# Chapter 719: Overwhelming Threat
readx(); As the Golden Crow Domain continued to expand, it was no longer just Phoenix City that was dyed a blazing golden-red, but the entire Shenhuang City.
The towering Black Moon Headquarters was also bathed in a sea of red. Zi Ji stood by the window, staring in the direction of Phoenix City, his expression constantly shifting, each change more violent than the last.
"Go to the underground immediately and fully activate the protective barrier!"
Zi Ji's sudden command startled the blue-clad man beside him, who exclaimed in disbelief: "Activate... activate the barrier?"
The protective barrier of the Black Moon Headquarters had not been activated for over four thousand years!
"That flame domain above Phoenix City..." Zi Ji took a heavy breath. "It is absolutely capable of destroying the entire Phoenix City! It might even reach here!"
"But the Phoenix God Sect has over a dozen Emperor Lords. Surely they can resist Yun Che's flame domain alone?" the blue-clad man asked in utter bewilderment.
Zi Ji's eyes were cold and stern as he slowly spoke: "The intensity of the flame domain Yun Che has unleashed is not overly exaggerated, but the level of its flame law principle is so absurdly high that with my understanding of the Xuan Dao, I cannot comprehend even a fraction of it! Before my spiritual sense even touches the flames, merely contacting the residual waves causes my soul to tremble uncontrollably."
The blue-clad man: "..."
"The Emperor Lords of the Phoenix God Sect are all capable enough to preserve their own lives within this terrifying flame domain. However, even if they join forces with all their might, the chances of them completely neutralizing it when it descends upon Phoenix City are, in my estimation, at most twenty percent!"
"The other eighty percent means the destruction of Phoenix City!! If those inside do not flee, everyone below the Emperor Lord realm will be burned to ashes!"
"Even if everyone can escape alive before the domain descends... with Phoenix City incinerated, its medicine gardens, crystals, wealth, and Xuan formations—thousands of years of foundation and accumulation—will be wiped out in an instant. Even if all members of the Phoenix God Sect survive and their morale remains unshaken, it would take at least a thousand years to recover to their current state."
Zi Ji's words sent a shiver through the blue-clad man. The fact that Yun Che, with his King Xuan realm profound strength, could kill two Emperor Lords had already completely shattered his understanding. Now, if not for Zi Ji personally saying it, he would never have believed or imagined that Yun Che could truly destroy the entire Phoenix City... and that all the Emperor Lords of the Phoenix God Sect together could not prevent it!
"What kind of flame is that... Could it be stronger than the Phoenix Flame?" The Phoenix Flame was the flame of a divine spirit, widely acknowledged as the strongest profound flame in the world. Yet what Zi Ji described clearly indicated that the flame Yun Che was now releasing was even more terrifying than the Phoenix Flame.
"It is indeed a flame stronger than the Phoenix Flame, and far too terrifying..." Zi Ji sighed softly, then his expression shifted slightly as he murmured: "Could this be the mysterious profound flame described by the Sun Moon Divine Palace, the one Yun Che's master, Duo Tian Laoren, used to incinerate an Emperor Lord in an instant?"
A wave of profound energy fluctuation came from the blue-clad man's sound transmission jade. He quickly took it out and reported to Zi Ji: "Master, Feng Tianwei has now rushed to the border of Shenhuang City at full speed. He will return to Phoenix City in about a hundred breaths."
"Even if he returns, it will be of no use. Once he sees Yun Che's flame domain, he will immediately understand that he absolutely cannot completely neutralize that flame domain with its abnormally high law principle level. It seems that even with Feng Tianwei personally intervening this time, he must admit defeat."
"The Sect can still afford to gamble on the life of a prince, but the survival of Phoenix City is a gamble the Phoenix God Sect absolutely cannot afford." Zi Ji said with his eyes closed.
"Go quickly and activate the protective barrier! If it spreads to the Merchant Guild, even if I personally take action, I cannot guarantee absolute safety!"
