Chapter 288: A Sudden Change, a Heaven-Shaking Rebellion

All that could be seen in the vast hall was white mist filling the air; a glance revealed nothing, it was mysterious and unusual.

However, these pure mists rushed toward her; after inhaling them, her Dao power boiled wildly.

Her cultivation began to increase at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Heavenly Maiden, please."

At this moment, Elder Huangzhi from behind stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands.

She then led the way, being the first to enter the palace.

Hua Qianyu, seeing this, followed closely behind with a look of curiosity.

Entering the mist-filled palace felt like walking into a labyrinth; she could only follow cautiously behind the elder.

"The energy contained in this mist is tremendous; just inhaling it has already begun to increase my cultivation."

Hua Qianyu muttered as she walked.

She guessed that this mist must be what emanates from the Phoenix Immortal Pool.

Thus, her anticipation grew even stronger.

The further she went, the thicker the mist became, and the energy it contained grew even purer.

Soon after, Elder Huangzhi ahead stopped in his tracks.

"Heavenly Maiden, this is our clan's sacred land, the Phoenix Immortal Pool!"

Upon hearing this, Hua Qianyu behind turned to look; as soon as she saw what lay ahead, her pupils contracted sharply.

Before her lay a huge pool; its water was bright red, continuously boiling and releasing tremendous mist.

"Is this the Phoenix Immortal Pool?"

The water of this pool exerted a strong pull on her; her inner Phoenix Immortal Body activated automatically, and tremendous Heavenly Phoenix Dao Power surged forth.

Without further delay, Hua Qianyu, under Elder Huangzhi's guidance, leapt into the boiling Phoenix Immortal Pool before her.

Boom!

As soon as she entered, the red water of the Phoenix Immortal Pool boiled even more violently, surging wildly toward her and enveloping her.

"Heavenly Maiden, quickly cultivate to absorb it; the immortal water in the pool contains immeasurable energy."

Hearing Elder Huangzhi's reminder, Hua Qianyu steadied her posture and immediately began cultivating.

With a thought, the Phoenix Derivation Holy Scripture operated fully.

A resonant phoenix cry rang out, and a vast illusory phoenix shadow appeared above her.

As the cultivation method operated, she began to transform the pool's immortal water.

One massive surge of energy after another was absorbed into her body.

"Heavenly Maiden, I will retreat first."

"I will deliver the Phoenix Flame Crystal to you shortly."

Elder Huangzhi respectfully took his leave and then turned to depart.

……

Elsewhere, within the stronghold of the Phoenix Immortal Clan, inside a grand hall.

Shi Hao furrowed his brow, pacing back and forth.

"I say, senior brother, what are you doing pacing back and forth?"

"We might as well continue cultivating during this time; once junior sister finishes here, we'll have to return to the sect."

"I estimate that after this experience, junior sister's cultivation will definitely increase greatly; at that point, her cultivation will surely surpass ours."

Lin Bai, who was practicing the Azure Lotus Sword nearby, saw the senior brother pacing back and forth stop, and spoke up.

His current cultivation is the same as his senior brother's—both at the peak of the Supreme Realm, only one step away from attaining the Dao and becoming an emperor.

However, the senior brother reached this realm first and has spent more time immersed, so barring any mishap, he will break through first.

"Junior brother, I feel uneasy inside."

"Don't you feel that we've been a little too smooth this time?"

Upon hearing the junior brother speak, Shi Hao also stopped pacing and voiced his inner unease.

"Mm, senior brother, you're right; we've been a little too smooth lately."

"But senior brother, aren't you overthinking it a bit?"

At this moment, the silent Old Ancestor Yuwén spoke up: "Shi Hao's personal disciple, rest assured; the powerful ones sent by the sect have already reached the border of the Divine Radiant Heaven Domain, and will return within at most five days."

"By then, we'll be able to rest easy."

It is also unknown which senior the Sect Master has sent.

He has been keeping in touch via the token these past few days.

From that side, each time comes the roar of an immortal beast; he guesses that it must be the senior's mount.

"Five days?"

"I hope nothing unexpected happens during these five days."

After hearing Old Ancestor Yuwén's words, Shi Hao muttered.

He then stopped thinking further, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating.

His Dao power within is already complete; only one final step remains, after which he can prove the Dao and become a great emperor.

……

Time flowed on; three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, none of the things Shi Hao worried about happened; it was very peaceful.

Moreover, the sect's seniors have already rushed toward them; they will arrive in two days.

Elsewhere.

Inside the heavily guarded palace of the Phoenix Immortal Clan's treasure land.

The mist inside grew increasingly thin.

In the Phoenix Immortal Pool, Hua Qingyu furrowed her brows, frantically circulating her internal technique, for she had reached a crucial step.

After three days of drawing her body's Heavenly Phoenix Dao Power to completion, her cultivation had reached the peak of the Supreme Realm, and she was attempting to break through to the Great Emperor Realm.

Boom!

The surging Dao power within her constantly struck the Great Emperor Realm's barrier.

She had a premonition that breaking through to the Great Emperor Realm, which shocked the ages in the Barbaric Martial World, would happen today!

However, at that moment, an anomaly suddenly erupted!

The red water of the Phoenix Immortal Pool instantly turned into thick black.

Hua Qingyu, who was continuously absorbing, sensed something wrong, but had no time to react as the black water seeped into her body.

The pure Dao power ceased, and a violent energy began to destroy her meridians, frantically striking her five viscera and six bowels.

Pfft!

A mouthful of blood spurted out, Hua Qingyu's breath began to wane, and she fainted on the spot.

Celestial Maiden!

At that moment, Elder Huangzhi, who guarded the palace, sensed the change here and hurriedly flew over.

Upon seeing the scene before her, she almost collapsed.

How could this be!

Impossible!

Why did this happen!

She hurriedly flew forward, scooping Hua Qingyu out of the pool, and seeing the Celestial Maiden unconscious and unresponsive, she was extremely anxious.

The Celestial Maiden must not come to harm!

She was about to use the token to notify the Immortal Lord to come, when she heard the tumultuous sounds outside.

Hahaha! Kill!

Kill all those who disobey! From now on, the Phoenix Immortal Clan will be as I say!

An old, echoing voice rang throughout the Phoenix Immortal Clan's encampment.

When the words fell, countless domineering auras burst forth.

Innumerable Phoenix Immortal Clan immortals raised their slaughter knives and began to massacre those around them.

Wu Cao! What are you doing! Don't come over!

What are you doing! You actually cut down this immortal's second brother!

Rebellion! Rebellion! They've all gone mad!

For a time, the Phoenix Immortal Clan's encampment was engulfed in war flames, blood soaked the earth, and cries of misery and neighing never ceased.

Inside a great hall.

Shi Hao and Lin Bai, who were cultivating, suddenly opened their eyes.

Oh no, something happened!

What they had feared in their hearts still came to pass!

Junior Sister!

They thought of their junior sister still cultivating in the Phoenix Immortal Pool, so they hastily rose, summoned Elder Yuwen, and rushed outward.