Chapter 347 - 335: Emperor’s Son Xiao Zhanxian, Nine Nether Phoenix Funeral Yingsheng

Central Region Divine Continent, Purgatory Phoenix Valley.

Purgatory Phoenix Valley was the supreme holy land for cultivators of the Fire Tao, even more renowned than the Flame Sacred Fire Region of the Eastern Wilderness Divine Continent.

"We pay our respects to the Heavenly Palace messenger!" Four Martial Saints knelt simultaneously, offering reverent salutations. Men and women, young and old, all were Martial Saints of the Flaming Sect. Among them, the strongest was the Fire Mad Martial Saint, a middle-aged-looking man with an eighth-order cultivation. Even in the Central Region Divine Continent, a place teeming with talent, his reputation was widespread, and he was considered a prime candidate to become a member of the Heavenly Palace.

Joining the Human Clan Sky Palace was exceedingly difficult. Not only did one have to pass the assessments of Book Mountain, but one’s cultivation also had to be at the Great Saint level. Except for the era when the Great Moon Saint Han Jiuming wreaked havoc and standards were slightly lowered, the requirements had rarely been reduced in other times. The selection of Heavenly Palace members, it could be said, prioritized quality over quantity!

Yet now, this very Fire Mad Martial Saint knelt, his face fervent as he gazed at the Heavenly Palace messenger before him. This messenger was tall, nearly nine feet, with a robust physique. His fiery red hair, thick and dense, cascaded down his back like a cape, undulating slightly with each step. Most striking was the pair of Coral Phoenix Wings on his back, seemingly forged from flames, glittering brilliantly. This Heavenly Palace messenger was extraordinary, his background immense. Even within the vast history of the Human Race, he merited his own Chapter.

This person was—Xiao Zhanxian!

He was the eldest legitimate son of the Soul Killing Demon Emperor. After the Soul Killing Demon Emperor’s passing, Xiao Zhanxian broke free from his seal within the Divine Origin, shouldering the burden during a very difficult period for the Human Race. Under his leadership, the Human Race repelled the relentless assaults of the Demon Clan, and he became their supreme leader, guiding the course of the Human Tao.

"There’s no need for such formality. Take me into the valley," Xiao Zhanxian said gently, bending down to help each Martial Saint to their feet.

"Yes, My Lord!" the Fire Mad Martial Saint and the others responded excitedly. They stood beside Xiao Zhanxian, explaining the Purgatory Phoenix Valley’s current state.

「After a while」

Xiao Zhanxian arrived at the deepest part of Purgatory Phoenix Valley, standing and gazing into the distance. It was a vast Molten Hell where countless fires converged, flames licking the heavens. The area was immense, easily large enough to accommodate a Kunpeng renowned for its physical prowess. Even if the lands of nine provinces were placed within it, there would still be ample space remaining; it was remarkably vast! Compared to this Molten Hell, Xiao Zhanxian and the others were as insignificant as dust, no more substantial than tiny ants. From their perspective, flames soared into the sky within the Molten Hell, and black mist permeated the air. It was truly difficult to see through the illusions within and grasp the true situation; they could only vaguely sense the immense dangers lurking inside.

BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE RUMBLE!

The Molten Hell suddenly trembled violently. Endless flames, accompanied by black mist, surged up and down, recklessly dominating this expanse of heaven and earth, displaying their supreme might.

Apart from Xiao Zhanxian, the other four Martial Saints’ expressions changed drastically, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. They quickly combined their efforts to activate the Holy Artifacts within their Immortal Apertures. The next moment, Mysterious Nether clear light spread out, and immortal mists billowed, intertwining into an expanse. An enormous array materialized, halting the sudden fluctuations. This tremendous array was hardly inferior even to the Heaven Star Array Hong Yuan had laid down in his dream, for it had been established by the Soul Killing Demon Emperor himself!

"So much time has passed, and to think this monstrous beast still possesses such vigor, causing such a commotion," Fire Mad Martial Saint said, wiping cold sweat from his forehead, his voice strained.

