Chapter 210

　Early that morning, Qi Fei had just come out of his guest room when Wu Long and Yu Hong came to greet him. Both of them looked very excited, their eyes shining.

　　However, Qi Fei saw black mist shrouding their heads, with dark clouds covering the sky, clearly indicating that a great calamity was about to befall them.

　　”Good morning, both of you,” Qi Fei said.

　　”Hero Qi!” Wu Long exclaimed excitedly, grabbing his sleeve. “Today is the first day of the eleventh lunar month, a grand day for the Southern Barbarian Kingdom to worship the phoenix!”

　　Qi Fei said, “So what?”

　　Yu Hong hurriedly said, “Hero Qi, this morning, the Barbarian King led a large group of people to Phoenix Nest. My brother and I saw many martial arts figures also sneaking in. In other words, today must be the day when the major forces of the martial arts world compete for Phoenix Blood. We can’t miss it!”

　　Qi Fei glanced at them and saw the greed in their eyes. Knowing they were beyond redemption, he immediately said, “Alright, let’s set off then!”

　　He carried the Panlong Sword on his back and stepped forward.

　　Wu Long and Yu Hong were overjoyed and quickly followed behind him.

　　…

　　Behind the barbarian city lies a large mountain, shaped like a phoenix poised to take flight. The mountain is covered with lush vegetation, a primeval forest inhabited by many birds, beasts, and poisonous insects, and is especially rich in natural paulownia trees.

　　The ancient mythical beast, the phoenix, inhabits this mountain, hence it is called Phoenix Nest. It is a sacred place of the Southern Barbarian Kingdom, and outsiders are not allowed to enter.

　　Today is the first day of the eleventh lunar month, a big day for the Southern Barbarian Kingdom. Every year on this day, the Barbarian King leads his civil and military officials and the people of the kingdom to Phoenix Nest to worship Phoenix Nest and seek the protection of the Holy Ancestor Phoenix. This year is no exception.

　　“In previous years, the winter months were bitterly cold, but this year the sun is blazing. It’s really strange,” said a general in the barbarian king’s army.

　　”The stars and constellations shift in this way. The seasons are in disarray and it will take three years to return to normal. During this time, the Holy Ancestor Phoenix will be extremely weak, and we must protect it well,” the Barbarian King said.

　　The barbarian king was burly and eight feet tall. An ordinary person was at most five or six feet tall. He was more than two heads taller than an ordinary person. He was a veritable giant. His body was like an iron tower, his eyes were like copper bells, his voice was like a booming bell, his skin was dark, he was shirtless, and his arms were strong and powerful. One of his arms was thicker than the thigh of an ordinary strong man. Just standing there, he gave people a great sense of oppression. If he were to fight, he could scare people to death.

　　In fact, the Barbarian King was also a martial arts master, and a top-tier innate master with profound skills. In addition, his special physique made him even stronger than ordinary innate masters, and two ordinary innate masters were no match for him.

　　This is why the barbarian king had great prestige in the southern barbarian kingdom, and the people of the kingdom all obeyed him.

　　The soldiers around him were all top-notch experts. To prevent martial arts practitioners from causing trouble, the barbarian king not only brought officials of etiquette but also the most elite experts in the country, totaling more than three thousand people, each of whom was at the level of a top-notch martial arts master.

　　The group stepped on the dry branches in the forest and quickly reached the top of the mountain. From the top, they could see the entire barbarian city.

　　The barbarian king straightened his clothes, looked at a towering tree in front of him, and showed an expression of awe and reverence. The others did the same.

　　The sycamore tree in front of us is so thick that it would take several people to encircle it. It is incredibly tall, probably several tens of feet high, and its canopy is so graceful that it blocks out the sun, covering most of the mountaintop.

