Chapter 777: Repairing the Altar

Yan Buji covered his wound, looked up at the sky, and saw a huge Azure Phoenix descend, its body radiating a soft glow like an immortal realm spirit beast. Its wings lightly flapped, and the surrounding violent wind was easily dispelled, as if it had no effect on it.

"Is this… an Azure Phoenix?" Yan Buji's heart jumped.

He knew that the Azure Phoenix was an extremely powerful race among the demon clan, innately possessing a formidable divine ability. Although this Azure Phoenix before him might not be the legendary divine beast, it at least possessed similar abilities.

The Azure Phoenix flew above Yan Buji and slowly descended to the ground. Its eyes were filled with the light of wisdom, as if it could see through everything.

"Human, why have you intruded here?" the Azure Phoenix spoke, its voice clear and gentle.

Yan Buji's heart jumped; he never expected this Azure Phoenix could speak human language. He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Junior Yan Buji, I have come here for training due to cultivation needs. I did not know a senior was present; please forgive any offense."

The Azure Phoenix slightly nodded and said, "This place is the core area of the Dinglong Mountains; the source of the violent wind is here. Your strength is insufficient; rashly intruding will only get you killed for nothing."

Yan Buji's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "Senior, what exactly is the source of this violent wind? Why does it affect the entire mountain range?"

The Azure Phoenix fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The source of the violent wind is an ancient altar deep within the Dinglong Mountains. That altar seals an ancient ferocious beast, and the violent wind is the aura it emits. If you wish to resolve the violent wind problem, the only way is to seal that beast."

Yan Buji's heart shook upon hearing this. He knew he had probably been drawn into a huge conspiracy. The power of that ancient ferocious beast far exceeded his imagination; he could not possibly contend with it.

"Senior, my strength is too weak; I fear I cannot accomplish such a great task," Yan Buji said with a bitter smile.

The Azure Phoenix slightly shook its head and said, "You seem to know the Time Secret Technique; perhaps you can awaken the seal's power within the altar. However, this is extremely risky; a slight mistake could lead to eternal ruin. Are you willing to give it a try?"

Yan Buji fell silent for a moment, then a flash of determination crossed his eyes: "Junior is willing to give it a try!"

The Azure Phoenix's words were very blunt: whether you go yourself or I force you to go, you have no room for choice.

Although Yan Buji did not know how the other had discerned that he knew the Time Secret Technique, at this moment he knew that rather than being embarrassed, it would be more dignified to follow it and see what happens next.

The Azure Phoenix nodded and said, "Very well, then I will take you to the altar. However, whether it succeeds depends on your fortune."

Having said that, the Azure Phoenix spread its wings, gesturing for Yan Buji to follow.

With a beat of its wings, the Azure Phoenix shot up into the sky in an instant, flying toward the deepest part of the Dinglong Mountains.

Yan Buji took a deep breath, suppressed his anxiety, and quickly caught up to the Azure Phoenix. He knew he had no retreat and could only grit his teeth and press forward. The Azure Phoenix's speed was extreme; Yan Buji had to exert all his Immortal Essence power to barely keep pace.

As they gradually penetrated deeper into the core area of the Dinglong Mountains, the surroundings became even more eerie. The originally barren hills were gradually shrouded in sheets of black mist, and the air was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression. The power of the violent wind here reached its peak; Yan Buji felt his combat strength weakened to the extreme, and even the circulation of his Immortal Essence became sluggish.

"The aura here… is too terrifying." Yan Buji secretly warned himself, tightly following behind the Azure Phoenix, daring not to relax in the slightest.

The Azure Phoenix seemed to sense Yan Buji's discomfort, lightly flapped its wings, and a soft glow enveloped him. Instantly, Yan Buji felt the oppressive aura weaken considerably, and his Immortal Essence returned to normal circulation.

"Thank you, senior." Yan Buji hastily clasped his hands in gratitude.

The Azure Phoenix slightly nodded and continued forward. Not long after, they arrived before a huge valley. In the valley's center stood an ancient altar, its surroundings covered with complex runes and formations, emitting an ancient and mysterious aura.

"That is the altar sealing the ancient ferocious beast." The Azure Phoenix halted and slowly said.

Yan Buji looked up and saw that the altar stood tens of zhang tall, constructed entirely of a kind of black stone, its surface etched with the marks of time. At the altar's center, a huge crack could be faintly seen, from which black mist continually gushed out, as if something were trying to break free of the seal.

"Is that the source of the violent wind?" Yan Buji's heart jolted, sensing the terrifying power contained in that black mist.

The Azure Phoenix nodded and said, "That ancient ferocious beast has been sealed here for hundreds of thousands of years, but as time passes, the seal's power gradually weakens, and the violent wind is the sign of its attempt to break free. If not stopped, it will likely break completely free soon."

Yan Buji's heart sank, and he asked, "Senior, what should I do to strengthen the seal?"

The Azure Phoenix fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The altar's seal requires temporal power to be repaired. Since you master the Time Secret Technique, you can, through the altar's runes, perform the Time Secret Technique to draw the power of the Time River into the seal, thereby reinforcing it."

Yan Buji's heart stirred upon hearing this. He knew the Time Secret Technique indeed possessed some strong abilities, but relying solely on the few years he has cultivated it, repairing the seal seemed impossible.

"Senior, my Time Secret Technique is not yet proficient; I fear I cannot accomplish such a great task," Yan Buji said with a bitter smile.

The Azure Phoenix slightly shook its head and said, "No problem, I will assist you from the side. You just need to follow my guidance and perform the Time Secret Technique."

Yan Buji nodded, his mind somewhat eased. He knew that with the Azure Phoenix assisting him, his chances of success would be much greater.

Whether sincere or not, having come this far, does Yan Buji have any room to resist?

Since resistance is futile, he can only do as the other says.

"All right, junior will begin now." Yan Buji took a deep breath and slowly walked toward the altar.

As he approached the altar, the black mist seemed to sense his presence and surged toward him. Yan Buji's heart tightened; he immediately activated his inner power, performed the Time Secret Technique, and circulated his Immortal Essence to protect himself. A soft glow emanated from within him, pushing back the black mist.

A glint of sharp light flashed in the Azure Phoenix's eyes, and it thought silently: Martial and Law Dual Cultivation?

"Now, pour temporal power into the altar!" the Azure Phoenix's voice rang in Yan Buji's ears.

Yan Buji did not dare delay; he immediately activated the Time Secret Technique to draw the Time River. The projection of the Time River reappeared, and the Azure Phoenix, using some unknown method, gently sent that projection toward the altar's runes. As the power of the Time River flowed in, the runes on the altar gradually lit up, emitting an ancient and powerful aura.