"Yes!"
The blue-clad man swiftly departed. Zi Ji opened his eyes again, refocusing on Phoenix City's location. His spiritual sense had already detected Feng Tianwei's rapidly approaching aura.
"Strange... at such a critical juncture, why hasn't their Phoenix God appeared yet?" Zi Ji narrowed his eyes slightly, muttering softly to himself, his expression thoughtful.
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"Destroy Phoenix City? Just you?" Feng Ximing roared angrily. "My grandfather will be back soon. With a wave of his hand, he can dissipate this meager power of yours!"
"The Crown Prince is right!" said the Third Elder of the Phoenix Sect, his face flushed red and drenched in sweat, but forcibly maintaining his composure. "Yun Che, look at your current state—you're clearly at the end of your rope. Once the Grand Sect Master returns, your death will be sealed! The Grand Sect Master possesses supreme Emperor Lord power. How could he tolerate your arrogance!"
"Heh," Yun Che sneered with contempt. "A person I easily tricked into going hundreds of miles away, utterly stupid and insufferable, yet he is the esteemed Grand Sect Master of your Phoenix God Sect. Not only are you not ashamed, but you even flaunt him before me. It makes me laugh out loud. Hahahahaha!"
"You... you dare insult the Grand Sect Master!!"
Yun Che's words caused all the Phoenix Elders' faces to redden with fury.
At that moment, a wild and violent aura rapidly approached from the east. All members of the Phoenix God Sect became ecstatic: "It's the Grand Sect Master... The Grand Sect Master is back!!"
Feeling Feng Tianwei's aura, the panic of all Phoenix God Sect members turned into joy. They had been deeply worried that Yun Che would bring down the massive golden-red sea of fire in the sky before Feng Tianwei returned. But now that Feng Tianwei was back, the heavy stone in their hearts finally fell.
The cheers had barely begun when a streak of fire flashed across the sky, and a fiery red figure appeared before Feng Hengkong and Feng Ximing.
"Grand Sect Master!!"
All the Phoenix Elders excitedly rushed forward, kneeling in reverence.
"Grandfather, you've returned just in time!" Feng Ximing stepped forward and said respectfully: "This wretched Yun Che used a trick to escape your pursuit and return here, arrogantly claiming he would destroy our Phoenix City, and even speaking disrespectfully of Grandfather... This beast's crimes cannot be atoned for even if he dies ten million times! Grandfather, please show no mercy."
"..." Feng Tianwei looked up at the sky without any reaction. When the others quietly glanced up at him, they were shocked to find his expression was terrifyingly gloomy. His fists were not only clenched tightly but trembling faintly... beads of sweat rapidly trickled down his knuckles, turning into wisps of steam before they could even fall.
An extremely oppressive and heavy aura emanated from Feng Tianwei, making it nearly impossible for Feng Hengkong, who stood closest, to breathe. Feng Hengkong, who had just begun to relax a little, immediately tensed up again and said in a low voice: "Father..."
Feng Tianwei ignored everyone. He stared directly at Yun Che, his chest rising and falling slightly, then slowly said: "I, Feng Tianwei, have always prided myself on being heroic and wise throughout my life. I never expected to be fooled by you today. It seems I have truly wasted these past few hundred years."
Feng Tianwei was very calm, both in words and expression. As the Grand Sect Master of the Phoenix Sect, he understood that anyone could panic except him.
As for whether his heart and soul were as calm as his appearance, only he himself knew.
"It seems the Grand Sect Master of the Phoenix Sect is a man with self-awareness." Faced with Feng Tianwei's self-deprecation, Yun Che mercilessly twisted the knife: "You are, after all, a renowned Phoenix Emperor Lord who shakes the world. But your speed is truly disappointing. I thought you would return when my destruction domain was only half complete. Who knew you would be so slow that I managed to complete eighty percent of it."
"You used some kind of spatial escape, didn't you!" Feng Tianwei said coldly. "You lured me over four hundred miles away, then used spatial escape to return here, and completed this destruction domain before I could get back... Quite a scheme."