　　Among the branches of this sycamore tree is a huge bird’s nest woven from dead branches. The bird’s nest glows with a rich red light. Looking up from below, the entire bird’s nest is a huge red light, which makes the entire sycamore tree appear fiery red. This spectacle can be seen even from the foot of the mountain, and it is even more magnificent at night.

　　The barbarian king announced, “Begin the sacrifice—”

　　The official in charge of rites immediately presided over the sacrificial ceremony. Some soldiers lit huge incense sticks and candles, while others carried chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep to slaughter them, drain their blood, and pour it under the paulownia tree.

　　There were people beating drums and gongs all around, and scantily clad women dancing gracefully. The customs and traditions of the barbarian tribes were vividly displayed at this moment, creating a unique atmosphere.

　　”Kneel—” the master of ceremonies shouted.

　　The barbarian king immediately led his men to kneel before the Phoenix Nest, a magnificent sight. They knelt seven times in succession before rising. Just as they were about to proceed to the next step, a sudden change occurred—

　　With a few “whoosh” sounds, a series of dark figures darted out from the surrounding dense forest, each wielding a sword or knife, and pounced towards the Phoenix Nest!

　　Some people were still shouting, “Break open the phoenix nest, kill the phoenix, and drink its blood, and you will live forever!”

　　”This is a golden opportunity! If we miss it now, we’ll have to wait another three thousand years! Brothers, charge!”

　　In an instant, a large crowd rushed out from the surrounding area. They were all masked martial arts masters dressed in tight-fitting clothes. They came from various countries and major sects. They could not hold back at this moment and all made their move, heading straight for the Phoenix Nest.

　　Enraged by this, the Barbarian King roared, “Insolence! How dare you blaspheme my barbarian ancestors and offend the Phoenix! You deserve to die! Hear my command: slaughter all these outlaws of the martial world, leave no one alive!”

　　”Yes!” His three thousand armored soldiers responded in unison, drawing their bows and shooting arrows at the martial arts practitioners.

　　However, those martial arts practitioners were all experts, even more powerful than the armored soldiers under the barbarian king. Each of them had their own signature skills. Facing the arrows of three thousand armored soldiers, the group dodged while charging towards them.

　　”You barbarians, if you wanted us to kill the phoenix, that would be one thing. But since you’ve chosen your own death, don’t blame us for being ruthless. Today, we’ll destroy your Southern Barbarian Kingdom!”

　　With a shout, the group of martial arts masters turned and attacked the armored soldiers. The scene quickly descended into chaos, with people dying and falling into pools of blood.

　　Originally, there was only the blood of sacrificial animals under the sycamore tree, but now there is a lot of human blood, and the strong smell of blood is spreading around.

　　”Hmph, ignorant brat, die!”

　　With a loud shout, the barbarian king swung a thick spiked club, his massive arms wielding it. The club’s sharp spikes were so deadly that they would tear flesh from the skin, leaving people either dead or seriously injured. A single blow could kill or injure many. Although the martial artists around him were skilled, none of them could stand against him.

　　Seeing this, some people knew that the Barbarian King was not to be trifled with, so they quickly broke away from the battle and rushed back to the Phoenix Nest, intending to kill the phoenix first and obtain its blood. If they could gain immortality and increase their power by several decades, then everything would be fine.

　　Although the Barbarian King tried his best to block these martial arts practitioners, someone eventually got close to the Phoenix Nest and stabbed the nest with a sword!

　　At that very moment, a phoenix cry rang out!

　　A ball of red light expanded from the bird’s nest, and the man who had stabbed the nest with his sword was swallowed up by the red light. He didn’t even have time to scream before his whole body turned to ashes, and even the long sword in his hand melted away.

　　The martial arts practitioners who were still climbing the tree were shocked to see this and quickly retreated!

　　Everyone looked up and saw a huge figure flying out of the nest. It was an enormous firebird with wingspans of more than ten zhang. Its feathers were colorful, bright and beautiful. It had a tall crest on its head, like a burning flame. The feathers on its wings fluttered in the wind, which was very beautiful. It also had three long feathers on its tail, which were extremely beautiful!

