Chapter 488

Who?

Yunhe did not conceal his voice; indeed, because he used his magical power, not only could the cultivators outside hear it, but even the cultivators inside the hall who were celebrating Yunhe could hear it.

And as his voice rang out, the figure of Yunhe originally seated upright in the chief seat inside the hall gradually dissipated, finally vanishing like a bubble.

Noticing this, several Yuan Ying Cultivators were startled and all flew toward outside the hall.

At the same time.

Fifth Purple Robe, Feng Qingdan, Fang Qiuyu, and Han Yin Jiao also arrived outside one after another, looking at Yunhe standing with his hands behind his back suspended in the high sky.

Several strands of divine sense swept over, including those of mid‑Yuan Ying Cultivators, yet none detected any clue.

But no one doubted Yunhe's judgment; they merely became solemn in expression.

Even their divine sense couldn't detect it; fearfully, the newcomer's Cultivation Base is extraordinarily high!

And as Yunhe's voice rang out.

Kee——

A long whistle came from an extremely distant place.

Moreover, what they said is indeed quite reasonable.

"Old man Red Dust, this is my grandson, Red Sleeve; having heard of Daoist friend's grand ceremony, I have come specially to celebrate."

"It is said that among the Red Phoenix clan, there is a three‑feathered Red Phoenix whose Cultivation Base has reached the terrifying Fourth Level late stage?"

"The Red Phoenix clan has come to congratulate Daoist friend Yunhe? When did Daoist friend Yunhe become on good terms with the demon clan?"

"Fourth Level late stage, Fourth Level mid stage!"

Yunhe and demon beasts, especially those in the "Demon Alliance", have not had a particularly good relationship.

Those discussions below naturally could not escape the ears of Yunhe and the old man, but neither Yunhe nor the old man who called himself "Red Dust" took them to heart.

A somewhat hoarse laugh came.

Upon seeing this, a Yuan Ying Cultivator seemed to recognize something, furrowed their brows, thought for a moment, and then said in a deep voice:

"Celebration? Hmph, I fear the visitor comes with ill intent."

"Southern Border, Demon Beast Forest, Red Phoenix clan!"

So after clasping his hands, Yunhe directly asked: "Daoist friends, if there is anything I, Yun, can help with, just speak plainly."

"Hahaha——Old man came uninvited; I hope Daoist friend Yunhe will not take offense."

For a moment.

"Hehe." Red Dust stroked his long beard and gave a light laugh; before he could say anything, Red Sleeve beside him crossed her arms and directly said: "Old Demon Yunhe, I've heard you have a pair of ice phoenix wings?"

And beside him, there was also a young woman wearing scarlet tight clothing, outlining a perfect figure, fiery, with a dab of bright crimson lipstick on her jade-like face.

Seeing the two, the cultivators below also perceived their Cultivation Base.

Soon.

It is obvious that these are two great demons who have taken human form, and moreover they are likely both demon beasts of the Red Phoenix clan!

The faint red phoenix illusion within the clouds vanished, and in its place appeared before everyone's eyes an old man clad in a gold‑red long robe, with a red beard reaching his chest.

The newcomer's identity seems already about to be revealed.

"This is."

"."

Outside the entire Bai Xiao Tower, it was as if myriad birds sang in unison, and exotic fragrances wafted.

Yunhe clasped his hands, returning the gesture.

Seeing this, Yunhe slightly furrowed his brows, but said nothing; he merely let his gaze fall upon the large expanse of clouds dyed red.

Leaving aside their purpose, just the group of Yuan Ying Cultivators below and those beneath Yuan Ying, if they were made to sit together with a Fourth Level late‑stage demon beast, it would be like sitting on pins and needles.

Immediately, the scarlet clouds dyed the heavens, as if a blaze rose up, and the red‑stained cloud layer, under some mysterious power, transformed into a variegated phoenix bird that flew across the sky, singing a long song.

At the same time, in the surrounding mountains and forests, countless birds and beasts seemed to feel some summons; whether ordinary birds or beasts possessing Cultivation Base, they all flapped their wings and took flight.

Hearing this, Yunhe furrowed his brows.

The nickname "Running Old Demon" originated from the Fourth Level late‑stage demon beast, the Thousand‑Wing Blood Mosquito, hidden deep in Qiandu Mountain; although nowadays few dare call Yunhe "Running Old Demon", anyone who knows Yunhe will not forget this.

But it is quite obvious.

Letting them enter the Bai Xiao Tower would certainly not be a good choice.

A phoenix illusion cloaked in gold‑red flickered within the clouds, its long tail feathers tracing three splendid rainbows in the air.

This matter, however, is not exactly a secret.

"Red Phoenix clan? The one that, together with the Wood Jiao clan, is called one of the two major species of the Demon Beast Forest?"

Conversely, Red Sleeve beside Red Dust, whose figure is fiery, upon hearing those people's words, her eyes turned somewhat unfriendly.

Below.

As the saying goes, you don't strike a smiling face; if they come under the pretext of celebration, he also finds it hard to say anything.

It is well known that in Yunhe's rise to fame, although many cultivators have become his stepping stones, not a few are sea clan cultivators, but even more are likely demon clan cultivators.

Furthermore, the Crimson Flame Wolf that he slew in mid‑Fourth Level and the Wind‑Swallowing Beast also had considerable impact, not to mention that before the war with the sea clan he suppressed the Demon Alliance member, the Vast Sea Spirit Turtle.

After all, he initially relied on the speed of the ice phoenix wings plus a cloud‑escape talisman to barely escape a calamity from the Thousand‑Wing Blood Mosquito.

But the other party is the Red Phoenix clan; phoenixes, phoenixes, and peacocks belong to the same major group, and their purpose seems already about to be revealed.

But even if they took a fancy to his ice phoenix wings, coming straight to his door like this is rather brainless, isn't it?

Yunhe looked toward Red Dust.

Yet he saw Red Dust still smiling, stroking his long beard, appearing to let Red Sleeve do the talking.

"Not bad." Yunhe drew a slight breath, his expression turning cold.

Hearing this, Red Sleeve's bright eyes lit up: "My Red Phoenix clan wishes to exchange for this item, Old Demon Yunhe, name your price."

Indeed.

The other party had set their sights on my pair of Ice Phoenix wings.

To speak frankly.

The true level of that pair of Ice Phoenix wings should be high; even now, Yunhe has not fully uncovered their function and effect, and he even suspects that the wings likely come from a fifth‑level Ice Phoenix.

Although such wings are clearly incompatible with the Red Phoenix clan's attributes, they still exert a tremendous attraction on them.

Moreover, the other party's conduct

Yunhe laughed.

Someone once said it well: indeed, visitors bear no goodwill.

At the same time, Yunhe realized that the other party's aim could not be merely the Ice Phoenix wings; otherwise such conduct would be utterly unbecoming of a fourth‑level demonic beast, the Red Phoenix clan.

This is the East Sea Coast, not the Southern Border, much less the Demonic Beast Forest.

Besides him, there were dozens of Yuan Ying cultivators present, among whom were not a few Yuan Ying mid‑stage cultivators!

How dare they?

But since the other party put it that way, he went along and said:

"This time, it's simple."

"Just obtain a complete corpse of a fourth‑level late‑stage Red Phoenix."

Having said that, he silently gazed at the two opposite him.

The smile on the old man Hongchen's face gradually faded, while Hongxiu's lovely countenance was instantly filled with anger.

"Bold!"

A surge of crimson demonic power erupted, accompanied by a scorching heat wave that swept forth with a howl.

The terrifying heat wave almost instantly raised the surrounding temperature, as if one were standing in a sea of fire.

Swish—

Several figures shot up from below and hovered beside Yunhe.

Fifth Purple Cloth and Guang Chengzi's magical power surged all over their bodies.

The other Yuan Ying cultivators—Ji Liuyun, Feng Qingdan, Fang Qiuyu, Wandu Zhenjun, and so on—also showed not the slightest fear.

It was merely two demonic beasts.

Although one of them was a fourth‑level late‑stage entity, we also have Yunhe here; I believe that even if we cannot defeat them, we can certainly block them.

All they need to face is merely a fourth‑level mid‑stage Red Phoenix; what is there to fear?

But they had not yet moved when the opposite Hongxiu narrowed her eyes, let out a long whistle, and shot forward.

Billowing flames rose from her surroundings, and after a few moments they coalesced into a crimson‑gold intertwined phoenix; its feathers brushed past, and the scorching heat seemed to warp the very space.

Clang!!

Suddenly a sword thrust forth from its sheath.

Fifth Purple Cloth, face set, stepped forward, striking first despite moving later; grasping her beautiful long sword, she met the crimson phoenix head‑on.

Bang!!

Just a single clash sent the surging firelight and fierce sword qi scattering in all directions; the tumultuous air wave, rolling with fierce wind, slammed into the newly activated mountain‑guardian grand formation of Bai Xiao Lou, sending ripples spreading across it.

Yet in the face of this, the opposite Hongchen remained unmoved, merely stroking his long beard as he looked at Yunhe and said lightly:

"Yun Dao Friend, why such hostility? We two old fellows are merely here to celebrate; is this how you and Bai Xiao Lou treat your guests?"

Yunhe glanced at the Fifth Purple Cloth entangled with the phoenix, gave a slight nod, and said:

"Indeed, this is not the way of hospitality."

"What sense is there in letting guests fight off enemies?"

Saying this, his eyes flickered slightly and his inner magical power surged like a tide.

Then he lightly raised his hand.

Hum—

Magical power like a rainbow.

A gigantic hand materialized out of thin air, like a mountain pressing down from above onto the crimson phoenix and Fifth Purple Cloth's position.

