Chapter 333: Imperial Prince

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince talked tough, but in reality, he had already lost control of the scene.

The scene grew increasingly chaotic.

Many obtained the 【Phoenix Feather】, only to attract others' covetous eyes.

He Pingsheng hid in a corner and secretly placed the newly acquired Phoenix Egg into the Treasure Basin.

The Treasure Basin was inside the Hundred Treasures Sack, and the Hundred Treasures Sack was stored in his supreme storage bag.

Could this thing be strengthened?

He Pingsheng didn't know.

He could only wait.

Let's see by nightfall!

"Your Highness… nothing!"

"Your Highness, we couldn't find it!"

"There's no trace of that man at all!"

One by one, imperial clan disciples reported to the Thirteenth Imperial Prince.

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince nodded, then narrowed his eyes and said: "Stay here and watch. If you spot that bastard, kill him on the spot!"

"I'm going inside first!"

He was a single Fire Spirit Root, with immense fire spiritual power, so he could endure the sea of fire longer than others.

Previously, he couldn't have entered the Fire Dragon at all, not even within five zhang of it.

But now, because the Fire Dragon's power had been weakened by two-tenths, the Thirteenth Imperial Prince had also entered the Fire Dragon itself.

It was a cylindrical space.

Not large—only one zhang in diameter.

Inside, it was empty, nothing at all.

No Phoenix Egg, no Fire Crystal, no He Pingsheng.

"Damn…" The Thirteenth Imperial Prince's face turned ashen: "How the hell did that dog get out?"

"Who the hell is he?"

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince, empty-handed, emerged from the Fire Dragon and sat gloomily on a nearby boulder.

"Old Nine… come here!"

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince glared at the Ninth Imperial Prince.

The Ninth Imperial Prince had no choice but to approach.

The two sat facing each other.

"Tell me," the Thirteenth Imperial Prince's tone was hostile, "where is your friend Xu?"

The Ninth Imperial Prince replied: "How would I know? I haven't seen him either. It's strange—he didn't come to the Fire Dragon Gully?"

"Didn't come?"

"Hehehe…"

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince sneered: "Old Nine, you're such a pig—stupid…"

"You—" The Ninth Imperial Prince, though fearful of Old Thirteen, was furious at being called a pig, but after thinking, dared not curse back, so he spat back sarcastically: "Fine, call me a pig if you want—but don't forget, we're brothers!"

"I'm a pig? You're not getting off either!"

Old Thirteen waved his hand: "Enough of this. I'll tell you—your friend Xu possesses some kind of treasure or talisman for disguise."

"Huh?" Old Nine asked: "Why do you say that?"

Old Thirteen said: "Isn't it obvious?"

"Your friend Xu didn't fail to come—he disguised himself, walked into the Fire Dragon!"

"What?" The Ninth Imperial Prince exclaimed: "Old Thirteen, you mean the one who took the Phoenix Egg from the Fire Dragon… is Xu?"

"Mm." The Thirteenth Imperial Prince nodded: "After getting the Phoenix Egg, he disguised himself again and slipped out amid the chaos. I'm certain he's right here now!"

"We just can't see through his disguise!"

After thinking a moment, the Ninth Imperial Prince nodded: "That must be it—otherwise, how else to explain why that man never showed up?"

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince pointed: "You—come here!"

An old servant stepped forward.

The Thirteenth Imperial Prince said: "Go out immediately and tell the Elder: the young man surnamed Xu has obtained the Phoenix Egg from within the Fire Dragon. He is skilled in disguise and cannot be identified. Tell Elder Fotu to be extremely cautious—do not let him escape!"

"Yes!" The old servant nodded, then crushed his jade tablet, which turned into a streak of light and flew away.

The rest of the time was spent waiting.

Waiting for the final Wood Dragon Gully to open.

He Pingsheng constantly monitored his storage bag.

When night fell, moonlight and lunar essence gathered invisibly, quietly seeping into He Pingsheng's body.

Then entered the storage bag, absorbed by the Treasure Basin.

He Pingsheng split off a thread of spiritual sense, watching the Treasure Basin constantly.

At one moment, the Phoenix Egg inside the Treasure Basin suddenly split into two.

"This…"

He Pingsheng burst into joy: It really had been strengthened!

He had never expected the Phoenix Egg could be strengthened at all.

After the Phoenix Egg became two, he quickly stole one out and tossed it into another storage bag.

Only one remained inside the Treasure Basin to continue strengthening.

Why remove one?

To prepare for exiting the secret realm later.

The Phoenix Egg was no ordinary thing—the Thirteenth Imperial Prince said it must not fall into outsider hands.

So imagine what would happen after exiting: the imperial clan would demand it back. Would he give it?

He had to give it!

If he didn't, he might not even leave alive!

So He Pingsheng deliberately left one un-strengthened.

If he escaped imperial search, he could strengthen it later.

Worst case, he'd still get one.

After one night, the remaining Phoenix Egg was strengthened.

Previously, its shell was gray-white, streaked with crimson veins.

Now, the shell turned crimson, and the veins became gold.

Crucially, its size had increased.

From one chi long, it grew to about one and a half chi.

It had thickened by a full circle.

He Pingsheng dared not take it out—only swept his spiritual sense over it.

Then, information appeared in his mind.

Item: True Blood Phoenix Egg.

Rank: Divine Beast.

Note: Contains one-tenth Phoenix True Blood. Can be hatched by feeding with fire-elemental heavenly treasures; upon hatching, yields Nascent Soul peak cultivation.

Holy shit…

Seeing this, He Pingsheng was overwhelmed with excitement.

Though it contained only one-tenth Phoenix True Blood, this was no longer a mere variant phoenix.

This was True Blood Phoenix.

And of Divine Beast rank—hatching would grant Nascent Soul cultivation.

Amazing!

After receiving this information, He Pingsheng formed a theory on why the Treasure Basin could strengthen the Phoenix Egg.

Since the Phoenix hatches into Nascent Soul cultivation, it could be understood as a third-rank heavenly treasure.

If it was third-rank, then it could be strengthened.

In the following days, He Pingsheng continued strengthening.

【Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow】: Strengthening failed!

【Red Fire Crystal】: Strengthening failed!

【Shatter-Soul Thunder Fruit】: Strengthening failed!

【Phoenix Feather】: Strengthening failed!

【Sarala Holy Fruit】: Not tested—already tested before, failed.

All these items were above third-rank.

In these few days, the only heavenly treasure He Pingsheng successfully strengthened was 【Ice Source Jiazi Dew】.

Because it was meant for Nascent Soul cultivators, it was third-rank.

Third-rank items could still be strengthened.