Chapter 40: Another Instance Gone! The Nine‑Headed Immortal Phoenix's Hidden Skill!

As a transmigrator, Lu Zheng does not share this world's people's reverence for deities; he's not the type to take losses, and this Fire God Laban is targeting him, so if he grows stronger in the future he'll definitely have to kill that guy to settle his grudge.

Do you really think my title "God‑slayer" was given for free!? 【Ding! Fire God projection detected dead, you have successfully completed the class change! Promoted to Advanced Summoner! Unique skill Summon upgraded to Advanced Summon.】

【Ding! Massive experience accumulated, now fully absorbed, your level increased, current level LV. 92, all attributes amplified!】

【Notice: Because Fire God Laban's projection was slain, Fire God Island was abandoned by the Fire God, and the Fire God Island instance will permanently disappear in one hour!】

The last class change shot me from level 30 straight to 47, a gain of 17 levels; this time I was even harsher, jumping from 60 to 92, a full 32‑level boost! And it seems I've lost another instance.

I can't be blamed for this! It's that damned quest's fault!

Lu Zheng didn't leave immediately; his gaze swept the surroundings, trying to spot a treasure chest or something, but unfortunately, apart from the "Divine Rank Fragment" that fell earlier, nothing was left.

It's normal that no equipment dropped; after all, it was just an energy projection.

No treasure chest either!

He couldn't help but think secretly that Fire God Laban must have wiped everything here, leaving not a single hair for Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng glanced at the Nine‑Headed Immortal Phoenix.

In a little over half an hour this creature will drop to rank 1, so taking it to grind monsters now is pointless; today's spirit consumption was huge, need a proper rest.

He used a town‑return scroll and instantly returned inside Red Guard City.

As for Wang Jun, who had promised to wait at the instance entrance, after the recent battle Lu Zheng had already forgotten him!

Yet after the five of Wang Jiucheng rushed back to Red Guard City, they immediately informed Crimson Lotus Knight Yu Wenrou of the Saint‑level monster's arrival on the Fire God Island instance; Yu Wenrou hurried over at once.

But when he rushed in and entered the Fire God Island instance, he found the whole instance completely empty.

Not a single hair left!

It was like a stone scorched clean by a great fire—nothing at all.

Moreover, a line of notice appeared before his eyes.

【Notice: Because Fire God Laban's projection was slain, Fire God Island was abandoned by the Fire God, and the Fire God Island instance will permanently disappear in one hour!】

Killed!?

The Fire God's projection, a symbol of the deity, a level‑350 King‑tier quality Fire God Projection, was killed! Throughout Red Guard City it seemed I was the only Saint‑level practitioner; could it have been a passing Saint‑level practitioner who did it?

Filled with doubt, Yu Wenrou returned to the city and reported the news to the crowd gathered at the City Lord's mansion.

"What!? Such a powerful monster, and it was killed!?"

Song Yu asked in disbelief.

He explained that while inside, he sensed an absolute suppression, a feeling that made him want to kneel and bow in worship, with no strength to resist.

Even facing Yu Wenrou, he did not feel that.

He knew it was the deity's majesty; the Fire God's projection should wield divine power, yet such a terrifying existence was slain. Yu Wenrou glanced at him coldly and said, "What, do you doubt I'm lying to you?"

Hearing that, Song Yu's body trembled and he quickly replied, "No, of course not. I fully trust the Holy Master's words; I'm just astonished at what kind of being could slay such a manifestation of a god. Holy Master, with your strength, could you achieve this?"

Song Yu's retort left Yu Wenrou silent for a moment, then she shook her head and said:

"I'm not confident; the win rate is fifty‑fifty."

Admitting she couldn't do it, which was impossible for her pride, but according to the five's description, that powerful King‑tier quality Fire God Projection was indeed beyond her certainty to eliminate.

At this point, City Lord Nan Gong Yue spoke:

"Let this matter end here! Since the crisis is resolved, just inform the populace that the instance disappeared; do not publicize what happened inside, to avoid panic. I will draft a report with the details for the superiors."

Lu Zheng returned inside Red Guard City, went straight back to the inn to rest, and soon the Nine‑Headed Immortal Phoenix indeed reverted to rank 1; looks like tomorrow he'll need to hurry to raise its level.

There are three days left until that Summoner timed instance ends; Lu Zheng must complete the Advanced Summoner tier challenge on the final day to earn the summoner‑exclusive reward.

From what he previously learned, such exclusive profession timed instances usually grant a substantial specialization boost to practitioners.

He cannot miss any chance to get stronger, after all he now has a deity as an enemy! The next morning, after breakfast, Lu Zheng left Red Guard City and headed to a high‑level instance to grind monsters.

The highest‑level summoned beast he currently has is undoubtedly the Five‑Star Legendary Divine Pet Taotie, at level 94, but his other spirit pets are lagging.

Ignoring the Nine‑Headed Immortal Phoenix, which fell to level 1 after rebirth, besides the two divine pets, among the Celestial‑grade spirit pets the highest is Cave‑Deep Azure Snake at level 72, then Three‑Tailed Spirit Fox at 70, Howling Moon Azure Wolf at 69; Rare Beast Pets average level 55, Elite Beast Pets average only 50! That's too low; overall they can't keep up with Lu Zheng's personal upgrade pace. For example, Elite Beast Pets gain less daily experience from monster kills than a Celestial‑grade spirit pet does from a single high‑level monster.

With such poor efficiency, this capitalist Summoner is dissatisfied.

He feels it necessary to fully refresh his summoned‑beast quality, strive for more Rare Beast Pets, and also raise the overall level requirement for all beasts, urging them to work harder to kill monsters for his experience.

Only taking two‑percent of their experience as tax, yet they're still so unhelpful—truly unacceptable! Then I won't blame myself for invoking the Last‑Place Elimination Mechanism.

Entering the instance, he first summoned the Nine‑Headed Immortal Phoenix and suddenly noticed the creature seemed to have gained a skill.

【Skill: Bathing Fire Nether Phoenix (Hidden)】

【Effect: While in this state, you can devour fire energy and death energy to convert into your own experience, immune to fire spells, immune to death spells, immune to physical damage】

【Note: This skill activates only after a rebirth】

Damn! The Nine‑Headed Immortal Phoenix also got a devouring trait!?

This skill only appeared after the phoenix dropped to rank 1; had it appeared earlier, that Fire God projection would have been devoured completely, and the fight wouldn't have been so hard.

Now it's fine; looks like I need to pick another instance rich in fire energy.

In the blink of an eye, it's the third day—the final day of the timed Summoner instance's existence; Lu Zheng returns here again, enters directly, and launches the Advanced Summoner profession challenge!

(End of Chapter)