Seeing this, the old man's turbid eyes flashed with brilliance as he raised his hand, sending forth a crimson fire bird to meet the descending giant hand.

"Hmph!"

Yunhe gave a cold snort, condensed his fingers into a sword, and flicked it forward.

"Go!"

Swish—

A streak of five‑colored sword light shot out, instantly turning into countless sword‑qi threads that came from all directions and shredded that fire bird.

The crimson phoenix locked in combat with Fifth Purple Cloth only felt its head suddenly sink, as a terrifying divine sense brutally invaded its consciousness, inevitably causing a brief loss of awareness.

Precisely at that moment of loss of awareness, the massive hand came down heavily—yet then vanished with a soft "whoosh."

It was as if the technique had never been unleashed.

Yet the crimson phoenix entangled with Fifth Purple Cloth also disappeared together with the vanishing hand.

At the same time, the sword threads wrapped around Fifth Purple Cloth's waist, yanking her backward back to the camp while also dodging a crimson ring shot forth by Hongchen.

Upon that ring, a faint Vermilion Bird divine beast appeared.

Vermilion Bird Ring!

This is certainly not the "inferior" magical treasure Yunhe once obtained; on this ring there truly hides a trace of Vermilion Bird aura.

However, regarding this ring, aside from Yunhe, Hongchen, and Fifth Purple Cloth, nobody else paid it much heed, for everyone's attention was focused on Yunhe's hand.

Just saw.

In his palm, a crimson phoenix bird shrunk countless times fluttered, its wings constantly trembling as it stirred demonic power striving to break free, yet it seemed unable to succeed!

「This is. 」 Ten Thousand Poisons True Lord looked at the crimson phoenix bird in Yunhe's palm, his pupils constricting sharply.

If he couldn't sense the aura emanating from this bird's body, he would likely suspect it was some illusion or phantom.

「It really is that Red Phoenix?! 」 Feng Qiuyu exclaimed in disbelief.

With a flip of his hand he subdued a mid-stage Fourth Level Red Phoenix, treating it like a toy placed in his palm to play with—is this Yunhe's current strength?

Just this move alone not only shocked the nearby Yuan Ying Cultivators, but even Hongchen opposite him was startled.

「Spatial power, holding the universe in one's palm? 」

He had a Vermilion Bird Ring circling his side, yet his gaze was fixed firmly on Yunhe, seemingly unable to comprehend how a human cultivator could possess such void-like power.

Skree!!!

An angry roar emanated from Yunhe's palm, rolling heat waves nearly dyeing his entire hand a vivid red.

Yunhe gave a faint smile.

With a light turn of his wrist, a shake and a toss, the crimson phoenix bird flew from his palm at visible speed, and shortly thereafter returned to its original size.

However, having lost its earlier arrogance, when it looked at Yunhe again its eyes were filled with intense wariness.

「Master, why did you let her get away! 」

Seeing this, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon couldn't help but ask.

But Yunhe did not answer its question, merely looking toward Hongchen and saying, 「If you Daoist friends wish to announce through Yunhe's grand ceremony to this world the emergence of the Monster Alliance, Yunhe must admit, you have succeeded. 」

「The Monster Alliance has emerged? 」

It turns out these two Red Phoenixes came to 「declare war」.

After the surrounding people showed a hint of sudden realization, their expressions again grew solemn.

At this moment, with the Monster Alliance having emerged, if one claimed it had no relation to the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm, they would not believe it.

「Hmph. 」 Hongchen let out a soft hum, 「Yunhe Daoist's might, my Red Phoenix Clan has indeed witnessed it. 」

As his words fell, flames engulfed his body, wrapping himself and the newly returned Red Sleeve together; in the firelight, he once again took on a human form as Red Sleeve, who gave Yunhe a deep look.

Finally.

The firelight faded, and all the anomalous phenomena vanished with it, leaving only Hongchen and Red Sleeve.

「Young master, your hand. 」

At this moment, Feng Qingdan noticed Yunhe's palm, which was entirely flushed red, even showing signs of being scorched.

No wonder.

The Red Phoenix is no ordinary monster beast; it is an existence ranked alongside flood dragons, and its 「Red Phoenix Sacred Fire」 is not something ordinary cultivators can withstand.

Yunhe's result, however, quietly relieved some people.

If he truly could easily subdue a mid-stage Fourth Level monster beast with a flip of his hand, his strength would be...

「It's fine. 」

Yunhe's expression remained unchanged as he spoke lightly.

As he placed his palm behind his back.

The scorching hue on his palm had already faded.

In its place appeared a faintly visible red feather.

However, no one could notice it.

Meanwhile.

The departed Hongchen and Red Sleeve were now flying toward the Southern Border.

However, the Red Sleeve, who had previously shown considerable irritability, now wore a cold expression as he looked at the old man beside him and asked.

「Old Ancestor, will he agree? 」

The old man nodded, but after a moment's hesitation he shook his head, letting out a long sigh, 「Hard to say. 」

(End of Chapter)