　　Everyone was stunned!

　　What else could this be but the legendary phoenix?!

　　“Phoenix, phoenix…” someone cried out in a hoarse voice.

　　More martial arts practitioners went into a frenzy, using their lightness skills to rush towards the phoenix on the parasol tree, wanting to kill the divine bird and get a mouthful of its blood.

　　The phoenix landed on the top of the parasol tree, looking down at the crowd below. She spread her wings, and flames suddenly ignited on them. Several red fireballs suddenly separated from them and fell into the crowd.

　　With a hiss, smoke billowed out, and anyone hit by the fireball was instantly burned to ashes without any chance to resist or even extinguish the flames.

　　”Wasn’t it said that the changing seasons would weaken the beasts? How come this monster is still so powerful!”

　　”Never mind, I must obtain the Phoenix Blood today!”

　　Despite this, a large number of martial arts practitioners, undaunted by the danger, continued to rush towards Phoenix.

　　The barbarian king led his armored soldiers to kneel down, shouting, “Holy Ancestor, please calm your anger! Holy Ancestor, please calm your anger!”

　　Chaos reigned on the mountaintop. On one hand, countless martial artists were rushing forward to obtain the Phoenix Blood, while on the other hand, the Barbarian King led his armored soldiers in a fierce battle against these martial artists. At the same time, the Phoenix rained down countless flames, burning all the invading enemies to death.

　　Just then, seven beautiful figures suddenly flew over from not far away. Before they even arrived, a melodious female voice rang out: “You’d better leave quickly! With your martial arts skills, you’ll only be throwing your lives away!”

　　”Hey, it’s Princess Kun! Kun Kingdom is getting involved in this mess too.” Someone immediately recognized her; it was Kazemi Haru.

　　The others were Wang Wanru, Leng Shuxue, and the others. All seven of them were dressed in red dresses and came together. Using the branches for leverage, they leaped a few times and approached the sycamore tree.

　　These martial arts figures paid no heed to Feng Jianqing’s words. With the phoenix right before their eyes, their greed for the phoenix’s blood had already suppressed all fear, and they still rushed towards the phoenix one after another.

　　When the Barbarian King saw that Feng Jianqing and the others also had designs on the Phoenix, he immediately flew into a rage. He roared, “Even if the Empress of Kun Kingdom comes, she will not be allowed to lay a finger on my Barbarian Ancestor! Kill them!”

　　This barbarian king was indeed a fierce and brave man. Leading his armored soldiers and wielding huge spiked clubs, he actually attacked Feng Jianqing and the others.

　　Kazami Haru lightly touched the ground with her toes, striking the barbarian king’s spiked club squarely. The barbarian king felt the weapon in his hand become incredibly heavy, almost pressing him to the ground. He roared and used all his strength, along with the internal energy he had cultivated for decades, to barely dissipate the immense force. He still swung the spiked club at Kazami Haru.

　　Kazeki Shizuka swept past the Barbarian King and leaped onto the paulownia tree. Li Yuyao followed closely behind, and with a light slap of her palm, a cyan palm shadow struck the Barbarian King’s spiked club. The Barbarian King felt a jolt throughout his body and retreated backward.

　　When I looked again, all seven women had already flown up the phoenix tree.

　　”Kill! Kill them…” The barbarian king roared in fury and led his men in pursuit.

　　Kazemi Haruka and Li Yuyao exchanged glances. The seven women looked at the phoenix at the top of the parasol tree and leaped into the air. While they were still in mid-air, they suddenly joined hands and became one, forming a formation in mid-air that looked like a giant flying bird. As they floated up, a blue-purple light enveloped the seven of them, and together with their red dresses, they looked colorful and dazzling.

　　With the support of true energy and the protection of the array, in an instant, Kazami Haru and the other six transformed into a giant bird, which looked similar to the phoenix at the top of the parasol tree, only slightly smaller.

　　When the phoenix on the parasol tree saw the smaller red and blue phoenix, its eyes blazed with fire, it let out a cry, and flew to meet it.

　　Just as Kazami Haru and the others were about to meet the Phoenix, another unexpected event occurred!

　　”Haha, you’ve come at the perfect time!”

　　A young man dressed in a dragon robe, holding a folding fan, strolled leisurely down the mountain, followed by a group of people, each with superb lightness skills. In the blink of an eye, they arrived under the paulownia tree.

　　It was Xia Yushu and Jiang Yuangong, among others.

　　Xia Yushu looked up at Feng Jianqing and the others in mid-air and asked, “Master, what kind of formation are Feng Jianqing and the others using?”

　　Dressed in a black robe, Jiang Yuangong stood beside him, looked up, and his aged voice rang out: “This is the ‘Phoenix Dance in the Nine Heavens’ formation. Because these seven people are of one mind, under the effect of the formation, their inner strength can be interconnected, making them as one, with strength equivalent to a Heavenly Realm expert. Furthermore, when this formation is used, its shape resembles a phoenix, thus it can confuse real phoenixes, making them mistake them for their own kind. Not only will the phoenix not harm them, but it will also dance with them…”

　　”I see.” Xia Yushu smiled slightly. “It’s just a pity that no matter how wonderful their formation is, it’s nothing more than making wedding dresses for us.”

　　Wang Hongyu, Bai Bufan, and the others all wore mocking expressions, seemingly implying that no matter how hard Feng Jianqing and the others tried, it would be in vain.

　　”Go! Take down Phoenix and Kazami Haru as well!”

　　”kill!”

　　With a low shout from Xia Yushu, these top experts of the Great Xia Dynasty all took action, each displaying their superb lightness skills, and leaped towards the paulownia tree with unparalleled speed!

　　When Kazami Haru and the others saw Xia Yushu and the others arrive at the critical moment, they knew things were going badly, but they were now in a bind and had no choice but to fight it out.

　　The seven women continued to operate the formation, united in heart and body, transforming into a phoenix, flying beside the real phoenix, waiting to receive the attack from Xia Yushu and the others.

　　Long Zhanye, Xia Yushu, Wang Hongyu, Ye Jingyun, Bai Bufan, Yuan Fuyao, Wei Dongxiang, and Yao Ye—a Heavenly Realm expert plus seven top-tier Innate Realm masters—all pounced on the birds that Feng Jianqing and the other seven women had transformed into. With such immense power, even if Feng Jianqing and the others truly possessed the strength of Heavenly Realm experts, they would be no match for them.

　　Meanwhile, Jiang Yuangong and the Corpse Demon pounced on the divine bird Phoenix. Behind the Corpse Demon was a group of men in black, all of whom were agile and moved back and forth on the phoenix tree. Before long, they approached the Phoenix and launched a fearless attack on it.

　　Kazami Haruka and the other seven women dodged Long Zhanye’s thunderous bombardment with a leap. At this moment, Xia Yushu and the others launched another attack, leaving the seven women overwhelmed. Fortunately, they were connected by an array, united as one, so they were not injured for the time being. They were just at a disadvantage and unable to fight back.

　　Faced with the combined attacks of two powerful Heavenly Realm experts, Jiang Yuangong and the Corpse Demon, as well as more than twenty strong undead, the divine phoenix finally succumbed to their strength, making it clear that the beast had indeed entered a weakened state and was unable to unleash its full power.

　　At this moment, those martial arts practitioners were still fighting fiercely with the armored soldiers led by the Barbarian King. The difference was that while Feng Jianqing and others were fighting fiercely in the paulownia tree, these people were fighting on the ground. The battle was extremely intense both in the sky and on the ground, and it was difficult to determine who was the winner.

