Chapter 522: You Are My Master?

At the summit of the massive dead tree, clusters of green foliage bloomed with its last vestige of life.

Due to the tree's terrifying size, the natural hollow within was far larger than an ordinary cultivation cave.

Far from the Wang Yang, the hollow remained relatively dry.

Dozens of feathers glowing with emerald light littered the ground; their owner, massive in form, breathed heavily, its grotesque expression pressed against the tree wall—clearly, a Green Phoenix.

At this moment, the Green Phoenix wore such a look because its entire body was entwined with thick coils of Diming Youmang.

Most of these Youmang were the young master's concubines, others his elders, now using their slick bodies to coil around the Phoenix's wings, wrap its neck, and crush its feet, rubbing fiercely against its feathers as if trying to strangle and crush it alive.

"More… harder!"

The Green Phoenix opened bloodshot eyes and emitted a hoarse voice.

After a slight tremor earlier, it had smelled the scent of blood.

Being interrupted mid-play did not anger it—instead, it grew even more excited.

Its long neck, like a serpent, shot out swiftly; its sharp beak easily tore through a Diming Youmang's scales, plunged into its flesh, and began mercilessly pecking and devouring.

Before the Green Phoenix, the Youmang clan's prized demonic bodies were nothing but a joke.

"Sss…" The Diming Youmang, in excruciating pain, dared only a faint whimper; driven by the agony, it instinctively tightened its coils.

"Hah!"

The Green Phoenix felt the cold serpent blood slide down its throat, and under the giant serpent's relentless pressure, it finally lifted its head, spewing a spray of crimson as it exhaled sharply through its bloodied beak!

These little black snakes are truly excellent.

For the Liuli Qingfeng clan, the innate burning heart-fire left them perpetually in a state of extreme agitation, especially for clan prodigies—whose bloodline was so potent, the heat intensified further.

The Diming Youmang's naturally icy demonic bodies, cool and chilling against its skin, truly eased its torment immensely.

"Continue."

The Green Phoenix glanced coldly outward; with its noble bloodline and formidable strength, it knew perfectly well what was happening outside.

Yet it made no haste, instead sinking deeper into laziness and murmuring, "How many of your kind remain depends on how hard you're willing to work."

Nothing could interrupt its amusement.

When it was done, it would step out.

Moreover, this situation now gave the Green Phoenix a stimulation it had never known before.

Leaning against the tree wall, its bloodshot eyes swept over the seven or eight large serpents, watching them tremble timidly yet scramble desperately to coil tighter around it—its lips curled with amusement.

The sensation of its body being stretched taut, even pained—it loved it.

…

At the other end of the Black Stone Ancient Tree, near the Wang Yang.

Over a dozen Bai Yujing cultivators from Banshan Sect stepped out, each wielding Dao weapons; beneath their imposing aura, their muscular frames stood out even more—tough skin concealing strength rivaling that of their Dao weapons.

Since they had decided to act,

They would act with lethal intent.

The Banshan Sect cultivators crashed down at the tree's base, slamming their palms with ferocity; under the enhancement of Xiancheng Dao weapons, the ancient tree, having stood for eons, began to shake violently and showed signs of cracking.

The vast force poured entirely into the hollow, tearing the Youmang open and forcing them deeper into the tree, fleeing like burrowing into a mountain, too terrified to surface.

Because above them, a woman in red robes stood with sword in hand.

Any Diming Youmang that dared reveal itself was met with a single slash—so far, even demons as powerful as Bai Yujing had failed to block it.

"We haven't even opened the third city yet!"

One Banshan Sect elder glanced over in surprise; frankly, Su Hongxiu's first strike had radically changed their view of Yu Nanhong.

Ten thousand years of silence had not severed the Seven Sons from Hongze—at least, this Heavenly Sword Dao Zi's strength already ranked among the pinnacle of Xi Hong.

"Don't let your guard down—something's off."

Another direct disciple, while punching through vast stretches of Black Stone Ancient Tree, whispered a warning.

If the Diming Youmang clan were only this weak, how could they have survived undisturbed beside Banshan Sect all this time?

The true Youmang elders had all hidden deep within the tree, watching their kin die without a single attempt to fight back.

Unless you count the several Dao Zi of Yu Nanhong.

Even with these Banshan Sect cultivators here today, led by Yan Chongzhang, annihilating this entire group of Youmang would demand a heavy cost.

They were like they were waiting for reinforcements.

Could the Liuli Qingfeng be nearby?

At this thought, the cultivators subtly scanned the surrounding skies, their attacks growing even more vicious!

Wherever they were, they weren't here—if they were, they'd have shown themselves already.

As long as they moved fast enough, even the Qingfeng wouldn't dare rampage on Banshan Sect grounds—don't forget, this mission was ordered by Liangdaohuang Sect.

Boom-chunk! Boom-chunk!

Massive Youmang were seized by their tails, dragged out mercilessly, and hurled against the Black Stone Ancient Tree with brutal force, blood spraying everywhere!

Yan Chongzhang also sensed something amiss.

His movements grew even more terrifying.

From the second crimson city in the sky, purple qi shimmered; his arms were sheathed in silver dragon scales, fingers encased, as he drove both palms straight into the ancient tree.

Before the towering, sky-blocking black tree, his figure seemed like an ant.

Yet as his arms trembled, the blackness slowly tore open, emitting a crackling, booming sound.

"This is really insane."

Bai Wu's eyelid twitched twice; perhaps due to Yu Nanhong's long-standing tolerance, the sect had truly fallen into poverty, forced to rely on vassals for support, utterly unable to afford the celestial treasures once required for their ancient methods.

Their Dao Zi could only strive to improve through Xiancheng and Dao weapons.

Outside, the cultivators had already forcibly enhanced their power through rare artifacts, achieving astonishing gains.

For instance, this Banshan Sect Dao Disciple failed to sustain the quality of Chen Ziqi in the third city; it is a Green Phoenix Immortal Weapon, yet relying on this extraordinary body-refining cultivation, it actually gave Bai Wu the feeling that the opponent was in no way weaker than Su Hongxiu.

Putting Yan Chongzhang aside.

These Bai Yu Jing cultivators of the Banshan Sect, under the blessing of the Spirit Body Method, even at the same realm, are clearly a tier stronger than the elders' direct disciples of the Yu Nanhong Seven Sons.

"Don't get distracted, it's coming out."

Wei Yuanzhou's expression was calm; he softly reminded Bai Wu, and a slender feather blade, unknown when, appeared in his palm. It resembled a divine weapon, but due to being too magnificent, it looked like some kind of ritual vessel.

As he lightly waved the feather blade, the clouds filling the sky suddenly rolled up, transforming into a fierce white lion hundreds of zhang long within the clear sky.

The lion slowly took a step, its terrifying eyes staring fixedly at the place where Yan Chongzhang was.

In an instant, with a fierce roar from Dao Disciple Yan: "Wretched beast, where do you think you are running!"

The Diming Youmang Young Master, far smaller than the other black pythons, finally leaped out, charging straight into the clouds like a flood dragon; with its appearance, the powerful ones of the Diming Youmang clan who had been hiding in the ancient trees could no longer hold back and followed out.

In an instant, vast demonic qi instantly swept out, the dense dim light dyeing Wang Yang completely, as if heaven and earth had overturned.

If it were someone with slightly lower cultivation, they would probably lose seven or eight tenths of their fighting spirit under this demonic qi.

"..."

Given Su Hongxiu's personality, she certainly wouldn't care about so much; seeing a demon or monster, she would just swing her sword.

But Wei Yuanzhou was different; since he had promised to come and help, he would try his best to do it perfectly.

Wanting to capture alive a demonic genius comparable to Bai Yu Jing, the difficulty was simply several times higher than killing the opponent.

Therefore, he had been conserving his strength all along, not wasting a single bit of energy.

The white lion in the sky finally moved, rushing toward the Diming Youmang Young Master at a speed barely visible to the naked eye, its two front paws gathering together as if holding a ball.

Perhaps Wei Yuanzhou's strength could not compare to Su Hongxiu's, but regarding experience and control over details and timing, it was nearly perfect.

He struck at the exact moment when the Diming Youmang Young Master was exhausted from running for his life.

Watching the white lion about to capture it.

The Diming Youmang Young Master had no time to dodge and could only roar in rage: "Where are you cultivators from? Why involve yourselves in the Banshan Sect's affairs! Dare you leave your names?!"

Wei Yuanzhou focused on controlling the white lion; the Dao Disciples were not fools. Regardless of whether the opponent had a background, they could not expose the identity of the Yu Nanhong Seven Sons.

Just then, two other old Diming Youmang pythons, as if risking their lives, smashed apart the white lion's paws; subsequently, facing Yan Chongzhang exploding from behind, they actually turned their gaze toward the distant treetop, their voices shrill as they said:

"Master Phoenix, we beg you to save our clan's Young Master!"

"It's too late!"

Hearing this, the few from Yu Nanhong had not reacted much yet, but the Banshan Sect cultivators' faces changed slightly.

Yan Chongzhang reached out his palm and slammed down on an old python demon with a boom; although he felt this was just the Diming Youmang trying to bluff him, after all, if a Glazed Green Phoenix were truly here, where would it be quietly waiting until now?

But speculation was speculation; he still couldn't help but glance toward that treetop.

Just then, a slightly heavy breathing sound finally drifted out; it wasn't particularly loud, but crossing the distance spanning heaven and earth, it was transmitted incredibly clearly into everyone's ears.

"Hoo—"

Hearing this sound, Yan Chongzhang suddenly furrowed his brows tightly, glanced at the old python demon under his palm, his fingertips twitched, but he still did not continue tearing the opponent's scales.

He could only sigh inwardly at his bad luck.

It was one thing to exterminate this group of Diming Youmang with clean hands and return to the sect, and another to act in front of a Glazed Green Phoenix.

Moreover, this Green Phoenix, facing such a grand array, dared to intervene; its status within the clan must surely be high.

If they forcibly killed the opponent...

Once it involved matters between the Dao Integration realm, even though Yan Chongzhang was a Dao Disciple, he had to be careful and cautious.

After all, his master had painstakingly cultivated him, not to let him bring random calamities upon the sect.

"Several Daoist friends..."

Yan Chongzhang looked at Wei Yuanzhou with a hint of apology: "Truly sorry, today the matter cannot be done; stop."

"Understood."

Wei Yuanzhou, also a Dao Disciple, could fully understand the opponent's concerns.

However... he secretly glanced to the side.

Sure enough, Su Hongxiu was obviously not used to demons and monsters acting this way in front of her; she still gripped the Bai Yu Sword, looking faintly at that green shade.

"This is their sect's internal affair," Wei Yuanzhou could only remind softly.

He did not think that their combined forces could not defeat a Phoenix demon; no matter how precious the bloodline, as long as the opponent was still within the scope of Bai Yu Jing, no matter how strong, there was a limit.

But what after killing it?

They could simply wash their hands and return to Yu Nanhong, but where would the Banshan Sect go?

"We must at least take a look."

Su Hongxiu raised an eyebrow, speaking softly; at least they had to know who was on that treetop, so that if they met again in the future, there would be an explanation.

Whether the Diming Youmang on the ground or the Banshan Sect cultivators in the field all looked over together.

However, time passed bit by bit.

Except for that first breathing sound, no other sound came from the tree hole.

Su Hongxiu slightly raised her sword, looking back at that group of Diming Youmang.

Swept by that gaze, the Diming Youmang Young Master felt a chill run through his body and anxiously looked toward the treetop again.

That damn beast, could it be that my group of cheap concubines exhausted it? Regretting appearing, and then becoming afraid?!