Long ago, the Soul Killing Demon Emperor had created this array to imprison the True Dragon of Great Moon, intending for it to suffer a fate worse than death and perish through tribulation. Unfortunately, even up to the moment of his death, the Soul Killing Demon Emperor never discovered the whereabouts of the True Dragon of Great Moon. During the years when the True Dragon of Great Moon remained hidden, a terrifying Ancient Great Evil emerged from the nearly extinct Demon Clan—the Nine Nether Phoenix! Ultimately, the Soul Killing Demon Emperor repurposed this great array for the Nine Nether Phoenix.

"Nine Nether Phoenix, haha, I didn’t expect you to still be alive, and so full of vitality," Xiao Zhanxian spoke indifferently.

SCREECH!!!

A mournful, piercing cry, like the weeping of birds and the sobbing of fish, thoroughly shook Purgatory Phoenix Valley. Deep within the purgatory, a Nine Nether Phoenix, imprisoned by numerous chains, roared unwillingly, its eyes bloodshot. Its every struggle stirred vast numbers of Soul Tao Marks and Fire Tao Marks. Around it, countless Demon Beast spirits seemed to be sinking into oblivion.

Even with the Emperor Array isolating it, this monstrous beast is still so ferocious. If I had lived during the era of strife between the Great Moon Rebel Dragon and the Soul Killing Emperor, I can’t even fathom...A cold chill ran up Fire Mad Martial Saint’s spine, making his heart pound with fear.

Xiao Zhanxian’s expression remained calm as he casually remarked, "It seems you’ve regressed with age, completely losing your Spiritual Wisdom. Tsk, tsk."

"Who do you think you are!" This time, a human voice, still loud as a great bell, boomed from within the Emperor Array. Soon, a ferocious phoenix head protruded, violently ramming against the array’s flowing light. This demon was the baleful phoenix—Funeral Yingsheng.

This demon had a significant origin, born not only from the curses of countless Demon Clan members against the Soul Killing Demon Emperor but also from their resentment towards the Great Moon Saint. It was an Ancient Great Evil born from the amalgamation of the spirits of the Endless Demon Clan, the numerous Sea Clans from the Endless Sea Area, and more. It hated not only the Human Race but despised the Great Moon Saint even more. It resented the Great Moon Saint for failing to uphold the Demon Clan’s Destiny, thereby allowing the Human Race Destiny to slaughter countless Demons. The name Funeral Yingsheng itself implied the intention to bury Han Jiuming, the Great Moon Saint.

Since Funeral Yingsheng, the Nine Nether Phoenix, was born from the fusion of many Demon Clan souls, it possessed near-human Spiritual Wisdom from birth. With its rapid growth, it brought tremendous disaster to the Human Race, plunging the people of the Western Desert Divine Continent into misery. Ultimately, however, it was captured and suppressed by the Soul Killing Demon Emperor. Yet, for some unknown reason, the Soul Killing Demon Emperor did not deliver the final blow before his passing...

Upon seeing Xiao Zhanxian, whose face resembled the Soul Killing Demon Emperor’s by nearly ninety-nine percent, Funeral Yingsheng’s rage soared, and the surrounding environment became unbearably hot and dry.

"Stop shouting. No matter how loudly you scream, you won’t break free from the Emperor Array my father established," Xiao Zhanxian said calmly.

Hearing this, Funeral Yingsheng indeed ceased its howls. It narrowed its eyes, staring at Xiao Zhanxian for a moment before bursting into cold laughter. "Haha, ironic that you call yourself War Immortal. Yet now, like your short-lived father, you’re entering the twilight of your life."

"Your soul has long been overburdened. Even if you consume Supreme Great Medicine to prolong your life, at most you’ll live for just another hundred years or so."

"Great Emperor? Emperor’s Son? Haha, truly laughable! Each of you only knows how to pursue combat strength, neglecting the cultivation of longevity. No wonder your father was defeated by the Great Moon Rebel Dragon!"