　　Just as Feng Jianqing and the others were facing a dangerous situation, surrounded and attacked by Xia Yushu and his group, a voice rang out: “They’ve started fighting so quickly? Don’t be afraid, my wives, I, the great hero Qi, am here—”

　　Qi Fei held the Panlong Sword upside down, stepped into the void, and flew quickly, leaving countless afterimages in mid-air. In an instant, he arrived on the paulownia tree.

　　”Master Qi, wait for us…”

　　Wu Long and Yu Hong were running on the ground when they saw the divine phoenix. They were so excited that they couldn’t contain their greed. Although the scene was extremely chaotic, they couldn’t resist the huge temptation. Moreover, they used Qi Fei as a shield, thinking that with Qi Fei around, they could at least save their lives.

　　However, Qi Fei had no time to care about their lives or deaths.

　　”Anyone who dares to take a step closer will be pulverized!” the Barbarian King roared repeatedly. Although he couldn’t control the experts from Kun Kingdom and Great Xia, he still didn’t take ordinary martial arts practitioners seriously.

　　Just as Wu Long and Yu Hong were about to climb the paulownia tree, the barbarian king snorted coldly, flashed after them, and swung his spiked club at them.

　　Wu Long and Yu Hong had no time to dodge and were smashed into mincemeat by the spiked clubs. Like other martial arts figures with dreams, they died on the spot, their lives ending in regret.

　　Before Qi Fei even arrived, the Panlong Sword in his hand shot out. Ye Jingyun hurriedly swung the Golden Crow Blade to block it. The swords clashed, producing a crisp sound. Ye Jingyun felt his arm go numb, and the precious sword almost slipped from his hand.

　　With the Panlong Sword back in his hand, Qi Fei brandished the sword, and streaks of dragon-shaped sword energy shot out in spiral trajectories, heading towards Long Zhanye, Xia Yushu, and the others. The eight of them unleashed their martial arts skills to deflect Qi Fei’s sword energy.

　　Seeing Qi Fei arrive, Xia Yushu laughed loudly, “Brother Qi, you’re too late! I’ve already slept with your sister!”

　　Qi Fei was not angered by his nonsense. He laughed and said, “Brother Xia, you’re too early. If you had left, your mother and wife would have been fucked to death by me!”

　　Xia Yushu knew that he was good with words, so she stopped being sarcastic and quickly instructed Wang Hongyu and the others to cooperate and intensify their attack on Feng Jianqing and the others.

　　Qi Fei arrived through the void at incredible speed. Upon seeing this, Long Zhanye immediately flew forward, swinging his fists and unleashing a barrage of lightning-infused fist shadows towards Qi Fei.

　　”Uncle, if you dare to stand in my way today, I’ll make sure you die right here!”

　　Qi Fei also became fierce, showing no fear of Long Zhanye’s “Heavenly Gang Five Thunder Strike”. With a twist of his long sword, the opponent’s attack vanished. Then, he pushed forward with his left hand, and a Tai Chi vortex appeared out of thin air, with red and blue energies rotating back and forth in the middle, flying towards Long Zhanye in a spiral trajectory.

　　”The outcome is still uncertain!” Long Zhanye snorted coldly and charged forward without showing any weakness.

　　After a few exchanges, Long Zhanye was at a disadvantage. Not only was he less ruthless than Qi Fei, but he also lacked powerful weapons, making him slightly weaker in the end.

　　Not far away, seeing that Long Zhanye was at a disadvantage, the Corpse Demon waved the fortune-telling banner in his hand, and two black figures immediately flew over and attacked Qi Fei.

　　These two black figures actually possessed the strength of the Heavenly Realm, so Qi Fei dared not be careless and fought with all his might.

　　He was blocked by three top experts, while Feng Jianqing and the others were also engaged in a fierce battle with Xia Yushu and his group. It was a seven-on-seven fight, and the two sides were evenly matched.