"Master Phoenix!"

Pointed at by the Bai Yu Sword, the Diming Youmang Young Master could only shout out again.

Unfortunately, there was still no response from the tree hole.

This time, even Yan Chongzhang's expression became somewhat strange, looking back at the old python demon under his palm.

At the same time.

Right there, in the cave dwelling atop the tree in the distant sky.

The massive Azure Phoenix leaned quietly against the wall, silently staring at the two towering figures before it.

Both were equally ancient, having endured countless years; the Dark-Glow Tortoise Demon wore a cruel smile, while the other, a Golden Ancient Dragon, had eyes of Tianyan Siji, as if immersed in some emotion from which it could not extricate itself, yet that expressionless face was even more terrifying than the Tortoise Demon's.

"Never heard of you. Do you have a background?"

The Azure Phoenix observed carefully for a moment; it saw that while the realm of these two demons might not be particularly terrifying, their demon bodies had grown to the extreme, even stronger and more formidable than its own.

Yet it did not panic, casually pushing away the Diming Youmang upon its body.

After all, this place was Xi Hong, and the Glazed Azure Phoenix clan was a formidable power capable of forcibly occupying a region in Xi Hong despite the pressure of the Long Gong's displeasure.

Having spoken, the Azure Phoenix slowly began to rise.

Just then, something it had never expected occurred: the Dark-Glow Tortoise Demon suddenly revealed a sinister grin, then forcefully stomped one foot onto its shoulder wing, crushing it back down with great force!

Boom!

Caught completely off guard, the Azure Phoenix's entire body crashed down onto the ground.

What surprised it even more was that the vast force coming from its shoulder seemed to subtly suppress its own power.

A trace of anger surged into its bloodshot eyes: "..."

Just as it prepared to speak, it saw the Tortoise Demon lean down, gently patting its face: "Did I allow you to move?"

Compared to that single stomp, the force contained within those two slaps could be said to be negligible.

Yet they caused the heart-flame within the Azure Phoenix, which had just been suppressed, to suddenly flare up again, scorching its eyes until they were bloodshot, its wings gradually tensing.

"Hah—"

The nearby Diming Youmang took this scene in, and when they looked again at the two mysteriously appearing demons, they were already trembling and curling their bodies up.

What great demon had come from where, not only appearing without a sound, but also disregarding Phoenix Lord so completely?

Judging by their confident demeanor, one could almost suspect they had come from the Northern Long Gong.

"Now this counts as... a death grudge."

The Azure Phoenix coldly scanned the foot upon its shoulder, then raised its gaze again, forcibly suppressing its heart-flame, yet its voice trembled slightly uncontrollably, a sign of rage pushed to the extreme.

"Heh!"

Hearing these words, Wu Jun suddenly could not hold back a laugh.

In the next moment, its facial features rapidly twisted into a grotesque mask, even the faint scars on its face contorting, as it mocked mercilessly: "What are you, that you dare form a grudge with this Seat?"

Upon hearing this, even the Azure Phoenix, extremely confident in its own background, suddenly began to be unable to discern the other's true depth.

The action it had originally planned to launch violently hesitated slightly.

Indeed, it had never seen such strange demons; according to their age, they should long ago have been great demons of the He Dao realm, yet while their demon bodies had grown, their realm seemed stagnant... but if they were merely from Bai Yu Jing, how exactly had they lived to such an age?

Moreover, how had they entered this cave dwelling so calmly and composedly without its slightest awareness?

Could it truly be that they came from some great power one could not offend?

"Wait peacefully for my Lord's questioning. Dare to move even once..."

Wu Jun grew tired of further words, suddenly grabbing the Azure Phoenix's slender neck again and slamming its head hard against the wooden wall!

Crack—

Under this vast force, even the black stone ancient tree suddenly cracked open.

Just as the Azure Phoenix felt dizzy and confused, a thick scent of blood reached its nose; it instinctively turned its head to look, and its pupils instantly contracted.