Xiao Zhanxian fell silent for a moment upon hearing these words. The Great Moon Rebel Dragon was not only his father’s lifelong regret but also the most formidable enemy the Human Race had ever faced.

Xiao Zhanxian nodded. "Yes, indeed. ’Cultivating one’s nature but not one’s life—this is the foremost flaw in cultivation.’"

"Sometimes, I truly envy ancient great evils like you, born with such long Life Spans, virtually immortal from birth."

"This might be our last meeting. Allow me to borrow your power one more time!"

With these words, the faint manifestation of the ’Golden Crow Illuminates the Sea of Flames’ vision appeared behind Xiao Zhanxian. With a light breath, the Emperor Array transformed instantly, and a terrifying aura pervaded the area.

"No, Soul Killing!!!" Funeral Yingsheng cried out desperately for mercy.

The ’Golden Crow Illuminates the Sea of Flames’ vision behind Xiao Zhanxian grew brighter, as if the silent golden crow had sprung to life. Fire Mad Martial Saint and the others didn’t understand what Xiao Zhanxian was doing, but they faintly sensed a tremendous life essence, mingled with a vast quantity of Soul Tao Marks and Fire Tao Marks, being forcefully extracted from Funeral Yingsheng. Xiao Zhanxian then absorbed it all, augmenting his own power.

This scene was too astounding. No one could have imagined that this Emperor Array could also be used for such a purpose. This only demonstrated that the Emperor’s Son, as a blood descendant of a Great Emperor, possessed all manner of unforeseeable abilities.

HUMMING—

As the extraction continued, the ’Golden Crow Illuminates the Sea of Flames’ vision grew increasingly bright and dangerous. The mere aura emanating from it was so oppressive that Fire Mad Martial Saint and the others had difficulty breathing and were forced to distance themselves from Xiao Zhanxian.

BOOM!

The aura of a Quasi-Emperor, like a massive, exploding sea of flames, rolled out in all directions. This aura was infinitely close to the Unconventional Tao Realms!

Fire Mad Martial Saint and the others, who had already retreated, stared at Xiao Zhanxian in shock. In stark contrast, Funeral Yingsheng, the Nine Nether Phoenix, sneered at Xiao Zhanxian, "Go ahead and take it. Consider it a bone tossed to a beggar. You won’t live much longer anyway! Hahaha..."

Xiao Zhanxian remained unfazed. "If one cannot attain immortality, then life and death are but a fleeting moment. Don’t you understand?"

The Nine Nether Phoenix’s wild laughter abruptly ceased, and it froze, stunned. But before it could question further, Xiao Zhanxian had already vanished into the distance.

"Come back! Come back here right now!"

Amidst its furious cries, Xiao Zhanxian’s figure dissipated. He headed straight for the Endless Sea Area.

Recalling the intelligence relayed by the Butterfly Sword Martial Saint, Xiao Zhanxian’s killing intent surged.

Xuan Guangqiao... another Great Moon Rebel Dragon?

As long as I’m here, you can forget about emerging into this world!

...

ACHOO!

Hong Yuan’s Demonic Body involuntarily shivered. A sense of unease made him restless. He inspected his own karmic fortune and discovered that the Black Coffin Fate, which had previously mostly dissipated, had become more solid and substantial.

"Senior, how much longer until we reach the Zero Desolate Sea Area?" Hong Yuan inquired, looking down.

The Nine-tailed Crocodile Dragon beneath him, serving as his mount, shifted its head slightly, its eyes half-closed. "We must travel from one sea region to another, allowing the myriad Demons to witness your passage. We cannot simply traverse the void."

"At my current speed, it should take about three more days," it replied.

Three days...Hong Yuan exhaled slowly, sat cross-legged, and attempted to dispel the unease in his heart.

This feeling of knowingly walking into the tiger’s den is truly detestable.

Fortunately, it was only his Demonic Body facing this predicament, not his Original Body. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise.