
The others continued to maintain a wait-and-see attitude. No one dared to rashly step forward. They were aware of how terrifyingly powerful a divine beast was. Although Qin Renyue and the 49 swordsmen were strong, they likely could not even withstand a single shot of flames from the Fire Phoenix. If they rashly forward, it was tantamount to courting death.
Fan Zhong looked at Mingshi Yin and said, “I hope you’ll make a move and defend the Qin clan’s estate.”
Everyone echoed Fan Zhong’s sentiments.
Mingshi Yin: “…”
‘I’m not a Great Venerable Master! If all of you fly up, perhaps, you’d be able to withstand half a ball of flames! If I go up, I’d be reduced to ashes! I won’t make a move even if you beat me to death!’
When the Fire Phoenix saw Qin Renyue and the 49 swordsmen soaring into the sky, it screeched. Its ear-piercing cry resounded through the heavens. However, it did not attack.
Qin Renyue frowned and said, “This isn’t a place where you should be.”
The Fire Phoenix flapped its wings, fanning the flames that dyed the sky red.
…
Meanwhile, Yu Zhenghai, Yu Shangrong, Little Yuan’er, and Conch hovered in the air above the southern training ground and looked at the huge Fire Phoenix.
“Fire Phoenix! Everyone, be careful,” Yu Zhenghai said warningly.
The southern training hall was quite far away so they were safe for the time being.
…
The Fire Phoenix looked down at everyone at the northern training hall. Then, it spread its wings and threw its head back with its beaks open.
Upon seeing this, Qin Renyue’s expression changed dramatically. He roared, “Retreat!”
The 49 swordsmen hurriedly flew back.
Fortunately, this was Qin Renyue’s private training hall so there were not many disciples of the Qin clan around.
On the ground, the various bigshots from the major forces in the green lotus domain ran for cover as well.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
A ball of flames flew toward the barrier formed by the Dao inscriptions.
The barrier only resisted for a moment before it shattered like glass. They dissolved into spots of starlight before scattering in the sky.
With this, the northern training hall was instantly drowning in a sea of fire.
“D*mn! It’s so strong?!” Mingshi Yin exclaimed. Although it was his second time seeing this, he still found it unbelievable.
Lu Zhou, Fan Zhong, and the other Free Men were also astonished.
Buzz!
Qin Renyue manifested his astrolabe at this moment. He held it in front of him, and before it exploded with all the power of his Birth Charts, he bellowed, “You dare to destroy my training hall?!”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The power of the Birth Charts landed on Fire Phoenix. It did not dodge at all. Instead, it folded its wings around itself, letting the attack hit it. When it unfolded its wings, it was completely unharmed.
“…”
It was too powerful.
Qin Renyue suddenly remembered how miserable Ye Zheng and the 36 Big Dipper flag bearers were when they struggled in the sea of fire. He knew that he and the 49 swordsmen were not much stronger than them. Moreover, so many years had passed since it rose from the ashes, it had matured and grown even more powerful. He wondered how he should deal with it for a moment before he called out, “Brother Lu!”
At this time, Qin Renyue could seek help from Lu Zhou.
Lu Zhou, who was standing at the training hall, glanced at Qin Renyue and asked, “Oh, so you remember me now?”
A sheepish expression appeared on Qin Renyue’s face. He glanced at Mingshi Yin and did some thinking. Over the past five years, he had quite many interactions with Mingshi Yin. Hence, he understood Mingshi Yin quite a bit. Mingshi Yin was famous for being… cowardly. When he thought about how Mingshi Yin was from the Meng clan, he thought it was to be expected. Moreover, he was not 100% certain Mingshi Yin was a Great Venerable Master. After all, it was almost impossible for one to improve so much in just five years. However, that phenomenon at the Sky Hook Ropeway was real. Hence, he concluded that Mingshi Yin’s miraculous improvement must be due to the Great Void Seed.
Finally, Qin Renyue said, “Brother Lu, I’m afraid only you can deal with him.”
Everyone retreated, looking at the huge Fire Phoenix nervously.
Lu Zhou flashed and appeared about 100 meters in front of the Fire Phoenix. He stood with his hands on his back as he said, “Beast.”
The Fire Phoenix made some strange noise at the back of its throat, opening and closing its beaks.
Alas, no one understood what it was saying.
When Lu Zhou saw the Fire Phoenix had no intention of attacking, he sent a voice transmission to it. “Are you here to look for the little Fire Phoenix?”
He used voice transmission since he did not want the others to know about the existence of the little Fire Phoenix.
The Fire Phoenix moved its head up and down as though it was nodding.
Lu Zhou continued to say through Voice Transmission as he raised his hand, “Since you entrusted it to me temporarily, I’ll naturally return it to you. However, before that, don’t you think there’s something you should express?”
The Fire Phoenix’s head tilted to the left and the right, confused. It did not quite understand human etiquette. It did understand what the human in front of it wanted. Was it not a matter of course that its child was returned to it? It lowered its head, and when it saw Lu Zhou’s raised hand, anger began to surge in its heart. It thought that humans were indeed creatures. It would burn them with its mighty fire so they would know to fear the mighty and divine Fire Phoenix!
With that, the Fire Phoenix spat out a ball of flames.
Qin Renyue and Fan Zhong manifested their astrolabes and retreated 1,000 meters along with the other cultivators.
Lu Zhou did not expect the Fire Phoenix to suddenly attack as well. Human brains worked differently from that of beasts, after all. He hurriedly brought his astrolabe up to shield himself.
When the fire landed on Lu Zhou’s astrolabe, a sizzling sound rang in the air. As soon as the fire burned his astrolabe, he felt the heat as well. It seemed like the astrolabe was melting. He was surprised by this discovery. After all, he was now a Venerable Master. Moreover, he had the fire-resistance ability from one of his life hearts. It seemed like it was still not enough compared to the Fire Phoenix’s flames.
Creak!
Lu Zhou’s astrolabe began to cave in. He pushed his hand against it, channeling his divine power into it. The golden light shone on the astrolabe with spots of blue light; it was a rather dazzling sight.
The astrolabe creaked, smoothening itself out, successfully blocking the flames.
Lu Zhou was only able to block the flames for now; he could not attack it.
With a buzz, the astrolabe straightened and finally blocked the flames.
At this moment, the Fire Phoenix suddenly stopped spewing flames. It spread its wings before it grew still.
Taking advantage of the brief respite, Lu Zhou put away the astrolabe and used the power of the Dao he had comprehended at the Sky Hook Ropeway. At the same time, he also used He Luoyu’s ability.
Ten clones appeared in the air instantly.
Everyone saw the void ripple slightly. When they looked again, Lu Zhou was already hovering above the Fire Phoenix. Then, he launched a palm seal.
“Flawed Perfection..”