"Heh, it's not really a scheme. I just improvised on the spur of the moment." Yun Che sneered coldly. "This was originally supposed to be my ultimate gift to your Phoenix God Sect. Unfortunately, you dared to strike me! So I had to deliver this gift ahead of schedule."
"I could kill you with a wave of my hand now!!" Feng Tianwei raised his arm, flames erupting from his palm.
"Hahahaha! Then go ahead and try!" Yun Che roared with laughter. "But I am absolutely certain that I can bring down this destruction domain before you can touch me. When that happens, my single life can exchange for all the disciples of your Phoenix God Sect and Phoenix City turning into ashes. No matter how I look at it, it's an incredibly good deal."
"You..." Feng Tianwei's arm trembled. Though his face remained calm, his teeth were nearly ground to pieces.
The others in the Phoenix God Sect could not fully grasp the horror of the flame domain above Yun Che. But Feng Hengkong, when he was a hundred miles away, had already been deeply alarmed. Now, standing directly beneath the domain, he could clearly feel its terror in endless shock.
If Yun Che truly brought down that flame domain, Feng Hengkong could save his own life, but even if he exhausted all his power, he would absolutely be unable to neutralize its power... and thus would be completely unable to protect Phoenix City.
Not just him—even if all the hidden Emperor Lords of the sect joined forces, it would be almost impossible.
Although he did not want to believe it and refused to admit it, the aura, intimidation, and law principles of that flame domain were clearly far superior to the fourth level of their Phoenix God Sect's Phoenix Flame—the highest level they could achieve!!
"Who... who exactly are you! What kind of profound flame are you using now!" Feng Tianwei struggled to keep his composure. He knew his question would not be answered truthfully, but after living for centuries, this was the first time in his life he so desperately wanted to know the answer.
Early twenties, King Xuan realm level three profound strength, yet capable of killing two Emperor Lords of his Phoenix God Sect, with speed not inferior to his... what kind of freak was this! And who raised such a freak!
What kind of flame was he using, that could make even his body and soul—with his sixth-level Emperor Lord Phoenix Flame power—tremble so violently!
"Do you even need to ask? It is the flame that judges your Phoenix God Sect! The flame that punishes your Phoenix God Sect!" Yun Che said coldly.
"If you bring down that destruction domain, while it will cover Phoenix City, it will also inevitably engulf a vast area of Shenhuang City, causing the deaths of at least hundreds of thousands, even millions of innocent people! Aren't you afraid of divine retribution!" Feng Tianwei gnashed his teeth secretly, his mind racing frantically to find a flaw in Yun Che.
"Divine retribution? I am the divine retribution that judges you!" Yun Che shouted coldly. "From the moment I arrived in Shenhuang City, everything I have done to your Phoenix God Sect is your own fault, the retribution you deserve! Today, even if the entire Shenhuang City is destroyed by this domain, the ultimate culprit is your Phoenix God Sect!"
The atmosphere over Phoenix City was both scorching and oppressive to the extreme. The exchange between Feng Tianwei and Yun Che made everyone increasingly realize the grim reality—even Feng Tianwei could not handle the flame domain in the sky!
Feng Ximing took a heavy breath, stepped forward, and whispered to Feng Tianwei: "Grandfather, you don't need to waste words with him. I will go to the Phoenix Flame Paradise right now and bring the other..."
Feng Tianwei suddenly raised his hand, making a stopping gesture. This action caused Feng Ximing and Feng Hengkong's pupils to contract simultaneously, the shock on their faces magnifying dozens of times.
"Father... is that domain truly that terrifying?" Feng Hengkong's voice was very low, but still trembling heavily.
Feng Tianwei slowly nodded, his voice heavy beyond measure: "If it descends, you will all die, and Phoenix City will cease to exist. Even if all the Emperor Lords of our sect join forces, it would be useless!"
Feng Hengkong: "!!!"
"How... how is this possible? How could Yun Che..." The air was so hot it seemed ready to ignite at any moment, yet Feng Hengkong felt a chill throughout his body. He suddenly jolted and said urgently: "Yun Che's personality is extremely extreme, like a madman. He is capable of anything! We must immediately send word for everyone to evacuate Phoenix City. At the very least..."
"No!" Feng Tianwei shouted sharply to stop him. "If Phoenix City is destroyed, it's not just the foundation that is lost. The fact that the Phoenix God is dead will also be completely exposed. Then, with neither foundation nor guardian deity, what do you think will happen to the Phoenix God Sect!"
Feng Hengkong's entire body shook violently, his face instantly turning deathly pale.
As the ancestor of the Phoenix God Sect, the Phoenix Spirit should have appeared in matters concerning the sect's survival! Although the Phoenix Spirit had not yet appeared, it had only raised some degree of suspicion. Such suspicion could easily be dismissed by the appearance of the Phoenix God's shadow three years ago.
But if Phoenix City was truly destroyed, and the Phoenix Spirit still did not appear... then the truth that the Phoenix God had perished would be fully exposed to the world.
The Phoenix God Sect would face a truly overwhelming calamity!
Feng Tianwei raised a finger behind his back, signaling Feng Hengkong to stop talking. He looked up at Yun Che and said steadily: "Yun Che, sending troops to Cang Feng was indeed our Shenhuang's fault first. We thought taking Cang Feng would be a simple task. We never imagined that Cang Feng would produce a figure like you!"
"Our sect is protected by our ancestor, the Phoenix God. Even if your flame domain were ten times stronger, it could not harm Phoenix City in the slightest. However, our sect has sworn generation after generation not to rely on the ancestor Phoenix God's power unless facing life-and-death survival. So now that things have come to this, our sect admits defeat."
"Heh..." Yun Che's brows lowered, his face full of sarcasm, but he did not expose Feng Tianwei's self-deceptive lie.
The only reason was Feng Xue'er.
If not for Feng Xue'er, he would have been more than happy to see the Four Sacred Grounds suppress the Phoenix God Sect, which they had always considered a threat, until it withered completely!
"Yun Che, if you truly wanted to destroy my Phoenix City, you would have already brought down that destruction domain. You lured me away, completed this destruction domain, and deliberately waited for me to return—clearly you do not intend to go too far. You have killed several princes and elders of our sect, but three years ago, you saved Xue'er's life. To our sect, Xue'er's life is far more important than all those you have killed combined. Therefore, our sect has no need to go too far against you."
Feng Tianwei's words would have been uncomfortable for any other force or clan, but within the Phoenix God Sect, no one found them inappropriate.
Because to the entire sect, Feng Xue'er's life was indeed more important than the lives of those dead disciples, princes, elders, and even the two Supreme Elders combined.
And far more important!
No exaggeration!!
"State your terms." Feng Tianwei's gaze was like a hungry eagle, his voice resolute and without panic, as if everything remained under his control. "As long as they are not excessive, to protect Phoenix City, our sect will fully accept them, and allow you to leave alive."
"Our sect has been established for thousands of years, and we have never backed down like this! But if you are ungrateful and make excessive demands, crossing our sect's bottom line, then humph—even if we must bear the wrath of our ancestor Phoenix God, we will have no choice but to rely on the Phoenix God's divine power. At that time, my Phoenix City will remain safe and sound, but you will die horribly, and the Cang Feng Kingdom will vanish forever from the Tian Xuan Continent, not a blade of grass left standing!"
"I, Feng Tianwei, am a man of my word!"
Feng Tianwei's words spread throughout Shenhuang City, each word striking the ears and shaking the heart.
If it were anyone else, they might indeed be intimidated by Feng Tianwei's words.
But for Yun Che, who knew that the Phoenix God had long since vanished, the latter half of Feng Tianwei's words held absolutely zero intimidation. It almost made him burst out laughing.