It saw the Golden Ancient Dragon squat down without a word, expressionlessly extending its sharp claws.

With every claw strike, the head of a Diming Youmang would explode.

Throughout the entire process, its eyes remained as calm as an ancient well, as if its spirit had wandered beyond the heavens.

Clearly committing acts of slaughter, yet its mind was not here at all.

How many living beings must one kill to achieve such calmness?

Even the Azure Phoenix, who prided itself on being cruel, now felt somewhat ashamed, a faint, almost imperceptible fear strangely surging in its heart.

Until seven or eight Diming Youmang had their heads crushed without any resistance.

Only then did the Golden Ancient Dragon slowly rise, and then, as if sensing something, slowly retreated to the cave entrance.

Wu Jun likewise released this Azure Phoenix.

With their combined strength, they actually had a chance to defeat this great demon, but it would be impossible to do so without a sound; the cultivators below would inevitably see them, which would violate the Master's intention.

Moreover, their original duty was to use the convenience of the Suppressing Stone to suppress their aura, to scout this place for the Master in advance and find the most precious demons.

Therefore, Wu Jun had only been intimidating from start to finish.

The remaining matters had nothing to do with the two of them.

It likewise retreated to the cave entrance, and then both simultaneously transformed into streams of light and vanished.

"..."

The Azure Phoenix's eyes widened once more; with its cultivation, it was completely unable to capture how these two great demons had left, or where they had gone.

When had such a strange power appeared in Xi Hong?

It struggled to rise, hearing the fighting sounds already echoing outside, knowing this was because its late appearance had led the Banshan Sect cultivators to misunderstand that the Glazed Azure Phoenix clan was unwilling to intervene in this matter.

Thinking of this, the Azure Phoenix was momentarily dazed, unsure whether it should continue to get involved.

Just then, it suddenly raised its gaze.

It saw at the cave entrance a figure in a black robe slowly step inside; the figure was tall and slender, with a Bai Xi and handsome face, and compared to the previous two great demons, it was infinitely more familiar-looking.

It also lacked a bit of strangeness; at least the aura on the other was solid and real, clearly visible, and obviously that of a cultivator.

But having experienced the earlier events, the Azure Phoenix dared not be careless at all.

Since such strange demons existed, the fact that cultivators and great demons belonged to the same power was no longer so strange.

It swallowed its throat, recalling Wu Jun's words just now.

"What are you saying... wait peacefully for my Lord to question you."

Qingfeng stared at the young man with full apprehension and tried asking, "My Lord?"

"..."

Shen Yi was stunned for a moment; he had killed so many demons.

Such a sensible one—this was the first.

For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

But hearing the sounds of fighting outside, Shen Yi shook his head, deciding not to waste any more words.

Since the deduction had gone poorly, he had already arrived much late; lingering further would only waste his own lifespan.

"What do you wish to ask me?" Qingfeng was truly frightened by those two demons just now; facing a Bai Yujing cultivator with only a two-city realm, he dared not act rashly and wanted to learn the truth first.

Hearing this, Shen Yi walked over slowly, then gestured lightly with a wave of his hand, signaling the other to lean in close to his ear.

Qingfeng turned his head to look at the cave dwelling where there was no escape, and at the corpses of python demons scattered all over the ground. After hesitating for a moment, he finally, with utmost caution, propped up his massive body and leaned his head down: "I am of the Glazed Green Phoenix clan. No matter who you are..."

His words came to an abrupt halt.

Because on his slender neck, a dull thud suddenly rang out, followed immediately by scalding blood splashing everywhere, flowing down along that straight black blade and dyeing the golden patterns on the blade's back red.

Qingfeng instinctively looked up, only to see that Shen Yi's pair of pitch-black eyes had, at some unknown moment, begun to glow with a purple light, flickering ceaselessly like a candle flame.

The Bai Xi face that had previously seemed familiar was now utterly indifferent.

(End of this chapter)