The Land of Burning Skies was ablaze with towering flames, stretching as far as the eye could see, suffocating everyone beneath its oppressive heat!
Even Supreme Beings felt the terror of this place—a force capable of incinerating the heavens and slaughtering all life in the world. The Dao resonance here was utterly horrifying!
The group had already noticed the abnormality of the phoenix before them—its massive form, its cold and chilling gaze, like a killing machine that had emerged from the depths of the Netherworld.
One must remember, this was a phoenix! By nature, it was a creature of peace, bringing prosperity wherever it went—bountiful harvests, national peace, and auspicious omens for all.
Yet now, it stood frigid and towering, taller than the mightiest mountains, gazing down upon them from the barren Land of Burning Skies with ruthless indifference.
Ahead, the flames surged endlessly, obscuring its full form. Only its silhouette loomed over the ancient land, exuding an overwhelming pressure.
This was a peerless demon god, as if risen from the depths of hell, ready to break its chains and slaughter all living beings.
“Esteemed Daoist, forgive our intrusion,” one Supreme Being spoke with forced courage, for the pressure from this phoenix was immense, and its hostility sent chills through his very bones.
Most importantly, he couldn’t discern the blood phoenix’s cultivation level—but it was certainly no weaker than his own.
“If you know it’s an intrusion, then leave,” came the cold voice from within the crimson flames, unwilling to engage in conversation and directly dismissing them.
The group tensed. This was indeed the Blood Phoenix—a fallen immortal bird, still as domineering as ever, yet far more ruthless than the auspicious creature of legend.
“Daoist, please allow us to finish. We come out of necessity, seeking your aid,” another Supreme Being spoke up.
Yet as he continued, he hesitated. None of them had ever dealt with the Blood Phoenix Clan before. Asking directly for its true blood was highly inappropriate.
Why would it give them such a treasure? That blood was coveted by all clans!
The phoenix’s rebirth through fire was a legend even children knew. Its blood was among the most precious treasures in existence.
“Daoist, to be frank, we seek a portion of your true blood…” Finally, the Supreme Being from the Imperial Clan spoke, his expression uneasy.
To ask for such a thing from a stranger was beyond unreasonable.
“Am I familiar with you?” The massive creature within the crimson flames asked coldly, its gaze sweeping over them.
The message was clear—utter rejection, with no intention of granting their request.
“We understand that this request is abrupt and unreasonable, but we truly need your aid this time.”
No matter what, they wouldn’t give up. They explained that a youth favored by an Immortal King was on the verge of death and required phoenix blood to survive.
“Injured by the Gu Clan? Still as ruthless as ever, huh!” The Blood Phoenix sneered, its voice laced with emotion for the first time.
The group exchanged glances. As the old man from the Gu Clan had said, there was indeed bad blood between the two clans.
**BOOM!**
The flames surged violently, scorching the heavens. The unbearable heat made even the Supreme Beings sweat. The crimson inferno raged like an ocean, growing fiercer by the second.
The creature was moving, stepping out from the ancient land.
And there it was—its true form revealed, towering like a mountain, no longer just a vague silhouette. Its feathers gleamed like flowing blood.
This was the Fallen Blood Phoenix, a race once hailed as perfect, unrivaled across heaven and earth, possessing an undying body!
Cold and arrogant, it gazed down upon them like a monarch observing ants. After a long silence, it finally spoke again.
“Phoenix blood is rare, but not every creature can endure it. If you want it, let that youth come and attempt to absorb it himself.”
To their surprise, it had agreed—albeit conditionally.
The group exchanged puzzled looks. Earlier, the Blood Phoenix had refused outright. Yet the mention of the Gu Clan injuring Shi Hao had swayed it?
“Daoist, Shi Hao is gravely injured, recovering on Immortal Platform Mountain. He cannot come. Please make an exception,” someone pleaded.
“Does he wish to live or not? If so, let him come himself!” The Blood Phoenix was firm and domineering, its tone brooking no argument.
Its massive body was a vivid crimson, each feather radiant, bathed in scarlet light.
The Fallen Blood Phoenix differed from the phoenixes of old. True phoenixes had resplendent, multicolored plumage, while the Blood Phoenix bore only one hue—blood-red.
One Supreme Being seethed with anger, tempted to lash out. They were beings of supreme status—when had they ever been treated with such disdain? Yet today, despite their courtesy, they were met with arrogance.
Another stopped him before he could speak.
“Very well. We shall take our leave and return soon,” the Imperial Clan Supreme Being said.
As they departed, their expressions were grim. Who were they to lower themselves like this, only to be met with such haughtiness?
“I’d like to storm in and take the blood by force!” one muttered in frustration.
“That place is a dragon’s den, a tiger’s lair. Who knows if the Blood Phoenix who fought in the Immortal Ancient War still lives? If it does, provoking it would be disastrous!” the Imperial Clan Supreme Being warned gravely.
Along the way, they speculated—was the vast Land of Burning Skies truly desolate, with only this single Blood Phoenix remaining?
“Enough. We’ve left—no use dwelling on it.”
Soon, they arrived at Immortal Platform Mountain, standing once more upon its majestic peak. The mountain truly resembled a colossal head, exuding an immortal aura.
In just a few days, Shi Hao had regained vitality, his soul no longer deathly pale.
“Is it too soon to move him? His soul’s wounds aren’t fully healed,” one Supreme Being remarked, eyeing the ice coffin.
Shi Hao lay motionless within, his head glowing faintly as it absorbed wisps of mysterious light. His condition was steadily improving—at least in terms of his soul.
For the body, however, this place offered little nourishment. Only the spirit could thrive here.
“Let him stabilize for a few more days. Once his soul is firm, we’ll return to the Land of Burning Skies.”
Yet just two days later, the Supreme Beings carried the ice coffin back to the burning wasteland. They feared the Blood Phoenix might change its mind, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Besides, they could always return here if needed.
“Shi Hao, if you rise again, no longer a cripple, I’ll kill you myself!” On Immortal Platform Mountain, a man in crimson robes watched the departing coffin with icy eyes.
He was Chi Meng Hong, a descendant of Chi King and a prodigy of the Imperial Clan.
One of his kin—Supreme Being Chi Pu—had been captured by Meng Tian beyond the Imperial Pass and taken prisoner. The humiliation burned within him.
Thus, he sought vengeance. Learning of Shi Hao’s ties to Meng Tian Zheng, he naturally marked him for death.
—
Back in the Land of Burning Skies, the Supreme Beings arrived with Shi Hao’s coffin.
“What irony—so many wish to kill Shi Hao, yet here we are, laboring to save him. How absurd!” one sighed.
Shi Hao was an enemy of the Foreign Realm. That they were working to restore him rankled them deeply.
“Blame that old fool from the Gu Clan! His cruelty forced this upon us!” another grumbled.
Before they could even announce their return, a massive figure emerged from the flames—the same Blood Phoenix as before.
Though Shi Hao couldn’t move, his consciousness was awake. He stared at the towering figure. Was this the Fallen Blood Phoenix? Despite the flames, its eyes were chillingly cold.
“Follow me!”
The colossal creature moved with terrifying speed. With a single beat of its wings, the sky shattered, flames lashing into the heavens.
The Supreme Beings followed, entering the scorched land.
An ordinary being would have melted instantly—the heat was unbearable.
In an instant, they traversed eight hundred miles, arriving before a towering cliff—reddish-brown and impossibly tall, as if scraping the sky.
Here, too, nothing grew.
The cliffs formed a ring, barring entry to the clan’s innermost sanctum—a forbidden zone where the flames burned even fiercer, crimson mingled with black, some areas pure darkness, exuding dread.
“Even we may not be able to enter,” a Supreme Being murmured, sensing an immortal aura within. Something terrifying lurked beyond those cliffs.
“Here. If he has the fortune, he may take the phoenix blood. If not, you may leave.”
The massive cliffs stood like a dam, blocking their path.
Upon the central cliff hung small jars and miniature bone cauldrons, suspended mysteriously.
“Phoenix blood!”
The Supreme Beings’ pupils contracted. There were over twenty vessels, all transparent, revealing the blood within—each drop radiating an overwhelming aura.
Phoenix blood—why was it stored here? The age of the containers suggested they had hung for centuries.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage